Sometimes It is good to get away from #TODO lists

Today it is a lazy day. Not had one of these for a long time. My son is unwell so been making sure he is okay and was a day indoors but we changed our minds and went for a drive. His Hayfever really takes over and last year he was taken to hospital because it turned into a Chest Infection and so had to be put on antibiotics. So tomorrow when it is Monday will be contacting the doctors. Not an easy thing to do as you have to fill in a form and then await a phone call. 

A picture from our drive through #ashtead surrey

It has been good though not to have to wake up with an alarm and usually my son would be at his rugby club. He plays with an inclusive rugby team. He has ADHD and Development Delay and we would have gone but as he is not well, thought it would not have been a good idea so I have read my book, did my sons breakfast, listened to some music and an audiobook, watched Match of the Day and now got Sunday Brunch on and decided to go on my laptop and it is good to just have a proper relaxing day. I am watching, please no judgement, a lady stacking books. She sells secondhand books and something I would like to do. So have a good reason. 

I do like my to do lists and it is good to tick things off but it is good to take a break from that and catch up on TV, we watched the athletics lastnight, this morning watched an episode of the Apprentice and it has been a blissful day so far. I hope Henry gets better and we have a roast today so feel that even though its not gone as planned its good to be relaxing and be back on my to do lists once my son is better. 

Kids get sick as they're immune system gets stronger and they do change things. You do have to put your life on hold. I find it hard when he gets sick because rest of the time he is fine but he has been fine. He was able to sleep in and he is smiling and played with his trains but he is tired. When your nose is constantly running it can be exhausting and his nose has been like a tap and he was shivering last night and was alarm bells that his Hayfever has taken a turn and so he has had Calpol and just taking it slow. 

It is good we aren't far away from our local hospital and his GP so hopefully if I contact them all will be okay again. I do enjoy the weekend because it is like having a personal day, which some people call it and just enjoy each hour and minute. 

So if you want a break then do it. Honestly it will give you the boost to get back to the to do lists and allow some down time.

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Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Shut things away if it helps

So when I think I have decluttered and getting things order there is more stuff and moving can really make you aware of the stuff you have. I was living in Wimbledon but that has changed, so we have moved. I do keep notebooks because they are my tools. I write blogs, create vlogs and a mum, so if there are some things I don't want to deal with then I will put them away and concentrate on what I want to deal with.

My Working Space how I plan my tasks and get stuff done 

I have been putting a plan together to get the spaces in my home together. The good list is to have to remind me of what needs to be done, is to create an Overdue list. I go through never used, sometimes use and always use. I use my notebooks and so going to use the notebooks still with pages available before using a brand new one and file notes for books, blogs or video ideas in a folder. 

My son has inherited some more books to encourage him to read. I am hoping my son would suddenly want to read. He loves charts and maps and now he is in school again hope this will give him some encouragement to read. His Tutor before he got a place in the school he is in now, really helped because he does not like to read at home however much I try. 

Getting back to organisation, it is good to priorities. My main focus at the moment is to get my son ready for school now he has now got a placement and using the time he is at school to do home projects. Tomorrow I am going to the shops. Really glad to be able to go on a morning walk and so putting things away is great for focus on my regular weekly tasks so I have clothes that are clean, for my son to change into when he comes home from school, food and so I like to have an excuse to walk outdoors to pick up some shopping and that my bed has fresh bedding to put on and my son has many sports clubs at the weekend and so making sure I have his football clothes and rugby clothes clean and back to school next week. 

Being enthusiastic does not mean you want to get it done, so I go on how I feel right now. I do change my mind and was going to tidy the living room but looking at my list today I have changed my mind so going to clean my bedside cabinet and clean my sons room and clean the fireplace in the Living room. 

I have to break it up as I know I will be on my laptop all day which I will change my focus so waiting for my camera to charge and vlog and check out my last vlog which features me sorting out my home and post a Vlog every Friday: https://youtu.be/Cl9ESwGVp60

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Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Dealing With Avoidance

I think I have blogged this before, but it feels like it's a regular occurrence when I know that it will get done just not now. At the moment I am focusing on mainly getting my son settled now he is back to going to school and is an adjustment and some things I have to accept will have to be on hold. 

