My husband and I were part of a class that watched a video series called Marriage on the Rock. We liked it, but it didn’t really fit a Sunday morning class schedule, so I don’t think we finished it. However, there is one phrase that we continue to use.
“All points expire at midnight.”
The speaker’s point was directed to husbands. His idea was that men generally want the credit (“relationship points” earned) for taking out trash, saying sweet things, etc. to last through to their next mistake. For example, if he forgets once to lower the toilet seat, his wife should be thankful for all of the times when he remembers, rather than be mad about the one time when he forgets. But alas, all points expire at midnight. All of the couples there got a big kick out of this because it seemed that everyone could relate. (No men-bashing here, because in my opinion women are the same way.)
Anyway, this phrase came into my head yesterday when thinking about some of my classic excuses. My biggest one, and the one that gets me in the most trouble, is thinking that I shouldn’t have to clean something because “I just did that.”
Last week I mopped. It had only been one week since I mopped before that (normal for most people, huge accomplishment for me), but a glass of sprite from our stomach-bug-week had been knocked over and our feet were literally sticking to the floor. I was very proud of myself. I mean, twice in two weeks?!? I must really have this housekeeping thing down, right?
And then, the next day, my foot stuck to the floor again. Just in one little spot near the dishwasher, but it happened a few times until I couldn’t pretend it was my imagination anymore.
And do you know what thought went through my ever-so-mature brain?
“I shouldn’t have to mop again because I just mopped yesterday, and it had only been a week before that.”
Shouldn’t have to. Yes . . . . well . . . . .
This is one of those thought patterns that come so naturally to me that I’m working very hard to change. I’m fully aware of how ridiculous these types of thoughts are. I’m fully aware of the result of allowing myself to act or not act on these types of thoughts, having seen the evidence in my totally chaotic home for years.
Fully aware or not, the thoughts still pop in my head. So now I have to recognize them for their idiocy, and choose to act correctly/logically/maturely/etc.ly in spite of them.
After all, “All (housekeeping) points expire at midnight.”
Ha! Love your blog…
I have a squished grape on the floor I'v been meaning to clean up…but I just cleaned up the mud the dog drug in last night! My friend calls me a "Messy"..I only let her cause she is one too. I'm going to post on the topic soon, however I fear judgement from my Mother.
Thanks for visiting "I'll take some joy in my coffee" come back soon.
Michelle
What a great statement… I'm just like you in this area… I have had that exact thought over and over… I just did that – how can it possibly be time to do it again? I want things done once – and that be the end of it. Get an area clean and never have to do it again. Faulty, I know. But I like how you put it — which reminds me, I should probably get up and go clear out the sink and all of the other piles that have reappeared since yesterday. Ugh.
I really like both the initial meaning and the housekeeping meaning applied to this. I linked to it on my weekly roundup. I'm so glad I found you!! :>)
This is PERFECT! I just posted something on my blog about how I'm terrible at keeping the bills paid…they just keeps coming around each month and I feel like i JUST did them! So I'm awful about it, and keep putting it off until things get dangerous.
But…all BILL PAYING points must expire at midnight, too. I'll try to keep this in mind
I'm this way in the household. I also hate mopping. I want all kinds of cool gadgets like the mop robot and stuff. LOL. I'm a terrible organizer and mopping once a week is a big thing for me too! Looking down now I can see I need to mop again.
I just found your blog and so far, I like what I read. All Housekeeping points expire at midnight is awesome! Thanks for sharing.
So this made me laugh, first of all because my hubby makes a point to let me know that he “took the trash out for me,” and because I just wiped up a sticky spot on my counter that I don’t even remember what it was. It was bright pink though, so it wasn’t like something spilled and I just didn’t realize it. It has been staring at me for who knows how long, and now my counter is pink there, because well it was probably berry something and that stains. Grrr, why didn’t I just wipe it when it happened? Well probably because I just made something delicious, and I shouldn’t have to cook AND clean… silly me.
I so relate. I actually “rag” mopped a sticky spot last night and was proud of myself for getting that section clean. It’s so sad that I feel that way. My husband comes home some days and gets mad because the floor is sticky or toys are everywhere, but I have a hard time “seeing” it all. Love your blog, it keeps things in perspective for me!
I love it! I am going to have to use this with my husband… Okay and myself!
I’ve been reading your blog backwards like you suggested for a couple if days now and this post finally broke through my mindset. You hit the nail on the head. I have done the exact same thing with so many tasks. I just did that, WHY do I have to do it again?????? Thank you so much and I am printing out this post and sticking it to my kitchen cabinet. The inside of course!
Yay! This concept was huge for me, too!
LOVE THIS! I’m going to use it for all sorts of things now!
Reminds me of the time my BFF’s son needed a diaper change…15 minutes after he had had his diaper changed. She just laughed and shrugged and changed him again. I was horrified!
P.S. I have no kids.