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Reading time- 3 minutes
It is time for packing lunches for school. Are you dreading it? Children learn better when they are not hungry so the task is to pack food they will eat and not throw out, hide or trade.
1. You know what your child likes and doesn’t like.
Children will food jag, eat the same thing over and over and never get tired of it. If there is a lunch they like, give it to them, a fruit, a vegetable, a protein and a carbohydrate. When I went to school I would eat a cold chicken sandwich, bread butter and chicken, an apple, a cookie and drink usually milk every day for months. My mom couldn’t understand why I didn’t get bored but I just loved it. Life was easy she made it for me and I enjoyed it.
2. I hate sandwiches.
Some children don’t like sandwiches so give them leftovers. Heat up the leftovers and put them in a Thermos. I had a child who hated sandwiches, I would heat up taco meat and send the shell and toppings cold, a baked potato with butter or cheese, soup, stew, or homemade macaroni and cheese. Pack warm chilli with taco chips, cheese and salsa. When you are cooking make extra and freeze it in individual meals and then you have a supply of lunches in your freezer.
Send warm foods to school in an unbreakable thermos.
3. Get lunches packed after supper when the food is out.
As part of our evening routine, each child would pack the food for their lunch that didn’t need to be refrigerated. They packed veggies, pickles, crackers, and cookies. In the morning I would add a sandwich or hot food and drink to the lunch bag. If you have more than one child this really makes life easy because you don’t need to remember which child likes what.
Pick a size and shape of lunch bag that makes it easy to pack and send the correct amount of food to school, not too much, not too little
4. Finger foods are great but you might want to send a fork
Some schools have schedules where children eat smaller meals a couple of times a day. Pack things that your child can eat a few items at a time. Cut up cheese, meat, and bread into cubes. Send nuts, hard-boiled eggs, veggies or cut-up fruit. If you have a container with lots of sections they can open one box and see all their choices. It makes it easier to pack and the child doesn’t have to struggle with lots of containers. There is less to wash at the end of the day. Children are not good at washing their hands before every meal so encourage them to use a fork, send a plastic one in their favourite colour.
Send a variety of foods in small quantities for quick snacks throughout the day.
5. Leftover lunches – plan differently
When your child brings their lunch home remember it has been unrefrigerated all day, 8 hours, and dirty hands have been in the container touching all the food. Compost the leftovers. Re-evaluate what you are sending and how much food you are putting in their lunch.
At the end of the day, compost leftovers to prevent a mild case of food poisoning.
Don’t use school lunches as a time to introduce new foods or worry about variety in their diet. Use supper time or weekend meals to introduce them to new foods. You want them to eat a healthy lunch every day. Since you are not there to supervise them when they are eating, make a plan with your child so you can all be happy.
I think I have covered the basics. Share your tips about school lunches in the comments.
If you need help with menu planning book a complimentary appointment with me.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Reading time 5 minutes
The fall season is approaching! For many households, now’s the time to prepare for the new pace of life. Back to school and back to the office routines bring a whole lot of stress to the household. If you and your child are heading back to the office and school after several weeks of vacation and working from home, you may find it overwhelming at first. Another change in household routines and schedules. Here are some organizational tips that can save you a lot of time and stress.
Clear the garden and outdoor
Commuting is exhausting, especially after a relaxed summer spent at home. So, you want to make sure you can tackle some essential maintenance jobs rapidly before they affect your home. As the first leaves will soon fall and turn our garden into a beautiful red and orange carpet, you need to arrange for fall gutter cleaning soon. Gorilla Property Services has many locations across the country. Indeed, there is nothing worse than a clogged-up gutter on a rainy day. As fall is renowned for being a wet season, you can’t afford to wait for long. Clogged-up gutters can increase the risks of water infiltration through the walls and the roof. It’s going to be messy, costly, and stressful to arrange for repairs. You can keep up with the autumnal challenges by outsourcing essential jobs to professionals, from gutter emptying to garden checks.
Have a plan for college students
College students are packing or have just packed to head to the campus for the first time. It is an exciting time for them, but it can be daunting too. A lot of college students are unprepared for household challenges. It can be helpful to arrange a simple schedule of chores with them. For instance, you can decide how to care for their dirty laundry, especially if they don’t have easy access to washing machines. Similarly, nothing beats a healthy family meal. Students might not take the time to cook. They might not have a great place for cooking. For example, you can arrange for pre-made dishes they can pick up on weekends and bring back to the campus. Decide what meals they enjoyed at home and make a quick and easy recipe book of their favourite meals.
Make your lunch boxes go further
For the first time in months, you have to think about lunch boxes. Planning and packing lunchboxes can take a lot of time. Without appropriate organization, you might even end up wasting a lot of money. Some households prefer to map out the lunches for the week to get ahead with grocery shopping on a budget. Others love to prepare individual ingredients separately, so they can pack a lunch box in a few seconds. You can even create a lunch packing station in your fridge and pantry, storing specific items to make lunches rapidly.
Keep everyone’s schedule visible
Last but not least, have access to everybody’s schedules. You might want to pin a paper copy on a corkboard in the entryway or attach it to the front of the fridge with a magnet, or a shared calendar on your phones, you’ve got many options! Sharing schedules will save you planning time, so you know when everybody is free.
