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