It’s June - come and join the Fledgling Flyladies

[ElegantlyDecluttering]

Welcome to the latest in the long running Fledgling Flylady threads, for those new to the system, Flylady is a US based website / app system based on a monthly rotation around the rooms of the house. It’s well established, these threads have been going for many many years, but all are welcome, we love having new Fledglings on board.

Well, May ended with a heatwave for many of us, I know my housework took a bit of a dip last week. But back to normal now as we head into June. A big thank you to Hazel for leading us through May

A few pointers: Do NOT sign up for the Flylady emails - I took one for the team and signed up when the website was down last year, you get about 4 a day - you have been warned! 😂

There are Baby Steps for starting out, add one thing at a time to start good habits and routines. Try not to do too much at once, you don't want to get overwhelmed.

There are 5 zones that we will rotate through each month, don't worry about finishing it all this month, it'll come around again next month! Flylady is NOT about perfectionism!

Daily missions: each day of the week has a different mission. I will explain these further as we come across them.
Monday: Home Blessing (or as we call it, home bleugh)
Tuesday: plan & play
Wednesday: anti-procrastination
Thursday: errand day
Friday: clean car & purse (handbag) out. It's also date night (with your significant other, or friends, or yourself!)
Saturday: family fun day - no missions
Sunday: renew your spirit - no missions

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 😆
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, although if you can, it's worth downloading the 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 👇 if I happen to not add links in time, they do update at midnight for you.

Daily missions: for the zone we are in.https://www.flylady.net/daily-mission

Baby steps: it's not technically flylady, but they're still working on the new site. https://mymerrymessylife.com/flylady-31-baby-steps/

Thank you ED for running the June thread. Sorry I missed a few days in May.

Good morning 🌅 sending coffee to those that need it ☕️ Good evening to those of you that are overseas , perhaps a wine or g&t maybe more appropriate for you rather than the coffee 🥂

Thanks for last months thread BloomingHazel and for this months thread ED 💐💐

That 445am alarm is horrid 😂 only 8 weeks of it before the next break .

tada
✅ morning coffee
✅ LOL started
✅ an hour of ironing
✅ 5 mins clearing surfaces
✅ 10 mins dusting living and dining room

currently sat with another coffee before heading into the shower to get ready for the day, may get another bit of the home blergh in before work , we’ll see how the rest of the morning goes .

Morning,

so today we are moving into Zone 1 https://www.flylady.net/daily-mission/20260601-zone-1-mission-1-monday-your-entrance-front-porch-and-dining-room

Front porch, entrance, dining room. Remember you can adapt the zones to suit your home, you might have a consveratory but not a porch or whatever.

If you are new to the system or suffering a buid-up of clutter, the idea is to spend 15 minutes in the zone decluttering. However if you have done that or have time for both, you can carry out the suggested zone task which is putting away things that don’t belong there. So decluttering. But I think of decluttering as actually getting things out of the house, so a subtle difference.

We also start our babysteps as it’s the 1st, our first babystep is to shine our kitchen sink, give it a good deep clean and make it sparkle. The babysteps are small daily tasks that build up into good habits.

I’m off to work today, then zumba class afterwards and then I need to do some baking (I am on a cake rota for choir tomorrow).

Before work tada
✅ beds made
✅ breakfasts
✅ washing hung on heated airer (weather is miserable today)

After work tada
✅ tea (warmed up leftovers)
✅ breakfast pots in the dishwasher

Really cba to do anything else but I’m going to get an hour on chores before kids homework’s , pjs are on and a little bit of crafting (haven’t decided on cross stitching or crochet)

Hopefully will be back soon with a good tada list !

Morning 🌅 sending a coffee to those who would like one ☕️

last night tada
✅ 10 mins cleaning windows and mirrors
✅ dry clothes off the heated airer folded and put into rooms
✅ a couple of minutes putting clothes away
✅ 2 small LOLs , hung no the heated airer
✅ 5 mins in the bathroom s&s and a quick scrubbing the bath
✅ baked cupcakes with dd2
✅ dd2 homework
✅ hit my 15k steps

It was 930 by the time I finished last night so no crafting 😩 just had a wash and into bed!

This morning tada
✅ 445 alarm 😴
✅ coffee
✅ LOL in washer
✅ an hour of ironing
✅ 10 mins tidying , will need to do more before I can run the hoover round later

I haven’t completed any zone work , I want to concentrate on getting back to a little bit of organised chaos rather than just chaos first 😂 hopefully by this evening I can do 5 mins or so 🤞

Morning, impressive lists @Searchingforsparkle and thank you for the coffee, you are an early bird.

