Keeping Organisation Simple/Writing lists

We have so many resources now like OneNote, Notion and Asana to help with organisation, but you don't have too use those and I have today, used post it notes and a shopping list notebook, which I bought from Amazon and helps to rein myself in to stop planning for next week, but one day at a time. 

Don't get me wrong I like to plan my week ahead, but I come to realise that it is good to focus on now, which will help plan for the rest of the week and the month and year. 

I do like to keep blog ideas in an A4 note book and Notion, my phone and I do carry around a little notebook. I like to go through my lists to workout what I want to get done on the day and to make sure I keep tabs on emails regarding Henry's schooling, appointments and any other important matters.

On the weekend I will do Parkrun or go to my sons football training, go for a coffee, shopping, Conker Picking, in the Autumn and watching some sport which is a regular thing we do. I watch football, the athletic competitions, rugby and in the Summer Tennis and do like watching a Darts tournament.

I often, at the weekend or on holiday, put the planning aside and just do something different some weeks and days, so I like to keep my plans opens. I plan mainly week days but not the weekend and sometimes the days out not planned, have been, the best. 

It is good to let someone else do the planning. I am not one who wants to be in charge all of the them time and let someone else take the lead. 

When it comes to planning meals I plan ahead and will write it down and then put it up on my Notion template for meals and it is good to use Notion because I do often change my mind. Today we are having a take away and usually on Sundays my husband will cook. I love a Sunday Roast and do plan for that, but because my son is staying with my mum this weekend, just going to have Tin Curry and Rice this Sunday and at the moment I am trying to use up our Food, in the cupboard to reduce our waste. 

 

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For cleaning I will often concentrate on one area at a time and at the moment, I am  decluttering one area or one item a day and it is good to let things go and on a whim my son and I did a "Fun shop" today I call it, only allowing  us both 4 items each.

I like the film Mike Bassett The England Manager where he writes the team on a cigarette packet and I have used, a receipt or use the Notes APP on my phone and that is simple and my mum will set alarms on her phone to remind herself.

Simple systems are the best and more motivating.

How do you plan? Do you have a method? You can share in the Comments section below.

You can follow me on this blog site if you would like to be notified of when I post. It is completely free to do so.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Leave the Planning at Home

When on holiday, I plan somewhat beforehand, but I packed the wrong items this time because of the weather hand changed. So planning better by checking the forecast is essential. Lesson number 1. I enjoy the change of environment. I like to see what is available on the day and love little towns and going self catering rather than going out to eat, but may have a drink but just chill and plan indoors, of what we will do, but a brief plan. 

Me out with my son walking 

There are times where I don't want to plan and see what there is on the day. Planning all the time can be restrictive. It is good to have a day where, you do things, not on a to do list. It is good to have a day to do what you feel like doing. Check out this blog: https://organize4thebetter.blogspot.com/2025/07/doing-things-that-arent-on-to-do-list.html 

It is good to change your days around, when it comes to going out sometimes I just let my feet do the talking and see where I end up. Making sure I am safe, at the same time. I have a Vlog channel and I was uploading on Wednesday's and Fridays but like to upload on Sundays too. It is good to be flexible with your time and be realistic. I for example can't sit in the sun for too long, so I go and read my book in the gardens nearby, in the morning, It  doesn't suit me in doing that, in the afternoon, when it is super hot. I am not good with the heat.  

Often I change my mind about what want to buy when I get outdoors. I evaluate if the item I had planned to buy is urgent enough and if I can leave it until the following week. 

When I go for walks I am creative. Ideas come flowing in of blogs, videos and books. I have new a book out. Please click here: https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51d10FG9NsL._SY425_.jpg Yet I will jump back into what is around me, moving my thoughts along: lesson 2. 

Be Mindful, and make sure, I listen to my body. I used to daydream a lot when out and stepping out onto the road, without paying attention.

Planning is good, but it also good to do what you fee like doing, without it being written down.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Getting The Most Out Of Your Evenings

There was a time where I would be a night owl. I would be on my laptop whilst my son was in bed, but would feel super sleepy the next day. So now I make sure I wind down and read, have a couple of cups of tea and then watch some TV on my phone and then get to sleep.

The Thai Green Curry I made from scratch

It is good to plan what I'd like to watch. Last night it was watching the football. Women's Euro 2025 or last week it was watching Live AID concert as I never saw it as a kid as my dad didn't want to watch it and was around the time we, my brother and I, didn't have a TV in our rooms and so wanted to watch the concert and the documentary that was on iPlayer.

