Spring into action: Flying into April, a flylady April thread

[Positivepositron]

Welcome to the April thread. This is my first time starting a flylady thread. And I've been doing flylady about a month but very are many on the thread who are years in.

I'm cutting and pasting Hazel's great intro which explains everything:

Whether you're starting to build a new routine, stuck in a rut, or been around for years, join us on the Flylady thread. I'll try to keep us on track for the month, with baby steps, daily missions and weekly zones.

This is a long running thread, but we are a friendly bunch and all are welcome to join in.
Do NOT sign up for the Flylady emails - it's an excessive amount sent every day.
There are Baby Steps for starting out: add one thing at a time to start good habits and routines.
There are 5 zones that we will rotate through:
🩷Entryway, porch and dining room
🩷Bathroom & one other room
🩷Kitchen
🩷Master bedroom & master bathroom
🩷Living room

Don't worry about finishing it all this month, it'll come around again next month! Flylady is NOT about perfectionism!

Daily focus: each day of the week has a different focus.

• Monday: Home Blessing (or as we call it, home bleugh)
• Tuesday: plan & play
• Wednesday: anti-procrastination
• Thursday: errand day
• Friday: clean car & purse out a week. It's also date night (with your significant other, or friends, or yourself!)
• Saturday: family fun day
• Sunday: renew your spirit

Common acronyms we use:

• LOL: load of laundry (washing is certainly NOT funny!)
• DW: dishwasher, we are not rotating wives by any means, although an extra pair of hands could come in handy sometimes 😆
• S&S: Swish & Swipe (wipe the bathroom sink & toilet)
• LMS: lose/lost my shit
• DNLMS: did not lose my shit

There are more, feel free to ask us to explain something. I'll try to update links every day, if I can get them to work, she's updated the website! Although if you can, it's worth downloading the newly updated app, you can even have it send you notifications (although I only have it for when the zones change). You can also modify the tick lists to suit your home & lifestyle.

Links are below 👇
Daily missions (for the zone we are in): https://beta.flylady.net/daily-mission
Baby steps (on a different website, since the link isn't working on the new site yet): https://mymerrymessylife.com/flylady-31-baby-steps/

Feel free to ask any questions you may have, some of us have been doing Flylady for a very long time, as well as others just starting out. We may have other things to add that we have found works for us that could help you too!

Hope your carrot cake was a success @SpringingIntoSummerLobelia

I don't do the weekly bleuugghhh in one day either @katand2kits

Bed made
Swish and swipe
Recycling out
Opened windows
DW x 2
Handwashed excess
Lol x 3
Bedding changed
Washing hung out
Small shop done
DH filled garden waste bin with ivy as he dug out an overgrown bed
Scrubbed stained kitchen sink again
Tesco order done
Worn out slippers to the bin
Couple of mins unsubscribing from emails
Cleaned cutlery/ utensil drawer
Cleaned tupperware drawer
Some crap utensils to bin

Tomorrow's babystep is:
Day 6: Hotspots-Set a timer for 2 minutes
Take just two minutes to declutter a small area. Consistency is key!

We have had decent success keeping on top of some hotspots and managing to regularly declutter the coffee table, kitchen table and island which used to pile up regularly.

The carrot cake was quite okay thank you! My icing was a little lumpy though as I am whisking by hand. I've frozen the leftover icing. It's only icing sugar, butter and cream cheese so I can't see if it ought not to be.

I have a 'box of doom' in the kitchen that contains old prescrptions, old medicine, broken key rings and biros etc. So that will be my babystep declutter for today.

Good morning , sending a coffee to those who need it ☕️ I can remember years ago on this thread when we were sending ‘coffees’ to each other, mainly because quite a few of us had young dc’s that didn’t like sleep - now for me it’s either the peri-menopause or under active thyroid that’s affecting sleep 😂 holding my coffee cup up to any of you that are going through a similar phase of life ☕️

Dd2 is at her friends today so I feel like I have to do the whole house which I know will become overwhelming and then I won’t do any of it . I’ve written a vague list of the main things, I’m embracing a 15 minute timer for each area then I’ll revisit if I get time . Hoping that I get lots done today and not get overwhelmed and do nothing 😂 I may post a couple of times today to keep myself on task .

Thanks 😘

Morning all! ☕️ and 🍰 to all who need it today 💕
I have ticked most of the morning's routine of ( and I'm now back in bed with a second coffee)
I've recently gone very part time at work and so I'm relying on routines and threads like this to keep me motivated while I figure out what to do next.
All the things I didn't have time for, I have time for now, but it's so easy to put them off because there's no urgency. So I am another who may well post a couple of times like @Searchingforsparkle 🌟
I have plenty of little hotspots to deal with. It's ridiculous how clutter seems to breed.

I would change the bed sheets today but cat is currently fast asleep on the bed so it'll have to wait till he gets up.

