**If you missed my Studio 5 segment on “Find Peace in Chaos” enjoy it by CLICKING HERE Or read it at www.ksl.com by CLICKING HERE.
50 Days to 50
DAY 37: Rework the routines
A few weeks ago I found myself frustrated with our family routines. It seemed that we were in the “Low-effort Lull”—that slow, steady downhill slide from the top of the “We’re On it!” mountain. For a while we had been doing our Deep Clean weekly and wonderfully, the laundry on our regular Monday, and the dishwasher generally on the day it was assigned.
But then, we weren’t. And then, not without fuss, complaint, and overall bickering.
What had happened? (Several things could be listed here, but I shall refrain…)
Ultimately, chaos to order and back again, I suppose. Finally, I took the bull by the horns, and the computer by the keypad, and reworked the routines. First, we had a discussion with the kids about what was working, what wasn’t, and why. Then I went through our chore chart and eliminated certain jobs, revamped the specifics (who does what when), and made it look HAPPY.
So far so good.
Then I moved to personal routines. One problem for me was that in all this personal shifting, my routines and needs have too (essential oils at night, older kids needing talk time later in the evening, etc.) Instead of acknowledging and making a place for these new needs, I’d been trying to squish everything in together, like the Abyss Closet that we keep overloading (and shutting the door with a prayer).
Enter my Personal Calendar. On a blank page I listed what I really NEEDED to do daily, WANTED to do, and WOULD BE GREAT if I got to do. Keeping it 80% loose (based on my philosophy to be an 80 percenter in most things), I plugged those needful and wanted things into the time slots best suited. Thankfully, I recognized that time for joy or peace were needful, just like picking up a child from school or holding family night.
Now my Personal Calendar sits by my bedside (mostly because Mom Fog makes me forget said awesome schedule). And I’m finding Happy Mom has returned to a greater degree.
Now it’s your turn:
What is a home or personal routine that you feel isn’t working?
After talking with the people involved, what is one thing you can do to make it work better?
What is one way to add a sprinkle of joy or peace in your day? (For ideas, check out my recent Studio 5 segment on that very subject by CLICKING HERE.)
Happy Journey!
Connie
#50daysto50