I am really liking to exercise in bed. I do leg raises. I like to do my skincare. I use E45 for feet as advised by my diabetic nurse advised, Nivea for my face and Care brand from Avon on my hands. 

I am enjoying my showers of the evening at the moment. It is good after my son and I have been out walking and just helps to prepare of a good sleep ready for the next day. 

We tend to eat between 16:40 to 17:00 and my husband comes home from work that time and really got my buzz for cooking again and made some really lovely meals. I made Thai Green Curry, Homemade Pasta Sauce, BBQ Chicken, Stir-fry's and Roast Dinners. 

My son likes to play out in the garden. In the summer time whilst it is lighter for longer. I like to sit out there to read with a cup of tea or when the tennis was on a Pimm's and Lemonade and enjoy the summer days and cooler outside. 

We tend to do our laundry in the evening and thankfully it taken care of by my husband. When it Wimbledon it is in the morning, but all depends on if we have gone out and the weather. 

I am not one to go out in the evening unless it is to see a show or a concert, if we go out for something to eat but I don't go out drinking and I like a cozy evening indoors and very much a home body. 

So do you enjoy your evenings? Keeping it clean, how do you get the most out of your evenings? You can leave a comment below. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

 

 

Doing Things That Aren't on a to do list

So I like free days. It is a day where I don't go by a list but what I truly feel like doing. I did this last week and not done this for while and so glad I had that time. It really helps release my tension. Yes it is good to tick things off but it can become the same thing everyday and needed a day that was different and have a break from my usual to do list. 

Some of my best times I have had is where nothing was pre-planned. 

I remember a friends birthday. No I didn't go to work the next day which wasn't good but had the best time because we just had the night of our lives, and you have to live sometimes that is not on the agenda and be a free living soles. I lived my life to the full in my twenties. Last year with my parents took the UberBoat from Putney to North Greenwich and back. 

Now this was a girl and manifested but had forgotten until after we had done it that it was on my goals list, so have learned that to reach goals you have to live your life with a free mind and your goals can come true but forgetting about them. 

It is so good to be spontaneous at times not worry about dinner being made and just get out and about. 

As a kid my mum and dad would take my brother to the pub on a Sunday and wished we had longer but would get together with other families and go to the Chelsea Pot, then travel back by taxi and hated the fact that I had school the next day but glad we did that. 

I like going out the weekends and doing something different and unplanned. I am listening to a Podcast on a Youtube Channel called Cancer Platform with Kathy Burke and talking about her life and different things that she has gone through as a child and adult and it she is so funny and you wouldn't have a thought she'd struggle but she has. You can be the most powerful person in the world but you can still struggle mentally. 

That is why I like to have a day where I want to do what I like that is not on a list and not feel like life is a chore. 

So scrap the lists and have a day that you want to do that too and just live.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Keeping The Kitchen Clean

Today I have prepared for dinner today, we are having a Roast Chicken dinner and never been this organised and had to clean the surfaces a few times to maintain hygiene as Kitchens can have lots of very bad bacteria if its not kept clean.

So the first tip is:

1#Clean as you go: I find it saves me so much time and can enjoy my dinner without having so much to clean at once.

2#Change the sponge and cloths: These can really spread germs and so make sure they are damp but not soaking as excess water can turn to mold. I keep the sink clean and dishwasher. Make sure you descale the dishwasher and sink. The best thing to descale the sink is salt and lemon for sinks and I also use kitchen spray. 

3#Clean glasses separately if you washing up by hand: They can tend to be cloudy and have marks around the rim so wash first and dry with a washable cloth and you can use vinegar for utensils to help clean these items. I have been told to clean them properly and so working on as they can have water marks.

4#Clean the floors on a daily basis: They can have all kinds of dirt on it and be build up with crumbs and other bits of food and so will sweep and either I do it or my husband does to help fight germs and wash it. We use a spray mop and dustpan and brush. Keep rubbish in the recycle bin and general waste separately and are cleared and bag up food left over and thrown for collection by the dustmen, which is for us is, on Tuesdays. 

5#Clean all areas and sort through. Do a regular clean inside and outside the cupboards and do a declutter and go through what you have got like plates, cutlery, glassware and appliances. Are they in good order or need to go and be rid of. 

It can be challenge but seeing a clean kitchen it helps you feel fresh and use what you have and making the most of your kitchen and cook without worrying about getting dirty. Bit by bit goes a long way. 

I hope this blog is helpful and there will be more to come.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Breaking Up Your Time

Breaking up your plans you have is a great way to get things done. When it comes to planning I make sure I spread it across the week and when I can promise myself that I can get it done and what needs to be done first. 

