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On extra-busy days (or weeks…), finding the time andenergy to tidy upcan feel impossible.

Photo of Eva Mendes

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But she still tries to make an efforteven if her space doesnt look spotless 24/7.

So keeping things clean and somewhat organized is how I feel my best.

So how does she summon the motivation?

Which chores does she split with Ryan?

And are there any strategies that help her keep it together as a busy mom?

How she learned to see cleaning the kitchen as a positive thing to enjoy

I’m Cuban.

And so I grew up seeing doing the dishes, specifically, as a positive thing to enjoy.

I grew up with the scent of Pine Sol and Fabulosoevery Latin American family has it.

Its this cleaning solvent that has a specific smell.

But anyway, cleaning was just a huge part of my upbringing.

The ritual that makes washing dishes actually…fun?

I’m somewhat of aninsomniac.

Ill do the dishes then, and Ill listen to a podcast if I’m not listening to music.

But music is the best to get me goingspecifically Cuban music.

It could be literally anythingsomething thats nostalgic to something thats new.

Right now, if Im doing the dishes at nighttime, I do a podcast.

I likeThe Mel Robbins Podcast.

By the time Im done with the kitchen, Im like, Ive learned something!

Obviously, Doja Cat is only when the kids are in school.

But Ihatetaking the trash out.

I dont like it.

I do it when I have to, but thats the one thing I dont like to do.

Im supersensitive to smell.

I havent unpacked this with my therapist yetbut Im sure its not that deep.

Like, I waswashing my fruitand everything.

But I still needed to find theperfectsponge.

Ive always had issues: They smell, theyre gross, and then you find yesterdays eggs on them.

So Ive neverloveda sponge, but when I found Skura, I was hooked.

Its amazing and has that fade to change technology.

Basically, when the logo starts to fade, that means it’s time to change it.

So it kind of does the smart thinking for you.

Her honest thoughts on balance and burnout

Oh, I dont avoidburnout.

There is no balance.

If anyone tells you that there is, kindly send them to me.

Balance is not something that exists for me with kids at this point.

Again,ask for help.

Thats the big thing.

People want to help you, so I remind myself of that.

And it’s something that may happen naturally or we may have to remind each other.

Luckily, Ryan loves doing the dishes.

I think Ive made him love it more, but he doesnt mind it.

(Ilove it.)

So thats great right there.

The kids do the dishes as well, so they help out.

Its really about whoever has the time at the moment.

We kind of pick it up for each other.

The other thing istaking a walk, which also sounds so obvious.

So for me, just 10 or 15 minutes is goodas long as I get outside.

Thats what my self-care looks like on the daily.

I love to journal.

I do it all the time.