We had torrential rain last night, I was baking too and had the back door wide open to listen to the rain, just beautiful and very much needed for my allotment. I am also a crocheter, I am about to start a blanket for my DF’s birthday, need to choose some colours and order the wool or get to a shop this week.

I didn’t get much zone work done yesterday either but I did do a good declutter in the hall at the weekend and part of the dining room. I want to rearrange some bookshelves in the dining room, only one shelf is used for books (cookbooks) but it is at the bottom and there is an armchair in front of it making it hard to get at them. So I am going to move the books up and some of the stuff in baskets down as I’ll still be able to reach into the baskets (they have stationery, gadgets/chargers, DH’s blood sugar supplies (diabetic), things like paper plates and napkins in them. But that will take more than 15 minutes as the shelves need to be cleared then moved up and down.

I didn’t shine my sink either, it was a long day (work, 90 mins at allotment, baking) and I collapsed in a heap, did put the DW on though).

Tuesday.

https://www.flylady.net/daily-mission

Our mission is to sweep the porch/entrance, I do need to do that as the doormat and runner are currently in the kitchen as I washed them at the weekend.

Tuesday is Plan and Play day, I’ve got choir tonight so that’s my playing. I do need to plan my calendar, I use the one on my phone and have a bad habit of checking it and saying yes to things but not putting them in.

Babystep number 2 is Get Dressed to Lace Up Shoes - this one is a bit divisive, it means get up and get dressed then you are in “work” mode whether you are going to work or not. I do leave the house every day but on days when I’m not going straight away I do tend to potter round in my nightie as it is cool, comfy, practical and doesn’t matter if I get it a bit grubby doing chores. But I agree with the principle. Of course many don’t wear shoes in the house. My “ready to face the day” thing is putting in my contact lenses, I don’t feel dressed in glasses (been wearing contacts my entire adult life). I am too shortsighted to manage with neither. Anyway that’s enough of my waffle.

Thank you for the coffee ☕️ Searching I just had my first cup of the day!
Lots of ta das there - you'll have the house in order before you know it.

ED I also have to sweep my front step/ porch. I did clean the screen door over the weekend as it was looking pretty bad, but it might need another go over. I also plan to take the winter coats downstairs, and sort out the ones we don't wear anymore.

To dos:
☕️ laundry (sheets, towels etc. Normal Tuesday laundry for me)
☕️ sweep the front porch
☕️ clean the front door/ screen door
☕️ rotate DW
☕️ put things away from the kitchen (clean, but not put away yet)
☕️ meal plan
☕️ grocery shopping
☕️ vacuum
☕️ mop
☕️ clean bathrooms
☕️ make caramels

MIL will be coming over this morning for a couple of hours as well, so might not get through my list. We'll see.

I’ve never been so excited about a thread before!!

I didn’t know there was themed days- this is great! My husband (sorry I don’t know mumsnet lingo yet- newbie) thinks I’m odd for loving cleaning/ organising but knowing that I’m maintaining and loving our home in such a way does give me joy- even if I have to motivate first to do it- ha!

I must admit I find it hard to keep up with the zones but yesterday after work I put away clean clothes- 2 loads worth, washed up from the day before (no time- a busy Sunday!!), made dinner- got husband to put out recycling bin whilst doing so- a win for me, general tidied all rooms in the house!

Today once work is finished my plan is to change bedding, dust, make dinner and work lunches for rest of week hopefully, 1 LOL at least and clean our bathrooms 🧼

I think I’ve found my people!! 🧹

Also plan to disinfect my toilet brush holders after finding mould in them at random o clock last night- always forget to do this job!!

Welcome to the thread @SoLateToTheParty 💐

ooo @ElegantlyDecluttering, let me know which pattern you decide for DF’s blanket - I have so many that I have started and then got bored 🙈 my years goal is to get some of the projects finished !

Enjoy your morning with MIL @BloomingHazel, making caramels sounds fun !

tada
✅ beds made
✅ washing gathered
✅ breakfast pots in dishwasher
✅ first LOL hung on airer
✅ second LOL washed and on the airer
✅ school run
✅ work
✅ school pick up
✅ tea made

I’ve made the mistake of sitting down 🤣 I’ll get back up in 5 mins and try to get a few things rocked off before taking dd2 to gymnastics .

