Hacking Homemaking: Tips and Insights
Introduction
- Social media causes feelings of inadequacy.
- What we see online is often fictional or a small part of someone’s life.
- The speaker is not a natural homemaker.
- The speaker is from a large family (10 people, 10 acres, homeschooling).
- The aim: Show how to be a good homemaker, even if it's not a natural inclination.
Key Points
Prioritization
- Know what's important to you each day.
- Focus on your priorities, not others'.
- Define what accomplishment looks like to you.
Stop Comparing
- Comparisons lead to feelings of inadequacy.
- Put on blinders and focus on your own progress.
- Understand that you only see what others want you to see.
Create Routines
- Schedules vs. Routines: Personal preference for routines.
- Routines provide structure without rigidity.
Figure Out Your Stuff
- Decide your comfort level with the amount of stuff in your home.
- Minimalism vs. Essentialism: Find what works for you.
- Keep what you can manage and discard the rest.
Delegate Chores
- You’re a mom, not a maid.
- Homemaking is about the overall function of the home, not doing everything yourself.
- Involve the entire family in chores.
Meal Planning
- Plan meals to avoid last-minute stress.
- Use a mix of familiar and new meals.
- Consider using meal planning tools and printable lists.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
- Focus on the big picture, not trivial details.
- Let go of insignificant worries.
- Watch "Frozen" if needed to get the "Let it go" mindset.
Maintain Perspective and Gratitude
- Appreciate what you have and maintain perspective.
- Compare your life to your past to see improvements.
- Keep expectations realistic.
- Understand that life involves ups and downs.
Homemaker's Prayer
"Lord, we thank thee for the sink of dirty dishes, we have good food to eat. Thank you for this pile of dirty laundry, we have nice clothes to wear. Thank you for these unmade beds, they were comfortable last night..."
- A prayer emphasizing gratitude for everyday chores as blessings.