I already did a "peek into my life" post about my workday. My workdays don’t always look the same, but they usually revolve around meetings and preparing some kind of deliverable - like presentations or customer journeys. Weekends, though, are different. Typically, I schedule one social day with family or friends. Even so, we don’t get to visit everyone as often as they’d like us to. I need that second day to recharge and do something solo, so I’m ready for another week of being social at work. I recently had a lovely Saturday, so I thought I’d share it.
A Slow Start to My Solo Saturday
This particular Saturday was unusual because my husband wasn’t home. He was registered for a 50-kilometer march with friends - like hell I’m going to that! That meant a free day for me. Of course, his alarm went off at the ungodly hour of 5:40. I wished him a fun trip (and to survive), told him to say hi to his friends, and asked him to keep me updated so I’d know they were safe (which he always does when he’s away, and I love that). Then I fell back asleep and didn’t wake up until 8. I stayed in bed for a while, journaling and scrolling on social media. Mostly Threads - the best platform right now because of all the supportive people there. I’m always surprised by how much encouragement I see. There are almost no haters, which is rare on social media (or any media, really). Sometimes I wonder why people don’t spend more energy lifting each other up instead of tearing each other down - the world would be a much better place. Everything is better when people aren’t angry. Anyway, I digress. I used the power of reels to find cleaning videos for motivation - and it worked!
Finding Cleaning Motivation
After breakfast, I managed to clean and tidy up here and there for about two hours. Sadly, I don’t think it’s very noticeable - I did a bit in each room, but never everything. Still, it counts, and I’m proud of myself.
Here’s what I managed to tackle:
- Cleaned the bathroom sink and mirrors
- Made the bed (which, for some reason, I don’t like doing)
- Vacuumed (until our Dyson decided it needed to recharge)
- Picked up some (but not all - there’s so much) stuff lying around
- Put away new things we bought on Friday
- Ironed some clothes and towels
I listened to music the whole time and felt amazing afterward (and even during, which doesn’t always happen).
Pancake Experiments in the Kitchen
Then I made pancakes - one of the few foods I can actually cook (see more here: The One Where Cooking Isn't My Thing). I made my usual recipe but also tried a new one with protein powder. I only made four of those because I wasn’t sure how they’d turn out, but I liked them! They taste almost the same, just with a slightly different texture. As my sister, who visited me, said: they taste more like “food,” if that makes sense. They felt more like a main course than a dessert, and I think they’ll be perfect for a savory version. I ate a simple one with ham and cheese - when you put it on the pancake while it’s still in the pan, the cheese melts and it’s delicious. And another one with Biscoff spread (from Lotus biscuits) - I’m obsessed! I’m starting to think it’s even better than Nutella, and that’s saying a lot. I used to love Nutella (I still do), but lately my teeth have been sensitive, and chocolatey sweets don’t do them any favors, so I try to avoid it (or suffer later). Although, I still eat waffles with Nutella, because they’re just better that way. For everything else, Biscoff spread is my new favorite. I even discovered a Lotus cheesecake recently, and it was love at first bite. I don’t usually like cheesecakes, but this one was different.
Sister Time & Movie Moments
As I mentioned, my sister came to visit. She’s recovering from yet another illness (she’s a kindergarten teacher), so she spent the whole week at home. But she was feeling much better and came to see me (and watch a movie). Her visits are always great - I don’t have to worry about anything (like cleaning, looking like a sane person, or anything like that). We just talk, chill, cuddle her dog, and watch a movie. This time we chose Enola Holmes - a nice, soothing family movie for a relaxing weekend, full of amazing actors and actresses.
Winding Down: Evening Reflections
She left a bit before dinner. I spent the evening mostly relaxing, but I managed to squeeze in a quick 20-minute Pilates workout and write this blog post. Overall, I feel like it was a very successful and productive day, and - best of all - stress-free, which is a big win for me.
Anyway, allergies are killing me, my eyes itch, and I sneeze every other minute. Time for a shower and bed. And maybe one last pancake.
Finding Motivation for Home Tasks When You’re Overwhelmed
I know I’m not alone in feeling overwhelmed by housework - especially when it feels like there’s always more to do than time or energy to do it. Some days, just looking at the mess can make me want to crawl back under the covers. But over time, I’ve found a few gentle strategies that help me get started, even when motivation is nowhere to be found:
1. Start Small - Really Small
When everything feels like too much, I give myself permission to start tiny. Sometimes that means just clearing off a single surface, making the bed, or putting away a handful of things. The trick is to lower the bar so it’s impossible to fail. Once I’ve done that one thing, I often find I have a bit more energy to do another. And if not? That’s okay too - progress is progress.
2. Find Inspiration (Not Pressure)
I love watching quick cleaning reels or “reset” videos on social media. There’s something oddly motivating about seeing someone else tackle their mess - even if their house is way messier (or cleaner!) than mine. I try to use these as gentle inspiration, not a reason to compare or feel bad. Sometimes, just a few minutes of watching someone else fold laundry or wipe down a counter is enough to get me moving.
3. Make It Enjoyable
Music is my secret weapon. I put on a playlist that makes me want to move - sometimes it’s energetic pop, sometimes it’s a cozy acoustic vibe. If I’m feeling really low-energy, I’ll even listen to a podcast or an audiobook while I tidy up. It turns chores into something I can actually look forward to (at least a little bit).
4. Set a Timer and Embrace Imperfection
I’ve found that setting a timer for 10, 15, or 20 minutes can work wonders. I tell myself I only have to clean until the timer goes off, and then I can stop if I want. Most of the time, I get more done than I expected, and sometimes I even keep going. But if I don’t, that’s fine too! The goal is progress, not perfection.
5. Celebrate Every Win (No Matter How Small)
It’s so easy to focus on what’s left undone, but I try to notice and appreciate what I did accomplish. Even if the house isn’t spotless, I remind myself that every little bit counts. I’ll literally say “good job” to myself after finishing a task. It might sound silly, but it really helps me feel proud and motivated to keep going.
6. Remember: You Don’t Have to Do It All
This is the most important thing. The world won’t end if there are dishes in the sink or laundry waiting to be folded. I try to be gentle with myself and remember that rest is productive too. Some days, just surviving is enough.
If you ever feel stuck or overwhelmed, know that you’re not alone. You don’t have to do it all at once - or even all by yourself. Small steps add up, and you deserve to feel good about every one of them.
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