How to Turn Chores from Overwhelming to Effortless: The Lazy Genius Guide
Chores. The maddening, soul-killing tasks that magically multiply overnight.
You scrub down the kitchen, and somehow, by sunrise, it resembles a tornado aftermath. You do the laundry, yet there is always more to come. Like a game that can never be won.”
But what if chores didn’t need to be an ongoing contest? What if you could have a home that worked without spend every moment you had out of the house scrubbing, folding and tidying?
And that’s where the Lazy Genius approach helps — smart about what really matters and lazy about what doesn’t. Here’s how to streamline chores so that they’re less time consuming, less exhausting, and so much less stressful.
Step 1: Know What Your Chores Are Prioritizing
Some chores are better than others. Some really do need to be done periodically. Others? They can be deferred, simplified or possibly eliminated.
Ask yourself: What, really, annoys me?
Rather than attempting to address every issue, zero in on what really impacts your daily life. If a dirty kitchen is the bane of your existence, tackle that first. If a little dust is tolerable but laundry piling up is your bane, start there.
There is no all-purpose list of chores that are must-dos. Your priorities are yours. Recognize and release the rest.
Step 2: Establish “Good Enough” Systems
But what I realized is that perfection is the enemy of progress. Chores will take forever if you wait until you have energy or time to do it well.
Instead, make “good enough” systems that keep it manageable.”
The One-Minute Rule
Do if it takes less than a minute. Wipe the counter. Put your shoes away. Put dirty clothes in the hamper, not on the floor.
Little tasks can accumulate, and this rule stops messes from taking over.
The “Cleaning While You’re Not There” Trick
Look for ways to clean while you do something else.
Scrub the bathroom sink while brushing your teeth.
In the meantime, unload the dishwasher while your coffee’s brewing.
Itemize laundry while you’re watching TV.
Chores are not additional tasks, they are adding in to the flow of your day.
The Lazy Laundry System
Laundry is eternal, so don’t resist it. Make it as easy as possible:
Get a laundry day instead of letting it pile up.
Place hampers in the rooms where dirty clothes are actually removed.
Don’t bother folding what does not need folding (socks, underwear, pajamas — who cares?).
Whatever is the least effort, is what we are most likely to do.
Step 3: Automate, Delegate, and Simplify
Not all the chores need to be on your shoulders. The more you can automate, hand off or simplify, the easier your life gets.
Automate What You Can
If vacuuming drives you nuts, use a robot vacuum.
Dedicate less space on your counter to soap with an automatic soap dispenser.
Make sure the cleaning supplies are on auto-delivery so you never run out.
There’s technology out there to make life easier — use it!
Engage the Whole Family (Without Being a Pain)
If you live with family, a partner or roommates, you should not be the only one cleaning.
Try these strategies:
Give specific help: The response is not “Help out more.
Create a visual chore chart (yes, it even works for grown-ups!).
Have a “10-Minute Tidy” where everyone helps out at the same time every day.
It’s not about perfect—it’s about ensuring the workload is balanced.
Lower the Bar (Seriously)
Do you really have to make your bed every morning? Do you truly need to mop once a week?
Allow yourself to do less. A house can be clean enough to live in without being immaculate.
Step 4: Write a Bare Minimum Chore List
Life gets busy. Some days you’ll feel the energy to clean, and some days you won’t. That’s normal.
Instead of guilt, make a bare minimum: a handful of things that make your home feel manageable on even the craziest of days.
For example, your bare minimum could be:
Dishes washed (or at least scrubbed).
Trash taken out
Clothes in the hamper
Even if only those things get accomplished, you’re still winning. Everything else can wait.
The Takeaway: Work Smarter, Not Harder
Chores don’t need to dominate your life. By prioritizing what really matters, creating just-good-enough systems, and simplifying where you can, you can keep things under control without spending all your time cleaning.
So, take a deep breath. Choose one Lazy Genius hack to begin with. And keep in mind: A clean-ish home is still a victory.