Getting tasks done when you are waiting for something else to complete

So what I am talking about is cleaning whilst the kettle is boiling and making sure our kids are safe and okay, we take out the bins to be emptied and whilst I wait for a vlog to upload, will clean the plates, cups and other items away that we used for Breakfast.  

I am not a fan of multitasking but am a fan of using my time wisely and making sure that the important things are done. Like today I have to take a picture of a fence that has fallen down and that my son is ready for school and write this blog whilst I eat my breakfast. 

I like to make sure I do some cleaning and tidying so will take a break from my laptop to do that as I can get burn out by being on my laptop all day. I like being productive and making sure my mind is healthy and feel good each day. I do get apprehensive and have an inner fear, but have these feelings managed. My son is challenging in the mornings as he has so much energy and not plain sailing and wants my attention a lot. 

So I will get up make sure he has his breakfast, is dressed and I'm dressed and whilst we share some toast I will go on my laptop and go through my Notion plan, today I went through my diaries to go through sone important dates for next year and what I plan to do today.  

Whilst waiting for my son to come home from school will play music and exercise, mainly legs and it is items that won't leave you procrastinating or distracted by leaving the tap on for hot water to come out, unattended. 

So short tasks that can be done whilst watching the sink fill up to clean the mugs we've used and have my morning coffee and get myself set up to do bits on my laptop and vlog. 

When cooking dinner I will play music and dry up from Lunch keeping things out that I need for dinner and during the afternoon will prep for dinner, depending on what I am making for dinner and again to take a break from my laptop and if I am going upstairs take an item that needs to go upstairs and love running a bath and scrolling on my phone or listen to audiobook or music.

If it isn't a bath night for me but for my son, I will get into my PJs. 

So to save time do tasks whilst you waiting for the kettle to boil or cooking dinner, etc and remember to have breaks and in evening you wind down to have a goods night sleep and that you feel good in what you have done today.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

My Daily Routine 2024

It is good to have a daily routine as this helps with developing new habits, like I will at 6:30am I get dressed and is when my son is supposed to put his uniform on, even though today, as I write this blog got dressed at 7:20am this morning but it is okay. As long as he puts it on and in time for when he is picked up to go to school, then that is what I focus on. 

Being flexible has helped me stay on track of my routine so this morning I won't be on my laptop only now because I will be taking a notebook to have a coffee as I have some bits to pickup like food and my husband wants a watch he has seen in one of the local charity shops and I like to check out the  clothing and accessories, then coming back home to then, use my laptop. I try to keep my time on my laptop to a minimum of an hour or two hours through the day as if I work on too much I get burn out and effects my sleep if on it in the evening so I will work on it up to 2pm each day and stop. 

Then through out the day I will tidy up the kitchen drying up the crockery used for breakfast lunch and put it all away keeping out what I will need for dinner and usually my husband will wash up and dry. Do a bit of cleaning in the other areas at home and fit in some exercise. I no longer give myself too much to do, but what I can realistically do. 

I use Notion to plan, today I am waiting for a Academic planner I got from Amazon only £5.99 (not sponsored) as I missed having physical planner as when I write it down aswell using digital resources, stays in my mind better and going to reuse my Personal Size Planner to take with me, to keep up to date with my son school events and term dates and other appointments, as I couldn't remember when I had my Mental Health Review and wrote it down on a bit of lose paper but had to go searching so to make my routine to have physical planners and diary to help. 

Having dinner at the same time has helped to wind down the evening for us to relax, catching up on TV, but on Wednesdays my son has an afterschool club so I will be walk to his school which takes about an hour and half, so my husband will cook and come back by train and picks us up. This is why it is good to be flexible, for my son as he enjoys it and it is nice to have some days where I don't cook and at the weekends we go back to our home in Wimbledon and I stopped bringing my laptop to concentrate on spending time with family and I work on the local hospital radio station and my son goes to a rugby club and I make sure that I get out and about and helps with my mental health to do different things at the weekend ready for the regular weekly routine. 

