Nobody likes getting up to a messy house. And yet, many of us go to bed with it like that and just magically expect everything to be tidy when we wake up.
Enter the closing shift- a trend that’s taken the internet by storm. It’s not a new concept, but people online are falling in love with this time-tested method that promises a cleaner house, better sleep, and calmer mornings.
If you’ve seen the term around and want to learn more, this is the post for you. In it, we’re covering what a closing shift is, what it includes, and how to build your ideal evening routine using this method.
What is a “closing shift”?
A closing shift is the process of tidying and resetting your home before you go to bed in order to prep for the next day. It’s not a deep clean, but a sustainable daily routine to prevent chores and clutter from piling up.
While the concept isn’t new, retail closing shifts inspired the current name. Just like workers clean and tidy the store for the morning crew, you do the same for your future self.
Closing Shift Checklist Ideas
If you’ve never had an evening routine before, knowing what to clean can be a bit overwhelming. So here are a few of the most common tasks you might consider for your closing shift.
Lock Up (2 minutes)
Home security is important. Whether you do it at the beginning or end of your routine, make sure to lock your doors, windows, and garage. Also, take a minute to close your blinds and curtains so you can sleep well.
Dishes (15 minutes)
No one likes waking up to dirty dishes in the sink. So take a few minutes after dinner to gather all the dishes and wash up. While it’s not a chore most of us enjoy, tackling it at night can make a huge difference in your mornings.
Tidying (5-15 minutes)
Tidying can make your home feel more peaceful when you wake up in the morning. It only takes a few minutes to go around the house and make sure each room is picked up. This looks different for everyone, but a few things you could do are:
- Put away leftovers
- Put away toys
- Clean counters
- Tidy the coffee table
- Hang up towels
- Gather any laundry
- Take out the trash
- Put away anything that’s in the wrong place
Set Out Clothes (2 minutes)
Do you waste too much time in the morning trying to figure out what to wear? Try setting out your clothes the night before. It reduces decision fatigue, saves time, and can even help you create outfits you like better.
Straighten Up (1 minute)
One of the smallest but most satisfying things you can do at night is straighten up the pillows and blankets in your living room or other public areas. It only takes a minute, but it will leave your space ready for the morning.
Feed Pets (1 minute)
If you have pets, make sure they have any food or water they need before you go to bed. This will save you from being rudely woken halfway through the night by a hungry pet.
Prep Kitchen (5 minutes)
Like with clothes, it can save you a lot of time in the morning to prep your kitchen at night. Make sure the coffee pot is ready to go, put together lunches, and set out any breakfast foods you can so you’re ready to get up and go.
Charge Devices (1 minute)
Charging devices overnight means you won’t go to use one and find it dead the next day. It can also help you unwind, especially if you plug your phone in before you start your evening routine.
Skincare (5 minutes)
This is probably already a part of your routine, but if not, it’s a great step to add. You don’t need an elaborate ten-step process, just a simple cleanser and moisturizer, maybe with a face mask if you’re feeling fancy.
Make Notes (2 minutes)
If you have anything on your mind, it helps a lot to take a minute and write it down before bed. This could be to-dos for tomorrow, something you need to look up, or even a few lines in your journal about how the day went.
How to Make Your Ideal Closing Shift Evening Routine
1. Choose Your Steps
Start creating your closing shift by deciding what steps you need or want to include. What tasks will make your mornings easier or more peaceful? Just remember to keep it achievable. It’s a thirty-minute-or-less tidy, not a full house deep clean.
2. Write It Down
Once you’ve picked what steps you want to include, write down the full list in the exact order you plan to do them. This will help you remember what needs to get done each night, especially when you’re just starting. Then, hang it up somewhere you can see it while you work.
3. Implement Slowly
You don’t need to jump in with both feet, especially if you’ve never done a closing shift before. Add one or two tasks every few days until you can complete the whole list every night. This way, your routine will be approachable, not overwhelming.
4. Put on a Timer (And Something to Listen To)
A timer is a great way to motivate you, especially when you’re just starting to build an evening routine. Set it, and when it goes off, you’re done cleaning for the night. This is also a great time to turn on your favorite music, podcast, or audiobook, giving you something enjoyable to listen to while you work.
5. Adjust As Needed
As you continue building your closing shift evening routine, feel free to adjust it as needed. They’re designed to work for you, so keep tweaking until you find the perfect combo. And if life changes in the future, you can easily adapt your routine to your new circumstances.
There’s no time like the present to start building your ideal closing shift evening routine. The sooner you put one in place, the sooner you’ll have the kind of peaceful mornings you’ve always dreamed of.
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