Welcome @SoLateToTheParty 👋
The best way to start flylady is building routines. These are the baby steps.
Then add in zone work, which usually is only 15 minutes of your day. I don't always do the exact mission for the day, but each week I aim to spend some time doing a little extra in that zone. For example, in the bathroom week I'll try to use some limescale remover, or wash the shower curtain. In the living room I'll try to get the blankets washed from on the couches, or dust.
On the old flylady site she had a section for deep cleaning, but it's not on the new site yet.

Searching I did enjoy my morning with MIL, although I feel like I can't get things done while she's here. I did, but I feel guilty.
I still need to make my caramels..

I'm ready for a nap! So I must get up & get moving again after lunch.

Ta das:.
🌷 LOLs x4
🌷 DW rotated
🌷 S&S
🌷 cleaned fridge out
🌷 emptied bins
🌷 cleaned kitchen bin
🌷 put winter coats away/ washed first

Massively distracted by Springwatch live nestcams. Sat in front of tv and caught up with paperwork, finances, diary. MOT, tax, unSORNed car.

Today, kitchen tidy, two LOLs. Tesco delivery of good summery food.

Must check what zone we’re on.

Right, so today was Plan and Play. My Plan is to sweep the front porch tomorrow, then get the outgrown clothes out of the house and sort out the bookshelves.

@Searchingforsparkle it’s going to be 20x12” granny squares joined 4 wide x 5 long, each granny square to be made of 5 colours, I do three rows of each of four colours, then two rows of the last colour and join/border with that colour. I like to keep things simple, partly because I prefer the look and partly because I do a lot of my crocheting out and about so I can just take enough for a couple of squares in a bag and no pattern needed, plus I can chat too. I just need to decide on some colours.

Morning , sending a ☕️ coffee to those that would like one .

last nights tadas weren’t great , a potter around , another LOL washed and hung on the airer , clean clothes folded and taken to bedrooms , just the basics really . My mental health is taking a bit of a dive , anxiety is creeping in and my sleep was non existent. I have decided I’ll get through the day , then, once I’ve got dd2 to gymnastics, I’m taking the evening to relax , craft maybe read or watch some tv .

tada
✅ 445 alarm 💤
✅ washing rotated , no LOL this morning because the heated airer is still full and the forecast is rainy
✅ an hour of uniform ironing - completely caught up now so back to ironing as and when it’s washed and dried , repurposing the time for decluttering / returning the house to a home
✅ coffee

I’m having 5 mins then off in the shower to start the day 🙂

I hope the rest of your day went well @BloomingHazel, spending time with loved ones is far more important than household tasks , did you get round to making the caramels ?

@ElegantlyDecluttering sounds like a nice project to work on 🙂 I would love to see your final colour choices ! I always tend to follow a pattern , I’ve tried some little dove crochet , made by Anita and attic 24 which I enjoy but I do get bored of them quite easily !

A great list @Scourgify, lots of things completed whilst enjoying some tv .

@Searchingforsparkle thank you, I have coffee on the stove here too (I use one of those moka pots).

I didn’t manage too much yesterday either, I had choir after work so that doesn’t leave a lot of spare time, but I nagged DH and DS a bit about the state they are leaving things in and the house did seem a bit tidier when I got back, plus the sink was shiny. I did also update my calendar so that’s planning ✅. We’re all out again tonight, so trying to catch up a bit now, washing is on but forecast more heavy rain today so it will have to go in the dryer later. We had thunderstorms yesterday.

Wednesday is Anti-Procrastination Day - is there something you’ve been putting off? I have quite a long list to choose from. I did choose colours for the crochet blanket and will try to get to the yarn shop tomorrow, soft blues and greens.

Our mission today is to spend 15 mins decluttering the dining room or equivalent. I could EASILY spend longer, ours is a bit of a multipurpose room (middle room of a Victorian house) and also contains the cupboard under the stairs, it is a bit of a clutter magnet.

https://www.flylady.net/daily-mission

Babystep 3 is to start familiarising yourself properly with the Flylady system, the websiteisn’t what it used to be but this blog is helpful https://mymerrymessylife.com/flylady-31-baby-steps/3/

@Searchingforsparkle I’m an Attic 24 fan too, so I am using Stylecraft special DK (most of my crocheting goes to the Woolly Hugs charity who use it too) these are my colours

I hope you’ve all had a productive day.

I have been enjoying getting back into the Flylady methods, and I’m pretty sure this time it’ll stick for good 🤞!!

