How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing

Written by KC Davis

Narrated by KC Davis and Dr. Raquel Martin

An NPR Best Book of 2022
USA TODAY Bestseller

This revolutionary approach to cleaning and organizing helps free you from feeling ashamed or overwhelmed by a messy home.

If you’re struggling to stay on top of your to-do list, you probably have a good reason: anxiety, fatigue, depression, ADHD, or lack of support. For therapist KC Davis, the birth of her second child triggered a stress-mess cycle. The more behind she felt, the less motivated she was to start. She didn’t fold a single piece of laundry for seven months. One life-changing realization restored her sanity—and the functionality of her home: You don’t work for your home; your home works for you.

In other words, messiness is not a moral failing. A new sense of calm washed over her as she let go of the shame-based messaging that interpreted a pile of dirty laundry as “I can never keep up” and a chaotic kitchen as “I’m a bad mother.” Instead, she looked at unwashed clothes and thought, “I am alive,” and at stacks of dishes and thought, “I cooked my family dinner three nights in a row.”

Building on this foundation of self-compassion, KC devised the powerful practical approach that has exploded in popularity through her TikTok account, @domesticblisters. The secret is to simplify your to-do list and to find creative workarounds that accommodate your limited time and energy. In this book, you’ll learn exactly how to customize your cleaning strategy and rebuild your relationship with your home, including:

-How to see chores as kindnesses to your future self, not as a reflection of your worth
-How to start by setting priorities
-How to stagger tasks so you won’t procrastinate
-How to clean in quick bursts within your existing daily routine
-How to use creative shortcuts to transform a room from messy to functional

With KC’s help, your home will feel like a sanctuary again. It will become a place to rest, even when things aren’t finished. You will move with ease, and peace and calm will edge out guilt, self-criticism, and endless checklists. They have no place here.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Apr 26, 2022
• ISBN: 9781797143729

KC Davis

KC Davis is the bestselling author of How To Keep House While Drowning. A licensed therapist, she is the creator of the popular Struggle Care website and Instagram, and the Domestic Blisters TikTok, where she shares her revolutionary approach to self and home care for those dealing with mental health issues, physical illness, and hard seasons of life. Across platforms, KC has more than 1.5 million followers. KC has been featured in The Washington Post, Oprah Daily, Slate, Well + Good, Good Inside with Dr. Becky, Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris, among dozens of other media. She recently launched the podcast, Struggle Care, which is available on every podcast platform. KC Davis lives in Houston with her husband and two daughters. 

Reviews for How to Keep House While Drowning

[C Waymire · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I have followed KC Davis on TikTok for quite some time now, and I was ecstatic when she released this book! This book not only made me feel seen in so many ways, but it left me feeling like maybe I can finally get my sh*t together..even if it’s a baby step at a time. And if not? It’s ok because it’s morally neutral. Between her videos and this book, KC Davis has had a life-changing impact on me. 10/10 would recommend! Now I’m off to listen again

[SHARMON JONES · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The book was pretty decent until she started spewing the Health At Every Size (HAES) nonsense. At that point, it became clear that throughout the book she came up with excuses for her "laziness" and lack of accountability. Having ADHD sucks (trust me, I know). BUT ... We'll never be happy with ourselves for just "half-assing" it through life. Good enough is NOT good. Good enough is mediocrity. I picked up a few tips, but the last few chapters left much to be desired. Don't settle for OK. Try harder and do your best.

[Lindsay · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book and listened to the whole thing in just a couple of days. It offers a beautiful shift, showing how you can make your home feel better & function better while being fair to yourself. As a parent of young adults with ADHD, this also gave me a new way to look at their organizational struggles. (And some great strategies to offer them.)

[Amal Osman · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Just what anyone who’s overwhelmed by their living space need. Anyone who needs to understand how to deal with chaos please read this. Also I loved how no one will feel left out especially the additional black woman advice for black women was a beautiful touch.

[Cara Fox · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was one of the best books on ADHD I have read. KC really understands what it is like to struggle and has practical, real-life worthy tips for mounting those obstacles. I will definitely come back to this when I need some fresh inspiration and self compassion. Thank you for writing this!

[Maggie Hess · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the most impactful book I’ve ever read. If you have ADHD and struggle with task initiation and up keeping your home, this book is for you.

[Emerald Griffin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed her practical steps on housekeeping! Reading this as a Christian, there's obviously things I'd disagree with and could pick apart. But I'm thankful as a mother and neurodivergent woman to read this and implement many of the good things she had written here. "be kind to the future you" is one of the greatest takeaways I got from this to encourage myself when I don't feel like cleaning lol

[Laura Agigian · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book could easily, literally save someone’s life, save their marriage or relationship, help heal childhood wounds, learn to accept one’s self as worthy and competent. And also keep the house functional.

