I really liked the checklist that I created last week.
First let me make my excuses. I made the chart to start with Sunday. But I made it on Sunday, and then started using it on Monday, not paying any attention to how I had made the chart (even though I made it less than 24 hrs before).
You can see on the chart that I did well on Monday and Tuesday. I enjoyed checking things off and realized how minimal the list really is . . . on a day when I’m home and totally focused on getting things checked off.
The third day, when there are only a few checks, was Wed, the day I’m gone most of the day. Thursday was better, and then Friday hit and the kids were off of school, so all routine went out the window.
Yes, there are more unchecked than checked, but I’m going to look at the checked boxes and be happy.
So now for my new non-negotiable task for the week. It’s an ultra-basic one. It’s one that would make normal people say “Huh?” It’s one that will make my husband happy.
Whenever the question comes up about whether there is something that you would change about your spouse, this thing is what he says .
Ready?
I’m going to close the kitchen cabinet doors and my dresser drawers.
It drives my husband crazy that I almost never close a cabinet door. Really. It’s like he’s living in Sixth Sense.
It is not unusual for him to enter the kitchen to find EVERY SINGLE cabinet door and drawer open.
Now, this is NOT a conscious decision. It honestly never occurs to me that I left the cabinet door open. So I’m not kidding myself that I’m going to completely change this week. But I’m putting it on my check list, and so at one certain point in time during the day, all the kitchen cabinets and my dresser drawers will be closed.
If hubby’s not home at that certain point in time . . . tough.
This seems like a very trivial thing, but it’s along the same lines as when I made the non-negotiable to check the bathroom floors for clutter. Doing this consciously, once a day, helped me to change my focus. It helped me see the things on the floor that I didn’t naturally see.
And I’ve already added it to the list, and printed the chart for the week. We’ll see what happens.
If you need an incentive, remember that there is no need to heat (or air condition) the inside of your cabinets, drawers, and closets. Do it for your husband, do it for your utility bills!
I've got to make a checklist!
Once again, you are expressing me, and my leaving all the doors and drawers open. I truly understand!! HA HA HA
My hubby also says I leave a trail of shoes and clothes from the front door to the bedroom. Oh well, he knew about it b4 we were married(lived together 4 years b4 our first child together) so deal with it buddy!!!
He actually does, he is the great finder of all lost things.
You're so cute! My husband is the cabinet-door-left-open culprit in my house and it is kinda annoying (especially when I bump my head on said cabinet), so I think it's awesome that you're adding this to your list.
In looking at your checklist, I'm realizing I should probably do this. Your example has really helped me get back on track. When I don't feel like doing something, I tell myself, "MJ, this is what it means to be a grown up. Get up and make your kids' lunches (or whatever it is)." And then I do it. Grumbling at myself the whole way, but I do it. It's amazing how much these non-negotiables have become the gateway to order (or chaos) in my life. The kitchen sink must be shined before I go to bed. Period. The balance of my house somehow rests on it. Thank you for writing this blog — I'm so glad I found it!
*giggle* You would drive my 4 year old NUTS! She's very particular about everything being closed!
I have a similar chore chart for myself (though you get much more done in a day than I do) and I love seeing the checkmarks. I just found your blog (via Tackle it Tuesday I think) and became a follower because I too am a slob who's trying to get organized.
LOL I am the same way! Hubby always tells me to shut all the drawers/doors and you think I would after I bang my head onto them 500 times. And my 16 month old shuts everything (that he is able) behind me – the dishwasher, cabnits, doors, anything! It's so cute.
My husband is the same way, but our kitchen is rather narrow so we really need to shut the cabinets and definitely the drawers! The kids never do and it drives my husband MAD! Yet he never shuts his own closet door?!?! I just think it looks a lot nicer when they are closed.
Ok – I just had to comment again. This was actually my husband's problem rather than mine. He never closed a cabinet door, nor even the dishwasher, which for a short person like me, is right at shin level. Drove me batty. This was before we got married & try as I might, I could never "help" him with this bad habit. Finally, we were within weeks of getting married & I realized, my cats would accomplish what I couldn't. And indeed they did. Within a little while of moving in together after the wedding, he came home to find a cat curled up on the plates. He's been closing cabinet doors every since!
Lisa in Hixson
I, too, have a husband who leaves every cabinet door hanging open. It looks like the kitchen is trying to fly away. In the past I was so irritated by this. I'd think, "SERIOUSLY?? You can't close the cabinet door??" I actually took it a bit personally, wondering why he thought it was my job to close cabinet doors. Your blog has helped me realize that his cabinet door issue is no different than my pile of folded laundry issue, or my walk past that glass on the table on my way to the kitchen 15 times issue, or any of my other issues. So in addition to making me laugh, you've helped me to feel more positive toward my wonderful hubby of 20 years! Yea you.
Just found this blog and it is great! I also have a husband who does not "get" the cabinet-and-drawer-closing idea. What kills me is that he closes them PART of the way — I mean he actually makes the effort to push the door or drawer in a little bit, and then stops! Why? Why?? If you're going to do that, just close it all the way! But I'm trying to overcome my frustration with this like Anonymous above, and find some humor in it as I concentrate on my own issues instead of his. If closing the doors and drawers is so easy for me, why not just do it myself if he won't?
I was thinking about your blog today as I swept, and I realized along with this post that part of my slobbitude is the idea that they are things that have to be done and things that are optional. Sort of the glory parts of even the less glamorous tasks. So cutting my roses just involves cutting my roses, and I count the task done even though the tools aren't put away, and the walkway and garden are littered with the cuttings.
Shutting doors and drawers was like that for me, I was in such a rush to do what I thought was the "main thing" like getting a spoon to a cranky child, that I'd leave the drawer open. When my kids starting banging into them, and I'd feel bad, I'd remember to close them, and then I discovered that it really did bother me to come into the kitchen and find everything open-I didn't know that was part of the reason I was grouchy until I went in and everything was nice and I feel myself relax.
I have been browsing your blog for a day now, nodding and laughing aloud because I can totally relate to you in SO MANY WAYS. Then, I see this bit about the drawers. I DO THAT TOO! My husband is always on my case about it and says things like "WHY DONT YOU JUST CLOSE IT?" and I don't have an answer. I showed him this post, and he cracked the biggest smile and just laughed his butt off. I am so excited to start this journey, and it really helps to see that I am not alone, and there are people like me
Wow! What is it that makes us do all these things. I have really had to make an effort to LEARN to close cabinet doors…and I looked just now and my pantry and one cupboard is open, even though I feel like I’ve gotten MUCH better about it. And that’s not counting the pots and pans cupboard that can’t close because it’s cluttered and the kids’ dishes cupboard that’s a bit screwy now because, well, it’s their cupboard and I encourage them to get their own dishes…I really need to check and see what they did to the door that it doesn’t hang properly now.
And I use the excuse that my dresser is a BEAST and it requires both hands and quite a bit of ooomph and positioning to get my drawers to close. But really just means I need to break down and buy a new one. This one was a blessing 6 years ago after a housefire, but it’s time to move on and get one I don’t hate and that doesn’t make it so difficult to keep my room in order.