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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

Andrew, Shay ·

Squared away.


Happy Tuesday, friends!

Well since Halloween is only two days away, I thought I should sprinkle in a little…

…festiveness to kick off today’s post.

After all, what better way to start your day than with a little…

…Jane Fonda and Richard Simmons 🙂 .

Okay, today’s post is random, but hopefully, you’ll think it’s fun.

Andrew and I listen to The Ticket (a sports radio station) here in Dallas every single day, and they often talk about things they do to make themselves feel “squared away”.

I was putting sheets on my bed Sunday afternoon and thought to myself “this makes me feel squared away”.  You know…like I have my life together.  It’s small and silly and pretty insignificant, but when my bed is unmade and my sheets aren’t freshly washed, I feel less squared away.  Make sense?  There’s a certain sense of “awww, my life is a little more together with this freshly made bed” feeling…thus being “squared away”.

And thus, a blog post was born.

I made me a little list of daily/regular things I do in my life that make me feel “squared away” and I’m sharing them below.  I asked Andrew to contribute his list too, so that’s included as well.  After you read our lists, I would LOVE to know what makes you feel both squared away and unsquared away.

Here we go…

1: A FRESHLY MADE BED  

Like I said above, this is what inspired today’s post.  If I’m having one of those super insane/crazy days and don’t make my bed, I always walk back in my room later and get annoyed with myself for not making it.  A made bed just makes everything better in my opinion, so fresh from the dryer sheets plus a made bed is the ultimate in being squared away.

2: A CLEAN SINK

I don’t care if it’s one spoon, if there is anything in my kitchen sink, I feel less than squared away.  If I walk into my bathrooms and see toothpaste or bits of makeup in my sink, again, I feel a little less than squared.  If I walk into any room with a sink and see it clean, I get an instant boost of “awwww”.

3: AN EMPTY DISHWASHER

Opening my dishwasher and not finding 400 items shoved in there and instead finding it empty really does give me a happy boost.

4: FRESHLY WASHED HAIR

Listen, I don’t wash my hair daily, and I too love a good dry shampoo…but seriously, how much better do we all feel with freshly washed hair?!  I mean, there is no comparison, right?

5: AN ORDERLY DESK

Sitting down at my desk to a bunch of Post-It notes, markers, folders, empty coffee cups, school slips to be signed, mail to open…that is not a squared away feeling.  That makes my brain hurt.

6: SHAVED LEGS

You know this about me, but hi, my name is Shay, and I shave my legs every single night because I DO NOT feel squared away with unshaved legs.  I probably have some condition where people can’t focus without shaved legs because I legit can’t sleep unless I’ve shaved them.  Unshaved legs might be my #1 “you do not have your life together, Shay” thing.  I do not know why, but this one comes from a place deep down in my core.

7: EMPTY TRASHCANS

When I look at one of my trashcans and see it filled to the brim, I feel less than squared away.  For some weird reason, I blame my mom for this one.

8: A CLEAN PURSE

Well you know I love me a purse, but I do not love me a purse filled with Madeley’s Sunday school lesson from two days ago, gum wrapper trash, a pen without a cap, an empty bottle of antibacterial and so on.  This makes me feel very much unsquared away.

9: MY NAILS POLISHED

The #1 reason why I get my nails “dipped” is because when they’re not, I feel like a hot mess every time I look at my hands.  I know, I know, it’s stupid, but it’s true.  Over the summer, I let my nails go au naturale while on Nantucket, and it drives me crazy.

10: MATCHING PAJAMAS

If I go to bed in actual pajamas that match and not a tired and worn Red Sox tee and random shorts, I feel MUCH more squared.

11: GETTING INTO BED AT A NORMAL TIME

If I’m in bed with a show on in the background and snuggled in with my Kindle at my normal time, I feel like I’m winning in life.  If I get home late and roll into bed past my bedtime and miss out on my TV watching/book reading/snuggly time, I feel like tomorrow is already going to be long.

