No one ever taught me how to be a homemaker. So when I had a home to manage, I was lost and overwhelmed.
I wished someone could have had me over for coffee and given me some practical advice.
17 years later, I have come up with a list of advice I would have given myself as a new homemaker.
I learned these tips over the years from trial and error, other women in my life, online influences, books, and podcasts.
It’s a conglomeration of years and years of learning and experience.
Even today, these are things I need to be reminded of. Wherever you are on your journey of homemaking, I hope this list inspires you.
- Get dressed in the morning. Don’t stay in your pajamas long or you will be more likely to lounge around and not start your day.
2. Open the blinds and curtains. Let that sunshine in!
3. Wake up before the kids. Even if it’s only 10 minutes, give yourself a chance to wake up before having to meet the needs of others.
4. Go outside every day. You’re not stuck inside. Getting fresh air is good for your mental and physical health.
5. Have a bank of meal ideas. Meal planning is easier when you have a list of meal ideas to pick from.
6. Know what you’re making for dinner in the morning. Don’t wait until 5:00 to open the fridge and see what you have.
7. Keep side dishes simple. You don’t have to follow a recipe for everything you make. We have salad or roasted vegetables with almost every meal.
8. Use a planner. You can’t keep track of everything in your head or on scratch pieces of paper.
9. End every day with a clean kitchen. The best gift you give yourself is waking up to a clean kitchen each morning.
10. Go to bed on time. You need sleep in order to accomplish things the next day. Take care of yourself by getting enough sleep.
11. Hit reset anytime of the day. Maybe you had a lazy morning. That doesn’t mean you have to be lazy in the afternoon. Get up and do something productive!
12. Take breaks. It’s okay (and good) to sit down and rest. Homemaking feels like it never stops sometimes. Make yourself stop and rejuvenate.
13. Keep the kitchen counter cleared off. You need a clutter free kitchen counter to cook, help with homework, gather around, and just do life.
14. Put things back when you’re done using them. A lot of clutter comes from things not going where they belong.
15. Declutter your home regularly. If it’s not serving your family, get it out of your home.
16. Don’t let little messes pile up. Do the dishes every day. Wash a load of laundry every day. Little messes are easier to care for than big messes.
17. Follow a weekly cleaning routine. Know what needs to be cleaned weekly and stay on top of those tasks.
18. Break big tasks into small ones. Every task has a beginning. Figure out what it is and start there.
19. Have a weekly planning date with yourself. Set aside a time each week to plan out meals, appointments, cleaning, and to-do lists.
20. Remember why you are a homemaker. Don’t get caught up in the tasks so much that you forget about the loved ones you’re creating a home for.
21. Time yourself on tasks that are hard to do. Try to beat the clock. Be realistic about the time it takes to do things. Most likely, it takes less time than you think.
22. Remember homemaking is a process. You don’t have to know everything today. Enjoy the journey and don’t compare yourself to others.
23. Change “have to” to “get to”. Not everyone in the world has running water. You get to wash the dishes.
24. Aim for good enough instead of perfect. Sometimes sweeping the floor good enough is better than not doing it all because you can’t don it perfectly.
25. Clearly communicate to others in your family. You don’t have to do it all. Kindly express when you need help or a break.
I hope these tips are helpful and encouraging. No matter what, always remember to keep learning and growing.
And be thankful for the privilege to make a home for your those you love.