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Routines Add Up

Dear FlyLady,

Thank you for helping me let go of perfectionism! I’ve been flying again for about 3 months, but struggling to meet all of my daily routines. Yesterday was a bad day for my knees and I barely accomplished anything. I went to bed early feeling disappointed. But today I woke up feeling much stronger and ready to meet the CHAOS. Surprisingly enough I had accomplished more than I thought, and things weren’t very out sorts any more than a usual day! All of my baby flying steps have added up to me being able to take care of myself for a day without mayhem ensuing. Who knew!!

Back on track in the ‘Burgh
Susie P.

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What are you waiting for? Procrastination hurts 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!

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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!

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Posted in testimonials Tagged babysteps, behavior modification, flylady, get organized, routines, TestiFLY

Back to Basics Day 4: Hot Spots

by FlyLady Live

Dear Friends,

Do you feel like the whole world is crashing in on top of you? Believe it or not it happens to all of us from time to time!

When we get busy, we feel that we don’t have time to do even the simplest of routines. So what do we do! We let our HOT SPOTS take over our homes!

Yes that is all it is! You come in the door tired and ready to drop your load where ever you can put it! Then you crash! No wait you have to throw something together for supper and I mean throw! Because when you are finished the kitchen looks like a bomb went off and you feel like you could get out of the way. By this time you are so overwhelmed that you just want to hide so you go to bed without doing the smallest of a before bed routine and all of a sudden your home has exploded in your face and your husband is pitching one of his usual fits! Ugly words are exchanged and you feel terrible!

Here is the secret to stopping this explosion before it starts. When you hear yourself saying that you don’t have time or you don’t have the energy to do something. Stop dead in your tracks and set a timer for 5, 10, or even 15 minutes and do a quick pick up and put away. That is all it takes to make you not feel so overwhelmed.

Our Hot Spots attack more than our home. They hurt us inside by causing us to feel bad because we can’t keep up, as well as zap our energy! Now I want you to pay close attention! You can start over anytime! You are never behind! Do you hear me?

That stinking thinking of “I don’t have enough time” is for the birds! It is what got your home in the shape it was in when you joined our cyber-family! It’s our perfectionism rearing its ugly head one more time! You can stop the downward spiral by replacing those terrible words, “I don’t have time!” with “I can do just 5 minutes!”

This is a huge attitude adjustment for most of us. It takes time and worst of all we don’t even realize we are doing it. Now that it has been brought to your attention, you will hear yourself says those words. When you do; turn them around and just set your timer and do just a little. I can hear you now! “BUT! I really don’t have the time! She doesn’t understand. Well I am here to tell you that I used to think the same way and I have changed my negative thoughts into positive ones and you can too. It all starts with the realization of what you are doing to yourself with those words. It is a form of WHINING! You know I don’t allow whining!

I want for you what I have: PEACE! This peace came for letting go of negative thoughts and replacing them with positive actions. Even a little will go a long way toward helping you find this peace!

{{{Hugs}}}

FlyLady

Tip of the day: With your hotspots cleared; your home will feel clean. When you get home after work find a place to put the items you need each day. This way you can find them.

Mission Set your timer for 2 minutes and clear off a flat surface in your home. Just one! Then send an email to FlyLady@flylady.net with MY HOTSPOT IS CLEAR in the subject line.

Organized Mission Establish a place for your keys, purse, and briefcase/totebag. This will keep you from searching for them tomorrow morning. Then send an email to FlyLady@flylady.net with EVERYTHING HAS A PLACE in the subject line.

Posted in Back to Basics Tagged back to basics, flylady, hot spots, hotspots

September Habit #5 Procrastination Fog

by Testimonials

Dear FlyLady,

So normally I do pretty good at my bedtime routine especially after having a DD in January.

However last night I was so tired after work and meeting friends for supper I decided to rest my eyes while laying on the couch for just a few minutes because they just wouldn’t stay open. When I finally decided after an hour of “resting my eyes” that it was time to actually go to bed, I told myself that I was too tired to get things ready for the next day-getting my clothes laid out, my DD’s diaper bag re-filled and set for the babysitters, etc. I would just get up a few minutes earlier and do this!