12: LAUNDRY PUT AWAY

The laundry completely controls how I feel as a competent adult.  If there is a basket filled with clean laundry on my bed and another load waiting in the dryer and my hamper is overflowing…I feel like a hot mess express.

13: MY INBOX UNDER CONTROL

I run two businesses and have a lot of clients and team members and four kids with approximately 105 teachers between them who each send me at least 89 emails a day…and the truth is my inbox will NEVER be empty but it can be “manageable” or it can be completely out of control and one of those options overwhelms me.

14: PUTTING ON ACTUAL PANTS

Does one ever feel squared away in a sweatpant?  I think not.

15: NOT BEING RUSHED

On my markerboard beside my desk it says in red bold letters “NO RUSHING AROUND”.  Rushing around is the fastest way to make me feel unsquared (outside of shaving, of course).  No one lives a calm and peaceful life while constantly rushing because they’re behind/late/not on schedule.

16: KNOWING WHAT I’M MAKING FOR DINNER

After school when I have four hungry kiddos who are ready for dinner, if I have a meal plan and ingredients, I feel squared.  If I don’t have the foggiest idea what to do for dinner, I feel unsquared.

I’m not going to lie, I could have probably kept going.  It does not take much to make me feel “unsquared away”.

Andrew was super sweet and emailed me his list as well.  This pic cracks me up and basically makes me think one of us is squared and the other is not.  Ha!

Okay, here you go…

#1: A FRESH HAIRCUT AND SHAVE

#2: A CLEAN CAR

#3: LEAVES BLOWN OUT OF THE YARD

#4: BEING ERRAND-FREE (Things like going to the dry cleaners, Home Depot, etc)

#5: EVERYTHING PICKED UP AND PUT AWAY INSIDE THE HOUSE (Excluding Smith’s room.  I have to just shut the door and look away.)

#6: GETTING IN THE COLD PLUNGE BEFORE WORK

#7: UNPACKING A SUITCASE NO MATTER WHAT TIME I GET BACK HOME

#8: FINALIZING ANY PACKETS FROM OUR CPA AND GETTING THEM TURNED IN

#9: CLEANING OUT MY EMAIL EVERY DAY

#10: TAKING CARE OF MY CRACKED HEELS (Erika knows what I’m talking about!)

#11: CLEANING THE WINDOWS

So, those are the little details that make us feel either squared away or unsquared away.  I would LOVE to know what yours are!!  Please comment and share!

I saw this last quote on Pinterest this week and loved it, so I thought I’d share…

…lovely, right?

And then one more bonus Halloween pic for our October 29th…

Geez, I love those babies!!

Okay, I’m off!  I hope you all have the BEST day! xx

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Comments

  1. Diane Moore says

    I could have a long list, too, but I really notice when I have a stocked refrigerator & pantry. Knowing that whatever happens, we have all we need for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for several days. The other things are daily, but this one comes on a good, well-planned grocery day.

      • Cris says

        My first thought for feeling “squared away” is having practiced my Bible memory work and listened to a sermon podcast in the morning, but I realized that I don’t come away from these things feeling done. I want to listen to just one more, but I’m ok with that. These are the kinds of things where I’m content with feeling discontent!😊

    • Debbie Alsip says

      If you have read this blog for a long time, you will know this is a given. Right now I’m getting ready to read my Bible and the Bible Recap. I discovered the Bible Recap through Shay’s blog. She has shared so many times how much she enjoys studying her Bible and reading the Recap that I knew I had to buy it. It has really helped me to focus my reading and summarize what I read and see how it fits into the Bible as a whole.

  3. Susan Jeffries says

    I love the idea of feeling squared away. My list is similar to yours. I love a clean house, a tidy desk, and I like to finish work projects daily (self employed so that rarely happens). I also never feel sward away without a work out. Enjoy this fun season with your kids!

  4. Beth Knecht says

    This is fun! A made bed, clean windows, swept floors and everything in its place are my squared away!

