Tag: imperfect living

Something on your “to-do list” that never gets done.

There’s one item that’s been living rent-free on my to-do list for what feels like forever: deep-clean the house. Every week I write it down with the best intentions, and every week it stares back at me, smug and unchecked.

Sure, I’m great at the daily tidy-ups—the quick resets, leaping over toys, and keeping countertops visible (mostly). But the real deep clean? Scrubbing baseboards, washing curtains, or tackling the mystery stuff in the back of the cabinets? Somehow that always gets bumped down the list by, well… just about everything else.

Part of the problem is our ongoing upstairs renovation. Two years in, and we’re still coaxing this old house back to life—tearing out lath and plaster, sealing drywall, trying to keep ahead of the dusty evidence. That fine gray film drifts through the house like snow that overstays its welcome. Add two little kids who turn any clean surface into an art project within minutes, and—let’s be honest—deep cleaning doesn’t stand a chance.

By the time evening rolls around, my energy’s long gone. I look around, spot another trail of cracker crumbs, and think, good enough till tomorrow. Honestly, I’ll take progress over perfection any day.

My (Somewhat Hopeful) Game Plan

I keep telling myself there has to be a way to outsmart this never-ending chore. Maybe it’s not about a single heroic cleaning day but smaller, practical wins.

• Fifteen-minute power bursts. Pick one room, one task, one playlist. Quick sweep, easy win.
• Recruit the tiny troops. The kids love joining in—with spray bottles and rags, no less. Sure, it takes longer, but at least we laugh through it.
• Wait for calmer seasons. Once the last coat of paint dries and the drywall dust clears, I’ll finally give this place a top-to-bottom refresh.
• Keep the dream in mind. A calm, clean space where we can all exhale—that’s the goal. Future me will be thrilled.

Until then, I’m embracing the real version of home: a little messy, a lot loved, always humming with life. Between raising kids, growing things outside, and building something meaningful in our community, there’s bound to be dust somewhere—and that’s okay.

Feature Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash

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So tell me—what’s the chore that never quite leaves your list? Let’s swap confessions in the comments and remind each other that perfect isn’t the point—living fully is.

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