Take the ‘clean-sink challenge’
Today, y’all don’t get to just relax and read this post. I am giving a call to action!
Last summer, I read the book “Sink Reflections” by Marla Cilley.
In her book, Marla offers helpful ideas on how to we can better manage our homes and lives so we aren’t constantly overwhelmed by daily responsibilities. One of Marla’s “baby steps” includes developing a routine of cleaning our kitchen sinks before we go to bed each night.
I have to admit, I have fallen off the wagon with this “baby step” and I want to get back in the habit! It is amazing how much more in control I feel and how much less anxiety I experience when I am greeted by a clean kitchen sink in the morning.
When you wake up to a sink full of dirty dishes, how do you feel? Maybe it doesn’t bother you, but it’s giving me the hives. (I’ve told you I’m not normal.)
So I am challenging myself (and all of you) to a seven-day, clean-sink challenge. For a whole week (starting tomorrow), I am not going to bed until my sink is empty and spotless.
And because misery a clean sink loves company, I’m offering a prize to one lucky LROL reader who agrees to join me in the challenge. If you’re up to it, leave me a comment (with this post) stating you are participating in the “seven-day, clean-sink challenge” and then tell me what baby step you’ve taken this year to improve your life.
On Tuesday, May 29, I’ll pick my favorite comment (I give bonus points for humor and inspiration, by the way) and the winner will get this cute set to go along with his/her clean sink:
Now let’s break out the scouring pads and get to work!
This is perfect, right now we are in the process of moving, well half of everything is in storage and the other half is a disaster! I have been at loose ends for a few weeks now, not wanting to clean because we are moving soon, but sick of a crazy house! Im going to take this challenge, I think it will at least help me feel a little less crazed during this hectic time! Thanks Susan!
I love the Fly Lady’s suggestions and yes, having a clean sink before going to bed at night is wonderful! Don’t you feel completely different when you get up in the mornings and see your kitchen? Of course, it’s just me here but once you get in the habit, it really is awesome. I’ll be glad to do this challenge with you!
Something else I love is her 15 minute timer suggestion. At times, we can feel like we can’t get this or that done as we don’t have time. It’s amazing how much one can do in the 15 min. Makes me feel accomplished, how about you? 😉
One thing I might suggest…if you go to her website, DO NOT sign up for the emails! You’l receive at least a jillion a day and you’ll never get away from the computer. LOL
Pat
It looks like someone else is familiar with the “Fly Lady.” 😉 Thanks for the tip about her website.
This is such a timely post! I have so fallen off of the clean- sink- before- bed wagon…there may or may not have been mornings when the dirty dishes in the sink were the same dishes as the day before…makes me want to gag just thinking about it; I may even had a little spit up in my mouth now. :0 I truly can’t stand seeing dishes in the sink. Last night I made myself clean the sink before bed, and I woke up feeling like I had a fresh start to my day. So, Susan, I accept your 7 day challenge. Thanks so much for the motivation.
Sharon @ mrs. hines class
I have fallen off the clean sink wagon and I need your challenge to help me back on…;-).
I use to do this every night. And it did make me feel like it was gonna be a good day the sun was shining and the sink was sparkling and the coffee was well, coffee. I accept your challenge and look forward to starting tomorrow with a sparkling clean sink.
One baby step I have done this year (don’t know if its in her book since iI haven’t read it) is to close my FB account and I follow a handful of blogs instead of a bushel basket of them (yours is one of them I kept ~insert sucking up here~ and I have been spending more time on important things, reading my Bible, gardening, walking and being grandma to two super– heros in -training. Blessings!
I joining in on the 7day challenge of a clean sink every night. I, too, have felt soooo much better in the morning when greated with a clean and sanitary sink. When having chilli or (what was that on my plate smell) the night before really greets you with “You’ve got to be kidding me” feeling!! I have been trying to keep dishes clean for a couple of weeks, now. It does feel heavenly to wake to something so simple as a clean sink and all dishes put away (never mind about when hubby comes and gently lays his dishes for you to do, lol) grrrr. I don’t have dishwasher, yet. I have to get other things done, first. Thanks for the challenge. I’m going to have to read this book. The clutter around here is getting me down and it is papers and papers. I seem to think I will need down the road. I’m thinking of calling hoarders, Inc. :). Thanks for all your posts and tips. I love this blog. Have a nice day.