    • Hope says

      I can relate to your list, however, I had to let some things go in 2020 when hubby started working remotely full-time. He doesn’t feel the need to put dishes in dishwasher, mail off the counter or make the bed, etc. He definitely doesn’t share Andrew’s list:(

  6. Kelly Davis says

    Mine are all the same as yours, except I don’t wear nail polish , because I think it only stays fresh 24 hours, and I can’t keep up with it ! None at all is better than chilljng, for me. I would also add submitting my expenses for work helps me feel squared away. (And I cannot emphatically agree with you enough on the shaving. If I try to go a day without shaving I just cannot do it!)

  7. Kim says

    Great list!!! I love to restock the coffee bar at work. The drawer full of organized k-cups is so satisfying! At home I especially love unpacking a new package of toilet paper and seeing them all lined up in the cabinet 😂 Squared away, for sure!

  8. Kelli says

    Definitely a made bed and freshly vacuumed floors! If my floors are clean, I feel on top of life! 😅

  9. Stacy says

    My nails not I feel so not squared away – and I agree washing and styling my hair makes me feel so much better, im trying to stop so much dry shampoo use. The coffee set to be made in the morning so walking out to a fresh hot cup of coffee is what makes me feel like I have it together !

  10. Taylor says

    I relate to the nails being polished so much! I had a baby in June so getting my manicures has been low priority for me lately. Last weekend I was feeling anxious and not put together and I told my husband “I need to go get my nails done and then I’ll feel better.” Bam..it worked. Haha

  11. Kristen says

    My squared away’s are pretty easy. I can’t stand to see any notifications on my phone and all my email inboxes need to cleared all day every day. I move all my emails into folders so my inbox is always empty.

    the shaving of the legs every night is crazy to me, lol!!!

  12. tiffany says

    I agree with literally everything on your list! ALL OF IT. Shaved legs is #1, by far. It made me laugh that I literally never once thought of multiple things on Andrew’s list, I feel perfectly squared away if the leaves in my yard are strewn about and the windows aren’t clean. Also, little Madeley as Moana?! The actual sweetest.

    • M says

      Yes, I think she was born to be Moana.

      My list:
      Making school lunches the night before.
      Emptying the dishwasher at night.
      Shaving.
      Clean hair is everything.
      Dinner in the slow cooker.

  13. Melissa Terry says

    Love this list! I have many of the same- my main ones are having a meal plan, a made bed, a color coded planner, having my next TBR book on hand, and an empty laundry hamper. Also- those old Halloween pics are the cutest!

  14. Amber Hreczkosij says

    I love this!! You put words to a feeling I couldn’t describe before! Thanks!! 🎃

  15. Rhoda W says

    Shay, I so so so crave the that squared away feeling! But, given that my house is upside down because of a drawn out renovation and my daughters wedding is next month I don’t think I’m going to get those squared away feelings anytime soon lol

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      Oh goodness, all good things that will be SUCH BLESSINGS, but geez, that would not make me feel squared away. When our house was under construction, I didn’t feel squared one stinkin’ day. It’s hard!

  16. Allison says

    Love it! Great list – agree with pretty much all of them! I always laugh when you talk about shaving because I also have done that every. single. day for the past 14 years. Every. Day. They have to be shaved and smooth.

  17. Natalie Alvarado says

    I think we must be very similar. All of your squared aways are mine too! Especially the bed being made and the empty sink! The only one I’ll add is that I feel squared away when my dogs are freshly bathed or groomed. Happy Tuesday! 🎃

  18. Jess says

    I’m so with you on beds! Lol Army life had a lasting impact! 😆
    The other thing for me is remembering to take a deep breath when I’m getting into a rough moment. Feeling centered and in control of myself regardless of what’s going on around me is a huge “squared away” success. 💛

  19. K.K. says

    So fun!! And your list is not surprising after being a blog reader for years!! 🙂 I will tell you, I think you influenced me – I too am now a ‘shave every day’ girl… There’s really no turning back. If I’m showering, I’m shaving. ha ha

  20. Ashley Rodriguez says

    SO MANY GREAT SUGGESTIONS!
    What makes me feel more squared away are the following:
    Cleaning the kitchen and having a tidy house before getting ready for bed.
    When possible, prepping tomorrows dinner the night before.
    Having a meal plan set for the week.
    Groceries for the week gathered no later than Sunday.
    Setting my coffee maker at night and waking up to already brewed coffee.
    Getting my tomorrow outfit out and ready.
    Making my bed every day.
    Email-for the love-trying to keep it as manageable as possible.
    No “red dots” on my phone.
    Returning calls and messages.
    Bills paid and our family finances “the books” kept up.
    Simple, clutter free desk.
    Organized work bag, purse, and car.

