Just Avoiding J's ~ Life Lessons from a Vacuum ~ A to Z Blog Challenge

When I began thinking about the A to Z challenge, I thought for a long time about what I wanted to write. I tried to think of ways to find neat things about the English language with each letter. And then I thought, what if that letter didn’t exist? So I am doing an abbreviated version of my Life Lessons series that I normally do on Fridays, but without using the letter of the day. What would life be like without that letter? Let’s find out...

As anyone who follows my blog knows, I am not the world’s best housekeeper. I have, however, recently developed a habit that seems to be keeping the bulk of the clutter at bay. At least in certain areas of the house. This habit, when committed to , keeps things fairly straight. What is this miracle habit you ask?

I vacuum.

Every day.

This might seem a little extreme, but it works. Why? Because I have to pick things up in order to vacuum. I have about two thirds of my house in my daily vacuum right now, and every day I add a little bit more. Eventually it will only take me about 45 minutes each day to keep my house straight – less if I can get my kids trained to pick up their toys a little better.

Having this monotonous routine in my day has helped me realize the advantages of regularity in keeping things where they should be.

I have a friend who says the Lord’s Prayer every day. I asked him how that didn’t become something he said by rote. He told me that he used it to keep things straight. It helped him remember to order all the different areas of his life and priorities before he started the day.

What types of things do you use to keep regularity in your life? A talisman to keep you from smoking? A picture to help you not eat too much chocolate? Maybe a song that helps you get in the right mindset each morning. Whatever it is, share it in the comments below.

Since ‘J’ was no work at all to avoid, I feel a bit like I cheated. So.....  Jumping jaguars just jogged juxtaposed to jiving jellyfish in Japan.  Check out other A to Z participants using the link below.