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4 Home routines I didn’t stick to last week (and wish I had)

April 6, 2015

Last week was really busy for us and I dropped the ball on pretty much all my usual cleaning and household routines. I hadn’t really noticed before how well the routines were working for us until I stopped them altogether. It wasn’t pretty friends.

This made me think about what I usually do on a daily basis around our home to keep things running fairly smoothly. Today I’m getting back in the swing of things and wanted share with you what routines help me and hopefully hear from you on what works for you and your home!

Here are the routines I didn’t stick to last week, pictures and all:

IMG_92141. Laundry

Routine: Complete one to two loads per day

You see the above picture with all the laundry? That would be the beauty and splendor that was our laundry pile Saturday. I know, I know, it’s quite a sight to behold. I really don’t like getting this behind in the laundry department. Mostly because I like having clean clothes to wear, lol! That’s why I typically aim to wash, fold and put away one to two loads per day. It makes the laundry “load” (see what I did there?) more manageable. I separate our laundry into four categories:

1. Darks

2. Whites/Lights

3. Towels/Rugs

4. Pajamas/Socks/Underwear

The first three categories are pretty standard but the fourth is something I started doing a couple months ago. To me, these are pretty much the essential clothing items we need washed most frequently. Grouping them in their own category and washing this load first has made it so we always have them clean and available. It’s been awesome!

In the morning, once we have breakfast and the kids are playing, I take a basket and go upstairs to each bedroom and bathroom and collect all dirty clothes, towels, whatever needs washing. The better I am about doing this daily, the less there is to collect each morning. Then I go to the garage where our washer and dryer are, separate and get the washer going.

My favorite place to fold laundry is on the kitchen counter. I like that it’s high enough where I don’t have to bend down and I like that I get a good view of the littles and what they’re up to.

Putting away the laundry is the part I find most challenging. But if I do one or two loads a day, it doesn’t take very long and it’s so nice having everything in it’s place when we need it.

IMG_92432. Dishes

Routine: Fill dishwasher every time the left side of the sink is full

For dishes I like to keep the right side empty (as a work space for washing) and do the dishes every time the left side of the sink is filled. As you can see above, I totally didn’t do that last week. Not the end of the world but I would much rather spend five to ten minutes doing the dishes then thirty or forty. Who’s with me?

IMG_90473. General Cleaning

Routine: Quick pick-ups throughout the day

This is my sanity-saver. With littles I find it necessary to do a quick pick up around the house every couple hours or so to keep the mess under control. Otherwise you end up cleaning for an hour once the littles are in bed and that’s fun for no one. I try and spread out my cleaning throughout the day so that once the boys are asleep at night, I can rest. It makes for a much more pleasant mama the next day ;)

IMG_92954. Meal Planning

Routine: Fill in meal planning notebook weekly

Didn’t I just blog about how I’ve been sticking to this?! Oh boy. Well, last week when it was time to restock the kitchen (I guess rice cakes aren’t lunch food?), I didn’t make a meal plan beforehand and went grocery shopping anyway. Totally winged it and totally regret it. The days following, I was unsure of what I should be making for dinners and and just felt unprepared in this area. Lesson learned. Back to a plan this week! I have been meal planning about three years now but my method of meal planning has changed quite often throughout the years. My new favorite method was recommended to me by my friend, Erica. (Her blog, Inspired By Above is amazing, you should check it out!)

For this method, using a composition book (pictured above), write your meal plan on one side and your grocery list on the page adjacent to it. I love this because it’s simple and keeps all your past meal plans in one place to reference back to.

IMG_2799Things are a little more under control now that the busyness has slowed down. I know it won’t last long but I am SO enjoying these five minutes of a clean house :)

Like I mentioned earlier, these are the routines I try to stick to. Messes and laundry are a fact of life but it helps our days go much better when things are where they should be around the house. I also want to note that Monday is our family rest day and I try to keep at least one day a week where I’m not doing much cleaning, etc if possible. Having a rest day is so good for the soul.

What routines keep your home running smoothly? Do you have a favorite meal planning method? If you have any questions or ideas to share I’d love to read them in the comments!

Xo,

Chrissy

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26 Comments

  • Reply Scarleth April 6, 2015 at 10:24 am

    I feel you on the laundry and can we just take a moment to praise Jesus for the creation of dishwashers!?!

    • Reply Chrissy Meyst April 6, 2015 at 11:36 pm

      Amen Sister! I’d be lost without it ;)

  • Reply Laura April 6, 2015 at 10:39 am

    Great ideas! I need to get better about meal planning. My favorite routine is dishes. I do them after every meal so we never have dirty dishes lying around. If my kitchen is clean when we wake up, my morning just works. It’s funny how routines change as kids grow and your need for sanity increases! Love ya sis! Your house looks amazing!

    • Reply Chrissy Meyst April 6, 2015 at 11:36 pm

      Thanks Laura! I say we just live near each other and I’ll do your laundry and you can do my dishes ;) Deal?? Love you!

  • Reply Lois April 6, 2015 at 10:44 am

    Hey Chrissy!! I LOVE reading your blog. You inspire me to be more hands on, even though I work (I get off of work at 2pm, and then pick Evan up from preschool). Then, it’s time to clean, clean, clean, and do groceries, and make dinner =) The meal planning notebook is such a great idea, I am stealing it right now!

    • Reply Chrissy Meyst April 6, 2015 at 11:35 pm

      Hi Lois! And thank you!! It really is a lot of work, I bet you’re doing an amazing job! It’s so wonderful to hear from you!