  21. Sarah M. says

    I am definitely one of those people that unpack as soon as I’m home. I do not want to have that old suitcase lying around!

    Ah!! Little Madely, she looks like a doll.

  22. Melissa says

    A clean living room. Even if my house is messy elsewhere, I have to straighten my living room and fluff my pillows before I can go about my day.

  23. Angela says

    This was a fun post!!!! Things that make me feel squared away:
    • reading my Bible/ having my quiet time first thing in the morning. On a day if I have to rush and I don’t get to it, I just feel off.
    • our bed made! I LOVE a crisply made bed! If I’ve been out of town, when I come home and see that the bed has not made it (he never makes it!), I have to make the bed. It can literally be 5:30 at night and I will make that bed so it’s “ready” for when we go to bed. Hahaha
    • a clean kitchen and nothing on the kitchen island, except seasonal decor
    • freshly washed hair
    • our pillows and blankets in the living room all where they should be… festive throw pillows neatly on the couches and chair and cozy blankets neatly folded up in in the baskets
    Just a few of my things that make me feel squared away!!

  24. Alison says

    When I read the intro, my first thought was that I have to have shaved legs! I am glad I’m not alone in this! Just the other day I was short on time and showered without shaving. My whole day was off. Ha!
    I also agree with Andrew about a clean car. I must throw away any trash and carry in any bags, etc upon returning home.

  25. amy says

    Knowing what I’m making for dinner, a clean car, and not being rushed are my top three! I saw a time mangement expert say once that “doing things in advance is not extra work, it’s just doing the work when you’re not stressed out and rushed”. I try to recall this when I’m prone to procrastinating.

  26. Sara Mayo says

    Wow!! I 100% agree with all your list!! Specially polished nails!! 💅 thanks for sharing!!

  27. Grace says

    I agree with making your bed. There is something about the bed being made that just starts the day off right. I also do not wash my hair every day but every 2-3 days. When i change my sheets every week, I make sure I am going to bed with freshly washed hair, not dirty 3 day hair. I will say that recently, I started wearing matching pjs to bed and it has made me feel “squared” away as well too. I put them on right before bed and make sure i do not do any other activities in them like cooking. I just do not want that smell lingering on my clothes when I go to bed.

    • Diane Moore says

      I, too, have recently made matching pajamas a priority and it is such a good, squared away, feelin.

  28. talia says

    Yes, yes, yes to all of these! I’ve got to include a clean car. It brings me so much joy to have my car cleaned. Oh! Add my refrigerator to that well! Little things that add up to happiness!

  29. Sheaffer says

    I was going to come up with a couple of things that make me feel squared away…. and then I saw Madeley as Moana in that last pic. NOW ALL I WANT TO COMMENT ON IS MADELEY. The flower headband! The grass skirt! THE BABY BELLY PEEKING OUT!!!!!!! I love it all.

  30. Tricia says

    Definitely have a similar list to you…. My top “squared away” list would be: a made bed, empty kitchen sink, all couch cushions put back “into their place” at the end of the day, folded laundry put away, kitchen counters wiped down and free from crumbs, the blankets in the dog’s crate all neat and tidy, tea towels and hand towels on the oven door rack or towel bar in the bathroom NEED to be centered and meals planned and written on our menu board at the start of each week. 😊

  31. Renae says

    I had that squared away feeling yesterday when I walked in the kitchen and there was not one single thing on the island. Ahhhhh!

