How I have Organised My life in 2026

It is amazing how my organisation has changed. I enjoy planning and completing tasks and working on my yearly projects and programmes and feel that I have some more of my life back. Looking at what I have got that I can use as gifts as I have birthdays leading up to Christmas.

I am a volunteer for my local hospital radio, published more books and writing more and filming again for my Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Carriechalloner. I been altering the home and moved back to Epsom full time and making a real effort when it comes to the home.

There still things that have to be done. I am still sorting out my room and focusing more on present time. Yes I plan for the week but I also think "What can I do right now that will make a difference?" and getting to know who I am as a person now? I like that I have really non negotiable about my daily habits. I read everyday, every morning as soon as I get up I brush my teeth and once my son goes off to school write and do some form of physical activity each day.

I have been working on a few books that I want to publish. There is one I want out before the end of the year so I will spend mainly Mondays on my books and just making sure I do something positive each day and I love walking. I love a morning walk and on the treadmill. I love cooking and making dinners, but doing a health reset at the moment. Check this recent video: https://youtu.be/BjCdG457taI and just getting things in order. 

It is good that Henry has returned to school. He has been doing so well and it is good his sports clubs are back on and I like getting up and feel more ready each day. 

Having a routine that works feels good. Having a good full food cupboard is a must. I love my food cupboard and it is such a resource of making meals and I enjoy our dinners. Mondays is when I will do a home cooked meal. I love tins and it is just have plenty of staples. 

I have been planning events. It is good to have somethings to look forward to. As I write this blog it is my birthday and later off to see a show and yesterday we went to watch the Ladies England Rugby team and had a meal in a pub we know and made arrangements to see one of my friends boyfriends band in  October and feel buzzed with the things I have planned.

I am working on be up to date with my finances again as it gets a bit hectic with the summer holidays each year so doing money reset too. 

There are things I have had to cancel due to other commitments but you find that and will do again when have a clearer time I just think time is everything and somethings I want to hold off but doesn't mean I won't do them it just doesn't feel right to do somethings where I am at now.

So enjoying the morning. Soon it will be my sons rugby, so will be posting more and so please follow and you will be notified of when I post on this site. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Make Sure You Always RSVP

There has been time where I would be scared to say no I can't make and then not RSVP. 

I remember before the internet and mobiles you'd just made the appointment and you went. 

I do find that having a mobile, being able to do facetime can make you be lazy and scrolling, but then it helped during the pandemic, so having a mobile has its uses but it is good to properly socialise and I like that time, but if I don't feel like it or want to do something else then RSVP. 

There will be times we can't make it to a get together with friends and times when you can, but I like to be reliable and to help build relationships reliability can help and it builds a trust and understanding. 

Its a pain when people just don't turn up. I remember my wedding and I had people asking for a invite and then not turn up. I find it now learning by my own unreliability that it is disrespectful and even if it is a check up just let them know.

Even if you forgot an appointment contact them. Something I am still learning to do. I feel somewhat uncomfortable in writing this because I am guilty.  

It is fear. I know I need to go to the dentist but it gives me goolies and once I've gone I have been fine but its the initial making the appointment and I should be used to it by now.

Arranging a kids birthday party is not a walk in the park. There will be that child who won't be happy with the food or I was the super shy kid and a fussy eater but if I couldn't make it my mum would let them know and just saves so much time.

I hate chasing people. If your late, let them know and setting up a WhatsApp group can be good idea, but it can be constant messages. In one respect it did help kept up with events and it just helps know numbers if you go to a sports club or booked a fitness class; It takes two seconds to say Sorry Can't make it and it shows you care.

There is Podcast that Fearne Cotton did about it and it struck a nerve because no one has turned up and not said anything. 

So just make the effort to reply back. The worst thing is not showing up without a word, not even a text and yes you can't please all, but you can be respectful and I hate time wasting and I hate wasting other peoples time.

If you want to keep the bond with people let them know that you can't meet as planned and then they will then often be "Okay lets plan another time" and noone feels let down.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

 

How to still get the most of your days with the days being shorter

Already the mornings are staying darker later and I am so happy about that. Sorry if you are not but I like it and I am already getting prepared. I still going to read in the mornings and evenings. Go on walks in the morning and have a coffee in a coffee shop some days and autumn is the time I change what I drink. I will be buying herbal teas and Earl Grey and a coffee from my Cafeteria and just enjoy the crispy mornings to get outdoors and workout indoors. 

