How I Keep My Home (and Sanity) in Check When Life Gets Busy

When life gets busy it can seem impossible to keep up with the day to day tasks that need doing and its easy to give into the chaos. But it doesn't have to be that way! And I want to tell you how I manage with a problem that we can all relate to!

We all have those seasons where things feel overwhelming. Whether it's work, family life, studies, or just the general busyness of modern life, it can be hard to keep up with household chores and routines. So, I thought I’d share what I do to stay on top of things. Hopefully, some of it will resonate with you—or even help you find a little more calm amidst the chaos.

Morning Routines: The Calm Before the Storm

Let’s start with my morning routine. I’ve talked about morning routines quite a lot over the years on my youtube channel, and for good reason—it’s one of the most impactful habits I’ve built to manage my home efficiently.

My morning routine is fairly straightforward: I empty the dishwasher, prep the kitchen, feed the family, walk the dog, and—one key task—I try to get a load of laundry going. That last one was a bit of a shift for me; I used to be the "do all the laundry on one day" type. But doing a little each day is so much more manageable and a lot less overwhelming.

The beauty of this routine is that it sets the tone for the rest of the day. Just by emptying the dishwasher first thing, I keep clutter under control, and the kitchen stays functional. It also gives me a head start on chores before breakfast—time I wouldn’t be using productively otherwise.

Cleaning Systems That Keep Me Grounded

Keeping a tidy home can feel like a never-ending job. That’s where routines and systems make a big difference. I follow the FlyLady cleaning system, which breaks home care into daily, weekly, and monthly routines.

• Daily Routines: Morning, afternoon, and evening.

• Weekly Routines: A daily focus and a weekly home blessing (aka, a light clean).

• Monthly Routines: Zone cleaning—deep cleaning a different area each week.

It sounds like a lot—and yes, it kind of is—but when broken down into manageable pieces, it becomes so much easier. The key is to remember two things:

1. It still takes time: My morning routine takes about 1.5 hours (including a dog walk), my afternoon about 1 hour, and my evening about 30 minutes. But many of these tasks—like laundry, dishes, and cooking—have to be done anyway. Having them structured just prevents them from bleeding into the entire day.

2. It gets easier: When you first start, especially if you’re not used to regular deep cleaning, it feels like a lot. But after a few months, everything is just cleaner to begin with. That makes upkeep much simpler.

When Life Gets Too Busy

Right now, I’m in one of those extra-busy phases. I’m working on the final assessments for my psychology degree, and things have really ramped up. I’ve had to accept that I can’t do everything—and that’s okay.

During times like this, I’ve found it really helpful to loosen the grip a little and focus on what’s most essential. I’ve temporarily dropped my monthly zone cleaning. The FlyLady system is great because it’s designed with real life in mind—progress over perfection. Missing a month of deep cleans won’t ruin everything. When I return to them, the work will be a bit more than usual, but not overwhelming.

So, here’s what I’m sticking with during this busy period:

• Morning routine (covered above)

• Afternoon routine: Prepping meals, vacuuming, and tidying the living area.

• Weekly maintenance clean: One hour per week, broken into 10-minute tasks—dusting, vacuuming, mopping, watering plants, putting laundry away, and a quick tidy-up.

• Evening routine: A short, calming way to end the day. I clean the kitchen, run the dishwasher, prep food for the next day, and get ready for bed—showered, relaxed, and with my outfit picked out.

These routines have become second nature. When life gets hectic, these are the ones I hang onto. They help my home run smoothly and reduce decision fatigue, especially in the mornings.

Final Thoughts

And that’s a little peek into how I manage my home when life gets especially busy. This isn’t the first time I’ve had to scale back, and it definitely won’t be the last. Life just works that way. But having these systems in place means that I can adapt, take breaks when needed, and jump back in without starting from scratch.

Thanks so much for spending some time with me today. I hope you found something here that inspires you or simply reminds you that you’re not alone in the juggle. If you’re in a busy season too—go easy on yourself. You’re doing great.

If you’d like more inspiration, check out one of my other posts or videos. And let me know in the comments how you adjust your routines when life gets a little too full—I’d love to hear what works for you!