I chose a very busy week to begin this challenge! I was able to keep up on Facebook with updates about each of the 5 days, but I obviously couldn’t find time to blog or write about anything else as you can tell by the silence around here.
We made not one, but TWO trips out of town this week! First, to visit Rob’s family about 1.5 hours away, and then to see my sister graduate in Wichita – a 3 hour drive. Both were day trips, but quite tiring (and fun)!
I’m actually grateful that I’d already started the challenge as it kept me focused on cleaning and organizing in the little spare time that I had, and at the end of the week, my home was somehow neater than at the beginning, despite the distractions! :)
If you are just hearing/reading about the challenge for the first time, make sure to read my first post and then grab a book and join me! Hop in anytime, and check out the author’s website for lots more support!
Let’s look at Week 1
Transform Yourself
The 20 Day Challenge has three phases, and phase one (“Transform Yourself) lasted just 5 days, so we completed it this week.
Each day’s reading has three main components:
* Daily Renewal ~ Starting the day off right with prayer, Bible reading, & journaling (pb&j).
* Let’s Chat ~ Renee introduces the focus of the day’s reading – a mini coaching session!
* Get Moving ~ Daily to-do list, the application & challenge of the day’s coaching session.
As I said before, I love how approachable this book is. It wasn’t difficult at all to get through the day’s reading – in fact, I read each one twice!
This week, I created morning & evening routines, planned my meals, and wrote out both a weekly routine and schedule. I shared each day on my Facebook page, but here’s a recap:
Morning Routine
dress kids & myself
tidy the bathroom
breakfast
prepare lunch for Rob
clean dishes/sink
plan/prepare dinner
load of laundry
tackle a hotspot
check email
school at 8:30Evening Routine
tidy hotspot & living room
clear dining table
prepare dinner & eat
clear dishes, wash
more laundry
empty dishwasher
bed before 10pm
This went really well! It helped a lot to have a list to look at! My dishes stayed clean and I made a big dent in the laundry! I wasn’t able to keep the routine perfectly due to our travels, but it still helped!
Weekly Routine
Meal Plan Monday
Laundry Tuesday
Deep Clean Wednesday
Floors Thursday
Errands Friday
Catch Up Saturday
This was harder to fit in – I don’t have uninterrupted stretches of time, really. Only 1 of 3 children naps consistently, and deep cleaning (including bathrooms) especially requires some space. We’ll have to see what Renee’s tips are in the next section on including your family!
I already had our weekly schedule and meal planning pretty well hammered down, but I did block out a few hours of time on Friday afternoons to write.
I think the thing I’ve loved most about this challenge so far is that it has me thinking creatively. I’ve already been motivated to put my maternity clothes away and pare my wardrobe down, and we finally came up with an “office” solution for Rob in a room with a door rather than the kitchen table. This is now one wall of the guest room:
Also awesome is the fact that the author if the Total Home Makeover book has been keeping up with and encouraging us along in our Total Home Makeover Club.
I’m excited to be diving into week two and hope you’ll join me! Don’t worry if you’re just starting, there’s no set time frame really. Just grab a book and start your journey!
“A journey consists of going from point A to point B. This book will direct you from chaos to order in your home… Just like any journey, you will experience challenges and bumps along the way. It will help to keep your eye on the prize: an orderly and functional home. If you commit to keep moving forward, you will reach your destination. Don’t stop until you’ve arrived at point B.”
Renee Metzler