Thank you for you those who are regular viewers of this blog. I write many and if you'd like to read more blogs then please check out my Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/thetypicalLondongal/

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

When you have a lot of responsibilities

It really is a funny time of year as my motivation to get things done gets harder. I feel more tired and I know it is just my body adjusting to the season because of the change of daylight. Yet I have to get up making sure my bed is made, look after my son to help make sure he is ready for the day and getting few tasks done before my son's taxi arrives to take him to school. Then once he is at school pop out if I need to pick up any groceries or other items, work on my content and then be ready for when my son returns and tidy and clean up after breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

Meal we like to have shops and vegetables and mash potato 

Having a lot of responsibilities comes stress, so I take my time and give myself less to do on each day and like I am clearing out my closet and just by doing a bit each day I can already see the room take shape and have more space so I can organise my clothes. The items that has been stored, my craft items in the closet, is to go in the shed we have in our back garden which is going to be where I will be doing my crafting. 

So I am focusing on what I can do still to work towards these plans and each morning I have been working on another book and finding secondary schools and means putting other things I want to do on hold and do what I can. 

I will wash up through out the day as I don't have a dishwasher so wash by hand and that we have all eaten and that my son has his schools clothes ready along with his clothes to change into when he comes home from school.

Divide the tasks, going through what is your main focus? This time of year I do a reset programme, called, Autumn reset to get certain tasks complete to prep before the festive season and focus Christmas and holidays leading up to it and do this reset from September to October. Check out my blog Everyone can be build a castle. 

Divide your year up into quarters. we are now in the last quarter for 2024 and I use Notion to plan, google calendar and notebook. 

To plan meals I use a planner and put this up on the kitchen wall and when it comes to shopping go through what is to be used in a food cupboards and fridge, to check your essentials, like ours is bread, milk, tea bags and coffee, food, like cereal, fruit and what we drink all of the time and plenty to make a meal out of. 

So spend sometime just going through what is the first thing you want to do and put on some good tunes, audiobook or a podcast and lets spend time getting our lives together. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie  X 

  

The Ten things I do to stay on top of organizing my life

There is always a good time to organize and get your life together and I like to do things that help me stay on track of my life and manage it in a way I don't get overwhelmed. 

1. Make sure that my bed has been made and that my son is okay and my clothes are laid out for the day ahead.

2. With laundry I do get help with that, but if I still got laundry to be done I do it in the mornings and then it is done and rotate my clothes, so it all gets worn, if not then it is given away and like to do a regularly declutter of my clothes and toiletries if I see something that is in good condition see if someone else may wear or use them or if there is any wear and tare when checking my clothes, they are dispose of but try to fix clothes now if I can, to try an eliminate waste, to stop adding to landfill.

3. Do a meal plan and think of different meals and check my fridge and food cupboards of what we have in terms of food and groceries and that it all gets eaten. 

4. Prep dinners. Like cutting up the potatoes, vegetables and meats. 

5. Go through my finances each Sunday and check my bank account daily.

6. Planning the week ahead and doing spending plan

7. Clear any dishes washed and put things away

8. Made sure I clean on area a day of my homes, as I live in Epsom and Wimbledon, to look after my son and making sure he is ready for school

9. If my son is unwell like he was this week, make sure I take note of when he has had medicine and his temperature.

10. Take breaks from my phone and laptop to focus on spending time with my son and loves it when we watch a bit of TV together and so I make sure we have that time as children grow up so fast that its those moments that I feel are important. 

I hope that this blog helps you and please follow then you won't miss a post,

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie  X 

Buying Stuff I do not need

I keep getting urges to buy more clothes and notebooks, when I don't need to so I have done a mood board of  items I am going to buy this year to limit it. 

 A Picture from today and want to spend my money to have a coffee and write, rather than a top I no longer need.

I am one of those that will put things in the basket and not buy anything and create wish lists as this makes me really decide if I need it or not and limit what clothing I buy and save for day trips to places, during school holidays or at weekends, for household products. I going to be buying pillows and a new bed sheet. 

To get reminded of what I have I do watch decluttering programmes and Youtube videos and I have filmed me decluttering as stuff is stuff, and so now I am trying to make the most of what I already have, and it feels good to use up what you got before buying anything else. 

Also what is important. Does it better to have nice bedding or buy another jumper because it is cheap? 

It is a decision that I battle a lot with, because I like buying clothes, so before I buy anything more going to have another declutter of my wardrobe and see if can find the items I want secondhand and I do want to change my style a bit. 

