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The end of summer often feels like a race to finish everything, from vacations to school prep. But when those warm days start to give way to crisp autumn air, it’s a gentle reminder: every season offers a fresh start. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the “to-dos,” take heart, you have the power to reset your pace and your homemaking.
What Grace in Homemaking Really Means
One of the big things with being able to slow down and reset your homemaking this season is giving yourself grace. But what does that mean? It means letting go of the expectations that you’ve set for yourself and the many things that you said yes to this season. It means wiping the calendar clean for the next month and recognizing what really needs to be done, and what you want to get done.
The Lord tells us:
But he said to me,“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness. — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (CSB)
So when we say “giving ourselves grace,” it truly means letting go of the expectations that you had set for yourself and saying that even though we are weak, He is strong. Even though we can’t get it all done, we can get His will for our lives done, even if it means doing it slow and steady, and not fast and full.
Why We Get Overwhelmed (and How It’s Not Your Fault)
This time of year, I often find myself becoming overwhelmed so quickly because it feels like the top of a hill that just spirals out of control until about February. From back-to-school and the beginning of the holidays to feeling like you’re stuck competing with Patty Pinterests for every holiday, hoping that your kids still think you’re cool or that your home still feels clean enough for the in-laws that will be coming over with a white glove on Thanksgiving. (At least that’s how it feels for me. Haha!)
The important thing is that feeling overwhelmed does not equal failure in who you are as a homemaker, wife, or mother; it’s a signal for you to reset. Remembering that we are “always-on” as homemakers, wives, and mothers can often lead to burnout quickly, especially when always trying to be perfect. So what can we do to combat this constant race to perfection?
Step-by-Step to a Slow and Simple Homemaking Routine
Let Go of the Busy
Start by looking at your calendar or what specifically is stressing you out. Whether that’s too many activities, volunteering tasks, or expectations on yourself as a homemaker, then let them go. Little Johnny doesn’t need to do football, soccer, and lacrosse. You don’t need to run the AWANA club, the local Daisy troop, and volunteer to make all the class snacks for every holiday. (Looking at myself here.) And you don’t need to deep clean a room every day. (Oops, there I am again.)
Maybe this season, Little Johnny plays one sport, you volunteer to do one thing every month, and you deep clean one room a week. Learning to do less, despite maybe feeling inadequate by doing so, is so important because this gives you more time to do the most important thing of all: serving God, serving your family, and serving yourself.
Set Grace-Filled Goals for the Season
Instead of overloading your day, as I’ve said many times before (check out 10 Ways to Simplify Your Daily Routine Without Feeling Overwhelmed). Choose 1 to 3 large priorities each day. If you finish those and have time for a few 15-minute cleaning sessions or decluttering a drawer, then go for it. But prioritize slowing down, making time for God, and time for yourself and your family.
Create a Simple Homemaking Reset Routine
Create a simple morning routine that leaves your cup filled and a smile on your face. You should spend this time doing things that leave you feeling refreshed and ready to start the day with joy in your heart. Any good routine will include some Bible time with Jesus, maybe a coffee or two with him, too. Not to mention time to yourself, because as I always say, even a homemaker deserves her state-mandated break.
Start Small
Start each day with a small task, whether that’s refreshing the toilet, throwing a load of laundry in, or starting the dishwasher. Giving yourself small wins to start your day is a good way to keep the motivation going.
Let Go of Shoulds
This is the time to realize, you cannot do it all. The Proverbs 31 woman never did it all; she had servants and helpers, and I’m going to take a guess that you don’t, because I sure don’t! So let go of perfection. Maybe that means you should stop volunteering to too many things. Or that could mean that you stop making all the food from scratch. Maybe that means you stop cloth diapering. While it may feel like a fail, sometimes we just need to take a break from what’s stressing us out and give ourselves some grace.
Refresh Your Space in Small and Simple Ways
Giving tiny and frugal changes to your home can help you feel refreshed and like your home has new life in it. That could come in a new throw blanket, or a new candle, or even a new set of bedding for yourself. No matter what you do, big or small, giving your home a small refresh can help you reset your mind and attitude towards your home and homemaking.
Encouragement for the Heart
Remember, your worth is not measured by how much you do, how much you make from scratch, or do all naturally. Your worth is determined in your relationship with Jesus. Having a season of rest, or a time to change the way you do things just for a while, can really help you get into a routine of rest and worship with Jesus. Do not feel guilty for a season of rest, but embrace it and enjoy the little things in life. You don’t need a perfect home to create a peaceful one, just a little grace and a fresh start.
Looking for more encouragement? Grab your copy of The Homemaker’s Assistant Routine Planner in The Cottage Shop, or join our sweet community in The Homemaker’s Corner on Facebook. We’d love to cheer you on!
Hello! I'm Amanda Elizabeth, creator of The Homemaker's Cottage. As a homemaker I have constantly felt the pull between old fashioned homemaking and the fast paced world we live in today. So I created The Homemaker's Cottage: a stress-free space between the old in the new, where there is no judgement and we can learn that homemaking can be relevant, easy and even enjoyable.
Join me on this journey to serve God, your family, and begin homemaking from where you are.
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