Were you thinking smoking? Nope. That one’s expensive, but this one is even more so. It’s being disorganized.
When you are disorganized you might have to pay a late fee for a bill you didn’t see. Eating out is tempting when you can’t find the kitchen sink. Family game night doesn’t sound much fun when the dining table is covered with a craft project. And when you can’t find something, you might buy it again. I know because I’ve done it…all of it.
I’ve decided to make a change, one day at a time. I’ve made a big mess over here, tearing up the entire main floor of the house at once for a remodel. What was I thinking? It’s been months, and I’ve lost traction. I can’t fix it overnight but I can do one thing each day. I’ve taken some inspiration from the Fly Lady. I don’t have a sink to shine, so I shined my kitchen floor instead. Beautiful!
I love her saying: “Housework done imperfectly still blesses my family.”
In addition to one one-time project I’m going to do some daily maintenance.
Photo Credit: BHG.com
1. Squirt cheap great smelling shampoo in the toilet and swish every morning.
2. Squeegee down the shower and wipe out the tub after my shower. (When I am consistent with this I only have to deep clean every other month or so.)
3. Wipe down the mirror.
4. Fix dinner before breakfast :). I love my slow cooker.
5. Spot clean my kitchen floor. My favorite way to clean is to dilute my cleaner (right now I’m using Murphy’s Oil Soap on our new hardwood floor) in a 32 oz spray bottle and just squirt and wipe. It gets cleaner than with a mop and bucket because I’m not spreading dirty water around. It’s also a lot easier and a lot less expensive.
Part of my projects list include finding a place for everything or getting rid of it. Right now we are having a problem with towels, mail, coupons, and craft projects! Also several of my bathrooms lack toilet paper or toilet wipe holders and have magazines on the floor most of the time. I’ll let you know how it goes. I’ve got some ideas and I’m hoping to surprise DH with the transformation. (A good surprise. Not like the, “I tore up your house and there’s no hard wood”, surprise.)
One last thing. The thing that will be hardest for me….I’m giving myself office hours. I love checking my email and answering questions and responding to blog comments. I pop in and out all day doing it, just a few minutes at a time. But DH pointed out how it wasn’t efficient and that I could do so many other things I loved if I would squeeze those activities together and limit my time. So I will be reading and writing and shipping packages between 2 and 4 pm each day. Now instead of checking my mail when I roll out of bed I will open the Good Book and then pull on my sneakers for a little workout. So here’s to a new house and a new me!
I agree that disorganisation is a big waste… but for me, as much as I *try* to be organised, it seems like an overwhelmingly impossible task because this house is HUGELY lacking in storage space… and space – period! It is hard to make a small and cluttered house organised. I like the idea of wiping the shower down after each shower, especially – I dread cleaning our shower because it always seems so messy… maybe I could improve that by keeping it cleaner constantly – thanks for the good tip!
Regarding going online regularly thru the day, I’ve just recently quit doing that in favour of getting homeschooling and housework and chores and such out the way *first* and then going online, rather than trying to squeeze everything else *around* going online… And it feels SO good and wastes so much less time!! I hope it works for you, too! 🙂
We must have been on the same wavelength. I got up made my bed, exercised, showered, got E breakfast and read to her before I sat down here. Go, Angela!!!
I’ve been following the FlyLady for years! I raise two grandchildren and homeschooled them. ONe day I looked around and said to myself, “How can I survive?!” The answer was to declutter. I only have large objects for decorations and I keep everything as clear as can be. OK, maybe not my scrapbook area…ugh! But, I follow her zones and schedule and it makes life sooooo much easier. My daughter and I laugh when we are out shopping…we ask ourselves if the item we want will be a garage sale item in a few months time…then we don’t buy it!
My problem area is groceries and meals (although I do cook for five each day), so that is why I am following your blog. You are a great help to keep me motivated! Thank you!
Go you!! Nester had an awesome post a while back about simplifying the house… ditching the 20 towels on the floor (with only 3 kids), kicking the 30 drinking glasses to wash each night, etc. It was a great, easy, practical look at a few of the most glaring “organizational” problems that can be fixed quickly! I think I’ll start the office hours mentality as well!!
good for you on the office hours and new you! i need a new me! 🙂
I had to laugh at this post because it was like describing me and my house! Take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. I am slowly trying to get organized….but I think the big guns will come out when the kids start back to school…I find I am more disorganized with them home. For now, baby steps…one room at a time. Good luck!
I totally hear you about setting office hours for the computer. I REALLY need to do that!!!
What proportions of Murphy’s to water do you use? I had a Murphy’s spray cleaner that was wonderfully efficient, but also quite expensive. I thought of making my own, but am not sure of proportions. Thanks! 🙂
I use about 2 Tablespoons Murphy’s to 4 cups of water. It works great!
The Flylady completely changed my life. I love the idea of rotating stock in the pantry, etc. to keep things organized. It is amazing how much money you spend on the items you already have because you haven’t been organized. Now… I just need to find a way to organize my spices & freezer.