At the end of this month we will {hopefully} all be a little more organized, some of us {myself!} will be a lot more organized. But, then what happens at the end of the month? Well, in order to keep an organized space organized we need a plan!
I once read on a blog {it was so long ago that I am sorry I don't remember who it was to thank you!} that a good mantra is "If it will take you 2 minutes or less to do it {meaning clean something up, put something away, etc.} just do it!"
I have been implementing this idea for a while now and it totally makes a difference! I find myself passing a "mess" and thinking, will it take me 2 minutes or less to do this? put this away? If the answer is YES {even though I may be on my way to do something else} I do it!
BUT {there is always a but isn't there?!?!} make sure that it doesn't distract you from getting your original thing done!
For example, does this sound familiar? Today I woke up and made breakfast for the kids. While cleaning up breakfast, I realized I was out of paper towels. So, I went to get paper towels, but on the way, I passed my sons room and his laundry was overflowing. So, I grabbed his laundry and threw it in the washer. After putting the laundry in the washer I saw that I was almost out of detergent. So, I went to grab some more from the garage when I passed my daughter who was in desperate need of a diaper change. After changing her diaper I went to take out the diaper trash. On my way out I noticed that breakfast still wasn't cleaned up, the paper towels dispenser was still empty, laundry needed to be moved to the dryer, and I was still out of detergent! Those are the days when a loving husband comes home and asks what I did today and I just want to scream!
So, there has to be another way! It is all about having a good routine. There are always going to be little things that come up and throw a kink in your plans, but being open to that and knowing that will happen prepares you for when it does!
So, today we focus on developing schedules and routines to make cleaning and organizing {and keeping up with it all} a little easier.
In order to have a good schedule/routine, you need to take note of what you do on a daily basis and work with that! If you set out to change your schedule entirely it won't work.
Here are some suggestions {things that seem to work for me}:
• designate 1 day a week to do your grocery shopping. Of course this means you have to start menu planning your meals {if you don't already} and putting together a shopping list. It is a great way to use your coupons. Planning ahead saves $.
• choose 1-2 days a week as "laundry days". If you work full-time, then you may want to plan doing 1 small load of laundry a night for a couple nights a week.
*Most importantly put your laundry away as soon as it comes out of the dryer! I have been guilty of NOT doing this. I would have weeks worth of laundry piled up and have to "dig" through it to find my clothes for that day. Partially it was because we were living in an apartment and having to cart 2 kids and 3 loads of laundry to and from the laundry room at the end of the building! By the time laundry was done I had 3 loads of laundry to put away and it was overwhelming! Now, in our new house, I can put away 1 load of laundry at a time and it is much easier. When you let it pile up it seems like such a daunting task to put it away that you just choose to put it off!
• chores. If you have other people in your house {husband, wife, kids}, put them to work! Not only is it a good family bonding and learning experience, but it also teaches responsibility! Little kids {mine are 2 and 4} are capable of putting away their own laundry {with a little help}, picking up their toys, helping to make meals, getting the mail, and so on. Bigger kids can help with the dishes, doing the laundry, sweeping, vacuuming, etc.. Put together a chore list - offer incentives for completed chores - and place it where everyone can see it ... like in command central!
• 10 minute clean-up. Everyday before you retire for the night, do a quick 10 minute clean-up. Pick up the last couple of toys, straighten the book shelf, put the last couple of dishes from dinner in the dishwasher and start it, put away that last load of laundry, fluff the pillows on your couch {☺}. Taking just 10 minutes each night will help you be a much happier person in the morning! No one likes to wake up tripping over toy cars and barbies, or having a sink full of dishes to do! Get it all done the night before!
• designate time for the Internet. Sometimes I think we all spend WAY too much time online! Reading blogs, catching up on emails, working on our etsy shops, etc. This is a great article to read if you are looking to figure out how to limit your online time! Super Organizer Mom took some time away from the Internet and wrote about what she learned.
