According to the dictionary, restless is defined: characterized by or showing inability to remain at rest;unquiet or uneasy, as a person,the mind, or the heart. never at rest; perpetually agitated or in motion

When my kids were toddlers, I thought when they were older I would have so much time to get things done. This was definitely a huge misconception on my part. Instead of changing diapers and picking up toys, I’m shuttling teenagers from one activity to another.

This schedule allows for little time to complete tasks at home. Those things like laundry, cleaning toilets, meal planning & preparation  have taken a back seat to our schedule.

I recently decided I needed a change. I was tired of being concerned about what needed to be done instead of just doing it . Many years ago, I used the Flylady system to clean and organize my house and it worked great. I knew I needed a modification of this system. I didn’t want a system to work me, I wanted to work the system.

I know my personality. I am a starter and for me to stick with this, the plan needed to be easy and start off small. This is not rocket science, it is very simple, but works for me.

In the morning when I get up:
Wake up
Make bed including all the pillows
Brush teeth
Get ready
*Wipe off the bathroom counter with a wet wipe (2X a week I use a Clorox wipe)
*Wipe around toilet & toilet seat with wet wipe (every other day-2X a week I use a Clorox wipe)
*Take toilet bowl brush and scrub inside toilet (every other day-once a week I use cleaner)
*Wipe out shower and tub with a wet wipe including walls of it (every other day-2X a week I use a Clorox wipe)
*Sweep bathroom floor (every other day)
*Empty the trash- I keep little grocery sacks under my sinks for this
Take any dishes or glasses out of bedroom
Put on one load of laundry to wash
Decide what is for dinner and make prep now. If you have a menu follow the menu.

Turn on dishwasher.

*Do the bathroom items for each bathroom you have. I am training my boys to wipe out the sink with a wet wipe after they brush their teeth.

Afternoon: while making dinner or before
Transfer laundry to dryer
If dishwasher was turned on in the morning, empty dishwasher & set table for dinner.

Before bed:
Sink emptied and scrubbed
Counters & appliances wiped down and everything put away
Pile on counter where mail lands, cleared
Pillows put on couch & loveseat in den
Stray dishes or glasses collected and put in dishwasher
Stray items returned to their homes
Kitchen floor swept
Clothes ready for tomorrow
Kitchen table wiped off and nothing on it.
Bath taken

I may delegate some of these items, but I try and make sure they are done each day. I am not perfect and some items may not get done every day, but for the most part they are done. This has made my life so much easier.  I am not trying to do more than these things right now except once a week I dust, mop and vacuum.

I am making these items habits in my life before moving on to really organizing anything. My house really isn’t out of control. I just needed a system to keep it clean. You can check out Flylady for more information.