Epsom in garden journaling and planning

What do you want to focus on?

The first thing I ask myself. 

When is it going to need to be done by?

An example: Planning my Radio Show has to be done by Sunday. My radio show is on Sundays 16:00 to 18:00 and so I plan my songs first and choose 30 in total and do the notes on a Wednesday, as it is a day I mainly have plenty of time to write my notes for it, which can take some time. 

So what day can you complete a project? 

Do you have space to do complete a task in two days? Example rather than doing things all in a day, which can cause me to avoid tasks, I see if I can do it over the course of the week.

Set certain tasks on certain days. 

> Monday I do my Cheat Sheets: http://uk.pinterest.com/thetypicalLondongal/everyone-can-build-a-castle/cheat-sheets/

> Tuesday I go through my finances

> Wednesday Edit a Vlog 

> Thursday Film for other Youtube Channel:

        > Financial Living 

        > Carries Educational Youtube Channel

> Edit a Vlog even though this may change and also pack to go over to Wimbledon. 

Moving Tasks around 

There are times when I do often have to change somethings on the days planned, as above, because like today I have a few meetings about my sons progress at school and if he has a Secondary School place, so that has taken my focus as this is of high importance to get done, before anything else.

I've stopped being disappointed if I don't manage to upload a vlog for example as I know I will get it done but move it to another day, if other things have taken its place.

I will go through my diary every Monday and  Friday to go over the things that I had planned done and like tomorrow I have the doctors and so won't be able to upload Vlog and last week to some time away from Vlogging to get bits done and it is good to break it up so you don't get overloaded with tasks but when it is possible to do them, so they aren't being left behind. 

I hope you find this blog helpful and let me know how you plan as I like sharing and having good  conversation on topics online. You can write in the comment box below. 

Have a fab day and thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Finding Your Own Style of Planning

I have watched Youtube where people are showing how they plan and say "This Changed my life". 

Now that is okay, but not everyone has the same amount of time as each other and have many responsibilities. It is good to try out different methods that have worked for others. When it comes to working out, I now do my own workout that I have created for myself and makes me look forward to it being that it suits me and I enjoy the workout.

I do a mixture of Cardio (mainly walking), a combination of Pilates and Yoga and weight training.

When it comes to planning I use a physical diary, notes APP on my phone, a physical notebook to plan my content and book ideas, google calendar to block schedule and Notion.

I like working on a blank page. I like making lists and will read others who have shared their plans on Pinterest or Youtube for example but I like to find my own style and what works around my "Lifestyle" my word for 2025. 

Watching Youtube and going on Pinterest some people like to plan in the evenings for the next day but I do mine a week ahead and in the morning I will do a check and think about what I want to do rather of what I got to do? Going on what I have to do instantly makes me want to sit on the sofa and do nothing. I ask myself what I want to focus on, check this blog for my Life Coaching Programme Summer Project 2025" and did a blog about What Do You Want to focus on, When do you want to plan? What time of the day, suits you?  https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com/2025/06/01/blog-1-the-summer-project-2025-what-do-you-want-to-focus-on/

I will do a dummy list first in my diary and then plan as I go using Notion and google calendar and when I can do between 6:30am to 7:30am then from 9am to 2pm. I don't do anything on my laptop after 2pm, but will do a workout and chill until my son comes home from school.

When it comes to the weekend I don't really plan. The times I do, like last weekend (half term in 2025) when it was my nieces and husband's birthday, but not all the time and depends on the weather. 

My son likes to take charge at the weekend but I like to see if he wants to travel somewhere that the trains are operating as normal and what is going on and like this weekend coming he wants to watch the trains on the platform. He hasn't gathered the fact that we can't pay for travel to just watch the trains but actually go somewhere. 

So I will have an idea of what to do at the weekend but leave the planning and see. 

He does go to sports clubs which have been prebooked, like he does football training and rugby but they not on all year round and I do my radio show on Sundays for Epsom Hospital Radio, 4pm to 6pm and you can listen to it in the UK, if you are in the hospital, have access to the internet and on a Alexa: https://www.epsomhospitalradio.org.uk/on-air/presenters/carrie-challoner

So find your style and what works for you and as you plan you will discover your own style. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Giving Myself Plenty of Time

There was a time when we would rush as I'd give myself a hour to get ready where my brother would be last minute and would argue about who should go first and time of having a shower. 

I hate being late because I find it spoils my day and so why I do get up earlier than I need to. 

If I am going to have bath I will have one after dinner or in the morning to shower, depending on plans for the week. 

