I’m a bit of a hidden slob, and not just in one area, but throughout my entire home. If I had to choose between a pristine house and a scene straight out of a hoarding reality show, I’d pick the former in a heartbeat—if only I didn’t have to clean it myself.
I’m definitely not unclean; I’d shower multiple times a day if my schedule allowed. I constantly worry about germs in public spaces and panic when my kids try to come inside with dirty shoes. A food stain on my shirt sends me into a frenzy, leaving me to awkwardly cover the mark while hoping no one thinks I’m acting strangely.
The truth is, I just despise cleaning. It feels futile since everything will eventually get messy again—over and over. If I had the financial means and didn’t care about the planet, I’d toss out dirty dishes and clothes without a second thought, simply replacing them with new ones. I wouldn’t save a single piece of paper. And, if I didn’t fear the potential therapy costs for my kids, I’d snap pictures of their school projects and toss the originals straight into the bin.
Sometimes I hear friends say how therapeutic they find cleaning, claiming it brings them peace. I can’t help but wonder what they’re really on—perhaps just cleaning products or something more potent?
My husband is likely the most let down by my lack of cleaning prowess. Looking back, I may have exaggerated my organizational skills during our dating days. “I’m super organized,” he’d boast, and I’d eagerly agree, “Oh, absolutely!” But that was a total fib. My household skills, if laid out in a dating profile, would be as inflated as my 1998 resume. I mix laundry colors, use a handheld vacuum to clear crumbs from the table, and can go weeks without changing my sheets. My drawers are perpetually ajar, stuffed with wrinkled clothes, and a mop hasn’t touched my floors in years.
I genuinely worry that without the occasional motivating force—like having guests over—our home would devolve into a cluttered nightmare resembling a perpetual yard sale. To keep my secret life as a slob under wraps, I’ve resorted to the unthinkable: hiring someone to clean my house for me.
Resources for Fellow Strugglers
For those navigating similar struggles, you might find helpful resources in articles about understanding your 25-month-old child’s growth and development or in guides on treating infertility. And if you’re curious about practical home insemination solutions, check out our post on the home insemination kit.
In essence, while I strive for a clean home, my inclination toward clutter often wins out, leading me to seek out help rather than tackle the mess myself.