Some of us have already been practicing social distancing/self quarantine for over a week. Many others are preparing to start this week. Whatever stage of distancing you are currently in, here are some tips for making the transition to an indefinite stay at home less painful.
- Clean & Organize Your Physical Space: Do not try to create a routine this week. You will find it much more difficult to focus on getting into a routine if your physical space is cluttered and chaotic. Do only what is absolutely necessary for work and/or school while you make tidying up your living space a priority during your first week home.
- Kitchen
- Start with this area, as it will be high traffic
- Bathroom
- This will be another high traffic area
- Living Room/Family Room/Common Area
- This is the space you will be doing most of your family activities (games, movies, etc.) in. Be sure to organize it in a way that will meet your family’s needs at this time.
- For example, designate an area for board games if this will be a new use for this space. Stock it with pillows and blankets for movie nights.
- This is the space you will be doing most of your family activities (games, movies, etc.) in. Be sure to organize it in a way that will meet your family’s needs at this time.
- Laundry Room
- Wash ALL of your family’s dirty clothes, linens, & towels
- Use this week to get caught up on laundry and organize your laundry room, so that you can focus on maintaining things next week.
- Kitchen
- Create a Daily Routine: Now that your living space is in order you can start to build a routine that will maximize your productivity, self-improvement, and family bonding.
- Start with YOU!
- Exercise
- Meditate/Pray
- Enjoy a quiet moment with your favorite morning beverage
- Morning Cleaning
- Start a load of laundry
- Do this before you begin any other daily tasks, so you can have one load washed, folded, and put away by the end of the day
- Unload the dishwasher
- Put all dirty dishes into the dishwasher as soon as you are done with them. Make sure all family members do the same.
- Tidy the bathroom
- Spray & wipe down mirrors, vanity, and toilet
- This is NOT a deep clean. This is a quick daily maintenance.
- Breakfast
- Put laundry in the dryer
- Morning work/School
- Fold & put away laundry
- Since you’re doing one load per day at this point this should only take 15-20 minutes
- Lunch & Outdoor Recess
- Afternoon work/School
- Free Time
- Dinner & Kitchen Clean-up
- Be sure to run the dishwasher, so it is ready to be unloaded in the morning
- Bedtime Routine
- Family Time
- Start a load of laundry
- Start with YOU!