Introduction
An introduction to the main screen of the Home Routines app, and where it came from.
Why did you make this?
I’ve always found it really hard to get started because of the sheer number of things that I should or could be doing. And I can write a super detailed list, but then that overwhelms me even more! (Blame it on the AuDHD, I guess)
So I wanted to create an app that held my motivation very gently in cupped hands. No overdue dates, no broken streaks, no disappointed icons. An app you can set up and be gently reminded of what’s on your lists, and can give you just one thing to work on when even the decision-making process is too much.
It’s flexible to work alongside the schedule of your favourite housekeeping systems, if you like, or make a combo of the parts that resonate from each.
Also, when you complete a task you give yourself a gold star, because checkmarks are boring.
A Quick tour of the Main screen
What’s a Routine?
A Routine, here, is a simple, reusable checklist, that groups together tasks that you need to do again and again.
In Home Routines, you can do these tasks in any order, and you don’t have to complete all of the tasks on a routine.
It’s kind of like if you print out and laminate a checklist and stick it on your fridge, then check off tasks throughout the day with a whiteboard marker. You erase the checkmarks at the end of the day, and re-use the same sheet.
If you miss a task on a day, you don’t end up with multiple overdue versions of that task.
There is some simple scheduling for the routine itself, to decide when it should appear in the top of Home Routine’s main page.
You can make as many routines as you like, for anything you like:
- Caring for yourself, your family and your home space
- Drinking your water
- Managing your side hustle
- Exercise, gardening, hobbies
- Reminding yourself to take some small moments of joy
- Whatever suits you!
(If you want, you can also add a desired frequency to some tasks, for a light reminder when tasks are due within a routine.)
To Do Lists
Create as many to do lists as you like! These are for your one-off tasks, and you can now add due dates. Your completed tasks will drop down to the “Completed” section.
Today’s Lists
The home page includes two groups of lists. At the top, you will see the lists that you scheduled for this day of the week.
You can re-arrange these within this section by dragging them.
Other Lists
The Other Lists section contains lists that:
- you did not scheduled for today, or
- do not have any schedule at all
You can still complete tasks in these lists from this area.
You can fold up the Other Lists section by tapping ^
You cannot drag a list from the Other Lists section into Today’s lists. Lists only appear up there if they are scheduled for today. Edit the list schedule and it will move up there by itself.
Acknowledge your Accomplishments
Life can include long seasons in life where you’re very very busy, but still feel like you’ve gotten nothing done, especially if you’re in a hands-on caregiving role. Some days, even very basic tasks and self-care take all your energy and determination.
None of that is invisible here. Add everyday care tasks to your routines, and as you check them off, and you will build up a list of your Accomplishments. You will see the number of tasks you complete on the current day at the top of the home screen – celebrate it!
Daily Messages
Here you can add a string of text to the top of your page as a small reminder.
What are Zones?
“Zone Cleaning” is a popular concept where you mentally divide your space or home into manageable chunks, then focus on one of these chunks each week. This gives you a shorter list of cleaning and decluttering tasks to work on, and if you keep it up you will work throughout the house in a kind of systematic manner.
Some folks like to change zones every day, or do zone work only on certain days of the week; we have custom options for that too.
Home Routines Premium
We released the original Home Routines app in early 2010 as a paid app, and have kept it online with updates ever since! But it was well due for a refresh.
We are offering our major update as a new, free app, to make it as accessible as possible. (It does everything the old, paid app does, for free!)
Plus we have added some new, cool and fun features that are available as an inexpensive monthly or yearly subscription. If you see a 🩷 symbol next to an app feature, it is available with the subscription.