I have to say that I love that she does the habit of getting dressed to shoes.

there are some days that start off a struggle, and by the time I’ve gone through all the motions of getting ready and fixing my hair and face, I generally feel better .

I feel it really does get you up and going.

Holy crap, someone needs to check me for a fever! I actually made the 3 phone calls I've been putting off! <faints>

Searching I never did get my caramels made, but I did get grocery shopping done. Did you manage to get the rest you needed this evening?

ED those colours are so pretty and go together really well! I would love to see the finished project. I actually would like to learn how to crochet, I just don't ever seem to have time!

I seem to have tweaked my back pretty badly this morning, not sure what I did as it didn't hurt right when I woke up, but within the 1st 5 minutes of me being awake. It's seeming to get worse as the day is going on.

I agree Joyful26 to me getting dressed to shoes means I've changed out of my pajamas (even if it's just joggers etc), I've done my morning skincare, put makeup on (usually just a little bit), and sort of done something with my hair. Of course this is for the days I'm at home, my work days I can't do anything around the house until after work, or I'd have to wake up even earlier than 5:15am!
If I don't do any of that I have no motivation to do anything.

Morning, sending a coffee to those that would like one ☕️

@ElegantlyDeclutteringThose colours are lovely and compliment each other nicely ! Please share your progress, I enjoy seeing what craftiness other people are up to ! I’ve never heard of a moka pot - I will investigate!

I do quite a lot of my tasks in my pjs @Joyful26, mainly because I get up early to achieve tasks and don’t want to disturb people sleeping by getting a shower etc

@BloomingHazelkind of , my plan was to get into my pjs and rest straight from taking dd2 to gymnastics, however , DH had to take DS to football training (he shares this with another parent , alternating weeks and the other parent messaged to say they weren’t attending the training) . I did rest in that I didn’t do many household tasks , I FaceTimed a close friend , then put a crime documentary on the tv and did a bit of crocheting before going to pick dd2 up from gymnastics. Well done for getting the shopping done - I would’ve probably ignored that task and made the caramels instead 🙈😂 DH does the weekly shop , it’s a task I’ve happily passed onto him since starting back to work haha

tada
✅ 445 alarm
✅ coffee

I haven’t achieved anything yet 😂 I have sat with my coffee in peace , I’m working extra hours at job number 1 and I’m at job number 2 this evening so I’ll be working 9-9 but with a 2 hour break at 330. This is the term I need to decide whether to stay in job number one, I’m not sure what to do yet.

Anyways , I better get on and at least fold some dry clothes and get the washer on !

Morning all, sorry, late, it is job 2 day and I’m WFH but only need to do an hour or so and I had a bit of a lie in snuggled up with my cat. I bought a big flat memory foam pillow recently and she has started lying on it next to my head at night which is nice but not always what I really want.

@Joyful26 glad it’s working for you. I agree with the getting dressed to shoes thing on the whole, I need to go and do it in a minute, but I do also love pottering around in my nightie especially when it’s hot like last week. It makes sense to do chores and then shower if it is hot and sticky.

@BloomingHazel sorry about your back. I need to make work decisions too, I also have two jobs and one of them I really don’t like but I like the extra money and they would struggle to replace me (they only need someone to do what I do a few hours a week but it is a skilled job not a casual thing). But I am juggling too much now with the elderly parents and still not fully independent DCs. I think you asked about my parents the other day, DF is in a nursing home now, DM is very up and down and some weeks needs a lot of support some not so much. I am doing a lot of their admin for them and visiting once a week (used to be only once every6 weeks or so).

@Searchingforsparkle blue is my favourite colour and the soft greens tone in well, I’m off to the wool shop today as Thursday is Errand Day so hope to get started tonight.

https://www.flylady.net/daily-mission

Our daily mission today is to get a long handled duster and tackle cobwebs and dust bunnies in Zone 1.

Thursday’s daily habit is Errand Day so I am off to town shortly. I wanted to put the washing out but it keeps raining so it will go in the dryer when I get back.

Babystep 4 is to write the first two babysteps on post-it notes and put them somewhere to remind you to shine your sink and get dressed to shoes. While I don’t like the visuals of this they are useful when trying to embed new habits.

Just been checking the email as the monthly habit for June doesn’t seem to be on either the website or app - our monthly habit is to Drink Water and keep ourselves hydrated especially in warmer weather. So grab yourself a water bottle, I do find I drink more when I’ve got one on the go