We all start the new year with goals and dreams in mind. We aim for more organization and successes in our life, aspiring for more peace, health and happiness around us. Invariably some of these thoughts, which are so important at the onset of the year, quickly go by the wayside. Today I’m sharing my home organization system to hopefully inspire you, and help you stay on track throughout the year.
I have shared most of this here on the blog before. I am consolidating it in this one post as a one stop shop for all my home organization system guidelines.
foundation for my home organization system guidelines
I established this system almost two decades ago when I was a SAHM {stay at home mom} with two littles. They are now twenty-one and eighteen, and through the years, this system has evolved. Sometimes I have deviated from the plan and other times I have dropped it all together, to eventually jump back in with two feet. Every time I am on track with my home organization system, I feel more at peace and more productive in all aspects of my life.
I developed my home organization system based on the Flylady philosophy. A friend at the time in my mother’s group shared the Flylady book with me and Viola! I developed my Control Journal. The control journal contains all the information of the home organizational system centralized in one place. This makes it easy to locate, reference and implement all the details in your organizational plan.
pillars for my home organization system
DAILY Routines
My daily routines are divided by the times of the day. I have a morning, dinner, and night time routine. You can read all about it in this post {organizing my life with daily routines}.
Routines will vary depending on lifestyle and preferences. The one constant though is that the day should start with routines that put our best foot forward. And the day should wind down with self care and reflection.
WEEKLY Tasks
The weekly plan assigns certain tasks to certain days of the week, for example menu planning on Mondays and laundry on Tuesdays. You can read more details in this post {a basic weekly organizational plan}:
Chores that I have to do every week but not necessarily every day include: laundry, watering the houseplants, dusting, cleaning out the refrigerator, changing bed sheets, vacuuming, washing|cleaning the car, etc. Please understand this is not a comprehensive list but I just want to give you an idea of what I consider a weekly task.
MONTHLY Zones
Our home is divided into different zones in this plan. Each zone is assigned a week of the month. During that specific week the assigned zone is decluttered, or deep cleaned, or decorated, etc. You decide what task is required at any given time. This way the entire house is touched in some fashion every month.
My first zone includes the foyer, dining room and front porch. I like to break down my zones by areas of the house so the rooms are in close proximity of each other, but you might prefer to break it down by type of room. For example, you tackle all the bathrooms in the same week, etc.
ANNUAL Plan
This is the monthly or seasonal plan. In other words the fun stuff. I always say if the rest of the stuff is done, this is the reward. It’s fun to change up decor and make updates depending on the season or the holiday if the house is clean and organized. If it’s not, not so much.
One of the points that really stuck with me from the Flylady was her term CHAOS {cannot have anyone over syndrome}. I love the drop-in visit and when your home is a mess a surprise visit can be stressful, but if your home is in order it’s a welcome interaction. I don’t want to live in CHAOS since we love to entertain and open our home to family and friends.
benefits for a home organization system
Our homes are the control center of our life. If our homes are in order, then it spills out to other aspects of our lives, priming us for success. Along with the heightened productivity in our life, a successful home organizational plan helps with our health and spirit.
It’s not only good for you, but for everyone around you. When you are at your best for yourself the more you can support yours around you too. The feeling of accomplishment is beneficial at so many levels. It helps me emotionally, physically and even spiritually. keeping me as healthy as possible.
Hopefully this will help you at some level to improve your own home control and peace of mind. Do not become overwhelmed by the processes. A small task is a blessing to your home so always break it down into small segments and take it one day at a time.
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“Getting organized is a sign of self-respect.”
Gabrielle Bernstein
Another masterpiece! Love the way you conclude the whole guidelines in one blog. Gonna help me for sure!
Thanks Mary! I hope it helps. XO- MJ
A good opportunity to do a lttle reorganizing as I am turning a room, into my office.Thanks/