Flylady 31 Baby Steps Checklist

Getting started with the Flylady System by doing the 31 Babysteps

The FlyLady system is designed to help you build simple, sustainable routines that bring order and calm to your home. By following these 31 BabySteps created by Flylady aka Marla Cilley, you’ll create daily habits that make cleaning and organising effortless. This guide walks you through how I tackled each step of the Flylady 31 Babysteps and includes an embedded link to my Clean With Kate YouTube playlist for extra motivation!

FlyLady 31 BabySteps: 

Day 1: Shine Your Sink

Start with a small but powerful habit—shine your kitchen sink. A clean sink sets the tone for a tidy home and gives you an immediate sense of accomplishment.

Day 2: Get Dressed to Shoes

Get fully dressed, including lace-up shoes. This simple act shifts your mindset, helping you feel more productive and prepared for the day.

Day 3: Explore FlyLady’s website

Keep your sink shiny and get dressed to lace up shoes and visit the FlyLady website or read motivational emails. This will help you stay encouraged and connected to the system. Clean your sink before you go to bed.

Day 4: Write Down Your Routines On Post It Notes

Start a morning and evening routine. Keep it simple—just a few tasks like making your bed, shining your sink, and laying out tomorrow’s clothes. Write shine my sink and put it on. apost it above sink, and write morning routine (MR for short) and put a post it on bathroom mirror.

Day 5: Recognise the negative voices in your head 

Self compassion is key so this step is about recognising any negative voices in your head and turn them into positive messages and set up a post-It reminders around your home

Place notes around your home to remind yourself to be kind to yourself, and to remind you of the key habits, like “Shine the Sink” or “Start a Load of Laundry.”

Day 6: Hotspots-Set a timer for 2 minutes

Take just two minutes to declutter a small area. Consistency is key!

Day 7: Focus on Your Evening Routine

A strong evening routine also known by Flylady as the before bed routine, sets up the next day for success. Lay out clothes, shine your sink, and prepare for the morning.

Day 8: Start your Flylady control Journal 

Find an old 3 ring binder , and 2 sheets of A 4 paper. I also use sheet protectors. On one piece write Morning Routine and on the other piece of paper write Evening Routine. We are going to write our morning routine and evening routines in here. Keep it simple.

Day 9: Start to declutter and adda room rescue

Start a simple decluttering routine—set a timer for 2 minutes, 5 minutes or 15 minutes. Do a 5 minute room rescue.

Day 10: Gather up trash 

Set a timer for 15 minutes and gather up all the rubbish in the house and take it out to the bin. Then set a timer for 15 minutes and put your feet up, make a nice drink and rest. 

Day 11: Add another page to our control journal 

Take another piece of A4 paper and at the top of the page write Inspirational Page then set a timer for 15 minutes, and write down inspirational phrases. 

Day 12: Digital Clutter 

Set a timer for 15 minutes and clear out emails, if yiou are allm caught up on emails clear out photos, videos . Digital clutter slows our phones and computers down. 

Day 13: Do A Zone Mission

A quick daily mission in the zone we are in shopuld not take more than 15 minutes. Missions are usually posted on flylady website.

Day 14: Use A Calendar

Start a simple check your calendar each day routine to reduce stress and save time. I like to use a written calendar and place it somewhere I will see it every day. Mine is in my kitchen, on the door, so checking it is easy. Write impoprtant dates and appointments on the calender . I like to use the family planner calender from BoxCleveras there is plenty of space to write everyones appointmets on it , and I also use it to track habits I'm working on. 

Day 15: Add Make Your Bed Every Day to your morning routine

Every room ghas its own shiny sink , the bed is the shiny sink in the bedroom so keep it made and looking inviting

Day 16: Read a Flylady Testimonial or Quote 

Reading quotes about how the flylady sytem is working for others can inspire you. Alternatively you could watch a you tube video testimonial about the Flylady System

Day 17: Set a Bedtime and stick to it

A consistent sleep schedule improves productivity. You need your rest just like chilren do. Add go to bed at a decent hour to your before bed routine.

Day 18: Read Flyladies 1 1 commandments

These are 11 simple rules that will help you to FLY

Day 19: Read more testimonials on Flylady website, and use a timer to stay focussed

The timer is probably the best tool for me in the Flylady system. I use it for everything and it has been a complete game changer. It helps me start tasks I'm procrastinating on, it keeps me focussed and it gives me permission to stop. The timer gamifies household chores and makes it more fun.

