As I swept the breakfast crumbs off the kitchen floor this morning, I found myself contemplating Tara Gentile’s recent blog post about the idea of a ‘bare minimum’.
On those days when Tara feels lethargic or out of sorts, it’s her bare minimum of 10 minutes of asana yoga that, if done, will make her feel better.
For me, my bare minimum would have to be starting the day with a green smoothie, and writing at least one page of morning pages. Like Tara, I don’t always achieve these things – but the day seems to run a whole lot more smoothly when I do.
What Tara’s post mostly got me thinking about though, as I quickly cleaned up so that I could start my work day, is what my housework bare minimum is.
On those days when I’m tired, unfocused, and don’t know where to begin, what is the least amount of housework that I need to do to feel OK?
What are those jobs that I need to do to feel that even if I’m not really moving forward, I’m not going backward either? At what point, that bare minimum point, are my wheels still turning? Slowly.
My bare minimum isn’t a place I want to hang out long. In fact, keeping up with the bare minimum helps me get back into the flow faster than shutting down. But it’s a place that’s available to me when I need it.
– Tara Gentile
So what is my housework bare minimum?
- Making our bed
- A quick clean of toilet and bathroom basin/mirror
- 5 minutes tidying the family room and kitchen table
- A quick sweep of the family room and bathroom floors
I like to think of these things (along with a few more that don’t meet the ‘bare minimum’ requirement) as my “Morning Routine”.
Ideally, I’d spend the hour or so needed to get my complete morning routine done each morning before starting my work day. But if for whatever reason I can’t do that – if I’m having an off day, or feeling pushed for time – at least with my ‘bare minimum’ done, I have an uncluttered (mostly!) and clean space to work in.
And with my bare minimum done, I’m confident knowing that if anyone comes to the door, I can let them in the house without too much embarassment!
What about you? Do you have a housework bare minimum? Would it help you to have one? Can you apply the idea of a ‘bare minimum’ to other areas of your life? You can share your thoughts by clicking on “comments” at the top of this post.
Brigid
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Hi Bridge. You know how I was in mental turmoil yesterday… confused by too many choices, well after I dumped it all on my dear friend :-), I realised there was something I had not done… my bare minimum. When someting new enters my world, I always look to see if it will add to my dreams or take away value from them (I can’t help it.. EVERYTHING has to relate to them!.. tunnel vision I suppose.. not a bad thing to ensure progression…). If I can’t work it out, I go into ‘life is out of control’ mode and find myself caught up in my self inflicted whirlwind of ‘it’s all too much’. I feel in control and free to pursue my projects when I have gotton the kids to school, when my desk is tidy, when the beds are made, when I’ve had my spiralina and fruit smoothy, when any little thing that might reduce my enjoyment of my projects is out of the way… delayed gratification I think it’s called.. like paying a bill. But a HUGE bare minimum for me relates to my projects – the one thing that frees me up to enjoy them and returns me to some sense of creative control – is getting informed. If I don’t get something, if I can’t order it or place it, if I’m not sure of it’s value, I ask someone who knows. Yesterday I called my Business Coach, and he gave me information that I did not have about the structure of my business and tax, solving the ‘what do I do with this new circumstance’ problem – not only solving it, but allowing me to see it is an integral part of my business project and that all tax and my perceived negative financial implications were in my head – a set of assumptions. In fact, they are enhanced by this new situation! Music to my ears! My bare minimum? Is to ask… ask my teachers, mentors, friends, sort my s**t out and MOVE ON with the task at hand with the new, not the old, perspective. Not the normal bare minimum.. but heh… love Jane
Hi Jane! “When something new enters my world, I always look to see if it will add to my dreams or take away value from them”. I love that, and think it’s an awesome thing that you have such a clear perspective and focus on what you need to do do achieve your dreams!
It’s so good to hear about your experience with the Business Coach, and that your confusion and turmoil have all been laid to rest with just one phone call. Having a bare minimum of asking the questions, and getting informed, so that you can keep moving forward, sounds like a great idea.
And you’ve inspired me too, to not try to figure everything out for myself – to ask for help, and to learn from the experience and wisdom of others! xxx