Going back to work and school after spending weeks at home on a summer schedule can be daunting. Don’t find yourself running out of time to maintain your household! These simple tips can help save you time and hassle in the long term.
If you need help developing routines to organize your household book a complimentary appointment with me.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, virtually. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situation. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you to manage your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Learning at college or university has a variety of meanings. Some first-year students will be moving away from home for the first time. Their schedule will involve finding the right building in addition to the room. They will be dealing with online courses, labs and tutorials. There will be more opportunities for social interaction on-campus or off-campus. It may be overwhelming. Help organize your student’s move away from home by taking the right amount of stuff and organizing it in a way that suits their personality and new lifestyle.
Organize the right amount of stuff to take.
Panic may be starting to set in. This is the time of year for back to school. Some of you may be moving a student to a school close to home, some may have a long drive to the new school and others may have to fly. Whether you may be able to make multiple trips to your student’s school or if you have one chance to get it right, Anne Wynter’s How to Cut College Clutter shares many tips in this lovely blog post about:
- Clothes
- Documents
- Mini Kits
- Sentimental Items
Make your move a successful, low stress enjoyable event.
How much should I take?
Organize your employment
Once your student is settled at college they may need a job. Finding suitable work may be easier than you think. This article, Ways to make money in college from Aaron Whitman of Careful Cents has many employment opportunities to suit any timetable. Whether your student chooses to work a little or a lot any income helps reduce the overall debt they might incur at the end of their education. Plan ahead with your finances. In addition, balancing work and school also teaches time management skills.
There are many things your student needs to learn about moving to college or university. Teach them the skills a little at a time. Don’t overwhelm them. Start with packing, arriving and setting up the space. All teenagers can figure out how to get food. lol.
Now I’d like to hear from you. What tip are you going to use from the post? Or maybe I didn’t mention the thing that is most important in your family when someone moves out. Let me know in the comments.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Reading time: 7 minutes
3 Easy Steps
Back to school, I have been procrastinating on dealing with this topic for my blog. Some of you may be feeling the same way about getting ready for school this year. Here are 3 easy steps.
- embrace the normal preparations you have always done,
- plan for new priorities in your child’s routine to make them successful and then
- plan for the new circumstances in your child’s learning situation.
You can’t plan for all circumstances, be ready to adjust.
What will it look like this year
Your child’s school year may have a new look this year.
- Homeschool
- A new teacher
- A new school
- Forest/ outdoor school
- Moving to a new city, school and friends
Normal Preparations
Some things about going back to school don’t change. Start by focusing on the things that are the same as other years to help your child enter this school year without worry. Focus on the differences later. Keeping school preparations “normal” gives your child a sense of security.
Get a few supplies
- Keep your supplies to a minimum. Try having less in the classroom this year. It will be easier for them to keep track of their things. Eight markers instead of 24 or 36, 12 pencil crayons. Wait and see what they need instead of buying everything they might need.
- Use a backpack, pencil case and lunch bag that are vinyl. It makes it easier to wipe off. Have a place to unpack their books and leave their backpacks when they get home.
Set up a station at home to do homework.
- Have a caddy with supplies, scissors, an eraser, a stapler, pens, pencils markers crayons etc. Some children need a space in the middle of the household action. The noise helps them to concentrate and not daydream. The adult equivalent of working in a coffee shop. Other children will need a quiet spot away from distractions.
Plan new priorities in your child’s day to make them successful
Whether your child is in school or learning at home, routines give a sense of stability to a child. Being well-rested, energized and stress-free will make the day of learning fun, enjoyable and exciting in any situation. Don’t make it a big deal make it a new deal.
Start with cleaning up their bedroom
- After a summer of playing, sleepovers, and unstructured play their room may be a mess. Put things back in order so your child has a space to go and relax after school. Everyone needs a place to call their own to get away on their own.
Have good bedtime routines.
- No matter what age your child is, they need an expected time when they are to be in their room and be in bed. Determine routines that help your child to relax and become calm. It will be different for each child. A bath or shower, reading, essential oils, planning for the next day etc. Start the routine at the same time each night.
Morning routines
- Expect your child to get up at the same time each day. This will make going to bed at the expected time easier. Have them make their bed. It will give the room a feeling of calm when they need that space to go and relax. It is hard to relax in a room of chaos. Plan their clothes the night before so they can quickly get dressed. This year, get up and get ready to take on the day.
Focus on good nutrition.
- Make lunches the night before or at breakfast time. Use the lunch bag even if you are homeschooling. Having lunch ready to eat prevents grabbing a quick unhealthy option, it is ready to eat when they are and there is no mess to clean up. Get your child involved in packing the items that don’t need to be refrigerated and putting them in the lunch bag. It can make choices easy if you have a basket of foods they can select from in a specific place. Where will you place them, so the child can get it themselves or higher so you can supervise?
Make exercise or outdoor play essential at the end of the learning day
- Children may be required to stay in their desks more than they are used to. At home, they may be in front of screens for longer periods. When they arrive home or finish learning, get them outside. There may be complaints at first. Make it fun, have a snack outside, read together, talk about your day, play hopscotch, tag, go for a walk, play cards or a board game. No matter what you think you need to get done, nature, fresh air and unstructured movement will help to relax your child. A relaxed child is a happy child and easier to talk with, get to cooperate and hear a laugh.
