Remember Day 1? We chose a space, we made room for something important, most important. Today, we're going to examine that space and put together it's puzzle. This will help us break down our manageable space into even more manageable pieces.
When each day brings a new adventure and when you are unsure how much your body will let you do each day, breaking things down into small parts ensures that you can check off at least a couple items on your list, even if the overall item remains "undone". If you long for productivity, nothing feels better than crossing off a to-do item, even if it something small like, dust off the piano. (If you don't have a piano, rejoice! You can automatically cross this item off EVERY FREAKING DAY!).
So, start by listing your space. Maybe it's a single room, maybe just a couple. List it out as one space, we'll break it down from there. Here is what my start looks like (yes, I like to make things look pretty, this obviously is not required!)
Second, think through the MAIN spaces of your space. This is like first identifying the edges of a puzzle. You are looking to define the large perimeters of your space. For me, the main large areas of my space are the kitchen, the dinning room, the living area, the hallway, the bathroom. If your space is smaller (perhaps the front step and formal living room) your main spaces may be smaller. Define them as you will, just try to keep them general and broad to begin.
Third, for each broad space you define in step two, think through how that space gets cleaned. In the kitchen for example, it becomes clean as I do the dishes, wipe off the counters, clean the sink, and sweep the floor. The steps for your broad space should be manageable and suit your home. Were I always guaranteed unlimited hours of a fully functioning body I would add a lot to my kitchen list, I'd always clean out and sanitize my fridge, I'd mop, etc. However, accepting reality is the only way for me to gain peace and contentment and it really isn't realistic to expect my body to do these tasks with any certain consistency. We'll get into asking for help and such with some of these items later, but for now just focus on what is manageable FOR YOU. Then give yourself permission to feel pride in what you are accomplishing. Here is what my space puzzle looks like after this step.
This gives me 15 small items that each on their own take less than 10 minutes. However, I realize that combine, these items may take over an hour on days when each item needs to be done. For some, that may be laughably easy and I'll confess I have days when that's doable all in one go, most days though it just isn't.
Good news- the Space Puzzle is designed to be manageable. Some of these items may only take a minute or two, others a bit longer. I like to start my mornings (after breakfast and medication) by getting the dishes done because this is a task that takes a bit of time and must be done on my feet. If I only get a few items done on my Space Puzzle on a bad day- I still feel that I have accomplished something and I start again the next day.
The point of the Space Puzzle is to take something that is overwhelming for people like me and make it within reach. Kind of like my step stool (I'm a bit short, I'm afraid). It won't do the work for you, but it will make what needs to be done attainable for you.
See 31 Days to a Chronic Clean.
