NaHoCleMo … what?!

In my last post, about National Novel Writing Month, I said I have no problem writing every day, or almost every day. My problem is the opposite. I can’t make myself quit writing long enough to do the house cleaning I should do. My friend Kasie suggested a better goal for us would be to have a National House Cleaning Month (NaHoCleMo) and Tricia said count her in, so—you  guessed it—we’re doing it!

I’ve set my goal for 5,000 minutes of house cleaning for the month of November. If you’re a clean freak—or maybe just normal—you probably fainted at the idea that should have to be a goal. (I’ll bet you’re signed up for NaNoWriMo.) In any case, that’s a true goal for me. Feel free to set a goal that’s a challenge, but in line with your own situation. The point is to pry our fingers off these keyboards and get us clearing out the clutter and grime that in our non-fiction worlds. You know it nags you!

Through the month of November, you’ll see my little progress meter to the right, tracking my progress. To get your meter widget, just click here.

So, if you’re obsessed with writing to the point that your dust bunnies look more like dust hippos—join us!

NaHoCleMo rules:

Every minute of cleaning counts towards your goal of 5,000 for the month. In addition to the usual things like dusting, vacuuming, toilet and shower scrubbing, you may also count:

  • Laundry sorting, loading, folding, and putting away, but not the actual washer/dryer cycle time.
  • Cleaning up after meal preparation and serving: including loading the dishwasher, and putting away dishes, but not the actual dishwasher running time.
  •  

    You may not include in total minutes:

  • Shopping (not even for groceries or cleaning supplies)
  • Eating (though you can count the time it takes to clean the food off your keyboard :oops: )
  • Thinking about cleaning (including pep talk time)
  • Writing (that’s how you got yourself into this mess)
  • If you’re in, let me know!


    About Linda Cassidy Lewis

    I write fiction and blog about the experience.
    This entry was posted in Humor, Writing and tagged , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

    30 Responses to NaHoCleMo … what?!

    1. kasie says:

      Wahoo! I’m so ready for my house to be clean. In fact, I’m looking at it today going, hmmm, maybe I just won’t do any cleaning today so that I can count it towards my minutes tomorrow. :) I have a feeling my house is going to be cleaner than it has been in a long time this month. This will be a good distraction for me because I’ll be going out on submission soon.

    2. This is a great idea! I love it that you guys are actually doing it. I’d join if I wasn’t already so committed this month…

      • Linda says:

        I’m hoping this will become a habit, but knowing me, I’ll go back to my old ways by the new year. I might have to make this more than a once a year challenge. :-)

    3. Cathryn says:

      Since your post got me to sign up for NaNoWriMo on a whim, I’m kind of out of luck on the house cleaning.

      Have fun, you’ll probably be flooded with ideas as you scrub.

    4. candice says:

      I’m in!! But for half the time. 2500 mins is enough for me. LOL!

      • Linda says:

        You probably only need half the time to get your house in order. It did occur to me that by the end of the month, I might have very little to do each day, but that would be great!

    5. jpenstroke says:

      I moved to a retirement home so I don’t have anything to do but write, walk, eat, and sleep. All one continual treat for this work avodiance phobia that I claim. Smiles

      • Linda says:

        There is definitely something to be said for downsizing. I’ve long been a packrat, but the older I get, the more I’m able to let go. And by the end of this month, I may decide I would rather get rid of a lot more rather than have to dust it!

    6. mwgriffith says:

      House cleaning, eh? LMAO! Okay, you’ve got to be my favorite blog on here so far!

    7. Tricia says:

      Although I’ll need longer than 5000 minutes to get my house company ready, I’ll have to be realistic and commit to half that.

    8. cynthia says:

      You have now officially lost your mind : )

      And I was laughing out loud at the fact that cleaning food off the keyboard would count!

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    10. Susan @ 2KoP says:

      I am so not doing this, BUT I did spend 18 straight hours unburying my office two weeks ago (does that count?) and we’re having the whole family for my son’s bar mitzvah on Thanksgiving weekend, so I will probably meet and pass your goal, but I’m not devoting myself to it on purpose.

      • Linda says:

        I imagine it would take that long to get my office in order too. I have two closets in here: one for office supplies and the other for craft and art supplies. For months, I’ve been shoving things in both and slamming the doors.

    11. This is just what I need. I don’t know you, yet, but I love you. :)

      • Linda says:

        I’m glad you’ve been inspired. Obviously, I’ve fallen behind on my minute count, but right now … really … I’m stepping away from this keyboard and starting on this long-deglected office. Is there still a desk under all this clutter?

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    13. Ann says:

      This is a fabulous idea. I won’t set any more large goals this month, but I think I’ll track my cleaning time to get an estimate of how difficult NaHoCleMo might be in December. By the way… do you think yard pickup should count?

      • Linda says:

        Well, I had so much clutter built up, it should be a cinch to do 5,000 minutes in a month. But I wasn’t counting on actually doing the work! I hate this. I’m going to slap a bumper sticker on my back that says, “I’d rather be writing!”

    14. Oh, Linda, I love the bar that shows your NaHoCleMo minutes! I should have joined, but for a different reason – I prefer writing to cleaning.

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    16. jessica says:

      I missed this one. Does time spent having a garage sale count? I purged the cupboards in the laundry room, found some things I had forgotten we owned. sheesh. : )

      I always get the cleanies this time of year, I want the whole house de-stashed before New Years Eve. No idea where I get that from. All the same, I cleaned out my clothes closet yesterday. Shame to get it all cleaned up only to bring in a tree. (don’t tell my kids I said that. ) : )

      • Linda says:

        I’d certainly count the time it took to gather everything for a sale because you’d be cleaning out closets, cupboards, the garage, etc. to do that. There won’t be as much cleaning to do to get ready this year, but I am having a hard time getting in the Christmas mood.

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