A tip: the micro-clean

You're probably wondering what the heck a "micro-clean" is. It has nothing to do with a microwave. It's my new method to cleaning happiness!

I like to keep my house clean (as opposed to the person who doesn't?) and I like to set goals like, "Today I will clean the bathrooms" or something like that. However, what I've noticed is that I will get all motivated, pull out the cleaning supplies bucket, and be halfway through a project when a child will wake up from a nap or there will be some other distraction that makes me stop. Then I get all frustrated that I didn't finish and then it's just a downward spiral.

One day as I whipped out the cleaning bucket to clean some jolly area of the house, I told myself that it would be great if I cleaned just this one shelf. And when that was done, I told myself that it would be great if I cleaned just the next shelf. And so on. And eventually a child did wake up from a nap, but instead of feeling irritated that I couldn't finish another cleaning task, I actually felt great! Because I accomplished those little goals that I set for myself! And it wasn't a one-time feel-good moment. I tried this method when I mopped the floor. Usually, I want to "mop the floor" which includes the entire kitchen/living room/dining room/front entry way floor. This time, I told myself it would be great if I did the living room. Children still asleep. It would be great if I did the entry way. Children still asleep. And so on. I didn't get to reach the kitchen, but no matter - I did what I set out to do with the micro-cleans! And I felt great!

So that's my tip. You may actually have the time to accomplish the micro-clean instead of a big, comprehensive clean. Each accomplishment makes you motivated to complete the next task - if time permits - but if time runs out, no worries! You completed your goal!

Mood status update

Today is December 3. I have been unemployed for three whole months now. I have applied to a couple of dozen jobs, had "conversations" with several key people, am working with a headhunter, and I still got nothing.

I am also trying to start my own business and I've attended several networking events. I am fortunate to be working with a friend from our synagogue on a couple of his projects, but that is slow-going.

I know that the end of the year is a bad time to look for a job. Companies are in the midst of their year-end processes.

But - every day is a new opportunity, right? Perhaps this is a chance in my life to rewrite my career path (what career path...). Perhaps I should go back to school to learn something, or to become certified in something. I feel like this is all a sign for something, but I am not sure what.

It doesn't help that I have friends who are unemployed too. It doesn't help that even though we are surviving, our income was cut in half but our expenses remain the same. It doesn't help that a week after I was laid off, I sprained my ankle, a wall in our daughter's room developed major cracks due to foundation work (along with the rest of the house), and a pipe burst in the bathroom. I need some chizuk right now. I know things will get better. I just hope it does sooner rather than later.