I’ve had a month to settle into the online aspect of my project, so I want to make some changes to help me work more efficiently and effectively. Last month I had no real plan, I just tackled things in front of me. But this month I want to be more purposeful. I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to do next, so I can maximize my results. This month’s goals are intended to help me build better overall habits which will help with the rest of the year.
Here’s my list:
1) Time management: This has been an ongoing struggle. I don’t know if it’s because I spent so many years as a teacher, where I was given a clear, specific schedule and not a lot of unstructured time, but I’m still finding it tough. If I have a deadline or need to be someplace at a certain time, I’m fine. But when I have a bit of free time, I don’t always use it well.
2) Laundry: I have a rare gift in my husband, because he does our laundry. Every Saturday he sorts (!) all our clothes into piles and washes and dries everything. Folding is my job, and if it was a paying gig I would be so fired. I have a feeling another approach would be better. But he works all week and I don’t feel it’s fair to change a system which is working for him because I drag my feet with my part. And I prefer not having any other big chores during the week, so I feel I need to make more effort.
Guess what I’m doing after I post this?
3) General decluttering and donating: I scheduled a pickup for tomorrow and they expect at least four bags. I have close to that much already and will try to add to it. I also have a few bags of books I need to drop off; they’ve been sitting in my car for too long. Most of our useless stuff is crammed into the attic and garage and I am glad it’s getting warm enough to work in those spaces.
I need to drop these off before they find their way back to the shelves.
4) Meal planning: On Monday night I parked a pen and notepad next to my plate at the dinner table. I realized I tend to ask Bob what he wants to eat at inopportune times, so I decided to try a new approach. When we were both finished eating I asked for some ideas, which he was happy to give. We’re all planned out through next Monday. Mostly what I need in this area is more consistency. One successful week does not constitute victory.
5) Establishing routines: I’m stuck in a cycle of cleaning, messiness, cleaning again, and so on. I need to establish simple routines to help us maintain the house. I think getting rid of things will help a lot but the house will still need ongoing attention. Emma wants an allowance, which is something we should have done already, but now is still a good time to start. Involving her will be good for all of us.
I also have a few smaller tasks, which I’m going to group together. For now, I feel pretty confident about next month and am looking forward to sharing my progress.
Have you heard of the Fly Lady? She has a whole decluttering and cleaning routine already set up. She really helped me when I was beginning my decluttering journey… plus I was a SAHM at the time and I needed the push. (Free) time management isn’t really my bag either.
One nice thing about decluttering: Eventually it’s easier to clean because you just don’t have that much stuff anymore. 🙂
I have heard of Fly Lady and my morning routine comes from her, for the most part. I really look forward to that day when there is a noticeable about of less stuff!
Laundry…what worked for me was to teach my kids to do their own laundry. No pre or post sorting. Clothes these days seem to use better dyes because we have never had any color bleeding issues and I don’t have to sort 6 peoples clothes/socks/undies and with 2 boys in the same size but different ages/styles this has helped. I started when the oldest was 10 and the youngest was 4 (he had my help but by age 6 he was able to handle it on his own, just a little nudging from mom). I always feel it isn’t our job to do everything for our kids but to teach them how to do things for themselves. At times it felt easier to do it for them but in the long run it was the best investment of my time. They each had a day they were assigned to do their laundry and it has worked great for us.
I was about 10 when I did the laundry for the first time, it was my idea and I think I was home alone when I did it. It was great to go off to college knowing how to do it because I remembered meeting kids who had no idea! So I think it’s a great thing to learn. For now I’m going to start with folding, and I also know my daughter will be more interested if she thinks it’s her idea!
I’ve been decluttering in spurts, for a year now. I have had people ask me how it’s going to save me time, if I’m still at it. As I have explained to them, it’s not just me involved. It’s my husband daughter as well. But bit by bit, we’re getting through it, while at the same time finishing renovations.
And I agree with Trisha, the more stuff you get rid of, the less time it takes to clean. It is very time consuming to sweep or vacuum a floor, when you have to pick up stuff along the way.
By the way, it sounds like you are coming right along with getting your house in order. Baby steps, baby steps! And one day you will look around and realize you’re all grown up, lol!
Thank you!
I actually refuse to give V an allowance. I explained he is here to help and be part of a family and that doesn’t mean he gets money for that. I also explained that if I was to give him an allowance, those times (very few and far in between) when he askes for something..he would need to bring his own money because I am not paying for anything extra for him. He quickly realized he didn’t want that. He doesn’t have solid chores, as homework/school/physical activities are his priority. I ask him if he wants to help cook, and he normally does. He MUST pick up once weekly, so I can vacuum and that is all I ask. Please remember he is in before and after school care daily from 7am until 5:30 pm. So I don’t want to stifle his creativity by making him clean up daily.
I see your point, you have a way longer day than we do. For me it’s also about the money management part too, and encouraging her to think about whether or not she really wants something. It’s very easy for her to spend OUR money!
RE: Meal Planning- It actually gets easier. I used to be famous for planning meals and then not following through on the plan. Mainly because I got lazy or sidetracked. But, when I realized how much food I was wasting (wilted ingredients, etc.) I decided to get firm with myself. That was two years ago. It took about 4 or 5 months for it to actually become routine that I followed the meal plan on the post-it note on my fridge. Now, I still stray, but is the exception rather than the rule and it doesn’t feel like such a chore. (also, I always try to add a couple of easy salad, soup or crock pot nights on the days we are typically busy)
I know the feeling about wasting food, I’ve gotten fed up with myself in that regard too. A new deli just opened down the road from us and has good sandwiches- I think getting dinner from there will be a semi regular option for us too as it will save time, and I want to support this place because so many small businesses go belly up quickly in my town.
I have given my two children allowance since they learned what the values of the coins were, and how they add up to a dollar (we homeschool). It gave me a good starting point, and it gave them impetus to learn their math! I give them allowance, not for doing chores, but as a member of the family. We all have things we want to buy from time to time. But the brilliance of it, for me, is that I don’t buy anything else for them. I provide clothes, school supplies, essentials, but ALL other things come from allowance. Want a pack of gum? Buy it yourself. Want to go to the school dance? That’s your $5. If they aren’t willing to spend their money on it, they don’t want it badly enough for me to spend family money.
I also have them put away half their (large) allowance for savings, for college or something long-term. And ten percent goes to charity. I want them to know how to allocate money when they are getting a salary some day.
I like the idea of dividing it up, and I want her to think about what she does with her money. As I commented to someone else, my daughter has no problem spending our money but if she has a limited amount of hers I think it will encourage her to make better decisions.
I have been enjoying reading through the archives but the link on the top right of each post (that had the title of the next post, allowing me to read old to new) seems to have disappeared entirely. Wondering if there is a way to get this back so I can keep reading? Or is this still possible somehow but I’m just missing it? Thanks for any help you can give!
Hi Liz, thanks for reading. I did not see a link on the top right of my screen either, but I chose a random entry and tried clicking on the date. The same post came up and there were links on both the left and right side for previous and next entries. I hope I explained that well and that it helps you.