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hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
There wasn't that much that was new to me because I already follow KC Davis on Instagram and I've read some other similar books that break down cleaning/organizing/managing household tasks, but I can see this book being invaluable to anyone who's overwhelmed or stuck or filled with shame because society teaches us we should feel bad about ourselves when we can't stay on top of life.
I appreciate Davis' framing: that it's better to be kind to yourself, that laziness doesn't exist, that your spaces and systems and routines exist to serve you. The book can be repetitive at times, but sometimes we need to hear these things again and again for them to sink in.
I appreciate Davis' framing: that it's better to be kind to yourself, that laziness doesn't exist, that your spaces and systems and routines exist to serve you. The book can be repetitive at times, but sometimes we need to hear these things again and again for them to sink in.
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Mental illness
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
informative
fast-paced
I realize I am not the target audience for this book, but I really appreciated the overarching themes and the entire concept of Davis' "gentle approach." The primary audience seems to be neurodivergent and/or disabled individuals who struggle to meet and often feel shamed by societal standards for a clean home. So I loved Davis' use of straightforward language, short chapters, and instructions for which chapters readers could skip over while still grasping the key concepts. The way she explained each metaphor that she used in literal terms gave me a new understanding of what accessible writing could look like, and I hope we see more nonfiction books written this way in the coming years.
Although I don't currently struggle with routine care tasks, I acknowledge that I am coming from a place a privilege and that my circumstances will change as I get older. For now, I'll highlight a few of Davis' guiding principles that most resonated with me while reading:
Although I don't currently struggle with routine care tasks, I acknowledge that I am coming from a place a privilege and that my circumstances will change as I get older. For now, I'll highlight a few of Davis' guiding principles that most resonated with me while reading:
- Your space exists to serve you and not the other way around;
- Do not assign moral value to care tasks;
- The care tasks that you do today are meant to be a gift to your future self;
- Division of labor in a household should be based on each partner receiving an equal amount of fulfilling rest (i.e. restorative time away from the pressure to perform care tasks).
All that to say, I gave this book a high rating because I think anyone can benefit from reading it! I understand why I've heard nothing but good things before picking it up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Grief
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Mental illness
Moderate: Addiction, Chronic illness, Grief
Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Emotional abuse
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
One of the most inspiring books that I have ever read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Addiction
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Medical content
Moderate: Ableism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Cursing, Drug use, Eating disorder, Grief, Medical trauma, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Classism, Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Racism
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
I picked this little book at the library because the title intrigued me. It's an intriguing way to look at taking care of your house and yourself, especially if you are struggling. This book teaches you to reframe how you look at "care" tasks (hygiene, cleaning, cooking, etc.). This book would help anyone who is temporarily struggling (grief, depression, illness, injury), as well as those who are permanently struggling (ADHD, disability, chronic disease, being a caretaker.)
At first, some of the suggestions were the same as most self-help books (do tasks the night before to set yourself up for a good day, put on music to clean). Still, others were out of the box (too tired to empty the dishwasher - take out the few things you need now, add the few that must be cleaned, and rerun the dishwasher.)
This book would be helpful for those struggling, but I think it could be even more useful for someone who knows a person struggling. It would give them concrete ways to help the person without shaming them about the state of their home or self.
At first, some of the suggestions were the same as most self-help books (do tasks the night before to set yourself up for a good day, put on music to clean). Still, others were out of the box (too tired to empty the dishwasher - take out the few things you need now, add the few that must be cleaned, and rerun the dishwasher.)
This book would be helpful for those struggling, but I think it could be even more useful for someone who knows a person struggling. It would give them concrete ways to help the person without shaming them about the state of their home or self.
Content Warnings
Minor: Ableism, Addiction, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Grief, Abandonment
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
“In fact, I do not think laziness exists. You know what does exist? Executive dysfunction, procrastination, feeling overwhelmed, perfectionism, trauma, amotivation, chronic pain, energy fatigue, depression, lack of skills, lack of support, and differing priorities.”
➽ How to Keep House While Drowning is a short self-help book that tackles organizing and cleaning with compassion for yourself! I liked that the author was very open-minded and aware that everyone has different techniques that work for them when it comes to organising their life. The focus of this book is on letting go of guilt and to stop assigning a moral value to chores. KC Davis talks a lot about unlearning what you've been taught about 'being lazy' and not doing things as others expect. She offers some valuable tips on how to make cleaning easier for you but also focuses on self-care and compassion. I liked that she took into account the impact mental illness, chronic illness and disability have on our lives and how it makes some chores more difficult to navigate!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Eating disorder
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness