How to Have a Cleaner House with Just 2 Minutes?
I hate cleaning. But I LOVE a clean house. I really feel like there are so many other valuable and meaningful things for me to do with my time. But a clean house gives me so much peace. I feel like anxiety and frustration begins to creep in when my home is in chaos. I want to be present and intentional with my kids without being obsessive about cleaning…..but…..I still want to be able to sit down at the end of the day and not feel like I tornado ravished my home.
Enter the 2 minute Rule
This rule is quite simple. If a task will take less than 2 minutes to complete, you do it then rather than later. For example, you clear your dishes from the table, and instead of setting them on the counter or in the sink, you rinse and they go straight into the dishwasher. You take your coat off when you get home, you hang it up. It’s as simple as that.
Where it can be challenging
My kids haven’t taken to the rule yet. They take their socks off and leave them on the floor near their shoes. They throw their laundry on the floor instead of in the hamper. But we continue to work on it. Because I would rather my kids grow up with intentional living already a way of life. I’d rather them respect their things enough to put the caps back on their markers so they don’t dry out (a constant struggle for us!). I want them to know that how they value their space, their things, their friends, and family all influences the way they respond. We don’t need to be obsessive neat freaks. Taking responsibility and having gratitude for (thus caring for) that which we have been given is essential.
How do you start it in your home?
Next time, you take off your shoes or coat, or clear the table, ask yourself, can I complete this task in under 2 minutes. If the answer is yes, do it then. By the end of the day, all those small consistent moments will add up to a cleaner home. And give yourself and your kids a little grace. I almost guarantee your kids won’t jump into it with great fervor. But be consistent. Your actions are the best example.
A key twist to the 2 minute rule
Next time your kiddo asks you to play Barbie or stack some blocks, ask yourself….what is more important that 2 minutes of focused intentional play? Have you ever noticed that when your kids love tank feels full, they play easier, have less tantrums, and are much easier going. As moms, we often reply with “I’ll play with you when….(I finish the laundry or the dishes).” But what if we tried stopping then…. What if we put the laundry and dishes aside and said, “Yes, you can have 2 minutes of my undivided attention FIRST because you are more important than the dishes.” Give it a try…I bet after that 2 minutes, they’ll be so much happier and doing the dishes will go SO much faster without someone whining at your feet.
And if you haven’t downloaded my 5 Steps to Break Free from Clutter, it’s totally free and the 2 minute rule is just 1 of the tips I share!
xoxo Renae
Photo by Bench Accounting on Unsplash