Hey Domestic Darlings, I wanted to talk about something I don’t feel like is spoken about enough. Do you know that feeling at the end of the day? You’re completely exhausted, yet somehow convinced you’ve done absolutely nothing. If that resonates with you, welcome to the club—we’re calling it Homemakers Amnesia. It’s the tendency to push aside all of the things you did accomplish and hyperfocus on what you didn’t get done. Sound familiar?
I’ve been there, too. Those moments where you’re mentally calling yourself “lazy” just because you didn’t manage to cross off every item on your never-ending mental to-do list. But you’re anything but lazy. You’re doing so much more than you realize, and today, we’re going to focus on that truth.
In this post we’re going to break free from the guilt with tips that have seriously boosted my mental health and helped me find joy in homemaking again.
1. List Every Little Thing You Accomplished
At the end of the day, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking, “I didn’t really do anything today.” But the truth is, the small, repetitive tasks that keep life running add up to so much. The fix? A detailed accomplishment list.
I want you to pull out your journal in the evening, and instead of making a “To-Do list” make a “I did it!” List of all the things you got done today. Instead of writing vague, broad categories like “fed the kids,” break it down into pieces. For example:
- Washed the produce.
- Chopped the veggies into toddler-perfect sizes.
- Reheated last night’s pancakes.
- Served and fed the kids.
- Cleaned off sticky hands and faces.
- Wiped down high chairs.
It’s incredible how much you realize you’ve done when you actually write it out. You’re organizing schedules, cleaning spills, cooking meals, tackling laundry—and so much more. Once you see it all laid out, hopefully it will help you feel some grace and feel proud of yourself.
Productivity Hack Alert
Pair this habit with an evening routine. While you’re tidying up or prepping for the next day, take a few minutes to jot down everything in a small notebook or journal. Not only does this reinforce what you’ve accomplished, but it also serves as a calming practice before bed.
2. Try an Evening Reset Routine
My saving grace as a homemaker has been my evening cleaning routine. It’s a structured, manageable system that helps me get the house in order without overwhelming myself.
You can find my blog post on my evening cleaning routine here!
You can make this your own by setting aside 20-30 minutes at the end of the day to tackle small, priority tasks. Bonus points if you break it down into zones like:
- Kitchen: Load and start the dishwasher
- Living room: 10 minute tidy up.
- Laundry: Fold and put away.
What makes this even more enjoyable? Fun podcasts to listen to. My cleaning routines radio shows are me guiding you through cleaning tasks while listening to 1950s radio shows. It’s like cleaning with a friend who keeps you company, offers guidance, and helps you stay on track. You can try some episodes here!
3. Celebrate the Small Wins
Homemakers Amnesia makes it easy to overlook even your biggest successes. But what if you started celebrating those small wins instead of rushing past them?
Here’s how you can begin today:
- Acknowledge and appreciate your work. Whether it’s loading the dishwasher, paying bills, or finally dealing with a long-forgotten laundry basket—celebrate it.
- Share the moment. Call or text a friend. Tell them about your day and how much you accomplished. It’s amazing how uplifting it feels when someone celebrates with you.
- Small Rewards. It’s easy to feel like there isn’t enough time to do the things that make us feel good/we enjoy as moms. Set a timer for 15 minutes sometime during the day or evening to read a novel you’ve been wanting to read, do some skin care, knit/crochet/embroider, scrapbook, whatever it is you enjoy! I promise, it’s so much better than doom scrolling because you feel like you SHOULD be spending every free moment cleaning, but just need a break.
Self-Love Hack
Pair your “I did it!” List with a gratitude journal practice. Also write down three new things you’re grateful for today, or write down a happy memory from the day.
4. Habit Stack for Momentum
Habit stacking is a brilliant way to make self-care or productivity routines stick without adding more to your plate. The idea is simple—pair a new habit with one you’re already doing.
Here’s an example for your evening cleaning routine:
- Put on a face mask, or a hair mask while you do your evening cleaning.
- Wipe the bathroom counters/mirrors while you brush your teeth.
- Wash your delicate items (bras, lingerie) in the shower with you.
- Enjoy your evening cup of tea, and a fave audiobook/show while folding laundry.
With habit stacking, routines unfold naturally and feel less stressful over time.
5. Give Yourself Grace (You’re Doing AMAZING)
The truth is, homemaking isn’t just one task—it’s hundreds of tiny tasks that coordinate to create love, comfort, and security in your home. And you’re doing it all while managing the emotional, mental, and physical work of caregiving. That is AMAZING.
Here’s the thing—you don’t have to hold yourself to impossible standards. Some days, the dishes will stay in the sink, or the toys won’t all be picked up. And that’s okay. Give yourself credit where credit is due, and remind yourself that you’re human.
Final Thoughts
Breaking free of Homemakers Amnesia starts with recognizing how much you’re actually doing. It’s about celebrating the tiny wins, finding joy in the process, and letting go of the guilt tied to what “should” or “could” have been done.
If you’re ready to feel accomplished and enjoy the peace of a reset home, give my evening cleaning routines a try! These radio cleaning episodes featuring 1950s radio shows transform the mundane into something magical. Bonus? The last five minutes are dedicated to self-care, so you can reset your mind as well as your home.
You’re amazing. You’re enough. And if no one has told you today, thank you for everything you do. Now, go write out that accomplishment list, and take five minutes to bask in your greatness—you deserve it! ❤️
- “Happy Homemaking Without the Guilt: Celebrate What You’ve Accomplished”
- “Homemakers Amnesia? Here’s the Secret to Happy Homemaking Joy”
- “From Overwhelmed to Empowered—Your Happy Homemaking Reset Guide”
- “Small Wins, Big Smiles: Happy Homemaking for Every Exhausted Mom”
- “Discover the Joy of Happy Homemaking, One Reset at a Time”
- “Happy Homemaking Isn’t About Perfection—Here’s What Truly Matters”
- “Celebrate Your Wins! The Key to Truly Happy Homemaking”
- “Breaking the Guilt Cycle—Happy Homemaking Tips to Embrace Today”
- “Finding Confidence and Calm with Happy Homemaking Routines”
- “Happy Homemaking Hacks to Combat Overwhelm and Love Your Day”
- “Reclaim Your Joy and Accomplishments—Happy Homemaking Made Simple”
- “Happy Homemaking Habits for Guilt-Free, Accomplished Days”
- “Homemakers Amnesia, Be Gone! The Path to Happy Homemaking”
- “Rediscover the Joy of Homemaking with These Small, Happy Steps”
- “Your Guide to Happy Homemaking That Celebrates Every Little Victory”