Well were you able to keep that sink shiny yesterday? I have to admit I almost went to bed with dishes in the sink. One quick check and I discovered I had to put a few dishes in the dishwasher then rinse and dry my sink. It is always so refreshing to wake up in the morning to a clean kitchen. It only took me 2 minutes to tidy it up before I went to bed too. So yep those were 2 minutes well spent! Today let's add a simple morning routine and a simple after dinner routine. These routines are meant for maintenance only. We will get to the declutter phase in a few days time. Be patient with me and establish a few easy routines first. We didn't get in this mess in a few days so don't try to do it all in a few days either. It's not fun to crash and burn because we bit off more than we could chew.
Here is your small and simple morning routine. Get up and make your bed as soon as you get out of it. My husband and I have a little competition with this. Whoever gets out of the bed last has to make it. If you leave the house and don't make it, you owe the other person 5 bed makings. (I have been as far as 20 in debt to Dave) If you are not leaving the house that day don't worry we have a rule in place for that one too. If you don't make the bed by noon you owe the same 5 bed makings. If noon is not early enough for you bump it up to a time that is reasonable for both of you.
Next for the small and simple morning routine is go straight to the bathroom get dressed all the way to a lace up pair of shoes and fix your hair and face. (I'm a rebel here and fit the exercise in before I shower and do my hair and face) As you leave the bedroom in the morning take a load of laundry with you and start a load. Now you can head to the kitchen for the morning rush! If you did your after dinner routine your kitchen should be clean with a nice shiny sink. Take a few minutes to hit your "hot spots". This is anywhere that collects papers and junk faster than you know what to do with it. I have 3 in my kitchen, 1 in my front room and 2 in my bedroom that I like to hit every morning. Now don't be tempted to overhaul every spot. Just take 2 minutes every morning and before you know it those spots will get smaller and smaller until you have a happy space! I fit my scripture time in right around here too. When my kids were small I read scriptures at nap time.
Your after dinner routine starts as soon as you are finished eating. While everyone is in the kitchen do all the dishes and shine the sink together as a family. Kitchen will stay clean for the rest of the night. I do one last check when I go to bed because someone has always had a snack and left something out. While you are still in the kitchen pack any lunches you will need the next day. This also helps you stick on the healthy eating goal you have. (or in my case want to have) Next just set out everything you will need in the morning. Clothes, backpacks, keys, purse etc. Kids also love the security of a routine. Involve them in this also! Now just take some time for yourself to have some down time or play with the kids. However you unwind. Get a full nights sleep! In Proverbs 16:32 it says He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. I am much slower to anger when I have a full nights sleep!
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