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Homemaking 101 Series: The Routines of the Day

by Marci Ferrell
Cleaning Homemaking 101 Series

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Having routines set in your day can make the whole day run smoothly and those routines tend to become habits over time. @mferrell

 

I find comfort in the routines of the day. The reality is we all deal with parts of our day that have to be taken care of on a daily basis. This applies whether you are single, married, with or without children.

Having routines set in your day can make the whole day run smoothly, and those routines tend to become habits over time.  They say it takes 21 days to form a habit so you can see how emptying the dishwasher can be done without having to think about it.  What about developing time in the Word? Drinking enough water during the day?  Exercise?

Having routines set in your day can make the whole day run smoothly, and those routines tend to become habits over time.Click to Tweet

Our next post in the Homemaking 101 Series deals with how we handle those routines of the day, but we're also going to take a look at other areas we would like to have a bit more discipline.

I am such an advocate of having a morning and evening routine because it has worked for me for over 20 years now.  Starting your day with focus and structure does help you to maintain some order and not have a day of complete chaos.  Even if the rest of the day turns to chaos, you have already accomplished a lot in that first hour or two of the morning.

I shared posts with a bit more detail about my morning and evening routine so instead of boring you all over again I'm just giving you the cliff notes version.  I'm also tackling the daily to-do list in the abbreviated form. These three happen every day for me:  Morning Routine, Evening Routine & To Do List.

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EP 98: 4 Truths to Pray for One Another
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Morning Routine
Take a few minutes and think about all the regular parts of your morning that have to take place.  Items like getting dressed, feeding pets, feeding your family, washing dishes, etc.  Then write down some other things you hope to accomplish in the morning.  Time with the Lord, exercise or pondering what's for dinner.

If I've lost you here and you are saying you don't like lists or planning, then I'm going to ask you how are your mornings going?  Are they productive?  Does your day start with chaos or no focus?  You do not have to use this system, but I encourage you to set up some morning routine even if it is just mental.  Most of the tasks on the list only take a few minutes or less.  My time in the Word, getting dressed and breakfast are the most extended items on the list.  I like to write things down, and checklists help me stay on task.

(Examples are always help so here is my current morning routine – it changes with different seasons of life):

–Time with the Lord
-Exercise (sometimes this is just stretching in the morning – most mornings this one doesn't happen.  I did start using a pedometer – affiliate link – and that has helped in getting me moving).
-Shower and clean bathroom -(Confession: I do not shower every day)
-Make bed
-Laundry started
-Dishwasher emptied
-Pets
-Calendar check
-Breakfast
-Vitamins
-Water for the day started (I try to drink 64 ounces a day – I come close most days.  I'm a terrible water drinker so I need to keep working on this one.  Helps me not to get headaches if I'm hydrated)
– What's for Dinner? (If there are things I can get started in the morning, I do it here – crock pot or defrosting)
-Tidy my kitchen desk (usually I try to do this at night but not always)
-Check email and schedule Facebook posts for the day (yes I cheat – I do all my Facebook posts either before bed or in the morning for the day.  I do pop in again a couple of times a day to check comments)

Daily To-Do List
The next part of our daily routine I want you to think about adapting into your day is to write a list somewhere.  On the fridge, a note card, in a planner or a piece of scratch paper and just list items you would like to accomplish during the day.

Maybe you need to return a phone call or email.  Are there household tasks you would like to try to get to or a card you need to send.  Unless it is an utter necessity, I always remind myself what gets done, gets done.  The Lord ordains our days, and sometimes we need to be flexible and able to have our plans interrupted for the ones He has already appointed for us.  What doesn't get done carries over to the next day.  At over 50 years of age, I realize what needs to be taken care of always gets taken care of :).

The purpose of the to-do list is to keep you focused on items you would like to accomplish instead of being distracted and moving through your day with no purpose.  We are all pretty good time wasters, and I can think of plenty of ways I waste time so having a list keeps me on task. Our tasks shouldn't be looked at as a burden –  all our work is done as unto to the Lord as believers so we should take delight and give thanks for the work He has set before us.  Your attitude in how you view your work will carry over to your children.

Evening Routine
This part of the day is to help you unwind and get ready for bed with the hope of a good nights sleep. Many times we head to bed with much on our mind and tasks left unfinished, and we don't sleep well, or we have trouble falling asleep.  Sometimes we go to bed after just walking away from the glare of the computer or TV screen, and that can be a bit stimulating and lead to difficulty falling asleep.

My best nights sleep are when I take the time to spend a few minutes preparing for a good nights rest.  My evening routine helps my morning to get off to a good start. Your list will look different because I don't have littles at home so yours may include bedtime stories, baths and cleaning up toys (it is interesting how most of us set up evening routines for our children without thinking about it – I don't think we outgrow this one).

