Years ago, my husband was reading a book on how to keep our home organized. Yes, I know you’re probably thinking, “Why was her husband reading this instead of her?” Well, if you knew my husband, you would know that he reads just about anything in print, he reads quickly, and then is great at giving me the high points of whatever book he’s just finished. So, if I want to know quickly how to organize things around our home, have him read the book!
Anyway, I remember he shared three main points with me on how to feel successful and to keep things running smoothly on a daily basis in our home. These points are ones to focus on daily so that you never feel like life is out of control. So, if you ever have days when you’re trying to decide what “fights” to battle and where to start in your home, focus on these:
Know What’s for Dinner by 9 a.m. in the Morning
When a woman knows what her family will be having for dinner each night, it greatly relieves tension and stress for her. Whether it’s dinner at church, eating out, or a home-cooked meal, just knowing how this part of her day will be taken care of is a huge stress reliever.
Whether you use your own menu planning system, or subscribe to one like E-mealz, it’s important to have this area of your daily life planned.
Keep the Entryway of Your Home Declutter
First impressions are important, even when it is your own home. If you’ve been gone on an errand or are coming back from a vacation, the appearance and maintenance of your main entrance into your home is vital. Whether it’s the front door or your garage entrance, keep this area neat and inviting. Nobody enjoys stepping over shoes, toys, and other paraphernalia scattered across the floor (plus this can be dangerous, too.)
Keep the Laundry Caught Up
The necessity of washing clothes doesn’t look like it’s going to change anytime soon, so the sooner you get this area of your life under control, the better you will feel about your job. Whether you wash clothes everyday, or once a week like I do, you definitely don’t want to let dirty clothes pile up, or clean clothes to get stuck in baskets.
This is a life skill to get your children involved in, especially if they are at home like mine are. I wrote a post about how we handle laundry at our house. It has freed me up to do many other things with my time and has taught my children responsibility for their own clothing. Although Faith grew up under this system, she now handles her laundry days differently from me.
However you decide to organize these three important jobs and areas of your home, be sure to work your system. It can make all the difference in your ability to feel successful or to feel overwhelmed.
