Keeping The FLYing Rules

Dear FlyLady,

Almost ten years of being in our house had created lots of blemishes in our downstairs walls. We had two large craters due to an old sofa the children would slam against the wall and years of hanging up decorations for children’s birthdays had pulled off patches of old paint. It was obviously long past due for a new paint job. The problem? My husband works 12-15 hour days AND takes college courses on top of it. He would have no time to help so our living room, dining room, and stairwell repaint would be 100% up to me.

Obviously, I became overwhelmed as soon as I bought the paint. Because it’s not just paint. It’s spackle. It’s scrubbing old dirt free from walls. It’s dusting, sanding, washing, taping, AND THEN painting. How was I, someone who had never painted a single wall before, going to get it all done and have this be a never-ending project that would clog up my schedule?

Then Flylady spoke to me. Reading all the emails, watching every day’s live video, reading the books, and flying daily led me to the solution. It was easy: babysteps! I took one wall at a time. One job at a time. Day One: Wash the walls. Day Two: Spackle. Day Three: Sand down spackling. Day Four: Tape the walls. Day Five: Drop kids off for a weekend at their aunt’s and start painting!

Was it still stressful? Definitely. But was it manageable? Yes! I took babysteps and kept up my motivation by not looking at the entire project, but just one step at a time. I took 15 minute breaks between walls to get some water and look over my progress. Four days later and I’m still finishing up taking off the tape and going over the little missed places by the moldings and corners. But the project is mostly done and best of all, I was able to do it all by myself without needing to interrupt my husband’s homework or pleading with my sister-in-law to keep the kids longer.

I know how I would have done this project prior to Flylady – and it would have ended with me sitting in the middle of the room crying from stress, a lack of time management, and being overwhelmed while my husband took over. Instead, this project made me feel good that I could do it with just keeping the FLYing rules in mind!

Thank you Flylady for teaching me so much!

– Flybaby of 4 months

We have everything you need to keep your home shining! Sometimes we need a little motivation. Our efficient tools give us a jump start! They make a tough job fun. If you make it fun; it will get done!

Gray and Purple Rag sale for only $8.95 while we have them!

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March Habit #19 The Secret

Dear FlyLady,

I finally found the secret.

I have to go into a small bathroom to get dressed and was not taking the shoes in with me, telling myself that I would put them on when I come out.

Of course, when I get out. I get distracted and somehow stay in my slippers for the rest of the day. Today, I took socks and shoes into the bathroom with me and . wallah.

I have had them on all day and have been the most productive I have been in a while.

I have updated my evening routine to add a step to specifically remove my shoes. just before I take a few minutes for myself.

Thank you for all you do..

A Decatur, Ga FlyBaby

FlyLady Rebecca here: Do you have a shoe Testimonial? Let us know, and send an email with I HAVE MY SHOES ON in the subject line.

We have everything you need to keep your home shining! Sometimes we need a little motivation. Our efficient tools give us a jump start! They make a tough job fun. If you make it fun; it will get done!

Gray and Purple Rag sale for only $8.95 while we have them!

Screen Shot 2024-03-06 at 1.51.21 PMGet Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools! Got Old Cleaning Tools? Time to Upgrade with The Best! FlyLady’s Big Bundle Pack! Declutter the old to make room for the new!

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Posted in Habit of the Month Tagged , , ,

When Will The Organization Come?

FlyLady TimerDear FlyLady,

I’m tired of the ups and downs of being organized and keeping a household running well to keep everyone happy. I’m tired of feeling like it is my fault. When will the organization come? When will there be peace? Hopefully soon I will conquer all with FlyLady and zones. May there be happiness again.

FlyBaby Patty

*****************************

Dear Patty,

Life is always going to be filled with Plan Bs and sometimes even Plan Cs and Ds. Organization does not come to you! You can’t just blink your eyes and be organized! The Good Lord knows that if we could, we would do it in a heartbeat.

When plans get sidetracked for what ever reason, it is how we look at those derailed plans that make the difference in our lives. When we are looking through our perfectionism glasses is when we give up and throw in the towel. If we have on our fun creative glasses, we can make a game of things. Let’s just use frozen water pipes as an example. We were out of water a few weeks ago because our well pump died. Last winter our pipes froze. So I have experience with this.

