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Have you ever been hard at work cleaning the house only to overhear your partner in the next room screaming and cheering because his football team scored another touchdown or his basketball team’s star player just made a three-pointer? Did you fantasize about storming into the room and kicking over the television? Me too.
Managing a household can be difficult and feeling as though you’re holding things down by yourself while your happy-go-lucky man parks it in front of the television and waits for you to bring him a sandwich is quite vexing. However, before you decide to act out your fantasy of angrily snipping the cord off of the back of the 50-inch television that you’ll only end up replacing later, read our five tips on how to deal when you’re overwhelmed with housework.
Take a deep breath
Step away from the broom and go take a seat on the sofa. If you’re reading this article, it’s likely that you’re feeling frustrated and could probably use a moment to regroup. Whatever you use as a healthy escape when you need to de-stress, now would be the time to employ that.
Take inventory
Now that you’re nice and calm, begin to take inventory of exactly what needs to be done. It’s very easy to get overwhelmed when you feel like you have a million and one things to do. Lumping all of these tasks together in your mind can also make them appear bigger than they are. To avoid psyching yourself out before you even get started, begin jotting down every task that needs to be done.
Take note of where he pitches in
When it feels like you’re doing the bulk of the work around the house, it will begin to appear that your partner is doing nothing; however, this may not actually be the case. While you might find that you’re always doing the dishes, sweeping the floors and cleaning the bathroom, when you stop to think about it, you may realize that he’s the one doing the laundry each week and taking out the trash every night. Maybe he walks the dog while you get dinner started at night. Stopping to recognize that you’re not really in this by yourself—even thought it feels that way sometimes—will instantly alleviate some of the stress.
Make a wish list of what you’d like him to do
After making a list of the household tasks he takes care of, make a separate list that includes some of the other things that you’d like for him to take ownership of based on your lengthy to-do list. Try to be realistic about it. Don’t give him a task that you know you’re going to have to go behind him and redo. If you know that he’s an awful cook, you may not want to place him in charge of cooking dinner on Tuesday and Thursday nights. However, putting him in charge of keeping the floors clean by sweeping, vacuuming and mopping throughout the week may be a good idea.
Have a calm conversation
When you’re calm and in a better mood, sit your boo down and explain to him that you’re feeling overwhelmed by all of the housework you have to take care of. Be sure to mention all the good things that he is doing. Let him know that you appreciate all of the ways that he’s pitching in, but that you could use some more help. And then, follow up by suggesting some of the ways that he can help alleviate that burden. Show him your lists and together, you can decide which tasks he will take on.
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