When Life Gets Hectic :: Local Services That Are My Lifeline
Some weeks, life throws everything at you, and keeping up feels like drowning off a deserted island. It’s the inevitable chaos that accompanies busy holiday seasons, work deadlines converging, and unforeseen challenges like unplanned school closures or a misbehaving dryer (like my current sitch, eye roll). In these moments, I’ve found solace in these local services that come to my rescue.
Hampr
When I run out of underwear and can’t envision a time in the near future when I’ll even be able to get to the laundry, I pull up my Hampr app. With a simple click, my laundry is scheduled for pickup within two hours. In a mere 24 hours, it’s washed, neatly folded (better than I could ever do), and back at my doorstep (My favorited-washr even leaves nice little notes, dog treats and sweets for my littles in our returned bag).
When I first learned about this service, initially I was skeptical, questioning why I would pay for something I can do myself – something I do daily and something I’m pretty picky about. However, with a change in perspective, a load – quite literally – lifted from my shoulders. I began to think of Hampr as a helping hand, taking one of the million tasks off my plate. It’s a restart button – my family has fresh clothes (clean undies for mom, yay), and I’ve saved precious time and energy.
Hampr isn’t just a luxury; at times, it’s a necessity, especially during unexpected appliance breakdowns like last summer’s washer fiasco or my current dryer woes.
House Cleaning Service
While having a house cleaner on retainer hasn’t deemed itself justifiable to our lifestyle or budget, occasional reinforcements are a lifesaver. Some weeks, chaos reigns – the distinct odor of a four-year-old boy with so-so aim and a newly potty-trained toddler begin seeping into the bathroom tile; a crumb (I think) sits in the same spot under the kitchen table (is it growing?); dried-up Play-Doh sculptures are evolving into modern art that look intentional.
This is when I dial in the professionals. I need someone to scrub the house clean, hit control+alt+delete so I can start with a clean slate.
I’m probably not the ideal client for a house cleaner because I’m inconsistent and rarely hire the same one. But the joy of coming home to a spotless house, even if fleeting, is worth the peace of mind.
Grocery Pick-Up
Admittedly slow to embrace this service, grocery pick-up has become my ally. Even during the trenches of Covid and “curbside pickup” era, I just wasn’t a fan. I am an ingredient snob (sorry, not sorry), so I look at every label before purchasing. I also don’t trust that a shopper will pick the best produce (sorry, not sorry).
But with the addition of a second child since the dreaded convenience of curbside pickup and the busier schedule that automatically comes with that, I have learned to embrace this accommodating solution. In under 20 minutes, I can have my tried and true staple items loaded into my car so I can be right on time to pick up the kiddos from school.
These services are more than conveniences; they’re lifelines.
I don’t use them all the time, but when I’m in a bind, I’m not afraid to ask for help. While they may incur a cost, the time and stress they save make them invaluable in my book. When life gets overwhelming, these local services are my way of digging me out of a hole – a small investment for a significant return in sanity.
