Here we go again.
My home is spotless—everything is in its rightful place, each room has been scrubbed clean, and for a moment, it shines. The air is infused with an artificial scent meant to evoke the freshness of a rainforest. We can actually sit on the couch without our clothes becoming a magnet for enough cat hair to stuff a decorative pillow. Everyone snuggles into beds made with crisp sheets, clad in freshly washed pajamas.
And all of this comes at the expense of my entire day, which should have been spent watching my children but instead saw them parked in front of the TV. Not to mention the countless hours I’ve sacrificed over several days and likely an entire weekend.
The icing on the cake? I have two little ones, and by the time morning rolls around, my home has reverted to a chaotic mess. Seriously, it’s enough to make any woman want to retreat into a world of loungewear and constant snacking.
No one openly admits they are choosing to be a housewife anymore. I didn’t sign up to be the keeper of my home; I chose to be a stay-at-home mom. The title may imply a shift in focus, but my responsibilities have only multiplied. My job is no longer just about keeping the house tidy. I’m also tasked with preparing nutritious meals that involve chopping an absurd amount of vegetables, playing with my kids, and treasuring these fleeting moments, even as they seem to drag on at times.
You know why women in the 1950s maintained immaculate homes? They weren’t burdened by the same expectations. Dinner was as simple as tossing ground meat and canned soup into a casserole dish. Kids roamed the neighborhood, exploring until it was time for that meat-soup feast. Oh, and let’s not forget the societal norms of the time, which could be a discussion for another day.
I thrive in an organized space, but I’m often functioning at a heightened stress level, which seems to correlate with how messy my house is and how long that chaos has persisted. By the time I achieve that clean home feeling, I’m utterly exhausted and can finally enjoy a few minutes of calm.
So I’m making a decision. It’s time for a change—a change I should have made years ago.
I’m hiring a housekeeper. Absolutely, yes!
I want to fully embrace motherhood. I want to whip up healthy meals for my family. I want to carve out moments in my day for personal activities, like exercising to avoid stiffness as I age. Maybe even take a proper shower? Yet, these desires always take a backseat to household chores, and I’m fed up with prioritizing everything but my own well-being.
Every two weeks, someone will come into my home to clean my baseboards, vacuum and mop the floors, scrub my bathrooms, and wash the windows. This will free me from the overwhelming pressure of tackling those bigger chores. I’ll still manage the daily upkeep but without the crushing worry of needing to squeeze in the major tasks.
I’ve contemplated this decision numerous times but always hesitated. It feels frivolous to spend money on chores I could do myself. But the reality is, I’m not doing them. My habits aren’t likely to change overnight, but my daily life can significantly improve if I no longer feel guilty for choosing to play with my children instead of sorting laundry.
We may not be wealthy, but I can adjust our budget to make this work. I’m determined to find a way.
We women often place immense pressure on ourselves to be constantly “on,” operating at full capacity. Something inevitably gives way, and I’m tired of that something being my well-being, sacrificed at the altar of cleaning products.
I refuse to feel guilty. I refuse to feel ashamed. I’ll only feel excited about reclaiming time for myself to do what truly matters. (Spoiler alert: Dusting isn’t on that list.)
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In summary, I’ve made the decision to hire a housekeeper, prioritizing my time and mental health over relentless cleaning. It’s a step toward reclaiming my identity as a mother and a person, and I look forward to enjoying life beyond the chores.