5 Things I Do to Stay Joyful in Homemaking

I’ve always loved homemaking, long before I understood what it was. As a child, my favorite games to play were setting up dollhouses, Barbie houses, and playhouses. And all my favorite books, or my favorite parts of books, were all the homemaking parts.

I think my joy and pleasure for all things home stems from my first love language, acts of service.

Homemaking is about serving others.

Mainstream culture wants you to believe that dedicating your life to homemaking and raising a family is insignificant —that to make a difference in the world, you need to go out and be something.

This is a lie.

The hidden life of homemaking is the most significant and important job. On the surface, it looks like a lot of laundry and cleaning and cooking.

But its deep meaning, its hidden meaning, is creating a refuge for our family and friends.

Home is the first place we learn to love and be loved.

If we want to change the world, it begins at home with the homemakers …the ones who strive to make home pleasant and comfortable in more than just a physical sense.

Homemakers provide nourishment for weary souls in the form of an open door, an open heart, and a feast of love (and yummy treats).

Homemaking is a full-time job, but it can be done in tandem with careers, entrepreneurship, and other pursuits.

And the job of homemaking is for both women and men.

The love and care we provide within our four walls can change the world.

Even with all this in mind, homemaking isn’t always easy. I’m not thrilled to the depths of my soul to clean the bathroom every single week or get another snack for my always-hungry child.

On those days when I’m tired and my heart isn’t in the right place, there are certain things I do to stay joyful in homemaking. The interesting thing is, it’s more about self-care than anything else.

5 Things I Do To Stay Joyful in Homemaking

RISING EARLY

I need time for myself to be alone in the quiet. The best time is in the dark, still hours of the morning. I use my time alone for reading the Bible or some other spiritual reading, prayer, and writing. Allowing myself even a half hour to be alone before my family rises brings so much grace to my day.

MOVEMENT

On the days where I feel irritable, I know I have to get my body moving. The physical state of my body changes my mental state. It took me years to understand that exercise and movement isn’t just for physical health …it also affects your mental state.

Making time for workouts and getting outside for walks refreshes my body and soul so I can get back to doing my work in the right state of mind.

HOBBIES

Over the last year, I realized that getting into the kitchen to bake or cook isn’t a chore. It’s enjoyable. 

I may be guilty of baking too many treats, but it slows down my mind. In cooking, you have to “keep your wits about you,” as L.M. Montgomery wrote. I can take my focus off feeling tired or irritated and channel it into an enjoyable hobby.

SOCIAL MEDIA BREAKS

Every time I take a break from social media, I feel freer. If I scroll too long, I get caught up in what I don’t have. Removing myself from it allows me to be more present with my little family and grow in love and appreciation for them.

REST

I’m not good at resting. But I’ve gotten better at recognizing when I need to rest. Even if there are chores to do, I give myself some grace. Work doesn’t always have to be done before rest, and there’s always more work to do.

Taking the time to sit, read, and cuddle with my little one gives me the energy to keep going for the remainder of the day.