  33. Jennifer P says

    I am someone that needs to feel squared away or else I’m doing it wrong – what is “it”? No idea….but I’ve done “it” incorrectly
    🙂 I absolutely LOVE the book Make Your Bed by Admiral William McRaven. After the first time reading it I cannot do anything else after my feet touch the ground in the morning until I make my bed. Similar to Andrew, I really feel squared away when the errands are completed and the car is empty. I do not feel squared away driving around in a cluttered vehicle.

    LOVE this post!!

  34. Patty says

    Ah yes, I need to come home from trips to a bed with clean sheets and clean towels in the bathroom. I always unpack whenever we arrive home- even if it’s 11 at night. (Can you tell we travel a lot?) I also try to return from trips with a grocery list made so I can get in and out quickly. And no matter how tired I am, I have to read at least a couple of chapters in my book before I’m able to settle my mind enough to sleep.
    Making the bed every day and shaving my legs is a no-brainer. Do people really not do these things every single day? Yuk!

  35. Emily says

    OMG our squared away list is almost the same, I can go a few days without my legs shaved, lol but all others are right on!! Sounds like a touch of OCD, I know I have a touch!! That’s okay it keeps me organized

  37. Allie Dixon says

    I always feel squared away when I set my coffee pot at night so that it automatically starts brewing before Im even out of bed.

  38. Lauren says

    I agree with so many on your list! A clean car, clean desk, clean sink, clean purse, clean inbox, clean hair..basically I’m a clean freak! Haha. I make myself “To Do” lists almost daily, and I feel very much “squared away” when I mark that last thing off! Type A for sure!

  39. kiko says

    Hi! You don’t seem to shy away from cosmetic procedures, so I wondered: Have you considered laser hair removal? Seems like that would keep your legs “squared away” for a while longer than shaving…

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      So years and years ago I did it at my dermatologist’s office (maybe 10 years ago?). I’m not sure if technology has changed or if it’s because my leg hairs are lighter, but it was not effective for me.

      • Addy Robinson says

        typically laser hair removal can’t even be done on light hair because the laser can’t pick it up. and it doesn’t last forever, a few years depending on the person.

  40. Ashley Royer says

    This post made me smile! “Squared away” was a phrase my sweet mom used. She would want the house squared away before we left (didn’t matter where we went) so that when we returned home it was tidy. It drove me crazy growing up but I completely agree with her now!

  42. Michelle Etheridge says

    Having dinner started/planned definitely makes me feel squared away. Being caught up on laundry and having a clean kitchen

  43. Natasha says

    For me, it’s have the time in my day to walk to work (which happens about 98% of the time). But those days when I have to drive, it just throws my whole day off.

    Also, I stopped shaving my legs in my 20s (I have very light, sparse leg hair so it’s not noticeable) and I just can’t imagine having to shave my legs every day. It’s so funny how for all of us, it’s something different which makes our day “squared away.”

  44. Beth Valenta says

    I knew I loved you…LOL so many in common. This year I just started to make my bed every morning, and the feeling is I am in charge. My key others are to plan out my school outfit for work, no dishes in sink, have my daily to do list filled out the night before, and meal planning is my number one. I love to post the daily dinners on my fridge each Sunday and I prep for my lunches and snacks. My hubby is now so into this, looking to know in advance if he is “feeling” that or where I might be gone. I live by the list and feel so unsquared away without one each day. But, I might shave on Sundays only …sorry Shay. I don’t really need to.

  45. Robyn Beers says

    Love, love, love this post. Squared away – what a great way to look at things that one would normally think of themselves as crazy. Ha! My list could be long, but my favorite things that make me feel squared away – a made bed with clean sheets, I shave EVERY SINGLE day (who wants stubble?), no dishes in the sink (cannot stand the smell), fresh towels, I pick up my house every single night before going to bed and I’ll end with…a menu. Knowing what I’m going to cook throughout the week and having my fridge and kitchen stocked just makes my world a better place.

    Have a great day!