Manage your child’s new learning circumstances
Now that the basic priorities, for any type of schooling are set up, think about how to manage the new circumstances
Time to listen
Change is difficult. Slow down and listen to their fears and concerns. If you are fearful about the new circumstances they will pick up your concern. Keep yourself calm. Don’t hide your concern, talk about it in a way that is age-appropriate for your child and decide together what you can do to make things less scary. Worry doesn’t help to solve the problem, a plan does.
A day off occasionally?
Some children will be impacted more by all the new expectations. They might need a day off. Discuss how to make the new expectations easier to follow. Think of it as a mental health day.
Reward the small accomplishments
Pointing out success encourages more success. Embracing change, accepting it and conquering your fears is something to celebrate. Celebrate the big and small successes. You may celebrate finishing the day by smiling, helping someone else, overcoming a fear, creating a great story, setting the table, and exercising. It can be anything. Be kind to yourself and treat yourself with compassion.
What do you need for your child’s learning experience?
Research what you need to help with your child’s learning situation. Do you need: course material, babysitting, a learning environment to meet your child’s needs, a weekly chat with the teacher, a play date with school friends? Think about how you can meet your child’s physical, emotional, social and educational needs. You may be able to figure out some solutions before the learning begins, but not everything. Be flexible and change as the situation requires.
A schedule to help set expectations
Some children work best with a schedule. It helps them to know what to expect. Some children don’t do well with surprises. You don’t need to set a very detailed schedule but a general one is helpful. If you homeschool when will learning occur, independently, online, or with a parent? When is unstructured time for your child? Don’t use it as a reward, everyone needs time to relax and rejuvenate. What chores need to be completed? When will homework be done? What time is bedtime?
A pickup routine – washing/ disinfecting hands
If you are picking up your child from school or daycare think about having a way to clean or sanitize their hands before they enter your vehicle. I have a container of water with a lid in my car. When I am done working at a client’s house I wash with soap and water. Some people prefer hand sanitizer or wipes. Insist when they arrive home they wash their hands. Reducing germs means fewer germs come into your home that can make everyone sick.
A great attitude
It is an adventure. Enjoy it. Think outside the box and develop solutions as problems arise. Nothing is too big. Break the problem into smaller parts and solve each part until there is no problem anymore. Make your child resilient. It is the best lesson they can learn.
Accept change, move forward and see how you grow - isn't that what learning is all about Share on X
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
It can take between 5 -10 hours to completely reorganize a kitchen depending on the size of your kitchen and how much is in each storage space, cupboard, drawer and pantry. Break the job into manageable tasks depending on the time you have to spend. Start by decluttering each drawer and cupboard then begin the reorganizing process described here.
1. Set a day and time
Make an appointment with yourself and don’t cancel it. Leaving this task until you have time will never get completed.
2. Set a goal or 2 for your organizing
It will help you decide what to keep and what to give away. You may decide you want to reduce what is in your kitchen by 50% so you know you need to give away half of your stuff. You might want to be able to find things more easily so things need to be put in zones. You might want to have a better flow to your kitchen so people don’t need to use the same space and keep bumping into each other. To solve this problem, you might need to rearrange where things are located. Decide what your goals are for your project. Write them down.
3. Declutter your counters
Find a home for things that are piled on the counter, and decide if you need them to be stored in the kitchen. Items that are used infrequently can be stored in a basement or garage. Once your counters are clear it helps you psychologically to keep going because you can see progress. Also, it gives you space for the next steps in organizing your kitchen.
4. Declutter your cupboards
These steps 4, 5 and 6 will need a lot of time. Make sure to set a day and time for this task. Take everything out of all the cupboards. Group items that have a like use or purpose together. Food preparation items, baking items, dishes and glasses, appliances, food, spices etc.
5. Part with items you don’t need, love or use.
For this step, you need some boxes or bags. Don’t leave the kitchen to take things to other places you might not get back to finishing the job.
- One container is for things you can donate.
- A second container is for things that go to another room. Perhaps you keep some items in your garage or basement.
- A third box might be for things to return to other people.
- A fourth box might be for undecided. You can’t make up your mind right now and you don’t want to get stalled on deciding about the item. Leave that decision for later.
You have grouped items in step 4 and in step 5 you have decided what you can part with. Look again at how many things you have in each group and decide if you need, love and use them. What can you let go of?
6. Organize your kitchen into zones
Divide your kitchen into zones/centres that are appropriate for your family. Here are some suggestions.
- The meal preparation centre is the home for items needed to prepare and cook food – cutting board, knives, bowls, graters, pots, pans, casserole dishes, strainer, etc.
- The drink centre contains coffee, tea, hot chocolate, drink mixes, cups, glasses, sugar/sweetener, coffee maker, kettle, teapot, etc.
- The dish centre contains dishes and cutlery and should be near the dishwasher for fast and easy unloading. Aim to store items at an age-appropriate height so children can participate without needing assistance.
