Fun fact: I wrote this entire article in my head while washing the dishes and watering the lawn. Some of my sister's friends had come over for lunch. Instead of offering to help clean up, they decided to spend some quality time together. I didn’t feel annoyed or frustrated as I looked at the pile of dirty dishes in front of me. Instead, I took the time alone to think. I appreciated the feeling of warm water as I soaped up plates and glasses. I was inspired to save some water by watering the plants with the water I’d used to rinse the dishes. When I stepped outside, my cat got so excited she flopped on the grass, meowing and begging for a belly rub. She made me laugh. 

Cleaning dishes can be quite therapeutic and satisfying once in a while, especially when it encourages you to step outside and reuse precious water. However, let’s get something straight: household chores can be tiring. They can be burdensome, sometimes even physically strenuous (can anyone else relate to back aches and sore muscles?). Chores can become even harder once you have other responsibilities such as taking care of young children, work and studies. That being said, there is a mind shift you can make that can help you not only cope with chores but also enjoy them (at least occasionally!). The time you spend on housework can be a great investment for your life if you use it wisely. Below are seven ways to make the most out of the obligatory chores you have to do. 

1. Use Chores As Time to Unplug From Technology

Statistics show that in 2022, the average person spends around 7 hours online and that number is on the increase (GWI via Datareportal). In some countries like South Africa, that number is even greater with the average South African spending over 10 hours a day online. In other words, we are spending a large portion of our waking lives on technology. This can have negative impacts on our health. However, research suggests that unplugging from technology can lead to better mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing (Rowan 2010, Michaels, 2016, and Gerodimos, 2017).  Chores enable you to do hands-on work where you fully engage your sense of touch, smell and sight in non-technological activities. Therefore, chores can be a fantastic way to take a break from your devices and live a more holistic, balanced and healthy life. 

2. Use Chores As A Time to Reflect on Your Life

Where are you heading in life? Are you truly living your purpose? What are you stressed about? What are your dreams and goals? How can you tackle your challenges? These are important questions that can help you find meaning and direction. The time you spend on chores can be a unique opportunity for you to drown out the noise of your daily demands and really think about what truly matters to you.  I like to think of my chores as quality time spent with myself.  It’s amazing how wiping counters, sweeping floors or chopping vegetables can open the doors of creativity and possibility. I often use these times to reflect on my life vision, how I want to raise my future kids, lessons I’ve learnt from the past, people that have touched me, or conversations I’ve shared. Using time to reflect while doing chores can help you come up with ideas for your projects and pursuits. Moreover, it can help you feel more grounded in the hectic world we live in. 

3. Use Chores As A Time to Remember Allah

Remembrance of Allah is the path to contentment. Allah says: “Surely in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find comfort” (Quran, 13:28). Use chores as a time to de-stress and to add barakah and joy into your life. Make dhikr, recite Qur’an (this can be a great way to revise the surahs you've memorised!) or simply talk to Allah in your own language. Remembering Allah can make chores a time of gratitude. It can remind you to thank Allah for providing you with a means to move your body, use your senses, and take care of your home. Moreover, dhikr can actually make your chores easier. When Fatima (RA) suffered from the difficulty of her chores, the Prophet (SAW) advised his daughter by saying “Shall I tell you a thing which is better than what you asked me for? When you go to your beds, say: 'Allahu Akbar (i.e. Allah is Greater)' for 34 times, and 'Al hamdu Li llah (i.e. all the praises are for Allah)' for 33 times, and Subhan Allah (i.e. Glorified be Allah) for 33 times. This is better for you than what you have requested.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 3113)  

4. Use Chores As A Time to Listen to Your Favourite Nasheeds or Podcast

You can learn Arabic, explore the seerah of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), develop important life skills, or work on your self-development and mental health. Listen to inspirational lectures, practice your hifdh, or lift your spirits with a motivational nasheed all while creating a clean and pleasant environment for you and your family. If you don’t want to use your chores as a time to unplug from technology, you can use it to make the most of the beneficial things technology has to offer. Listening to your favourite podcast or nasheed can help take out the boredom from even the most repetitive tasks. Moreover, you get your chores done while working on becoming a better you. It’s a win-win situation. 

5. Use Chores As A Means of Being Physically Active

Guess what? Chores might just be the thing you need to burn calories and become physically fit. It’s all about intention and mindset. Ellen Langer and Alias Crum (2007) conducted an experiment where they divided hotel cleaners into two groups. One group was informed that the cleaning work they do are forms of physical activity that meet the Surgeon General’s recommendations for exercise. The other group was not given the same information. After four weeks of doing the same cleaning work without any change in their routine, the group that was aware that their work was a form of exercise lost weight, body-fat, hip-to-waist ratio, body mass index and had a lower blood pressure compared to the group that was not informed. This shows the power of our perception and intention when committing a deed. If we are aware that chores can help us become more physically active, we are more likely to actually gain the health benefits from them! 