  46. Faith says

    All the things! Made bed, laundry caught up and put away, dinner prepped, errands done, donation pile actually dropped off, sleep, clean hair! Yes to all of it!!!

  47. Andrea says

    I agree with most of yours. i would also add….I have 2 large dogs who shed, so vacuuming up all the dog hair definitely makes me for more squared away!!! 🙂

  48. Bailey says

    Would love to know more about the cold plunge!! Is it all it’s cracked up to be?! (I just shivered thinking about it.)

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I can’t answer that question. I don’t like freezing. I find it foolish to freeze oneself on purpose 😉 .

  49. Sally Cavenaugh says

    Reading my Bible in the morning before the day gets crazy. I have a printout from thebiblerecap.com/start New Testament chronological reading plan and I am really enjoying reading at my own pace and connecting with God. I love to share this with my friends.

  51. Erika Slaughter says

    I feel like everyone who’s commented so far must also be very Type A! hahahaha!

    I also CRACKED up that I just gifted you sweatpants this morning when you published this! Girl, you can dress up those sweats! Have make-up on, fix your hair and voila! It was perfectly timed tho! hahaha!

    • Heather says

      Erika this is verbatim what I was going to put! Type-Aers Unite 😆

      I also will add to this , having my laundry sorted at all times. I cannot have it just thrown haphazardly into a giant basket. Sorting baskets of four in all bedrooms in our home.

  52. Gail Morgan says

    Love both lists…I like Andrew have to unpack as soon as we get home. I also make sure the house is clean and all the laundry done and put away before we go, so I can come home to a clean house. Bed made everyday…but should it get skipped for some reason I make it just before climbing in because I don’t like to get into a bed with wrinkled sheets. 🤪 I, too, like a clean sink. Don’t go to bed with dishes in the sink. When we had carpet I loved a freshly vacuumed floor with the lines in the carpet…lol I manage my email by reading, and if it requires a response then I do that, then move to a folder if necessary the only email in the inbox is something that still requires an action…same with messages- read, reply if necessary, then move on. Like Andrew, I want my car clean on the inside.

    I thought Richard Simmons always wore short shorts! 😂

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      He does just not for the internet 😉 . Friends and family got to enjoy that version. Ha!

  53. Laura Holmes says

    My list could go on forever. Here’s the shortened version. A picked up house. I cannot function if things around me are untidy. It’s like my brain is untidy. I love clean windows for sure-very squared away feeling. Add fresh hair color from the salon. I feel fantastically squared away with that! 😂

  54. Nikkie F. says

    Love it!

    Now I feel like a hot mess over here thinking about all the things I need to square away 😬

    I totally agree with clean bed sheets AND shaved legs!!! 🙌🏻 One of the best feelings, climbing into bed with both of those done and snuggled up watching a show!

  56. S says

    For anyone who is looking for AMAZING at-home nails, try Dazzle Dry. Horrible name, fantastic product. It is a system (don’t even bother trying it without the complete system), but you can buy a mini version on Amazon for $30. My nails look flawlessly for over a week, they are strong, can be removed with regular nail polish and dries in 5 minutes. I haven’t had a professional manicure in 4 years because this stuff is so fantastic!

  57. Cris says

    Not squared away: being surrounded (currently!) by things that need to be returned to Amazon.
    Squared away: having just dropped of my Amazon returns at the UPS Store😉

  58. Brooke says

    The number one must for me to feel squared away is to load all the dishes and start the dishwasher after dinner. Otherwise, my kids can’t put the dishes away first thing in the morning which is their chore and the dishes get super backed up and it takes at least 24 hours to catch up! I would love for you to do a blog post on ways you avoid rushing. I’ve been working on this but, alas, I still end up rushing a lot. It’s hard not to rush with 3 young kids, but it stresses us all out to be rushing!

  59. Sandra Roberts says

    So many of yours- plus getting my kids school calendar in August and adding it to my paper calendar. I love having it all in one place, especially since our kids go to school in different towns.

