Homemaking is one of the most rewarding yet daunting tasks we face daily. Whether you’re a full-time homemaker or juggling chores alongside a career, the state of your home can set the tone for your entire day (or night) when you just need a safe haven to relax in…not a source of stress. But here’s the thing—not all approaches to housework are created equal. Daryl V. Hoole’s classic 1950s guide, The Art of Homemaking , offers timeless wisdom for modern homemakers, particularly when it comes to the mindset you bring to cleaning and organizing your home.
William James, a psychologist of the time, once said, “The greatest discovery of my generation is that you can change your circumstances by changing your attitudes of mind.” He couldn’t have been more spot-on, and homemaking is no exception. Your attitude toward housework can transform it from a dreaded chore into something meaningful and—even enjoyable. Hoole identifies three common attitudes toward housework, and understanding them can help you reshape your mindset and create a happier, more harmonious home just like a 1950s housewife would.
1. Work as an Obligation
Some people view housework as a duty so important that it takes precedence over everything else. Hoole shares an anecdote about a woman who missed going with her husband to the hospital for surgery because Monday was her laundry day. Can you imagine? While her devotion to schedules is admirable, (couldn’t be my ADHD ah :P) prioritizing housework above all else is definitely not the move.
What Can We Learn?
Housework is not an end in itself. It’s a tool to create a serene, welcoming environment for you and your loved ones. It’s something we do to create a space where we can thrive and enjoy our lives. A tidy home is important, but not at the cost of meaningful moments with your family.
Modern Tip: Strike a balance between necessity and flexibility. For example:
- Use a weekly routine to manage recurring tasks but leave room for life’s surprises. Felt tired today and skipped laundry? It’s okay. Pick it up tomorrow. (P.S. You can find my post on my 30 minute cleaning schedule here!)
- Remember the ultimate goal of homemaking is a happy home, not perfection. Sit down for that board game or cuddle with your kids even if the vacuuming is waiting. Or, get the basics routine done in the morning and leave the house to do something fun or enriching together like I talk about in this post! You can even get the kids cleaning along with my Wild Bill Hickok radio show cleaning routines! You just press play, and the kids clean along! Click here to get some free episodes.
2. Work as a Necessary Evil
This attitude is all too common. Housework becomes a dreaded, unavoidable task that we try to finish as quickly as possible. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many of us resent the time chores take, rushing through them without care or joy. Unfortunately, this approach often results in a stressful cycle where incomplete or poorly done work adds to the clutter and chaos we wanted to avoid in the first place. It also breeds resentment (that then makes us feel guilty) when we end up mad at the mess makers (aka the people we love most in the whole world!)
What Can We Learn?
Instead of dreading chores and seeing them as a necessary evil, treat them as a foundation for the rest of your day. When your basics are in order (beds made, dishes washed, floors cleared of clutter), you’ll feel lighter and better equipped to pursue other activities. You’ll actually be able to ENJOY those activities!
Modern Tip: Build a strong morning cleaning foundation. Here’s how:
- See chores as grounding self care. Treating cleaning like a meditation or little ritual to help us ground and be present in our bodies, PLUS give ourselves a space we can enjoy, is a great mindset shift!
- Prioritize your essentials. It’s so easy as homemakers to go off on a tangent and start decluttering a closet when our entire house is a mess and the basics aren’t done. Instead focus on getting the basics done first no matter what. For me that’s airing the beds, a load of laundry, dishes, picking up clutter for 10 minutes, and a 15 minute assigned task for the day. (Find my routine here!)
- Set a timer. Tackle foundational cleaning tasks for 30 minutes each morning. When the time’s up, stop. You’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish in such a short window! I used a MIND HACK to help me get this done. I listen to 1950s radio show cleaning routines! I press play, and am guided through timed cleaning tasks while listening to ’50s radio shows like Dragnet! and Father Knows Best! You can try some episodes here if you like!
3. Work as a Creative Experience (the 1950s Housewife Ideal!)
This is the ideal mindset to aim for, and it’s a game-changer. This attitude approaches housework as an opportunity for creativity, challenge, satisfaction, and even joy. Rather than focusing on the drudgery of scrubbing, dusting, or decluttering, you focus on how you can improve yourself, your processes, your home, and apply YOUR unique interests, talents, skills, and passions.
This mindset is about finding purpose in the process. Just like in our careers or dream jobs, there are moments when the work is not fun. BUT when you turn a task into a challenge, or think about the joy/memories it brings you and your family to give you purpose, housework becomes less about obligation and more about inspiration.
What Can We Learn?
Condition your mind to see housework as a positive, creative act. When you focus on the why, and actively apply your gifts, talents, and interests to your home it can make all the difference!
Modern Tip: Infuse creativity into everyday chores by:
- Adding personal touches. Create a cheerful playlist of your favorite songs or listen to a fun podcast while folding laundry. (Try one of mine!)
- Rewarding yourself. Treat yourself to something small (a cup of your favorite tea, a quick skincare routine) as you do your task (not after!). I’ve seen moms apply their self tanner, brow dye, or face masks while they clean!
- Decorating your space. Fresh flowers, a scented candle, or a pretty cleaning apron can make even chores feel a little more special.
Don’t make this mistake!
Remember this crucial piece of advice from Hoole: Without a solid foundation, the rest crumbles. It doesn’t matter how shiny your windows are or how perfectly organized the closet is if the beds aren’t made, dishes aren’t done, and clutter takes over. The unaddressed basics detract from all your effort.
It’s not about being the perfect 1950s housewife, it’s about progress!
Hoole also highlights an important word we often forget in homemaking: discipline. It’s easy to talk about the ideal mindset toward housework, but implementing it takes practice and consistency. Discipline, much like a muscle, strengthens with use. Small, steady efforts lead to long-term habits!
Modern Tip:
Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for progress! Progress will get you closer to perfection than perfectionism EVER will!
- Commit to daily, manageable tasks instead of overwhelming deep cleans. (Click here for some ideas!)
- Take it 5 minutes at a time. Pick up the closest mess, set a timer, and stop when it rings. Small wins will build momentum.
- Be kind to yourself. Some days will go as planned; others won’t. Remember the 1950s housewife wasn’t perfect either. She just kept going and found creative ways to balance it all, and she took it one day at a time!
Why Wait? Taking the Stress Out of Homemaking TODAY
If homemaking feels like an endless cycle of chaos, or like you’re always two steps behind right now, you’re not alone. Overwhelm, discouragement, and lack of motivation are some of the biggest roadblocks we all face when tackling housework! Yes even 1950s housewives felt this way too.
That’s exactly why I created Domestic Daydreams Radio and my free radio cleaning routine episodes you can try. These are lifelines designed for those days when motivation feels impossible, the mess seems insurmountable, and you don’t know where to start to get caught up.
Imagine having a friend in your ear (ahem me!) guiding you through a simple, step-by-step cleaning routine that helps you lay the foundation for a cleaner, calmer home. All while listening to episodes of vintage 1950s radio show like Father Knows Best, Dragnet!, Fibber McGee & Molly, and Lux Radio Theater.
You’ll go from “Where do I even begin?” to having a clear, manageable plan in less than 30 minutes. Whether it’s airing the beds, tackling that first load of laundry, or doing a quick speed-pick-up, you’ll have clean house on autopilot. And the best part? You don’t have to do it alone.
What’s stopping you? Click here to listen to some free episodes of my morning or evening cleaning routines!