- The baking centre contains food items and utensils specifically for baking – spices, flour, nuts, chocolate chips, spatulas, cookie sheets, casserole dishes, pie plates, cake pans, rolling pin, flour sifter
- Establish a recycling/garbage centre for easy collection.
- The desk/paperwork centre, located near the telephone, charging center or computer, holds recipe books, notepaper, and a whiteboard or bulletin board.
- The linen center contains small cloth items you use regularly, pot holders, tea towels, dishcloths
- The paper products center holds plastic wrap, tin foil, parchment paper, napkins, plastic bags
- The children’s zone contains dishes and snacks so children can get their things with less help.
- The cleaning center should be located so it is out of reach of small children and pets.
Decide where to locate each of these zones in your kitchen. Write down your zones and where each one is located. Plan it out and work your plan.
From step 5 you can take each of your groups of items and place them in the correct area/zone/center in the kitchen.
7. The miscellaneous drawer
Every kitchen needs one miscellaneous drawer. It contains small tools and items to which you need quick access in the kitchen – screwdriver, tape, twist ties, scissors, pen, marker, etc. Don’t let it become the dumping ground for items you don’t want to organize or two or three drawers.
8. Organize your fridge
Divide your fridge into zones. Have a place for fruit, vegetables, drinks, cheese, meat, bottles, condiments and leftovers. If you have zones it is easier to prepare your shopping list. When you have zones, it is easier to see what food needs to be used before it goes bad. Save yourself money by organizing your fridge and reducing food waste.
9. Give your new kitchen a try
If needed, rearrange items so that they are easy to get at and use. Don’t get stuck thinking you can’t change things to a better place.
10. Donate
Any food you no longer need can be donated to your local food bank. Make sure it is not expired. Donate any kitchen items you no longer need to a local charity.
Want some support or guidance for your project?
There are 3 ways I can assist you.
- Book a virtual organizing appointment and we can do it together. I’ll be in your kitchen with you watching you through your computer, phone or tablet and helping you with the process. https://mindoverclutter.ca/virtual-organizing-services/
- If you’re having trouble making changes to your kitchen book a coaching appointment to discuss how to reduce your fears with making changes. https://mindoverclutter.as.me/organizingsession
- If you live in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada book an in person session for us to work together in your kitchen.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Reading time – 10 minutes
There are lots of blogs on this site helping you to organize any space in your home. You are armed with great information to get started but you’re afraid. All the clutter is overwhelming, and makes you feel anxious and stressed, you want to turn away and leave. This is a common response when you decide to make a change. There are many reasons why letting go of things can be difficult. In this article we are going to look at the fear of decision making.
Organized is defined as
- knowing what you have
- having what you need
- knowing where to find items
- finding things when you need them
Keep this definition in mind as you start making decisions about what to keep and what to let go of.
Mindset 1: I won’t know I need it until I don’t have it
Instead of worrying about not having something change your mindset to can I:
- Borrow it
- Do it another way
- Buy it again, try applying the minimalist 20/20 rule. If you can replace it in 20 minutes for under $20 it is not worth storing for just in case.
- Is it still useful to me?
- Is it still good? Many things have expiry dates, like food, medications, and cosmetics.
- Is it time to move on from having too much unnecessary stuff and make my life easier?
Instead of thinking about what you might need someday in an abstract way, change your mindset to when did I last use it? When you put your decision into measurable terms it is easier to decide if the item is important.
Mindset 2: I have never been good at making decisions
Taking responsibility for making decisions can be terrifying. I once heard, that even when you fall on your face you are still moving forward. We learn from mistakes and get better at doing things. Change your focus from not making mistakes to taking risks. You will get better at making good decisions:
- Practice makes perfect, as you take risks making decisions, it becomes less frightening and easier each time
- Pick favourites – it is ok not to love everything equally give yourself permission to have favourites and keep those items
- Treasure hunting – don’t focus on what you are giving away focus on what treasures you might find, make it a fun adventure
- Don’t let the past control your future – decide to take control of your space and make the decisions necessary to make your plan a success, you can do it
Don’t get trapped into keeping things for the reasons listed above. Be aware of those thoughts and ideas and when they start to affect your ability to make decisions, STOP. Clear your mind of these thoughts and remember you are good at making decisions to let go of things.
Mindset 3: It takes so much mental energy to make all those decisions
I always tell clients that decluttering and organizing will take mental energy and they will be tired after our session. Plan for needing energy, enthusiasm and excitement towards creating a new space you love that is energizing, creative and comfortable. Change your mindset from I am too tired to do this to, lets get started on this new journey by:
- Setting an amount of time to work that is right for you so you don’t get burned out, increase the amount of time until you can work for 1 hour or longer without feeling overwhelmed
- Decluttering and organizing get easier and take less energy as you get used to the system of sorting and making decisions more quickly
- Do it at your high energy time of day
- Reward yourself when the session is over
- Break the room into smaller bites so each bite is not taxing you to your maximum abilities
Let’s get started,
Take the first step
When you think about decluttering and organizing your home where do you feel tension in your body? Is it in your:
- Stomach
- Shoulder
- Headache
Recognize your reaction, acknowledge it, understand it, relax and move through that feeling of anxiety. You can do it.
