I do better when there are rules. They don’t have to apply to anyone else, but if I know they are there, it makes a difference. Here are some that I’ve been tossing around:
1. Only keep on the kitchen counters what I use every day.
2. Put an item away when it leaves my hands, not just down.
3. Clear counters of personal papers before dinner.
4. When a new item comes in the house a similar one leaves.
5. Clean up completely after each project.
6. Clean up a spill when it happens.
7. Spotless room before sleep.
Do you have any rule ideas to help keep me clutter free?
Always leave a room nicer than you found it.
pay a bill (i do most of mine electronically) as soon as it comes in. I used to pay them on the 1st and 15th (or close to that) each month but found myself getting late on some, that maybe came in right after I had just paid some and it takes several days for my bank to post payments when I pay them online.
Never leave a room empty-handed!
This might be silly, but always fold a blanket when you’re done. A folded blanket looks so much neater than one in a pile.
Recently, I have been taking my inspiration from the wonderful Amish people. We had made some purchases of books in the past and I begin to look at the pictures of the moms keeping a home. So, without further eloquence, I begin to tell my kids WHAT we were going to do one day after lunch. We begin with clean up, washing dishes, and dry and putting up dry dishes, plates and forks. While we did this we sang hymns. After finishing, we tackled what we call a second pantry. We took EVERYTHING out and reorganized it. Then I treated them to a movie (moody movies) from our movie collection of their choice. Before they even watched their movie the boys found out they did not empty all the trash in the house so while I waited for them with some fun music on they ran around the house helping each other to finish. That was one of the best days ever when it begin with me informing them what we would be doing not only to get done, but to set a goal and a reward at end. Hope this idea might help someone. Love to all. ~lisa