Great Friends, Great Counsel – Abide in the Vine

As my friend says, it’s grounding to have routines, former procrastinators.  I asked friends for the routines that aid them.  Here’s great advice in note form.  Thank you, Ladies!

Through the day:

Get up early to avoid rushing.

Devotions in the early morning.

Do reading, writing, scripture memory first thing. Not lots, a few minutes of each means progress.  (I know I’ve already done the most important things.)

Dress early.

Tidy the bedroom.  Make my bed. (If the rest of the house is a mess, that room is in order.  Feels good.)

Swish and swipe the bathroom sink and toilet before leaving it in the morning.   (I don’t have to go back and do that.)

Make lists every morning.  Whatever must be done or remembered.

Put items on your calendar as soon as you know about them.

Coordinate calendars immediately – paper, phone.

Keep a running grocery list.  When you realize you will need something, write it on a list you have going.

Grocery list avoids shopping blindly.  Check fridge and pantry the day before to determine needs.  Eat or clean out in preparation for new supplies.

Plan menus.  Shop using grocery ads.  (Menus and shopping mean I’m prepared to feed us. Removes pressure.)

Weekly, cook a supply of meals or portions.  Pancakes ready in the freezer are heated daily for toddler breakfasts.  Mom’s own food is prepared in bulk, divided, ready to grab.

Clean up as you work in the kitchen.

Wash dishes after every meal and wipe counters.

30 minute afternoon nap or rest (Did this with children and now that they’re gone.)

Dinner early, walk afterward.

Daily recap of his day and mine with husband.

Before bed, 5 – 10 minutes pick up of living areas. Make sure kitchen is clean.  (Tomorrow I will have a fresh slate and not be looking at yesterday’s work.)

Bedtime, make sure clothes are put away in hamper, on shelves, hanging. (Keeps clutter from my brain.)

Make list for next day at bedtime.  (Keep pen and paper by bed to jot notes and go to sleep.  No fretting you might forget.)

In general:

Place items I use in the bathroom in the same place each time.  (Convenient, avoids clutter, lightens load on brain.)   Also applies to items in kitchen, garage, office, etc.

Do a thing right now. (Or I forget about it.)

While in a painful recuperation, routine helped me feel things were under control. I knew when I’d be medicated, walked, fed, helped. It was comforting at night.

“I can do anything for 15 minutes.”  When faced with a project I don’t want to do, I use the egg timer on my desk.  By the time 15 minutes are up, I’m well into the project and often finish it.

“Block time” your work rather than plan precisely what to do when. Bills, calls, email, project management, laundry do not have to be done daily.  I designate morning for that chunk of business and do whatever is needed. The afternoon is for parent calls, special projects, groceries, and errands.  Whatever is needed that day in those categories I do then.

Be flexible.  Don’t shame yourself or you’ll drop your plan.

Don’t look for perfection in your routine or you’ll give up.

Save time for friends and just “to be.”

Take time for personal care or you’ll feel frazzled.

Wonderful counsel! 

What would you add?