When you look at things with Perfectionism clouding your vision, you give up before you ever get started. You don’t see what you can do, only what you can’t do. I have a few things that make my life easier in the event of frozen pipes and no water. We keep some extra gallons of water in the basement for occasions like this. Whenever we have these situations, I like to pretend that I am living in the pioneer days of Little House on the Prairie. We are blessed because we do live in the woods. Guess what, bears do it in the woods and you do too, when you are camping. All you have to do is dig a hole. It may be inconvenient but I like to see how well I can survive in tough times. When the times get tough, the tough get going.

It is all in your attitude! You mentioned conquering all with FlyLady and the zones! It is not really about winning! It is just about staying in the game. We do that with one babystep at a time.

My home did not get organized in one day or one month! It took establishing one habit at a time! Then, stringing those simple habits into routines. I started with shining my sink!

The best thing I ever did was quit beating myself up. That was my other habit, to be kind to me! I did this by not piling on, giving myself breaks, and setting my timer and making a game out of clearing clutter and cleaning house! We love to play! It is all in our attitude.

So ask yourself what CAN I do? Instead of telling yourself what you can’t do!

As my granny always said! “Cain’t never could do anything!”

Now set your timer for 15 minutes and jump in and do something! Anything is better than nothing!

FlyLady

We have everything you need to keep your home shining! Sometimes we need a little motivation. Our efficient tools give us a jump start! They make a tough job fun. If you make it fun; it will get done!

Gray and Purple Rag sale for only $8.95 while we have them!

Screen Shot 2024-03-06 at 1.51.21 PMGet Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools! Got Old Cleaning Tools? Time to Upgrade with The Best! FlyLady’s Big Bundle Pack! Declutter the old to make room for the new!

Get Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools!

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Posted in Ask FlyLady Tagged , , , , ,

Your Selfish House Guest

Dear Friends,

Clutter has a way of taking over our lives. Clutter becomes that unwanted house guest that you can’t get rid of. It robs us of peace while we are home and it also steals any bit of joy when we leave home; the dread of returning to that mess. What about those of you that will not even go anywhere because of the chaotic state of your home?

We received a message today from a member that gave up their family vacation to clean and declutter their home. Thank you for the God Breeze. I realize that it had to be done for the safety of a crawling baby, but I felt that I needed to address this inconsiderate squatter, so you could see what he is doing to you and your family.

When a home is filled with clutter, it takes on a life of its own. Your whole day is spent giving it attention, instead of your family and yourself. Let’s look at some of the things we give up, so we can devote our lives to this inconsiderate house guest.

1. Clutter filled homes, are not welcoming to friends or family. So we do not invite them over often. When we do, we almost kill ourselves trying to get the house presentable so we will not be embarrassed. You know the drill. Major Crisis Cleaning until 3:00am and they are coming the next day. As a result of not wanting to make the preparations, we alienate ourselves from our friends and family, by closing our doors and throwing away the key. Clutter is a very selfish housemate. It wants you all to itself. This is another way for clutter to attack families. When the structure of the family is broken down, he wins. Clutter is his most effective weapon.

2. Clutter in your home, does not allow your mind and body to rest. The guilt of all the clutter, keeps you working non-stop. You can’t organize clutter; you can only get rid of it, like a diseased cancerous tumor. Purge it from your life and you will find out what living is all about. Clutter causes you to turn down invitations to lunch or weekend getaways with your husband. It will also get in the way of you taking time for yourself. It yells at you, you don’t deserve to have any fun; you have not taken care of ME yet. Oh selfish clutter. Like a spoiled child, it requires all your attention.

3. Clutter tells the world that you are not worthy. We have all heard it. If you can’t take care of this, you can’t have it. We have been brainwashed by this clutter to believe that we do not deserve to have nice things, since we can’t keep our home looking presentable. So we only buy more clutter at yard sales and junk shops, because it only cost a dollar. Now don’t email fussing about this. I love yard sales as much as the next person, but think about this mentality for a few minutes. Don’t we deserve to be surrounded by pretty things that we love, instead of someone else’s cast-offs. When we quit wasting our money on more clutter to feed the already growing demon in our home, we can save to purchase things that make us smile.

4. Clutter never wants you to leave home. This is why he makes is so difficult for you to pack and go on vacation. Laundry has to be done, you have to get people to come to the house to feed your critters, or worse yet, you need someone to house sit for you. Clutter will never allow strangers in his domain. He wants you all to himself. The bills have to be paid, so you can go, clutter invades your finances and family responsibilities. You don’t have wills done, because it is just too much trouble. So you stay home, so you won’t have to make the decision of who will care for you children in case of an accident. Clutter loves to keep you home, so he has your full attention. He throws ever obstacle in your path.

