A very long time ago I used to have a dumping zone. I would come home from work and dump the mail, my handbag, keys, sunglasses, shopping, anything that was in my arms onto the dining table. More than likely it would just stay there for a few days (was just laziness). This drove me mad, a constant mess on our dining table. It has always been important for my husband and I to always eat at the dining table, so something had to change. I’ll share my method with you below, but I have to tell you this has worked for me and and I hope it does for you. 6 meals out of 7 are eaten at our table, usually Friday nights are something fun mexican or pizza in front of the TV while watching a movie. Eating at the table encourages conversation amongst the family, chatting about our day, how we feel and seeing if the kids had any struggles with subjects at school.
Clean – Dining Room
Below is the general cleaning checklist:
[wlchecklist name=’cleanday18′]
Declutter – Dumping Zone
Tidy up your dumping zone, whether it be your dining table, kitchen bench, coffee table etc. Try and come up with a method that will stop you from continuing to put clutter in this zone.
As I mentioned above my dining table was a dumping zone and I had to stop myself from dumping items onto the table. I purchased a really nice table runner and ornament and placed it in the middle of the table, it looked pretty. This was my trigger, when I came home I would see a beautifully tidy table (which made me smile) and this stopped me from putting the items onto the table. I soon created a home for all my dump zone items. From that day (I was about 20) I have always put a table runner and ornament on my table.
Keys – on a hook in the garage
Sunglasses – stay in the car
Handbag – see below
Mail – is opened straight away, junk thrown in the bin and other items filed
Shopping – unpacked and put away immediately
Tip: I reuse the tablecloth until it gets to the point that it needs to be washed (typically 2-3 nights). After dinner I fold over the tablecloth and shake off all the crumbs outside. I then fold it up and put it on one of the dining chairs. It stays on the dining chair until dinner the next day.
I have created an area near our garage door, hidden away that stores all our handbags and school bags. Read more about our school bag nook here.
[wlchecklist name=’DeclutterDay18′]
Organise – Date Night
Organise a night out with your loved one. Rekindle your relationship, take time to communicate. It’s important to stay connected as at times our lives become busy and feel much like groundhog day. Arrange a date in your diary for a night you are both free, book in a babysitter and spend some quality time together. If you can’t get a babysitter, put the kids to bed early, don’t make having kids be an excuse.
Date night ideas:
- Dinner out
- Movies
- Romantic dinner at home
- Watch a video together under the same blanket on the couch
- Go out for drinks
- Walk along the beach
- Picnic in the park or on the beach
- Make dinner together
- Go for a swim
- Visit a theme park
- Go on a road trip
- Place candles through the house, don’t turn on the lights
[wlchecklist name=’OrganiseDay18′]
New Habit – To do list
Don’t forget to tick items off your to-do list, making it easier to see what tasks need completing
[wlchecklist name=’NewHabitDay18′]
This to-do list will help you complete your tasks, projects and more. Can be used daily or weekly, at home or in the office. You will find this A5 Things To-Do List Notepad that I designed and created myself in my shop here.
5 Minutes Only – Empty all indoor rubbish bins
[wlchecklist name=’5minutesonlyDay18′]
DOWNLOAD
Print the daily sheet and checklists to keep for reference while you are completing the above tasks.
- DAY 18 DAILY TASK SHEET – file behind ‘Daily Task’ divider – click to download.
- Use the general room clean checklists you have already printed
14 comments
Done
I’ve always kept the dining clutter free since you shared your tip on the blog a while back. I also placed a runner on the table. It keeps moving around though. Kids may knock over any ornament so I’ll just leave it bare for now
Corner of the kitchen bench used to be my dump zone. Now i just put things where they should be immediately or at night before retiring in to bed
hmm you could try blu tack or sticky dots in the corners to keep it from moving, or put a couple non-slip mats underneath
WOW!!! My house is looking AMAZING 🙂 🙂 🙂
Yay!!! You have worked very hard Ness, you should enjoy it!
Hi Kat am enjoying this challenge. Have done parts of everyday & feeling more organised and less snowed under… & working backwards as you can see! Thank you.
looks as though you were very busy yesterday Penelope, getting many tasks completed, hope you are enjoying the changes you are seeing 🙂
This is my real problem area – I have dumping grounds on our dining table (we eat at another small casual table), kitchen bench and study. I have had so much happening at home recently that I have hardly done any challenge tasks at all and am having major guilt attacks at registering for the challenge. I am taking it in though and will aim to do at my own pace, perhaps starting with my real problem areas so that I can see progress.
All in your own time, Abigail. Once you find a routine that works for you, you will find it will all come together nicely.:)
Wow this is really the one I need!! I have Dumping Grounds everywhere! Kitchen, office, bedroom!! My house is pretty clean, but I don’t put stuff away and then get too much stuff! I Am going to have fun with this day…..which will probably stretch out for a week!! Thanks Kat!!
Hi Kat,
Can you remind me of the discount code for purchasing from the online shop? Have been inspired to hold a garage sale.
Hi, so sorry there isn’t a discount code for the garage sale just for the items as listed in the related post.
That’s fine thanks. Still going to get it, it’s going to save me so much time.
I LOVE your school bag nook but we don’t have an appropriate place in our home to have one
Hi Hayley, yes it is so handy. Maybe you could hang it in your garage or laundry (depending on the size).