Just found this thread as I have been trying the TOMM and I agree I keep feeling like I’m missing something but after lots of tweekibg it does work out for me.
So I decided there is 15 mins in the morning and 15 in the evening:
Morning:
Empty dishwasher 5 mins (Delegate to DH when he isn’t in a rush)
Remove clothes form clothes line and put new ones on line 7-10 mins ( I involve DC when we aren’t in a rush)
Do one task in the toilet 3-5 mins ( I do it at sons bath time whenever possible).
I do the putting laundry on while my kids are having breakfast. Else I involve him as a game.
Removing clothes from line to their designated spots has been simplified and made efficient by the fact I put things on the airer and organise them by location ( one side for one child and other side for other child and middle for me and DH and each line is for things that belong together. I also removed the need to fold daily items ( underwear and so on) by making one designated area in the closet where I can just put them in folded in half (as picked up from the line) and so I just stack them as I go along without folding. Bigger items I hang on the airer on a hanger so I can take straight to the wardrobe. Anythibg else I put on the ottoman I’m a basket in the bedroom to be folded in the evening or when I feel like it in the day. Usually it’s a 3 min job as everything else is put away. I usually do it when breastfeeding or when sitting next to child preparing him to sleep at bedtime so I put it somewhere accessible for that time.
The toilet I don’t do it all daily, I divided it to 5 min tasks throughout the week. Only thing that’s done daily is a quick wipe of the loo seat:
- thorough clean of the sink and wiping sink area and charging toothbrushes and disinfecting toothbrush heads And changing hand towels.
- thorough clean of the toilet seat and bleaching and replacing toilet roll and cleaning toilet brush
- thorough cleaning of the toilet floor and changing bath mats and
- thorough clean of the bath and shower area, change bath towels. Descale shower head and wipe down shower screen.
These tasks do take 5 mins separately if everything has been well maintained and whatever takes too long is left for “Focus week” or for my seperate to do list. Or at times I leave the toilet tasks for my sons bath time which means I have less things to do in the morning. ESP mirror or clearing hairbrush or wiping down toilet seat and anything not requiring harsh chemicals ( thanks white vinegar and baking powder).
So technically this morning session can disappear if i managed to multitask very well the day before but it’s quite achievable in 15 mins if not. Without being too Rigid about finishing everything because I have a back up plan during the day.
Evenings:
Clear up surfaces and floors (10 mins)
Run dishwasher and clear sink 5 mins
Put washing load on 2 mins
Hoover One spot and wipe down kitchen surfaces ( 5 mins)
The clearing up surfaces is simplified by doing it throughout the day on the spot as I spot them. Especially with toys the idea is most toys are tucked away by the kids before bedtime and I’m just there to do the final touches. He is only 2 and sister is a baby but me and him tidy up together before bedtime. Closer to his bedtime I just keep one or two toys out until it’s time for a bath and so I don’t have much to put away. I do have to put away the laundry that doesn’t have a designated spot but that’s shrunk down as my wardrobe got more organized (Thanj you Kon Marie).
Kitchen work tops are mostly empty because dishwasher was empty in the morning so things should’ve went straight there and whatever doesn’t go hopefully washed straight away. But I give myself slack to allow for that to not always work out. I do have to pack away left over food during this time.
I’m still working at being consistent. I tell myself if something takes 2 mins then I should just do it. For example if I’m microwaving something and I see a pot in the sink I might as well do it there and then and not wait for the evening. So efficiency of the evening all depends on how well I’ve limited my procrastination during the day. But I don’t spend the day thinkng about housework as it has its designated time to be tackled during the 15 min morning and evening.
I find the TOMM helpful in that it gives you the strutvrur to be able to Switch off from home-making and have your own life. But in reality it works only if you stay on top of things very well.
I am struggling however with the 1/2 hour rotations around the house per day as it takes me much longer. But I’m guessing that’s to do with the fact I need to tackle my clutter and so I’m working on that.
In summary. I think TOMM works but you start seeing the benefit after being consistent and after flexibly fitting it in around your lifestyle. But try stick to the timing in terms of designating that time for housework and tackling the tasks and switching off afterwards to something else even if you had to leave a hair brush near the sink so you remember to clean it when you are Pottering around that area at some in the day and have 2 mins to spare.
The idea is to not have things on ur mind and reduce the mental load of having things constantly on ur mind and knowing that there is a time to tackle these issues and so you CAN procrastinate things in an organised manner and allocate it the right time. It helps in not being overwhelmed and bogged down by chores in a busy house.
Haven’t tried any other method yet but it’s certainly helping me.