A few months back, my partner surprised me with the most thoughtful anniversary gift imaginable. It was the kind of present that showed he truly understands me. Unlike traditional gifts like jewelry or fancy perfumes, he gifted me a Roomba.
Now, I know some might cringe at the thought of receiving a cleaning appliance. But for me? It’s a dream come true. I’ve never been one for material trinkets; my love language? Less cleaning! And my new companion, Roomba, speaks it fluently.
We reside in a cozy house filled with two energetic children, a couple of cats, and a dog. I’m perpetually in socks or slippers since we don’t wear shoes indoors, but our floors are often a minefield of debris. Pet fur, human hair, crumbs, and mysterious particles from the outside world cling to my feet if I dare go barefoot. The aftermath of picking all that up is not how I wish to spend my afternoons.
To maintain a semblance of cleanliness, I used to sweep and vacuum daily. Yes, even in our small abode, it would take me around 40 minutes to tackle the whole place. That’s 40 minutes I could spend on countless other enjoyable activities, like binge-watching my favorite shows or indulging in a good book. I despise vacuuming, and that aversion often leads to neglected floors. When I lack the motivation to vacuum, I sure won’t suddenly decide to scrub toilets. It’s a slippery slope: neglect one chore, and they all fall by the wayside.
For the past couple of months, however, it’s felt like I found the perfect text auto-responder for that high-maintenance friend—my Roomba. Since my floors aren’t a constant source of stress, my entire house has become more organized. Not spotless, but neat and tidy, and I’m genuinely loving it.
You know those quick 10-minute tidy-up tips you see on Pinterest? I always forget about those. But Roomba operates on a schedule that I set. I prefer it to clean while I’m out running errands, so each night, I’m motivated to clear the floor. I gather toys into a basket, collect stray laundry, and fluff the couch cushions (seriously, is there a robot that can scold my kids for tossing them around?). By the time I’m done, Roomba is ready to roll.
It’s like a playful version of “If You Give a Mouse a Cookie.” If you gift a mom a Roomba, she’ll clear her floors. While doing that, she might discover remotes lost under the couch and place them on the coffee table. In the process, she may notice sticky spots and decide to wipe them down. This leads her to the kitchen, where she might as well tackle the counters. And if Dad happens to stroll by, she’ll hand him some dirty socks and ask him to toss them in the hamper. It’s a chain reaction, all thanks to Roomba, while she relaxes in bed as it cleans up the day’s mess.
Some nights, I’m able to clear the floors without worrying about overwhelming grime. Other times, I might shove things into a basket or closet for a quick fix. But every morning, I wake up to clean floors, a small miracle in itself. And let’s not forget about my trusty mop, Braava. While it might not be as high-tech as Roomba, it still does a stellar job of keeping my floors spotless with minimal effort on my part.
I’m ready to embrace our robot overlords if they’ll handle my cleaning needs. They’ve transformed me into that “annoying mom” with the tidy house I always aspired to be.
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In summary, the introduction of a robot vacuum has significantly altered my cleaning routine and overall home life, making it far more manageable and enjoyable.