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