If it bothers you, clean it. It's that simple.
I have my daily and weekly routines but it is very rare that I get through them all. Most of my days are spent keeping up with the day to day messes of life with a family. Morning and Evening routines are pretty stable for me even on difficult days but the daily and weekly routines are flexible.
So back to the tip of the day. “If it bothers you clean it.” If you notice the light fixture in your bathroom is dusty and you have a few minutes to spare, clean it. Fingerprints on the light switch plate? Wet paw prints in the foyer? Give them a quick wipe. Did you empty the garbage can to realize it needs a bit of attention? Give it a quick wipe down. Can you write your name in the dust on the coffee table, dust it. Most of these tasks take five minutes or less but it is still keeping you moving forward in taking care of your home. Perfection isn't the goal here but a home that is in working order.
“If you want to make room in your life for peace and patience, take small steps on organization, know the value of time. Snatch, seize and enjoy every minute of it!”
~ Emilie Barnes
Need a Bit More Help in Your Homekeeping?
If you'd like a bit more encouragement in your homekeeping, put on your headphones and listen in:
Podcast Ep. 21: The Routines of the Day: Making the Most of Your Mornings & Evenings
I find comfort in the routines of the day. We all have areas of our lives that need to be taken care of on a daily basis. Having routines set in your day can make the whole day run smoothly, and those routines tend to become habits over time.
Podcast Ep. 29: Where to Begin When You're Overwhelmed in Caring for Your Home
Before we begin, I want to lay out a statement here that I want you to remember as we walk through this. What I’m sharing is going to look different in every home. I don’t know all the battles or circumstances in your home from health and illness difficulties or various trials you’re dealing with. This may not be the season of your life for you to listen to a podcast on this topic right now.
Podcast Ep. 27: Planning Our Days as Homemakers
I'd like to walk through with you today how I use my planner to plan my days. It isn't meant to be copied buy to spark ideas on ways you can plan your days working with the way God has wired you.
Podcast Episode 16: Simplify Your Housekeeping with a Cleaning Schedule for Your Home
One of the most fundamental ways to manage our homes well is to take the time to plan. Planning is merely deciding in advance the what, why and how things will be done even cleaning.
Podcast Ep 3: Delighting in Being a Worker at Home
Do you delight in being a worker at home? My hope is to encourage you to be thankful in the role the Lord has called you in as keeper of your home. One of the ways we adorn the gospel is by the care of our family and home.
Podcast Ep. 14: Simple Tips for a Clutter Free Home
Clutter is a real enemy. Clutter can keep us from enjoying our families and homes as it takes up our time, can rob us of our joy, can add stress to our lives and takes up our living space.
That is very helpful. It presented me a number of ideas and I’ll be placing them on my blog eventually. I’m bookmarking your website and I’ll be back. Thank you again!
Carpet Cleaning Atlanta
Your article is really superb. Especially interesting and impressive words. Nice post, thanks for sharing such an interesting post.
Housekeeping Chandler AZ
I love how simple this is! I have my cleaning routines too, but sometimes they get away from you as you said, especially these last couple of weeks when I was on modified bed rest. But when something drives me crazy long enough, I have GOT to deal with it.
And you’re right, every little bit helps. God bless and have a wonderful weekend!
I totally subscribe to this philosophy, and on the converse, if it DOESN’T bother me, I let it go!
I like it! Instead of letting it drive you nuts, do something about it!
Wise advice – just do it!
This is definitely my favorite tip too. But what ends up happening for me is, I clean one thing, and while I’m doing that, I see something else that needs cleaned and so an and so forth 😉
Still not sure if that’s a good or bad thing, considering, sometimes I really need to be doing something else!
Stopping by from The Modest Mom
Ah, yes. So wise. I’m going to need to remember this–thank you so much. 🙂
Lots of wisdom in this tip, Marci. It’s easy to put these things off because you want to do all the cleaning at once, but that only makes it a bigger task.
It’s so simple and yet why don’t I just clean it if it bothers me? Also, I love the list! Thank you!
I have been reading your blog for some time now and always leave totally convicted! Thank you!
I would like to invite you to share in a new series a few of us are starting called “mom woman of faith”. Each Saturday a group of mothers respond to a question–this week we are discussing what it means to be a Christian mother. Please come and add your thoughts and concider contributing! I think you would add a powerful voice!
Nancy
http://www.dosmallthingswithlove.com
Love this– especially the Essentials!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
So good! Thanks for sharing, Marci! 🙂
Aw! Good word. And wise. I love the list!