Time and chores without burnout: make the day doable

When a new baby arrives, the endless cycle of household chores doesn't stop, but your time and energy to do them plummets. The key to avoiding burnout is not to work harder, but to radically simplify your approach and lower your expectations.

It's easy to get stuck trying to maintain your pre-baby standards of cleanliness and order. This is an unwinnable battle that leads to feelings of failure and stress as the laundry piles up. The reality is that your home will be messier for a while, and that is a sign of a well-cared-for baby, not a personal failing.

The most powerful strategy is to give yourself permission for your home to be "good enough". This means it is clean enough to be healthy and safe, but not necessarily tidy or spotless. Prioritize the absolute essentials like clean bottles and a safe space for the baby, and consciously decide to let the less important things (like dusting or a perfectly made bed) go for now.

Also, don't try to clean the entire house at once. Instead, adopt the "15-minute tidy" once a day. Set a timer and do as much as you can in that short, focused burst like loading the dishwasher, wiping down the kitchen counters, or picking up the clutter in one room. You will be amazed at what you can accomplish in 15 minutes, and it feels much less daunting than a two-hour cleaning marathon.

Finally, for the chores you do tackle, try to make them as efficient as possible. For example, keep small cleaning caddies with wipes and supplies in the kitchen and bathroom so you don't have to search for them. Deal with mail right over the recycling bin instead of letting it pile up. Each small step of consolidation saves precious time and mental energy.

Remember, this is a temporary season of life. Your energy is best spent on your baby and your own recovery, not on a perfectly organized home.