I don’t know about you (although I have a hunch), but I will try almost anything to save myself a little bit of sanity. I have a quick little post for you today about how to save yourself from some of the “morning mom stress” we all go through. When I come down the stairs in the morning, I already have a full agenda…Get breakfast on the table, check the backpack, tie the shoes, attempt to get myself somewhat presentable, etc…What I typically do NOT have time for, or particularly want to deal with is last night’s mess. So, when I come downstairs in the morning to yesterday’s mess, knowing full well that today’s mess will come all too soon…it gets me going, (and not in the good way like coffee or Diet Coke does.)

A few years ago, I ran across another cleaning site, and I honestly don’t remember what it was..but, this lady did something called the “10 Minute Tidy.” Before you go to bed, take five or ten minutes, and quickly pick up the house. Put the cups in the dishwasher (and any dinner dishes that might still be out), wipe down the kitchen counters, pick up any toys that are laying around, straighten the books, put the throw pillows and blankets back, basically just pick up and straighten the evening’s mess. Coming down the stairs to face another busy day when the house is picked up and everything is where it should be, REALLY helps reduce my stress level, and helps me start the day with a better attitude. I don’t feel like I’m already running behind.

Then, I thought, well, I can one-up this ten minute tidy, and not only make myself feel like I’m not behind, but get myself AHEAD. So, I started taking a few minutes each night (while the house is quiet and the kids are asleep) to get ONE chore done that I would have done the next day. Taking just one chore off my plate for the upcoming day really does seem to help. I like knowing that there is just one less thing to tick off the to-do list. Do something simple…don’t go scrubbing the bath-tub right before bed, but take a few minutes to do a quick and quiet chore. I like to unload the dishwasher (this really helps my sanity, as I hate having to try to fix breakfast and then know that those dishes will have to sit in the sink until I get around to unloading the dishwasher). I like to fold a load or two of laundry quickly. I don’t put it away typically, but I like to get it all folded up, and in stacks, ready to go to each room. I don’t recommend any sort of list-making task before bed, (because it can be hard to shut that off while you’re trying to sleep.) However, take this quick and easy step to make your life just a little bit easier as you face the morning.

Try it…it worked for me!