Doing great so far….I love the post below…this has come to mind and maybe take them to friend’s house where there is dishwasher..As these thoughts overcame my brain I thought how a waste of time and gas that would be (I know, I know). Hanging on and it is looking great!
I love the FlyLady and I love this challenge! I will definitely be participating in it this week. My house is in dire need of some TLC from me this week. I always feel a TON better when I wake up with a sparkling clean sink–although, it hardly ever happens that way for me lately! One small step I’ve taken to improve my life this year is kick-starting my weight loss! I started blogging about my weight loss journey in January and I love it! I really enjoy sharing the joys (and sometimes failures) of losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle. Hope you’re able to stop by sometime! Thanks for posting this challenge! Can’t wait to participate! 🙂
Danielle, I’ll definitely be stopping by your site for some weight loss tips. Thanks for joining the challenge!
definitely join you on the clean sink challenge because I know that mydays seem to run much more smoothly when they get off to a great start with a clean sink!
I will definitely join you on the clean sink challenge because I know that my days seem to run much more smoothly when they get off to a great start with a clean sink! A messy kitchen in the morning makes me want to go back to bed because I don’t feel like dealing with that mess first thing in the morning!
My baby steps that I’ve been taking are trying to eat healthier. I make a real effort everyday to drink 8 glasses of water and adding extra veggies and fruit to my diet. It’s not always easy but I know that I feel so much better when I do!
I try to do dishes before as i hate waking up to dishes in the sink so discouraging. We just started kithen renos and so makes things even harder as things are everywhere but i just did all the dishes so that they would be clean and we can start tomorrow. I even make sure when we leave for the weekend or a holiday the dishes are all clean and put away. As nothing is more discouraging to waking up or coming home to dishes in the sink that need to be cleaned
I’ve been despondent all morning faced with the challenge of a broken dishwasher. I’ve had two schools of thought: One, just buy paper plates and shove what’s already dirty in the dishwasher to rot; or two, wash dishes by hand. I have to say ONE was winning UNTIL I saw this post. Challenge accepted! Not only am I going to wash those dishes by hand and keep my kitchen clean, I’m going to shine that sink every night until it looks like Uncle Frank’s head. Thank you for kicking me in gear!!! Tina
Love this! Thanks for making me smile. (I hope Uncle Frank doesn’t read this.) 🙂
I am cracking up right now, lol
This challenge is coming at the perfect time for me! I have decided that Monday is my new “New Year’s Day”. Five and a half weeks ago I gave birth to my sweet baby girl. Needless to say that I have not been able to, or concerned with, keeping the house tidy. I can barely manage to get dressed and eat a decent meal in a day’s time much less shine my kitchen sink!
I have been a “Flybaby” for a few years. My husband, bless him, tries but he just doesn’t have the same wings for Flying. We are starting to get our routines back in place, baby girl is sleeping, and our two sons (age 7 and 4) are big help too.
So, I am ready to get back into the game and I am accepting your seven day challenge to keep my sink shinning! I may be up to my eyeballs in dirty diapers and clothes, but my sink WILL shine! Baby steps will get me there and this challenge is just the kick in the rear that I need to get started!
Angela, congrats on your new little one!
my husband thinks i am crazy but i cannot sleep if there are dirty dishes in the sink. that’s my *button*. hate to admit this but i have gotten out of bed to wash the few cups that were placed there while the dishwasher was running. don’t think of me as ocd because there are other areas that are messy (master bathroom counter) but, i am in the kitchen so frequently that it just has to be clean. now the laundry on the other hand can sit on the floor outside of the children’s bedrooms until they put it away, which bothers him. it is part of their chores to complete that task within a certain time.
Oh I need to take a lesson from you. Go girl!
I will be joining you in this week challenge Life has been crazy have had so many things happen that has gotten us off track this year and ready to get rid of clutter and start living a more simple Life I just found your blog and excited. starting with the sink as my baby step and Thanks for mentioning the Lady Flylady we need to get reaquainted.
That’s awesome, Kristi. I’m glad we were able to get connected and welcome to the clean sink par-tay!
I’m going to take part in the Clean sink challenge! The other step I have taken to control my chaotic life is running 5 days a week for fitness and the endorphin high! I’ve lost 7 pounds so far=)
Awesome, girl!