Here's my list:
-Finish all the dishes and run the dishwasher/clean the sink (I don't scrub it every night but make sure it is rinsed out and give it a wash with a bit of dish soap. I don't enjoy waking up to dirty dishes in the sink, so I'd prefer to take the time in the evening to get the kitchen cleaned up.)
-Quick Tidy
-Check Calendar for tomorrow
-Write out tomorrows to do list (Helps me sleep because those thoughts aren't racing through my mind as I'm laying there).
-Pets took care of for the night
-Get ready for bed & face washed (I cheat and use face wipes – the link is an affiliate link and is so you can see what I use, but I buy them at Walmart)
-Read
-Journal
-Prayer time with hubby

What to do with all these lists?
There are several ways you can keep your lists. Before all this modern technology I just used index cards.  I had my morning and evening routines taped to a kitchen cabinet door and wrote my to-do list on an index card every day. If you're techy, the HomeRoutines App is a great way to keep them handy on your phone.

Assignment
Set up a morning and evening routine and make a daily to-do list.  If you already have routines in place be diligent in keeping them as best as your day allows and see if they make a difference in your day.

Share with us how you go about your routines.  Do you have a system you use?  Do you not have a system and that works for you?  Please share it with us in the comments. Links to posts about morning and evening routines and to do lists would be a great help to all of us so we can see if there is a system we like better.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
This post is part of the Homemaking 101 Series.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Visit all the posts in the series here.  

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Related Links:
Homemaking 101 Series
The Joy of a Morning Routine
Peacefulness of an Evening Routine
10 Things I Love About My To Do List

 

 
 

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Related posts:

  1. Weekly Routines
  2. EP 21: The Routines of the Day: Making the Most of Your Morning and Evenings
  3. Homemaking 101 Series: My Daily, Weekly, Monthly & Yearly Tasks
  4. Homemaking 101 Series: Simple Ways to Get a Jump Start On Your Day


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Comments

  1. Amanda says

    at

    I have just recently (as in the last few weeks) become a homemaker and trying to figure out a routine that works has been so hard!! I hope to read more of your homemaking series and get a good routing going!! I’m so excited to read through your website!!

  2. workingkshomemaker says

    at

    Right now my son has two naps – morning and afternoon – and my days sort of revolve around this! I do blogging and crochet work for my Etsy shop the first nap, and Virtual Assistant work the second nap (and after bedtime). I would love to utilize my time better however and will be making up my own lists off of this post! Thank you 🙂

    Blessings,
    Nicole @ WKH

  3. Jacqueline says

    at

    This is so helpful to me as I/we have been so out of a healthy routine lately. I have spent less and less time on the computer (which has been a good thing), but since we have been traveling a lot and I don’t have a laptop, I am pretty stressed to keep up with my blog once we return. I have been pondering stopping blogging altogether or just going to a ‘quiet little blog’. This is an excellent post as it has helped me focus on the most important things. You are such a blessing to me and so many! Thank you, Marci!

  4. Sarah D. says

    at

    I’ve been on a “routine journey” the last few years. My husband and I have been married 6 years (Oct. 20th!) and have 3 children 5 and under. I thought I had my “routine” figured out and it was even working after our little girl was born in May 2012. Then, we moved in fall 2012. Just recently, I have “found” my morning and evening routines, though the evening one still needs work. I’m a “list maker”, so making a to-do list is natural! =) My goal is to have a “Homemaking Binder”, one of these days.
    Something that has helped me with my routines and to-do lists: Large Family Logistics (book). Excellent book for mothers, no matter how many children you have!

    Thank you for this encouraging post!

  5. Sarah says

    at

    A friend recommended a book to me that has completely changed my Homemaking life! As a sahm of an infant, it was becoming overwhelming to keep up with all the housework, hubby and baby needs…not to mention, my own needs. Oh No, It’s Sabbath Again and I’m Not Ready! is the book.
    I highly recommend it to any homemaker! She has chapters on how to balance it all as working moms and how to prepare for company as well. And I even have free time.
    Blessings!
    Sarah from VA

