Why Your Messy House is Actually a Compliment

Have you ever had the doorbell ring when you’re still in your pajamas?

You peek out the window, and there’s a lady from church, holding a casserole dish in her hands.  (Hey, you never know, it could happen!)

Or a friend calls up and asks to come over in a few minutes……and your living room looks like a bunch of monkeys threw a party?

Hey y’all, Tiffany here.

This happens to me quite frequently.  I used to stress about it; I’d say no to a playdate because I was embarrassed about how messy the house was.  I just didn’t have the energy to clean it.

Not that my house was disgusting (full of cockroaches), but it gets pretty cluttered,especially with to young children!  Add in my severe Crohn’s disease and you’ll see that my spoons can be limited.

I think this meme says it all:

Lesson Learned

One day, an old friend was in town and asked to come over.  I started to make excuses about how messy my house was, and she stopped me.  I’ll never forget what she said next.

“Tiffany, I just want to see you.  I don’t care what your house looks like!  Don’t you know me better than that?  I don’t judge people based on how messy their house is, especially with kids!”

That’s when it hit me:  she was right!  I know her.  She’s my friend.  I know that she’s not a judgmental person.  We’ve always been close, and we know about each other’s strengths and weaknesses.

Thinking about it that way made me realize that when I stress about what people are going to think about my messy house, I’m really telling them I think they’re a judgmental person.  I’m telling them that I think they think negatively about me behind my back.

But I don’t really think that!

And honestly, if they’re going to judge me for being a mom with young children, then that’s their problem, not mine.  If they have an issue with a cluttered house, that says more about me than it does about them.

I need to give myself the same grace I’d give a friend of mine in the same situation.

Now keep in mind, I’m not talking about having guests over for days, but just casual, everyday interactions.

If a friend (or my kid’s friends) want to come over, but I have dirty dishes in the sink and toys all over the floor, let them come!

Let them come – your messy house is okay!

So today and tomorrow, while I work 24/7 looking for Amazon deals on Prime Day in my PJs for my Amazon Facebook Group, I’m going to still have my kids’ playdate at my house.  I’m going to still have my sister and her husband over for a couple of days.

Because being myself is the greatest compliment and evidence of our friendship that I can give them.

My messy house says, “I love you, and I consider you a good friend.”

My messy house says, “I know that you’re not a judgmental person.”

And my messy house says, “I feel comfortable enough around you to be able to be myself, flaws and all.”

My messy house says, “I think you’re a kind person, and that makes me feel confident in your presence.”

Letting you see my messy house is the greatest compliment I can give about our friendship.

What does your messy house say about you?

Decluttering

And if the mess is just driving you crazy, then you may find these free decluttering programs to be helpful, or these 25 free printable spring cleaning checklists.

You may also want to get your kids involved with this age-appropriate chores list and free printable kids chores chart!

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