As I consolidated my craft closet and my craft/storage cabinet last week, I ran across something that I received at a mom’s group meeting years ago. An older lady from the church spoke to us about home management. She had made up a cleaning schedule that she passed out.
Obviously I knew I needed it because I kept it all these years.
All these years without ever actually using it.
Anyway, I’ve been thinking a lot about her schedule. She divided things up into yearly, every six months, quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily tasks.
For daily tasks she has 5 things:
– Pick up clutter.
– Make beds.
– Do laundry.
– Sweep kitchen and high-traffic areas.
– Unload dishwasher.
My daily task list has, let’s just say, a lot more.
My daily task list is now an on-paper-checklist that I created a few weeks ago. But when I started 5 months ago, it was simply my attempt to create some habits. Habits which seem to come naturally to some people, but not to me.
Each week I worked on a new habit. I have to do this because saying “do laundry” doesn’t work for me. I have “Complete a load of laundry” on my daytime list, but then I also have “Check laundry” on my evening task list because that’s how my oft-scattered brain works. I can completely forget a load of laundry for days if things get busy. More times than I care to admit, I’ve had to re-wash a load that I left in the washing machine too long. Sometimes the same load three and four times.
And “pick up clutter” is a little vague for me as well. For example, I had to build the habit of specifically checking the bathrooms for clutter daily, because otherwise I don’t even see the clutter in there.
I am interested in her other “how often” tasks. Like “clean carpet yearly.” I’m guessing that doesn’t mean vacuum?
You may have noticed that I haven’t added a new non-negotiable task this week. After seeing this list, and how short her daily tasks are, I have been thinking. I don’t want to add something just because it’s a new week.
When I do the things already on my list, the house looks nice. As I go about doing my current tasks, if I notice something that I “should really make a habit of” I’ll add it as a new non-negotiable.
But really, I need to start working on the weekly tasks. You know, the unpleasant ones like bathroom cleaning, mopping, etc that should be done a little less randomly than I do now.
As for today, I’ve done well with my daily tasks. I’ve closed cabinet doors, made bed, swept kitchen, emptied dishwasher, cleaned kitchen, made a to-do list, did a 5 minute pickup, ran two loads of laundry, checked bathrooms for clutter, put away clothes in master bedroom. And last night I made lunches and put out clothes and cleaned the kitchen and ran the dishwasher. (It sounds like a lot when written like that, but total it takes less than 30 minutes.)
This is the first day in several that I’ve done all of my tasks, and I hope to continue doing well with my evening ones even though LOST starts tonight!!!!!!!!
I just found your blog. I'm glad I did. As a messie, I can relate. I'm adding you to my blog list b/c I don't want to miss your posts… your battle helps to spur me on – and maybe what you post will help me to finish that batch of laundry. 🙂
Um, yeah. I finally cleared out most of the stuff that was on a section of countertop because it didn't exactly have a home. (So why was I keeping it all? Good question.) Want to know what was at the bottom? My home management binder. I made a really pretty one two years ago, followed it for about a month or so, and haven't done much since. Ouch. My problem is that I think "oh, that's not really dirty yet, it doesn't need to be cleaned that often…" It isn't pretty.
I haven't commented in a while as we're in the throws of moving (stressful for anyone, but for slobs, yikes!) Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your writing, and see myself in your words. I agree that the 5 things is unrealistic, when each of those "things" is really comprised of many steps. Like unload the dishwasher. Well, that assumes that I've loaded it, right? Which assumes that I cleared the dirty dishes off the table and unpacked the kids' lunch boxes. Maybe "normal" people could just see this as 5 things, but not me!
I used to clean my carpet every six monthes. Isolve that by getting rid of the carpet. My hubby went to work and when he came home it was gone. Now I have wood flooring. When Iwas ripping the carpet up I had enough sand for a sand box. But, the best thing happen when I got rid of the carpet is my daughter and hubby allergies greatly improve for the better.. Still working on my routine's. I can never seem to make them a habit.
I agree not to add a new task so often for 2 reasons. 1. If you get overwhelmed you are more likely to throw in the towell on the whole thing, and 2., as your home becomes more organized there will be less for you to do daily.
BTW- I have something (award) for you on my blog because I enjoy reading your stories and what is working for you. I can relate as I had to self teach being tidy and organized as well.
Oh the irritation of realizing I have been dealing with the same load of laundry endlessly. Either rewashing many times, or having the clean laundry get thrown around so much I have to wash it again without anyone ever wearing it or (most irritating) the clothes that have been “lost” don’t even fit the kids anymore by the time I rescue them!
I was impressed with your post a bit back when you washed stomach bug stuff right away!! Recently I just rolled up a whole crib mess and threw it in the laundry and by the time I entered that room again I had to throw away ALL of it-even 2 of my daughters 3 cute “lovey’ backups.
off to do kitchen!!
I know this is a super old post, but I have just started reading.
I can’t tell you how excited I got when I read that you have as a daily habit/task to close your cabinet doors. I thought I was the only one that had that problem of leaving them open. I don’t even realize it until I sit on my couch, look back at the kitchen to see what needs to be done in there, and see all the doors open! Haha! I just looked at my kitchen, and there are cabinet doors open right now! Ooops!
I meant “Just started reading “your blog”, not just started reading in general. LOL
Hahaha!!
I want to implement a cleaning regimen that becomes habitual but not excessive………….
It is all about the habits!!
I love this!!! And you make an excellent point by adding things to a list that make it realistic and efficient. I too am notorious for forgetting about laundry. Jotting this down would really help me make a better routine with my laundry habits and develop more cleaning awareness (as in, “I should have a pile of laundry sitting on this bed by now, right?”). Great insight!
I am an avid reader, and lifetime messy person. Slob, probably. I have your books, and read them over and over, sometimes just for pleasure. ;-O . I note on this page online, there was an ad from Office max.
Proud of myself for not buying the HOT file system!!!! Because I have a file cabinet, and hot file boxes already. THIS one looked way cooler, but time to get awesome organizers after I shovel out to where ORGANIZATION becomes a need not a wish. Clutter first!! LOVE you!!Nancy E
That you were able to keep up with your daily tasks to the point where you didn’t need to add any more, is so inspiring!
I just implemented your “put it away immediately” and it has indeed made a world of difference! Thank you for figuring all this out in a way that you can pass it on to the rest of us!