Focus.
One of my biggest struggles . . .
But there’s something about a Monday morning that (usually) brings it all in line for me.
My mental to do list is just so clear, and . . . . almost . . . . fun.
Before 8 a.m. today, I emptied the dishwasher, changed over a load of clothes, and made lunches.
Oh, and had breakfast.
No magical burst of cleaning energy hit me, it’s just the normal routines. Made a little more urgent than the other days of the week by the ticking Laundry Day clock.
It’s also the time when I’m so thankful for creating habits. Not that these habits mean I don’t notice I’m emptying the dishwasher.
Oh. I notice. I totally notice.
It’s just that I don’t have to think hard. I didn’t spend last night planning how I was going to change everything and start doing it all better tomorrow.
I just got up and did what I do (almost) every Monday morning. Every “normal” Monday morning.
Note: It’s almost summer! (You know how much I love summer, right?) Because I use summers to focus on teaching my own kids to clean, you might want to as well. Check out my e-book, Teaching Kids to Clean.
--Nony
Weirdo! (JK) I detest Mondays. Can’t I get another day of weekend? Although, it is nice to get back into routine… Sigh!
Haha!! But yes, that’s really it, getting back into routine.
This very simple post is the heart of this blog. Developing habits and routine, which leads to perhaps the most profound 2 sentences written yet: “It’s just that I don’t have to think hard. I didn’t spend last night planning how I was going to change everything and start doing it all better tomorrow.” Awesomeness, just awesomeness!
Nony, I am holding my 10th garage sale on 10 years this coming weekend. I just cannot keep doing garage sales anymore. As I put together this particular one, I thought of you and all your readers. I wrote down the following list for myself so that I don’t find myself holding another one next year. It’s too much to put this together year after year, so I’m going to try to stick to these new “rules”: No thrift stores, garage sales
Ask for disposable, use-up-able gifts
Use library instead of buying books
Borrow don’t buy
No buying anything unless replacing something broken, or buying a gift
No souvenirs, just photos
Take a photo instead of buying
No signing up for contests, exchanges, door prizes, samples
Only buy what’s on the list
No new hobbies
Reuse stuff I already have
Very good list! I may ‘borrow’ it from you. 🙂
Great list!
Some awesome comments already! I can relate to your Monday habit. It’s nice to know what needs to be done. Freeing. Limits/habits give you freedom. (Reminds me of Christianity.)
It helps make Monday a little easier. 🙂
Dana, Gretchen Rubin should interview you for her new book on habits. You sound like you’ve gained so much insight via this blog. She talks about the book she’s working on all the time on her website.
Focus! on monday as if hahaha! 😉 sounds like my morning every day.. well I try 🙂
Habits and routines. Those two things would make a world of difference in pretty much everything I do. Can’t wait to get where you are.
I know I’m weird, but I LOVE Monday’s – I always have. Monday is the day when I get back on schedule and I’m always the most productive.