How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing

Davis introduces “closing duties” as a nightly routine designed to make the next day run more smoothly by taking care of essential tasks before going to bed. These duties are inspired by the concept of closing duties in the service industry, where employees complete specific tasks to prepare for the next day. For Davis, closing duties include tasks such as unloading and reloading the dishwasher, picking up toys, packing lunches, taking out the trash, and making cold-brew coffee for the morning. The goal is to create a functional environment for the next day, which helps reduce morning stress and ensure a smoother start. Davis emphasizes the importance of tailoring these duties to one’s own needs and capacity. On more challenging days, she suggests a “survival list” of the absolute minimum tasks needed to maintain basic functionality, demonstrating a practical and forgiving approach to household management.

Davis introduces the “Five Things Tidying Method” as a straightforward, efficient approach to decluttering and organizing any space. This method involves focusing on five specific categories of items: Trash, dishes, laundry, things with a place but not in that place, and things without a place. By categorizing items in this way, individuals can systematically address clutter without feeling overwhelmed. Davis’s approach encourages users to tackle one category at a time, which makes the process more manageable and less daunting. This method is particularly helpful for those who may struggle with executive dysfunction or feel paralyzed by the enormity of cleaning tasks.

Davis discusses the “Health at Every Size” (HAES) approach as a critical framework for understanding body weight and health. HAES emphasizes that health is not solely determined by one’s weight, but rather, by adopting healthy behaviors that promote overall well-being. This approach encourages individuals to focus on intuitive eating, physical activity for enjoyment rather than weight loss, and self-acceptance. Davis underscores that making oneself thin is not a care task and that one’s worth is not tied to their body size. She argues that adopting HAES principles can help dismantle the societal pressure to conform to certain body standards, enabling individuals to instead prioritize mental and physical health through compassionate self-care.

Davis introduces the concept of “Restock Day” as a practical strategy to streamline and manage small but essential household tasks. Restock Day involves setting aside specific time to replenish and organize household items that are frequently used and easily overlooked, such as dish towels, toilet paper, and other supplies. By dedicating a regular day to these tasks, Davis suggests that individuals can prevent the frustration of running out of necessities and reduce the interruptions caused by having to restock items on an ad-hoc basis. This method not only helps maintain a functional and efficient home environment but also allows individuals to batch similar tasks together, which makes them more manageable and less stressful.