YOU WERE RIGHT on how important it is to do a nightly routine!!!

I for sure learned my lesson the hard way of skipping my nightly routine-of course I couldn’t get up early, but even stayed in bed a few minutes extra, I was running around trying to get things ready, forgot that I had put my keys in the diaper bag when we went out to dinner so didn’t have them when I got to work (I walk to work) and the rest of the day was hurried and felt very un-organized because I woke up all hurried.

After a full day of rushing around feeling like I am even still behind from yesterday, you got it I am doing my nightly routine tonight and every night from now on!!

Thank you so much for all the encouragement and tips to keep us going!

Alyssa

FlyLady here: Our habit for September is doing your Before Bed Routine.

Have you built your control journal? Has your perfectionism stopped you from even trying?

I totally understand.

Do you have a story or tips that will help other FlyBabies with this habit?

FlyLady@FlyLady.net with MY BEFORE BED ROUTINE SAVES ME in the subject line.

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Posted in Habit of the Month Tagged behavior modification, flylady, get organized, Habit of the Month, routines

Help Me with My Messy Car

by Ask Flylady

Dear FlyLady,

I have had great success decluttering our home. I still can’t seem to gain control over my car. Clutter is always falling out. Please give me some motivation to get my car clean and keep it that way.

-Ashamed of my Vehicle!

Dear Ashamed,

You don’t have to feel ashamed another day. We have a basic weekly plan to help you establish a day to clean out your car. Here is an essay I wrote to help us tackle this final frontier.

The Final Frontier

UFOs are Un-tethered Flying Objects in your car! Yes you know the ones I am talking about! Our cars are usually the last frontier when it comes to getting organized. When I was a small child I was hurt by bottle in our car. I still have the scar to show for it. Think of it this way when you are riding in a car going 55 mph if you have to stop abruptly everything in the car becomes a missile. Think about being hit by a baseball or a bottle that was thrown at that speed.

Here is the worst thing about UFOs in your car! You are embarrassed for anyone to ride with you. I know because I am just like you! My car has been clear of clutter on the inside for several years. There is no telling how many accidents have occurred because a bottle rolled out from under the seat. Then it got under our foot or brake and we reached down to get it.

So how do we stop from cluttering up our cars? We have to establish simple habits that will keep the clutter eliminated.

1. Don’t eat in your car. If you do, then bag up the trash as soon as everyone is finished. The bag the fast food came in is a great bag to hold the trash. When you get out of the car, find a trash can.

2. Every time you get home empty the car of things you put in it before you left. Not only will this keep your family safe from UFOs but it will deter thieves. When there is nothing in the car there is no temptation to break a window. My purse was stolen from my car once when I went into a funeral home to pay my respects.

3. While you are filling your car up with gas; play a game with the children to pick up the trash in your car. Then throw it away. They can hand it to you through the car window after you have filled up.

4. Keep things in your trunk, confined in zippered bags or under a cargo net in your van or SUV.

5. Establish a day for blessing your car. Fill it up, Clean it out and Shine it up! We do it on Fridays. We have some simple tools for this; Rubba Scrubba. Rubba Scubba sweeps the floor and seats, Duster does the dash and console. Our purple rags get the windows sparkling. That is if you put them in your hand and use them.

Don’t put your family’s safety in jeopardy because you don’t think you have time. Think of it as Swish and Swipe for your car. Daily maintenance takes less time than a whole day clean up to get ready to go somewhere with strangers in your car. Be sure and keep UFOs contained in the trunk or glove box.

It’s Friday, time to Clean Out Your Car Day!

FlyLady

Introducing New 2026 FlyLady Calendar!

Get yours now! We have them in stock! Thank you for making this happen!

Sad to Say! But We Are Going Out Of Business! Justin has been slashing prices again! Last Call to Save over 50% OFF!