• designate time for work. If you are a work-at-home-mom this can be hard!! BUT, if you can figure out what time{s} during the day work the best for you - for example: in the morning before kids are up, during naps, after kids go to bed - plan to do work ONLY during those times! This leaves more time for just being MOM {or Dad}! I am totally guilty of this myself.. and I am making the change starting TODAY!
• Whatever I have forgotten. Each house and each family is different. If you have another routine that is not included in this list, please add it to your list! Once you figure out what your regular routine items are, you will be able to develop a schedule that works for you. It may take a week or so to put something together and it may need tweaking once you start following it.. but once you can get a good routine and daily schedule going, your life {and mine} will be much easier!
Here is my sample chore schedule:
MONDAY:
• Go through Sunday paper. Clip coupons and create a menu for the week.
• Clean out fridge.
• Grocery shopping.
Here is my sample chore schedule:
MONDAY:
• Go through Sunday paper. Clip coupons and create a menu for the week.
• Clean out fridge.
• Grocery shopping.
TUESDAY:
• Sweep and mop floors.
• Vacuum.
WEDNESDAY:
• Laundry : Mom and Dads, Kids, Linens
THURSDAY:
• Windows.
• Mirrors.
• Dusting.
FRIDAY:
• Bathtubs and toilets.
• Kitchen sink.
SATURDAY:
• Laundry: Mom and Dads, Kids.
*Of course, having 2 kids under the age of 4 there are sometimes extra laundry loads thrown in there!
• Sweep and mop floors.
• Vacuum.
WEDNESDAY:
• Laundry : Mom and Dads, Kids, Linens
THURSDAY:
• Windows.
• Mirrors.
• Dusting.
FRIDAY:
• Bathtubs and toilets.
• Kitchen sink.
SATURDAY:
• Laundry: Mom and Dads, Kids.
*Of course, having 2 kids under the age of 4 there are sometimes extra laundry loads thrown in there!
• • • • •
If you don't know what to do for your schedule, watch what you do this week and take notes of what days you typically need to do laundry or what times you are usually on the computer.
In the meantime, I created these really simplified chore charts! Most of you probably have something a lot cuter, but this is at least a starting point!
{download PDF here}
{download PDF here}
Add your child's name to the top left {the blank area}. Write their chores on the left hand colored column. Then choose how you want to do it. Have them put stickers when the complete their chore, you can write a check, an "x", or draw a happy face. Magnetize it and put it on your fridge {the Xyron can do that!}
I suggest you laminate it {I use my Xyron machine to do that!} then use dry erase markers to write the chores and check off or "x" the chores that are completed each day. OR, magnetize it and use magnets to show when chores are completed. That way you can use the same chart each week! ☺
Tomorrow: Organizing Recipes
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ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Melanie
Reasons To Skip The Housework
Tuesday Time Out Link Up Party
I have tried to be more organized but I never seem to follow through. I love making a meal plan for the month (this really helps with grocery planning)and my goal is to always do at least one load of laundry a day- then I usually don't have out of control mountains. Thanks for the blog hop linky Katy!
ReplyDeleteThese are great ideas! I really like the 2 minutes or less mantra, I think that would help me a lot. I just get discouraged when I see how long my chore list is : (
ReplyDeleteHey there! Great blog! I'm following from the Monday blog hop. When you get a chance, come visit me and enter my giveaway!
ReplyDelete:)
Marcy @ Life's Gristle
love the idea-love the colors-good on ya!
ReplyDeleteThe 10 minutes clean up is key! I'm following from the Blog Hop. Come visit me back!
ReplyDeleteMichelle @ Things Sent My Way
Hey there! Awesome blog! I'm following from the blog hop :) I would love a follow back!
ReplyDeleteAlex
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I love organizing and I love this posts. Great tips and ideas. I look forward to reading more or your great organizing tips.
ReplyDeleteShauna
http://myshaenoel.blogspot.com/