6. Use Chores As A Means of Becoming A More Serving Person

Chores can be a form of expressing your love to those you care about most. By creating an atmosphere of orderliness and cleanliness, you are building the foundation of a happy, healthy home. Living in an organised space makes it easier for you and your loved ones to have clear minds so that everyone can focus on fulfilling their responsibilities. While it’s next to impossible to keep your home sparkling clean 24/7 (and would be way too stressful to manage), whatever effort you put in can go a long way.  Chores can be a means of serving your family and establishing a place of comfort, peace and tranquillity. It may help to reduce the stress and encourage you and your loved ones to connect and bond with one another in a safe and relaxed environment. Attached to all of these benefits is the act of silatu al-rahm (maintaining family ties) which is one of the most beloved actions to Allah. As the Prophet reminds us: 

"The bond of relationship is suspending from the Throne, and says: 'He who keeps good relations with me, Allah will keep connection with him, but whosoever severs relations with me, Allah will sever connection with him". (Bukhari & Muslim, Riyad as-Salihin, 323)

7. Use Chores As A Means of Drawing Closer To Allah 

Ultimately, when done sincerely, chores can be a means for you to seek Allah’s pleasure and love. Cleanliness, fulfilling one’s responsibilities, taking care of the home, and looking after one’s family are all sunnahs of our Messenger (SAW) and a major part of our faith. When Aisha (RA) was asked, "What did the Prophet (ﷺ) use to do in his house?" She replied, "He used to keep himself busy serving his family and when it was the time for prayer he would go for it." (Sahih al Bukhari 676). HAdith such as this one show that in addition to all of his responsibilities, the Prophet (SAW) did household chores too! So if you do chores, you are following the example of the best man ever created. Moreover, if you try to apply any of the 7 points in this article for the sake of Allah and Allah accepts your intentions and deeds, you can build a stronger relationship between you and your Rabb. Household chores can be challenging, especially when family members don’t acknowledge the hard work you put into keeping the home clean. However, Allah sees all things, He recognises your efforts and will compensate you for all your good deeds with a generous reward. 

Conclusion

I hope this article has given you a fresh perspective on how to enrich your life while tackling chores. Chores don’t always have to be a burden or bother, they can be uplifting and joyful experiences too. While it's important to try your best, don’t overburden yourself with unrealistic expectations of a spotlessly clean home 24/7. If you’re feeling under pressure, don’t hesitate to reach out and seek help from your family members, neighbours or friends. (My sister ended up making it up to me by washing the next load of dishes). You are a human being and not a machine. Asking for help from the community is not a weakness but a strength. Passing on household responsibilities to other family members such as your children might actually help them develop important life skills. Whenever you can, offer your assistance to others when they need it too. Furthermore, research and learn about the ways in which you can contribute towards taking care of our Planet Earth as well. By working together to keep our homes and communities clean, we can build a healthier world for all. 

What is your favourite and worst chore? Comment below! 

If You Liked This Post…

THANK YOU FOR VISITING OUR BLOG! If you enjoyed this post, don’t forget to follow, comment, like and share. Fill your day with light by downloading our App, signing up for our love letter, following us on Instagram @qalbyapp and subscribing to our YouTube channel.

References:

https://datareportal.com/reports/digital-2022-time-spent-with-connected-tech

https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin/introduction/323

https://sunnah.com/bukhari:3113

Campisi, J., Bynog, P., McGehee, H., Oakland, J. C., Quirk, S., Taga, C., & Taylor, M. (2012). Facebook, stress, and incidence of upper respiratory infection in undergraduate college students. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 15(12), 675-681.

Crum, A. J., & Langer, E. J. (2007). Mind-set matters: Exercise and the placebo effect. Psychological science, 18(2), 165-171.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2007.01867.x

Gerodimos, R. (2017). From “being tethered” to “going unplugged”: media addiction and the role of unplugging as a transformative tool of digital literacy.

Michaels, I. (2016). Unplugging: A Phenomenological Study of the Perceived Holistic Health Benefits from Regular Digital Detox in the Context of Jewish Shabbat. https://sophia.stkate.edu/ma_hhs/10/

Rowan, C. (2010). Unplug—Don’t drug: A critical look at the influence of technology on child behavior with an alternative way of responding other than evaluation and drugging. Ethical Human Psychology and Psychiatry, 12(1), 60-68.