Want to GSD in 2016? Find an Accountability Partner

One of my favorite things about living alone is not having to worry about the disapproving looks, passive aggressive notes and snap judgments of a roommate or partner when they notice you’ve slept in late for two weeks straight, neglected the dishes so long that the stack is impeding the ability to use the kitchen faucet or that you’ve had a pile of laundry on your bed you meant to fold weeks ago.

Not feeling the shame when you’ve been letting your home down and not feeling the pressure to stretch yourself too thin when other obligations are getting in the way of home chores is a great thing. But not having anyone’s silent judgments motivating you to do things around the house can sometimes be a bad thing too.

Namely, you could let things go a little too far and go on a little too long when you live alone. Falling into a laissez-faire mode isn’t really the most optimal way to live and enjoy your home, and it can make getting back on track even harder (and more onerous).

It can be more fun than it sounds. Basically, identify any goals you’d like to make for yourself around the house this year. (Or not around the house! You could pick something like eating healthier or being more grateful, too.) Then find a trusted friend or family member that wouldn’t mind being a check-in point person for you. If your goal is to pick up your home every evening, promise to send them a photo of your slick picked up space every night. Or if you wish you could make yourself make the bed every day, send a freshly made bed pic to greet your friend every morning.

And it doesn’t have to be every day; that’s just an example. Pick a small goal that can be tracked observably through photos and a friend who would be supportive and enthusiastic (and maybe even a fellow single dweller that has goals of their own they want to keep up!).