Are you struggling to do everything you feel you need to do each day? If so, I’d encourage you to find your “good enough” and then relax as you enjoy a bit more simplicity in your life!
As a self-proclaimed “do more at less than 100%” person (a.k.a. not a perfectionist in any way) I have become an expert at simplifying my life by finding my own “good enough” standards and doing just enough to meet those standards.
This does not mean I’m lazy (at least not in my opinion); it simply means that I strive to be as efficient and as productive as I can be — doing as much as I can possibly do, as well as I can do it, in the amount of time I have to do it — without hemming and hawing over every nit-picky detail or spending hours and hours stuck in the rut of perfectionism.
I move quickly, I don’t waste time, and I’m almost always very satisfied with the good-enough-results of my efforts.
That said, I will be the first to admit that my good-enough-standards have been lowered a notch or two over the past few years — namely because we’ve added 4 more people to our family, and those people require A LOT of my time and energy! 🙂
Cleaning and Organizing
While I’m not one to blame my children for a messy home (our house truly isn’t “messy”), I have shifted my priorities around quite a bit these past 8 years, and my housekeeping has taken somewhat of a backseat to other areas of my life.
By no means do we live in a filthy pigsty… but ideally I would dust more often, clean the bathrooms more thoroughly, and do more deep cleaning throughout the year.
Instead, I’ve found a “good enough” cleaning routine that keeps our house clean enough for me to feel comfortable living and inviting guests in, but not so clean that it requires crazy amounts of extra time and energy (neither of which I have much extra of!)
In a perfect world, I’d also like to have more decorations throughout my home — both seasonal and everyday country farmhouse decor — but for the time being, I decorate with kid-friendly items, or keep my decorations where little hands cannot reach them.
Eventually, I will be able to keep my house as clean and decorated as I want… but for now, it’s good enough.
House and Yard Projects
House projects and landscaping are other areas Dave and I have both settled for “good enough” on many occasions.
We’ve put a large amount of time, energy, and money into our home and our yard… and we are so happy with how everything has come together.
However, there are still so many little projects we’d like to do “someday” (can anyone relate!) We are anxious and excited to (eventually) get to those little projects; but we realize they might realistically be a few years away since our days already seem to be so filled with other things, people, activities, and obligations.
No, we still haven’t even started our laundry room project that was supposed to happen LAST summer… but we’ve had other obligations and chosen other ways to spend our time and money over the last 16 months, and we are both more than content to let it sit.
Dave and I still enjoy talking about potential upcoming house and yard projects, but we aren’t forcing anything because it’s not worth the extra stress caused by trying to frantically finish up a big project during the school year.
Blog and Business
When it comes to my blog and business, I could do SO much more than I am.
I could optimize my SEO, spend hours and hours promoting and engaging in social media, monetize my content with paid links and more advertisements, grow my email lists, pitch companies for sponsored posts and advertisements, speak for various women’s groups, and more!
It sounds so fun and exciting when I list everything out — especially since I could probably double or triple my income if I did everything I listed above. But I would also have to put my kids in daycare, sacrifice much of my free time, and be on-the-go all the time.
That’s not what I want for my life right now, so I write my blog posts and do my VA work as quickly as possible and then move onto the next thing on my list. I’m thrilled to be able to work from home and happy with what I’m able to do while taking care of my kids.
In a few more years, I’ll have more time to devote to my business… but for right now, it’s good enough.
I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea.
Everything from cooking and cleaning to finances and even self-care — my main goal right now is to do as much as I can, as well as I can, in as little time as possible!
I might change my “tune” in future seasons of life, but for now, this “good enough” plan is what seems to work the best for me right now.
If you constantly feel like you need to do more, I would encourage you to find YOUR “good enough” standards to free up some time.
Maybe that means:
Only vacuuming once a week (or once a month) and using a few disinfectant wipes to “clean” the bathroom.
Scheduling frozen pizza and takeout for 2 meals a week to allow more time for other activities.
Ignoring the weeds for a few weeks and not planting a vegetable garden next spring.
