Household chores are something that I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with. I love the end result, but I hate the process to get there. A clean, comfortable, organized home is always the goal, but the work involved is too much! Since chores and other tasks are a part of life (unless you hire help which I’m not opposed to), I’ve tried to find ways to make them somewhat enjoyable. Here are a few tips on how to make certain tasks more tolerable.
1/ Use good tools that work and speed up the process
This is one of the best things you can do- figure out a way to make the tasks move along faster. For example, if cooking isn’t your thing but you still have to do it, use an instant pot or air fryer to make the process from prep to table much faster. Also, something as simple as using sharp knives will make cutting faster which in turn makes the process faster.
Another example is for chores such as cleaning the bathroom. I started using an automatic cleaning brush for the bathroom, and it has also made the job much faster. Also, using a daily shower spray will help to keep the shower cleaner so when it’s time to actually clean it there won’t be as much to clean away. Simple things like these will make a job complete much faster and easier.
2/ Use aesthetically pleasing tools
Maybe it’s just me, but when I have kitchen tools that are aesthetically pleasing, it makes me want to use them and I look forward to cooking. Using cookware that matches your kitchen aesthetic, eating from matching dining sets, etc. can elevate the process and make it more enjoyable. For example, I recently purchased a cookware set that had the color scheme for my other kitchen tools, and I’ve felt more excited to cook. Cooking isn’t my favorite thing in the world, but it has been more pleasant with the pretty tools. It’s important to make sure the pretty tools actually work though, because sometimes something looks nice but doesn’t do a good job at the task at hand. Do your research, but when you find something that looks beautiful and does the job well, that’s golden!
3/ Listen to music (or make playlists for certain activities)
Music always helps to make a task more enjoyable. Maybe it’s because you go into auto-pilot on the task and are paying more attention to the music. Maybe it’s because music can make you happy, so hearing your favorite songs masks the work that you’re doing. I like to listen to certain kinds of music for certain tasks. For example, while making my morning latte, I like to listen to Bossa Nova/Samba, while cooking dinner I listen to Alt R&B, while cleaning the kitchen during the week I listen to old school R&B, and on the weekends when I’m cleaning, I listen to 90’s R&B and Hip Hop (need to have faster music to clean to!). You could also make a playlist for certain tasks that just feels right to you.
4/ Make a favorite beverage before getting started
I like to make a latte before I get started with my household cleaning tasks because I need a pick-me-up, but also I look forward to the drink and love the routine that I have created around it. It helps to get me in the right mindset as I sit and think about the day ahead and things that I plan to do. Thinking and planning over a cup of coffee just feels right.
You may want to skip the coffee and make a glass of wine before starting your tasks. Hey, no judgement here! Sometimes cooking while drinking a glass of wine is so relaxing and makes the whole experience more enjoyable. Whatever it is you decide to pour, incorporate it into your task times so you can have a routine to look forward to.
5/ “Romanticize” your life
Try to make every moment as special as you can. For example, even if you’re working remote, wear jewelry, spray on perfume, do your eyebrows, etc. Do it for yourself, not for anyone else; it just adds an extra special aspect to your day and tasks so you can enjoy them (or at least tolerate them) a little more. When you make your bed, prep it like a nice hotel bed with a tray and your favorite nighttime items on it. Or before cleaning your living room, pick out a candle that you will burn once the cleaning is done. The candle in a freshly cleaned room is the icing on the cake! Think of some of your favorite ways to romanticize your life and incorporate them into your to-do list.
What are some ways you get mentally prepared to tackle a long to-do list or even a long household chores list? Let me know in the comments!å