  60. Debbie E says

    I feel like I could have a very long list but some of the ones that immediately stand out are:
    – I feel that the first room or foyer of a home should be clean, neat and without clutter. It is the first room people see when they come into the home and I need it to look perfect and squared away.

    -the garbage can in the bathroom should be empty. I get teased all the time because the minute anything appears in that little can, I take it and throw it in the kitchen can which is closed. I just need the can in the bathroom to be empty and clean. (I know, it’s odd)

    -Things need to be put away before I go to bed at night. This includes dishes away, sink empty etc. I want to wake up to a neat and organized home

    -I need the pillows on the couch to all be in the correct place and fluffed.

    These little quirks, among many others, make me feel squared away.

  61. Leah Z says

    Absolutely yes to shaving every single day. If I don’t (and truly, it’s been less than 10 times ever), it’s all I can think about.
    Also – having a meal plan for the week and knowing what we’re eating for dinner! I feel so accomplished by knowing I don’t have to stress about it all day.

  63. Jeanie says

    Love all of these! Please share how Andrew takes care of his cracked heels…..asking for a friend of course!😉😂

  66. sandi says

    Fun post and fun comments! I feel the need to leave work and go home just to shave my legs… my mom had knee surgery, dad had kidney stones, life got super busy for a few weekends with college kids coming home for fall break and we are downsizing by 2000 square feet… so things are in piles around our house which is not fun to look at.

    But seriously, fresh sheets, a clean sink, a vacuumed floor and a book to read and I’m a squared away girl. If it could only be like that every single day.

  68. Alison says

    In addition to the bed being made in the morning, I have to fold all the blankets at night. For me, folded blankets tidy up a couch/family space in seconds. As for the kids’ rooms, I’m with Andrew. I just have to close the door and look the other way. lol

  70. Brooke says

    I have been trying to get squared away today and your numbers 1-5 were on the top of my list. I am with Andrew on unpacking a suitcase. I cannot stand to have it just sitting there with all of my stuff in it.

  71. Lauren Palmer says

    Putting laundry away makes me feel like a grown up. I’m always sooo proud of myself when I’ve done it. I even make it a point to tell Brian when he gets home and asks how my day was, I’m like, “Oh it was good. I got done some work done, ran to the grocery, and put my laundry away.” I’m always waiting on him to say, “Great job, Lauren!” He hasn’t yet. 😉

  72. Erica says

    Great lists! One of my daily “squared away” tasks is going to bed with no dirty dishes in the sink!

  73. Lynn says

    I’m very much Type B with little kiddos hanging on me at all times, so it’s rare that I get that “squared away” feeling 😆 I love to have an uncluttered kitchen counter, even if that means dirty dishes are hiding in the sink or dishwasher. A made bed is also 👌. I have a hard time sleeping if the bed sheets are tangled around my feet instead of pulled taught.

    I would love to hear more about your cold plunge! My husband wants to get one but isn’t sure how to keep it cold when it’s hot outside without refilling it every time. Where do you guys keep yours? Is it connected to some kind of chilling system?

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      It’s in our garage and yes, it’s temperature controlled. There is a cover on it, so it doesn’t have to be drained and refilled each time.

  74. Jamie S says

    Having all kitchen countertops and kitchen table cleared off and wiped down. I cannot stand the never ending clutter that always seems to migrate to these places. There’s always a random form I need to sign for school, someone’s charger, cereal box someone forgot to put away, sharpies, scotch tape, random artwork from school that I haven’t snuck in the garbage yet, and CUPS. Why does my family use 25 cups every day, and leave every single one of them on the counter or table?!?!?!?!

  75. Amanda B says

    Yes to all of this, except I’m good in comfy pants over real pants. Haha! But seriously, clean sheet night is my fav!

  76. D Jackson says

    Great list and I am the same on many!! I also must shave my legs every.single.day. without fail!! I cannot sleep if I feel little hair prickles!! A meal plan for the week is high on my list as well as a clean kitchen before bed!!

  77. Addy Robinson says

    Yep, we’re going to need an Andrew post on the cold plunge!