Thanks for the babystep @Positivepositron and well done on keeping your newly decluttered areas clear!

It's just never done, is it? I read a criticism of flylady once after she shared a video of her home. The person was disappointed that it wasn't perfect. But that's the whole point isn't it? It's ongoing, and those of us who are not born organised will always descend back into chaos given half a chance!

I hope you all haveca great day 💐

Today's mission:

Back to the kitchen we go! Your mission for today is to wipe down the doors of your cabinets. Use a damp rag and wipe down the fronts and the edges of your cabinets. This is really a simple thing to do but we have a tendency to ignore the cabinets because there is always so much more going on in the kitchen. Finger prints and grease attach themselves to the cabinets and make them a little sticky. A good wipe down will make a big difference.

Don't try and do too much!
Post all day if it helps.
I love seeing people's lists.

I am pretty part time also. But I go out a lot while the children are in school, at home time I find it easy to waste time not doing anything. Flylady has been a help for me. Tasks and lists motivate me!

Ta da
🥳 washer on
🥳 sink cleared and cleaned
🥳 DW emptied
🥳 15 minutes clearing kitchen dump it side, which then involved going into the medicine box to clear out of date medicine so things on the side could fit in the cupboard. Dump it side isn’t cleared yet 🙈
🥳 15 mins organising , filling out calendar etc
🥳 15 mins decluttering playroom (the worst room in the house 😩)
🥳 eaten breakfast

currently sat with a coffee, next task is to jump in the shower, complete morning routine upstairs, hang washing outside.

Late start to the day (school holidays 😅) but getting things ticked off. Bed is made, dishwasher is rebooted, washing is on. Kitchen floor is mopped and dining room is hoovered for crumbs. Microwave has been cleaned, currently eating breakfast. Off out to enjoy the sunshine with the kids this afternoon.

Hello @katand2kits. Sorry for your loss 💐 Sounds like you did well this morning!

LoL washed and on line ✔️
Bed sheets in wash ✔️
Hoovered ✔️
Swished and swiped ✔️
Cleaned bath ✔️
Deleted some emails and photos ✔️
Medicated the cat ✔️

I need to meal plan! And there's an extra mission on the app to sort out the pantry/larder so I will combine the two 🦋

Everyone is busy this morning.
I'm working 😢
Where do you get extra missions from @WinterFrogs ? I want extra missions!!!
I go on the app as a rule and because I'm posting here I also go on the website for easy cutting and pasting and not found extra missions.

This morning before work and during breaks:
Washing on line ✔️
Made Bed ✔️
Finished cds into folder ✔️
Put last dvds in folder ✔️
One box from room of disaster is therefore now empty but the wheelie bin and cardboard recycling box are both full with one week to go!

Tada
🥳 showered , hair washed and dressed
🥳 my bed made , kids bed stripped
🥳 S&S
🥳 lol no.2 washed and hung inside (gymnastics leotards)
🥳 lol no.1 on the line
🥳 lol no.3 in the washer
🥳 washing gathered from upstairs
🥳 dining table cleared
🥳 another 15 mins on clearing dumping kitchen side ( now clear🥂, the rest of the kitchen sides won’t take long)

🥳lunch made for me and ds

Having a small break after eating lunch , hoping to get more playroom decluttering and washing done this afternoon before taking dd2 to gymnastics and work this evening .

Can someone explain what the different days mean pls.

• This - Monday: Home Blessing (or as we call it, home bleugh)
• Tuesday: plan & play
• Wednesday: anti-procrastination
• Thursday: errand day
• Friday: clean car & purse out a week. It's also date night (with your significant other, or friends, or yourself!)
• Saturday: family fun day
• Sunday: renew your spirit

I do TOM at the moment but I could with find a way to organise stuff beyond cleaning my house.

Ta da
🥳 15 mins decluttering playroom
🥳 15 mins folding clean clothes
🥳 LOLno.3 in dryer
🥳 LOL no.4 in washer
🥳 lunch pots cleared away
🥳 quick tidy of living room

i am slowing down now , aiming for another 15 on the playroom and 15 on clean clothes folding then I’ll probably call it a day with the catch up activities so I can get on with tea, getting ready for gymnastics drop off and work 🙂 I don’t feel like I’ve got very far but something is better than nothing !

Here's a longer explanation of the weekly cycle. I don't really follow it as such but is a useful prompt so I might see it mentioned and think oh yeah I should clear out my car. The Monday blessing I spread out through the week as and when though I'm pretty new to this and don't get everything done every week.