How do you shop for clothes? Please leave a comment below, as I like hear others and how they organise their life to help me not be bogged down with stuff. 

I am buying more of what is a good investment, example I have bought a pair of Swimming shorts as I take my son swimming and will be going swimming again once a week when my son is at school and check Better Gyms as you don't need a membership to book to us the facilities and take my son in the holidays, as he has been having swimming lessons, so want him to practice and such a good skill and not have a fear of water like I did. 

So buying items that I know is practical and will be worn and would like to stop wearing leggins all of the time, and save my money towards having a holiday and buy one or two items per year and not every month and now I am debt free check out my Financial Living Youtube channel: Life and Money - YouTube and so want to save and build my income, so I can save for a good holiday and want to go to more concerts and go to another music festival. So I have to decide what it important to me to be able to do that and don't a lot of clothing, and also focus on my health and looking after my body and mind, buy not buying things I don't need. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Getting Bits Done

Today so far has been a good and productive. I have been getting up early and by doing that it has made me feel energized and it has help complete many things. I today finished my Life Coaching Course, Completed a section of my Counselling course, wrote down all the songs for my radio show on Friday, and posted my Cheat Sheet, check out my blog site: http://everyonecanbuildacastle.com/2024/07/29/weekly-cheat-sheet-acts-of-kindness/ and also my blog site: https://theparentingadventurestipsandtricks.wordpress.com/2024/07/29/weekly-cheat-sheet-five-acts-of-kindness/

What you need not all the time but at the weekends and having a good time away from normality when everything is done. 

I like getting these little bits done and then it helps free up my time to go outside when it is good weather and don't choose to many things to do but what is important. So today I booked my Diabetic Review, as I had to cancel when it was booked, I couldn't make it so I rang the doctors today to book appointment. 

Noone wants to go to the doctors if they can avoid it and I got to book the dentist, but my fear of it is what's putting me off, so I am going to get this done and book for my son and not put it off anymore.

It is good to go through from bottom to top of your house or top to bottom and just picking up bits on the floor that shouldn't be on the floor as you go, making the beds or have your kids make their own bed and do it as soon as they get up and have a good routine whereby everything is done, not having to rush, and leaves time to get other bits completed to, that aren't so important but still need to completed such as going for a coffee and gets bits to eat and today bought a new toothbrush and personal items. 

It so good to manage my time that allows you to rest, get things done and feel that the day has been good, rather than a struggle.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Living in chaos and getting your stuff together

Do you feel that life is chaotic? Not knowing where to begin? I do put things off but I bite the bullet and just do it. You never going to write a book if you don't write or spend time outlining it or having a clean bathroom and not want to look at it so you keep the door closed and not using it to go for its purpose.

Storage for books and regularly go through them and any books that we kept donate, sell or hand them down so another child can enjoy them.

Clear the main areas in your home that is the place where you spend the most time in and the areas you need to use weekly like our bathroom, where we get ourselves clean but that not going to be possible if you can't actually get in the bath because it has a load of stuff in it.

So start with one area like the bath which you use most of the time and the toilet.

We use is the Living room and the Kitchen a lot so we clean this areas first and then clean the rest of house afterwards and main station points, like the dining table, fireplace and windowsills, then the floor and the kitchen the hob, kitchen sink and oven.

I at the moment see that one of my windowsill in the living needs tidying again and staying on top of it can be hard but not impossible to do. 

Clearing it up will take two second so as I write this blog I got up and sorted it out rather than keep looking at it and now I don't have to think about it, and so now can focus on my son eating his breakfast and getting ready for the day. 

Getting out of chaos and organise one area whilst you children have the breakfast, can literally help with wellbeing and a little does go a long way along with tasks that take up the most time, like cleaning the entire house in one day. I prefer to break it up and as thinking about doing it in one day puts me off and why it doesn't get done and like not cleaning the food cupboard all the time, but just taking a two minutes to check to see what is to be used and what I can get by as it is Saturday shopping day, that we can use up that helps to keep it tidy and is laid out so it can see everything.