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Posted in Ask FlyLady Tagged ask flylady, declutter, flylady, get organized, purple rag, Rubba scrubba

Driving in a Fog

by FlyLady

Dear Friends,

When you have been traveling for a week; it is going to feel good to get back to your routines. Do you have trouble getting back to them when you have been traveling? It doesn’t have to be! You jump right back in where you are. You are not behind and you don’t have to catch up.

What happens to us is that when we get overwhelmed our brains keep trying to play catch up and in the process, this brain frenzy short circuits our actions. Now don’t get me wrong we are working like crazy but we don’t seem to be accomplishing much because we are trying to do too much too fast.

We can even feel the CHAOS start to build. So why don’t we stop the avalanche before it comes sliding down on top of us! It is because we think if we just keep juggling we can keep all those balls in the air. We are not perfect and let’s face it; we are never going to be. But that is just fine with me. I don’t have to be perfect to be loved. My home does not have to be perfect to be lived in. Housework done incorrectly still blesses my family. I can do anything for 15 minutes! What doesn’t matter, just doesn’t matter!

When you feel the pressure start to mount then that is the time to let off some of the steam so you will not explode and the avalanche suffocate you! I can hear you now! “HOW DO I DO THAT!”

Let me tell you what I do when I start to feel overwhelmed. I stop dead in my tracks when I first realize that I am beginning to feel antsy and SIT DOWN!

Then I take a few deep breaths and get out a piece of paper. Automatically my heart rate slows down and that antsy feeling subsides. The reason it is hard for us to recognize that we are feeling overwhelmed is because we have been living on adrenaline most of our lives. We have to practice slowing down when we feel antsy instead of speeding up! Think of it this way. You are going to love this one.

When you are driving and you see a problem way up ahead; do you drive faster to get there quicker. No you slow down and become more cautious. Imagine that all of a sudden you are driving in a fog and you can’t see where you are going. You have to slow down. Now you can’t just stop(crawl in bed) on the highway because there will be a major pile up(the house will fall apart). You have to proceed slowly and cautiously; being aware of everything going on around you. You even turn off the music so you can concentrate more. If you have a phone call you ignore it. Your mind has to be focused. That fog represents what is going on in our heads when we are trying to do too much at one time!

We can do this with our driving! So let’s start practicing it with our race though our day. Your day doesn’t have to be one pile up after another!

Slow your brain down by sitting down with a piece of paper.

Put on some calming music and examine what is happening to you. Ask yourself these questions.

Have I had any food today?
Have I had any water?
Am I angry?
Am I tired?
Am I dressed to shoes?
What are the priorities? Write them down on your paper and put first things first.
Set your timer for 5 minutes and take care of yourself so you can think.

Then use your timer to keep you focused. I call it a 15 minute day! It is kind of like crisis cleaning for your head. I take my list of priorities and start at the top and spend 15 minutes on that one. It doesn’t matter that it is not finished then I set my timer again and go to the next item on the list. I do this three times then I sit for 15 minutes and collect my thoughts and rest at the same time. After timer goes off; I start again!

Are you feeling overwhelmed right now? Try this! It doesn’t matter if you are at work or home? Your timer eliminates the fog in your head! Use it!

Are you ready to FLY in a Fog-free area?

FlyLady

Introducing New 2026 FlyLady Calendar!

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Posted in Uncategorized Tagged flylady, fog, get organized

My Life Story

by TestiFLY

Dear FlyLady,

I was checking out Amazon for books on how to clean house quickly. I saw the picture of the FlyLady on your book, read the reviews, and found a copy at the library. I saw my life story in this book and realized I wasn’t a failure at keeping a nice home after all. I checked out your book on 10/28/17 and read the whole thing cover to cover in two days. Also thanks for not have short chapters to keep me interested.

I started some baby steps for a couple of days, and then I just took off without all the dread I normally experience while cleaning. I don’t do my morning (have to fed cat and make coffee first) or evening routines in any exact order, but all gets done everyday within 30 minutes. I’m a work in progress on using the alarm clock to get early and getting dressed to shoes (I always cleaned in my pajamas at a kid at home) but I do start my morning routine in the room I’m at and move on to the next room.