I love a list and it is good when things are ticked off but I have come to realise that it doesn't always have to be on a list. I do plan but often it can make me rebel. So now I use lists as a guidance and if I decide to do something else then so be it. 

As long as my son is ready for school then that is my focus at the moment. A plan is there to make space for things not listed, as there are items sometimes that take over. Like if Henry becomes unwell or has an event at school and been moving. This is a transition and so if something is causing you to be anxious then what would make it easier? Address your avoidance. Who can help you with it? 

I like to spend at least 10 minutes tidying and putting things away and when I got upstairs take something with me and I love pottering around the home and helps me take time off my laptop or go or a walk. Going shopping can help with fitting in exercise. Check out this blog: Get Active Get Fit : Shopping can have its benefits when staying Active

I am putting a declutter vlog together as I am altering my sons bedroom and my room in Epsom and I planned to do some today but as soon as a I do anything like that my son wants me and not in school today as he is doing a transition period as its his first week going to school again and so be back doing it tomorrow and today my mum was putting things away in the summer house we have and my needed new trainers and my husband wanted to do a dummy run to my sons school as the last two days it was my mum and step dad and so tomorrow me and his dad will be taking him and then next week, my son will going to school by taxi.

So in my journal I write what is my focus and what is worrying me and do it every morning now and helps to lower my apprehension and anxiousness. 

I'd recommend that. What one thing could you do, to stop avoidance and go through the weeks of the month and go through dates you already know you have set aside. Like a school visit. My son has world book day so need to find a costume and is going to be horrid henry. 

We aren't meant to to do everything. My husband will be doing dinner tonight and cooks on Sundays. So create a Rota and schedule and we just plan as we go, but if that doesn't suit you them do what works for you. 

I hope you find these blogs helpful. I do have more blogs, like my Pinterest, X and Facebook. 

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I also have a vlog channel where I share my interests and the things that are important to me in my life that I like to share: Typical London Gal Carrie Holmes - YouTube

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Why I journal helps keep me Organised and address my fears

Since a child I have written down my thoughts and fears. I use my journal app on my phone also and I haven't kept them all. I have found getting rid of the ones from a child a way of letting go of the past and to focusing on my current thoughts and goals and about the challenges that are occurring and things I am putting off and my anxiety thoughts. 

It helps me to feel that I am okay to be natural in my appearance and not rush around. Now my son has learning at the library I have journaled a lot and it made me set out 2026 and my sentence for me this year is "Wait and see" and started to plan using too old letters or printouts, to recycle and things I want to get done and where my focus is at the moment. 

If I have changed my mind on what to do on some days. You don't always need a to do list to get things done or a fancy notebook. I do because I love a notebook. They help enthuse my feelings and my creativity. 

Journaling can be done using your Notes APP if you have enough space on your phone. You can use Notion or a plain notebook pocket size or bigger. I like it because there's no rules, just write what you feel or what you see your life going and address your fears. 

Allow your fears give your armer to take on the fears to prove that something is good. 

I went through all my fears. I have a radio show and I get so nervous and I sorry TMI but need a loo a lot before I go to the studio and feels good once I am doing my show and that I didn't bail out and I enjoy it. I really feel such pride about it.

My fear of being stranded when my son wants to go on a train or bus ride. I think of everything that could go wrong and then write what if it work outs? 

I go through what I can do to help to prevent things going wrong. Like I I worry about being late. Leave early. What if there are delays. Check to see if there is another route. Get my show all written down so I can set up my show ahead of time. It evaluates my fears and good to express what I feel and fear because it is my mind just weighing up and do and don't. 

If you feel uncomfortable about someone. What is it. Their manner, do they tut a lot when you speak? Do they huff when you try to speak to them? Where is it happening?

I find it makes me powerful. I focus on those like me open minded and those who also journal to learn new skills and to improve my wellbeing and this year it is about "Growing" and keep going. I love being a blogger, writing my books, I love putting my radio show together and I love to journal.

It really has helped me build good habits, like reading everyday. Decluttering and planning programmes and projects. It to me has been my ultimate discovery and want to help you all to enjoy life more and be good to yourself and what I have done to help build my self as a person, who is a daughter, mum, sister, niece and auntie.  