Then there is bags. I am a bag clutterer and find it hard to keep them tidy so I will make sure that before I use a bag that I go through it and any recipes is in a little purse to put them in or with my Filofax which I use to go through my finances and that I go through what I have in them and if I can downsize on some days and I have been good I have stuck with my main handbag for about two years and not bought a new one and feel good about that. 

When it comes to rooms I will go through my clothes once a week to go through them and what have some clothes in Epsom and in Wimbledon so go through what I have that I can keep in Epsom and what I can keep in Wimbledon. I like having a sort through and rotate my clothes and anything that I know I am not going to wear, goes. 

So just taking two to ten minutes to just go through different places can help control the chaos. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Making time for yourself

I talk a lot about this on my other channel Everyone Can Build A Castle as part of having a better life is to having time on yourself and what you want to do.

We don't all get the chance with everyday living, but is important to have time to let the pressure go from your mind and body. I like to have time do a workout with weights and use the treadmill listening to a podcast, audiobook or music. 

Walking through Ashtead 

According to google:

The mental health benefits of spending time alone may include a more regulated mood, reduced stress, and increased creativity and productivity.

You can see friends and can be included in time for yourself as we get so caught up in the pressures of living that we can forget to enjoy it and have that you haven't seen in your life or if you just want time away from others, and have a single life, just for an hour or two, to have a mooch around the shops, read a book in the garden whilst the kids are at school then schedule and have that time or listen to an audiobook.

I talk about walking a lot, because doing my weekly walk on Thursdays as my son has after school club reminded that I have always been a walker and done some really long walks and enjoy it, I may go back into running but will see as when I began last year I picked up an injury as I raised the bar to high and became something I felt I had to do, rather than chosen to do, so for now will be walking and using my weights with a video, podcast or music. 
This feels like time for myself. There is nothing greater than being around nature and so love to walk through parks and commons, and lose myself. 
I always thought  I was a bit of a shopper, but the momentum goes and like to spend time indoors with a coffee and write, and love my first cup of tea of the day and something I have done since I can remember. 
Have free choice time, which I like to do and break up my day, having a nice lunch and then watch a bit of TV and read a book before bed. 
So have time for yourself as we have to put ourselves first at times, to recharge and refocus, to deal with daily tasks and challenges for a good wellbeing as we are all important so make sure you give the time you need. 
Many thanks for reading, 
Carrie X 

Organising for the summer holidays and half term

It is half term, well almost, and so organizing for half term can bee hard. I have been there with my son, travelled to London thinking it will stay warm and dry, with my son and got drenched, due to the heavens opening up. 

Local park where I like to walk through in Epsom

Also it's money and I am on a tight budget, so I go through ahead of time of booking my son to go to a holiday club he likes to go to, in the holidays and is a company called Youngstars: https://www.young-stars.co.uk/holiday-camps/

If not that then I look at what is available locally and living in London and Surrey they will often in certain areas have a funfair near by. It can be expensive, so I take in consideration of what is cost effective and right age of your kids, as often theme parks and funfairs have restrictions on some of the rides. 

I like to take Henry by train to different places and have a list of the places he wants to visit and check for deals on travel and what is there at the place we visit and how long it will take us to get there.  

Then it is the challenges, If there is going to be industrial action that will affect travel and have a plan B and good way to set up games that they haven't played yet, as my son has lots and check what films are on that the whole family can watch. 

At the weekend it is the FA Cup final and a great time to get out the dips and snacks or hot dogs, burgers and to have friends round who have or don't have kids, but a great event to organize a get together. To those that like football that is, and this weekend we are going to my brothers rugby club and if its not rainy play out on the large pitches it has. 

Then Monday plan to stay local but it is good to not have a plan as such but ideas. I will be seeing family in the week and so Monday perhaps is weather is good, to have a picnic and my son can go around the local parks on his scooter and when he is at the holiday club and sunny want to sit in a park and read, do some writing with a nice cold coffee and pastry. 

So you can still have time to yourself and delegate, if you can and so you not on your own trying to entertain your kids. 

Have a good weekend and have a super if possible, half term.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Managing your time

When it comes to time I find that if I don't plan ahead that my to dos take over my wellbeing and I become self destructed and overwhelmed so now I like to manage my time to make sure that it gives me a boost and I get my life together by completing tasks and setting targets for myself. 

