Homemaking often feels like an endless list of to-dos—dishes to wash, laundry to fold, floors to sweep. But the beauty of simple homemaking is hidden within these everyday tasks: a rhythm of care, a quiet kind of fulfillment, and even a touch of joy. My daughter and I just went out and cut some branches off of the first tree we saw blooming. I just needed some springtime to freshen up my kitchen window. That’s all the motivation I needed to begin decluttering and spring cleaning our home.
Instead of rushing through chores or dreading them, what if we saw them as opportunities? Moments to slow down, to create comfort, and to connect with the home we live in. Here are some ways that I find the beauty in simple homemaking.
1. Set the Mood
Turn on your favorite music. I love slow bluegrass music. It just has a way of slowing me down. I also just learned by accident that I love jazz. Who knew? It is so relaxing to me when I’m winding down in the evenings. Open the windows, light a candle—create an atmosphere that makes chores feel less like work and more like a ritual. A clean home feels different when it’s filled with the scent of fresh air or warm vanilla. I really struggle with stopping, because you know…there’s always something else today.
“So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today." Matt 6:34 NLT
2. Find Gratitude in the Process
Instead of focusing on the task itself, I have to remind myself to get out of my own head. I find that the first thing in the morning, between sleep and waking is when God really brings things into focus for me. I wonder how in the morning, I can so effortlessly organize the priorities in my mind. I guess my mind and body are rested, and He grabs my attention before I have a chance to start worrying or going down that mental list. I’m a clean slate.
I challenge you to focus on priorities in the morning and see if things come to you more clearly. It certainly takes so much pressure off of us. Instead of focusing on the task at hand, I try to focus on the blessing behind it. Folding laundry means you have clothes to wear. Washing dishes means you shared a meal. Sweeping means your home is lived in and filled with life. A small shift in perspective makes a big difference.
3. Make It a Sensory Experience
Homemaking engages all five senses. The warmth of fresh laundry, the sound of running water, the scent of a homemade meal, the sight of a freshly made bed, the taste of a well-earned cup of tea afterward—these little things make chores more satisfying. I have a nice collection of essential oils from soapmaking, and I love to spritz some jasmine or honeysuckle around my kitchen window. There is nothing more heavenly to me than warm scent of jasmine or honeysuckle all around me when I’m doing the dishes. I almost always have my earbuds in listening to a podcast or some uplifting music. I’m not a huge fan of dishes so I need all the help I can get in this area.
4. Create a Routine You Enjoy
Some chores will always be necessary, but they don’t have to be overwhelming. Find a rhythm that works for you. Maybe you enjoy wiping down the kitchen after dinner with a hot cup of tea or folding clothes while listening to an audiobook. Turn everyday tasks into small rituals. Whenever I feel dread creeping up on me when I have to do laundry or some other task, I think about the women before us that had to wash everything by hand. I think of the hours and raw fingers that must have resulted from that. All I have to do is grab some clothes and drop them in the laundry. As much as I love simplicity, I’m so thankful for some modern convienences. It also helps me to have a reward to work toward. I work much faster if I know when I get done I’m going to sit down and work on a craft, finish the end of that great book, or slide into a warm cozy bath. The sooner I get my list done, the more time I will have to enjoy some leisure time.
5. Give Yourself a Break
We all have different rhythms. I have the most energy and motivation in the mornings. Around 3 pm or so, I notice I start to lose steam and my feet hurt. If I lay down for 15 or 20 minutes, I get up refreshed and with plenty of energy to get my evening chores done. I also try to get my bedtime routine done early in the evening before I get too tired. It’s one less thing I have to do. I notice sometimes I go to bed too late because I’m too tired to get up and move things off my bed, let the dog out, etc. If I have my bed cleared, my clothes laid out, and my face washed, etc., early, bed time is a breeze. I am also up early and ready for the next day. It seems so simple and yet I know I can’t be the only one who does this.
5. Involve the Family
Homemaking doesn’t have to be a solo task. Involve your kids, play a game, or make it a bonding moment. Even if it’s just chatting with a loved one while folding clothes, it makes the task feel lighter and more meaningful. My daughter has really taken to gardening. The only thing that makes gardening more fun, is gardening with a buddy. I love that we have similar interests and can spend our time making memories that will last a lifetime.
6. Savor the Results of Simple Homemaking
Take a moment to enjoy what you’ve done. Stand back and admire a tidy room, breathe in the scent of freshly baked bread, curl up in fresh sheets. Homemaking isn’t just about chores—it’s about creating a home you love living in. A warm, cozy place to nestle in at the end of the day. I get to create that for my family. It is truly a priveledge.
Homemaking isn’t about perfection; it’s about care. It’s about finding contentment in small things and turning the ordinary into something special. There’s a quiet joy in making a house feel like home, and that joy is always worth embracing.
How do you find simple joys in homemaking? Share in the comments below:
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