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Some nights I crash on the couch at 8:00 (anyone else?!). But, really…my day goes so much better when I do just a few things before I go to bed! My evening routine makes a huge difference in whether or not I have an amazing day (or even just a pretty good day)!
We could debate the fact that you can have a great day without planning ahead and thinking about when you are going to do certain tasks…but experience has shown me that I am happier and I get a lot more done when I start my day the night before and follow my evening routine! I need to be organized to keep my home and family running smoothly!
My Evening Routine Checklist
1. Do the dishes!
I know you have heard this one before. I haven’t always done this. My husband works a little later than many…which means we eat dinner a little late. By the time we are done with dinner…it’s time to put kids to bed and I am tired…and I don’t feel like cleaning up! But I have found it really does make a big difference when I wake up to a clean kitchen.. So I have done a few things to help myself out! I really try to prep dinner ahead and keep it somewhat simple during the week. Also, enlisting the help of everyone doing “after dinner jobs” really helps the clean up go much quicker!
2. Think about tomorrow.
My daily planning sheet keeps me moving forward. Thinking about the three most important things I need to get get done makes a big difference in how productive I am. I know what I’m supposed to be doing…so when I get distracted (which often happens) I can look at my planning page and get right back on track! I often find myself waiting for kids during the day (piano lessons, sports practices)…I try to be productive during those times…but in order for that to happen I need to plan for it. So, I try to prep the night before to make sure I have whatever I might need to work on in my bag!
3. What are we going to eat?
My kids want to eat several times a day (anyone else?) I need a plan! If I’m not ready for them…we all end up cranky, we don’t make good food choices, I spend more money on groceries!
4. Plan my workout and set out exercise clothes!
My mornings are pretty busy with homeschooling some kids and getting others to public school. I’m the kind of person that has to exercise in the morning or else it doesn’t happen! I only have 30 minutes set aside to exercise…but if I don’t plan the night before what I’m going to do I find it really easy to talk myself out it or get distracted by other things that come up!
5. Remember my blessings!
I have wanted to do a gratitude journal for a long time. The perfectionist in me never got started…because it wasn’t the “right” notebook! This year I just went for it…I got a simple planner to write in. I try to be specific in writing things that occured that day. It makes such a difference in my attitude as I am looking everyday for something new to be thankful for!
Give it a try! Do these things make a difference in whether or not you have an amazing day?
Make it Happen!
- Write down 5 things you want to do as part of your evening routine that will make your day easier…don’t start with more than 5! Keep it simple so you will actually do it!
Join Other Homemaking Heroes!
- Do you need more ideas to make your life easier! Sign up for my “Use It” Letter and link the link to my printables page (which also has an evening routine printable)