When it comes to my radio show I do on Sundays, I always get into studio an hour before. This gives me time to set it up and not panic and just allow myself to be ready mentally and physically, if I need the toilet, drink some water and use the time to plan my next show. Or do some extra research and then for half term my son will go to his holiday club and I actually feel I want a break from my laptop and spend my days out.

I like to make the most of my days and give myself a break so I am going to take a break from all my online projects. At the Beginning of June is when I start my Life Coaching Programme Project 2025 and I do look forward to it so to give myself, plenty of time to do some walking and reading, complete just a few tasks, but the rest of it just time to be outdoors.

When things get too much it is my body saying, STOP and TAKE TIME OUT!  So going to listen and also want to have a declutter. I did a bit this morning. My mum and I plan to set a Vinted Shop up and sell some of our clothes, including my sons. Items he has grown out of or he has never worn, because he is picky when it comes to clothes. He loves his jumpers, tracksuit bottoms, shorts and t-shirts, but won't wear anything with a hood or dislikes Polo Shirts which he has to wear for school and as some really nice pieces but he refuses to wear them. 

It is good to be in a different environment and hope that I can have a little picnic in the park and I have kind of planned my time I have to myself whilst my son is at his holiday club. He wanted to go there and asked a couple a months ago and so frees up my time to have break and have fun outdoors and out. 

I will vlog and write some blogs but do things where I never get the chance to do when is a school week and we stay in my home in Wimbledon, where my mum and step dad live and it a lot easier to travel up London whether it is bus or train.

So I hope you have a good time off too, if your kids are on half term and please follow this site. This will alert you if you like my blogs, on this site, of when I posted a blog, if you like this one.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Killing two birds in One Stone

So what does that mean "Killing to birds in one stone?". It mean doing some tasks together. Like I went to the toilet upstairs "Sorry if a bit TMI" but as it was upstairs took up some clothes with me that were clean and washed upstairs so I can quickly put on bed to be stored away. I dusted my bedroom windowsill too and saved me time, whilst I was upstairs. 

One of my set ups and behind of one of the spaces I use that saves me time

Whilst I'll upstairs running a bath, I will to go down stairs to put any clothes worn that needs washing into the washing machine.

When I dry up items used for lunch I will then give the kitchen sink and draining board a clean. 

Giving my son a wash I ran a bath or a shower for myself and in the mornings when getting dress will brush my teeth, or this morning when I used the loo, afterwards brushed my teeth. It really helps save time and I am always up for time saving strategies. It gives me more time chill and relax.

Sometimes when waiting for the kettle to boil or cooking dinner I will do some leg raises exercise and listen to some music. I will clean up the items used for lunch whilst cooking dinner or boiling the kettle. 

When getting dressed I will have a tidy up of my clothes and what I plan to wear. The one area I try to save time too is meal time. We now have a air fryer which has been a game changer and would recommend. Our oven is okay but you normally have to add time when making wedges for example, but the Air fryer takes no time at all. 

I also clean up as I go when cooking to save myself time. It also good to spend time planning meals and what needs to be used up. I whilst I was upstairs I will clean or dust something. I try to do a bit of cleaning a day. Today after I get my hair done I will pick up bits I need and meet my mum for a coffee. 

This will mean I can stop in on Wednesday or still go out but won't need to buy anything as I like No Spend days. Check out my Youtube channel which is all about how I manage my money that can you manage yours: Financial Living - YouTube

So Kill Two birds in one stone and then you be surprised how much time it saves and have time to do something else, like reading or like me write a blog, film and work on a book I am writing. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Things I like to do and organize time just for me

Today I worked in the coffee shop and completed the editing of my book Mum&Me series I am putting together. I also wrote in my journal and wrote a list of other things I want to do at home and for my content I make online. I charged my camera battery and forgot to put into my bag to film, but did a Tik Tok post: TikTok - Make Your Day

I also have a Vlog channel if you'd like to see it. I post every Wednesday and Friday. 

Typical London Gal Carrie Holmes - YouTube 

It is good to go for a walk and the coffee I had was so good and refreshing. I already planned what I was going to eat and work on. I like to be in a booth and today listened do a audiobook and then a play list as I was editing my book and I feel so good for it.

Organise some time to get out and love going through my notebook of my lists and use it in conjunction with my lists and plans on a platform called Notion.. I did a video for some new training I have created and did a video about doing something for yourself: Change Your Life: Do SOMETHING For Yourself

I like to get out in the mornings and it gives me such a boost and yes I like to have some retail therapy. 

Make it a habit. Something for yourself, something where you can switch off from the busyness and lose yourself and have your head down and write the shopping list and buy what you fancy. I like to try different snacks and love food shopping, It as much as I love my son it is good to shop without your kids screaming and if there is something new, I want to try, I do. I never restrict myself. 

