http://www.care2.com/greenliving/meet-flylady-beloved-clutter-coach.html
Meet FlyLady, Beloved Clutter Coach
By Melissa Breyer, Senior Editor, Healthy & Green Living
Whenever I write a story about clutter, there never fails to be numerous comments extolling the greatness of “FlyLady” and her unique (and free) online home-cleaning and organization program. FlyLady? Who is this FlyLady, and why are so many people saying she’s just the bee’s knees?
FlyLady is Marla Cilley–and she loves to fly fish, hence the moniker. She is a self-proclaimed SHE (Sidetracked Home Executive) and has created a virtual coaching and mentoring forum to help with housecleaning and clutter–and more (read: life!). She adds humor, spunk, and a dose of common sense to her advice.
According to the FlyLady site, this is what you can expect: First, you join the free online Yahoo group, beginners are enrolled as a FlyBabies. You will receive e-mail Welcome Letters from FlyLady instructing you on how to get started. You will also receive regular e-mail reminders from FlyLady about zones, decluttering, laundry, shoes (honestly–shoes are very important here!) and more. Don’t feel overwhelmed! FlyLady will keep you on track using small baby steps. As you progress, Flylady will send you e-mails to help you develop routines to get you going in the morning and to send you off to sleep in the evening. She’s tough here–routines are very important!
Decluttering is next. FlyLady will help you declutter your house using Hot Spot Fire Drills and the 27-Fling Boogie. If the thought of decluttering your home is overwhelming–don’t worry–Flylady has been there and knows what you are going through! In fact, FlyLady still has her own “dungeon” of clutter that she is working on!
It doesn’t matter whether you are a male or female, single or married, working in or out of the home, have kids or not, this can work for you. You can easily adapt FlyLady’s system to fit your own lifestyle. You will find that with time, your house and life will pull together.
So, that’s FlyLady. I’d love to hear from more of you who love FlyLady, and if you decide to sign up (I think you will), tell us about your experiences!
Go to FlyLady.net to learn more!
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31 comments
add your comment »I tried the FlyLady system a few years ago. There are some things I still do such as laying out my clothes the night before
(before bed routine) and picking up things before I leave my apartment and so. I think what really helps some is joining the
forum she has set up and where people can cheer each other on.
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FlyLady is BIG business. And I wish she would encourage more frugal homemade cleaners, which are less expensive and better in my view.
Would NOT reommend her for someone who is OCD.
And anyone notice that new homes have all these labor saving devices, yet it was our Moms who in the 50's etc who kept cleaner homers and had less 'stuff' to help them keep things clean.
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When I first discovered FLYLady, I approached her system like I do a new recipe …
I follow a new recipe word for word the first time I make it. If I like it, I keep it, cook it often & even tweak it further to suit my needs or desire for variety (add more of this, less of that, etc.). If I don’t like it at all … I move on. I tried doing the whole FLYlady system (aka ALL/textbook approach) & found that certain tips, techniques & insights inspire order & peace in my home & life ... when I neglect doing them, I notice it! This is because I actually tried them & discovered that they suit me, my family & home now & in the past. Those particular tips/insights are mainstays. Yes, every morning FLYLady has a routine for bathrooms … her family puts away personal care items & wipes down her bathroom mirrors, counters & toilet seats with Windex. Even though we clean our bathrooms weekly, this simple routine made such a difference in our home ~ like getting centered b4 starting the day. It was absolutely priceless for the 8 months my house was for sale & a blessing to our new home! The fact that I don’t like Windex didn’t keep us from trying the routine/technique; so, we use our own green cleaner.
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FLYLady is a blessing! She not only offers methods that have worked for her ... encouragement is icing on the cake. Information & inspiration! She makes it abundantly clear on her site & emails that the choice is yours ... you don't have to do things her way, just find YOUR way to a peaceful space & your life will be enhanced.
It's sad that some think of everything as all or nothing. FLYlady's resources can be used word for word like a textbook (word for word) or like an encyclopedia (take what you need & leave the rest). Yes, some concepts are common sense & easy for some … FLYLady lays it all out there for everyone’s knowledge level & is candid & caring enough to share her own heart with her readers throughout.
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I forgot to add, I found Flylady from reading a comment on this website about clutter and am thankful for that too! To me, it doesn't matter that she doesn't recommend green cleaners, she is still helping the planet by coaching us to donate our clutter to others that need it, and on her forum boards, other members have posted all sorts of recipes for green cleaners for those of us that want to use them.
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I love flylady! This is the first book/website that has ever made a difference in my home's life. I'm challenged with CFIDS/Fibro, thyroid, adrenal, hormone and other ailments and this one works with the energy I have without exhausting me. It's contagious too...the more you do, the more you want to do...
It's only been about 2 months now but I see a huge difference in my life because of Marla's website. I'm not done decluttering yet but it's making life so much nicer. Thank you Flylady!
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Joan Stine - Really? That's your issue with flylady? Just because her choice is Pledge Multiple Surface? Many, many of her followers use nothing but green cleaners. Her only real suggestion to her flybabies is that "soap is soap" use what you have and what you like!
Vanessa Lamprecht - "I can not get on top of the clutter on my own." But you can! But not by picking up after your horde. If they leave clothes laying around its likely because they have nowhere to put them. (aka their closets and drawers are packed full. they have too much. they need decluttered) As you spend 15 minutes each day decluttering your home the areas will have a natural tendency to stay cleaner. 5 mins will be all you need to "pick up after them" in these areas. You can't get it perfect so you have stopped trying to get you home the way you love it. It's time to FLY!! (finally love yourself) forgive you and your home its imperfections and create somewhere you (and your head) will enjoy.
Past Member - I am "shocked and saddened" by your comment. We are in the 21st century, but as you know, you cannot change anyone but yourself! A clean house is the responsibility of ALL who live in it. (and you learn how to accomplish this on the site.) If MORE than a clutter free room and shiny floors are required to put a smile on your face, you are in dire need of a real life!
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My concern about this being under health and green living is that flylady doesn't use "green" cleaning methods - she advocates the use of bleach and commercial cleansers and window cleaners (bleach and ammonia based). Clean but not green.
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Flylady isn't saying it is the wife/mother who is necessarily responsible for all cleaning. The person (sometimes male, sometimes a teen) who wants change is the one who initiates it. Nagging other family members won't change them You lead by example because the who can make changes in your life is you. In an ideal world, all adult family members would have equal responsibility for all things; in reality often one person is the primary parent and one the primary wage-earner. Most families still follow traditional roles (men still earn more) but there are many others where the male is the primary parent.
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very true Carol - though hardly ever do that kind of shopping anymore as working so hard in the field!
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