I got into bed last night and was startled to notice, AFTER getting in, that my bed was not made. I panicked. I had taken a Sunday nap, and thought maybe that was why, but could see that my husband’s side was unmade as well. I hadn’t made the bed at all yesterday, and I hadn’t noticed. That’s what brings the panic.
I’m trying so hard to keep my focus. There are times when I do make a conscious decision to ignore a mess. But the reason my home gets into a total state of disaster is that I often don’t even see messes.
I have been making my bed everyday for almost 4 weeks now. I’ve always heard that it takes 28 days to develop a new habit. I’m almost there, and yesterday I bombed. I can’t believe that I didn’t notice all day long.
What does this mean? In the past, this would have been a sign of my losing focus and the downhill slide would start. It can’t mean that this time. I am making a true effort and I’m just going to get right back onto the right track. One small failure can’t mean overall failure.
Hey, I know this is an old post, but I just had to leave a comment. Yes, habits do take time to form, but one mistake does not make a relapse…over and over again does. Keep on plugging along and you’ll get to where you want to be eventually.
On a side note, I just found you’re blog today and I just wanted to let you know that you’re my inspiration. I’m a slob in a family of them. There’s no real getting around that. But, because of you, I now know there’s hope and that I’m not the only one in the world who just has such a hard time keeping on top of things.
I read these blogs and newsletters with these perfect little houses and wonderful homemakers who make fresh bread every day, cook for every meal, and never have to re-find the cleaning list they just printed out less than 5 minutes before. Me however…uh, yeah…I’m sure you get the picture.
But, now I know there’s hop and have been inspired. I just started a blog today in order to hold myself accountable as I try to get my family and I back on track. I can’t say that I’ll always be perfect, or successful, but at least now I know it’s possible.
Hi Nony–One of the best things I’ve learned from reading your blog and e-books is that there’s always tomorrow. If I forget or don’t have time to do something on my daily or weekly checklists, I’ll just pick it up tomorrow, or next week. Especially the weekly stuff. This is a huge revelation for me because before I would think I could just double-up on the tasks the next day, which of course would quickly become overwhelming and I’d end up with a monthly (or quarterly) marathon cleaning session that would leave me with a lasting memory that cleaning always has to be that way.
Also you’ve helped me see that if I do something today, or this week, then tomorrow or next week the same tasks will be so much quicker and easier!
🙂 Mary
I love the way you put this!
After moving it around in my office for months, I finally hung the small white board I bought to use for projects up on the door of a cabinet I’ll see every time I walk in here…which is often. Reading about checklists, and forgetting made me realize that something I can see will help, but that anything I write on paper will be ignored…because I hate paperwork. And I have a mountain of it I need to sort and shred. I mean a mountain, too. 🙂
I found your blog earlier this week and I am currently reading it backwards like you recommend. It really is like you are living in my head!
I had to comment on this post because just last night I was unable to finish my non-negotiable of washing the dishes. I was so disappointed, but it was already way past my bedtime and the 4:30 am work alarm comes way too early! But, I like the way that you said that one small failure can’t mean overall failure. I am going to keep repeating that to myself whenever I have a mis-step!
Thank you for the inspiration and encouragement!