Set a plan
- How much time will you spend in a session, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour or longer?
- Which room will you start on? Try starting with the one that is bothering you the most.
- Which part of the room will you do first a drawer, cupboard, or table? Pick a starting point and then move around the room from right to left.
- What questions will you ask yourself to help you decide to keep it or remove it?
Place your unneeded items in a box to be donated or offered to a friend or family member.
Plan the next session
Make an appointment with yourself; the date, time and area to work on to keep up the momentum. The first session may have been hard and short. Practice makes perfect and makes it easier to let go of things. In each session, you will make more progress as you have a plan to follow and you are able to work longer.
Reward yourself
Big or small, reward yourself for overcoming your fear and successfully removing some items from your home. You’re still alive, you survived and you did it.
Need some support or guidance for your project
There are 3 ways I can help you:
Book a virtual organizing appointment and we can do it together. I’ll be there with you watching you through your computer, phone or tablet and helping you with the process. https://mindoverclutter.ca/virtual-organizing-services/
If you’re having trouble making changes to your home book a coaching appointment to discuss how to reduce your fears with making changes. https://mindoverclutter.as.me/organizingsession
If you live in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada book an in person session for us to work together in your home. https://mindoverclutter.ca/contact/
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Reading Time – 10 minutes
A vacation is a time to step away from all the concerns of your job, an office, a home office and tasks in your home. This break from normal routines and responsibilities lets you rejuvenate and have more energy for the future. Shannon Torberg, PsyD, LP says in The Importance of Taking a Vacation, “A number of studies have shown that taking time away from the job can have physical and psychological health benefits. People who take vacations have lower stress, less risk of heart disease, a better outlook on life, and more motivation to achieve goals. The bottom line is, that taking time away from the stresses of work and daily life can improve your health, motivation, relationships, job performance, and perspective and give you the break you need to return to your lives and jobs refreshed and better equipped to handle whatever comes. ”
Now you know why you deserve one here are some styles of vacations to plan.
A vacation from your computer.
Most of your work is on your computer. Close it and put it away. Pretending to be on a vacation by looking at your computer less frequently is a break from work. Put an autoreply message on your email explaining when you will respond to emails.
A vacation from your normal routines
A stay at home vacation might be the perfect solution for you this year. Take time to plan it. “Research shows the biggest boost in happiness comes from planning the vacation. A person can feel the effects up to eight weeks before the trip!” Don’t miss out on the planning. Change your normal routines, bedtime, getting up in the morning, meal times, and activities. Stay up later, get up later, have breakfast in bed, eat out, order in, go for walks, swim, rent a bike, sit in your backyard/balcony, and read. Think of all the things you enjoy doing and make a plan for each day of your vacation. Fill it with things you love doing, things you want to try for the first time and things that are not part of your normal routines. Here is an article that has 100 activities for kids.
A vacation from your town/city
You may not want to stay overnight in hotels. You can still plan a vacation outside of your city limits. There are many communities that surround where you live. Plan day trips to see local sites and visit markets, parks and walking trails. Try googling 5 free things to do in ……. to get ideas of activities and sites to see.
A vacation from loneliness
During Covid19 there were times when you needed to stay home. You may have gotten used to doing your own thing. We are social beings and need to interact with others. Plan on meeting with someone each day of your vacation. Plan a picnic. Each of you brings your own food and meet at a lovely spot to talk. If talking is not your strong suit, meet up with a friend and play a game. It can be a board game, frisbee, throwing a ball or trying kubb.
A vacation to try new activities
There is nothing better about a vacation than doing something new. If you can’t travel somewhere new do something new. Take a week of lessons and learn how to paddleboard, sew, bike, play an instrument, paint etc. Treat yourself to a new spa treatment every day. Eat at restaurants you’ve never visited before. Public golf courses have lovely patios that overlook beautiful green spaces. Try camping. Start in your own backyard and then explore other campsites.
A vacation to support your country
The country you live in has a lot to offer. Too often we don’t appreciate what is right in front of us. Use your vacation to help local businesses and the tourist industry. Whether you want to travel far or close to home, book a hotel or resort and spend your vacation dollars helping to stimulate the economy. Over many years I have visited all the provinces and 2 of the 3 territories in Canada. I am proud to tell people about the lovely places I have seen, the great people I have met, the fun experiences and the delicious food.
A vacation to support your mental wellness.
We all need a break from the stress of work and the uncertainty of the future. Take time to focus on what you need. Plan your vacation so you are only in the present. It may be a stay at home or an away from home location. Enjoy what is around you, interact with people who encourage you, and experience things that refresh you. You may want to try meditation, yoga or exercise. Take time to try new healthy foods and recipes. Experience nature. Plan each day with activities that will renew you so you can handle what comes next.
A vacation to be with family
You may be feeling like you need a vacation away from family. That is ok. Communication and interactions with family members may be strained with more people working from home. Take a break, laugh together, do new things, go somewhere unexpected. Together, plan a vacation. You may decide that each member of the family plans one day and you all do it. Each member may get to pick one activity they want to do and you combine all the suggestions together. Take the pressure off the person who usually needs to make all the plans. Use the time to reset relationships, build new respect for each other and have fun. I have learned when doing family vacations it is really important to plan into each day a time when everyone does their own thing for a while. Alone time is just as important as together time during a vacation.
