As I mentioned on Monday, a small bought of spring cleaning fever recently hit our family. This, in turn, got me once again thinking about Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life – but not how you might expect. Streamlining my home brought back (with a vengeance) all my yearnings to streamline my time.
I’d especially like to return to the topics of daily routines and weekly schedules. I’m really glad we covered all that we did in regards to cleaning in the beginning (Lord knows I can always use help in that arena) but that was never really the point of POYEL. If you look back at the original post, you’ll see that I only actually wrote a single, solitary word about cleaning.
Recently we’ve touched on the idea of examining our priorities and establishing a rhythm to our days. Today, I want to get a little more practical and talk about what’s needed to actually accomplish our lofty goals. I’ve talked with so many of my mom friends about this during play dates or over coffee. We all agree, when everyone’s basic needs are met (we’re talking kids and mom) things just go so much better.
So I sat down and wrote myself a list – a dozen commandments to try to stick to even when life is crazy busy (that’s when these things are actually the most important). My basic needs may not exactly match up to yours. Maybe the sight of laundry piling-up doesn’t give you an involuntary tick like it does me… if your mind doesn’t seem to start racing the minute your head hits the pillow at night then #11 might not be essential… and perhaps you even like the challenge of figuring out a new recipe around 5:00pm each night (sicko).
I encourage you to take 15 minutes and think about the small things you can do to eliminate stress and frustration from your daily life. Write them down and resolve to stick to them for at least a week, even if it means putting your needs before the vacuuming every once in a while. Easier said then done, believe me, I know. But try it anyway and let me know how it goes!