From start to finish, I’ll show you how long it took to quickly reset my kitchen back to its ground zero state. It always takes less time than you think and if you time yourself while you do it, you’ll see that a short amount of effort can make a BIG difference!
Behold, my kitchen in all of its glory –
This is by far NOT the worst it has looked. I wasn’t joking when I said in another post it has taken an hour to do the dishes before.
This is actually just “I just made the kids a meal and now I have to clean up the kitchen.” It was probably decently clean a few hours ago or even 10 minutes ago… Who knows?
Either way, to me, it’s daunting and I really don’t WANT to clean it. BUT! Things hardly ever take as long as you think they will so I timed myself like I suggested you do. Let’s go and reset this kitchen!
First thing I did was clear off the counters.
It made a major difference. Honestly, if someone were to come over and my kitchen looked like this – I wouldn’t be that embarrassed. Only slightly because there is definitely a sink full of dishes.
Of rinsed dishes, that is! *wink wink*
It only took me 2 minutes and 50 seconds to clear off all the counters. Less than three minutes to have a kitchen I’m not ashamed of!
Next step was to unload the dishwasher.
Unloading the dishwasher took 3 minutes and 16 seconds. This is valuable information, honestly, but more on that later.
I did take a picture of forgetting to close the kitchen cabinet and here it is for your viewing pleasure.
If there is someone in your family that perpetually leaves the cabinet doors open, – it is not because they’re purposely doing it! We don’t realize we’re leaving it open. We apologize in advance.
Or, if it’s you – man, I feel you. You are not alone.
You guessed what is next in the kitchen reset! Loading the dishwasher.
See that little plate left on the counter? That would be the famous Buzz Lightyear plate. The one that isn’t dishwasher safe. That plate isn’t going to be safe for very long in this HOUSE!
Since all my dishes were pre rinsed, loading them up and starting the dishwasher took 3 minutes and 4 seconds. Actually, a little surprisingly long to me, but it’s not like you just toss them in there.
The time it took to reset the kitchen thus far has been 9 minutes and 10 seconds.
Lastly, to finish the kitchen reset, you need to hand wash the dishes left.
This step also included wiping down the counters.
This task added 1 minute and 59 seconds – running total 11 minutes and 9 seconds.
But, I didn’t stop there my friends. I valiantly kept going and decided to clear the dining table as well.
To most people, it may be an assumed part of the kitchen clean up. Not this brain! It doesn’t work the same way. It’s a separate task and I have to work to add it on top of what I’m doing.
Clearing and wiping down the table took 1 minute and 41 seconds.
Look at what a difference it makes!
Since I missed the bibs when I looked for dishes I needed to wash I had to head back in the kitchen and wash those.
Grand total: 13 minutes and 42 seconds!
Less than 15 minutes!!
Had you asked me how long it would take to clean my kitchen and reset the space, I probably would have guessed 30 minutes.
Half the time. HALF! This probably isn’t just true for the dishes either. It’s probably true for a lot of the “hard” things we do in our lives.
Time yourself to see how long it takes to do your dishes, reset your kitchen, clean your bathroom and when you don’t feel like completing it – think of it in the “only!”
It ONLY takes 6 minutes and 20 seconds to unload and load the dishwasher. It takes less than 2 minutes to clear the table and wipe it down.
I suggested timing how long it takes you to do the dishes and this is why. Once you have a “concrete” time, it’s much easier to talk yourself into doing something that sounds less than appealing.
Say in your mind, “This will only take 15 minutes. I will feel so much better and I WILL feel proud of it. It’s worth 15 minutes of time.”
Focus on the emotions you’ll feel when you’re done and not the emotions you feel right now – unless you feel inspired, then toootttalllllyyy stay with that emotion.
And reset the kitchen.
Until next time,
Becks
If you haven’t read my 3 Tips to Simplifying Doing the Dishes, please check it out here!
Some Inspiration
There is a lady I follow on Instagram and she is continually resetting her home and cleaning. It’s all beautiful and really inspiring. Check her out here! I love seeing Alyssa’s resets!
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