Monthly Habit: September – Before-bed Routine

Before Bed RoutineSeptember is the month we work on our Before Bed Routine. This is such a simple habit that makes our entire day run more smoothly. With just a few minutes each night, we can ensure that our mornings are happier and smoother. Check out FlyLady’s very own Before-Bed Routine below.

“This is the most important routine of your whole day. It helps your morning start off on a less stressed foot.” – FlyLady

Keeping up with your routines is so much easier when you have them written down; that’s what a control journal is for! FlyLady designed a control journal you can fill in with your routines. You can purchase your own control journal from The FlyShop.

Here are the habits we have covered so far this year. Remember to reinforce these habits while completing your new one:

Don’t forget to keep up with the habits you created. View our habit archive.

Let’s Walk Through FlyLady’s Before-Bed Routine

Dear Friends,

So many of you are having a problem with your before bed routine. The complaints range from:

  1. I am too tired.
  2. My list is too long.
  3. My DH wants me to come to bed.
  4. The kids won’t let me.
  5. It takes too long to do everything on my list.
  6. I don’t have time.

You name it I have heard it. Well as you all know, I feel that this routine is more important than the morning one. You can do this.

As for me, my before bed routine is automatic. I do it and don’t even realize I am making plans for a good morning.

Here is what happens. As soon as we are through with supper, I make sure the kitchen is clean. I don’t wait until just before bed to do this. This is half the battle. A clean kitchen is the jewel in your crown and going to bed with it sparkling will bless you in the morning. Most of the time, the kitchen is clean by 7:30 pm and if needed, I run the dishwasher either right then or before bed. If I run it immediately, I unload it before I go to bed, so I don’t have to do it in the morning. I love having an empty dishwasher all the time.

Next, I usually take a bubble bath. This relaxes me. I am not tied to the TV or the computer. As I am running the water for my bath, I undress, (you have to do this to take a bath LOL) this is my cue to lay out my clothes for tomorrow. Do you see how this is working? In order to lay out my clothes for the next day, I need to know what I have on my calendar. So guess what, I have to check my appointments. One thing triggers another. It is very fast and automatic. I am doing this as the water runs into the tub. Also, it keeps me from getting sidetracked. I can’t wait to relax so I am doing this as fast as I can. It is all a game with me. So by 8:30 pm, I am bathed, relaxed, clothes are ready for tomorrow, (you have to be caught up on the laundry for this to work) and I have checked my calendar. Next thing is my free time.

I choose to answer your emails, watch TV, listen to music, read, or write. Sometimes we go to bed early. All that is left for me to do is pick up anything that I have left laying out. Hot Spot Fire prevention. So I visually check my coffee table, dining table, and the end of my kitchen counter. Since I do this twice a day or more times than that (I pick up after myself), there is not much to put away. We may have a glass to put in the kitchen, (I put in the DW or wash it so I don’t leave it in my clean sink.) that is about it. Then maybe put away a newspaper. I can then go to my bedroom. Turn down my bed, moisturize my face, and brush my teeth. Then I am ready to crawl into the bed. At this point I do my prayers, meditation, and my gratitude journal. Then I get to snuggle in for the evening with my sweetie.

You see, my before bed routine starts way before my bedtime. You can do this too. It is just a matter of keeping the whole process in the back of your mind and doing it one step at a time. Each step leads you to the next one and before you know it, your routine has been done and you haven’t looked at your list.

I want you to FLY, this routine gets your morning started on the right foot!

FlyLady

Sweet Dreams!

Testimonial:

#17 Most Important Part of My Day

Dear FlyLady,

I’ve been “fluttering” for several years now, and I don’t know what kind of mess I would be without you! My Before Bed Routine is by far the most important part of my day.

I have 2 beautiful DS, 3 years & 7 months, who go to daycare the days I work, and preschool and/or music class on my days off. DH works long hours during the week and I make his lunch most days. I also help take care of my grandparents who live nearby, and we have dogs that need to be taken to the groomer every couple of weeks. The hardest part of all of this is that every day is different! Boys need lunches at preschool, but not at daycare. Diapers in the backpack for daycare, keep in the cubby at school for preschool, etc.

I finally made a grid with my routine, with everything on it and a space to check off each item for every day of the week. I blacked out the square on the days I don’t need to do something so I just skip right over it. DH puts on the calendar which days he needs a lunch at the beginning of the week. I got different bags for each boy for each place they go so I’m not changing stuff out all the time.

After the boys are in bed (with clothes picked out and ready in the bathroom to put on first thing in the morning!), I put away my laundry, straighten my kitchen and get started. I check my Cozi calendar for the next day, grab the bags that we need for the next day and make sure they are stocked, make what lunches are needed & do what I can for tomorrow’s dinner. Then, I put anything that I can (i.e. jackets, diaper bag, nap mats, backpacks if no lunch, my work bag & pump) into the car so I don’t have to carry it the next morning while I’m juggling the baby! In the morning, all I have to do is get bottles & lunches out of the fridge, pop into the right bag and go.

I think the best compliment I have gotten is recently when a friend who has a nanny & weekly housekeeper commented on how organized I am! It’s all because of you and my bedtime routine. Thank you!

Flybaby in Texas

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