Lately, I've had this ability to stretch and expand time. To somehow get it all done in a day.
But then I noticed my days are 12 hours long.
Lately, Jeremy and I have been waking up at 5:30AM - he's been working long hours lately too. And lately I've been pouring myself into my work: branding and workshop planning and big picture dreaming and step-by-step strategizing and daily grinding. Sometimes it feels like work but lately it feels like life. Lately the work has been fueled by passion for doing what I love. And when I'm not working I'm reading about working. I'm reading Seth Godin and Jonathan Fields and Steven Pressfield.
So the other morning, after Jeremy kissed me goodbye but long before my coworkers would walk through the door, I found myself at the break of dawn, in my pink robe with red lips, cleaning the kitchen. I wiped down the surfaces and found myself obsessed with getting the knobs on the stove clean. I could have gone all day and the house needed it - clumps of cat fur at the edge of every base board and dust on every surface. Out of necessity and consideration for my coworkers I cleaned the bathroom. It was a lot less glamorous than getting deep cleaning the knobs on the stove.
That's when I decided I need help. And that's when it dawned on me that I don't have to do it all. Cleaning for catharsis or as a way to procrastinate is one thing - but that kind of mood only strikes when the stars are aligned just so - maybe once every 6 months. And there are only so many hours in the day. And with Jeremy working long days lately I've realized just how much he does to keep the house in order - and that's not entirely fair to him either.
So with that I've decided to hire a housekeeper. This decision comes with a little voice in my head that rolls its eyes and says you don't even have kids - how dare you think it's hard to keep up with your own home you spoiled little shit. There are people in the world who don't even have homes! And along side that I kind of feel like a failure for not being able to do it all myself. But feelings and mean internal dialogue aside - my house has has fur in the corners and dust on every surface. I have a need for a clean home that I am not able to meet. So I'm willing and able to pay someone else to help me meet this need. Done.
Do you all over-analyze whether or not to hire help when it comes to keeping the house clean? Or is it just me?
And P.S. If you live in the OKC metro area and have recommendations for a great housekeeper let me know!
I cannot freaking wait to be at a place in my life where I can hire a housekeeper. I think if you take pride in your surroundings, and find joy in a clean space, and you are too busy to do it yourself that is money so well spent.
ReplyDeleteYou're a job creator! :D If it saves you time, and you can spare the dime, and it makes a job for someone else... Well, that's a good thing in my book. :)
ReplyDeleteMy mother is single, no kids or pets in the house, works part time. And STILL pays someone $60 every other week to come in to dust and mop for her. A lady I worked for had a home office and got someone to come in every week to clean her house.
ReplyDeleteNo shame in getting a little help. You should go for it.
Go for it if you can! It's wonderful having an extra hand, especially for those areas that can get really dirty and need a good scrubbing from time-to-time. And if it means peace of mind to leave it to the pro's then I can't see anything wrong with this idea!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! We hired someone to come in and clean for us once every two weeks, and it was the best decision ever! I don't even have the excuse of being a successful entrepreneur with a kickass home office...we just live out in the country, and the extra time it takes to commute was really eating into our free time, especially since we love to entertain and seemed to end up scrubbing the toilets every Thursday night at 1 a.m. to get things ready for a Friday night party. I finally owned up to the fact that I like to be in tidy surroundings, and I enjoy my time at home so much more that I can just enjoy the house without feeling guilty or stressed about cleaning it too. We have also been finding it way easier to keep things neat in between cleanings, probably since we're no longer hoarding energy for the next deep clean. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteYes,yes, and yes. I feel the same way... My husband and I deliberate back and forth on whether or not to hire a housekeeper to just keep up with "big" stuff, like the bathrooms and cleaning the knobs on the stove.
ReplyDeleteWe both work and have things we really like to do besides spend our precious time off work cleaning. And in the same way, I say to myself "we don't have kids. what kind of spoiled brats do we thing we are?! how can we not keep up with housework when there's only two of us (and two shedding dogs)?"
In that same token, however, I don't think you're spoiled for hiring help even though you don't have kids either. So why should I think those things about myself?
I guess, sometimes, we're just harsher critics of ourselves.
