I have Cleaning House Guilt (CHG). Does anyone else ever get this? I think it should classified as an illness, but I doubt any doctor would take me seriously. I just know that when I get CHG, it takes over my life. I start to view myself as lazy and undisciplined. I come home from work, sit down for a few minutes and…see a mess. I see everything I promised myself I would get done. Yesterday. Three weeks ago. Last year.

The best way I can describe CHG is nesting for the unpregnant and unexpecting. I start feeling like my house has to be clean. My house needs to be in order and organized. My projects need to be done before summer is done and fall gets too chilly. Everything needs to be done before I contract Cold Weather Syndrome (CWS). Again, this is another “illness” that no doctor will take me seriously on. With CWS, I just want to hunker down under a blanket with my books, notebooks, laptop, and a TV remote. I don’t want to move or go anywhere unless more of the same is involved. Sounds familiar to you all?

With CHG, I can not comfortably relax. I sit down in my recliner and then think “I should be doing this and then that. I can relax later.” All I can think about is Dane is having his 7th Birthday Party on Friday with 20 of his classmates and a few other friends. Why should I feel like I need a clean house for a bunch of 6 & 7 year olds? Clean and then have to clean again? Seriously? CHG is an “illness” alright.

Is there a cure for this? No, unless a vacation to Hawaii is affordable. (And it’s not right now.) So I am cleaning house and ignoring my other priorities in life except my kids and possibly Rob. The great thing about CHG is that the kids can be included. Kids can actually help reduce the symptoms by helping clean too! Awesome, yes? Kids like to be included and doing everything their parents do so this is a great way for everyone to spend quality time together. Just be sure to ask nicely, bribe maybe, and not scream at them. Screaming at kids is not good and provides unsatisfactory responses. We can’t be having that.

So I will be coping with my CHG tonight by cleaning & mopping my front entry way and throwing my slipcovers in the washer tonight. Possibly trying to get more of Jordan’s lovely possessions back into her room because I would like my living and dining rooms back.

Good luck coping with your CHG! Have a great day and thanks for reading!

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