Editors Note: This is an anonymous contribution part of a mini series centered around wives, moms and going on strike, that will go live each week. Come back next week to read another installment.
There was a moment in my life when I looked around my home, the very one I poured so much love and energy into, and thought, Is this really my life? For years, I was the unseen force behind the organized kitchen, the folded laundry, and the perfectly decorated rooms. But one day, as I stood in the middle of my recently vacuumed living room, I realized something had to change. I wasn’t angry, just exhausted from the never-ending cycle of domestic duties. And so, I went on strike. Let’s dive into, “Wife and Mom On Strike From Chores and Domestic Labor”!
The Decision to Do Less and Go on Strike
It wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. The idea of stepping back from my chores had been brewing in my mind for a while. I had become a little too familiar with the monotony of it all—laundry baskets that never emptied, dishes that seemed to multiply overnight, and a house that never stayed clean for more than five minutes. Why was I spending so much of my life on these “tasks”?
But it wasn’t just the physical tasks that wore me down; it was the mental load that came with managing our home. I was always on—thinking, planning, organizing. It felt like my brain was constantly buzzing with to-do lists, and it left little room for anything else. I realized that I had slowly become the caretaker of everyone’s needs, except my own.
I knew I needed a break, but more than that, I needed to reclaim my time in a way that didn’t involve losing my cool or resentments. The only way to to pour back into me was to take back what I had given away!
The Results of Being a Wife and Mom On Strike From Chores and Domestic Labor
At first, nothing really changed. My husband and child didn’t complain or take action regarding the unwashed dishes in the sink or the pile of laundry that had begun to grow in the corner of the bedroom. They continued on as usual, blissfully unaware and unbothered that I had hung up my domestic cape.
It took about seven days for the house to start looking a little less perfect. My husband asked if I knew where his favorite socks were, and I just smiled and told him I had not seen them. He looked confused but didn’t press the issue. My child? They were completely unfazed, as kids tend to be when it comes to things like cleanliness and organization.
But here’s the thing: I didn’t feel guilty. In fact, I felt lighter than I had in years. It was as if I had been carrying this invisible backpack filled with everyone else’s responsibilities, and I’d finally decided to set perfection down.
Reclaiming My Time As a Person
The most surprising part of this whole experiment wasn’t that my family eventually noticed and stepped up. It was the realization that I had been the one trapping myself in this cycle of endless chores. I had convinced myself that the only way to be a good wife and mother was to keep a perfect home, but that was a lie.
By stepping back, I made space for myself again. I started reading books I had been meaning to get to, took up a hobby, painting, I had long abandoned, and even spent a few afternoons doing absolutely nothing at all. Sitting in my garden staring out at the trees.
Moving Forward After Being A Wife and Mom On Strike From Chores and Domestic Labor
I didn’t go on strike to make a point, though it certainly had that effect. I did it because I needed to remind myself that I am more than the roles I play in my family. I’m not just a wife or a mother; I’m a person with my own dreams, interests, and needs.
Once I’ve found a better balance and hopefully a new level of appreciation from my family, I might still do chores, but I plan to no longer feel like my domestic labor can define me. I’ve learned to let things slide and to delegate without guilt. My home isn’t perfect, but it’s full of life—and that’s what really matters.
So, to any other moms out there who feel like they’re drowning in domestic duties, I say this: It’s okay to take a step back. The world won’t end if the laundry piles up for a few days. Your worth isn’t tied to how clean your house is or how perfectly you manage it all. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is to take a break and reclaim your time. After all, you deserve it.
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