Not sorting your laundry or not putting out holiday decorations this year.
Whatever the case, I have a feeling you’ll feel much more freedom to move forward and move on to the next task on your list if you find your good enough standards and stop dwelling on all the things you could be doing (because there is ALWAYS more to do!)
Today, I’d like to challenge you to find your “good enough” in one area of your life!
Related post for anyone striving for good enough:
Our Good Enough Vegetable Garden
Why I’m a Do More at Less Than 100% Person
EST: The 3 Letters that Can Sabotage Simple Living
Katie says
Agree with the above! I really dislike reading blogs with sponsored content and social media. It doesn’t feel authentic or original or creative, it just seems like they are trying to sell something. I value your authenticity and your blog is a calming voice compared to the noise that others put out.
Brittany says
Agreed!
Andrea says
thanks so much, ladies! 🙂
Andrea says
thanks Katie — I appreciate your kind words of encouragement!
Pascale Forest says
Hi Andrea,
I admire your “good enough”stance on life. I know you’ve posted on this topic before and oftentimes, I will remember your words and it will stop me in my perfectionist tendencies which is good.
I never get tired of reading your posts on this topic or on habits and discipline. Thank you for taking the time to write these blogpost. Side note: I imagine it’s not always easy to find inspiration to write 5 days a week yet you always find interesting ways of sharing new content. Thank you for inspiring us.
Andrea says
thanks so much — I’m thrilled to read that some of my tips are helping you to stifle your own perfectionistic tendencies!
And yes, I sometimes run short on ideas — but then I use some of these tips to drum up a few more!
JJ says
Thank you for this awesome reminder!!! I often wished you homeschooled and had a dog, because I wish I had your brain to simplify life in those areas–haha!!! I often over complicate things.
Andrea says
haha — no dogs or homeschooling happening over here! But I’m glad some of my tips have helped you simplify other areas of your life 🙂
Bonnie'sMama says
Andrea, thank you for not growing your blog too big for its britches, as so many others have. You’ve stayed normal and doable and true to your roots, and that’s why we keep following you.
I wish I had a friend next door to remind me about simplicity and good enough and contentment. But since I don’t, I’m glad God led me to your blog way back before Nora was born. I need to hear your message often about living simply and efficiently so we can focus on what’s important.
Andrea says
haha — you’re welcome 🙂
Annette Silveira says
I’m so glad to see this post today! Just yesterday I was asking myself what things mattered most to me when it comes to cleaning. I decided on the bathrooms and the floors. In addition to the laundry, cooking, errands and some things I do for fun and connection with loved ones, my days are full! If I get the floors swept and the bathrooms smell good, that’s good enough.
Andrea says
oh good — glad this post came at such perfect timing for you!
Meghan says
Exactly! Wonderfully said! My good enough is often we don’t have a salad or vegetable with dinner – I just quickly slice a couple apples. My laundry will never be all done at once. There’s always 2-3 loads that could be done. Our master bath is the last room I clean. I don’t spend much time in there and no one really sees it. I keep up with the counter and toilet, but rarely clean the shower or floor. It’s good enough!
Andrea says
ahhh yes, the laundry — I don’t even think it’s possible to really have ALL the laundry done!
Cindy Goller says
Hi Andrea,
I’m a GR native now living in Wisconsin. I love your authenticity! I agree with KJ, too – it is very refreshing to easily get to your content without having to wade through a lot of “click bait”. Please don’t change how you do what you do!
It has take me years to find my “good enough” on a lot of fronts. One choice I have made is to no longer send Christmas card or yearly newsletter. Instead I intentionally try to cultivate relationships throughout the year. Plus, not sending cards is a HUGE relief!
Cindy
Andrea says
Thanks Cindy — yay for GR natives and yay for finding your ‘good enough’!
Francie says
So wonderfully said! Thanks Andrea! http://supersimpleways.com/
Melissa Q says
For me “good enough” looks like a handful of housekeeping tasks to be done everyday and an aim to get others done weekly. Ifor I miss one day or one week, I know it will come around again the next day or week and my home won’t fall apart in the meantime.
