I’ve finally gotten into a sort of manageable workflow with caring for our home. For so long my to-do list said something to the effect of “set up a schedule.” I would try various things with chores and school and activities and errands, but nothing ever stuck with consistency. With that came a scatterbrained attempt at keeping up with the details. Days would go by without cleaning or without thinking about math or science. Then I would feel guilty and throw myself into action, cleaning frantically or frustratingly forcing a lesson with my kids. I never felt together.
Over the course of this last year I have been learning about the power of little things done with consistency. I’ve learned this through doing the 30 Day Shred. I’ve learned this through writing a novel. I’ve learned this through teaching art classes on a weekly basis. I’ve been trying to learn this with spending money on a budget and now I’m learning this in the upkeep of my home.
Things are assigned a day. I trust the schedule. I don’t have to worry or stress over the messy bathroom today because it will be taken care of on it’s scheduled day. I don’t have to worry about not being social today because I have days scheduled to hang with friends and for my kids to hang with friends. I don’t have to worry about all those boring scheduling questions I need to run by Tony because we have a nite set aside to talk over the details.
The hardest part, for me, in keeping a schedule is trusting the system. Because in the middle of doing it it can feel rigid and unnecessary and even stifling. The bathrooms look clean, why clean them today? I’m tired, maybe I’ll skip the “meeting” with Tony. What is one week without my kids doing science? No biggie.
But I’ve learned this about myself…if I skip it once I’ll skip it again and the next time will be even easier. Soon I’ll be back to weeks gone by and guilt setting in. I don’t care to be there. That’s precisely what I’m trying to avoid.
So I’m careful. If life happens and my schedule must be adjusted I think through the details of how I will put myself back on track the next day. I don’t beat myself up over it, I just think smart.
I suddenly am aware of how a few small choices every day can bring a world of change to my life. It’s not easy, but it’s so worth it. With a system in place I am freed up to live my life creatively and richly. Sometimes that truth alone is what motivates me to keep on keepin’ on.
So, what are a couple of small things you do in your life regularly that reap a great reward? Do you have more tips for managing the home? Though I’ve been doing it for 10 years, I so often feel like a newbie!
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
hi mandy!
i do the same thing and i love it. each day has one assigned “job.” all i have to do besides that in a day is straighten up, and if i stick to my schedule, my house stays clean. although i can’t imagine how hard it must be to manage homeschooling along with that, i firmly believe in scheduling. even though i may feel moments of suffocation, i feel more freedom than ever…not having a huge mess hanging over my head! this book was really helpful to me… http://www.amazon.com/Mothers-Rule-Life-Bring-Order/dp/1928832415/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1266334698&sr=8-1
Hi. I’ve enjoyed looking through your Ireland pictures. Wow are they beautiful. I hope to go there some day. There is such a whimsical feel to Ireland. I’m so glad to hear you can relate to the freedom that comes from a schedule. It’s nice to know I’m not alone. It’s amazing to me how just a bit of planning and stick to it can in fact free me up more. The book does look really good!
I so relate to this post! I desire to have some sort of schedule or routine because I know it helps and it really does create freedom, but I get stuck when something doesn’t go to plan and I feel like I’m playing ‘catch-up’ all week. I like your thinking of knowing that adjustments need to be made some days without beating yourself up about it. I think in general that I struggle with making small steps. I know where I want to be and I just want to be there NOW!
Thanks for the reminder that the small steps really do matter! It goes well with my word balance!
Wow, so Cori pretty much sounds like my inner voice!
I was just telling Andrew the other day “I hate to dust. HATE IT. Maybe if I put it on a weekly to-do list, I’d actually feel compelled to do it on a regular basis.” Like you, the hard part is sticking to it even when things already seem clean…or getting back to it if I miss a day. Thanks for the thoughts. Will have to chew on this some more.
i hope one day i can write this post!
I have been a stay at home mom for almost 7 months now after working FT for 14 years….this just encouraged me SO much. there is a scripture that says when we are faithful in the little things, we will be made ruler over many things. i know that is so true, when God sees our faithfulness coupled with discipline.