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 

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

                                                                                                                         

Getting things done

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Organizing when you are sick

I had plans today to do another long distance walk, but last night I felt groggy so went to bed early hoping I'd feel better, but no. I am pleased with the progress I have made it terms of organization and my wellness, and so I will see how I am tomorrow and I still have the weekend, and me and my son like to go on walks so may be able to do it then. 

If you start to feel run down the first thing is to stop and take a break. Perhaps you are giving yourself too much to do and we have to accept we are all gonna get sick no matter how we try to avoid it, or your child gets sick. There are events you can't control, but you can try to prevent them. I do take supplements and do eat healthy meals, and speaking to my mum, her tummy was funny, so perhaps there is a tummy bug going around. 

It doesn't mean that things won't be done. Since writing this blog I went for a walk, only a short one but did make a huge difference and so good to be out into the fresh air and sitting in the park listening to music can be so peaceful and watching the world go by, is so nice. 

If someone offers to help you then take them up on it as they may not ask again, and if you have kids have them help you, and I will ask Henry to make his bed, and if you feel unwell its never a crime to take some time just being with yourself. 

I did spend a lot of time in bed today as I had a headache and needed that extra rest and often we neglect how we are feeling, and organising time for your self is important if you don't feel well. Spread tasks across the week, and use a day to organize your week, from where you week begins. For me it is Monday to Sunday. 

Saturday is my day off and like to spend this time with my son and we are going up London tomorrow and it most likely that we will do some walking if not, it will be Sunday. 

I did manage to get bits done, like working on my next book and going through a book I am reading by Paul McKenna and continued with this blog. 

All in all still a productive day. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal 

 

Get ready for a new year

Planning my content

I will be getting my content planned more for 2022 and organize when I will be writing my blogs and set up my projects better and it is good to make changes when something isn't working anymore or needs to be better.

I love the fact that anyone in the world are reading my content and watching my Youtube video.

 

Setting out my goals 

When it comes to setting my goals I do this quarterly and use this time of the year to start thinking about them and one is to do some fundraising events again, and want to get back into running again and find a new fitness plan that I can stick too. I can imagine that there are others who want to do the same, and it to be suitable for your life. 

I am guilty of comparing and not feeling good enough and has been a progression to look at myself in a positive light and that everyone is different and that is okay.  

Reflecting 

I like to reflect on each year and how I felt it went and what will I do differently for the next year and what I loved and enjoyed. It should be based on the different things in my life and how I can improve in many different areas of my life. 

Completing tasks

I like to go through tasks not completed and needs to be finished. I do plan on doing another reset to get things completed and sort many of areas of my life out some more and what I want to do next. 

For me this is important and map out my goals personal and work, and then play. I would like to go to more shows and visiting the theatre and take my son to more rugby matches, as he loves seeing the London Broncos who are are a rugby league club that I have followed for many years, and would like to go on a proper holiday. 

There are still many things I would like to have in my life and that is having more books written and grow my blogs even more and do more to reach out and make a difference. 

I want to meet more people and miss going out with friends and having a few drinks. 

If you want to check out my Pinterest then you can, and have started creating pins for my Life coaching programme I have done for the last two years, the 2023 Project and so check out it out: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thetypicalLondongal/life-coaching2023-project/

There will be further printables created for 2023 and let you know once these have been done. 

I still want to focus on this year as it isn't ended yet and got tasks to complete before then like my book and doing another free course. 

So what are your plans and what are you going to do for the new year? You can leave a comment below. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Typical London Gal 

Organize 4 The better/The Journey of being a full time writer

If you had said that 10 years or so ago that I would be a professional fultime writer I wouldn't say "Don't be stupid" but "Really oh right when?"

I kept coming backwards and forwards writing a blogpost, and at first couldn't really get into it, but then it was as if a switch had pushed and once I was out of the starting blocks there was no going back.

This post was my very first one I wrote and I was gleaming that I found my love for organizing, yet it always ended up at the bottom of the list. Yeah I don't like organizing or cleaning. I do it because I can't stand the marks on my work desk and it comes to the point when you have to say "It has to be done, because if it doesn't then what?"

I live by reivention and I did when I began blog writing as I was used to writing books but not blogs, and it is a genre of its own but it is good one to get into and now being part of the blog world its kinda great.

So get ready for some "I don't like organizing and I don't organize consciously" yet I do have a work system. Yeah I am reading what I just wrote, it is a simple and manageable one and I had a revulation that I have found after trying so many methods, the one that works without hesitation and repetition.

I just wish Boris, oh lawful Prime Minster would do the same.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie L.M X