Marla Cilley, founder of Flylady.net, is a true inspiration. I found her site over ten years ago, as I was going through a divorce and knew I needed to find a way to take care of myself and my home. I had started the search, thinking that I simply needed to find ways to clean and declutter, and to get my life back on track. What I found was Marla’s loving wisdom, her “Flying lessons,” her support, a lot of humor, a fun community, and a renewed sense of who I was. For this, I’m grateful.
I’m so honored to have Marla as a guest for today’s episode as part of the “Loving your 2016” series. It was a true joy to speak with her, and to spend time soaking up her love and joy-filled philosophy. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the state of your home, or you’ve made organizing your life a priority for this year, I encourage you to listen, and to visit Flylady.net for more resources. She offers all of this for free – and you are in for such a treat.
In this episode, we talk about:
– how Marla arrived at her current zone cleaning process, including the overwhelming amount of cards and lists that she started with, trying to “perfect” an organization process
– shining your sink, what it is, and how that changed Marla’s life
– that two resolutions that started everything
– Marla’s take on the word perfect (and how she corrects me when I use it!)
– the food addiction, and why foods evoke memories and provide an endorphin rush. (along with why Mac n Cheese was Marla’s go to food when she got stressed, and why I run for peanut butter and chocolate).
– an easier way to clean your bathtub
– a great way to keep bathtub toys stored, and Flylady’s first viral post on facebook
– making cleaning fun
– why having a wall calendar is important for organization and teaching our children
– why Marla calls “jobs” or chores “blessings”
– why it’s important to release things that don’t bring you joy
– the power and importance of complimenting other people
Flylady.net – Marla’s website
Marla is the author of “Body Clutter,” and “Sink Reflections,” both are best sellers, and I can not recommend them highly enough.
Sink Reflections – Marla’s first book (on Amazon)
Body Clutter – Marla’s second book (on Amazon)
Eric Dodge, Why Not Today (on Amazon)
Pam Young and Peggy Jones card file system (Side Tracked Home Executives) on Amazon
Ana De- Jesus
January 6, 2016 at 7:36 amWhat a great ethos I need to learn how to love myself and not take who I am for granted. It is important that we practice self-love
Robin Rue (@massholemommy)
January 6, 2016 at 12:20 pmShe sounds like a very wise lady. I think it’s hard for a lot of people to love themselves, but it’s SO important.
Yanique
January 6, 2016 at 4:09 pmI love her approach to organization and her philosophy on self-love. I can’t wait to check out some of her work!
Roxanne
January 6, 2016 at 7:06 pmLove the Fly Lady!! Mommies in my social circle quote her all the time, or refer to her methods!! lol Awesome!
Paula
January 7, 2016 at 7:38 amI love her, too! She definitely brings a positive, loving, and encouraging angle to keeping organized and loving yourself. 🙂
Di
January 6, 2016 at 7:40 pmOh my goodness! I love flylady! I admit I don’t fly as smoothly as I’d like but definitely incorporate some of her methods in the household chores etc!
Paula
January 7, 2016 at 8:40 amI love that about her process – that you can jump in wherever you are and get started, and that there’s no wrong way to Fly. <3
Jenn
January 6, 2016 at 8:36 pmI tried the FlyLady system several years ago. While I found some things very useful (the tub cleaning, shine your sink, etc.) it wasn’t a good overall fit for me, but I know it helps a lot of people. Through her I found Leanne Ely of Saving Dinner and used the Menu Mailer for several years.
Kaylene
January 6, 2016 at 9:27 pmI love FlyLady! I found it one night when I was desperately googling “how to take care of my house”. I became a mom and wife at 16 and was LOST when it came to keeping a home running, and her site helped me so much!
nicole
January 7, 2016 at 1:17 amOh! wow this is so interesting. I decided that NYE was going to be my day and 2016 my year! I decided to change my life. I;m eating healthier and Friday makes seven days.
Paula
January 7, 2016 at 8:39 amCongrats on 7 days of healthier eating! That’s great 🙂
Debra
January 7, 2016 at 2:15 amI love the flylady! I no longer use her system, but she set me on the path to be able to do the system I do now.
Beth@FrugalFroggie
January 7, 2016 at 4:06 amI haven’t heard of flylady but it sounds like I need to check her out.
laura londergan
January 7, 2016 at 4:29 amI have heard of her & her systems from a friend years ago but never tried or looked into it. However I could use all the help I can get right now. 😉
Nikka Shae
January 7, 2016 at 4:34 amWhat a great system!!! Good training!! I’m going to look more into this.
Paula
January 7, 2016 at 7:37 amThank you, Nikka – I hope you enjoy the Flylady site as much as I do!
Jannine
January 7, 2016 at 5:00 amI had never heard of her, but she sure sounds like she has some great methods to incorporate!
Natalia
January 7, 2016 at 6:59 amIt really is important to love yourself, not enough people seem to.
LauraOinAK
January 7, 2016 at 3:01 pmWhat an awesome podcast. I remember when Marla launched FlyLady. She’s certainly helped a LOT of people banish clutter from their homes so they can enjoy lives.
With 4 boys at home and the tendency to hold onto things ‘just in case’, I cycle through clutter and calm. This time of year is declutter season.
Erin
January 7, 2016 at 3:22 pmI love the FlyLady! I used to follow her routines religiously. Thanks so much for sharing this!
Bri
January 7, 2016 at 6:32 pmI’ve never heard of this podcast! I like to listen to them in the car, I will need to check it out!
jill conyers
January 7, 2016 at 9:44 pmJumpstart Your Joy is an irresistible name! I remember when FlyLady she’s helped so many people.
Kelly B.
January 8, 2016 at 12:16 amWow, it sounds like she has a lot of life knowledge to share! I love that she’s not only talking about the big things, but the small things in life, too!
MyTeenGuide
January 8, 2016 at 1:55 amI haven’t heard of her, but she sounds like a very nice lady. I will look more into this.
Heather
January 8, 2016 at 3:47 pmI could definitely use this in my life – I have heard so many great things about FlyLady. I really need to come up with some sort of cleaning/organizational routine. Can’t wait to listen to the podcast!
karissa
January 11, 2016 at 2:45 amWhat a great approach to cleaning and organization.
Episode 19: Flylady Marla Cilley on Finding Joy in Everything You Do - Jump Start Your Joy
January 12, 2016 at 7:38 am[…] If you have not yet listened to the first episode, you can find it here. […]
Episode 19: Flylady Marla Cilley on Finding Joy in Everything You Do - Jump Start Your Joy
January 12, 2016 at 7:38 am[…] If you have not yet listened to the first episode, you can find it here. […]
Pam
January 22, 2016 at 12:52 amI love that quote you shared! It’s so hard to remember that any day can be a new start – it doesn’t have to be a new year or a special day. You make it special. It’s all about choosing. Thanks for sharing – I can’t wait to check out her website. I’ve heard good things about it before!
Koninika
January 29, 2016 at 1:59 pmWonderful podcast! Thank you for sharing that. Looking forward to following your blog.