One of the things that make people daydream about living a simple life is the chaos in their household.

They are tired of sitting down to relax and looking at messes and piles everywhere when today’s trends on Pinterest show minimalist décor, white walls, clear counters, and laundry centers where the actual washing machine is no where to be seen.

Let’s face it, the contrast to our own homes is pretty stark.

Our stuff really comes to our attention because we have to clean around it, we’re out of room to store it, and we really don’t know what to do about it.

It is overwhelming.

We don’t know where to begin.

Enter FlyLady!

I introduced FlyLady in my post First 2 Things To Do To Simplify Your Life (And They Have Nothing To Do With Decluttering) and since then you may have been wondering; what’s a FlyLady?

FlyLady advertises herself as “your personal online coach to help you gain control of your house and your home”.

She has been in action for a very long time.

I found her website in 2010 (www.flylady.net) as a newly SAD (Separated and Divorced) person. It really hasn’t changed much since then. I guess if it ain’t broke, you don’t fix it!

I was just coming out of a 20 year relationship and was very overwhelmed by life.

Ever notice that when we get overwhelmed our households get out of control? No? Is that just me?

Somehow I found her site on the internet, became a FlyBaby, and started shining my sink before I went to bed every night.

Let me explain, because I know that sounds insane.

Getting Started with FlyLady

When you come to her website at www.flylady.net the site itself is (ironically) a little bit chaotic.

The Getting Started tab, as advertised, will get you going in the right direction.

You’ll be asked to join the email group. This makes you a FlyBaby. Congratulations!

Now you start your Flying Lessons. I swear I am not making this up.

Your first task as a FlyBaby is to shine your sink.

She basically tells you that even if you have to dump a whole pile of dirty dishes onto the floor do it – so that you can clean your sink every night before you go to bed. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and, when you see a clean sink in the morning, you start your day with a smile.

Next she gets you out of your pjs every morning and dressed. Right down to the shoes. This lady may have studied psychology. Who doesn’t feel more like getting their life organized when they are properly dressed?

She then holds your hand and baby-steps you through the next 31 days. And it’s easy. One little step every day. You start to trust her. You take the next step. That was easy too!

Before you know it, you are following her Daily Flight Plan.

You (who has never had a routine in your life!) have a morning AND a night time routine. You are drinking your water, you know what’s for dinner, and you are decluttering 15 minutes a day.

Next thing you know your house is relatively tidy, you have completely bought into her system, and you are cleaning your house by zones.

Sound complicated? It isn’t.

FlyLady does all the hard work for you. She even posts your flight plan daily, which zone you are working on cleaning this week, and what the habit of the month is.

And then it all goes on repeat.

How Much Does Her System Cost?

FlyLady is free!

Although FlyLady has links to her favorite cleaning tools, sells books she has authored, and accepts donations, I never spent a cent on FlyLady.

All the tools you really need like her control journals, zone lists, and detailed cleaning lists she makes available as free downloads or simply emails them to you.

Does The FlyLady System Work?

FlyLady has a “start where you are” attitude and her system is perfect for anyone, no matter what shape your home is in. There is no judgement, only guidance.

Apart from the routines becoming second nature, she also teaches you handy habits that keep the house looking tidy, and promotes self-care.

During the COVID-19 pandemic we heard a lot about self-care. FlyLady has been promoting it for two decades!

After a while I stopped visiting the FlyLady site. I was doing the habits and cleaning by zones on a regular basis and, as I mentioned above, once you know the system it just repeats.

FlyLady’s February habit of the month is to declutter for 15 minutes a day. Back in the day, before I called myself a minimalist, this was my first kick at the can for decluttering of my stuff and it inspired me to go deeper into decluttering and simplifying my life.

The decluttering habit of the month led me to Joshua Becker (www.becomingminimalist.com) and eventually to Marie Kondo who took me to the whole next level!

For me, her simple cleaning routines were the first steps to simplifying my life.

These days my laundry stays done (thanks to the load of laundry a day monthly habit), I’m never ashamed to have a guest use my bathroom (thanks to the swish and swipe monthly habit), and my bed is made every morning (you guessed it – making the bed monthly habit).

Yes, I can confirm that her system works! And is still working for me more than a decade later.

Simple Summary

At first glace the FlyLady site seems a little primitive. Cartoonish characters, bad fonts, and crazy colors. Plus, she has really geeked out on the flying puns.

It doesn’t take long to figure out, however, that FlyLady is a real person who has made it her mission to help.

She has a charming southern drawl, and is gentle but firm with her FlyBabies.

You can do it. She will show you how. She’s got your back.

Her system works.

He system works so well that I had forgotten I was using it.

After looking at the site again to prepare this post, there are some areas where I didn’t keep up the routines.

I think I will spend some time on her site and get back up to snuff on her methods.

100% FlyLady’s system was my first step to a more simplified life where I love being in my home and I no longer feel like my house is always in chaos.

If you find yourself overwhelmed with the chaos in your home, or you would just like a nice tidy (pun intended) cleaning routine to keep you on track, you may want to pay the FlyLady a visit yourself.

Maybe I’ll see you there!