For a long time, I lived in chaos.
There were always dirty dishes in the sink.
Mountains of laundry.
And I never knew what we were having for dinner.
It seemed like everyone else had it figured out but me.
I’d scroll on my phone and compare myself to other women thinking I could never get my life together. And on top of it all I had a miserable attitude.
But after feeling sorry for myself long enough, I finally started making changes. And I experienced a peace in my heart and my home.
Homemaking is a worthy task.
I decided to start viewing homemaking as my job and as a calling whether I was working outside the home or not.
So I took what I knew about working my job as a teacher at that time and started applying it to my work in the home.
One of the first things I did was to make a plan for how I’d spend my days.
It was such a small, overlooked habit. But I realized that just like I had to have a plan as a teacher in order to accomplish what I needed to do each day, I had to have a plan for my homemaking tasks.
I Needed a Plan.
I didn’t plan out every minute, but I had a basic, flexible routine. I found so much peace when I decided when I’d do the laundry and the dishes, or mop the floor instead of always wondering if it’d ever get done.
My plan evolved over time and even today it still changes. I adapt my routine to the different seasons that my family is in.
But generally speaking I know that the dishes and laundry are going to get done. My kitchen gets cleaned every night after dinner. I start a load of laundry every morning.
Those habits have been engraved into me and I don’t have to feel anxious about a dirty kitchen or wonder if my family will have clothes to wear.
I also clean the bathroom, wash the sheets, dust, and mop once a week.
Having a plan to get my house clean quiets my worries. I know the cleaning will get done even if it doesn’t get done in one day.
I also make a weekly plan for meals too and plan a weekly grocery pick up so that I don’t have to worry about whether or not we will have food in the house for dinner.
Embrace My Uniqueness
Peace also came when I stopped comparing my life to everyone else’s. When I was teaching, I learned early on not to compare myself to the seasoned teachers or I’d get discourage.
Whenever I’m tempted to compare myself to other homemakers, I lose contentment. Especially with social media.
We don’t have just our family and friends to compare ourselves too. With the internet, we have dozens of women we’ve never even met that we may compare ourselves too.
But comparison only drains joy and peace from your soul.
Whenever I’m tempted to compare myself to other women, I remind myself to compare who I am today to who I was yesterday.
- Am I growing? Am I challenging myself?
- Am I showing up with love each day even if I do it imperfectly?
That’s what matters. Not how I compare to other people whether in my real life or online.
Contentment in God’s Word
The deepest peace came when I turned to God’s word.
When I remembered that my worth isn’t measured in productivity but in who I belong to.
God’s Word reminds me that contentment and joy aren’t found once my house is perfect. They’re found in choosing to be faithful right where God has placed me.
Proverbs 14:1 says, “A wise woman builds her home, but a foolish woman tears it down with her own hands.”
Building a home takes time, and purposeful work. And when I think of managing my home as a calling God has placed on my life, I do it with the right attitude.
And that attitude effects my family.
When I chose to be content with my home, my family, my chores – the whirlwind in my soul quieted.
And when I’m at peace, that effects my husband and my children.
My home didn’t change overnight. But when I changed my heart — and embraced homemaking as a calling, I made small, steady habits that changed how I run my home.
I let go of the pressure to be like someone else. I found encouragement in God’s word.
And that’s when peace found its way into my life at home.
So if you’re feeling overwhelmed, behind, or alone in your home—remember small, faithful choices can bring lasting peace.
If this spoke to your heart, you’re not alone.
Subscribe to my weekly emails for more encouragement, and share this with another homemaker who needs hope today.
Peace at home is possible.