These small, manageable tasks will make your mornings smoother and your evenings a little less stressful, because a little bit of nightly prep can go a long way in keeping your home in order. Older kiddos (and maybe hubby too) can give you a hand with this.
1. Load up the dishes now.
You don’t want to start your day tomorrow with a sink full of dirty dishes, but doing them right now doesn’t sound appealing either. Here’s the deal: if you leave them, you’ll probably need to wash a few by hand in the morning just to make breakfast. Our advice? Load them up now, and by the time morning rolls around, they’ll be sparkling clean and ready to be put away (or reused).
2. Do a quick sweep.
Run a vacuum or sweep high-traffic areas to remove dirt and crumbs.
3. Clear the counters.
Wipe down kitchen counters and put away any dishes or items left out.
4. Tidy up clutter.
Spend a few minutes putting away small toys, sorting the mail, stacking the library books scattered around the living room, and fluffing the pillows. A little decluttering can go a long way in making your home feel more organized and giving your mind a sense of calm.
5. Wipe down bathroom surfaces.
Give the sink and counter a quick wipe to keep things looking fresh and ready for use the next morning.
6. Put the laundry in a decorative tote bag.
See, we’re not saying you have to fold and put everything away right now, but leaving the pile on your bed just to move it to the floor isn’t the solution either. If you’ve got clean laundry waiting to be put away at bedtime, quickly toss it into a large decorative woven basket and tuck it in the corner of your room for later. This simple step will help keep your space feeling calmer and more organized when you wake up.
