Hi! Can you believe it’s already August! I don’t know about you, but I do not know where this summer went. We already took our daughter, Peyton back to Arkansas for her sophomore year, and her twin sister, Sydney goes back at the end of Aug. With all the college prep and moving back in, I wanted to talk this month about a few things that have been on my mind about getting back into the swing of regular life and getting our lives back on track. I hope you find these tips helpful, as they have been a true reality for me!
When getting back into the swing of things, do not think that everything needs to be perfect. Accept they can be “good enough” for right now!
Progress Over Perfection
- Do not stress perfection. Just focus on what is good enough until you can tackle it further.
- Allow slip-ups as part of the transition—two steps forward and one back still means you are moving ahead.
Prioritize Self‑Care Routines
- Prep meals ahead, batch‑cook snacks, or plan simple, healthy meals. I do food prep or menu planning on Sundays!
- Schedule movement—walks, yoga, or workouts—directly on your calendar. I have been working on this because later NEVER comes, and Body20 has really helped me move my body!
- Wind down nightly by unplugging electronics at least an hour before bed; read or reflect instead. This one is VERY hard!
Plan Weekly Reviews
- Pick a fixed slot (Sunday evening, for example) to assess:
- What went well this week?
- What tripped you up?
- What clutter reemerged, and how to store or eliminate it?
- Update your goals and calendar for the week ahead, so you begin Monday with clarity. I also do this on Sundays.
Use Time-Blocking
- Set aside chunks of time for: priority tasks, emails or admin, breaks, exercise & evening unwind.
- Make it flexible at first. There is no need for rigid micromanaging; consistency creates momentum. Once you become rigid with your schedule, it does not become very fun! DON’T STRESS!
Map Your Zones in Your Home
- Reorganize key areas: workspace/office, kitchen/pantry, mudroom/garage, or car.
- Remove summer clutter, such as gear or decorations you no longer need and assign a dedicated spot for seasonal items.
- Label or visually map where things go; make it easy to find and return them.
Reconnect with Structure Before it is Urgent
- Begin adjusting your sleep/wake time a week or two before your routine kicks in (e.g., school or work). I always recommend doing this for kiddos one week or so before school starts. We get into staying up late when we are home for the summer!
- Start doing light planning each evening: writing down tasks for the following day, setting priorities, or preparing outfits and meals.
Again, do not stress and make your “re-entry” harder than it must be. Start small, and before you know it, you will be right back on track! I know it was not easy for me, but I did it!!
Happy Back to School!
Tonia
Request a Consultation
There are so many ways that organization can help take back a space that is overwhelming and bring it to functional!
We are excited to help start your journey to an organized and productive space.