For the first time in a long time I feel I have a handle on my home. My loving husband of 31 years has never belittled my on the mess. My husband has even started making the bed in the spare room which he sleeps in from time to time, and is cleaning up his hot spot next to the couch. Yes keeping with a few chores each morning has change my attitude for the better. I hope the cleaning kit I ordered from your website will work as good as your YouTube videos show. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, for writing a great book that makes life easier, and for the many ways you have bestowed blessing to all us flybabies who needed helping hand.

Hugs & Kisses

Introducing New 2026 FlyLady Calendar!

Get yours now! We have them in stock! Thank you for making this happen!

Sad to Say! But We Are Going Out Of Business! Justin has been slashing prices again! Last Call to Save over 50% OFF!

The FlyShop is Closing Soon!

Posted in testimonials Tagged babysteps, behavior modification, flylady, get organized, routines, TestiFLY

Back To Basics Day 3: Clutter

by FlyLady Live

Dear Friends,

The other day I was stumped by an interview question. Now let me tell you: I can answer any thing they throw at me, but for the first time I was speechless. The question was; what was the weirdest item that I had ever flung. I had to admit that I could not remember because once it is out of my home I never think of it again.

Over the years we have declutter many things from our homes. We have noticed that your weird items tossed had a feeling of sadness and we wondered what that was going on. I have studied this question and came up with the answer from my mid-night editor.

The sadness comes from guilt!

—-Guilt from buying it in the first place
—-Guilt from not loving it enough because a loved one gave it to you
—-Guilt for being raised by parents who saved everything
—-The sadness is also mourning for lost loves or lost loved ones
—-You know those relationships that have ended in divorce
—-The ones that never really got to marriage but still hurt
—-The pain of remembering a loved one who died
—-The pain of losing a parent
—-The pain of losing of a child
—-The pain of not wanting to let go of the item

I know that FLINGing is tough. It dredges up sad times and the guilt that we put on ourselves for spending.

When you walk through your home I want everything you have to bring a smile to your face. In order for this to happen you are going to have to examine the first thoughts you have when you see an item. If you have a bad feeling the item needs to go away! I mean this! There is no room in your life for anything that makes you feel bad or self punishment.

Your home should reflect happy thoughts! You can do this by releasing those items that make you feel bad. You may have to sing one of my favorite FLINGing Songs: Please Release Me and Let It Go. Sing these song from the stuffs point of view, but this time sing it because you want to be released from the pain that this item makes you feel. Once the item is out of your home, it will not dredge up those bad memories ever again!

When I was asked the question about the weirdest item I realized that once it was out of my home it was out of my head. As a result of releasing it; I also released the guilt and sadness that the item represented.

Let those feelings go out the door with the clutter. Please Release me let me go. The clutter has had a hold of you for a very long time, but once you acknowledge what it is doing and you can mourn the loss and not only cleanse your home of clutter, but your soul of the guilt.

Oh I remembered weirdest item I have ever decluttered: It was airplane rivets that we got in a workbench at an auction. We kept them for a couple of years thinking that they had to be good for something or someone. NO! All they did was take up space in our garage and we eventually we tried to recycled them because they were aluminum, but our recycle center would not take them. We even contacted everyone we knew that might have a need for them. They were useless! We finally let go of the guilt of not being able to find someone to love them and released them.

I want you to find peace and this peace comes from letting go of clutter and the guilt that is associated with it. The best gift you can give yourself is the gift of forgiveness.

Are you ready to FLY?

FlyLady

Tip of the day: When you bring something new home, get rid of two like items. This will keep you clutter down.

Mission #5 Take a bag to your closet and gather up 5 items of clothing that you have not worn in a long time. Then place that bag in the car to donate next time you are out. Send an email to FlyLady@flylady.net with GOOD RIDDANCE in the subject line.

Mission #6 Take a bag and run through the house and gather up 9 pieces of paper to throw away.Then throw that bag in the trash. Send an email to FlyLady@flylady.net with PAPER CLUTTER HAS MET ITS MATCH.

