Here are 10 simple, everyday habits and rituals that you should adopt for being an effective and efficient homemaker!
1.) Have a vision
What is your vision for your home? How would you like for “home” to feel? What do you want “home” to be for you, your family, and others? In what ways can you achieve that vision or work towards those goals? Perhaps that is cozy, minimalistic, inviting, eclectic, or vibrant. Think of adjectives that you would want to describe your home. Thoughts, habits, scents, ambience….use these to brainstorm and set goals for finding ways to achieve the vision you have for it all!
(Click here for my top tips for creating cozy, inviting spaces!)
2.) Make your bed
This small task can make such a big difference. In your mood, in your room, in your productivity. It is a simple discipline, but a good one nonetheless. I guarantee you’ll feel just a little bit more put together having your bed made!
3.) Get Dressed
Even if you are just switching out of your pajamas into something else that’s comfortable. There is something energizing and refreshing about changing your clothes as a part of preparing for the day ahead. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but I think it’s motivating + fun to feel even just a little bit “cute” as ya preform your daily tasks!
4.) Keep lists
Not everyone enjoys lists or finds them helpful. However, if you find yourself feeling distracted, overwhelmed, or forgetful you may benefit from a good paper to pen “brain dump”. Simply writing out all that comes to mind that you need to accomplish and by when. You might even make yourself a folder to keep your grocery list, chore list, bills to pay, etc.
(If you aren’t a paper gal, use the “notes” section in your phone! Whatever system you find the most helpful for keeping up with what needs to be accomplished.)
5.) Have tidy “windows”
Instead of saving it all until the evening or morning, have tidy windows in your day where you do a quick pick up of your home/workspace. Maybe that’s when the littles nap, or after lunch, or after finishing some of your tasks for the day. That tidy time can look however you want/need it to! 5 min? 30 min? It could be as much as cleaning the whole kitchen, or putting the living room back in order, or as simple as just making your bed! These quick tidy windows bring some order to the chaos and a space of cleanliness if you find you need that for clear thinking!
6.) Utilize timers!
I am so bad about “trailing off’ as I call it. Which is when I go to take something back to the kitchen and find a toy along the way. And as I’m taking the toy back I realize I forgot to put the washed clothes in the dryer–you see where I’m going? I get SO distracted.
Something I have found helpful is setting a timer each time I clean a room. 5 minutes on my phone timer to focus ONLY on that ONE room. I allow myself to leave to put something back in another room but I’m not “allowed” to stop along the way ahaha.
I also find it motivating to try to beat the clock! Sometimes in the evenings when I’m my most tired, I will set a 20 minute timer and try to do my nightly tidy before the timer runs out. (Can you say competitive???)
7.) Have a meal strategy
You don’t have to have an entire week’s meal plan if you’re not that sort of gal, but it helps to have an idea. That could look like writing out what’s for dinner for the next two days or the busiest days that week. Or just setting out meat to thaw the day/night before. It could be full on meal planning so you stay within budget at the grocery store. Meal planning even in the slightest will free up not only your time, but your head space!
In what ways can you make this area of homemaking easiest on yourself?
8.) Simplify your home/routines
Are you expecting too much in this season? Perhaps you just feel overwhelmed with how things have been running as of late, and maybe you just crave simplicity. Friend, just say “no”. It’s okay to say no to things outside of the house so that you have time to do what you need inside your home. Yet, it’s also okay to say no to some things within the home so that you can refresh yourself/your family by doing fun things or making memories.
If you feel that your “too much” is more physical, figure out ways to simplify your spaces. Such as downsizing on the toys to cut back on playroom mess, minimizing your wardrobes for less laundry, or coming up with other easy systems in problem areas to stay organized.
9.) Pray
My ninth tip for efficient homemaking is to pray. Pray over your household, over the day ahead, for yourself. Thank the Lord for the day, for waking up. Pray for the people in your household. Pray over yourself and the atmosphere of your home. Pray throughout your day as you carry out tasks, as you love on your family. Your home will surely be blessed by a praying Homemaker!
10.) Make time to Rest
Set aside time during your day to fill your cup. Even if that is five minutes to read a chapter of your book, time to throw your hair in a ponytail, or just sit at the table and have a cup of tea. If you truly feel you can’t squeeze in a few minutes during the day, maybe take a few moments for yourself at night. A hot bath, painting your toenails, throwing some Pillsbury cookies in the oven to share with your husband.
Designate “A day off” for yourself somewhere in the week/on the weekends. If you need to, try prepping for the weekend a day or two in advance so you have little to nothing to do on Saturday or Sunday. You deserve a day to let things just be, to enjoy your own home, be present with your family, and rest for your busy week ahead. Even the Lord took a day to rest, friend! 😉
Whenever and however rest looks for you in this season, just so long as you make the time to do it.
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Happy homemaking, friends!
(Tip: Pinterest is a wonderful resource when it comes to recipes, organizing, free homemaking printables and more! You can follow me on pinterest right here!)
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