Go and have haircut with a coffee and buy something for yourself. I get fed up in wearing the same clothes and like building my image and having a clear out of the old. I like to check out the charity shops to see some nice bits I can find. I do always have a plan for what I want to find and been lucky in doing so. 

I like to venture out alone. I like to stroll and going to different places and it is good to see something new and it is amazing what you can find. It also good to see different faces and plan alone time. I like to days when my son as school to write and like nice lunches. I like to when in my home in Wimbledon, at the weekend, to wake up early have a cup of tea and read, whilst my son is in his room and will often do breakfast in his room and like to spend my afternoons before he comes home from school once I have done my tasks for the day, to watch some of my favourite youtube channels or some TV. 

Have a good week and lets live for better and grow as we live.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

                                                                                                                         

Having a Back Up Plan for those unplanned events

If something is not working or something has cropped up that needs your attention, then do it. I plan, plan and plan. It is good to have a back up plans if something has not worked out and is good to be flexible. 

When you planned to do a some shopping but you get a call from your child's school that they are sick then we have to assess and of course we have to put our children first, but always have back up plan, like back up idea for meals for the week. It is always, if you like them is have a tin of beans in the cupboard and you can freeze bread. We have pasta and a sauce which is good and easy. If suddenly the oven breaks you have tins of food, like I like Tin Curry's, soups and a block of cheese in the fridge. Milk, Eggs and crackers. Princes is always our choice when it comes to tinned produced and Heinz and no this post in not sponsored but these companies. if they did then I'd oblige. 

It is good to have games on hand, like a pack of cards, board games or DVD games. There are games you can download and use, if it you had planned to go out but the weather has changed. It is good to have days where you can all watch a film together and have a cold foods to hand, like club sandwiches, with pieces of fruit and I love carrot sticks, sliced pepper and tried gluten free tortilla style chips (crisps) and sliced pitta breads. You can get brown or white pittas or wraps. 

This can be a back up if you planned a BBQ but is raining. Living in the UK you never know at times and food that you can freeze if your fridge goes example, goes faulty. 

It is good to have blankets and thick duvets if the heating stops working and mobile fans for when it is very hot, but you have no air conditioning. If you have a cool box if your fridge breaks down to keep food cooled and buy bags of ice rather making ice cubes depending on where you live and how clean you tap water is. 

If you lose your Oyster card then make sure you have a cash your bank card stored on you, separately from it and can still travel. If there are issues with the train then check to see if you can get the bus instead or if your car has an issue if you can use public transport where your heading. See how much it can cost in a taxi. Use Black cabs as they are licensed.  

It is good to have some sort of back up to reduce worry, it may be more cost affective and that life is full of unpredictable events and you have a your phone on you fully charged if you are stuck somewhere, money to pay for a call or when my mobile stopped working whilst in the Science Museum the Customer Service desk let me use their phone to contact my mum who I was meeting. 

I hope these are good ideas and that you have a good half term. It i the last week of term and then it another set of school holidays.

If you'd like to be notified when I post a blog on this site then please subscribe.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Getting Organised 2025

I like to cover this because my Organisation habit have changed, as I see bags that I need to clear out and store them somewhere. I have been making plans. I have kept some of my sons work at school that he has been bringing home and not sure what to do with them. I feel sad throwing them away. Getting organised is something I have always battled with because of keeping things. 

At the moment I am sorting out my room in Epsom. I have used under bed storage and it sorted out a place for my PJS and some clothes. My husband ordered me some hangers to hang more clothes up and then it is stripping my bed and I have got a second hand cabinet from my mum and step dad and will have a bedside table again which I have missed. This has place to store bits and a draw too.

I have file boxes which is good for storing papers and ordered ring binders as  I used one to store letters and school reports and so going to use these new folders to make him a new one and go through his older folder. 

When it comes to getting organised I like to check out Pinterest for organisation ideas and the room I have is small, so can't store too much. 

I have suitcases that have bits in and once I have cleared the storage in the closet then these will be going in the shed, this will make more space. The one question I ask myself is "When is a good time to get it done?" #I will answer do it now and I have got to sort the top of my closet.

Many would probably say "Do it in one go". For me, this makes me dread it. This is why I do it one bit at a time and small changes is helping me make sure it is done for bigger changes, such as a room is my own little nest and will make me love it more.

It  is good to have a room where it is functional and hung up more clothes yesterday. I have easy access to them, my underwear and socks with bras and leggins. I am trying to get out of wearing leggins all the time, so will be wearing more trousers and dresses. Yet practical. I play many sports with my son and I do Parkrun and see my son play rugby on Sundays.