Good book to read that has helped manage my time 

Check out this video I did for my Life Coaching Programme "Summer Project 2024" https://youtu.be/Z6MghO0ZSqQ 

I like to spend time planning my days making sure I take breaks and get some form of exercise as I can get quite stiff when seated at the table using my laptop, so breaks are essential. 

It is good to hydrate through out the day and I am not always good with water but make sure I have some and I am focusing on my eating habits at the moment as this can affect me in managing my time. As an example snacking and picking, not having a meal, especially around lunchtime.

So I have been sorting out my eating times, the type of food and concentrate on having my three meals a day. Still a working progress but been well in that I haven't gone for the biscuits.

I try not to do too much each day, but if I feel like working on other projects then I will, but keep note of my time. I ask myself, how much time can I spend on each task? 

I keep the lists I make as small as possible each day so I don't get burn out and that I know I can complete. 

Remember SMART, Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relative and Time. 

How long will it take you to clean the kitchen?

What if I do the longest task first or should I get the small tasks done first and set an alarm as I do each task and what doesn't get done, can it be done tomorrow? 

I do a brain dump each Sunday and then see which day of the week I can realistically get it done. What have I got going on already planned ahead in the week, go through my list and see if there is anything overdue, to be done, and is there anything I can do on a later date.

Do you need to get up earlier or bed later? Check out the video I did today: https://youtu.be/_Hymsm7Kugk

If you have kids and work from home, can they do some chores? Can I delegate tasks to my spouse/friend/family member?

Can your kids cook a meal a week whilst you watch some TV or need to do some tasks on your laptop?

Doing a rota is a good method. When we and my husband agreed when we moved to Epsom that he will take care of upstairs and I would take care of downstairs. 

On Sundays my husband will mainly make dinner and I make the dinners in the week. 

So spread out your tasks and include breaks and then you will find that your time is with you not against you. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X  

 

Multi Tasking as a parent

I am not a fan of Multi tasking as it would burn me out, especially when it comes to being a parent. 

Focusing on one task at a time is a lot better for me. 

Image from my walk to my sons school through Ashtead

This morning I was trying to watch something on Youtube on my laptop whilst making breakfast and wasn't working and realised multitasking is not me. 

I schedule, and block my days of what I want to do on each day and of things that I need to remember like with my son's week, as he does swimming with his school and sticking this on my calendar reminds me to write on my daily and weekly task page, on One Note to focus on getting his stuff ready. 

There was a time where I was not using my google calendar because I kept getting alerts and was clogging up my email inbox and so changed it now and found a better way of using it, where this doesn't happen but still am notified and make sure that all errands for the day get done, by focussing on one thing at a time. 

I do find I can get distracted by other things so try to stay focussed but playing some music, when on the bus little to music or an audio book, and when cooking or cleaning. But focus on one thing. 

Now he does an afterschool club I will focus on walking to his school to pick him up, as the taxi he gets for school not able to pick him up, but I don't mind as I have been enjoying the walk. It is a long way but for one day, its fine and that I make sure that we get back and then have dinner and then bed, and make sure that he has bathed and concentrate on making sure he has a good nights sleep. 

In the evenings I make sure I finish on my laptop for the day so I can get his dinner ready, and we usually will cuddle up on the sofa and chill until bedtime and that he has brushed his teeth and gone to the toilet, and just focusing on making sure my son is alright, helps me then focus on myself and that I have all that I need to do for myself done to make sure I can focus on my son and just helps stop getting overwhelmed. 

As a parent there are lot of things to remember so taking my time, and thinking, when he gets up he will watch his tablet (please don't judge) its so I can get bits I need to do in the morning, then do his breakfast and then have him get dressed, get his bag ready and then wait for his taxi to take him to school and when not doing after school club, wait for him to come home. 

I hope this helps you and see that you don't have to do everything all at once, and schedule so you still get jobs and tasks done.

If you'd like to be kept up to date with my blogs then please subscribe and you will be alerted every time I post a blog, and miss out.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Clean and organize one place a day

I like to take my time when it comes to cleaning and organizing. I am not always enthusiastic about cleaning or organization, but doing it step by step helps, as it helps lesson the pressure of getting it done.

