It’s Sunday night and that means that it’s time to add a new non-negotiable task for the week. These are the things that I can’t make excuses about. Although I did. Last night.
Last night I didn’t do the bathroom counter and toilet wipe-down. The guilt is bad. I didn’t want to do it. I was exhausted and also knew that since we would be having people over today, I would re-do it in the afternoon anyway.
I really do believe that my clean-up-before-people-come-over took a lot more time than if I had done the wipe-down last night. It may be a mental thing.
But I have to keep going. One day off track doesn’t mean it’s all over. This is the rest of my life, and I can’t let a small failure undo the progress I’ve made.
I do need to say that I’m so glad that I made the decision last week to spend another week on the wipe-down habit. The first week felt so unnatural, but by the end of the second week (except for last night), it was much easier and I was “getting” it.
I’ve been dreading this next one. If I could think of anything else, I’d do that instead, but I know it’s time to tackle this.
I’m going to do one load of laundry, from start to finish, every day.
This is a Flylady thing. I’ve gone in spurts of doing this, and it makes a huge difference when I do, but I always fall off the wagon. I’m scared to death of this one because I can see all of the ways in which it can go wrong. It’s not a 5 minute task that I can do quickly when I sit down to type up a post and realize I haven’t done it yet. It’s something that I have to come back to, to put in the dryer, and then to get out of the dryer. With my forgetfulness, this is a disaster waiting to happen.
At one point when I only had little bitty pre-activity kids, I had a year when I was able to be home every Wednesday. At that point, I made it my laundry day, and this worked really well. I’ve tried this since, but if I leave it all for one day, I get totally thrown off when something like a school activity comes up on that day. Then it piles up for the next week, and maybe the next.
So I’m going to try the one load a day thing and figure out if I can make it work. I’ve always thought that if I could put a load in every night before I go to bed, I could just turn on the washer as soon as I get up. Then I could put it in the dryer after I take the kids to school. Getting it out of the dryer, folded and put away is the part that scares me. I don’t mind washing and drying clothes, but I end up with huge piles of unfolded clean clothes on the love seat.
I’m giving myself permission to figure out how this can work for me. It may take more than a week, but I’m excited to get this one down. Yes, I feel destined for failure on it, but I used to feel that way about all things in the home organization realm.
Bonnie says
One load is reasonable. I too wash, dry and then dump on the sofa BUT, I do put it on the sofa in the main room so I will put at least fold it before going to bed. I have real trouble getting the stuff put away though.
Diane Morgan says
I dont have a problem with finding time to put it in the washer or the dryer. It is the remembering and finding energy to fold it and put it away. What my one friend found was the full load was too much for her so she does 1/2 loads and gets it all done. I am not sure that is the answer for me but I need to work on this one.
I used to do my daughter's clothing every Thurs. So when I got home I washed and then dryed and then when she was getting ready for bed I put it all away. It worked well and I might go back to that system.
I have so much to fold right now and put away it is not funny. I wish I had a magical wand to wave to start off. So for the next little while I want to try and fold some every night and put it away. Hopefully I will see the end soon . The problem with laundry is it never stops!!!!!
Good luck
Nichole says
The putting it away is always where I have trouble, we have a perpetual pile of folded clothes on our couch in the living room. Though, that is better than when I would only wash clothes every other week, or only when there was absolutely no clean underwear to be found….
Deb says
I too used to have a one day a week laundry habit – but I out grew it….the folding, etc. thing is not a problem for me though. I fold and hang everything as it comes out of the dryer. Putting it away, is a different thing….I usually have two baskets full of clothes (clean) to be put away in the laundry room 0 although one is my hubands!
Susan says
What has helped me is using the timers on my washer and dryer. Several years ago we had to buy new and the new washer has a start delay so I can put in a load at night and set it to start in 2, 8 or 10 hours and a load is done when I wake up. That has really helped. I know it’s not any easier but there is a feeling of satisfaction when I wake up and I have already done a load of wash…silly I know!
Andrea says
Running loads of laundry is one household task I don’t really mind, or even have particular trouble with. Putting it all away where it belongs instead of letting it sit, folded, in baskets for days or weeks at a time is quite another matter.
Katia says
Well, I’ve NEVER had a dryer 😉 I used to put dirty clothes to the washer just before I go to bed and start washing first thing in the morning. Mornings are the worst for me so I felt better with that 🙂
For a year now I haven’t got a washer either… But I like washing things with my hands 🙂
Katia says
I love that: “One day off track doesn’t mean it’s all over.” That should be my motto 😀
Elena says
I’ve never fully figured out how to manage my laundry, but something that works for me is to split the load in smaller chunks of 20-25 items. Maybe I’ve not enough time or will to fold and put away all the clean clothes, but in this way I’ll fold at least a part of them.
Also, starting from the bigger pieces (towels, bed sheets, sweaters) prevents the “to-be-folded” pile to grow too fast.
Love your blog!
Cori says
I have been reading your post for 2 years, but just today decided to start at the beginning and see how it all came about. Knowing that you will eventually find laundry day to be the best format for you, it is interesting to see your early posts regarding laundry.
Your early posts emphasize non-negotiable tasks, I know in 2020 you have daily tasks, but your 2009 writing really clarifies the importance of determining NON-NEGOTIABLEs. It made me realize that I negotiate too much and provide some new encouragement.