The Home At Home project
I remember reading once that tidy people are in a constant state of tidying, and I remember thinking “ugh, who would want to ALWAYS be cleaning? That sounds terrible.” I have struggled with keeping my home clean but I’ve been taking this time as a chance to try to get more in flow with my home. I’m making small incremental steps that I add to my routine with the hopes that they stick. So, twice a month I’ve been adding one small habit to my routine, to try to build in some habit automation around some tasks. I’ll add them here as I go along— if something resonates with you please join me!
And a note: for all of these, take what is helpful and leave the rest behind. Got kids or busy work schedule that makes it impossible? It's totally okay. Do what works for you. This is just a way I'm framing my year at home.
Home at Home habit #1:
"Clear sink, clear mind?"
or, "Clear your sink and the rest will follow?"
This week I’m starting with something I know will make me happy–– keeping our sink clean. I live in a small Brooklyn apartment with my husband, two cats, no dishwasher and a pretty small sink so it’s very easy for dishes to overflow, and that can happen very quickly, especially if you like to use every dish while cooking like I do. So for this first week, I’m starting the habit of doing dishes as they get dirty rather than letting them pile up. I’m going for a C grade. I’ll let you know how it goes. If you have any small things you’d like to add into your home routine, let me know!
Home at Home habit #2:
"Every veggie in its spot "
Okay, so this is a pretty spare fridge than my usual but it helps show what I've been doing with my fridge-- making dedicated spaces for things!! I've started build little sections in my fridge so I know where everything goes (I don't know why I never considered this before!) and while it never looks as tidy as this illustration, it does really help me with cooking and meal prep. . Also-- containers in containers! I bought some silicone vegetable bags that help keep things fresh, and I use a basket and some clear bins to highlight what I have so things don't get lost.
Home at Home Habit #3:
"organizing this dang junk drawer"
Okay, this one has actually worked really well for me and I've been doing it for a while! I set up sections in my junk drawer so everything had a home (pens, tapes, scissors, stamps and tacks), so there's no area I can just put old receipts and gum in. As someone who has organized and destroyed my junk drawer on repeat for my whole adult life, this has made all the difference! For the little containers, I used lids of things and little bowls and saucers I wasn't using for other things.
Home at Home Habit #4:
"A made bed as an invite to start the day"
"If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed --William McRaven". Alright, fine! I’ve been talking about my struggle to keep my house clean with a friend/therapist/someone who does life better than me generally and she said, "everything you give to your house, it gives back to you and then some." And, I definitely feel that with my home. My new habit for this week is to make my bed each morning–– once I'm up up (and not down up), after I have my coffee, I'll try to make my bed to start my day. I think this one is going to go well. Hopefully it will become automatic for me! .