Taming the Mess When You’re Sick
Ironically I sneezed twice while I wrote the title for this blog post… I’ve been a bit sick this past month.
You know what happens. Tables fill with tissues, creams and cold-compress towels to tackle sniffles and a growing rash that rivals the eyes and allure of Lord Voldemort (see below). Understandably, keeping the rest of the house free of clutter and crumbs takes a back seat. You’re in survival mode, and this can make you feel icky and defeated. It’s times like these you need a shortcut to get the house liveable enough to tide you over until you feel better.
Here are three ways I’ve managed my mess while I slowly got better, that you can keep up your sleeve for the next time it’s armageddon in your sinuses.
Make a Sick Box
And no, I don’t mean to get sick in (lol). This is a portable box or basket to keep all those medicines, creams, lozenges, lip balms, sweets and tissues that would otherwise litter every surface. When you keep them in a box they seem magically organised, and can be taken from couch to bed as need - so you’ll never again have to stumble about in an achey blur looking for your nasal spray at midnight.
This time my sick box consisted of a lunch box to hold my various ointments and creams, daily meds and vaseline. At the end of the day I could tidy up in 30 seconds, having given a home to the multitude of temporary essentials that would otherwise go in random places on my bookshelf.
2. Heed the Traffic Lights
If you’re like me, being sick comes with bags of guilt and awkwardness. If you like to be the hero of the house, but can’t do your normal hoovering or folding routines (because it hurts to stand up), the loss of control can be unsettling.
Think of the usual household tasks that are done, and give them each a traffic light: green for essential, amber for helpful, red for nice to have. When you are sick, just stick with the green (or better yet, ask your household to take care of these) - this is anything you need to do to safely eat (like have clean dishes), sleep (like a clear path to the bed), and wash (like an unclogged shower and fresh toilet).
That is all for right now. Ironed clothes (amber) and dusted high shelves (red) can wait!
3. Use your Machines
Even when I’m well, I do not like hoovering. It hurts my back and makes me hot… I usually put it off.
So, after months of thought, I impulsively bought a knock-off robot cleaner from Lidl last week. I took a gamble, but it is a game changer! I stick on Jerry (yes, that’s his name) and he bops around the room while I relax. I even talk to him to tell him he’s doing a good job.
In times of stress and sickness, we need to use our machines to the max - and sometimes that means thinking outside the box. This is the time to throw sticky toys onto the top rack of the dishwasher, cast muddy runners into the washing machine and ask Deliveroo to bring you lunch. Once again, don’t be a hero.
If you’ve been suffering with your hay fever, a summer cold or a nasty eye rash like me - I wholeheartedly feel for you! Please take some time out for yourself to rest up, the house can wait. All the best, Suzy xx
