Tired of feeling discontent as a homemaker? These 5 habits of a content and happy homemaker will change the way you view your homemaking role.
In a world where often times more is viewed as better, homemakers need to find a different perspective in order to appreciate the life they have. Sadly, it is so easy to be discontent in this crazy world. Between social media and the constant stream of information we face on the daily, noticing the things we don’t have has become more prominent than noticing the things we do have. These 5 habits of a content and happy homemaker will help you focus on what really matters.
When it comes to homemaking, sometimes material sacrifices must be made in order to sustain our lifestyle. Living on one income can mean a smaller home, less clothes, older vehicles, and minimal vacations. In homemaking, focusing on what you may not have will only foster resentment and discontentment. This will steal the beauty from homemaking.
In this post, you will learn how to embrace the homemaking lifestyle, and what habits to adopt in order to be a content and happy homemaker. From practicing gratitude to ignoring the noise of the world, this post will focus on key habits to appreciating the beauty of homemaking.
After reading this post, you may be able to pinpoint certain areas of your discontentment as a homemaker, and will be able to practice healthier habits to become a more content and happy homemaker.
This post is all about 5 habits of a content and happy homemaker.
Discontentment in Homemaking
As homemaking is a beautiful lifestyle, it may not be as glamorous as it is depicted on TV. Many homemakers are on a budget, do all the housework, and complete the same tasks, day in and day out. Nevertheless, homemaking is an honor, and is glamorous in its own, unique way. From being able to set your own schedule, to enjoying the solitude of your home every day, homemaking is what you make it.
Discontentment in homemaking comes around when we focus on the not-so-shiny parts. Making dinner 7 days a week, constantly doing dishes, endless amounts of laundry… if you are discontent in your homemaking role, these tasks can become monotonous. Choosing to focus on the downsides of homemaking will undoubtedly lead to discontentment. This discontentment will grow and grow, until you find yourself comparing your life to those who “have more,” and not being happy in your own situation. Once you go down this path and start the habit of comparing your life to others’ lives, you begin to think your happiness lies in what you don’t have. You’ll find yourself thinking “I’ll be happier when…” and “I’d be happier if…”. This mindset will become a habit, and will steal your happiness and contentment.
“I’ll be happier when…”
To be fully transparent, I have fallen victim to this habit as a young homemaker. “I’ll be happier when we have a house,” “I’ll be happier when we have land,” “I’ll be happier when we have a dog.” It’s only natural for our brains to wander to these thoughts, but the important thing is to decide to change your habits, mindset, and perspective. (Note: just because we sometimes experience these thoughts does not mean we are not happy or are discontent. However, it may indicate being on a path that leads there.) Being a homemaker who (embarrassingly) experienced this, I am going to share 5 habits I have adopted to become a more content and happier homemaker.
5 Habits Of A Content & Happy Homemaker
I get it; sometimes it’s hard to see what’s right in front of you. Homemakers can’t ALWAYS be perfect, and sometimes we take what we have for granted. There is so much to be grateful for as homemakers, and these 5 habits will help you be a content and happy homemaker.
1. Being Grateful For Your Role
Sometimes, homemakers can feel like they do it ALL when it comes to the home. As there may be some truth to this, we need to remember that our partner is doing it ALL when it comes to financially supporting the household. As you each have your own responsibilities, you are both contributing to the betterment of your home as a team. Being grateful for your role as a homemaker will allow you to better perform your duties, and will make your partner feel respected. Finding purpose in your role and knowing how your contribution makes your partner’s life better will give you motivation to perform your duties to the best of your ability.
Homemaking is as beautiful as you make it. Choosing to be grateful in your role will emphasize the good, and minimize the not so good. What we choose to focus on will determine our mindset, and focusing on the positives will lead to more positive thinking and feelings. As choosing to focus on the positives is ideal, I understand that like everyone else, homemakers can have off days. As this is normal, it is important not to harp on this bad day, and start the next day with a fresh and clear mindset.
