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coraaSince some people have asked, I'm typing up my routines, along with commentary. I hope they're useful. They will almost certainly only be useful with modification, so please, modify away. It's just one idea of how you might set up your Control Journal.
(As before, this will probably make more sense if you read the prior posts first. See Part One: Caveats and Things You Can Ignore, Part Two: Things I Actually Do Use, and Part Three: Things That Are Infuriating.)
My Daily Routines
I have three daily routines: the morning routine (done shortly after I wake up and get dressed), the afternoon routine (done when I get finished with work, between 5 and 7pm depending on the day), and the before-bed routine (done before I go to bed, around 11pm).
I do print these routines out and put them in sheet protectors so I can cross them off, and put them in a control journal with kickass characters on the front. The ability to cross 'em off makes me feel accomplished. Your Mileage May Vary.
The Morning Routine
The Afternoon/Evening Routine (after work)
The Before Bed Routine
My Weekly Routines
My weekly routines are things that ought to be done at least once a week -- mopping the kitchen floor, cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming, etc. -- but that don't need to be done daily. I'm sure these routines have holes in them, and after a few months when I realize, "Hm, [thing] is getting dirty... oh wait, that's because it's not on any routines," I'm sure I'll add them. ;) I really try to only spend 15 total minutes on daily stuff (except for tasks that are spread out over time, like laundry, or things like shopping -- and Saturday chores do take me a bit longer) -- if I run up against the 15-minute limit, I leave the rest for next week. It will not be the end of the world.
Again, I put these in sheet protectors and put them in my journal, and cross them off. If that doesn't help you, you can not bother.
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
You Will Note that there are some important frequent tasks not reflected here. For example: dishwashing? Not on the list. That's because it's my partner's chore, not mine. Similarly, clothing laundry (as opposed to sheets-and-towels-and-dishcloths laundry) is also not mine, so I don't have it on the list. Taking out the trash/recycling/compostibles is not mine, so it's not on the list. If I lived alone, I'd add these to the list, for sure. If you take care of them, add them to your list. On the other hand, if you don't do menu planning, take it off your list. The routines should include the things that you need and want to do regularly.
I also include other things in my control journal -- my running shopping list, my freezer inventory, tips for decluttering for inspirational purposes -- but they're totally optional. The routines are, for me, the important part.
Zone cleaning plans will follow either tonight or tomorrow, depending on my level of energy. ;)
(As before, this will probably make more sense if you read the prior posts first. See Part One: Caveats and Things You Can Ignore, Part Two: Things I Actually Do Use, and Part Three: Things That Are Infuriating.)
My Daily Routines
I have three daily routines: the morning routine (done shortly after I wake up and get dressed), the afternoon routine (done when I get finished with work, between 5 and 7pm depending on the day), and the before-bed routine (done before I go to bed, around 11pm).
I do print these routines out and put them in sheet protectors so I can cross them off, and put them in a control journal with kickass characters on the front. The ability to cross 'em off makes me feel accomplished. Your Mileage May Vary.
The Morning Routine
- Get up, get dressed, take vitamins.
- While in the bathroom, swish toilet brush in toilet bowl to clear out any developing ring or grossness. I actually keep a little shampoo/soap in the toilet brush holder, so that it's ready for cleaning as soon as I pull it out. If this seems weird or gross to you, skip it; just friction with the toilet brush does a lot. (This takes maybe a minute.)
- Also while in the bathroom, run a damp washcloth over the surfaces (sink and counter). If the toilet is starting to look grotty, wipe damp paper towel or other wipe over the toilet surfaces. (This takes me maybe two minutes, no more.)
- In the kitchen, clear stuff off the counters, wipe down counters, and give the floor a brief sweep. (I do this while my coffee is brewing; it rarely takes more than about four minutes total.)
- In the living room, clear trash and obvious clutter off the coffee table and end table. (No more than two minutes; if it looks likely to take more, I just stop.)
