Morning, friends! Today is Tuesday Talk with Fancy Ashley and Erika. It’s a monthly link up where you can talk about anything!

So today, I’m updating you on this little challenge I made up to help me get my life back in order by implementing five habits.

You can catch up on this challenge by reading post one and post two

Each week, my plan was to update you and then share how I do certain things. Last week we talked about laundry and how I keep ourselves caught up and organized.

This week, I’m sharing how I plan my months, days and how I create lists to keep me on track.

I am a list maker. I’m visual and like to see what I have to do. And I’m old school and love a pen and paper.

So here are a couple of ways that I stay organized.

1. General calendar

Y’all. I have tried every planner you can try. Just ask my husband. In one year, I bought about 10 different planners. I just struggled to find one that worked for me. I swore that year, that I was just going to design my own!

But here’s one that I’ve kept the entire time and honestly, I think it’s “the one.”

Its from Target and runs July 2020 to June 2021. I love it because it has a monthly view.

But it also has one page dedicated to the day. This is why I love this planner.

I work best when I can see my day in one place. This one has the day broken down in 30 minute increments. It has a space for your top three to-do items and then a place for your to-do list.

I write everything down. From quiet time to making my bed to working out to laundry, I write it down. This helps me see my tasks that I need to complete. And I love crossing things off so this helps keep me motivated and productive.

In the box where it says tonight, I write down our dinner menu. And in the notes section, I’ll write down things to add to the next day or things that I need to keep in mind for some reason.

Joseph and I also keep a calendar on our phone. I am working on this. I’m trying to be more deliberate about putting it all in our phone calendar so that he can stay updated on all of our events.

I do love that I can have everyone down as a certain color!

I also have a dry erase calendar in our pantry. Again, just visual to keep everyone informed. I just started using this one…not sure if it will stay but I think it helps the kiddos more than it does Joseph and I. They like to see what’s ahead for the week, too.

2. Daily List

So I showed you how I have a place to make my lists on my planner. And I try and do my list every night or first thing in the morning.

But my planner is pretty bulky and stays in my work bag or on my kitchen counter throughout the day. So I like something that I can carry with me. I know that I could use the notebook app on my phone…but again I love paper!

I found this at Walmart one day and loved how it was similar to my planner. So I write it all down here and if I have specific things to buy like groceries, I write the list on the back. And it comes with me and I mark off as I go.

I am trying to use my phone more…we will see how that goes.

3. Master List

For years I would write tasks on my planner that were unrealistic. I would write down something like “organize master closet” on a random Thursday and then I’d feel defeated when I would have to keep moving that fast over each day.

So I decided that I would do a “Spring Cleaning” list instead. It’s a master list of all of the things that I would like to get down around the house. Joseph and I normally update this every couple of months.

This list includes things like, install irrigation system to clean out the junk drawer. It’s tasks that I can do when I have time. It helps me keep a visual of it and know that I need to do it. But it doesn’t make me feel like I have to add it to an already crazy day!

Seriously, this list has been great for my mental health, ha!

4. Shared Lists with Joseph

Joseph loves lists, too but he has them on his phone. So when we have something that we are working on together, we used the notes app and create a shared list there.

5. Specific Lists

These I keep in my notes app. If we are traveling and I need a list of items we need. I put it in the notes app. Or if we are working on a project, I normally do it on my notes app because that way it is always with me.

If there are books I am wanting to read, I create a list. If there are items around the house that I need to buy here and there, I create a list. I know, I’m crazy haha! It just keeps me able to visualize and creating separate lists keeps my stress level down.

And that ladies, is how I organize my planner, calendar and lists! I hope that this helps you in someway. I know I always love to see how others do things

I don’t always implement everything others do, but I take away things that work for me.

So a quick update on how the challenge is going….

Well this morning I made my bed! And y’all, last night I unpacked my suitcase and I put all of my clothes alway. All of them! I’m so proud of myself.

Joseph unpacked and put everything away, too!

Here’s my clean bench! No clothes laying in it like last week 🤪.

Laundry is currently caught up 🙌🏼. Trying hard to keep it that way.

I’m making my lists!

Eating at home has been a struggle because we were out of town this week. And last night we had to eat out because our kitchen is currently under construction.

So that answers my next habit….keeping my kitchen clean….well. Here is how it looks right now…

There is dust everywhere! I’m so ready for it to be put back the way it belongs.

When we moved in almost two years ago, this was a project we wanted to do. Since then, we’ve worked on our investment properties but after we sold the condo I told Joseph I wanted to finally update our counters. So here we are!

New countertops and backsplash are being installed today! We are trying to decided on new pulls and light fixtures above the island and we are ordering new chairs for the island. I can’t wait!!

Next up, we are adding a fireplace to our back porch! I’m so excited for that, too.

We were so blessed when we moved in and didn’t really need to do anything other than paint the entire inside of the house. So these projects have just been on our “master list” waiting to be marked off.

And that’s all I have babes! If you’ve joined me on this challenge, tell me how it’s going for you!

I hope y’all have the BEST day!!

XO