2. Minimal Purchasing
Part of our role as homemakers is to protect each penny that is provided by our partner. (For more on a homemaker’s role, read my post, A Homemaker’s Role). Making sure to stick to a budget is integral to sustaining our role, and sometimes this means only purchasing the basics. There are SO many sources of marketing these days, and we see dozens of ads on a daily basis. Between this and social media, we can sometimes get pulled into the trap of consumerism. Knowing the difference between what we need for our homes and what we want for our homes is important, and will keep you on the right track as a homemaker.
I have always been a saver, so this habit comes naturally to me. Even still, I occasionally find myself falling into the trap the ad has set. Because of this, I never make quick purchasing decisions, and 9 times out of 10, I end up deleting it from my cart and deciding I can live without it. Making intentional purchases time after time will save you a lot of money, space, and buyer’s remorse! Knowing what is important enough to spend money on as a homemaker will create a healthy mindset when it comes to finances.
3. Do Not Self-Compare
Instagram, Facebook, TikTok… with these apps having such a grip on our society, it can be extremely easy to compare your life to everyone else’s. My advice, from homemaker to homemaker? Delete these apps. You don’t need them. Trust me. Unless you have used these apps to build a healthy community of like-minded people who make you feel good about yourself and what you have, they can be completely toxic. Seeing what other people seemingly have on social media can sometimes make you feel less than or discontent with your own life. Note my use of the word “seemingly.” The truth is, we don’t know anyone’s true situation except our own, so it is completely useless to compare ourselves to a photo that only shows a snippet of someone else’s life.
Comparing ourselves to others, through social media or otherwise, is an unhealthy habit that will steal the joy out of your own life. Feeding this habit will only create the perception that you never have enough, and will make your partner feel like what he/she provides is not good enough for you. Choose to look at what you DO have vs. what you DON’T have, and I can guarantee you will become a happier and more content homemaker. Being confident and happy with the lifestyle you have chosen to live despite what others have will feed your inner light rather than extinguish it.
4. Ignore The Noise
When I say “noise,” I mean the noise of the world. The noise of people telling you you’re not doing enough, the noise of people asking you when you’re getting a job, the noise of people judging you for being content staying home. If you let all this noise in, it will surely lead to feelings of unhappiness and discontentment. People will always express their opinions of you and of your life, whether you ask for them or not. Taking these opinions to heart can sometimes make homemakers feel less than, and like they need to be doing “more.” Do not let the opinions of others make you second guess the decision you and your partner have made. At the end of the day, if your arrangement and lifestyle works in your household and your partner supports it, no one else’s opinions matter.
This isn’t to say you can’t consider valid points coming from people you respect; just make sure not to let these opinions drive your actions if you do not agree with them. The sad truth is, as a homemaker, you will face judgement. Staying confident in yourself and not allowing these opinions to ruin the gift you’ve been given is key to being a happy and content homemaker.
5. Appreciate The Little Things
As simple as it sounds, so many people overlook the habit of practicing simple gratitude. As homemakers, we are able to slow down enough to be able to appreciate the smallest parts of our days. From savoring our cup of morning coffee to joyfully creating a beautiful meal, these are the moments that fulfill a homemaker’s soul. Placing attention on every moment is part of appreciating the little things, and will lead to greater appreciation of the things that we often take for granted.
If we never take the time to appreciate the small gifts we are given in a day, we may overlook them and place our attention on the things that will steal our happiness or make us feel discontent in our role. Placing extra importance on these little things will make a bigger difference than we may realize, and will always remind us of the abundant delights that come with homemaking.
Whether you decide to adopt one or all of these 5 habits of a content and happy homemaker, it will make a positive impact on the way you view your role and lifestyle. Your role as a homemaker is enough, and once you can make peace with this, you will open a door to a whole new world of being happy and content right where you are.
This post was all about 5 habits of a content and happy homemaker.