Posted in Back to Basics Tagged back to basics, clutter, flylady, sing

September Habit #4 I Would Have A Back-up

by Testimonials

Dear FlyLady,

I am a working mother with 5 children, and a husband. Without your mentor-ship, I would have lost my mind years ago, but I found you in 2002 and, through your mentor-ship, I have been FLYing for years now!

I never had a problem enforcing a before bedtime routine for my kids, but I had a hard time with it because I would lay out clothes to wear for the next day, and then in the morning I would not feel like wearing them. How did I fix this? I started laying out TWO sets of clothes for myself, so I would have a back-up if I did not want to put on outfit A. We are fickle creatures, and this has helped me get up and get out the door instead of standing in front of my closet contemplating why I thought I would want to wear “this” shirt with “that” skirt or “those” pants.

I would like to note that I have been an avid follower but some days I pick out bright colors to wear and don’t feel so bright in the morning.

Maybe setting up some clothing options would help another FlyBaby. Have a great day!

Melissa

FlyLady here: This month we are focusing on the before bed routine.

Part of this routine is gathering up everything you need for the following day and putting it in one place. This place is your launch pad. You will be able to grab and go!

Where is your place? Do you have a bag? A water bottle or your office in a bag?

Have you built your control journal? Has your perfectionism stopped you from even trying? I totally understand. This is why we made one for you.

Do you have a story or tips that will help other FlyBabies with this habit? Please send them to FlyLady@FlyLady.net with MY BEFORE BED ROUTINE SAVES ME in the subject line.

Introducing New 2026 FlyLady Calendar!

Get yours now! We have them in stock! Thank you for making this happen!

Sad to Say! But We Are Going Out Of Business! Justin has been slashing prices again! Last Call to Save over 50% OFF!

The FlyShop is Closing Soon!

Posted in Habit of the Month Tagged behavior modification, flylady, get organized, Habit of the Month, routines

Can I Organize Clutter?

by Ask Flylady

Dear Friends,

This week we did a survey. We found out that 70% of you have not been decluttering. This is why many of you are struggling to establish your routines. Clutter stands in the way of you finding success and peace in your life. Getting rid of clutter is stressful at best but if someone came into your home and threw everything out you would feel violated.

This is why the gradual approach is much easier for us to take. We don’t feel out of place in our own homes. We teach you to declutter for 15 minutes, clear out a hot spot and do a 27 Fling Boogie to release your clutter in babysteps. We don’t tell you to back a truck up to the front door and start pitching. That is very difficult. Even the thought of it tears us up on the inside. When we take the gradual approach it gives our eyes, brains and bodies time to adjust to little changes. The clutter got there a little at a time and you can and will get rid of it one bag or box at a time.

We have all cleaned up an area. We can spend hours doing it but it won’t stay that way very long. We will start to pile it up all over again. All because we did it too fast; we worked too hard and we crashed and burned in the process.

Do a little every day and see the changes start to happen in babysteps. One day you will wake up and your house will be clean and you didn’t even know you were doing it. Please don’t allow your perfectionism to rip off the clutter that you have been protecting yourself with. Learn about why you collected it and gradually let it go. If you strip it all away you will just put it back with a vengeance. It is like going on a crash diet. We all have lost the weight but when we stop the diet it all comes back because we didn’t address the real problem of why we ate it (collected it) in the first place.

Be good to yourself. We don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. The peace will come with consistent babysteps. You can do this.

I think you need a hug! {{{{HUGS}}}

We want to make it fun and this is why we are having the FlyLady Declutter Games. Each day we will be sending out five missions to declutter. Do what you can and then follow the link to get your medal. Don’t sweat it if you can’t do all of them; do what you can. Then take your place on the podium and accept your prize. You can’t organize clutter; you have to get rid of it.

FlyLady

Introducing New 2026 FlyLady Calendar!

Get yours now! We have them in stock! Thank you for making this happen!

Sad to Say! But We Are Going Out Of Business! Justin has been slashing prices again! Last Call to Save over 50% OFF!

The FlyShop is Closing Soon!