My journal and drinks I love when cleaning and organizing

Getting up early has made a difference too, having a routine on a Monday setting out my week and go through my to dos, spread across the days of the week and that I don't get overwhelmed. 

Also getting some bits done the night before like clearing the dishes and setting up our mugs and Henrys glass he uses out already by the sink and kettle. Check out my cheat sheet I do each week as I did one sharing tips on Saving time. https://theparentingadventurestipsandtricks.wordpress.com/2024/04/22/new-cheat-sheet-saving-yourself-time/

Each Monday I go through my finances, going through previous week of what I have purchased and plan my spending for the week, and have no spend days and changed my budgets and make sure that I don't overspend and have money I can save and just make sure that I know what has gone out, what is going to come out and just stay on track. 

I now put up on the kitchen food that bought for meals and when they have to be used by. I am writing down what meals we are having this week and if we have enough food for meals in the week, and that it gets used, to eliminate waste. 

It then gives me time to set my projects I am working on each week and that I don't waste time and taking breaks and now I give myself Free Choice time and set it out on my google calendar.

I make sure I take a break from my laptop and no longer spend time in the evenings on it so make sure that I get things done on it in the day and then I can concentrate on making dinner, spend time with my son and wind down for the evening. It has made a real difference as I get a good night sleep. 

It is about how many hours you work but what you've done in the day that can help you have a good and feel like you've haven't done anything constructive and have just wasted a day. 

So now I prep and now ready to start another week ahead to get things done and do want I don't enjoy to what I do. 

Many thanks for reading

Carrie  X 

Ten ways I organize my life

I like systems, having a good routine and planning. Please believe me when I say I am not organized, but because of that I have implemented systems to help with that, by:

A picture of when we decluttered the shed as mentioned in this blog 

1. Getting up before anyone else. My life changing habit for 2024. It means I can listen to some chill out music, have a nice cup of tea and start working on my laptop, doing some writing and planning without disruption. 

2. Tidy up. I like to spend time washing up any dishes from the night before, and my husband puts some laundry on or I do this myself and making sure we all have breakfast and are dressed, we have brushed our teeth and got dressed for the day, and sorting out my clothes for the day.

3. Money. Check out my Youtube Channel where I share how I manage my money: https://www.youtube.com/@mywayofliving1602 I check my bank account everyday and each Sunday and Monday I go through what I have spent that week and track it on a spreadsheet . I will do a spending plan for the week and for the month, and making sure I pay money onto my credit card, as did get into debt, but now clearing it. I put money into my sons bank account and put money into my savings. I do no spend days, and do a no spend challenge in January and this has really made a huge difference in how I manage my money.

4. Shopping. As a kid my mum would shop on Friday and often me and my brother would be super hungry which can increase what you buy, and play up. So I make sure I have eaten, and my husband will do his grocery shopping on a Saturday morning when it is less busy, but rarely takes a list. I always make list and shop in the mornings in the week, as I like using this to build up my steps and then have the rest of the day to get other bits done.

5. Garden. My husband deals with the garden, but I do like to have a place to sit and do some writing out there during the Spring and Summer and play football with my son, and keep the table out there along with the goal, and this year had a declutter of the shed, which I would recommend to do, as it can become a dumping ground. When it Wimbledon my mum and step dad take care of that, but my son will help, and thinking of getting some flower pots again. 

6. Bags. I have cut down on the bags I own, but my bag is something that needs to be cleared out. This doesn't always get done, but make it a must that I sort it out and put my receipts into a small plastic folder. I do like to have a bum bag for short trips out and going to start using this again in the summer and the weekends, because I don't need to carry a lot unless filming for youtube vlog channel: Typical London Gal.

7. IT and the internet. To organize my days, weeks, months, quarters and for the year I will use OneNote which is a free Microsoft programme, my diary, journal and begun to use google calendar again. Every Monday I plan for the week ahead and for each day. I will have a clear out of photos, tidy up my Pinterest, any images of videos stored on my laptop that I no longer need and google photos, same with emails and documents and downloaded items. 

8. Journal. Every evening now I will write down what I am happy about each day, and if I want to express my feelings and thoughts. It is a good way to lift weight off your shoulders and everyday using my journal app on my phone too.