Plan a short vacation
Plan a number of shorter vacations. Here are some tips on how to pack light.
The trick to packing for a short trip is to take items that can be used in more than one way. Take a large bag or backpack with you for items you want handy while you are in transit. You can use that bag for shopping, hiking or at the beach. Pack a small handbag in your carry-on suitcase to use after you arrive, in the evening and sightseeing. Take one neutral coloured skirt or pants to wear each evening and pack tops that can be worn in the evening and then more casually with shorts the next day. This eliminates separate evening and daytime apparel for a short trip. Sports clothing can take up a lot of space. For running, hiking, and biking take clothes that can be hand washed reducing the amount you need to bring. Although having a wide variety of swimwear may be fun pack 2 outfits you can mix and match to make 4. Reduce the number of jackets you take by wearing layers, and pack a long-sleeved shirt that you can wear alone or over a t-shirt in case it is cool or you need to cover up from the sun. You will need a sweater/lightweight jacket for the evening and a windbreaker for the day. Combine the 3 layers to help you stay, cool, warm or dry. Having a colour scheme so all of your clothes go together well gives you lots of outfits to mix and match. While you are in transit wear the shoes that take up the most space and pack the ones that need less space in your carry-on suitcase. The last thing to do is make a list of what you packed so the next time you go on a short trip the packing is even easier.
Take time for a vacation and let me know what you did to refresh so you will be better able to handle what comes next.
If you want to talk over your vacation plans, book a 30 minute complimentary virtual organizing appointment. It allows me to support you by providing planning and coaching while both remaining at home. https://mindoverclutter.as.me/virtualorganizingassessment
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Reading Time – 10 minutes
Thanks to the staff at Arizona Moving Professionals for being my guest blogger.
With children out of school, there is more time to establish new routines. If how your children take care of their rooms has been bothering you take the time to help them learn how to quickly clean and organize their rooms.
All children love making a mess and hate cleaning up. The ones tidying up are the parents. However, tidying up after your child can be problematic when they can do the chores themselves. Firstly, you are creating more work for yourself. Secondly, you are sending the message to your children that you (or somebody else) will always be there to clean up their messes. A group of scientists and psychologists researched this topic – and the results were quite astonishing. Namely, the results showed that children who had to do their chores from an early age grew up to have better relationships (not only romantic but also with friends and family) and more academic success. So, is there a better reason for you to start teaching your children to keep their rooms clean and organized?
Cleaning Should Not Be Punishment
How often have your children misbehaved and, as a punishment, you gave them a chore to do? If you are like most families, the answer is probably – many times. However, when you do this, the child instantly associates cleaning with something bad, dull, tiring, etc., and they start to hate it. Thus, banish the concept of cleaning as a punishment from your home! Instead, teach your children that cleaning and organizing their stuff is something good and worth doing. Show them that doing those chores can be a ‘ticket to other things.’ For instance, offer rewards. And, always offer them on a positive note – remember, if you are negative and keep telling your children what they have to do in a ‘grumpy’ manner, children will be grumpy back about it.
Teach your children that cleaning and organizing can be fun from an early age.
When Teaching Your Children to Keep Their Rooms Clean and Organized, Give Them Options
Speaking of punishments, a large part of what makes chores seem like punishment is that you always tell your children what they have to do and when they have to do it. This will always result in a boycott! Instead, give your children some options. For instance, whether you want them to help with your spring cleaning or have them clean and organize their rooms daily, you should start by offering a list of things that must be done and giving your children the freedom to choose what chore they want to do. This will give them a sense of control – and all children love that. Your children will clean with joy feeling they are in control and rather than forced to do something. And, what is more, by learning that cleaning can be joyful, they will learn to do it with pleasure throughout their life.
Keep the Chores Small and Realistic
If you tell your little one that they have to pick up all the toys, make the bed, organize their closet, put the books away, etc., they will become overwhelmed! For them, doing all these chores is just too much. So, instead of forcing them to do all of these chores in just one day, make it a task a day. For instance, they can organize their toys on Mondays; on Tuesdays, they can organize their books, etc. Moreover, do not expect your children to do those big tasks like vacuuming the house or moping the floors – always stick to small and realistic age appropriate tasks.
This rule is also applicable to adults. Just think about it – if you start with the thought everything is a mess and everything needs to be cleaned up today, you will probably find yourself overwhelmed. Your thoughts should be small and realistic – see what needs to be cleaned and organized and split everything into smaller tasks that can be done over the next week.
The same applies to other life events. For example, if you have to move, do not overwhelm yourself with everything that needs to be done, and do not force yourself to do everything in just a day. Moving specialists at professionalmover.ca advise that it’s always best to organize your time and chores. Create a moving checklist and list all the duties that await. Then create a timetable that will guide you through all the steps. That, and the help of a moving crew, will help you go through the process stress-free.