I have a ruck sack which stores all that I need and this comes with me I travel to and from my home in Wimbledon. The black one I have I take when I once a week go to a coffee shop to write and picking up shopping. I would like a better place for them. 

The one thing I have done that has made me be vigilant is go through my finance each week and stuck at it and so careful with my money. Unsubscribing from retailers and other companies I no longer interested in. This includes Youtube and need to go through my photos again. 

I use Notion, Notebook, google calendar and diary. Really helps me stay on track. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Having Simple Systems to stay organised to reduce waste

Hello and welcome! I love systems that help me to get each day tasks done and I make sure I have planned my week for Monday using Notion, my everyday Project Planner notebook and in my diary and like to write it down so it stays in my brain and when thinking of ideas to grow my content to make sure that things are done. 

Tip#1: Set a place where the bits you need for the day is easily accessible and where your main room is. 

Tip#2: Have your everyday items in the room spend most of your time in. Ours is the Living room. We make sure my sons school clothes are there for my son and  can put his uniform on and not make it a scavenger hunt.

A Meal we had to use up food we had Waffle with Maple Sauce, raspberries, banana and frothy cream

I am looking for some more storage and had a good declutter over the weekend, but going to use for the time being my suitcases to store bits in.  I have a stack of notebooks, as I write a lot and have a place that is easy to find and grab them once I finished with the ones I am using. I have journals, like a writing one and a personal journal and a Journal APP on my phone that I use a lot. 

It will mean the floor will be clear and making sure that if I want something ask myself: 

Will it fit into my system? Will it cause clutter? Will it reduce the pile? 

I write so having a good set of notebooks is a must but not to purchase anymore until I use what I have got and can serve many purposes. I like planning meals for the week and so today I set up a Meal Planner template on Notion aswell as a printable because I like to put the meals I plan to have the week stuck on the wall in the kitchen and if my laptop breaks or my phone I've got a back up system.

Each week I check the fridge daily and check to see what has to be used and plan meals around the items we have and check the food cupboards. 

There was a time where I'd buy spices but then never used them so had to put them in the bin, so I am quite aware of knowing that I am going to use an item up. I like to have tin vegetables, aswell as fresh and love fresh fruit and tinned. I like to have soups, pasta and things like noodles, stir fry sauces and do my maths when shopping. I am particular about some foods like I Heinz Ketchup, soups and spaghetti hoops and my husband and son like their baked beans. 

I also have systems for my son as he now is in charge of setting the table for dinner and I tidy the the table for dinner. 

Tip#3: Choose a day to have a massive declutter. This frees up space so you can set up systems and I have decided on Wednesday to have a declutter, as it is bugging me having so much.

I want to get my son a desk for his bedroom as he has a Keyboard which is currently on the windowsill and not used. We are going to, (my husband and I) go through his toy cupboard in the Living room and he has a stash of books that he has not read and never read and too young for him now and see if we can sell them or donate. 

I can organise his clothes and go through item that are too small and a better system to store his clothes, but the one thing I do is have a change of clothing in the Living room for my son to grab and put on. My son is a bit fussy about clothes as he doesn't like Polar shirts, but understands that he has to for school or anything top that has a hood. 

We did manage to persuade him wear a pair of jeans rather than tracksuit bottoms all the time but can make a fuss if it is new item and different to what is normally wears. I wonder how many parents can identify with that? 

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Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Where can you reduce clutter in your life

So first off  I love notebooks, clothes and shoes...it feels good to confess. I bet there are others out there who read this blog, who are nodding. I have reduced it though and have decluttered. I use the one in and one out method and declutter one item at a time. 

Picture of the Garden when we were clearing out our shed 

When I declutter these are areas I start with. What's is to be used, can be donated or handed down to a family member, or to sell. 

When organising, it is good to look at what are the areas that you battle with the most. A great way is to ask for help. My mum is always decluttering and this is not just physical things, but like emails, subscriptions, documents no longer needed and tidy up my desktop on my computer or on my phone. 

It is good to go through your food cupboards and fridge. If there is a odour in your fridge? If yes then it is time to have a sort out and to help have a long lasting relationship with your fridge is by having a regular sort out and take note of food to be used.

Go through what's got to be used first, second and third and lay it out so the items that have a shorter life span is put at the top or front unless it is meat at which case, is placed at the bottom away from other items to stop contamination. Eggs don't need to go in the fridge but any dairy like butter, milk and cheese should be in the fridge and jams sealed, along with juices you bought from the fridge in the supermarket and any left overs food, like food that was in tins, left over meals and stock items in the freezer and helps to make the food last longer.

