2 Minute Habits

Making my bed. I haven’t been a consistent bed maker my whole life. Last year I decided to change that, and, it has made my days so much better. Probably takes more than 2 minutes, but, I can do two minutes in a pinch. Then I pray, and start my day! It has been such a positive habit for me.

Funny I agree with both your things - clearing off bathroom counter. And always making my bed right away.
I’ll add drinking tea with collagen and a splash of oat milk every afternoon.

Emptying the dishwasher. It really doesn’t take more than 2 minutes and then you don’t have dirty dishes piled on the counter (well, except for my husband’s dish 😖). I run the dishwasher at night and empty while making coffee. It’s really pretty simple and painless.

Things I do every night, as part of my evening chores:
Overall I spend maybe 10-20 minutes doing evening chores, depending how much there is to do.
Each chore takes a couple minutes.

Wiping counters off, putting things away. Bathroom and kitchen.
Sweep kitchen floor.
Wash any dishes in the sink. Usually it's just a plate, mug, utensils, etc... 

Go over my to do lists.
I use index cards, one for each day.
If something that is less of a priority doesn't get crossed off that days list, then I move it to the next day list.
I always have an index card grocery list, sitting on my table.

Straightening up my purse. 
Removing any receipts.
Counting cash, to see what I have. Putting in some cash if needed.

Return any pending correspondence. Text. Email.

Starting a couple years ago, dirty dishes aren’t left in the sink. If we eat something, afterwards dishes/silverware are rinsed if needed and immediately put in the dishwasher. I got tired loading the dishwasher being an actual chore.

And nothing is on the floor of my clothes closet any more, so the [rare] vacuuming takes seconds and dust/cat bunnies don’t get on anything.

I am like this as well, not sure why because it wasn’t how I was raised. And every time I get out of the car I take out any trash, if I’m home I take out everything that doesn’t belong. Every single time, unless I have to pee! I just naturally pick it up as I go and it makes life so much easier. It’s so obvious around here when I’ve been very depressed and not doing this.

Using little minutes makes the biggest difference in my life. Waiting for a pot to boil? Food in the microwave?Your face mask? Or for everyone else to be ready to walk out the door? Wipe down the countertops, unload the dishwasher, straighten the entry closet. On the phone? Look around for something to pick up or go through a drawer. Pumping gas? Clean off the windshield, organize the back of the car, dust the interior. I keep cleaning supplies in the car for just this reason. I often dust the dashboard or wipe things down at a red light. (And I make sure to pay attention so no one has to wait on me). Using all of those little minutes during the day instead of wasting them can really make a big impact on your home.

For a while I have been trying to develop the habit of doing/fixing things right when they occur because I’ve been going through all of these ‘little projects’ for a while and kicking myself that I didn’t just take care of it then! Most of them are less than 5 minutes!

One habit I have that has made a difference for me is incorporating a washcloth into my am/pm hygiene routines. I get out a fresh washcloth each time, and use it for my fingertips when I do all of my face potions and lotions. Then when I’m done with everything I use the cloth to clean the mirror and wipe down the countertop and sink. So my bathroom is almost always clean! (I try and make sure I do mine after DH.)

Every time I use the bathroom, I drink a cup of water. Made it effortless to get the recommended amount. Bonuses are that my skin looks better, & I never get UTIs anymore.

Arm exercises while I'm cleaning my teeth twice a day. It takes exactly 2 minutes, and keeps the nerve scarring from my PICC line from stiffening up and giving me pain. I remember it as soon as I pick up the toothbrush, and rarely miss now.

Making the bed makes me feel as though I am ready for the day. It doesn't take long and is neater than an unmade bed.

I really like the " don't put it down, put it away" mindset and have been trying to focus on that. That ingredient you didn't use? Don't set it on the counter put it up... That receipt? Don't lay it down throw it away(or put it where you keep receipts... tube of toothpaste? Don't just lay it by sink, put it up.. etc..

Hard ti do after a long day sometimes, but worth it in the end.

I feel like much of my day is one little two-minute habit after another. String enough of those small actions together and you keep a fairly clean and organized house with what feels like not much effort.

Some of my tenets are make the bed every morning, get fully dressed every day, wipe down the counter when you use it, do each load of laundry start to finish rather than having piles to fold or put away, keep a clean sink, and so so forth. It’s so much easier to clean a clean house.

In this same vein, we do DH’s scrubs once a week in their own load. Everything he wears goes in the load: scrubs, undershirt, compression socks and underwear. When we hang it we put the underwear & undershirt over the hanger and the socks in a pocket. That way, in his zombie like state, he only has to grab one hanger and shuffle over to the bed to get dressed.

Making sure my kitchen sink is empty when I go to bed makes such a big difference in my morning. Also setting out my workout clothes so I can roll out of bed, and put my workout clothes on without digging and searching for what to wear.