FlyLady: Complete Beginners' BabySteps

Last night, I set the timer. I did 3 15 minutes “sessions” – cleaned kitchen, dining room and living room. All dishes put away, clothes laid out for today.

Back on track…I hope.

I don’t know what happened but August totally derailed me.
I wonder why it’s so hard to make these steps into habits? Bad habits aren’t so difficult to commit to memory so why are good habits so hard?!
I’m going to sit tonight to review the Steps and recommit to them.

It’s been a crazy week. So many things took my focus elsewhere.
I didn’t do my routines regularly. I didn’t stay on top of the zone. BUT I’m happy to say that while stuck in the house most of the morning, I was able to do a few fly-bys and declutter. I feel good knowing that because I have been consistent until now, one week hasn’t turned my home into a disaster.
Tomorrow starts a new week and a new zone. All is well.

I finished reading “Sink Reflections”. I enjoyed it. Some of it doesn’t affect me – no hubby or kids to “train”....and the cat couldn’t care less about MY cleanliness, just his – but I definitely can use the tools she suggests.

I’m not committed enough yet for a complete Control Journal but I do see the logic in lists / reminders. Clearly, I can’t rely on my own memory to do all of these things!

I made 3 sheets – Morning / Evening routine, 5 day list (Free Day, Errand Day, House Blessing Day, etc) and Zone Cleaning lists. So far, the 2 daily routines are working well – I think I need to start my evening routine a little earlier or I end up going to bed later than I like – but I’m happy that I’m accomplishing things.

Monday night I caught up on what I said I’d take care of for Sunday and Monday. Tonight I start the Zone 5 cleaning. It seems like a lot but I’m keeping an open mind – the clean sink theory did work well. I may adjust it because I don’t have a house, only a 2 bed/bath condo, but still, these are tools for me to learn, to make into habit.

I’m still taking baby steps but I’m not falling down as much.

I haven’t progressed any further but I’m still doing 15 minute clean ups and keeping the sink/kitchen clean.
It’s so nice to know my place is in good shape before I go on vacation next week.
I plan to take Fly Lady’s book with me and read on so I can commit to a few more steps.

I’ve been doing this for 10 days now and I noticed something.
I’m becoming very conscious of habits – making new ones and breaking old ones.
It’s a conscious decision to wash, dry and put away dishes immediately – I hear a little voice saying “Don’t leave it there – nobody’s going to wash it for you”.
But when I start making a meal, I still turn to the dishrack to grab a plate or a utensil that I would have left “drying” ready for it’s next use.
I laugh out loud everytime I do it.
I wonder how long it’ll be before my sub-conscious reaches for the cabinet or the drawer automatically instead – and will I even notice?

that it’s been a week and I’ve kept my promise to continue my Baby Steps.
My kitchen sink is still sparkling clean. All dishes are put away after every meal. I take out my clothes every morning and put them away every night.
Considering the weekend I’ve had (nephew on crutches, a family death), I was still able to do 3 15-mintues fly-bys and clean this morning before the funeral.
I’m still crawling but like all babies, I’m feeling the need to walk….soon.

The sink is still bright and shiny.
The dishes are dry and put away.
The clothes are put away from today and picked out for tomorrow.
I know it’s only been 3 days but so far, so good.

Since it’s been raining here in NJ forever, I promised myself since I was stuck indoors, I’d try a few Baby Steps.

I did the sink-thing: bleach, Ajax, toothbrush. That porcelin is blinding white! Sure makes me want to keep it that way. Then I went thru the other rooms, surface cleaning, dumping clutter – all in 15 minute intervals using the timer. Sounds odd but it works.

Next up is getting my clothes ready for tomorrow. I haven’t done that since I was a kid.

I don’t know what’s next but so far, this is all manageable and it all makes sense.

I’ve heard so much about the FlyLady on 43T that I bought “Sink Reflections”. Over a month ago. I just put it in one of my piles, saying “I really have to read that…”.
Today, I had 2 doctors appointments so I took it with me.
So far, I like her approach. I’ll keep reading about the BabySteps.
I’ve already got Clorox on my list so I can make my sink sparkle.