I don't have an evening routine, but I should have one as a start to my decluttered life. So, beginning tonight:
1: pack gym bag
2: "dash for trash" (quick pick-it-up)
3: write next day's top 3 to-do items
4: evening glam-or-ama (cleaning, moisturizing, eyebrow patrol, etc.)
5: clothes ready for next day

This just might work. Wish me luck!

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I totally agree. I am a mom of a 7 year old boy and he has an evening routine too. Since he cannot stand to do what he is supposed to do in the morning, we do all of those things at 8pm in order to be ready for his 830pm bed time.
-Pick out clothes for the next day
-PJs on
-Dirty clothes where they belong
-Room picked up
-Homework and other school things confirmed in book bag and book bag on hook
-Shoes by book bag so no hunting in the morning
-Breakfast items determined and ready to go
-Brush teeth
-Read
-Hug puppy
-Prayers
-Lights out

He has a much better morning now that we take the decisions out of the equation.

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It can be frustrating for me to have to piece together my morning at the last minute sometimes, especially with such an early start time.

Thanks for the tips!

My kids are older, so it's:
-set out clothes and jewelry
-brush teeth
-wash face (and 'eyebrow patrol' - I like that!)
-put on jammies
-turn off fish tank light
-cover the bird cage
-check thermostat
-turn off lights
-set alarm clock
And it's off to dreamland! Ahh, I love to go to bed! (what changes between being a kid and being an adult to make that happen? )

Yes, I do sort of…
I .. clean up the kitchen,
lay my planner, keys, etc together for the am
pick out my clothes

Routine? DO I.
I get up REALLY early, before 6. Especially in winter, in frigid Minnesota, I truly HATE running around trying to get ready. I am not a morning person. I like to move slowly. I like my warm bed, and after a shower, I hate leaving my warm bathroom to get dressed for work.
My solution: Keep my work clothes in the linen closet in the bathroom! I know this sounds crazy to most people, but I groom dogs, I have a uniform, and it's t-shirts and nylon pants and smocks. So it works for me.
Here's my routine:
1. 5 minute clean up
2. brush teeth, cleanse face
3. put 3/4 cup water in microwave, ready for the morning, and measure out cappuchino mix in my travel mug. (WOW am I lazy. I pre-measure my water so all I do is push "start", LOL)
4. gather keys, purse and shoes.
5. select an "outfit" from my laundry basket wardrobe. AKA which t-shirt should I wear…

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Hi Marcia,
Love to read your organizing articles. Stopping by to say hello.

Also, for me I'm beginning to think that routines are the way to go. At least with routines you can hop back onto the wagon more easily if you get sidetracked (which I often do).

Part of IBM's training program for new computer salespeople in the 60's was exactly your evening recommendation.
Instead of panicing in the morning trying to figure out which dress shirt, tie, suit, and shoes match up, lay them all out in the evening and just quickly get dressed in the morning as you rush out to work.
Helped me a lot as a 21 year old, and still helps.

Having an evening routine literally makes my day!

- The biggest thing I've started doing is making sure that the dishes are done, if not completely at least a clean load in the dishwasher. This makes making coffee while prying eyeballs open so much easier!
- a 5 minute wipe down/tidy up of the bathroom, another thing that makes morning much more pleasant.

- I go to bed early enough to read for awhile and go over my goals sheet.

- Another thing I'd like to start doing again is to spend a few minutes journaling, both to record things and a gratitude journal.

- Other than that I make sure that the animals are looked after and go up to say goodnight to the kids and chat for a minute or two (very important!).

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My evening routine is:
-Eat dinner
-Exercise while watching TV
- Maybe look through the paper

When I am ready to go to bed I:
- Go to my room and put on my pj's
-Brush teeth, wash face, etc.
-Make sure I have my school bag packed and I have everything for any athletic practices/ after-school activities I may have.
- After saying goodnight to everyone, and after everyone is settled into bed and winding down I may sit at my desk and work on any papers or things like that.
- I get in bed and read (I may do a crossword puzzle before this)sitting up. Then Once I have met my goal to where I wanted to read to, I will lay down and read myself to sleep.