We free spirits balk at words like "structure." To our creative, fun-loving souls, structure sounds like prison. We want to live free to drop what we are doing so we can fly kites and raise chickens if we want and draw pictures and have lattes with with friends at sidewalk cafes.
I'll be the first one to tell you that those are all good things. I need to be able to color outside the lines and have options in my day or I just shut down.
Problem is, flying by the seat of your pants every single day can be messy. You can quickly find yourself in a quagmire of craft materials, laundry and dishes from last night's culinary experiment.
I've found that putting just enough structure in my day gives me a clear-eyed view of what needs to get done without putting me in a prison of endless chores. A simple housekeeping schedule is a lifesaver. It's a Tidy Habit.
Here is my most popular post on setting up a Housekeeping Schedule.
It is worth taking the time to review, because family life changes often. Work schedules change, kids grow, your needs fluctuate....so there will never be a "finished" schedule for getting things done around the house. Now that my kids are off on their own, I don't need it nearly as much as I once did....but there WAS a time I clung to it like a life raft, and I'm not even kidding. It kept me from insanity.
You will benefit from these posts as well, Step 1 and Step 2, which lead up to the Housekeeping Schedule. There are several downloads and blank schedules to help you.
Download and print away, my friends!
Today's Small Thing is to review or set up a simple schedule that will help you keep things tidy.
You don't have to be a slave to a schedule. It is simply a tool to break the enormous tasks into manageable bites so you have time to chase butterflies and rock babies. In the big scheme of things, having your sink empty of dishes is far less important than most other things women do in a day. This helps us put things into perspective and keep joyful so we can focus on meaningful relationships, serving others and having lattes with friends at sidewalk cafes.
How about you? Do you have a schedule that works for you? Do you use a two-week schedule? Never tried it? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
