Does this sound familiar? You start cleaning the living room, find something that belongs upstairs in the kids' room, take it there, but then spot a cup that needs washing. Suddenly, you're doing dishes, but wait—you need a dish towel, so off to the laundry you go. And before you know it, you're in a whirlwind of tasks, none of them fully completed.
I’ve been there too, stuck in a vicious cycle of bouncing between chores, feeling overwhelmed and getting nowhere. But I've found some methods that help me stay on track, and I hope they’ll help you too!
Tip 1: The Bin Method grab a few bins—one for each room. Label them however you like (marker or label maker, whatever works). As you clean, bring the bins along. When you find something that belongs in another room, toss it into the appropriate bin. Stick to cleaning the room you’re in—no more running back and forth! When you’re done, drop each bin in the corresponding room and empty its contents one at a time. This keeps you focused and reduces distractions.
Stay on Track with a Schedule It’s easy to get sidetracked throughout the day, so consider writing out a schedule. Display it somewhere visible like a dry-erase board or large notepad. You could also use your phone or watch timer to remind you when it’s time to switch tasks—this can help you stay on track and prevent that "squirrel" moment.
To help you out even more, Dawn’s Simple Life is working on a printable PDF version of a cleaning schedule binder! It will include customizable templates, daily, weekly, and monthly checklists, and tips on staying organized. Keep an eye out for its release—this will be a great tool for anyone looking to stay on track with their cleaning routine!
Small Wins Add Up Focus on one small task at a time. For instance, if a messy kitchen adds stress, make dishwashing part of your daily routine. Stick to it for two weeks, then once you’ve mastered that, add another task. Building habits slowly helps prevent overwhelm.
Let’s tackle cleaning together, one room (and one distraction) at a time!