My Routine Update + Cleaning Routine Addition

My Routine: Pilot Status Check

So far, so good! I loved having the routine as my guide; I felt like I got so much done today, and still had fun time to enjoy with Annabel. Even though I do love sleeping in, it actually felt so much better to get up early and have time to myself. It was so relaxing! Who knew?? Maybe the best part: I was able to drink an entire mug of coffee. Without interruption. Le sigh.

I didn't do everything in the exact order of my routine, but as Crystal from MoneySavingMom.com says, that is OK! And it's the reason why it's a routine and not a schedule.

This morning I was thinking about this whole effort: researching, testing, and implementing a new routine. And the fact that it probably sounds silly to some people, because sometimes I think it's silly. Shouldn't I be able to just know what to do when?! Is this a whole lot of work for nothing??

But then I remind myself of the same thing I wrong about in my post on 27 April; I tend to overwhelm myself with the amount of things I want to get done. If I only have a mental to-do list, my brain kicks into overdrive and my stress levels shoot through the roof!

Also, in my corporate work life I loved having a list of things to do, because nothing feels better than crossing something off that list. And thanks to the test run today, I now know the same holds true for my stay-at-home life! I loved crossing things off my routine as I got them done.

The pilot continues...

Cleaning Routine

Meanwhile, yesterday I decided that I'd start mocking up a cleaning routine as well. Which reminded me of a great blog I found while Pinteresting (is that a real word yet?) months ago. And specifically, of a cleaning routine idea on said blog.

Said blog is iHeart Organizing, which I have yet to explore in detail. But I can attest to the fact that her Cleaning Routine idea is great. It's exactly the kind of cleaning routine style I like, with daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual cleaning tasks to check off. I decided not to use her exact list, but instead used it as a starting point and then edited it a bit. I'm guessing it'll be edited even more as I put it to use!

Here are my tasks so far. I decided to start with weekly, monthly, and quarterly:

Weekly cleaning tasks	Monthly cleaning tasks	Quarterly cleaning tasks
Clean toilets Wipe bathroom sinks/counters Clean bathroom floors Clean bathtubs + shower Sweep wood floor Vacuum first floor Vacuum second floor Vacuum stairs Dust first floor (basic) Dust second floor (basic) Wash sheets Wash towels	Clean refrigerator Clean microwave Full kitchen counter wipe First floor windows Second floor windows Purse / diaper bag reorg Clean kitchen garbage can Wash bath rugs Wash comforter	Change air filter Wash pillow cases Wash couch cover Clean oven Vacuum mattresses

End-of-Day Results

Crystal from MoneySavingMom.com bravely posts what she gets done per day, so maybe I will too?? I'm feeling pretty brave today anyway, so here 'tis:

Morning routine

• 6:00 Wake up time – Em
• Shower, get dressed
• Coffee
• Start a load of laundry
• Make Zach's lunch (N/A)
• 7:15 Wake up time – Annabel (8:15)
• 8:00 Breakfast
• Switch laundry to dryer
• Fun time!

Afternoon routine

• 11:00 Lunch – Annabel
• Fold laundry
• 11:30 Nap – Annabel (12:15)
• 12:00 Lunch – Em
• Clean up kitchen
• Straighten bathrooms & bedrooms
• Cleaning task
• 2:00 Wake up – Annabel
• Fun time!

Evening routine

• 5:30 Dinner
• Clean up kitchen
• 7:30 Bed time – Annabel
• 10-minute house pickup
• Scoop kitty litter
• Read
• 10:00 Bed time – Em

For my cleaning task time slot, I was able to cross off FOUR weekly cleaning tasks! Yeah, I'm still in the overexuberant stage.

• Clean toilets
  
• Wipe bathroom sinks/counters
• Wash sheets 
• Wash towels

We'll see how the rest of the week goes!!

Now I'm off to do the 10-minute house pickup, kitty litter scoopin', then a good book is calling my name...