Then there is cleaning cupboards. Make sure the cleaning sprays and detergents are somewhere safely stored and where your kids can't have access to, depending on age and are properly sealed and are labelled and use different cloths for different areas and things used daily and this is not just cleaning cupboard, make the items accessible to you and if you have different floors in your home, you have items placed somewhere on each floor to save you time in keeping your home clean, in a safe place. 

Muddy shoes on a unused magazine or newspaper, near a door that leads to outside, like use the corridor or garage, to avoid the mud spreading into your home and when the mud falls off the shoes, boots on the mag and newspaper, you won't need to scrub the floor where they shoes are located and you have a bin or bucket to clean the shoes, boots and trainers with. 

The washing machines and Dishwashers, the less mugs, water bottles, utensils and serving equipment the less decluttering you have to do. I no longer by ornaments, they gather a lot of dust along with jewelry or glasses. Not saying we never have company but with less, the less you have to worry about. 

Something I tell myself when I see a nice mug or want another t-shirt or fancy kitchenware. 

I do a regular clean of the draws and we go through medicines that we have, place to store batteries and keys. Have the keys in a pot, draw or cupboard and again, easily accessible. It is amazing how you can accumulate batteries and keys. If they are no longer needed then take to be recycled. There are recycle bins for clothes, shoes and bags in some supermarkets. There usually in the carparks. 

So lets get ready for Spring and time to declutter. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Doing things that aren't on any list

When it is comes to organisation there are some days where I like to do some tasks that aren't on any list, like now, illustrating my logo for my Life Coaching programme, I do each year using Canva and just going to try different ideas. 

My usual set up where I write and creating online projects if not the the dining table, on the sofa instead.

I began making my Trifle and yes planned to do this before Christmas so removed from the list and this evening I began makin it whilst making dinner. Looking at it in the fridge the Jelly has formed and now later will be adding custard. 

Also I find with To do list it can be restrictive and my mind will tell my body, "No I don't feel like doing that today" so will then answer in my mind "What is it I want to do?". 

I have been unwell so that has had an influence in what I can do with what I feel like doing. 

So I have been doing one task I planned and using the sofa as a my office and doing tasks that can be done not using the laptop. Example I set my Writing journal. 

I wrote ideas for a Cheat Sheet I do each Monday and give tips and ideas on looking after yourself and others, the home, building our feelings about getting you life somewhat together. Check out my blog Everyone can build a castle.

I wrote it down then posted it yesterday on my laptop and planning my meals for the week and watching educational videos or podcasts. I have discovered a new Youtube channel. It is live footage of Heathrow Airport and of planes taking off and landing. I know this may not excite you but as kid my nan would take us to Heathrow to watch the planes and still a love of mine. 

I find it therapeutic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwKHnAGiajM  

Okay perhaps that can be a sign of procrastination but I just like to be calm being that I have been super anxious but listening to my body and mind, have fed it what it needs. I don't want writing, feel like a chore but helps me to switch off and write what I would find interesting and like doing tasks that are not on the list at times and that I have started the day on a good note still in terms of organisation and the same when the day ends, but mixing things up.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Getting tasks done in one go

Doing a bit a each day can help manage the tasks but I now seeing organisation differently. Doing some tasks in one go can help too. When I go through my finances I like to go through the transactions on my current account and then put it all on my spreadsheet. This means that I can focus on other things.

 Editing a vlog. I post every Wednesday and Friday. I will sometimes on the day before transfer the footage to my laptop from my camera but edit in in one go, as I can easily lose my place. 

So go through the tasks you want to do for the day and of what can be done in one go and what you can do bit by bit. 

There will be tasks that crop up so I do believe in being flexible as like now as I write this blog post, choosing music to listen to whilst I write this blog, gave me an idea of writing a list of songs I'd like to play for my radio show and so I jot it down. This will help me when planning my shows.

I do a show on Sundays 4pm to 6pm on Epsom Hospital Radio: https://www.epsomhospitalradio.org.uk/on-air/listen-live 

Some may say "Well that is a distraction" but I beg to differ. I like brainstorming ideas that come into my head as I write my blog posts as I like brainstorming and clears the distraction in fact.

When it comes to dinner if I can cook something together I will. 

Laundry? Well yes but always read the washing instructions on the clothing and check pockets as I have often forgotten and washed tissue that has ended up all over the clothing, but bedding yes and washing cushion covers and pillowcases, I would and making sure you have spares. 