9. Reading. I love to read, and so I make it a must that I do some reading, and not going to buy anymore until I have read the books I have got and do read several books at the same time, especially self help books and I do write reviews, check out my Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thetypicalLondongal/my-current-books-i-am-reading/book-reviews-my-recommended-reads-other/ I also have a Wordpress site too where I write books reviews: My Books & Stories – Reading is the food for our writing (wordpress.com I store them in a bookcase, in a walking closet I have in Wimbledon, in a ruck sack in a plastic draw unit. I have joined libraries and can help with storing so many, but I like having a good selection, and is so important as it helps us to grow, and if you like writing then get reading as this will help you.

10. Exercise. I am lucky because in Epsom my husband has a treadmill, weights and I keep my exercise mate there too, or I will make sure I do some walking, and I put my clothes which are mainly fitness on and then there is no excuse and I like going for a morning walks and indoor workout in the afternoons. 

So I hope this blog helps you to organize your life. You can be alerted of when I post on this site if you select subscribe I try to write a blog on this site each week and I also have a Pinterest board where I share these posts and shares others content that have helped me in organization, so see above and just put in Organize 4 the better. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

5 Things to help organize on a regular basis you can do in the kitchen

Hello and welcome. If you'd like to be notified on my blogs on this site, then please follow me. 

I have been going through what needs to be eaten and did a meal plan, but as always changed my mind and big believer in using what you have already got before buying anything else and when things must be eaten first and making simple meals, Breakfasts, lunches and dinners. 

Foods I have donated for the local foodbank

Here are 5 things to help organize on a regular basis you can do in the kitchen.

1. Do a regular stock take of the food you've got and if there is cans that are not going to use, but are in date, donate them. I each month now do a monthly donation of food to the local foodbank in Wimbledon and feels so good to make a difference. I go through the fridge, work top where we keep fruit and cans of drinks and the food cupboard. 

2. Go through your kitchen ware and if you have dupes get rid of and donate, or anything that you've never used. Anything with chip or a crack get rid of, unless you can fix or know someone who can fix it, and repair them.

3. Change your sponges on a regular basis and put these with cleaning products and near the sink, and same with cloths and scrubbers. 

4. Have a home for your appliances that you can easily get to it and gets used, and not all over the worktops, but underneath where it will be used and can pull it in and out of its home and not forgotten about. If you still don't use it but in fine condition see if it will of use to someone else, and put it up on Facebook Market place.

5. Put your recipe books in a cupboard you can reach and where you can take out, along with a folder with printed recipes of meals you like to make. Any recipes not used or books donate, sell or recycle.

These are so simple to do and going to make a series of blogs and help you have a more organized home and life.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Organization 2024

So already I have myself set up at the dining table in the Living room in Epsom and have a desk I use in my bedroom in Wimbledon. Its a different set up and so I have to make sure I have bits I need and split my living there and here in Epsom, but is well managed. I now take myself off from my laptop at the weekend and focus on spending time with my son. I may vlog but take a break from my blogs and books and having the time with my son it important to me, as you never get that time back. 

My desk set up in Wimbledon

If you would like to check out my vlogs then here is the one I published today:

https://youtu.be/rx5CM2_mqGU

These last few days I have now started to work in the morning and take breaks to put away the breakfast bowls, cups and plates and have one to two cups of tea in the morning and like popping out in the morning to get my steps in and run errands.

I am writing a book on organization as I am not organized, but introducing good positive habits that has made a difference in helping me to be organized and set my day on a good start and ready for each day. 

When it comes to meals I do plan but I do a list of meals I want to have because I do change my mind and it is what I am in the mood for, like tonight because we are going away at the weekend and have used up most of the food we bought, we going to have a Pizza evening. Not a takeaway. The food shopping is shared, my husband will by the majority of it, and I will buy the extra bits and batch cook. So for my lunch today for example I have left over chicken, and it saves a lot of money and shop wisely.

I now changing the way I budget when it comes to budgeting that suits me better and have a monthly budget on things like food and will be realistic. Do what works for you.

Things change and it is what working presently that will helps me to continue to evolve each year, for my future self, and keep growing and learning. 

