Laying out a complete outfit (including underwear and socks) the night before. If I know I will be extra busy for several days in a row, I assemble several complete outfits on hangers.

Breaking up my bedtime routines into several parts, doing some of them early in the evening, some later, and a few just before bedtime. For example, I have my clothes laid out and my CPAP humidifier filled early in the evening. (See next item for an explanation of CPAP.) I shower and put on a robe after dinner. I take my evening medications when I shower. At bedtime I just have to get into sleep wear and put on my CPAP mask.

Having a set time to maintain my CPAP and fill its humidifier. (I have sleep apnea, which means that my airway collapses when I fall deeply asleep, cutting off my breath. To counteract this, I use a small machine called a CPAP, which stands for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure. A hose connects the machine to a mask I wear tightly over my mouth and nose during the night. The CPAP blows pressurized air up my nose all night, "splinting" my airway open. Because the airway is clear, I don’t experience apneas, or periods of no breathing.)

Doing my swimming in the early evening. On the days I swim, I can shower once, at the pool, saving getting wet twice.

Pacing my level of physical activity. For example, I skip swimming if my active grandsons are coming for a visit. I remind myself that the purpose of exercise is to build up my health, so I don’t want to tear it down by overdoing it.

Taking my morning medications and getting fully dressed before I leave the bedroom in the morning.

Keeping a short hairdo that needs little maintenance.

Buying clothes that are easy to put on (front-hook bras, and socks that go on easily, for example). I also buy easy-to-care-for clothes. I save time by minimizing hand washing and ironing.

Using a stool in the shower and another one in the kitchen.

Keeping track of activities and appointments in a 3" X 4" notebook that I carry in my handbag.  I always have it on hand, so I can make entries immediately.

Keeping two sports bottles of water at places in the house where I sit. I used to keep just one in each location, but then I was always having to get up to refill it or (worse!) asking my husband to do it for me. I found that when I used two bottles I could set out the empty one to take with me when I had to get up for some other reason. I could refill it and return it before the second one was empty.

Buying a new appointment book each fall, and entering into it family birthdays, and anniversaries.  In the back of the book I list phone numbers for my GP, my pharmacy, my vet, my medical equipment provider, my scooter repair person, and nearby family and friends.

Putting things away as soon as I am through with them, such as disposing of the newspaper as soon as I finish reading it, and carrying my plate to the sink after a meal. This means disciplining myself not to just set something down anywhere but instead to put it in its proper place.

Doing big tasks in stages with rests in between. For example, if I have lots of things to put away after grocery shopping, I will put the frozen goods in the freezer, then take a rest; put other items in the refrigerator, then take a rest; etc.

Sorting the mail as soon as I bring it into the house, and putting much of it directly into the waste basket. I have a set place for bills and another for magazines or other mail I want to read later.

Having "transfer stations" at various places in my house where I can leave items destined to go somewhere else. I leave items on the hall table that are eventually going to the bedroom, for example. I pick them up and take them with me when I have to go back there, saving me an extra trip just to put them away.

Glancing around before I stand up to see if I can take any misplaced items with me. On bad days it seems that the only housework I accomplish is keeping things in their places. But that is important!

Getting rid of clutter. At one time, our house became so messy that I was embarrassed to have people over. But, by making changes a little bit at a time, I was able to create a neat and orderly house. (See the article “Illness and Housekeeping.”)

Keeping meals simple. My rule is that I should have no more than one complicated dish (such as a salad or a casserole) and the other items have to be easy to fix, such as frozen vegetables or pre-baked rolls.

Putting left over cooking ingredients away while I am cooking, and soaking pots and pans as soon as they are emptied.

Clearing the table after meals by having each person takes his or her own plate (and maybe a serving dish or two) to the sink.

Wiping up spills and dirty footprints quickly.

Keeping the laundry from piling up by doing a load or two as soon as the hampers begin to fill. I have a set of three canvas laundry bags hanging on a rack: one for dark colors, one for whites, and one for medium colors. As soon as one fills up, I wash that load.

Folding laundry while sitting on a bench by the bureaus in the bedroom, and putting folded clothes directly into the drawers. I keep a box of hangers nearby, and I put clothes for the closets on hangers as I take them out of the laundry basket.

Setting aside two fifteen-minute periods a day for meditating, and adding extra rest periods when my energy is low.

Whenever possible, planning errands and shopping trips so I can stay at home at least every other day

Illness and Housekeeping
Housekeeping can feel overwhelming when you're ill. In this article, Nancy describes her success in organizing her house.