2/21/25, 4:14 PM FLYing Lesson: Routines | FlyLady.

net

FlyLady’s Routines
Dear Friends,

I am often asked about my routine, so I decided to share it with you. But keep
in mind — this is my routine. It works for me and may not work for you.
Now, don’t get obsessive on me; we all have to get dressed and put our shoes
on those precious tootsies, bathrooms need to be cleaned daily, the bed has to
be made, and of course you can’t go without shining your sink. But you can
change the order of things to suit you and your lifestyle. I do feel that doing
them as soon as you get up and as fast as you can gives you a certain amount
of pride as you go through your day. If you don’t do them, then the guilt
monster starts to eat away at you. I want you to feel productive, and that
doesn’t happen if you put things off.

This is a continual process. Routines may need to be adjusted weekly or

monthly. Do what works for you. Remember: your routine has to be YOUR
routine or you won’t do it.

– FlyLady

FlyLady’s Before-Bed Routine

FlyLady’s Morning Routine
FlyLady’s Basic Weekly Plan
FlyLady’s Weekly Checklist

FlyLady’s Before-Bed Routine

The Before-Bed Routine is the most important routine of the whole
day. Set a regular time to do your Before-Bed Routine, then do it
— starting tonight. I start mine as soon as dinner is complete.
Others start theirs in the afternoon while they are getting supper
ready. It is up to you. – FlyLady

There are three parts to FlyLady’s Before-Bed Routine:

1. Clean up the house before you go to bed (Approx. 20

minutes)
Living room – pick up and put away things, magazines, dishes, clothes,
shoes, etc.
Kitchen – clean it up, shine sink, lay out clean dishcloths, run the
dishwasher
Dining room/entrance – clear the hot spots
Review check list to be sure nothing has been forgotten

2. Think about tomorrow before you go to bed

Check your calendar and/or planner for appointments
Start a to-do list for tomorrow
Think: “What can I do tonight that will make tomorrow morning
easier?”
Gather up items you don’t want to forget and place them in a spot by the
door that you’ll see before you walk out
Make sure the children have their things put away
Start breakfast – set the table and plan what’s for breakfast (just make a
mental note)

[Link] 1/6
2/21/25, 4:14 PM FLYing Lesson: Routines | [Link]
If you plan to use the slow cooker for dinner tomorrow, get some of the
ingredients ready so they can just be thrown together in the morning
Lay out your clothes for tomorrow. It’s a simple thing that saves time by
being decisive. If something needs to be ironed or has a spot, you can
deal with it calmly or choose something else. Take it to the cleaners,
launder it, or fix that missing button according to your schedule – no
pressure! All the stress has been relieved.

3. Focus on yourself before going to bed

Cool down time:

Get yourself ready for bed

Brush your teeth, wash your face, and comb your hair
Take vitamins and other meds
Bath time! Take a bubble bath or a warm shower
Put on your bedclothes (if you wear them!)
Now you’re ready for bed!

Reflect on today’s accomplishments:

Write in a journal, make a “ta-da” (accomplishments) list, or write in a

gratitude journal
Read for fun
Read to your children or spouse
Listen to music. It doesn’t matter what kind; just relax!
Pray or meditate
Snuggle in for the night and turn out the lights. Go to bed at a decent
time, preferably the same time every night!
Fall asleep with a smile on your face and in your heart

Does that seem like a lot to you?

Don’t fret! Just start small. Do these three things, then build upon that to
create your full-blown Before-Bed Routine:

1. Shine your kitchen sink

2. Lay out clothes and put away other clothes
3. Brush teeth

FlyLady’s Morning Routine

This is my full “morning routine.” It took me several months to
work up to a full-blown morning routine. I did most of the things,
but they were not automatic. Now they are. Look at the way I move
through the house, starting with getting dressed. As I move from
room to room, I am finished with most of it. Then I check to see if
I have missed anything on my list.

I realize this may seem like a lot, but if you do your “Before-Bed
Routine,” this part is a piece of cake. All you are really doing is
getting dressed, sprucing up the bathroom, going into the kitchen,
and taking care of yourself! – FlyLady

The morning routine is broken down into four parts:

1. Rise and shine

Make your bed as soon as you get out of it (unless someone is still in it!)
Go into the bathroom; shower and clean it while you’re there

[Link] 2/6
2/21/25, 4:14 PM FLYing Lesson: Routines | [Link]
Fix your hair and face
Swish the toilet and leave the room, never to return until later. It is
clean, and you can forget about it now!
Leave your bedroom with a load of laundry in hand and go straight to
the washer

2. The kitchen
If you did the Before-Bed routine, the kitchen is clean and all you need
to do is empty the dishwasher!
Make coffee or tea and start breakfast
Feed the critters
Feed the family – including yourself!