I am so thinking about hiring a housekeeper to come twice a month. Between working and taking care of Molly our bathrooms have not gotten the attention they need and the dust is ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteMy friend's mum had a cleaner that would come on Fridays. I thought it was weird (this is a fried from high school) because nobody else I knew had a maid and my mum could somehow get it all done + a full time job. In any case, it sounds like you need help and there's no shame in that (mean internal dialogue quiet down!).
ReplyDeleteI used to clean and floss my teeth as a means of procrastinating/dealing with stress when I was writing my thesis. This is not to say that I don't do either now....
We have had a cleaner for the past 5ish years (only one of those with kids). I sometimes feel like you say but my husband always says it's a good thing, it makes us happy (the best way to spend money) and if you are a good employer it makes someone happy for the job. (and here where housecleaners make 35$ per hour I think they must be pretty happy)
ReplyDeleteWhy feel bad? You need the help so go for it. I'm sure one day, I will need to hire someone but, for now, I can do it. I also don't work 12 hours a day. Good luck finding a good housekeeper!
ReplyDeleteI've always said...if it gets the point in my life where I can pick and choose...I choose NOT cleaning my house. Hopefully it's sooner than later. It's hard for us that work out of our home. It's not like we can just clean all day since we're here!
ReplyDeleteWord. We did this like 6 months ago, and it was one of the best decisions we've ever made. We both work full-time and we have a toddler, and we needed some major help! I'm sure some people think we're spoiled brats, but I'd rather we spend the little time we have with our daughter than be scrubbing the oven or mopping the floors.
ReplyDeleteI live in a one bedroom apartment and believe me, there have been weeks where I have thought about calling a maid. lol I say go for it.
ReplyDeleteI REALLY want to hire a housekeeper, but my OCD husband can't stand the thought of someone else cleaning his house...ARGH!
ReplyDeleteI REALLY want to hire a housekeeper, but my OCD husband can't stand the thought of someone else cleaning his house...ARGH!
ReplyDeleteI say go for it. Getting some help will keep you from burning out, which can definitely happen when your entire life revolves around work (even reading about it in your free time? Damn, girl!)
ReplyDeleteWe're all only human. It's okay to ask for help.
I had the same internal debate when my boyfriend and I hired our housekeeper. I had lived alone for two years and managed to take care of the house by myself that whole time. Although, I absolutely hated it. Cleaning is not cathartic to me like it is to so many. But I got it done. Anyway, when he moved in 6 months ago, the housekeeper came with him. And I. Love. It. She's not exactly the greatest at her job, but knowing that I don't have to scrub the toilets anymore makes it totally worth it.
ReplyDeleteShake that guilt OFF! Now that your home is also a workspace for others this seems like a no-brainer. This seems like a really smart thing to do for you guys.
ReplyDeleteRewind back to when my husband and I both worked out of the house a few years ago...we totally overanalyzed hiring a housecleaner. The hardest part was that one of us was usually home (doing work on our laptops, but still) when the cleaning ladies were there cleaning. That took some adjusting. Looking back it was all worth it in the time management of our lives. I hope you find someone great and swiftly!
This really applies to my whole entire life. I want a new scarf=I could totally learn how to knit and do it myself. That's a cute necklace=I am so going to build that from scratch. Cleaning, cooking, designing.
ReplyDeleteI do agree that sometimes you need to get help with some things so your time is better spent on the important things or the things you love. I would totally give that advice. But I probably wouldnt take it. Possibly because I can't affor to hire anyone. HA!
Good for you, I think hiring help is so much better than letting your pride slow you down.
My frugal nature sends me in the same direction. You can't do it all, so you are lucky that you are in a position to delegate to someone else. Also, don't forget that this provides someone with an opportunity that is just as exciting for them as you. Hooray for milestones!
ReplyDeleteI used to live in Norman and cleaned houses all over the city. All my clients found me with servicemagic.com. I had to have references and insurance to be in the site. You just go on there and enter what you are needing and if they have any active house cleaners in your area they will give you a call to give you an estimate. If they have been in the site for awhile they should have reviews from customers who have used them. Hope this helps!
ReplyDeleteI tend to over-analyze when it comes to certain purchases. I have my things that I'll spend money on with almost no thought at the cost (mostly food), but then there are silly things like buying a $10 picture frame or getting my bangs trimmed professionally that I just feel like I selfish jerk for even considering.
