| Keep flat surfaces clutter free: Papers, books, brochures and magazines tend to accumulate on flat surfaces all around the house, and In some ways, summer and staying organized seem to be on opposite ends of the spectrum. Summer means unscheduled days, spontaneity, and a generally more relaxed approach to life. On the other hand, being organized is often associated with schedules and rigidity. I propose we can have both…the fun and spontaneity of summer, with just the right amount of order that we don’t find ourselves facing a three-month clutter dig out come fall. Sound like a plan? Here are five ideas to try. 1. Evaluate your priorities. What’s most important to you this summer? Is it time with the kids? Getting projects done around the house? Relaxing and hanging out with friends? Make a quick list and then prioritize it. If “keep the house organized” or “organize (insert room of choice here)” doesn’t make the list, that’s great! 2. Try doing a little bit, often. If getting or staying organized didn’t top your priority list, the “little and often” approach is for you. Focus on doing a little bit of maintaining once a day or several times a day. Carry something with you and put it away each time you go to another room. 3. Establish drop zones. Summer means outings to the pool, park, etc. which means you’re transporting gear like beach towels, sunscreen, coolers and bug spray into and out of the house. Set up a drop zone so these items don’t spread out and create clutter throughout your home. A hook or shelf by the main entrance/exit of your home makes a terrific drop zone. 4. Call on your little helpers. The kids are out of school which means they’re probably creating more messes than they do during the school year. (More time at home simply means more opportunities for stuff to come out of storage and pile up on flat surfaces!) Make it part of your kids’ daily routine to pick up and put away items they use. Get them involved. 5. Build in some breathing room. A little downtime in your schedule can be good for everyone—your kids and you. If you feel like you’ve been running from activity to activity with no time to catch your breath, your surroundings may start to reflect this in the form of surface clutter, overflowing laundry baskets, and dishes in the sink. |
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Build123organize
March 28, 2024