The Weekly Plan Structure
Monday: Weekly Home Blessing Hour
Set a timer for 10 minutes per task (max 1 hour total):
Change sheets.
Empty all trash.
Vacuum main rooms.
Mop hard floors.
Dust surfaces.
Clean mirrors/doors.
Purge papers/magazines.
Tuesday: Plan & Play Day
Plan meals and shopping lists for the week.
Review appointments.
Enjoy a hobby
Wednesday: Anti-Procrastination Day/Zone Cleaning
Do anything youve been putting off, declutter a nightmare cupboard or clean the fridge, sort through kids toys etc
Pay bills/file papers, book appointments
Thursday: Errand Day & Zone Missions
Run errands (shopping, posting et ).
Focus on Zone missions (usually short, quick cleaning tasks in the designated area)
Friday: Car/Purse Cleaning & Date Night
Clean out your car and purse/bag.
Plan a date night or self-care activity.
Saturday: Family Fun Day
No heavy cleaning—enjoy time with family or friends.
Sunday: Renew Your Spirit
Relax, rest, and prepare for the week

I don't know about anyone else but I definitely do tasks on the weekend. I try and do more as I go along during the week but I don't get it all done. My children like a lie in on the weekend so can be a good chance to get things done.

I personally mainly follow the morning, afternoon and evening routines, zones and missions mainly. I'm editing them as I go so they fit my house and habits. Evening routine I'm a bit rubbish at, can't be bothered by then. But DH seems to like doing evening jobs so it's working out between us.

I started the room of doom AKA the dining room this morning. I've cleared all the bits and bobs off the dresser, tidied up the CDs, put coats away and then the dreaded migraine started again.

Thank you. There is no way I could do all of that on Monday in an hour.

BabyStep 7 is to set out your clothes for the next day. This evening routine habit prevents morning rush, eliminates decision fatigue, and makes getting dressed to shoes easier. Include everything—underwear, jewelry, and socks—to prepare for a smooth morning, aiming for progress, not perfection
I have to say I don't do this but I don't really need to be dressed up for anything.

Day 8 starting your Control Journal. This involves using a simple notebook, binder, or folder to write down your morning and evening routines. The goal is to establish a central, written guide for your daily habits to stay focused, rather than relying on memory
I just use the app and am gradually editing it to suit me and my house

Wednesday: Anti-Procrastination Day

I managed to do some more decluttering this afternoon from the study/ junk room. Think we just need to chip away over months. We'll get there though.

Chip away is exactly that. Don't give up because you didn't do it all today. It will still be there next time. You can do a bigger chip then

Good morning , sending coffee to those who need it ☕️ I didn’t get to sleep until around midnight and woke at 430 so in an ideal world I think I would need something like a caramel latte with extra coffee putting in however I will just have to cherish a cup of kenco instead 🙂

I was happy with what was done yesterday , however I still have lots to do in the playroom. I got one very small area tidied but not much for the charity shop yet , in an ideal world, I would like to get rid of about 50% however dd2 is nearly 10 and isn’t quite ready to give up the dolls and Barbie’s so I’m happy to live in the chaos for a little longer if I can try and neaten it up. She is quite young for her age , still loves imaginary play and her books are all about unicorns and talking animals.

I am out from 11 today so starting to plod along with some jobs from 630 , won’t be lots though because I’m so tired ! Hopefully back with some tadas soon 🙂

Welcome @Bunnybunnybunnybunny2026, I quite like the app and tick off the Monday tasks throughout the week . It’s also handy for the daily routines .

@Positivepositronthe study room will get done by chipping away at it , consistency is the key - not that I’m consistent with anything housework related haha

@CherryogDogi hope your migraine didn’t last too long 💐

@Searchingforsparkle I've had the same sleep as you! I've let the dogs out and come back to bed with a cup of tea.
Migraine didn't last too long thanks for asking.
I'm so tired but still want to get something done. Taking one of my dogs for a pre dental check up this morning and need to post a parcel that should have gone yesterday.
DP was supposed to have his surgery on Thursday but it's been cancelled (for the third time ffs) because of the strike.
@Positivepositron I'm chipping my study/music room, I could just box everything up and shove it in the cupboards but I'm doing it properly.
I've got a whole box of empty files and plastic wallets that I've collected over the years from various sort my life out phases, but I've whittled everything down to a little concertina file.
I'm still trying to find a system that works for me, so that everything is easy to put away.

Enjoy your cuppa @CherryogDogand take it easy today, do you know what triggers your migraines ? DS suffers from them, he’s just turned 15 and his consultant said that puberty may trigger them again, which may mean going back on medication but I’m really hoping that doesn’t happen, migraines are horrendous, you have my sympathy 💐 sorry to hear about DP surgery , that must be really frustrating for you both!

tada
🥳 yesterdays clean clothes folded, including some socks paired 😱
🥳 washer on
🥳 DW emptied
🥳 a quick tidy (I was at work last night so the usual routine didn’t happen)

Currently sat with another coffee , waiting for DH to go to work then I’ll do some zone work in the kitchen.