5. Clutter loves to make you sick. This way you are totally dependent upon his way of life. He robs you of your health, so this gives you an excuse to give him more clutter. The more there is the happier he becomes and more sick you get. Sometimes you will not allow people to come into your home to help, because clutter has quarantined you. Or shall we say imprisoned you in your dungeon.

6. Clutter’s main sustenance is chaos. So when you are running around your home searching for something in all the mess, clutter is celebrating with a feast. Trying to find a document on your desk, is not fun for you, but clutter begets clutter. You end up making an even bigger mess during the search.

7. Clutter loves ignorance, because you know no other way to live. If you did, he would not have a home that provides him of all the undivided attention that you give his needs. You have never enjoyed a peaceful afternoon, without clutter vying for your every thought and deed. He knows that if you ever feel one ounce of peace, you will tell him to hit the road, because that peace is so contagious.

It is time to put clutter in his place and send him packing from whence he came. So where does clutter belong and how do you get rid of this unwanted house guest. It is not easy. He keeps pleading with you that, “you need me”, and laying many guilt trips on you for what relatives will think if you put him out into the cold. (You know those gifts and inherited clutter you have been saddled with over the years.)

Your clutter did not accumulate overnight and it is going to take days, weeks and sometimes several months to rid yourself of this squatter. We do it in small steps to make it easy on you. This way, your house guest has no clue that you are evicting him. Slowly but surely the clutter will leave one boogie or one room rescue at a time. Some of you may need to take a “get tough” approach and order a dumpster or set up regular pickups from charity thrift stores. What ever you decide to do, consistency is the ticket to getting him to vacate your premises. Just 15 minutes a day is all you need to set him on the road. When you kick his bottom out your door, you will begin to have your home to yourself again. Peace is just a boogie away.

It is time to pack his bags and send him out into the world to fend for himself. You have wasted enough of your time on him. From now on, you are going to become very particular about whom you bring home to reside with you and your family.

Are you ready to evict this squatter, so you can FLY?

FlyLady

P.S. Are your special clutter friends taking you from your children. One day after you are gone, your children will have to evict clutter once and for all: a dumpster is a proper coffin. Clutter took you away from them. Don’t let clutter become your only loved one. You have flesh and blood precious souls around you.

 

We have everything you need to keep your home shining! Sometimes we need a little motivation. Our efficient tools give us a jump start! They make a tough job fun. If you make it fun; it will get done!

Gray and Purple Rag sale for only $8.95 while we have them!

Screen Shot 2024-03-06 at 1.51.21 PMGet Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools! Got Old Cleaning Tools? Time to Upgrade with The Best! FlyLady’s Big Bundle Pack! Declutter the old to make room for the new!

Get Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools!

Kitchen Tools are Back! Use New Coupon Code FLY45 to Save 45%

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Posted in Morning Musing Tagged , ,

Change is Challenging

Dear FlyLady,

I am so thankful for your system. I’ve been fluttering along for about a year, being as gentle with myself as I am able. My cleaning routines are fairly well established as is controlling my hot spots.

I ended up with a lot of extra holiday company. My b-in-law and his wife came from Nova Scotia and although my dear m-in-law rented them an AirBnB they ended up staying here for 4 nights.

We had the biggest windstorm in history and a large part of my town lost power for at least four days (some areas are still out). We were blessed enough to have power throughout the entire ordeal (okay, we lost it for 2 hours but that doesn’t really count).

I had my f-in-law in the living room (he relies on 24/7 oxygen) sitting up because that was best for him and my b-in-law and his wife in the multipurpose room on air mattresses and sleeping bags). My m-in-law ate here but preferred to go back to her wood stove heated home to sleep (no power but plenty warm).

The dishes were already done, the towels clean, and the linens fresh. Although it was a challenge we survived and everything was clean enough I didn’t feel the need to apologize for the state of their emergency home base.

I live with a chronic health conditions and change is very challenging for me. With my routines in place I felt as in control as you can be with a four day power outage and four extra bodies in the house.

Thank you;
Marjorie from Vancouver Island

We have everything you need to keep your home shining! Sometimes we need a little motivation. Our efficient tools give us a jump start! They make a tough job fun. If you make it fun; it will get done!

Gray and Purple Rag sale for only $8.95 while we have them!

Screen Shot 2024-03-06 at 1.51.21 PMGet Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools! Got Old Cleaning Tools? Time to Upgrade with The Best! FlyLady’s Big Bundle Pack! Declutter the old to make room for the new!

Get Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools!