Andrea says
Yes, this is how I look at household chores too — try to do a couple each day and if I miss a day or so, I’ll come back to those items later. Nothing ever gets too gross over here 🙂
Beth says
Andrea,
Your home is lovely. I appreciate the balanced way you think about a lot of things.
Beth
Andrea says
Thanks so much Beth!
Michelle says
I love this post!! It makes me feel like less of a failure because my house isn’t “magazine” worthy. My house is clean and organized “good enough” and when I feel it’s less then I get busy and bring it back to my satisfaction.
I, personally, admire you for doing things just as you are. You’re very wise for knowing what exactly you need to be doing at this season in your life and keeping the balance between not doing enough and doing too much. In my opinion, your priorities are right where they need to be. You are such an inspiration for women to become more grounded and productive…which in turn makes them happier.
I have been following your blog for quite awhile now, but I feel I am missing something. I am sorry if you have explained and I missed it but I am just wondering what does SEO and VA mean? Could you explain other than your blog and all the wonderful things you do that are obvious, what is your occupation currently and the things you have done in the past?
Thank you.
Michelle
Andrea says
well, feeling like “less of a failure” is definitely a step in the right direction 🙂
Oh, and SEO = Search Engine Optimization — it basically means how well a blog or website is set up for search engines (like Google) to “find” their content. My blog is decent, but I could do a better job of this and then more people would find my information when they searched Google for things like “how to soften butter” or “how to simplify life”
VA = Virtual Assistant. I’ve been working as a virtual assistant for many years now (mostly for other blogs) and it’s a great little income working on my computer at home.
Jennifer says
But what does a virtual assistant actually DO? I don’t know either!
Andrea says
honestly — a VA can do ANYTHING the employer wants them to do!
I mainly work for other bloggers doing social media, formating and editing blog posts, and some other email work.
Shan says
Dear Andrea, I LOVE this post! Seriously, you have been able to do so much more because of your philosophy. I’m twice as old as you and still have to learn this. Really appreciate your being able to explain the reason for your success in such a succinct way. Keep up the great work prioritizing the needs of your children and husband at this stage of life!!
Andrea says
Thanks Shan… and I think you’re right. I really truly believe that I’m able to do SOOOOOO much more because of my good enough mentality.
KJ says
Hi Andrea!
I am a longtime reader from California and this is my first time commenting. I have to say the reason I continue to faithfully read your blog and be inspired is precisely because you DO NOT monetize everything and fill it with various income streams like affiliate links, sponsored posts and giveaways. I get so turned off when the feel of a blog changes to become something that feels fake and resembles a marketing machine. I trust you and your content which is why I keep coming back to read.
Thank you for all that you do. Blessings to you and your family.
KJ
BlessedMama says
Yes, I feel the same exact way!
Brittany says
Agreed!
Michelle says
I love your blog just as it is. Please don’t change it. I agree with K.J. in that I have no interest in those blogs that feel like it’s all about the money instead of trying to make a difference. I appreciate what you do…I’m so sorry appreciation doesn’t increase your income.
Shan says
Dittos from a grandma. Keep up the good work with your family and home and everything else will come in due time.
Andrea says
will do! Thanks Michelle!
Iliana says
I think the same!!
Thanks Andrea for your honesty and great work!!
Melissa D. says
I agree with KJ as well. The authenticity and real life examples are what I appreciate about your blog. As a mom of teens, there are definitely areas of my life that have to be good enough for now. Life seasons change and for now, like you, my focus is on raising them! Keep up the good work!
Andrea says
I think there are always areas of our life that need to be “good enough” — but those areas are always changing. I was talking with my 80+ year old grandma the other day and she LOVES to clean. However, she gets tired more easily now so she told me her house isn’t as clean as she’d like it but it’s good enough. We laughed because MY house isn’t as clean as I’d like it either — but for completely different reasons!
Andrea says
Thanks so much KJ! I appreciate your comment and kind words.
Ann says
I agree totally!