I’m such a newbie to the whole FlyLady phenomenon that I didn’t even know she has official baby steps for those of us who are just starting out. Yes, there are 31 Beginner BabySteps. Here’s what she says:

Our FlyLady system is all about establishing little habits that string together into simple routines to help your day run on automatic pilot. You can do this!

I haven’t started any of these BabySteps (yes, one word) except for shining my sink and using a timer. I think if I did this system, I’d feel a lot less stress in my life because I wouldn’t be carrying around so much in my head — it’s clutter! If I set my to-do list down, it will get colored on — or stapled into a book. (My girls are really into making booklets these days. Wonder why!) So I keep way too much on my mind.

The other day I got behind AGAIN on my kitchen — if I only miss shining my sink after one meal, suddenly we have a huge pile-up. Seven people eating together at least two times a day — well, you get the picture. I got behind and started feeling overwhelmed about it.

But instead of moping, I just got my timer and set it to 20 minutes. I can do this for 20 minutes. That ticking sound was like FlyLady motivating me — and it worked. I got caught back up again!

Sometimes I imagine her like a much-needed cheerleader while I’m debating about whether or not I should throw something away. It’s like she’s telling me, “You can do it, girl! You just be brave and bold — and you throw that catalog away! That kindergarten workbook page from September– it’s okay. You can get rid of it now! You’re doing great!”

This physical work reminds me of what goes on spiritually as well. Keeping clutter cleaned out of your house is also like keeping sin cleaned out of your heart. It creeps back in if you don’t stay on it!

Do you ever feel that way? You work on an area and feel like you’ve made great strides, and you’re really growing closer to God. (You may even do a little bragging about it.) Then you stumble AGAIN! That same old sin creeps back in.

Same thing with clutter. You clean out a certain area and it looks great! Until a few days go by (or in homes with young kids, a few MINUTES…) We just gotta stay on it.

So here I am — admitting to you that I’m at the beginning of the Beginning BabySteps. Has anyone else been through this system before? How did it work for you?