How many times has the thought crossed your mind – “I’ll read my Bible later,” “I’ll get gas in the morning,” “I’ll clean that up tonight,” or “I’ll do the laundry this weekend”? If you’re anything like I’ve been for most of my life, those phrases sound all too familiar. I have historically held the esteemed title of Queen of Procrastination, and let me tell you, it has caused me some serious heartache and stolen a good chunk of my joy.
It never fails, does it? Something always seems to pop up, adding an unexpected time crunch to our well-intentioned “later” plans. But why is it that we so often push aside the very things that are most important and impactful for our well-being in a day? Shouldn’t time spent connecting with our Lord and Savior be a priority, a forethought rather than an afterthought? That casual “later” can so easily morph into “I’ll spend extra time in the Word tomorrow,” which then gets pushed to “I’ll catch up this weekend,” and before you know it, it has completely fallen off your radar. Sadly, I am a repeat offender in this vicious cycle.
Maybe you’ve experienced the morning rush of trying to get a little one out the door, only to realize you’re running on fumes. You limp your car towards your appointment, clinging to the “E,” desperately hoping you can make it to the gas station afterward without the dreaded push. Or perhaps you’ve meticulously crafted a mental master plan for cleaning the house and tackling all the laundry, only for a nasty stomach bug to render you down for the count (a very recent personal experience!), leaving everything untouched for days upon days. Suddenly, things start to pile up, both literally and figuratively, and you feel yourself beginning to unravel. Your joy dwindles, frustration simmers towards yourself and everyone around you, all stemming from that overwhelming sense of being behind.
That was my reality for far too long. When stressed and facing a mounting to-do list swirling in my head, I wasn’t the kindest version of myself. I felt like I was carrying the entire weight of the world, that no one was offering a hand, and that everyone was somehow conspiring against my productivity, sending them scattering for cover. It’s a truly terrible place to be. Now looking back at my behavior in those moments, I am reminded of James 1:20. It reads “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires”. Ooof, that really makes you think doesn’t it? My striving for perfection coupled with my all important to-do list produced emotions and behaviors within me and through me that had led me further away from God. I will be writing another post about idols in our lives (scripture calls anything within our lives that takes precedence over God an idol). I realized that my constant striving for perfection had become just that, an idol.
So, what changed? I made some intentional shifts in my life that have significantly helped me procrastinate less and plan more effectively. Now, there’s definitely a fine line, and I can sometimes veer into the territory of over-planning (a topic for another day!), but these simple changes have made a world of difference in reclaiming my joy and my precious free time.
Simple Changes, Significant Impact:
- Set Aside Dedicated Time with the Lord: This is non-negotiable. Who knows your heart and mind better than Him? Make intentional time to completely release yourself from the mental clutter of your to-do list and simply be with Him. Pray for guidance and provision throughout your day. Ask for increased patience when those inevitable scheduling deviations occur and for a reduction in anxiety when they do. This sets the tone for the entire day and provides a sense of peace amidst the potential chaos.
- Embrace the Power of Lists: On Sundays, I take a few moments to jot down the things that need to be addressed during the upcoming week. Then, each night before bed, I create a list of what I hope to accomplish the next day. Now, I can promise you, there is never a day or week where every single item gets triumphantly checked off my list! But I structure my schedule with flexibility in mind. My most time-sensitive activities take the top spots, flowing down to things that I’m aiming to get done but won’t cause a meltdown if they don’t happen.
- Implement a Weekly Cleaning Schedule: Creating a cleaning routine has been a game-changer in preventing that overwhelming buildup. It helps me know exactly what kind of tasks need to be tackled on each day of the week. And here’s the crucial part: give yourself grace! There will be busy days where nothing gets done, and then there will be those glorious days that seem to flow effortlessly, allowing you to tackle some of those “as needed” tasks as well. (I will post my weekly and monthly cleaning schedule below for those who are interested!).
- Master the Art of Meal Planning: Planning our meals for the week takes so much guesswork out of our days and significantly helps us stay consistent with our budget. Before we embraced meal planning and budgeting, I would often forget to take something out for dinner until it was too late, leading to expensive and less healthy takeout. Now, I can pull something from the freezer to thaw the night before or strategically plan for leftovers on particularly busy weeknights. Another incredibly helpful habit we’ve adopted is keeping a pre-made, home-cooked meal frozen, ready to be thawed, heated, and enjoyed on those chaotic evenings.
- Remember Your Greatest Priority: Spending time with your kids is not just another item to check off your list; it is everything! We were chosen to be their parents because we are the best ones for the job. They deserve to feel like our top priority. Intentionally including them in our routines not only helps teach them responsibility and accountability but also lays the crucial groundwork for developing autonomy and industry as they grow. (While I’m no expert on Erik Erikson’s psychosocial stages, I highly recommend reviewing them to gain valuable insights into how to best encourage your child at their current developmental stage).
By making these simple yet intentional changes, I’ve found myself procrastinating less, feeling more in control, and ultimately, experiencing more joy and reclaiming some of that precious free time that used to be swallowed by the stress of undone tasks. It’s a journey, not a destination, and there are still days where I slip, but these strategies have provided a much-needed anchor in the often-turbulent waters of daily life.