I hope you do enjoy these blogs and you can subscribe. Costs nothing and you will be alerted each time I post. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

New Way of Planning and Staying On The Right Track, Getting Things Done

I have tried so many different ways to be organised and now I use post its. Check out my New Vlog: https://youtu.be/iryXj4wW1-A It feels so good to rip them off and tare them up. There are some daily tasks, weekly and yearly. 

It is up to you what works, with your Lifestyle, my word of this year, but I am finding this to be even more effective along with Notion and my other notepads. It is good to have a vision board and perhaps use smaller post it notes, but gonna keep with the post its I am using now and continue to build it up to help me to complete tasks and working on projects. 

Not everything goes to plan but doesn't mean that you should change your plans. With life you may have to alter your plans, but finding a method that works best.

Stop doing things to satisfy others. Focus on what works for you. 

I love a simple systems and it is good to be relaxed about it and if you feel you need more rest then do so. 

Often it is good to stop plans and decide on the day. 

It is good to have a flexible approach and often it is good to let others decide. I feel it is good to do something different from your normal plans. Weekends my son goes to sports clubs and it gives me a break and I enjoy going to see my son do his football training and his rugby. 

So look at what is working and what is not. What you enjoy and a visual plan near me it helps me to find better ways to stay on track. I am homeschooling at the moment and so making sure my son does some learning. We like go for walks and I enjoy planning these and so make sure we make that a priority and note it down and pin to my pinboard. 

Also Pinterest. I love that platform. I love creating vision boards. thetypicalLondongal - Profile | Pinterest

Canva is good too. I use this to create my videos boards I call them for my Vlog channel: youtube.com/@typicallondongal

I am not sponsored, but if they did I would accept, on all online platforms I use and can use these  platforms on my phone and that is simple to use. 

So how do you plan and stay on track, getting things done? Please share. You can use the comment box below. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Rebelling Against Your To do's

I am a rebellious person and so whenever I write a todo list I often hear the inner voice "No I don't want to do that today" and another voice comes "That is okay do on another day, when I know I have no other commitments and I will find time, to get it done, no matter how much my rebellious thoughts come through". 

Whenever I plan my meals for the week, I hear the critic ask, "Are you really going to want that?" and so I do a meal plan but not one that is set in stone, because I feel like running a mile and having over processed meals and working around other tasks and my son. I am currently homeschooling and my son rebels against learning so I work around his interests, because I know he won't try to debate against it; along with giving time and make sure he has a drink, water or milk, to help make him feel comfortable and tell him before hand of what he will be learning each day, because many children especially with Autism, ADHD and other difficulties, any surprises, he will start to refuse and have to try to scrape him off the sofa, for him to do it. 

I love our morning walks and I hear the rebellious voice say, "No don't go for a walk" or more questioning the idea of a walk, but I really enjoy it and I remind myself of, how good it is, to be out early and exploring with homeschooling and really kicks starts the day. 

This week we are swimming and find it so refreshing, but get anxious about getting there on time. I hate being late and rushing around and can hear the critic voice, trying to make feel like I don't want to. I like to get up in the mornings early, so I have time to read, have a cup of tea and get dressed and feel calm and since doing this, my thoughts and fears are a lot calmer. I enjoy planning but then I get the morning jitters and my mind starts to think otherwise and will tell it "No" the inner voice and always get to the Leisure centre, where we go swimming, and we get so much out of it. 

Family time, for me is a must because it is good to share the work. My mum for example helps with Henry's learning along with my step dad and Henry's dad. It helps with the rebellious thoughts and the pressures fade, because I get anxious when trying to do tasks alone, like homeschooling and it helps me with my teaching, to help my son. I am building my knowledge at the same time. I will watch some training videos to work towards my own ambitions and do different courses and this helps me not rebel by build my interests and focus on what is important. I like doing tasks not on my to do list and take breaks between each task and not letting my rebellious nature get in the way. 

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

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 

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 

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 

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

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.

I hope this has helped you and please subscribe if you wish to be notified of when I post a blog on this site and I share my content on Youtube and on social media:

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.

I do have Vlog Channel and if you want to be kept up to date with my content then please subscribe.

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 

  

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 

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 

  

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 

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