Dear FlyLady,

This has been one of the hardest for me to do.

Swish and Swipe came easy. Shining My Sink a no brainer. Morning Routines easy peasey. Screech hear the brakes being put on…..Before Bed Routines not happening.

I have been having trouble sleeping for the last few years and getting up in the morning is not my favorite but once I’m up I get going. Well, this time around I said I am going to do the Before Bed Routine even if I have to drag my inner child by the ear screaming and kicking all the way to do it.

The first thing I needed to figure out was what was my Before Bedtime Routine and at what point did it start. Well for me it started with Shining My Sink after dinner. Then I would go upstairs Reboot my laundry, spend an hour on the phone, paying bills, house blessing etc depending on what day of the week routine I was on. Then 15 minutes of movement. Put laundry away. Get water for me, the cats and the bird. Then take a shower, swish & swipe, check my calendar for the next day and the hardest part of the Before bed Routine- getting my clothes set up.

Meditate, Read an inspirational book and a scheduled time for sleep no later than 10 pm. Well, after two weeks (complaining all the way) I realized I was actually in a quiet peaceful state of mind instead of all the thoughts that would normally be swirling in my head of how I didn’t do this or that and tomorrow I need to do….I have to get up early to do….I realized with all my routines finally in place and even my routines at work that this last piece was really the only piece of the puzzle that was keeping me from getting a good night’s rest and waking up refreshed in the morning.

I am not p**fect yet but I know I am on my way to gliding if not flying!

Thanks FlyLady and Crew from Me and my inner child!

Jeanne from New Jersey

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.

This is why we made one for you.Do you have a story or tips that will help other FlyBabies with this habit?

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.