It's About Time

I want a show of hands of who wants to clean five bathrooms? From the famous Ferris Bueller, "Anyone? Anyone?" Me? I've decided that one bathroom is good.

As soon as my mother heard of how many bathrooms were built in my last home, her first exclamation was, "How are you going to remember to stock all the toilet paper?" Haha! That was the easy part.

I have consciously decided that after giving an entire decade of my life to taking care of a 5,100 square foot home, that it was a huge waste of time. Time spent cleaning, and picking up, and cleaning, and picking up. It got to a point where I couldn't finish one room, without being challenged by the next, only to go back to the first room, perturbed that it still wasn't cleaned up! I did not agree to paint the Golden Gate Bridge people!

"Enlist the help of my kids!" I thought. That was a great idea, except in reality I'd still spend my time managing their cleaning. Truth be told, I'd leave them to clean up, and yes they'd start, but as soon as I'd get back to check on them they'd be playing with a toy they hadn't seen in a month.

A good friend of mine, one much smarter than I, Kathy, once said, "I prefer time to money." That was very surprising to me, doesn't everyone love money? She was right. Your time, and what you do with it, is far more important in life. Experiencing the relief of not having to care for such a large home, and spending time with my kids is far more rewarding any day of the week.

Of course, ten years ago, moving into a five bedroom home with a game room and theater was exciting! I had never lived in such a large home. And yes, having a maid service come once every two weeks was extremely helpful. But I was still spending far too much time taking care of the house and the furnishings in it. I knew I was reaching the end of my rope with it when I recently exclaimed to my husband, "I hate this house," after vacuuming for 2.5 straight hours.

We all have only 24 hours in a day. What is your trade-out? What do you trade your hours for? I'm done trading my precious 24 for cleaning and maintaining a home larger than I'll ever need. My trade-out needs to be a lifetime of memories spent with my children.

Adios 5,100. Hello 600.