  • Reply Alina April 6, 2015 at 11:36 am

    This is such an awesome post! I’m definitely stealing the meal planning notebook idea.. I’m horrible at meal planning and normally just “wing it” which is challenging with a family of 6! The routine I find works for me great is sweeping the floor everyday ( sometimes several times) and then doing a quick mop once the boys are in bed. Thanks for all the great tips!!

    • Reply Chrissy Meyst April 6, 2015 at 11:33 pm

      Thanks Alina! Love the sweeping idea, I definitely need to work on that!

  • Reply Lori Meyst April 6, 2015 at 11:41 am

    Your home is beautiful!! Love to read this!!!

    • Reply Chrissy Meyst April 6, 2015 at 11:32 pm

      Thanks Mom! Love you!!

  • Reply Juli Williams April 6, 2015 at 4:07 pm

    Oh my goodness, I’m seriously reading and taking notes! This is such gold info. I’m glad you are being so transparent as well :)

    • Reply Chrissy Meyst April 6, 2015 at 11:31 pm

      Thanks Juli!!

  • Reply Denise April 6, 2015 at 6:08 pm

    I’m not even married and I don’t have kids and I’m loving this blog. I know your boys are still too young for this but it’s something you can implement when they are old enough to help. I come from a big family and the dishes would become overwhelming, not to mention all the cups and things left laying around, so we made a rule. Finish with the dish, wash it right away. The sink has been empty for years. Only things to wash are pots and pans from cooking.

    • Reply Chrissy Meyst April 6, 2015 at 11:30 pm

      Thanks Denise that means so much to me! I love that dish idea! When my boys get a little older I definitely want to implement that :)

  • Reply Jamie Gonzalez April 6, 2015 at 11:43 pm

    Thanks for all the tips! I am loving your blog. Reading it daily and looking forward to more post :)

    • Reply Chrissy Meyst April 7, 2015 at 8:04 am

      Thanks so much Jamie!! :)

  • Reply Mariet - Practicingnormal April 7, 2015 at 10:12 am

    I really should follow in your footsteps with meal planning. I’m absolutely terrible at it. I usually start to think about what’s for dinner an hour before. I’m sure I’ll be a lot better at it with a bit of planning. Stopping by from Titus2Tuesday.

    • Reply Chrissy Meyst April 7, 2015 at 12:29 pm

      Hi Mariet! I know what you mean, meal planning can be intimidating at first but once you get the hang of it, it can actually be fun and so helpful! Thanks for stopping by!

  • Reply Ariane April 8, 2015 at 7:33 am

    Finally got a chance to read The blog! Loving it. I’m heading out today to buy a notebook and start the meal planning. Oh and I love the pj/underwear/sock laundry sort. Stealing that one too!! Xoxo

    • Reply Chrissy Meyst April 8, 2015 at 6:06 pm

      Thanks so much Ariane! Yay! Let me know how it goes!! <3

  • Reply Amy May 7, 2015 at 12:41 am

    For the Laundry I do it twice a week. And those two days I clean good too. The rest is just little things here and there. I separate -darks, lights, towels/blankets, girls clothes, and then delicates like underwear, blouses etc . Love the meal planning book if not I wander a lot in the market lol it’s a great idea. And I agree sweep a little everyday like 5-10 and pick up here and there and it won’t pile up

    • Reply Chrissy Meyst May 7, 2015 at 7:41 am

      Thats an awesome routine Amy! I need to sweep more that’s for sure, haha. Laundry twice a week is great routine too. I used to do that but I kept missing my days and then I would get too backed up

  • Reply Maegan May 19, 2015 at 8:14 pm

    Hi Chrissy! Thank you for doing this. It is such an encouragement as I finally got around to reading!

    Thankful for each of you ladies that replied. I had a minor meltdown only a few days ago because I felt absolutely overwhelmed. The idea of coming home and doing laundry, cooking, and cleaning every other day of my life, hit me…LOL, it honestly hit me, and we don’t have any kiddies yet. But I am so glad that this is a pretty normal feeling, and between this post and the comments shared, I really believe I have the tools to move forward in this confidently and effectively, while still remembering that its a privilege. <3 Woohoo! I am most excited to implement the meal plan too! That's my biggest struggle.

    • Reply Chrissy Meyst May 20, 2015 at 7:40 am

      Maegan, you’re comment made my morning!! SO happy this was an encouragement to you, and I agree, the comments the ladies shared are so helpful!! It can be totally overwhelming, no matter what phase you’re in! But I love that you mentioned it’s a privilege, totally on point. Love you girl!

  • Reply Carol June 3, 2016 at 11:14 pm

    I just found your blog and love it!!! I am mommy to 5, and we live in south Haiti. Routine is SO IMPORTANT to keep the house going strong.
    One laundry tip I have to pass along that I LOVE is to keep 3 tubs in the bathroom closet. One is marked “darks” one “white” and one ” light “. ( I do not include towels or washcloths in any of these catigories ) laundry gets done about every two days, but it’s such a cinch to start the load bc it’s already sorted. When they couldn’t read I marked each tub with different construction papers… they soon get the idea.
    Thank you for the great posts. Can’t wait to keep reading!

    • Reply Chrissy Meyst June 4, 2016 at 6:35 am

      Thanks so much, Carol! I love the way you keep the laundry sorted and especially your idea to use construction paper when they can’t read yet, that’s so smart!!

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