After the discussion on clutter, I have been thinking about how I handle my housecleaning and how discontent I am without routines. My daily life often is hectic and I find at times, I end up dropping routine things that keep our lives and home in order. Then I try to scrabble and catch up and end up overwhelmed.

I am doing that scrabble currently. After assessing the challenges I face in orderly behaviours, I realised some assistance in staying on track might be in order. I decided to try the full Flylady program again.

Is anyone else here using the Flylady system?

I don't necessarily use it but I've read over her website and already incorporate a lot of her tips/suggestions.

I am all about the quick clean up! Every afternoon after work and then before bed I do a quick 3-5 minute "sweep" of our mobile home (I add that in because I'm sure it would take longer with a large house). It's amazing what you can pick up, organize, clean, etc. in 3-5 minutes and when you do it consitantly it really helps the housework overall to not pile up.

I also am a complete nerd (lol) and am all about the To Do lists. I have one for every day. I dont always follow it exactly but each day I make sure that I set goals and do my best to meet them. To Do's during the work week include things like: balancing check book, throwing on a batch of clothes, hanging clothes to dry, dishes (every night), menu planning, clean out fridge, quick bathroom clean, clean up desk (where all our bills and mail gets stacked up) etc. I try to do at least 2 a night and so on the weekends I don't have a whole lot to do as far as cleaning goes.

One thing I disagree with FlyLady on is multitasking. She advocates focusing on one thing at a time. I'm the total opposite. For instance, while I'm cooking supper I am also doing dishes, givng my DD a snack or dinner, cleaning counter tops, etc. I do this not only to make the best use of my time but so that at the end of the evening I have more things accomplished.

I think the FlyLady site is pretty popular.

God bless,

Julie

No, but I need to!  I did Flylady for awhile when I was working (it's been a few years) and it really did help me make some progress.  Maybe I'll join you!

I don't know that I'll sign up for the emails again-they send A LOT.  But I think on their website (at least they used to) include what they were doing/working on for the day/week/month, etc.  So I'll start browsing there.  Routines do make things faster and easier, that is definitely true.

PS-CHAOS is one of my favorite acronyms ever.  Whenever we have CHAOS here, I say to my husband  "Oops we're in CHAOS again!"  He laughs as he remembers what is stands for.  My favorite thing from the flylady site.  Usually it because the mail has piled up, the laundry is sitting on the chair waiting to be folded and the toys are just  . . . well . . . everywhere!

("Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome" for those who haven't seen flylady before.)

I did the FlyLady system for a couple of years right before and after my first son was born. I enjoyed her methods but adapted them to my lifestyle. DH still does an occasional "27 Fling Boogie!" (Try to get 27 things picked up in a set amount of time, say 10 minutes, and then put away or toss or recycle). I also still do a 3-5  minute zone attack, such as working on the kitchen counter for 5 mintues to declutter and put away. I started using the timer because of her so I don't get so sidetracked. Only work in small increments. I do a "swish and swipe" of the bathroom every day and it really has cut down on the hard-core cleaning as I just stay on top of it. DH and I also shine the sink every night--no dirty dishes left in the kitchen sink. I also get "dressed to my toes" every day, even when I am at home. It really helps my mindframe of getting things accomplished if I'm not in my bathrobe at 10:30 a.m.

I forgot about CHAOS. We are in the middle of that right now, LOL. I agree that the emails became overwhelming so I quit that portion. I encourage any person to read about her at her website (FlyLady.net, I believe) and her suggestions. Overall, her methods do make sense and do help. Sometimes, I just have to adapt to my lifestyle.

Brandy, let us know how it is working for you! With moving, I may have to incorporate more of her methods.

Julie,

I definitely multi-task with my day starting at 5 am and ending at about 10 pm. I help my husband with his paperwork and that's a six to seven day a week job then I homeschool, manage the house, write and do a bit manually/from scratch.

With housecleaning, I find the home office and the schooling area become clutter zones that are hard to deal with.

jennylyn:

I don't know that I'll sign up for the emails again-they send A LOT

I had gotten them a couple years ago but found the volume to be too much and canceled them. Since I am looking for some motivation to get back on track, I will try the e-mails.

I LOVE the FlyLady system and I have even purchased some tools that have actually helped me save money.  I have a feather duster, two timers, and the Office in a Bag, which is my absolute favorite.  I don't like all the emails, but I'm signed up anyway b/c I like the testamonials.  Whenever it irritates me (like when some things sound too righteous), I just don't read them for a while.  I don't do everything she says, but I've incorporated a lot of ideas (I rarely clean for more than 15 minutes without taking a break).  And if you read through her site that's really what she wants people to do; sure you can follow hers if you're completely lost, but the key to making it work is to develope your own routines and just use her as a guide.

sunshinetreva:

sure you can follow hers if you're completely lost, but the key to making it work is to develope your own routines and just use her as a guide

I keep dropping my routines when life gets away from me. I am hoping this system gives me the motivation to work through those times.

I LOVE Flylady!!! now if I can just remember only 15 minutes at a time so I can stop crashing and burning......

I am still trying to get the weekly home blessing hour done but its never on mondays lol