It’s happening again.
My home is spotless. I can take the time to organize everything, scrub each room thoroughly, and for a brief moment, it shines. The air carries a manufactured scent reminiscent of a tropical rainforest. We can lounge on the couch without our clothes collecting enough cat fur to create a throw pillow. Everyone settles into beds made with clean sheets, donning freshly washed pajamas.
And all of this comes at the expense of my entire day, which I should have spent with my kids, but instead, I plopped them in front of the TV. I’ve sacrificed my free time for days, and likely an entire weekend, too.
The best part? I have two young children, and by the time morning arrives, the house is a complete disaster again. It’s enough to make any woman want to retreat into a life of housecoats and constant stress.
No one openly claims to be a housewife anymore. I didn’t choose to be the caretaker of my home; I wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. The title has evolved, implying a shift in focus, yet the responsibilities have only multiplied. My job now isn’t just to maintain a clean home; it’s to prepare healthy meals that require chopping endless amounts of vegetables. It’s to spend quality time with my kids, cherishing fleeting moments while simultaneously wishing they’d grow up faster.
You know why women in the 1950s had spotless homes? They weren’t burdened with all the other responsibilities. A quick casserole, and dinner was served. Kids entertained themselves, often off exploring until it was time for that meat-and-soup dinner. Also, let’s not forget the societal norms of the time, but that’s a discussion for another day.
I’m not someone who thrives in chaos. My house is often messy, but my mental state deteriorates as the mess grows. By the time I finally restore order, I’m utterly exhausted and can only relax for a brief moment.
So, I’m making a decision. It’s time. I should have taken this step long ago.
I’m hiring a cleaning service.
Absolutely, yes! I want to embrace my role as a mother. I want to cook nutritious meals for my family. I want time to myself for simple pleasures like exercising, so my body doesn’t age prematurely. Maybe even take a shower? But all of those desires get pushed aside for household tasks, and I’m done prioritizing everything else over my well-being—including the essential maintenance of myself.
Every two weeks, someone will come to my home to clean baseboards, vacuum and mop floors, scrub bathrooms, and wash windows. I’ll still manage the daily upkeep, but without the overwhelming pressure of tackling the bigger chores.
I have pondered this decision numerous times, but I’ve always held back, feeling it was wasteful to hire help when I could do it myself. But that’s the issue: I’m not doing it. The likelihood of my habits changing tomorrow is pretty slim. However, my day-to-day life will improve significantly without the nagging thought that I should be sorting laundry instead of playing with my children or engaging in work I genuinely enjoy.
We aren’t wealthy, but I can make adjustments in other areas to accommodate this change. I will find a way to make it work.
As women, we place immense pressure on each other and ourselves to always be “on,” operating at full capacity. Sooner or later, something has to give. I refuse to let that be my health and happiness, sacrificed for the sake of an all-purpose cleaner.
I won’t feel guilty. I won’t feel ashamed. I’ll simply feel thrilled to have extra time in my day to pursue whatever brings me joy. (Spoiler alert: It won’t involve dusting.)
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In summary, I’ve reached a point where I’m ready to prioritize my well-being and happiness over the endless cycle of cleaning. By hiring a cleaning service, I can focus on what truly matters: my family and myself.