Kitchen Tools are Back! Use New Coupon Code FLY45 to Save 45%

Screen Shot 2023-07-24 at 7.27.45 PMScreen Shot 2024-01-26 at 2.01.28 PM

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March Habit #18 My Precious Toe

Dear FlyLady,

I’m a FlyBaby And a country girl! I hate to wear shoes and always have.

I started dressing to the shoes at least until my morning routine is complete as well as my 15 minutes of whatever the days mission is.

However, this one particular morning I decided to forgo the lace up shoes opting to clean barefoot.

I was spending 15 minutes in the bathroom cleaning and the door jamb is kind if splintered. I removed the rug from the bathroom to sweep the floor and placed the rug in the hall. As I was leaving the bathroom I stepped onto the rug which promptly slid out from under my foot. Trying to catch my balance the splintered door jam went up under my toenail of the opposite foot and sliced my toe open.

Had I been wearing shoes my precious toe would still be pain free.

Wearing lace up shoes does motivate me for the day and I’m sure I’ll not be forgoing the shoes anytime soon thank you for the encouragement every day and helping me be proud of my home!!

Your limping FlyBaby

We have everything you need to keep your home shining! Sometimes we need a little motivation. Our efficient tools give us a jump start! They make a tough job fun. If you make it fun; it will get done!

Gray and Purple Rag sale for only $8.95 while we have them!

Screen Shot 2024-03-06 at 1.51.21 PMGet Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools! Got Old Cleaning Tools? Time to Upgrade with The Best! FlyLady’s Big Bundle Pack! Declutter the old to make room for the new!

Get Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools!

Kitchen Tools are Back! Use New Coupon Code FLY45 to Save 45%

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Posted in Habit of the Month Tagged , , , , , ,

What’s Hiding in your Shower?

Dear Friends,

Today I am going to ask you a question. What is hiding in your shower? First I want to tell you why I am asking this question.

Today I was watching my favorite channel HGTV. The Property Brothers were helping a family get their house on the market. As they were walking through their home, the master bedroom shower was filled with clutter.

Do you have clutter hiding in your shower? You are just asking for trouble. There are two places you should never stash and dash your clutter; the shower and the oven.

If you are using your shower for a place to stash clutter; I want you to email me; FlyLady@flylady.net with YOU ARE A FLY ON MY WALL in the subject line. Then I want you to laugh really hard at yourself and set your timer for 15 minutes.

Start by reaching into your shower and pulling one thing out and putting it away! You can do this; Give Away, Put Away, and Throw Away!

We have everything you need to keep your home shining! Sometimes we need a little motivation. Our efficient tools give us a jump start! They make a tough job fun. If you make it fun; it will get done!

Gray and Purple Rag sale for only $8.95 while we have them!

Screen Shot 2024-03-06 at 1.51.21 PMGet Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools! Got Old Cleaning Tools? Time to Upgrade with The Best! FlyLady’s Big Bundle Pack! Declutter the old to make room for the new!

Get Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools!

Kitchen Tools are Back! Use New Coupon Code FLY45 to Save 45%

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Posted in Ask FlyLady Tagged , ,

You Never Have to See Dirt Again

Dear Friends,

Our routines give us wings. Something as simple as a little habit can change your world if you will allow it.

I have heard of three dollar parts shutting down pumping operations that would bring in thousands of dollars a day. So is any part insignificant? I think every thought, word and deed plays a big part in our development.

What were the lessons we learned through osmosis as we were growing up. We are definitely not stupid and we do learn from our mistakes. We knew what to say and what not to say. We may have learned the hard way when we allowed a few simple words to come from our mouth in a no win situation.

Another lesson we learned came from the grades we made and the rooms we cleaned. If those things were not “perfect” we got scolded. With the rooms we were forced to redo them or worse yet your mother came in and did it after you because it was not good enough!

This taught us that we were not good enough unless we were performing to their standards. Why couldn’t we just be loved and not have that love tethered to whether we were doing a good job or not. The sad part is that we were forced to live up to those perfectionist standards and not given a chance to develop our own skills.

When I think back to my childhood I can see how perfectionism was subliminally pushed down my throat. The only time I was ever complimented was when I cleaned something to those perfectionistic standards. Our only bathroom would get so filthy and it was my job to clean it; especially if Granny was coming. I knew how to hyper-focus to get this done. When I grew up I hated to clean bathrooms because who was going to notice. When I did clean it; I would go searching for those compliments from my first husband. Why did I need them? That was how I was taught. Why could I not clean a little every single day? Why did I have to wait till it even disgusted me?