Give your child small and realistic cleaning tasks, and they will be happy to do
Make it a Family Affair
Another great way to teach your children how to keep their rooms clean and organized is by making this chore a family affair. Trust us; no child likes being sent off to their room and forced to clean and organize. That sounds boring and, to be honest, lonely. So, instead of having your child clean alone and you and your partner cleaning by yourselves, make this cleaning event a family affair. Clean together. And, while doing so, make sure to keep things fun – chat, listen to music, have a race who is going to clean something faster, etc. This will make cleaning and organizing with children less tedious for the entire family. Moreover, it will make it seem like a game – and once it seems like a game, your child will start doing it alone and on a daily basis.
Whatever you do – do it together with your family.
Explain to Your Child Why Cleaning is Important
In most cases, children do not want to clean because they do not see its purpose. Why would they make their bed today when they will mess it up tonight? This and similar thoughts are present in young children’s minds. Thus, if you never take the time to sit down with your child and explain the importance of cleaning and organizing their rooms, they will never truly know why they do it. As a result, they will hate cleaning and organizing. So, we suggest teaching your children about hygiene and avoiding those tiresome cleaning and organizing myths. Talk about germs and bacteria. Make them connect the dots by talking about what happens to our bodies when they get in touch with dirty things such as the previously mentioned germs and bacteria.
Teaching your children to keep their rooms clean and organized is neither easy nor complicated. It’s somewhere in between. It will take some of your time and dedication, but you will reap the benefits if you do it right.
Share how you made organizing with your children fun.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Reading Time – 5 minutes
Putting some planning into the time when your children are out of school will make life at home easier. Don’t over plan activities for the children. Give them time to appreciate being at home and then going back to school. Share the planning and the fun. Make it a special time together full of joy, learning and excitement, not stress, tension and arguments.
10. Make a list of things that need to be done around the house. For example, sweep out the garage/shed, break down boxes and put them in recycling, etc. When the children start fighting or complain about being bored, tell them to pick a task from the list. You get small jobs done and they are separated and not fighting. I used this one summer. It worked so well that they only fought once. They found things to do so they were not bored. Three things were completed from the list.
9. Pack the backpack with the necessary items for the next day the night before and place it near the door. Make your morning going off to day camps, activities or childcare easy to get out the door quickly.
8. Have a routine for wet swimming towels and bathing suits. They might hang them up, give them to you or place them in a specific spot. It is an easy way to help them learn about responsibility. No one wants to get into a wet bathing suit or reuse a damp towel.
7. Have an agreement about snacks and dirty dishes. Make a list and post it with snack choices. Set a timer for snack time if you have young children. Are dirty dishes put in a dishwasher, placed in the sink, washed or left on a table? If the agreement is not kept then have them decide on a consequence. Children are very good at deciding on consequences you might never have considered.
6. Determine a schedule for their activities, whether they are in programs or at home. Include screen time, outdoor time, reading time, and creative time. Also included in that schedule, is a time when you will be “unavailable to them” when you are all at home. Use this “unavailable time” to get necessary tasks done around the house so things don’t get disorganized. It is easy to always put off household tasks to help, to play, or be constantly interrupted by your children so things don’t get completed.
5. Have a routine for getting meals on the table and food and dishes put away. There are a number of tasks involved at mealtime: setting the table, food preparation, cleaning up leftovers, clearing dishes from the table and washing dishes. Give everyone a task to do. Record the tasks on a calendar and assign a person to each task. The task assigned each day will depend on who is home before supper and who may have an activity after supper and have to quickly get ready to leave.
Teach your children that cleaning and organizing can be fun from an early age.
4. Have a morning routine. Getting things done in the morning before the day gets busy is the best way to keep things organized. Set a time for the latest children can sleep in. Waiting for people to get up can be very frustrating if people are on very different schedules. This agreed upon time may be different for each day of the week. Tasks may include making their beds, making, eating and cleaning up their breakfast, tidying up things that were left out from the previous day, and completing a household chore. Pick tasks that will help to make the day easier and keep the living space neat and tidy.
3. Declutter as you go. If children aren’t interested in some toys (inside or outdoors) collect them and donate them. If their clothing is too small or they won’t wear it, start a bag or box so they know where to put things they no longer need. They may have books or craft supplies that they have outgrown, collect them too. You may decide to give them a challenge, find 5 things each day that you no longer need, use or love.
2. Try new ways of getting things done at home that are fun, simple and easy. Summer is the perfect time to change the way things are done. There is a little more time to teach children new skills and routines because there isn’t the pressure of getting homework done and getting to bed.
1. Sit down and have a family conversation about the expectations for the summer. Include when bedtime will be, responsibilities, consequences, special trips, activities and events everyone would like to do. Let the children help with the summer plan and take ownership in developing it. When everyone is happy, things go a lot smoother. Enjoy the time together.
Add tip number 11 in the comments. What do you do to stay organized with the kids around the home?
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She enjoys working with her clients to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She reduces clutter, streamlines processes and manages time to help her clients be more effective in reaching their goals. Julie can coach you to break-free of the physical or emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
My guest blogger this month is Sophia Perry from Arizona Moving Professionals
Dealing with the overwhelming task of organizing a cluttered home can seem impossible, especially when hoarding tendencies are involved. Overcoming hoarding disorder is not just about tidying up; it’s a journey toward creating a healthier, happier living space. This guide provides actionable steps to help you systematically organize your home and overcome hoarding disorder.