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Marci Ferrell
I know we can all relate to self-pity as women, wi I know we can all relate to self-pity as women, wives, and mothers.  How many times do we focus on our needs that aren’t met?  Unfair situations or circumstances?  Self-pity is a selfish tendency that takes our eyes off Christ and puts them on ourselves.  We forget that “God works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.” Are we able to give God “thanks in all things”?⁣
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Come take a listen to EP 105: Practical Steps to Overcome Self-Pity at the link in my profile (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image).
"Your household is the most important schoolroom y "Your household is the most important schoolroom your children will ever know. And the lessons they learn don't begin and end when you crack open the family Bible. They are always watching and learning from your example—often without even realizing it. That's a tremendous responsibility and opportunity for Christian parents—one that we must make the most of, for God's glory and our children's good."⁣
 ~ John MacArthur⁣
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Come listen to EP 20: The Blessings of Loving Our Children at the link in my profile @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image).
"The visible church is where you will find Christ' "The visible church is where you will find Christ's kingdom on earth, and to disregard the kingdom is to disregard its King."⁣
~ Michael Horton⁣
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Read - Building Loving Relationships In Your Church Family at the link in my bio @thankfuhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image).
Isaiah 48:10:Behold, I have refined you, but not a Isaiah 48:10:Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver;  I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.⁣
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Israel is being refined for the honor and glory of the Lord. I need the reminder that everything the Lord allows in my life is for my good and His glory. All that He does and allows is to further His eternal purposes. ⁣
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He continues to remove the dross from my life in the furnace of affliction, and through each trial and circumstance of my life, the hope is I'm becoming more and more molded and shaped into the image of Christ. ⁣
⁣
Susan Huntington shared on this passage:⁣
"...if our blessed God sees that the disciple, like his Master, must be made perfect through sufferings, ought we not to welcome every means which will conduce to this blessed end? Can we desire to be babes in Christ all our days? If it is a proof of sonship to be chastised, may it not prove a special favor to be greatly chastised? ⁣
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If we were asked what the greatest good is, should we not answer that it is conformity to God? If we were asked what the best circumstances are for the Christian to be placed in, should we not answer that they are those that will, most constantly and most effectually, promote his conformity to God? Shall we then pray for afflictions? By no means. We are weak, and are crushed before the moth. We should not pray for what we do not know that we could bear. ⁣
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We should habitually pray for conformity to God, and quietly leave it to Him to determine by what means He will effect this blessed end."⁣
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-Excerpt taken from my favorite devotional - Seasons of the Heart: A Year of Devotions from One Generation of Women to Another by Donna Kelderman (link to the book is in my profile @thankfulhomemaker - click on the link under the blue arrows, and then this image).
Preaching the gospel to yourself. It's a phrase we Preaching the gospel to yourself. It's a phrase we've all heard, and we all agree with, but deep down, we're like, okay, what does that look like? Or how do I make that practical in my day-to-day life when my marriage is hard? Or the kids are out of control? Or there's an illness in my family, or I'm just stuck in a sinful pattern? Or the house is in chaos, and I don't know where to begin? ⁣
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The reality is we're always saying something to ourselves in our minds, especially in those moments of chaos or difficulty. ⁣
Is what we're speaking to ourselves centered on the truths of God's Word, or are we buying into the lies of the world? ⁣
We need to be talking to ourselves and not just listening to ourselves. But what do we need to be talking to ourselves about? ⁣
⁣
This is what we're going to work through together in EP 69: Preaching the Gospel to Yourself - link in my bio @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image).
"Your worst days are never so bad that you are bey "Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are beyond the need of God's grace."⁣
~ Jerry Bridges⁣
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Read more at God's Blessing Does Not Depend On Our Performance at the link in my bio @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image).
How many times at church do you find yourself disc How many times at church do you find yourself discussing non-spiritual things? As believers, our relationships with others in the body of Christ are unlike anything non-believers will ever experience. It is such a joy when you come across another Christian that you haven't met before, and because of the common bond of Christ, it is as if you have known them forever.⁣
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I have a favorite book that gets used quite often by Donald S. Whitney called Simplify Your Spiritual Life. In the section, Simplifying our Spiritual Life with Others, he guides us to drive the conversations into the spiritual. Wouldn't we all as believers like our conversations with other believers to be directed towards things related to knowing God, Bible reading and application, theology, evangelism, and prayer, to name a few.⁣
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Mr. Whitney shares some questions that are a natural help in directing your conversations with your brothers and sisters in the faith to the spiritual.  This is a handy list to keep in your Bible, planner, or purse.⁣
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The link to the questions is in my bio @thankfulhomemaker (click on the link under the blue arrows and then this image).
"If there is one maverick molecule in all the univ "If there is one maverick molecule in all the universe, then God is not sovereign. And if God is not sovereign, He is not God."⁣
~R. C. Sproul
Thoughts to ponder on the resurrection from John M Thoughts to ponder on the resurrection from John MacArthur:⁣
The basic truth of the resurrection undergirds a number of other truths.⁣
⁣
1. It gives evidence that the Word of God is totally true and reliable. Jesus arose precisely when and in the way He had predicted (see Mt. 12:40; 16:21; 17:9, 23).⁣
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2. The resurrection means that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, as He claimed to be, and that He has power over life and death.⁣
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3. The resurrection proves that salvation is complete, that on the cross Christ conquered sin, death, and hell and rose victorious.⁣
⁣
4. The resurrection proves that the church has been established. Jesus had declared, “I will build My church; and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it” (Mt. 16:8)… His resurrection proved that death itself could not prevent Christ from establishing His church.⁣
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5. The resurrection proves that judgment is coming. Jesus declared that the heavenly Father “has given all judgment to the Son” (Jn. 5:22), and since the Son is now risen and alive, His judgment is certain.⁣
⁣
6. The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that heaven is waiting. Jesus promised, “In My house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you” (Jn. 14:2). Because Christ is alive by the resurrection, believers have the assurance that He is now preparing a heavenly dwelling for them.⁣
⁣
~Above via John MacArthur - Matthew Commentary 24-28, Moody, 1989, p. 314-315.
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