Before I decided to close Crafting my Life, I was running a monthly series on the site that was all about creating positive routines. I was enjoying it quite a lot, so I decided to move it over here. I’m going to be re-jigging it, though. Up until now, I was setting two new goals every month, one for me and one for my family. I’ve decided that’s too much. Instead, I’m just going to focus on setting one goal each month. If you’d like to join in and take some steps to create better rhythms and routines in your own life, I’d love to hear how you’re doing it.
Last Month’s Recap
For December my goals were:
- For my family – Give the kids dinnertime tasks
- For me – Come up with an email system
I utterly and completely failed at both of them. Here’s the truth – there was just too much merry-making going on last month for me to focus on much of everything else. I’m choosing to forgive myself and move on.
Creating Routines for January
For January, my goal is to sweep the kitchen floor every day. I’m choosing this for two reasons. First, the kitchen floor could really use sweeping every day, and maybe even more often than that. Second, I actually kind of like sweeping. I find it kind of relaxing and meditative. Since I’m already in charge of cleaning the kitchen after dinner each evening, taking a few minutes to sweep isn’t exactly onerous. As well, doing this will force me to clear the clutter off the floor each day, in the same way that wiping the counters forces me to clear off the counters. I’ll get a cleaner kitchen, I won’t hate doing it, and in the process I may even feel better about my house.
One thing I’ve learned on my own personal life-crafting journey is that change happens best in small, bite-sized pieces. That’s why I’m choosing something small as my change in routine this month. I invite you to do the same thing. Is there something small you could do to improve your daily rhythm or overall mood? If so, what’s holding you back? Create a new routine, and leave a comment so that we can cheer each other on!
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http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2011/01/chore-chart-cards.html
This has been on my: “should be implemented in my house” list for a month now, and same as you, too busy with trips and merry-making (I don’t think there was a weekend day in last month without guests of some kind).
Now, when everything is calmer, I’m revisiting the above link. But I realized (same as you) that big, sweeping changes sound nice, but that ain’t going to fly with my kids and my inconsistencies laziness. So I will start it off with just couple of tasks for my kids AND myself and expand just a tiny bit every month. First one will be cleaning floors – my kids adore it, it helps with hygiene, and since it is being done almost never now, I’m going to be fine with half-done, as-cat-would-swipe-with-its-tail floors too. Starting small. That the word for 2013.
Twitter: AmberStrocel
says:
Good luck! Let me know how it goes. Hopefully we’ll both end up with cleaner floors in 2013.
My bathroom is my room. It’s not mine alone. But we are putting in a new bathroom downstairs and I get the pleasure of making it pretty….and I probably won’t use it very much at all. I have no desire for a room all my own other than a bathroom – with a mini fridge, tv and computer and bookshelf. I may never leave ….maybe that’s why Steve won’t every build me on all my own.
Heather’s last post … New Years Night Out
Twitter: AmberStrocel
says:
Having your own bathroom sounds HEAVENLY.
Twitter: joyellebrandt
says:
My goal for this month is to do something every day that make me feel good inside my body. Gentle yoga, long slow walks, nothing too strenuous. I feel it is a really important part of my healing right now to remember what it feels like to enjoy being in my body.
Twitter: AmberStrocel
says:
That sounds lovely. Enjoy!
Is it pathetic to say my goal is to take a shower every day or at least brush my hair and put on a bit of make up? My baby is over a year now so I don’t really have an excuse
When I skip showers it makes me feel even more tired and grumpy than I already am (I didn’t say my baby sleeps!) The least I can do is to start taking better care of myself in these small ways. Thanks for the inspiration Amber, and happy new year!
-Dana
Dana’s last post … Where my (GF) Peeps at?
Twitter: AmberStrocel
says:
I’m not sure if it’s pathetic, but I can totally relate. And I think it’s a great goal!