There are certain habits that have made a big difference in my homemaking.
And the crazy thing is, none of them are complicated.
They’re small, ordinary things. But over time, they’ve helped me feel less overwhelmed, more peaceful, and more intentional with the days God has given me.
If you’ve been feeling like you’re constantly rushing, always behind, or simply want to become more intentional as a Christian homemaker, these seven habits will encourage you too.
1. Get up a few minutes earlier.
For years, I was the queen of sleeping until the very last possible minute.
I’d jump out of bed already feeling behind, rush through getting ready, and spend the rest of the morning trying to catch up.
I did that when I worked outside the home, and I continued the habit after I became a stay-at-home mom.
One of the best changes I ever made was simply getting up a little earlier than I absolutely had to.
I didn’t suddenly become someone who woke up at 5:00 a.m. I actually started by getting up just ten minutes before my son usually woke up.
Little by little, I moved that time earlier. In this season of life, 6:00 a.m. works well for me.
Those quiet moments before the rest of the house wakes up have become some of my favorite moments of the day.
My mornings don’t always look the same, but I usually enjoy a cup of coffee, spend time in the Bible, go for a short walk, or simply prepare myself mentally for the day ahead.
You don’t have to wake up incredibly early for this habit to make a difference. Even fifteen or twenty quiet minutes can completely change how you begin your day.
2. Go to bed on time.
Of course, the only reason I can get up earlier is because I’ve learned that I also have to go to bed at a reasonable hour.
I know this isn’t the most exciting advice, but it’s one of the most practical.
Sometimes we think what we need is more hours in the day, when what we really need is enough rest to use the hours we already have wisely.
I’ve learned that staying up late scrolling on my phone or watching “just one more episode” usually leaves me feeling sluggish the next morning.
A peaceful morning often begins the night before.
If you’d like to become an earlier riser, be sure to stick to a bedtime too.
3. Make a weekly plan.
Making a simple weekly plan helps me feel calm instead of scattered.
At the beginning of each week, I sit down with my planner and look ahead. One of the biggest things I plan is our meals.
Not every week goes exactly as planned.
Sometimes appointments change, schedules shift, or we simply don’t feel like eating what I planned that night.
But having a plan for the things I can control helps me handle the things I can’t control.
Typically, I plan six meals for the week. We have leftovers one night and have one easy dinner on the weekend.
Usually we have frozen chicken nuggets from Costco because they’re one of our family’s favorites.
The meals may get moved around, but I don’t have to wonder every day what we’re having for dinner.
That simple plan removes so much daily decision fatigue.
4. Stop complaining.
This is something I tell my children all the time.
“You have to brush your teeth anyway. Wouldn’t you rather do it with a good attitude than a bad one?”
Honestly, I need that reminder just as much as they do.
Philippians 2:14 tells us:
“Do everything without complaining and arguing.”
There are responsibilities in life that we don’t necessarily get to choose.
The dishes need washed.
The laundry needs folded.
Dinner needs made.
I’m not saying we should pretend difficult things aren’t difficult or force ourselves to smile through every hard season.
But I do believe we can choose our perspective.
When I catch myself complaining about making dinner, I try to remind myself:
I don’t have to make dinner. I get to make dinner.
The Lord has provided groceries. I live where food is readily available. Those are incredible blessings.
Gratitude has a way of replacing complaint when we intentionally focus on what God has given us.
5. Prep ahead when possible.
One of the easiest ways to overcome procrastination is to make future tasks easier.
One way I started doing this is with dinner.
Earlier in the afternoon, I’ll season the meat, gather the ingredients, or chop vegetables if I have time.
When dinnertime arrives, everything feels much more manageable.
I also like preparing for the next morning before I go to bed.
A few simple tasks make a huge difference:
- Set up the coffee pot
- Clean up the kitchen
- Pack my husband’s lunch
- Do a quick tidy of the living areas
- Look over my planner for the next day
None of these things take very long, but together they help the next day begin much more smoothly.
6. Soften your tone.
As women, we help set the atmosphere of our homes in so many ways.
Homemaking isn’t just about clean floors and homemade meals.
It’s also about how we speak to the people we love.
This is an area where the Lord continually convicts me.
Sometimes I’m impatient or become irritated.
Sometimes I have to apologize for speaking with a harsh tone.
A few months ago, during a Bible study, I was challenged with a simple thought: “Soften your tone. Slow your pace.“
That phrase has stayed with me.
Yes, our families need dinner.
Yes, they appreciate a clean home.
But they also need someone who listens and is present.
They need me to speak with kindness.
Often, setting the atmosphere of our homes involves a clean and tidy home and also the way we respond to the people God has entrusted to us.
7. Have an intentional daily routine.
I specifically say an intentional routine because the truth is, everyone already has one.
The question is whether you’ve chosen it or whether it’s simply happened by default.
When we’re not intentional with our time, entire days can disappear before we realize it.
We stay busy but still wonder where the day went.
An intentional routine doesn’t mean scheduling every minute.
It simply means deciding what matters most and making room for those priorities.
When you start paying attention to how you’re spending your time, you often discover small adjustments that make a surprisingly big difference.
Final Thoughts
The habits that have changed my homemaking the most haven’t been dramatic.
They’ve been simple, consistent choices repeated over time.
None of us will do these perfectly, but small, faithful habits have a way of shaping both our homes and our hearts over time.
If you’d like to create more intentional homemaking habits, you can get my free Simple Homemaker’s Checklist here.