Deep down we still love to see our perfectionism in action. If we swish and swipe every day it never gets that dirty. In a minute the bathroom is sparkling. It becomes common place and not a “once in a blue moon” occurrence. Everyone assumes that it just happens and we are not complimented on it.

We don’t have to allow our perfectionism to play havoc with our lives another day. The simple habits we establish can help us to never see dirt again. We will not ever have to spend all day cleaning to get ready for company. We are living in our homes and loving each other and ourselves by using these three dollar tools to find the peace we so deserve. Just establishing one little habit is the first babystep on your journey of peace. As each habit becomes part of your auto-pilot, the stress of your home goes away and you can spread your wings to FLY! These habits are powerful tools. No habit is insignificant.

If you swish and swipe daily…..you never have to see dirt again! Are you ready to FLY?

FlyLady

We have everything you need to keep your home shining! Sometimes we need a little motivation. Our efficient tools give us a jump start! They make a tough job fun. If you make it fun; it will get done!

Gray and Purple Rag sale for only $8.95 while we have them!

Screen Shot 2024-03-06 at 1.51.21 PMGet Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools! Got Old Cleaning Tools? Time to Upgrade with The Best! FlyLady’s Big Bundle Pack! Declutter the old to make room for the new!

Get Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools!

Kitchen Tools are Back! Use New Coupon Code FLY45 to Save 45%

Screen Shot 2023-07-24 at 7.27.45 PMScreen Shot 2024-01-26 at 2.01.28 PM

 

Posted in Morning Musing Tagged , , , , ,

Pamper Mission 03-17-2024

Hi again my pamper buddies! Boy is it cold outside. With the freezing temperatures out, my skin is really suffering. It’s so dry I can almost hearing it begging me for some moisture and a good slathering of lotion. Our pamper mission today should you choose to accept it is…..

Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize!!

Grab your favorite lotion and go crazy- head to toe and everywhere in between. Don’t forget places like your elbows and heels too! Toss some warm fuzzy socks and even some gloves on and really trap that moisture in for an extra boost of moisture. Your skin (and mine!) will thank you!

We have everything you need to keep your home shining! Sometimes we need a little motivation. Our efficient tools give us a jump start! They make a tough job fun. If you make it fun; it will get done!

Gray and Purple Rag sale for only $8.95 while we have them!

Screen Shot 2024-03-06 at 1.51.21 PMGet Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools! Got Old Cleaning Tools? Time to Upgrade with The Best! FlyLady’s Big Bundle Pack! Declutter the old to make room for the new!

Get Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools!

Kitchen Tools are Back! Use New Coupon Code FLY45 to Save 45%

Screen Shot 2023-07-24 at 7.27.45 PMScreen Shot 2024-01-26 at 2.01.28 PM

Posted in Uncategorized Tagged , , , , ,

They are Getting DONE!

Dear Flylady,

Last week my doctor put me on a medical leave of absence from work due to severe daily migraines that aren’t responding to treatment, and that are worsening.

Needless to say, I spend the bulk of my day in bed in a quiet, dark, cold bedroom.

For the most part, I am nearly non-functional. However, thanks to my Flylady routines, when I am able to be up for a few minutes at a time, even though it’s still hard to think due to the migraines, I still know exactly what baby step to do next…….  Reboot the load of laundry. Swish and swipe the bathroom after my shower. Put clean sheets on my bed.

Now, it may take me all day to get those 3 things done, but the point is, THEY ARE GETTING DONE!!  My home is still clean. It still welcomes me. It still hugs me. Which is especially important in helping to keep my spirits up through this painful time.

So thank you for teaching me how to take care of myself by teaching me how to take care of my home. One baby step at a time.

Gratefully,
Michelle in Missouri

We have everything you need to keep your home shining! Sometimes we need a little motivation. Our efficient tools give us a jump start! They make a tough job fun. If you make it fun; it will get done!

Gray and Purple Rag sale for only $8.95 while we have them!

Screen Shot 2024-03-06 at 1.51.21 PMGet Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools! Got Old Cleaning Tools? Time to Upgrade with The Best! FlyLady’s Big Bundle Pack! Declutter the old to make room for the new!

Get Your Big Bundle Pack Now! It has your favorite tools!

Kitchen Tools are Back! Use New Coupon Code FLY45 to Save 45%

Screen Shot 2023-07-24 at 7.27.45 PMScreen Shot 2024-01-26 at 2.01.28 PM

Posted in testimonials Tagged , , , , ,

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