7 System + Routines to Make Life Easier

When I’m working with “Type A” moms, I often notice that they’re looking for the perfect system to help them magically whiz through their ever-growing to-do list.

They’re sick of feeling overwhelmed and like they can never get ahead.

I share with them this: there is no perfect system…but there is a system that will work for you. You just have to be willing to fail at it a few times and not give up. Easier said than done when you want to do things perfectly!

In this post, I’m sharing with you the seven systems I’ve put in place to make my life so much easier, and my to-do list a lot less overwhelming!

However, these systems and routines were created from a lot of trial and error. But by sticking it out and not giving up, these systems and routines are vital to my day-to-day living.

My Systems + Routines

#1 Morning Routine

I have a rock-solid morning routine that gets me out of bed super early so I feel ahead of the day, instead of like the day is dragging me. I work out, knock out some cleaning chores and get my quiet time in so I’m ready to face the kids when it’s time for them to wake up.

Related Post: 2025 Morning Routine of a Working Mom

#2 Laundry

I have a super simple laundry system. Basically, I designate one day a week for one member of the household’s laundry. I also have a day for sheets and a day for towels. I start a load of laundry every morning and change it out throughout the day so it’s done by the evening. I only fold my clothes and the towels. My kids are 9 and 12 so they fold their own clothes and put them away, same for my husband. I NEVER question when the laundry will get done, and I don’t spend a lot of time folding.

Related Post: 7 Different Laundry Routines

#3 Meal Planning/Grocery Shopping Routine

Once a month, I sit down with my favorite cookbooks and a list of family favorite meals, and use my Google calendar to schedule each meal for the month. I leave two days for leftovers/or eat out, and usually one day for frozen pizza so that’s only four days a week I have to worry about.

I use the our Skylight Calendar app to keep a list of items we need from the store. The family can add to this list on their own. Then on Thursdays, I look to see the meals designated for the following week. I reference the meal recipes, and my Reminders list, to create my grocery list. Depending on what Friday looks like, I shop in store, or I schedule a Wal-Mart pick-up. I only grocery shop once a week and this saves time and money. I don’t spend time worrying about what’s for dinner or wondering what we have to eat…I just look at my plan and get to cooking.

Related Post: Monthly Meal Planning in Under an Hour

Woman with food that she's making from her monthly meal plan.

#4 House Cleaning

I spend anywhere from 5-30 minutes a day cleaning the house. I have a Home Planner that breaks down cleaning into daily tasks. I don’t stress if I can’t accomplish all the tasks in one day. I do the best I can with the time and energy I have. But utilizing even 5 minutes can make a big difference. Then on the weekend, I catch up with any unfinished tasks. I also have weeks where the bathrooms don’t get cleaned and the kitchen floor doesn’t get mopped, and I’ve learned to be Ok with that. The kids also help with cleaning.

#5 Plan Ahead

On Sundays, I spend 30 minutes to an hour creating a Master To-Do List for the week, and looking over the week’s appointment/calendar (I use a combination of paper calendar and Google Calendar). I use time block scheduling so each night I plug my tasks into the next day’s blocks, grabbing stuff from my Master To-Do List. Every morning when I wake up, I know exactly what I’m doing that day. Starting the day with a plan is key to being productive and not overwhelmed.

#6 Pick-Up at Night

Every night before bed, the whole family works to make sure the house is picked up, decluttered, and organized for the next day. This usually takes no more than 5 minutes because it’s done every night. Waking up every morning to an organized kitchen and living room (where we spend most of our time), creates calm.

#7 Google Tasks + Alarms

I use Google Tasks like a To-Do list. For example, I create a picture book for the boys’ birthdays. About a month before their birthday, I have a Google Task that says “Start working on birthday book”. I set this task to go off yearly so it always shows up before their birthday. I don’t mark the task as done until it’s completed so it’s there everyday as a reminder. I also use Google tasks for daily reminders, like to reconcile our budget, or have the boys practice their instrument. It’s a great way to organize all the tasks floating around in your head.

I set Alarms when I know there’s a chance I’ll forget something and it’s time sensitive. I’ll use alarms to remind myself to grab a certain item I need before I leave the house. We have bills that are paid once a week and I have an alarm go off at 1:30 pm on the day it’s due to remind me. This works best when you utilize “Label” when setting the alarm and write what the alarm is reminding you to do.

The Benefit of Using Routines and Systems

By implementing these systems and routines, I don’t waste time thinking about what I have to do next or become paralyzed with overwhelm because I have so many to-do’s running through my head.

This means I have more actual time to spend doing things I want to do, and I’m not mentally exhausted from making so many decisions and having to remember so many things.

What routines and systems make your life easier? Let me know in the comment below!

**Before you leave, grab The “Type A” Moms Guide to Feel Organized + In Control of Your Time, for FREE. You’ll find it here.**

7 System + Routines to Make Life Easier