Why I’ve Always Loved a List
When I was about seven, I fell in love with the Frog and Toad books. One story was all about “a list of things to do” — and ever since then, I’ve been a list-maker. Even at that age, my lists looked like: wake up, brush teeth, brush hair… and I had to do them in order!
Fast forward to (closer to 50 than I’d like to admit 🙈), and while I no longer need to write down the basics, I still get a buzz from being organised. Whether it’s planning trips, keeping family life on track, or sorting my home, organisation helps me feel calm and in control.
My Sunday Ritual: Planning the Week Ahead
Sunday mornings are my favourite. With a cup of tea in hand and a slow start to the day, I grab my wipeable fridge planner and map out the week. On it goes:
- Who needs to be where and when
- Appointments and reminders
- Fun plans we’re looking forward to
I also keep a monthly wall calendar, filled a month in advance so I can see everything at a glance. Each month I make sure we have at least one of the following:
- A cinema trip (usually on a Tuesday with Meerkat savings!)
- Parkrun together
- A day out somewhere new
- A long nature walks
- A cosy home-based activity
That way, we always have something to look forward to most weekends, while still leaving space for downtime and friends.
Little and Often: My Cleaning Strategy
I’ve learned that if you tackle small jobs regularly, they never build up into big chores. Five minutes every other day in the bathroom saves me from a dreaded hour-long scrub at the weekend.
Laundry and ironing are my least favourite tasks — I even gave up ironing for Lent once! Nowadays, I make ironing less painful by turning it into “me time”: I pop on the radio, a favourite CD, or an audiobook, and head out to my warm summer house where it doesn’t take over the house.
Decluttering with the Seasons
Four times a year, I reorganise my cupboards to match the season. My rule: if I didn’t wear it in the last three months, it goes to the charity shop. Out-of-season clothes go into storage, and I make a short list of items I might need to complete outfits.
I try to stick to no more than five new pieces per season (including shoes). This mindset came after clearing out my Nan’s home, which was overflowing with clothes — it made me determined not to hoard. I’ve even tried personal shoppers like Stitch Fix and Lookiero in the past for a little style refresh, though I don’t plan on using them again until next year (maybe as a Mother’s Day gift to myself!).
Everyday Flow at Home
Most weekdays follow a rhythm:
- Quick tidy downstairs after waking
- Get ready for work
- A small organising job in my lunch break (like a drawer)
- Dog walks after work
- An hour max of house tasks before dinner
- The rest of the evening spent on something joyful with family
Saturdays are our “up and out” days, while Sundays are for lounging, planning, dog walking, and tackling any niggling tasks. The more I declutter and let go of things that no longer serve me, the lighter and happier our home feels.
Final Thoughts
I used to think housework was boring, but I’ve found that with the right mindset, organisation can actually bring joy. It gives me time back, makes space for family fun, and helps me feel more grounded.
I know life can get overwhelming and it’s not always easy to know where to start. If you’d like some strategies to bring more order (and joy!) into your home, I’d love to share ideas.
👉 Do you use lists, planners, or routines to stay on top of things? Or do you prefer a more go-with-the-flow approach? You may also like to read my posts on The Next Chapter or Ambition, setbacks and rediscovering what really matters.
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