3. Think about your day

Check your calendar
Make your to-do list
Plan something for dinner
Review your checkbook and bring down the balance
Reboot the laundry (put it in the dryer!)
Hit the hotspots. If you did the Before-Bed Routine, there won’t be any!

4. Now think about yourself

Take vitamins and medications
Sit down and relax for a moment
Eat breakfast, if you haven’t already
Morning meditation
Reward yourself with some computer time; check your e-mail and
favorite websites!

FlyLady’s Basic Weekly Plan

Your basic weekly plan is an outline for what you plan to do every day of the
week. FlyLady says the following about the basic weekly plan:

I want you to think about the things you need to do every week.
Select which days you want to do these things, put it on your
calendar for next week, and stick to it. Make an appointment with
yourself! Try it for one week. It may surprise you that your week
can revolve around these appointments. This is what I do. With the
Basic Weekly Plan, we decide on a day to do things and stick to it.
I never knew how much this would help my lack of organization.
Knowing that I do my shopping on Thursday, my cleaning on
Monday, and my desk day on Friday allows me the freedom to
schedule things according to the day. When you know what the day
is, you know what has to be done. It is another way to be on
autopilot. – FlyLady

Monday: Weekly Home Blessing (8–9 a.m.)

1. Get up and get dressed to shoes
2. Laundry
3. Weekly Home Blessing Hour
1. Cull/toss old magazines
2. Change sheets
3. Empty all the trash
4. Vacuum all rooms

[Link] 3/6
2/21/25, 4:14 PM FLYing Lesson: Routines | [Link]
5. Mop kitchen and bath
6. Clean mirrors and doors
7. Dust

Tuesday: Free Day

1. Water and fertilize plants
2. Spend 15 minutes in current zone

Wednesday: Zone Cleaning and Partial Desk Time

1. Finish Zone Cleaning Chores.
2. Remainder Weekly Cleaning.
3. Make sure refrigerator is clean.
4. Write thank-you notes.
5. Work on menus and grocery list for next week.
6. Balance check book before going shopping.

Thursday: Grocery and Errand Day

1. Make sure menus are planned before you go shopping.
2. Check grocery list one last time before you walk out the door. Take your
list with you.
3. Grocery Day.
4. Errand Day:
1. Library.
2. Post office.
3. Buy gifts and cards.
4. Buy candles.

Friday: Paperwork and Misc.

1. Be romantic today.
2. Get food from the freezer for next week.
3. File papers.
4. Write letters and cards.
5. Clean out purse.
6. Mend clothes and polish shoes.
7. Pet care (Flea and Heart Meds).
8. Clean out car and check fluids.
9. Clean laundry room.

Weekend
Yeah! It’s the weekend! Time for the weekend dance! LOL! Have
some fun! – FlyLady

Friday is “Date Night” – do something special with your sweetie!

Saturday is “Family Fun Day” – enjoy the day with your family!

Sunday is “Renew Your Spirit Day” – relax and reflect on the past week, as
well as what is to come.

FlyLady’s Weekly Checklist

To help you create your Basic Weekly Plan, you may want to write
out a list of all the things that need to be done in an area. This is the
Weekly Checklist. Then schedule these tasks into the Basic Weekly
Plan.
[Link] 4/6
2/21/25, 4:14 PM FLYing Lesson: Routines | [Link]
This is my list. I keep it accessable all week and use it to cross off
the tasks that are done. – FlyLady

Kitchen:
1. Scrub floor
2. Wash area rugs
3. Clean out refrigerator
4. Replace foil on drip pans
5. Sweep decks

Bathrooms:
1. Polish mirror
2. Empty trash
3. Mop floor
4. Change vacuum bag

Bedrooms:
1. Clean mirror
2. Vacuum carpet
3. Dust
4. Change sheets

Living room, dining room, family room:

1. Dust
2. Vacuum
3. Clean mirrors
4. Cull old magazines and newspapers

Paperwork and Miscellaneous Duties

1. Plan menu for next week
2. Write letters and cards
3. Clean out purse
4. Water and fertilize plants
5. Polish shoes and mend clothes
6. Pet care (flea treatment, medications)
7. Clean out car
8. Straighten laundry room
9. Errands (grocery store, library, post office)

As many of you know, my routine evolved over many months by

adding a new habit every few weeks. That is what I needed to make
the habits stick. We are all different – you have to find what works
for you. – FlyLady

BabySteps Join FlyLady Cozi Flying Lessons

FAQ FlyShop FlyLady TV FlyLady's Favorites
About Control Journals FlyLady Radio Ask FlyLady
Contact Us Zones Login To Account Site Map

[Link] 5/6
2/21/25, 4:14 PM FLYing Lesson: Routines | [Link]
Follow @TheFlyLady • Like us on Facebook

Your detected timezone is GMT+1. Set your zone.

[Link]: Helping women around the world get their home organized. Copyright 2001 - 2022 FlyLady and Company, Inc.

[Link] 6/6