[HLS] WK 26-28 Creating Calm within the Home

How long is it till my children move out of home?

That will create some calm.

Until then, it's a constant battle.  I'm slowly learning to accept the things I cannot change and change the things I can.

Week 26 ~ Everything has a Home

This is something I have truly believed in, forever.  I remember as a kid my room would be spotless and every so often I'd shuffle all the furniture around finding 'new homes' for my bits and pieces.

With a hordy husband and kids, stuff seems to accumulate.  Unfortunately most of the family are not really on the same page as me when it comes to creating homes.

The hubster had a heap of crap his important belongings just piled up on top of his chest of draws.  I couldn't stand it.  I went out and purchased him a lovely little leather look box. Stylish, effective, win:win.

But you know, it can be tough, lifting the lid!

And then last year we bought a new TV to replace the one in our bedroom.  A year on, we've still not removed the old one from the wall, the new one is now perched on the box, alas, no one's getting into the bloody thing and we're back to dumping everything.  Can. not. stand. it.

Thinking of a little DIY in his absence.  Am I brave enough?

Watch this space.

But otherwise I am always creating homes, I cannot stand clutter.  Below is some of my little and big ideas for creating a home for everything.

Our toys area                       Our laundry hooks              Inside of my cupboard

Week 27 ~ Home Routines and Systems

These last two weeks have been school holidays and all routines have gone by the wayside.  Well except for the going to work bit.  It's been hard.

I thought I was going to have a breakdown by the end of the first week, trying to keep everyone happy.  This last week has been a bit slower.  I even got the boys to stay in the PJ's for a whole day.

So I've been reviewing my 'systems'.

I tend to be really good at writing lists, and failing to follow up on them.  Compiling multiple lists and purging.  Such time wasting if I'm not doing anything with it.

I'm ready, this Monday, as the kids get back to school and kinder to get on top of life again.

What I've done already:

Created a new philosophy "Work is for Weekdays, the Weekends are for Living"  

This is working really well for me.  I go a little harder during the week.  It means my Fridays are full on and my Mondays are a little of a catch up, but it's worth it.  Now even though I may be preparing meals still, I don't feel like I'm working my butt off 7 days a week.

Changed my shopping day to Friday 

It used to be Monday and by the weekend we were bare, this meant money wasted on take out and numerous stops to the Supermarket.  This was also a time waster.

Purchased a Multi-basket Laundry Basket

A small change but with big impact.  Now as the kids put their clothes in the laundry they can sort it into light and colours.  (we need two baskets for colours).  Given I am doing washing most days, when I used to have the one basket it meant I constantly had piles of washing on the floor. 

Now I have three baskets to divi it up and the laundry looks a lot more reasonable.

Utilised my iPad as a Diary

I've never really been in love with my iPad, as far as value for money is concerned.  I'm not a game player and whilst it's fabulous for Facebook and Pinterest and Email, I could think of better ways to spend $900.

But in a bid to get organised, stop forgetting people's birthdays and other events, I synchronised my iPhone and iPad and have started utilising the calender app.  I now have timely reminders popping up on my phone as opposed to sticky notes lying all over my bench.  And fingers crossed I'll never miss another birthday.

Week 28 ~ Cleaning

My minimum standard of cleaning include:

• Clean bench tops in the kitchen
• Vacuumed floors
• Made Beds

You may find me rocking in a corner if these needs haven't been met.

My approach to cleaning ties in with my new philosophy "Work is for Weekdays, the Weekends are for Living".  I go hard on a Friday.  I try and churn through my tasks, e.g. floors, bathroom, washing, so as to sit down Friday night in a clean house and feel satisfied with a good start to the weekend.

I don't expect the house to look like a display home.  I think of it as 'loved' but I do like to start the weekend off on the right foot.

Then I relax, I enjoy my family, I enjoy my home.

Come Monday, I do it all again.  I have a house to bring back into line, a weekend worth of washing to catch up on.  But it's all worth it for the glorious weekends.

I need to fine tune things like, changing the beds (this is my ultimate weakness), dusting, ironing.  This all seems to happen on an adhoc basis and I'd like this not to be the case.

Consider this a work in progress.

I have a couple of weeks off work.  I'll be at home and will have plenty of time to ponder it, what works, what doesn't.  Because at the end of the day a routine, whilst it may seem ridget to some, is about creating free time and fun in my eyes and that is what life is all about.

Anyone got any hot tips to help me on my way?

I'm linking up with Home Life Simplified for the Simplify your Life Challenge.

Cheers


Mandy.