Hey there!

If you haven’t read the post about the overview of our file system then you may want to check that out first. I’ll try to get it linked here:

To get started you need to figure out what you want your day to look like so you can set up your daily routines.

You may find it easiest to break you day up into morning, afternoon, and bedtime routines. You can find more information about setting them up HERE.

You can use a notebook to jot down your routines or a file card system like I am using.

If your routines look different from day to day then that’s ok… you can make a card/page for different days.

I started out using the FlyLady system and here is how we ‘assigned’ our days:

Sometimes we have to swap days around but that’s ok… this is just a general guideline. If I know that we need to add in a special dinner for next week I’ll add a sticky note to my Tuesday plans so I can remember to do that when I’m making my menu plans… or add it to our grocery list for the week.

Perpetual Meal Plans

Our day to day items change a little bit but the overall structure stays the same.

We also have our monthly chores broken down into small chunks which is something you might like to do or you may prefer to dedicate a longer period of time to knock them all out at once. Maybe a once a month deep cleaning day?

We just write down what needs to be done like dusting lighting or washing curtains and how often it needs to happen. Then we assign a day (2nd, 3rd, etc) and it will get completed every month on that day.

Ours are also assigned to even/odd months to break them into even smaller tasks… there is only so much time in a day and I have a lot to do even without these small tasks.

Once you get these figured out you can add in the monthly sections to help keep everything organized… you can have a card for birthdays and anniversaries so you don’t forget those.

Maybe another card for holidays to plan for and another for other special events that you want to remember… you decide how much or how little you want in that section.

How to use your new set up:

You can just pull the cards that you need for each day and then put them back when they are completed.

Let’s say that it is Monday, January 1st.

Here is what my set up might look like:

It might look like a lot but I do have a lot of people I’m caring for so yours may not look nearly as full… you may even fit everything in one or two cards!

Once you’ve completed a task then you simply move it back to its place and before you know it you’ve finished all your tasks and you might even find that you have some free time!

It can be a little nerve wracking trying to get new habits in place but make sure to give yourself grace. Change doesn’t happen overnight but it will happen with practice and perseverance.

Before you know it you may even be flying through your routines without looking at your notes… it doesn’t hurt to peek at them every so often though as I find that we sometimes skip things without realizing it.

Also don’t be afraid to change things if something isn’t working… it’s much easier to follow a routine when things flow together so try to group like things together whenever you can.

God bless!