ReplyDeleteSo recently when I find myself in one of those situations I tell myself that if I'll drop $10 in a restaurant for lunch without a thought, I can spend the equivalent on something that will bring me happiness and/or be used for years to come. Then I try to make it a point to skip my usual food purchase to help balance out the budget and enjoy whatever I got guilt free.
I find it hard to give over the cleaning of my apartment to anyone -- I totally have an "I should be able to do it ALL!" sort of mindset. That said, there really are only so many hours in the day, and sometimes you need to ask people for help in some areas of your life and housecleaning is a simple one. And just think how great you'll feel when the house is clean and you have time to do other things you want to do, right?
ReplyDeleteI agree with another one of the comments listed previously...You are in a place where you can give someone else a job. If it frees up some of your much valued and deserved free time AND gives the opportunity for someone else to pay their bills, then why not? Don't feel guilty. Be proud of what you have accomplished. No one can do it all, especially when working super hard and long hours.
ReplyDeleteI have someone come in once a month to clean. It's just enough to make a difference but not enough to feel self-indulgent (it's just me and my dog in a one bedroom apartment). I decided that I work hard and in my free time I shouldn't have to do anything I don't want to do (and that I can pay someone else to do). Including scrubbing the toilet.
ReplyDeleteI have shamelessly had someone clean my house for the past two years. It's worth every single cent and I have zero guilt! I walk in on Friday after work to a house that sparkles and smells good. All I have to do it open my bottle of wine, put out the fruit and cheese. And relax with my kids and my hubby. So Worth It!
ReplyDeleteOne of my businesses is an organizing and cleaning company and our philosophy and tagline is "Make room for what you value." Don't feel bad about it, you're not only freeing yourself up for things you value, but also helping to create jobs. Rock it!
ReplyDeleteJolene, thank you for recommending servicemagic.com! I just looked them up and got a call within 10 minutes, no joke, from one of the three companies I requested quotes from. Super easy, now I'm gettin' on the spring cleaning train, guilt-free all the way!
ReplyDeleteWe live in OKC and really like our service, Well Maid OKC. They only use green products, and our house always smells like peppermint essential oil when they are finished! http://www.wellmaidokc.com/
ReplyDeleteNo need to feel bad. Think of it this way: your home is also your office. All offices have cleaning ladies, right? There ya go!
ReplyDeleteWow, you guys. I was not expecting such a response. Clearly we're all in the same boat here.
ReplyDeleteJenn - I actually had a consultation with Well Maid this morning! They were fantastic and I love that they're green.
If I had the money I probably would, I'll take a personal assistant too! I have a couple friends who both hired someone to clean. I generally have time on Sundays, but if I miss cleaning once then my house ends up a giant mess. Oh well :)
ReplyDeleteSarah // SillyGrrl.com
Ok I totally needed to read this because I've been having the same internal conversations for months. I can't keep up with it all and never have been able to, plus I don't enjoy it. Why not pay someone else to do it who has chosen that as a job? They would do a better job than I ever would anyway.
ReplyDeleteI am a firm believer in hiring help. No one person can do it all. You are also creating a job for someone else and helping them achieve their dreams whatever they may be (financial piece of mind, saving for a home, providing for their family, etc.) Good luck finding someone fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't feel one bit guilty if I were in the position to hire a housekeeper. You are providing employment and gaining a few hours, that would have been spent cleaning, for you. There is NOTHING wrong with that! :)
ReplyDeleteVivi
My opinion on stuff like this is - regardless of how busy others think you are or what you can personally handle... it doesn't matter. If you can afford a house keeper I say get one. It's piece of mind and it's peace in your heart to do all you love but still provide a great home for you and your hubby and the cats.
ReplyDeleteIf I could afford a house keeper I'd be all over that in a heartbeat!!! Enjoy your new moments of freedom and do something fun for yourselves! ox
Go for it!
ReplyDeleteWhen my husband finishes med school / residency and is an ER doc and when I am an certified nurse midwife and we're making a decent amount and managing rental properties (yes, we have like a 40+ year plan) we will DEFINITELY be hiring people to take care of certain aspects (housekeeping, certain lawn work, etc) of our household and rental property upkeep. Although we will not be gazillionaries, we will be helping to contribute to people's incomes besides our own. Whether it's a high school boy saving up money to go to college by mowing lawns or a housekeeper that earns extra money or supports her/his family through that trade - I believe it is important for those that are able to contribute to society in this way. Among many others. Just my two cents.