Today I am going to be sorting out the shed in the garden. Exciting. So going to end blog. I hope it helps you to organize in 2024 and keep the meter running.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Having a good declutter you will feel so much better

 At the weekend I sorted out my mums ottoman, which had books, toys and bits and pieces of items from some games and one of my favourite things I like to do is going through what's been used and what gets used a lot to rediscover some games we've played with and what we haven't and play with them and what suits the age range of items, that can be given to somebody else, or what my nieces and a friend we know will use them when they come over.

My desk in Wimbledon that I like to clear and organize to stop clutter 

I did this with my son, but he then left me to get on with it. Yes thanks son. 

It was a random, not planned at all. Having a clear out can really help mentally and physically, because it is less to think about and less to sort out and not taking ages to find anything because of clutter. So just a good clear out can do wonders.

When it comes to decluttering have sections and watching the programme on BBC 1 Sort your life out has given me motivation and going to go through my clothes again and have a closet in my bedroom in Epsom to clear so going to spend time this week going through that and be real. What use can I get out of the stuff I own and that I have no care for anymore. 

Have items that you not sure about in one section if you have toy pieces or games, a pile to go and you can donate if in good condition or pass it to someone you know who might like it or to sell, and what you want to keep and have homes for items you want to keep.

If you collect things that is fine, I used to collect teapots, badges and football programmes and loved them, so if there are important items that you really don't want to get rid off then create a home for them and put them where you an see them, because of out of sight and of mind, they can be forgotten and gathering dust and I love created displays with photos, ornaments and fits with who I am and would like to be discovered one day and who I was by the stuff I own and have items I know I can pass down to others and that don't effect their value. 

My in-laws had a lovely collection of pictures framed of Rock and Roll singers and had a lot of memorabilia and loved their home. You can bring your personality in your home and what will lift a home. When my nan was alive she had pictures of family displayed and decorated plates on the wall or shelf and was right for the people they were.

I love displaying pictures and would like to create a gallery of pictures and collages and photobooks of pictures I want to keep to build memories and be given to those important to me rather than sitting on my phone doing nothing. You may not be into that at all, and that is fine, make your home your own.

Create a good atmosphere like playing an audiobook or music, with a drink and take your time.

I hope this blog helps you and if you also have tips then share by leaving a comment below.

Many thanks for reading

Carrie X 

Getting things done

I took a break from blogging to focus on my books, vlogs and completing some courses I have been doing, and it has really helped. I wrote a blog yesterday on my other site, about taking a break: https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com/2024/02/15/when-you-need-to-take-a-break/ 

one thing I like to do is journal with a lovely homemade Coffee with cream ad marshmallows 

It is important to go through what is to be completed, and break them down and I brain dump each Sunday to plan for the week ahead and doing short long lasting habits, like planning each week, listening to Atomic Habits do 2 minute habits and it has really be a great method. 

Each Sunday I go through my finances and on Monday update my expenses spreadsheet on Excel and plan the pages I want to edit of my book I want to publish, and words I want to write on another book I am writing along with a non fiction book and make sure when school starts to make sure that my sons uniform and bag is ready, that I get his breakfast done and as soon as my alarm goes off I will get up make my bed and get dressed. 

I plan step by step and make sure my clothes are laid out for me along with other items such as my Skincare and haircare, and spend time with a cup of tea and coffee, now though the one area I need to get a hold off is my diet but that is getting sorted out. If you lose your way it is important to get back up again and grow your self belief.

Organizing is about for me having simple systems, positive and selfcare habits, that you know you can stick too and if some things are tricky you delegate and share the organizing with your family. 

My son offers to help now so I let him and will when he finishes his dinner put his plate and cutlery near the sink, he will help tidy away the plates etc after we have eaten and my husband will help washing up and make sure I help to clean and tidy, and is a joint effort.

I commute to Wimbledon to Epsom each week and make sure my bedroom in Wimbledon is tidy and organized and have a regular declutter in both homes in Epsom and Wimbledon and that I pack with with plenty of time and fit in some exercise and spending time playing with my son and just not get bogged down and sleep well by switching everything off and charge my phone over night and do some reading.

So as it is Saturday writing this, normally my day away from my laptop going to enjoy the rest of the day and watch a bit of football and chill for the rest of the day.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X