Posted in Ask FlyLady Tagged clutter, get organized

Fifteen Minutes Can Make a Big Difference

by FlyLady

Dear Friends,

Your new habit for September is your Before Bed Routine. This is the most important routine of the whole day!

Are you having problems with your Before Bed Routine? It may be because you are making it too hard on yourself. Let’s look at some short cuts we can take and how long it really takes us to do a Before Bed Routine.

Start this right after dinner; don’t wait till bedtime. You are too tired by them.

1. LAY OUT YOUR CLOTHES FOR TOMORROW.

If your closet is filled with clothes you don’t wear then; picking out clothes for tomorrow can be tough. I know how to make it easier on you. When you do the laundry put your outfits together on one hanger each. With your outfit put together all you have to do is pull out one for tomorrow. Hang it on a hook on the door or cross ways in the closet.

TIME ELAPSED: 2 MINUTES

2. CHECK YOUR CALENDAR FOR TOMORROW.

When you put things on your calendar instead of procrastinating then you don’t have to search for what you think you might have to do tomorrow. It is right there in front of your eyes. It takes just a few seconds and a minute to gather up what you need to walk out the door with in the morning. Place these items on your launch pad by your door. This way you won’t forget anything when you head out in the morning. And you will dress appropriately for your appointments.

TIME ELAPSED: 2 MINUTES

3. SHINE YOUR SINK.

If you cleaned up after dinner put the dishes in the dishwasher and ran it. This will only take a 3 or 4 minutes. Part of cleaning up after dinner is to wipe out your sink with your dish cloth and putting out a clean dish cloth for tomorrow. If you empty the dishwasher as part of your Shine your Sink habit; then you have a “Dirty Dish Disposal” Unit for the dishes that get used after dinner. This way you have a place to put them. You can even leave the dishwasher door open and a tray pulled out with a note that dirty dishes go in the dishwasher and not your shiny sink. Leave it at the bottom of the sink.

TIME ELAPSED: 3 MINUTES

4. BRUSH AND FLOSS YOUR TEETH.

If you take good care of your teeth they will take good care of you. Our dentists tell us to brush our teeth for 3 minutes. They recommend listening to a song on the radio while you brush your teeth. Flossing is another couple of minutes.

TIME ELAPSED: 4 MINUTES

5. WASH YOUR FACE.

I usually do this when I an in the tub. When I don’t wash my face in the tub then it only takes a few minutes to wash my face and moisturize before I go to bed. This keeps my face clear of blemishes and my pillow cases cleaner too.

TIME ELAPSED: 2 MINUTES

6. TAKE ANY BEFORE BED MEDICATIONS.

This is when I lay out my medications and vitamins for the next day too. It takes no time at all because I have them in a daily box. This box tells me if I have taken them today too. It only takes a minute and as long as it takes you to turn up a glass of water and toast to your health.

TIME ELAPSED: 1 MINUTE

7. GO TO BED AT A DECENT HOUR.

All you have to do here is turn off your computer and your television; then put on your pajamas, turn down your bed and crawl between the covers. How long could that possible take? I know, as long as you keep procrastinating. You just want to do one more thing! Set a bed time and keep to it! This doesn’t take any time at all unless you procrastinate.

TIME ELAPSED: 1 MINUTE

You don’t have to do this all at once. You can do 5 minutes each hour after dinner. You will be ready for bed in a timely fashion instead of running around getting all worked up doing your speedy before bed routine. Take your time and pace yourself. Did you count the minutes? It is only 15 minutes! We can do anything for 15 minute; even 5 minutes at a time.

Are you ready to FLY with your Before Bed Routine guiding you to a great start to your day?

FlyLady

Have you gotten your calendar ordered? Get it today! Our calendar has large squares that are big enough to hold your busy family’s schedule and milestones.

Introducing New 2026 FlyLady Calendar!

Get yours now! We have them in stock! Thank you for making this happen!

Sad to Say! But We Are Going Out Of Business! Justin has been slashing prices again! Last Call to Save over 50% OFF!

The FlyShop is Closing Soon!

Posted in Morning Musing