“I am a perfectionist and cleaning and organizing have always felt therapeutic for me.” That is the truth, and it’s what I tell people when they ask me how I keep my house so clean all of the time! If my living space is constantly a mess, than my brain feels that way too. There is something about cleaning a space that makes my mind feel clear also! Even so, when it came to cleaning my home in the past, sometimes I was constantly cleaning or panic cleaning everything top to bottom in one day because I didn’t have a good system. It was easy to suddenly become overwhelmed with tasks and felt like some were falling through the cracks or I was falling behind. I could get it done but just didn’t have a system or know quite where to start.
Still, I don’t truly have a “system”. Trying to jump into any type of new cleaning system or schedule and expecting it to work right away will feel overwhelming, and as a perfectionist I know it can set me up for failure. Also as a mom, some seasons of life call for many things to take a back burner for a while, and it might feel hard enough to keep up with just the minimal tasks. I’ve been there and I know what survival mode feels like.
My cleaning “system” is simply a plan to make small changes and develop routines that eventually turn into regular lasting and life changing habits.
I am a visual learner, and so whenever I want to implement something new, I write it down and find a way that will help me stick to it first. Creating checklists help me feel that satisfaction of crossing it off and feeling accomplished. When one thing is done, it gives me motivation to do the next thing. I am a pen and paper girl all the way, and utilizing checklists can help with…
- Gaining mental clarity
- Better memory
- Helping with productivity
- Increasing motivation
- Promoting consistency
For weekly cleaning, first decide which main tasks are a priority in your home and then designate one or two of them to each day of the week to create a weekly cleaning checklist.
For me, when everything is off of my mind and written down I am reassured that nothing will be forgotten. Designating each day helps me remember the flow of the week easily and if I need to skip, switch or catchup a day, it won’t be a big deal. Rest assured, I can ease my perfectionist mind that everything will fall back into rotation again and I know there is a plan to cover what needs to be done. Here is what my weekly cleaning checklist looks like.
Once you find what works for you for a while, try adding in more tasks each day that you want to incorporate as well. Download my checklist or click here to print and make your own!
For daily cleaning, creating an evening and morning checklist works really well because instead having a general daily tasks to-do list, you are designating specific tasks and parts of your day to promote better routine habits. In addition to cleaning I also add in other tasks that help the following morning run smoother and they look a bit like,
- Close a clean kitchen, clean and clear sink, run the dishwasher
- Lunches/leftovers are prepared and packaged for next day
- Dirty laundry is collected and a load of wash is run
- Clean kitchen hand towels and cloths are set out
- General home pickup and tidy are done
- Etc.
The morning checklist consists of tasks such as clothes from the washer go right into the dryer or hung to dry, and the dishes in the dishwasher get put away so it is ready to be loaded through the day to keep a clear sink. I also make my bed and depending on the day I will complete my daily cleaning for the day after breakfast.
Creating simple checklists like these whether it be cleaning, or anything else that you hope to keep up with, can be a great start to developing regular routines you won’t even have to think much about anymore! This system can set you up for success in keeping long lasting habits and a cleaner home.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,
Colossians 3:23-24
knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward.
You are serving the Lord Christ.
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