    Love all of these, I think it’s a given for you but I would add working out / yoga.

    Agree with Andrew on the errands! I have an ‘errands bag’ in my car that is in-person returns, stuff to mail… I don’t feel squared away if that’s not empty!!

    and lol about your nails because I JUST RECENTLY randomly thought, “I wonder if Shay found a nail salon on Nantucket since that first one gave her that horrible infection”.

  78. Addy Robinson says

    + when my eyebrows (or something else) need waxed!! Can’t function properly until it’s done.

  79. shawnna Griffin says

    hey girl- I just love these lists! I agree with so many things- yes Shay clean sheets for the win- and bonus, after you shave and get into the bed with clean sheets- It is just Heaven-lol I make a point every week when I washed sheets that is the night I shave!! any one else out there do this to? and Andrew’s list reminds me of my Dad. ha ha Love you both!!

  80. Marisa Patel says

    I agree with everything on your list except the shaved legs. My hair grows very, very slowly and is sparse, so I would have to shave off my skin every night. I would add that the living room should be tidy and the refrigerator cleaned for me to feel squared away.

  81. Katie Stewart says

    Are we the same person? 🤷🏼‍♀️
    I’ve shaved my legs every day (with the exception of being in the hospital giving birth and a few sickly occasions), since I was about 14 years old. It’s who I am.

  82. Lisa says

    I really love this! I’m going to make my own list. I agree with all of yours though but not sure I ever feel truly “squared away.”

  83. Alison says

    These are fun! I too feel squared away when many of these items are taken care of! It not, I just feel off.

  84. Britt says

    1. Nails done- ALWAYS!
    2. A made bed every morning.
    3. A clean car.
    4. A clean/ tidy kitchen.
    5. A shower morning & night – a must! ( I can’t (won’t) go to bed without a shower.
    6. Laundry caught up
    7. My 6yr old daughter’s room organized.
    8. Fresh new tennis shoes ❤️
    9. Dinner in the crockpot before I leave the house.
    10. And I’m completely winning and squared away if I can come home in the evening and put comfy clothes on and not have to leave the house the rest of the evening.

  85. Nicole says

    I also can’t sleep until I’ve shaved my legs and people think I’m crazy. Thank you for validating my crazy. 🙂

  86. Maryellen says

    I love this post. I agree with almost all of yours.
    And Andrew with the unpacking the suitcase. Oh my gosh, I’m on board.
    I had a friend and coworker who use to leave her suitcase unpacked for months.
    It bewildered me. It became our running joke,
    I don’t think my life could move forward if I left my suitcase unpacked that long. HA HAHAH

    Great post Shea,

  87. Jenny says

    I’ve been reading your blog for years and I have never once commented. However, my list is exactly like yours with the exception of shaving my legs. I used to shave my legs every day but then I got laser hair removal and my life was changed, honestly, it was the VERY best thing I’ve ever done for myself. I never realized how much time and energy that shaving my legs took. It’s been a year since I did it and I’ve never been so thankful for money spent.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      First of all, THANK YOU for reading my blog. I am beyond grateful. Now that you’ve commented, I hope you do it more! We would love your input/thoughts/all the things. Thank you for this comment in particular! xx

  88. Joan says

    Yes to the made bed! Add to that a workout, dressed for the day, swept floors and a meal plan and anything can happen and I know my day will still sail smoothly along.

  89. Kim Converse says

    I love lists and this one is so relatable! I’m in the shave everyday club also and cannot function before bed is made! Hope y’all have a great and fun Halloween!

  90. Melissa A Hildreth says

    A clean car, inside and out, makes me feel squared away. Especially a clean car inside. I cannot stand trash, or stray items. I don’t know why?

  91. Misty says

    Several of mine are very similar to yours…Made bed, laundry complete, CLEAN SINK, and then groceries delivered and put away!

  92. Jessamyn Peace says

    I relate to so many of these! I think not rushing around would help me — with 5 young kids even when I feel like I’m on top of some things, others are falling apart. You need a post about how to not rush!

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