Michelle Osgood

5 motivation tips to a clean and tidy home 🏡

As a mum to 2 boys who works full time in a job that at times can be demanding, keeping myself motivated to get my home clean and tidy can be a struggle. To come home after a long day at work to chores that need doing is sometimes hard to motivate myself to do. But I always see the brighter side in things and for the feeling I get of a positive start to a new day just from waking up to a clean and tidy home outweighs any negatives. I thought I would share with you a few of my tips on how I manage to keep on top of my home.

Tip 1- Everything has a home

My first tip to get everywhere tidy may seem an obvious one but if everything has a home then it makes tidying up so much easier. It’s the things that lie around without a home which can make a room look messy. My blankets in the living room are rolled into a basket. My keys live in a tray inside a specific drawer. The kids teddy bears that sit on the bed in the day, go in a pop up laundry basket at night. Everything must have a home otherwise it will just move from one place to another

Tip 2- Set a timer

This is one of my favourite things to do. My Alexa device is my best friend when it comes to cleaning. Not only does she keep me company playing music, but she keeps me on my toes. I will ask her to set a timer, whether thats 10 minutes for a quick tidy or an hour to do a clean. Its amazing how much you can get done when a timer is set. I think the competitiveness in me feels like I’m racing the clock and the satisfaction of what you can do in such a short time is amazing. If you don’t have an Alexa device, the timer on your mobile phone is just as effective.

Tip 3- Watch cleaning videos

Until last year, I did not even know this was a thing. People (including myself) share their videos of cleaning. You get to see a room transformed in such a short time and then when the video finishes you will look around your own room with a goal to tackle the mess. They can also inspire you to try new cleaning products and you may find something new that you will love to use. Through a Youtube cleaning video, I found the product Method and the kitchen Rhubarb Method spray is now my favourite kitchen product and its so much more environmentally friendly then other leading products.

Tip 4- Use the time you think you don’t have

Are you reading this vlog on your phone? How much time have you spent on your phone today? I used to feel that I didn’t have time to do things but then one day I found myself scrolling through Facebook and thought to myself… “I’ve scrolled for the sake of scrolling!” I didn’t even realise I grabbed my phone and clicked into the app – the modern world now has that effect on us. If I feel like I have been on my phone too much I move my apps around on my screen. It sounds like a crazy tip right? But, I found that if I move my apps around I have to take the auto pilot mode from my brain and use it to find the app. That would then get me thinking about why I’m searching for it and actually motivate me to put my phone down and do something productive instead.

Tip 5- Have fun cleaning

Cleaning is not everyone’s bucketful of fun. That’s why you need to change the mindset of it being a chore to it being productive whilst having fun on the way. You can put some music on, play an audio book, listen to a podcast, watch a Youtube video, phone a friend or a relative. The things that you can actually do thanks to technology today whilst you clean is endless.

I love organising whilst I’m cleaning for that extra satisfaction at the end

I hope these tips help you find a bit of routine. My final point to make is to accept that nobody is perfect. There are the odd times where I will have a messy home due to pure exhaustion but when I do, I go to bed to let my body rest and let my mind know that after a good night’s sleep I will tackle the new day with a fresh start and get back on top of things.

Stay safe,

Michelle xoxo

Juggling work, parenting, relationships, housework and socialising during a pandemic!!!

So our Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has announced as of Monday (14th September 2020) group gatherings larger than 6 can no long gather in both indoor or outdoor settings in England. How does that make you feel? For me personally, I’m full of mixed emotions right now. Do I believe its the right thing to do? Yes, to kill this virus. Does it feel like its the right thing to do? No. How can I accept its right for grandparents to be forced away from their grandchildren again or for people who are alone in this world to feel any more lonely. I cannot accept that at all and if I could make the world a brighter place for everyone, I would do it in a heartbeat. But for now all I can do is follow government guidelines, stay active as a NHS volunteer to help combat loneliness and spread my positivity over on my YouTube channel.

Click on the image to visit my
YouTube channel

This year has made me realise how truly blessed I am to have my family and friend’s in my life.

From left to right – Jack, Ashley and Shawn

Me and my fiancé, Shawn have both always worked full time. We have been so lucky with childcare as my parents have always had the children when we’ve needed to work or when we wanted that odd night away. That all changed at lockdown though. My dad is classed as one of the vulnerable people and my priority is to protect him and the rest of my family. During the lockdown, childcare wasn’t an issue as me and Shawn where both furloughed. However, once we both returned back to work in June things had changed. We had NO childcare for the first time ever. I couldn’t face leaving my children with strangers as times have been unsettling enough for the boys. I couldn’t unsettle them anymore than I had too.

We where lucky enough to be able to change our shifts and work back to back to ensure childcare was not needed. However, it meant me and Shawn having no time together and when we were together the kids were obviously our priority as they always are. It was like a game of relay – I would go to work whilst Shawn was at home with the boy’s and then when I finished I would pass the baton (the car keys) to Shawn and off he went to work whilst I had the children! We where tired but we carried on as we know normal times will be back… eventually! The children have now gone back to school full time which means one day a week me and Shawn get to spend a few hours alone for the first time since March. However, the first week we was so tired that we just nipped out to browse at a few charity shops then came home and took a nap. By the time we woke, it was almost time to collect Jack, our youngest. The 2nd time alone a week later, I had to attend a meeting at work which ran into the afternoon. Nevertheless, we have high hopes on a quality day together next week – not as parents, not as housewives and househusbands. We are going to spend together as a couple and i cannot wait. We have deserved this!

A lot of people ask how do I keep up with it all and stay so positive. The easiest answer I can give is that although I love a busy lifestyle, I always make sure I make time for me. I believe self care is the best thing you can do to not only energise yourself but to give you the energy and positive thoughts to help others. I once heard a saying that has always stuck with me since and thats “A Sunday well spent brings a week of content” and it’s true. Sunday mornings are my time alone. I enjoy being awake with a cup of tea in my hand, pampering myself and planning my week with my planner. I ask myself what am I going to achieve this week in terms of personal life, my family, home, work and YouTube. Once I have a goal from each aspect I feel ready to tackle the week… right after I’ve washed off my facemask.

“A Sunday well spent, brings a week of content”

Welcome to my world 🌎👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🛍🧹🛠💍

Hello,

Thank you for coming across to my blog and joining me. I’m a busy, working mum to 2 boys who loves sharing hacks, bargains and inspiration

I have a Youtube channel called Michelle Osgood. On there I share lots of content from my bargain shopping finds to cleaning and organising motivation, to budget DIYs and more!!!!!

On my blog page I want to share how I balance my hectic life of being a mum, a friend, a content creator and a full time worker (I work as a retail manager in the hospitality sector).

My life may be hectic at times but I wouldn’t change it for the world

I appreciate you being here and I’m looking forward to sharing my life with you guys ♥️

Michelle xoxo