I also use it for fun activities and to prevent me losing track of time when I'm on my phone or computer. I'm currently using my timer to build a daily reading habit. 

Day 20: Establish a daily laundry routine

Include laundry in your morning and evening routines even if its just for 5 minutes. Break it up into steps. sort, wash, dry, fold and put away. Remember "nothing says I love you like clean underwear"

Day 21: Get Inspired

Watch a flylady related video  or read some testimonilas to get inspired

Day 22: Lets talk about procrastination

Have you been procrastinating on building your Flylady control journal?

Procrastination is the thief of time

Day 23: Afternoon Routine And What's For Dinner!

Add another piece of A4 paper to your control journal and write Afternoon Routine at the top of the page and on here we will start to write our afternoon routine. The first thing to write on there is Whats for dinner? This is also the day to start thinking about menu planning ie planning weekly meals to simplify grocery shopping.

Day 24: Add a Swish & Swipe

A quick bathroom wipe-down and toilet swish keeps things clean with minimal effort.

Day 25: Star Chart

Use a calendar to track progress with your routines. Put a gold star on the calendar for doing your morning routine

Day 26: You Are Not Behind

Just jump back in if you miss a day and we are not in a hurry so take time to enjoy the process 

Day 27: What's For Dinner & Menu Planning?

Do meal planning in advance so you know whats for dinner every day of the week it makes grocery shopping so much easier when you know what meals you are going to have. I do my meal planning on a Tuesday and I make sure I have my menus planned for at least a week ahead.

Day 28: Take Care of Yourself

Self-care matters! Take time for yourself each day. Drink your water, take a break, get enough sleep. Are you tired all the time? Take care of you! Slow down and enjoy the process. We are so busy taking care of everyone else we forget to take care of ourselves. Use your timer to schedule breaks throughout your day. read something fun, get outside, make a nice cuppa or take a bubble bath. You need to make time in your busy schedule to regularly recharge your batteries.

"If you dont take care of you. who will" Flylady

Day 29: What Do You Like To Do For Fun?

Write a list on anaother sheet of A4 paper and add the list to your control journal . Put the titles at top of page:

 Things I like to do for fun

Find the weekly pamper mission on the flylady website and do it. Schedule yourself some time on the calendar to do something fun each week. 

"All work and no play makes us crash and burn" Flylady

Day 30: Look At Your Calendar & Start Using Flylady's Basic Weekly Plan

Start a weekly plan. Assign specific tasks to days of the week

In the flylady sytem Monday is weekly home blessing day, Tuesday is plan and play day, Wednesday is anti-procrastination day, Thursday is errand day, Friday is clean out your purse and car and it's also date night, Saturday is family fun day and Sunday is renew your spirit day. 

By doing this you can batch tasks until the designated day. Write birthdays on your calendar. 

Day 31: You Are Flying Now-Keep Going!

You’ve built great habits—now maintain them! Keep following your routines for long-term success. If you miss a day, don't panic just jump back in. It's about progress, not perfection. 

By working through these BabySteps, you’ll establish strong routines that make home management easy and stress-free. Follow along with my Flylady 31 Baby Steps YouTube playlist for extra guidance and motivation!

Or start watching below

Once you feel you have nailed the 31 babysteps these are other Flylady related habits and routines you may find helpful to add

Start a paper decluttering habit

Sort mail and paperwork daily to avoid piles.

Focus On Gratitude

Write down three things you’re grateful for to maintain a positive mindset.

Pick Up Hot Spots

Tidy “hot spots” (clutter-prone areas) daily to prevent mess buildup. I've made it part of my morning and evening routine.

Plan a Weekly Home Blessing Hour

A one-hour clean-up keeps your home looking great.

Zone Cleaning-Focus On One Zone At A Time

Flylady has split the house up into zones. Work through your home in zones to prevent overwhelm.

Start A Weekly Plan

Assign specific tasks to days of the week . If the days Flylady has chosen dont work for you , make your own weekly plan.

Create A Launch Pad

Set up a space for essentials like keys and bags to streamline mornings.

Try A 27-Fling Boogie

Grab a trash bag and get rid of 27 unnecessary items to reduce clutter.

Reduce Screen Time

Limit distractions to boost productivity. Usea timer so you don't waste hours scrolling on social media. I find using headphones and listening to YouTube cleaning and flylady videos while I do my routines very motivating. 

Reflect On Your Progress

Take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve come.