Release your guilt

As women we often feel we must do it all, that if our house is messy or cluttered that we are not doing all we can. That if the kitchen isn't perfectly clean that we are somehow failing as a mother/wife. Now, I will admit that I definitely can leave things undone but I don't always feel completely guilt free about it. I mean, who doesn't like a clean house. It feels good. In the end though when my life is over and I am gone I do not want my kids to say "I loved my Mom but I just wish she spent more time with me, but our house was always spotless." 
Don't get me wrong, I don't think this means that we should completely let our house go. No one wants to live in a garbage dump. It is about prioritizing, about simplifying. I believe that we can all get some basic things done but nothing needs to be perfect. Your bed can be unmade, the kitchen doesn't have to be mopped everyday, and the dust on the baseboards- evidence of a life lived.


Well here is "permission" from a professional, Julie Hanks, to let the guilt go. Check both of these links out- they are spot on and empowering. It is something we need to hear more of.


Julie Hanks talks about her "confessions" as a multitasking mom on her blog.


And she has an interview that talks about the same thing. It is wonderful.


Sometimes we just need to hear from others that it is okay not to be perfect. We too often look at other's lives and think that they can do it all, so why can't we. It is never true. We all let go of something in order to do another thing. If I keep my house perfect then I am obviously going to be setting other things aside. No one is perfect we just all make our choices, we all have things that are important to us. This is "permission" to allow that to be people and not things. Let your spouse, kids, and friends be the most important. Not the sparkling floor and gleaming counters.  Not only take down your need to have a perfect house but release the guilt over not having it. Recognize that while certain things need to be done, I mean we all need clean clothes to wear, that it doesn't need to be spotless or perfect. Who feels comfortable in those houses anyhow. You want a place you can feel at home, not a museum. 


So release the guilt and start to more fully enjoy your life.