- Figure out what I'm cooking for dinner, and, if necessary, pull something out of the freezer to defrost.
The Afternoon/Evening Routine (after work)
- Do any early dinner prep. (For instance, if I'm going to cook chicken, I put it on to brine at this point. If I'm making pickled vegetables, I put them in the vinegar at this point.)
- Check which zone I'm in and do either 15 minutes of decluttering in that zone or 15 minutes of zone cleaning. (I'll post about decluttering/zone cleaning shortly.)
- Check my 'weekly plan' for the items to do this day of the week and do them.
The Before Bed Routine
- In the kitchen, clear and wipe down the counters. (This is redundant with the morning routine, but having it in both places makes sure it gets done, and that's important to me.)
- Drop dirty dishcloths in the laundry basket, and lay out clean ones for tomorrow.
- Collect dirty dishes and put them in the sink for dishwashing.
- Check my calendar/to-do list for tomorrow.
- Clear out upstairs 'hot spots' -- clean trash and obvious clutter off the office desk and from my bedside table and next to my bed.
- Take meds, bubble bath, relax, read, etc.
My Weekly Routines
My weekly routines are things that ought to be done at least once a week -- mopping the kitchen floor, cleaning the bathroom, vacuuming, etc. -- but that don't need to be done daily. I'm sure these routines have holes in them, and after a few months when I realize, "Hm, [thing] is getting dirty... oh wait, that's because it's not on any routines," I'm sure I'll add them. ;) I really try to only spend 15 total minutes on daily stuff (except for tasks that are spread out over time, like laundry, or things like shopping -- and Saturday chores do take me a bit longer) -- if I run up against the 15-minute limit, I leave the rest for next week. It will not be the end of the world.
Again, I put these in sheet protectors and put them in my journal, and cross them off. If that doesn't help you, you can not bother.
Monday
- Change/wash sheets.
- Surface-mop kitchen floor.
- Dust.
- Run roomba in living room/kitchen.
Tuesday
- Spend 15 minutes decluttering in the current zone area.
- Run roomba in bedroom/bathroom.
- Surface-mop bathroom floor.
- Wash towels and dishcloths.
Wednesday
- Clean desk.
- Clean refrigerator.
- Run roomba in office.
Thursday
- Make grocery shopping list.
- Go through mail, take care of paper clutter.
- Clean out bag/backpack/purse.
- Dust.
Friday
- Go grocery shopping.
- Do other errands (post office, etc).
- Clean out car.
- Surface-mop kitchen floor.
Saturday
- Sweep and surface-mop laundry room.
- Clean bathtub/shower and bathroom mirror.
- Clean stove.
- Clean refrigerator.
- Scrub kitchen floor if it's getting grotty.
Sunday
- Spend 15 minutes decluttering in the zone.
- Plan menus for the week (roughly). (I do this after grocery shopping on Friday/getting my produce box on Thursday/going to the farmer's market Sunday morning because I prefer to buy things when they're in season, beautiful, or on sale, and then plan menus around them. If you'd rather plan your menus and then buy ingredients, flip the order.)
- Chill.
You Will Note that there are some important frequent tasks not reflected here. For example: dishwashing? Not on the list. That's because it's my partner's chore, not mine. Similarly, clothing laundry (as opposed to sheets-and-towels-and-dishcloths laundry) is also not mine, so I don't have it on the list. Taking out the trash/recycling/compostibles is not mine, so it's not on the list. If I lived alone, I'd add these to the list, for sure. If you take care of them, add them to your list. On the other hand, if you don't do menu planning, take it off your list. The routines should include the things that you need and want to do regularly.
I also include other things in my control journal -- my running shopping list, my freezer inventory, tips for decluttering for inspirational purposes -- but they're totally optional. The routines are, for me, the important part.
Zone cleaning plans will follow either tonight or tomorrow, depending on my level of energy. ;)