Minimalist Approach with Daily Focus
This schedule focuses on a few key tasks each day to maintain cleanliness without feeling overwhelming.
| Day | Daily Focus | Tasks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Kitchen Reset | Wipe down counters and stovetop, clean sink, sweep/mop floors, empty trash. Throw in a load of laundry (kid’s clothes) | Start the week with a clean kitchen. |
| Tuesday | Bathroom Refresh (Main) | Wipe down sink and counters, clean toilet, quick wipe of shower/tub, sweep/mop floor. Wash kids linens. | A quick tidy to keep the main bathroom fresh. |
| Wednesday | General Tidying | Tidy up main living areas (kitchen/dining, entryway, living room, four seasons room), put away any clutter, quick dust of surfaces.Throw in a load of laundry (your clothes). | Focus on keeping the most used areas neat. |
| Thursday | Bathroom Refresh (Second) of | Wipe down sink and counters, clean toilet, quick wipe of shower/tub, sweep/mop floor.Wash your linens.This is our trash night so we clean out any old food in fridge. | A quick tidy for the second bathroom. |
| Friday | Floor Focus | Vacuum all carpeted areas (living room), mop hard floors.Launder washing machine safe bathroom and kitchen rugs. | Ensure floors are clean for the weekend. |
| Saturday | Surface Deep Clean | Dust all surfaces thoroughly throughout the house, wipe down light switches and door handles, clean mirrors.Do a load of kitchen, bath & hand towels. | A more thorough cleaning of all surfaces. |
| Sunday | Laundry Catch-Up & Tidy | Wash any non-baby laundry and do a quick tidy around the house. | Dedicate Sunday to catching up on laundry. |
| Daily | Laundry (Baby) | Wash and dry cloth diapers as well as any dirty clothes & blankets. | Essential daily task. |
| Daily | Roomba | Run the Roomba on all main floor areas. | Helps manage pet hair and daily crumbs. |
| As Needed | Upright Vacuum | Use for spot cleaning or in areas the Roomba doesn’t reach effectively. | For targeted cleaning. |
| Weekly | Pick a Deep Clean Project if time allows | Pick one of the refresh rooms and deep clean if you have time. | This may not flow into your weekly schedule every week but try and get a deep clean in if possible. |
Monthly Cleaning Schedule by Weekend
This schedule divides the monthly tasks across the four (or sometimes five) Saturdays of the month, grouping similar tasks together.
1st Saturday of the Month: Kitchen & Pantry Refresh
- Clean Out Pantry/Refrigerator: Remove everything, discard expired items, wipe down shelves, and organize.
- Wipe Down Cabinets (Kitchen): Clean the exterior of kitchen cabinets to remove grease and spills.
- Wash Trash Cans (Kitchen): Clean and disinfect the kitchen trash can.
2nd Saturday of the Month: Bathroom & Mirror Shine
- Wipe Down Cabinets (Bathrooms): Clean the exterior of bathroom cabinets.
- Clean Mirrors Thoroughly: Go beyond a quick wipe and use a glass cleaner for streak-free shine on all mirrors throughout the house.
- Wash Trash Cans (Bathrooms): Clean and disinfect bathroom trash cans.
3rd Saturday of the Month: Dusting & Light Fixtures
- Dust Decorative Items: Give picture frames, knick-knacks, and other decorative items a good dusting throughout the house.
- Clean Light Fixtures and Fans: Dust and wipe down all light fixtures, including ceiling lights, fans, lamps, and chandeliers. Remove any glass covers and clean them separately.
4th Saturday of the Month: Walls, Windows & Upholstery
- Wash Walls and Baseboards: Dust and then wipe down walls and baseboards in all rooms.
- Clean Window Treatments: Wash or dust curtains, blinds, or shutters. This is also a great time to wipe down the window sills.
- Vacuum Upholstery: Give your furniture a thorough vacuum, using attachments to get into crevices. You can also spot-treat any stains.
Seasonal Rotation: Shampoo Carpets
- Spring: Shampoo carpets in the family room.
- Summer: Shampoo carpets in the basement.
- Fall: Shampoo carpets in the family room.
- Winter: Shampoo carpets in the basement.
Notes:
- Flexibility: This is a template. Feel free to adjust the groupings based on your energy levels and preferences. Some months might have five Saturdays, offering an extra day for catch-up or tackling a less frequent chore.
- Breaking it Down: If a particular Saturday’s list feels too long, you can break down the tasks further and spread them across the weekend.
- Seasonal Carpet Cleaning: This rotation ensures your carpets get a good cleaning twice a year, alternating between the two carpeted areas. Adjust the seasons if your cleaning habits align differently.
I hope this post resonated with you! Procrastination is a challenge many of us face, but finding practical ways to manage it can truly transform our days.
What’s one area where you struggle most with procrastination? And what’s one simple change you’ve made that has helped you reclaim your joy or free time? Share your thoughts in the comments below!