Cleaning floors. The Kitchen is always done in one go as well as cleaning the kitchen sink and surfaces. 

I clean the sink everyday and the hotspots where germs can easily spread. 

Having good clear out of the fridge and bathrooms. I am lucky my husband tends to clean the bathroom but when I did I do it one go and my mum cleans in one go and the whole house. I find that too overwhelming but like the areas I have mentioned I will do one go.

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Many thanks for reading.

Carrie X 

Doing to ten minute tasks or tidy 10 things

There are some tasks that can be done within 10 minutes like drying up and putting away kitchenware used at Breakfast time, then in the afternoon, items I used for my lunch and then dinner. On some days I will do laundry and go around making beds, tiding bedrooms and that my son has all he needs for school and set a challenge where he had to get dressed and tidied within 10 minutes and it worked a treat. 

There have been mornings where he has refused to get dressed and put his bed clothes away. 

I like to do a bit of tidying up in the morning to set the tone for the rest of the day. It is amazing at what you can get done in ten minutes and when using the treadmill I will often say to myself, do ten minutes then you've still done something and find myself walking for longer but helps remove the pressure of doing it. Not forcing myself but what I want to focus on, when doing tasks.

The Treadmill helps strengthen my legs as I do a long walk in the week when my son has after school club and Saturday, when I do the Parkrun. One of my life changes I have started is to make more of an effort with my appearance so I have created a routine that takes ten minutes or less and getting dressed too.

My husband bought an Airfryer and Grill in the year just gone (2024) that can bake, grill, roast and fry food for meals less than 10 minutes and saved us money at the same time.

It is good to set up challenges for myself and my son. It makes it fun and not a chore. 

It inspired me to write this blog and a parenting blog on my site The Parenting Adventures Tips and Tricks and going to complete blog for next week. 

On Friday before my son got back from school challenged myself to sort out 10 things. So I got my bags in my husbands car for when we go over to Wimbledon, put table tennis bats on the toy cupboard. No point putting these inside the cupboard as he will only get them out again. I tidied the kitchen of cups and items used for Lunch. packed my rucksack, charged up my sons tablet and actually in the end sorted more than ten things. 

So block ten minutes or do ten things and honestly it is a game changer.

I will doing some Self Development training which will be about What is Self Development and not neglecting yourself and making choices to help with your development. I will be uploaded videos to my Educational Youtube channel and blog site Everyone can build a castle.

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Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Getting Organised in 2025/Using my time Wisely

 As I write this blog I have a lot of clutter in the Living room windowsill and got bags that need sorting through and doing lunch. It the new year where I want to make changes and go through what is important to me right now. 

Today is my last day of the Christmas Holidays, my son has an inset day so making the most our time together and planned to go to Morden which we did and now having a nice lunch. Tomorrow it is back to normal routine so going to use my time wisely. 

It means getting my sons school uniform ready which my husband has put out ready thankfully I ordered him some new shirts for school and PE Shorts and so it all done and not having to rush which I hate.

My son is very demanding at the moment so it is challenging to get bits done and so do little bits. Just now put the shoes in the living room to the shoe rack in the Corridor by the front door. Seeing clutter does make me want to curl up in a ball and snooze but its not going to clear its self and so if I clear one item it is still contributing to having more of an organised space. Check out this printable for tips on organisation: When you feel overwhelmed.pdf turning the things off and at the weekend went through my subscriptions and deleted ones I was not using and taking off APPs on my phone. 

I journaled and wrote down random thoughts and ideas and goals. What I would like to do in 2025 and starting new challenges and experiences. 

My son starts rugby again. Yesterday was when it was supposed to start but due to the weather it got called off and so we went on a bus ride instead and picked up a few bits for dinner. We stopped for a coffee and spent morning putting make up on whilst watching something on my youtube on my phone as when I go to Wimbledon where I live with my mum and stepdad, putting make up on as we had friends over for dinner and in the evening organised my Notion planner and going through my tasks uncompleted. 

This morning I did my cheat sheet that I post each week on a Monday but have made changes by posting on my blog site Everyone Can build a castle as I was posting it on two of my sites my parenting blog, see the link if you liked to check out my Cheat Sheets: https://everyonecanbuildacastle.com/2025/01/06/new-cheat-sheet-for-2025-it-is-planning-to-build-your-life-to-be-better-than-ever/

The other thing I do is make sure I take breaks from my laptop and a good chance to get other bits done and soon I will be making dinner so I will spend this time listening to something, like music, podcast or audiobook. 

So lets get organised and start 2025 on a good note and getting back to the usual routine, now Christmas is over and now in a new year.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X