Understanding Hoarding Disorder
Hoarding disorder is more than just collecting items; it’s a complex issue often linked to emotional and mental health. People who have a hoarding disorder might feel a strong attachment to their possessions, fearing the loss or waste of something important. This behaviour can also be tied to anxiety, depression, or other emotional struggles.
Recognizing that hoarding disorder is not just a matter of being disorganized but a deeper psychological challenge is a significant first step in overcoming hoarding disorder. Understanding the root cause can help address the issue more compassionately and effectively.
Setting Realistic Goals
Overcoming hoarding disorder doesn’t happen overnight. It requires patience and realistic expectations. Breaking down the process into smaller, manageable tasks is important for progress. For instance, aim to organize one area, shelf, cupboard or room at a time instead of tackling the entire home all at once.
Establishing clear, specific objectives, such as cleaning out a single drawer or sorting through a pile of papers, can lead to a series of small victories. These smaller goals are more achievable and less overwhelming, creating a sense of accomplishment that can fuel further efforts. Also, remember to pace yourself; rushing through the process can lead to burnout and frustration.
Sorting and Categorizing
Create categories such as “keep,” “donate,” “recycle,” and “discard.” As you sort, ask yourself if each item is still needed, brings joy, or has not been used in over a year. This will help you decide what to keep and what to let go of.
While sorting, you might come across items that are valuable but not immediately needed. Use the right supplies for packing and packing materials to help you store these items safely and efficiently. Consider using sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, and labelling materials. This helps keep things organized and ensures your items are well-preserved for future use.
Keep It Mindful
When deciding on items to keep, consider their practicality and emotional value. Keep items that are indispensable or hold significant sentimental value. Be mindful not to let emotions override practicality. This decision-making process can be tough, as it often involves letting go of items that have been part of your life for a long time. Not everything is meant to stay forever when it has served its purpose pass it on for others to enjoy.
A useful strategy is to take photos of items that are hard to part with. This way, you can preserve the memory without keeping the physical object. Consider the available space as well; keeping too many items can lead to a cluttered space, undermining your organizing efforts.
Donate and Recycle
Donating and recycling are excellent ways to declutter while benefiting others and the environment. Items in good condition that are no longer needed can find a new home through donation. Recycling helps reduce waste and is an eco-friendly option for items that are no longer usable.
Before donating, check with local charities and thrift stores to understand their donation guidelines. When recycling, ensure that you are aware of the correct recycling practices for different materials.
Organizing and Storing
Once you have sorted your items, it’s time to organize and store them effectively. Use storage solutions like shelves, boxes, and organizers to keep your space tidy. Labelling these storage areas can also help maintain organization. It’s important to prioritize accessibility and ease of use.
Store frequently used items in easy-to-reach places and less frequently used items in harder-to-reach areas. In addition, consider the aesthetics of your storage solutions. Choosing storage options that complement your home decor can make your space feel more inviting, less cluttered and help motivate you to maintain it.
Creative Storage Solutions
Think creatively about storage. Use under-utilized spaces like under beds or over doorways. Vertical storage solutions, such as hanging shelves or stackable bins, can be especially effective in tight spaces. Look for multipurpose furniture, like ottomans with storage or beds with built-in drawers.
Maintaining the Momentum
Overcoming hoarding disorder is an ongoing process. To prevent accumulation, regularly review and declutter your space. Set a routine for organization and stick to it. This could include a weekly review of items or a monthly deep clean.
It’s also helpful to keep a journal or log of your progress. Documenting the areas you’ve organized and the items you’ve let go of can provide a sense of accomplishment and a visual reminder of how far you’ve come. Likewise, try to identify and avoid triggers that lead to acquiring more items. Awareness of these triggers can help you maintain the progress you’ve made and prevent relapse.
Support Systems
Don’t hesitate to seek support. Whether it’s friends, family, or professionals, having support can make the process less overwhelming. A support system can provide motivation, physical help, and emotional encouragement. The support can come from various sources:
- Friends and family can offer a different perspective on your possessions, helping you make difficult decisions about what to keep and what to let go of
- Professional organizers can provide expertise in creating effective storage solutions
- Therapists specializing in hoarding disorder behaviour can offer guidance and coping strategies for emotional challenges
Always keep in mind that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Coping Mechanisms and Mindset
Work on changing your mindset and developing a healthier relationship with your possessions. Understand that letting go of items does not mean losing memories or value. Try to find joy and fulfillment in experiences rather than things. Mindfulness practices can help in this regard, allowing you to live more in the present and less in the clutter.
Also, consider exploring new hobbies or activities that don’t involve accumulating possessions. This can redirect your focus and energy into more fulfilling and less clutter-inducing pursuits. The goal is to create a living space that reflects a more balanced and peaceful state of mind.
Overcoming Hoarding Disorder Is One Step Away
Overcoming hoarding disorder is a huge challenge and is full of rewards. Following these steps, you can transform your cluttered space into a peaceful, organized home. The process takes time, and it’s okay to progress at your own pace. Every step you take is a step toward a more organized and harmonious living environment.
In the comments share a tip or resource that helped you to overcome hoarding disorder.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
