I strongly believe in the home management system since the day I have started practicing it myself. I assume it is the most underrated organization technique which many women do not know about.
And even if they know they do not practice since they might be thinking that creating these lists into planner is more time consuming or they won’t get any time to sit and write it all up. I am saying this because I was one of that woman.
The main reason I started writing things down is because I was failing to remember things, I felt lost and exhausted and I felt like I was losing focus in life.
I also want to share that these schedules and list may vary from person to person depending on the lifestyle, personalities and home requirements.
I am sharing things that have worked for me. It took me 3-4 months to customize my Home Management System according to my needs.
I would like to tell it is not a day’s process. It takes time to implement if you are a beginner. Because you are just not making any other list, you are actually designing a system that would work for your house.
And it might take a trial and error. But once you knock it, half of your mind’s mess will be gone for good.
So, for now let’s dig into my planned layout for a struggle free successful home.
THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE CREATING A SYSTEM -
Reality Check
Firstly, it is necessary for you to understand your lifestyle in terms of convenience. We are no wonder women nor do we have people for helping us in the daily chores.
So, in this scenario prioritize your important things and work accordingly. If you feel getting laundry done today is as not important as the cleaning tv unit is then leave the laundry for the other day.
Do not over expect from yourself. Make a to do list that you can achieve daily in your time.
Essentialism
Declutter everything which is not needed or have expired. Keep only those items that are essential and gives you joy (like Marie Kondo says).
Also keep your lifestyle and routines very simple. Do not complicate it by adding the ongoing trends for example your makeup, skincare, morning routine, night routine etc. Simple the routine, simpler the life.
Once I was decluttering my dresser drawer, I took out all the things which I only use occasionally and put them behind in a box.
I was surprised to see my shelf, as it was all sorted and made me focus only on the creams and makeup products which I use daily and was not able to find quickly in my previous mess.
Ready To Go Out Checklist
Whenever I use to go out, many times I use to forget my wallet or my specs or pen etc. This happened because I change my bags according to the occasion.
I felt very irritated by this, because it was getting hard to always remember what else I need in my bag or which bag I used last time so that I can take out my stuff.
So, I made a checklist and pasted it near my makeup box. This helped me remind what I had forgotten. So, before going out I always check my going out checklist.
The checklist looks like this –
Sr. No. | Items |
1 | Wallet |
2 | Watch |
3 | Specs |
4 | Goggle |
5 | Pen + Small Diary |
Similarly, I pasted one more checklist inside my kid’s wardrobe.
Sr. No. | Items |
1 | Diaper + Disposable Bag |
2 | Snacks |
3 | Water Bottle |
4 | Napkin |
Thus, I am relaxed while going out. Now, I am all sorted as all the decision making is done. All I have to do is look into the list and pack.
Involve kids into the chores
I started including my kid into my chores long back. Like if I have to change the bedsheet, I do it while playing with my kid on the bed. This way he also gets involved in the activity and helps me.
Also, while putting out my laundry to dry, he hands me the cloth one by one and I put it for drying them.
Thus, involving kids help us to –
- Keep them engaged
- Increase productivity
- Bonding with the kid
- No need to allot special time for chores
Now let’s get to some practical things. How to manage everything together?
6 STEPS TO RUN A SUCCESSFUL HOME
1. JOURNAL
Daily morning, I look into my journal. This includes my primary needs which are planner, schedules and my regular mind dump pages. I write down my daily tasks into 4 categories i.e. personal, work, home and son.
I also have schedules for yearly, monthly and weekly tasks. So, I check them up and add to my list. Thus, my to do list is complete and I am ready to take on a day.
My to- do list looks like this –
Day and Date
PERSONAL | WORK | WORKOUT | HOME | SON |
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2. HOME MASTERLIST
In the home Master list, I have my secondary important things which I do not need daily but once in a month or 6 months. Like –
- Gods praying (pooja) procedures and list of food dishes that is made on that particular day.
- Grocery Master list
- Travel Checklist
- List of emergency medicines
- Bank Details
- Investment Details
3. HOME BILLS AND DOCUMENTS
This includes 2 folders. One for Bills and other for documents.
4. WORK BOOK
This has my blogging schedule. On Saturdays, I plan for the next week. I jot down everything that needs to be finished in that week and add them into the planner. This is how I create my weekly blogging schedule.
This helps me to keep the track and quickly start up where I left off.
5. TIME BLOCKING
Again, time blocking is another helpful process to keep me focused for the day. It prepares my mind to be ready for the next scheduled task. Time blocking also help me to utilise my time purposefully.
This also helps me to keep a track of the day. Also, I can see which tasks (time slots) I can negotiate with, if any emergencies came my way.
6. USING CALENDER AND TO DO LIST APP
When I make my to-do list in the journal, I also add those tasks in my remainders app. The reason behind this is, I can see those task flashing on the mobile screen’s widget. So even if I forget what I wrote in my journal, I have a backup to look into my phone’s screen.
Since I have weekly schedules which includes changing the bedsheets, cleaning toilets, throwing garbage, laundry etc. I have added reminder for these tasks on the calendar app on a weekly basis on a fixed day for a year.
This is how I have created a layout for my life which works for me efficiently. It reduces my anxiety and lastminute rush. I can give some time to myself. I feel organized and sorted. And thus, I feel at peace.