Main point: “You are not there to serve your house; your house is there to serve you.”

20 Stars.

[Lynnea Mueller · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Such a great great book! I just didn't think the foul language necessary.

[Babiche · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

KC Davis has written a book on survival. Life is messy,solutions are flexible. The priority is self care, you define what is most to least important to have completed. There is no judgement, eating, bathing, and rest are the basics of self care. Everything else are tasks to be accomplished as needed or not day by day.

[lorri espinosa · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is life changing. Even though I am 47, I never knew until recently that I have real executive functioning challenges. I just thought I was incredibly bad at some things or incompetent or lazy. I feel so grateful to have come across this book. It has enabled me to start a journey of kindness to myself and my daughter who I was well on the way of passing on some of my feelings of unworthiness to. I am also so glad that the author read the audiobook herself. it makes all the difference in the world to someone like me who is very sensitive to tone, feel and context! Thank you KC Davis for the way you show up in this world!

[anoud5342 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This got better by the 2nd hour .. I will recommend it to ppl

[Sophie Tally · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Some parts were pretty cringe, but I know this book is helpful for many.

[Sunshine Cagle · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book was like therapy! I wasn’t expecting to feel emotional but there were a couple of times I teared up. Every mother needs to read this book. I wish I had before I was 40. I’ve spent decades thinking I was a failure. What a waste of energy. So thankful for K.C Davis’ kindness and deep understanding of real depression, pain and trauma.

[Joanne Fisher · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Everyone should read this before having kids so you don't drown. Short concise and practical. Love, love, loved this book! I'm creating a comprehensive pre/post natal online education platform. KC is now on my list for postpartum planning and postpartum education components. This is gold.

[Sarah Schappert · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book!! I would highly recommend it to anyone who feels like they are struggling to keep up on housework

[Rebecca · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very helpful advice. I think she may be my twin!

[Jennifer Carreon · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book rewired my brain. If you are someone who is or has dealt with anxiety and depression and just need help keeping your head above the water with your daily house responsibilities THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU! So simple and easy to follow.

[Bob · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

AMAZING!!! Really loved this kind, thoughtful approach to cleaning. Thank you KC!!

[Rebecca Cain · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it! Not everything was applicable to my situation, but it was such a solid guide to basic improvements in cleaning routines around the house. I'll probably listen to this again while cleaning?!

[Steph Marie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I sobbed the entire first hour of this amazing audio book. This made me feel so understood I couldn't describe myself and situation better. I'm sure she hears that alot but it was life changing to have someone just understand me in the first part and then try to help me fix it in the second with such love and kindness and made so much sense. Love this so much. Thank you.

[Kirsten Shapiro · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you are truly in a position to need this book, you will appreciate it beyond words.

[rafaela urena · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great read/listen with practical insight and advice. Whether you struggle with cleanliness or not, I think anyone can take away some sound advice for at least your not so easy days. I look forward to sharing this book with friends and family.

[Stephanie McLean · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The kindness is like nothing you’ll read in any other book. Easy listen with lots of encouragement and motivation in a very gentle way. I love that she takes time to explain metaphors used as literal examples for understanding.

[maria vega · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Information was given in short bursts. Straight to the point with what/how to do examples. Made me realize a lot of the chores that stress me out are imposed by family or society and not functional for my needs. I'm gonna listen to it again bc I need it to become second nature.

[Gillian Reid · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

If you haven’t read this book yet, I Highly recommend it. KC makes so much sense and has great ideas that may work for you, or they may help you figure out what does work for you. But, this book is about so much more than just keeping house. It could just as easily have been called. How to do anything when you feel like you’re drowning. When you are dealing with any kind of functional barriers that are making life more difficult. One of the biggest things I learned is that chores or care tasks are morally neutral, they won’t judge me.
Not having my dishes done immediately does not make me a bad person. Be kind to myself, and I’m more likely to find the motivation to do them later.

[Maura Barile · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very practical strategies for when experiencing moments of overwhelm. Excellent narration and breakdown of xoncepts.

[Carlotta Bozzo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There are two things I enjoyed most about this book: its gentle touch, and its practical approach. It is straightforward without being superficial, and useful without falling into technicalities. Thank you, KC. Nicely done

[Bekah Page Turner · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book is like a hug. Highly recommend the audio version because it is awesome to actually hear the author tell you that if something works for you then it works!

[Stephanie Bendel · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book makes a lot of sense and it was a fast listen- I enjoyed it and it helped me.