FlyLady Update
Keeping a clean kitchen sink -- silly as it sounds -- actually inspires! It practically cleans the whole kitchen all by itself. To have a clean kitchen sink requires putting dirty dishes somewhere. The dishwasher is a natural choice. Hence, clean dishes have to be put immediately away. Having a clean sink inspires a clean countertop and stove. Once all those crumbs get knocked onto the floor from the counters, it's easy to just do a little sweeping. One little rule keeps the whole kitchen spotless. Amazing.
Thus far, I've initiated a night-time routine that includes shining the sink, starting the dishwasher, wiping down the counters, sweeping the floor, and spending about 5 minutes picking up hot spots. When I wake up, I come out into a mostly clean house.
My morning routine includes emptying the dishwasher first thing (so I have a place to put dirty breakfast dishes), doing morning prayers, and eating breakfast.
I've also got an "immediately after each meal" routine that involves clearing the table, rinsing off dishes and putting them in the dishwasher, wiping down the table and the high chair, and sweeping the floor.
After another couple of weeks of this, I'll have formed a habit that will permanently eradicate what I call my "dirty dish mess."
Maybe next week I'll start working on forming a laundry habit. I already have one in mind that involves giving Samuel his own hamper, acquiring three new ones for Steve and I to use so that we can pre-sort our laundry as we dirty it, and doing a load a day by walking out of my bedroom in the morning with a load in hand. Between a load of sheets, a load of towels, our three hampers, and a load each for Isaac and Samuel, that ought to be one load a day -- perfectly manageable. I can already see myself popping the load of clean clothes into the dryer immediately following breakfast.
Baby steps. I'm working on keeping a clean kitchen. Soon, I'll work on mastering laundry. And, little by little, as I'm inspired, I can learn to fight hot spots. FlyLady says you can do anything for 15 minutes, and she's right. You can also take advantage of "microwave moments" -- those times when you're waiting for something to warm up or your computer to boot -- to declutter.
Being so intentionally clean is good for my soul. I'm happier because my home is a happier, more inviting place.
Thus far, I've initiated a night-time routine that includes shining the sink, starting the dishwasher, wiping down the counters, sweeping the floor, and spending about 5 minutes picking up hot spots. When I wake up, I come out into a mostly clean house.
My morning routine includes emptying the dishwasher first thing (so I have a place to put dirty breakfast dishes), doing morning prayers, and eating breakfast.
I've also got an "immediately after each meal" routine that involves clearing the table, rinsing off dishes and putting them in the dishwasher, wiping down the table and the high chair, and sweeping the floor.
After another couple of weeks of this, I'll have formed a habit that will permanently eradicate what I call my "dirty dish mess."
Maybe next week I'll start working on forming a laundry habit. I already have one in mind that involves giving Samuel his own hamper, acquiring three new ones for Steve and I to use so that we can pre-sort our laundry as we dirty it, and doing a load a day by walking out of my bedroom in the morning with a load in hand. Between a load of sheets, a load of towels, our three hampers, and a load each for Isaac and Samuel, that ought to be one load a day -- perfectly manageable. I can already see myself popping the load of clean clothes into the dryer immediately following breakfast.
Baby steps. I'm working on keeping a clean kitchen. Soon, I'll work on mastering laundry. And, little by little, as I'm inspired, I can learn to fight hot spots. FlyLady says you can do anything for 15 minutes, and she's right. You can also take advantage of "microwave moments" -- those times when you're waiting for something to warm up or your computer to boot -- to declutter.
Being so intentionally clean is good for my soul. I'm happier because my home is a happier, more inviting place.