Just The Basics...

I want to start by saying this. You are not me. You are not anyone else. YOU are YOU! So, you most likely cannot do exactly what I do and make it work in your life. You have to customize your plan around your life, your schedule, your family, your lifestyle, and your favorite things.

I want to help you create what works for you, help you organize in a way that works for you, and empower you to create a beautiful space where you are with what you have. Nothing good comes from the ugly green monster that creeps in and causes you to want what someone else has. Some of what I will be sharing is what I've learned, and some I will be learning with you because I believe we will always be growing and learning - and to
be honest, our lives won't look the same from season to season.

Now, to the basics. Here is what I know. I like a tidy house and order - but we live in our house, and that too has to be ok. I have tried every system, every plan, tried to copy someone else's schedule and I have failed. Miserably. So, what I have come up with is there are basics we all need. They are what I consider the foundation of your keeping your home. And they aren't too much all at once IF you work it to fit YOUR life.

Summed up - these are the tricks in my toolbag. NOW, I will break these down in more detail in future posts, stay tuned! But for now - to get your mind going, I'll leave this here.

1. CLEANING CADDY - Fill it with your favorite cleaners and supplies. DON'T go crazy, but find what you truly love and get them corralled in one area.
2. EVENING PLAN - This is THE SINGLE most important thing I have. It is the absolutes of every evening. Sick or well, I can complete these things to make tomorrow easier and start each day off well.
3. MORNING PLAN - This is the second most important thing. It is what I do to set the tone for the day. It is the minimal things I MUST get done to feel like I can tackle today!
4. 10 MINUTE TIDY - Take 10 minutes and tidy up a room. Just 10 minutes. The end. I normally choose the main area and/or the half bath - basically areas a guest would see if they visited.
5. 20-30 MINUTE SHUFFLE - This shuffle is for when you have a little bigger margin of time - it might be a whole floor or a bathroom and kitchen that need attention. Whatever you can do in 20-30 minutes.
6. 1 HOUR BUST A MOVE - This is my favorite. When I have busy weeks - I'll do this 2x a week and miss out on my "normal" cleaning but no one would know. I find an hour block of time, make a list from most important to least important and GO! No TV just music and moving. I normally end up sweating through this time, but it's good for me and my home!

7. WEEKLY PLAN - And finally, we have "The Plan." Each day has chores to accomplish, and this plan MUST be flexible, because.....life. 

If all of this seems crazy or overwhelming - stop and breathe. All of this won't happen overnight. But slowly you will create and build habits to the point where your house is rarely more than 10-15 minutes to company ready. And you will begin to enjoy time with your family again. You'll have free time and a tidy house. 

There are additional things I do beyond these things - but they are on an as-needed (or as I have time) basis. 

Stay tuned. I will be breaking my basics down into greater detail for you - SOON! Meanwhile, get your cleaning caddy ready! That is the beginning.....

Xoxo - Dee