The battle is my sons energy. He often gets unwell around the time the weather changes. He is prone to chest infections but he often doesn't want to wear a coat or jacket. He really has to be persuaded. 

His skin is better and the bed wetting appears to have stopped now, but he is just has so much adrenaline that he often still wants to play at 9pm so it is getting him to unwind. 

It is good to have things planned. My son sports clubs return so that will help along with school and still walking and exploring and off to see the England Ladies play. It is my birthday and my nieces and going to book swimming lessons for him and having time watching some good quality TV as not a lot to watch during the summer and I just love the cosiness and the layering. 

I have my buzz for cooking again and today made for the first time a bread and butter pudding for the first time and it was good and made a chicken roast dinner. I will be doing more and I have filmed a vlog and will be sharing. I love doing these vlogs and it is good for me and want to get back into making my own soups and curries and just enjoy the kitchen. 

It will be good to make homemade food and looking forward to the festive season, more than before. It is finally raining and I hope the ponds fill up as many have dried up due the heatwaves and the grass being dried out and help maintain lawns in gardens and parks. 

Just because of the darker days it doesn't mean that things have to be put on hold. My niece is having a birthday party and I am off to see Bon Jovi in concert and the Real Thing on my actual birthday so looking forward to those and be snuggled up and chill on the sofa with my son and watch a film, read more and have a hot chocolate which I have started to do in the evenings as I find this helps with sleep. 

So lets get planning and enjoy the new season ahead. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Summer Organisation things I do during the school holidays

So we have had half term here in the UK. The final one until the Summer Holidays and it can be tricky when it comes to organisation and so I have some tips that may help you.

Day trips: Plan ahead if you can and do a list a week before if not earlier and remember to pack a first aid kit, money should you decide to buy drinks and food where you are going and remember skin protection. So hats, goggles for swimming, sun cream, change of clothes depending how far you are  heading and open up the car to cool it down before getting in. If it possible see if you can park in the shade. Pack antihistamine and bite cream and if going in water, arm bands and floats and shoes the beach. 

#washing clothes: Do it in cycles and what do you want to take on holiday. I like to mix and match. I do where trainers with socks and pack plenty of underwear and that my son has clothes that can be for the day and evening. Have the washed clothes near the suitcase ready and I like buying packs of vest tops. I wear these all year round and so versatile. Check out my: https://carriesversatilefashion.com/ I will bring shorts. What I mainly where in the summer along with a pair of good walking sandals and trainers that can be washed and a couple of jackets for the evening. |Light jackets. I take my Denim Jackets. You can buy a bar of washing for clothes soap or take some washing tablets and find out what the accommodation has on site. I like to air dry my clothes and so make sure there is a place I can hang once washed. Soak the swimwear to get rid of the chlorine and salt from the sea. 

Guides: Get an idea of where the beaches or seaside is from where you are staying, unless you are holidaying in a city. There may be parks and lakes. So find out before booking, does it have a swimming pool, a restaurant on site and what the night entertainment they have. Can I do exercise? Are there good walks. Are there areas you should stay away from and when hiring a car find out what it is going to be as when we travelled in one of the Greek Islands with my mum and her friend, had this old banger and it was dreadful. I like to see how far it is from the town, I like self catering, so will check to see if there is transport available, supermarket, pharmacy and I love a tourist shop. I don't drive and often my husband doesn't like to always drive on holiday and check if there is parking and how much it is to park. I speak to people who to find if anyone has been there that I know that could give good tips of where to go and the Travel Information in the place you are visiting. Can you buy a guide? Also currency. How much is the exchange rate and the prices to eat out if you don't do self catering? 

Medication and toiletries: I take medication and it is a while since travelling abroad but have it in your luggage and in a clear bag and only take what you need. I like to take a first aid kid but no scissors or anything that is sharp as they will confiscate it, but things like bite cream, wet wipes, sanitizer and plasters for example and you can get travel size toiletries. Boots do a huge range, but find out from the hotel if you can of what will be provided in the accommodation. 

So I hope you find this blog helpful and it is back to school this week for my son and so making the most of the weekend. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

What to do when is cold?

Living in the UK it is unpredictable the weather. There is always speculation of will we have snow? Well we did and now it is slowly fading but was a surprise and will it rain at some point?

It can have down pours and sleet rain and as a English girl I am a used to it and why it is good to have thing indoors to get through the rainy cold days. 

Who knows, so it is good to have rainy days activities. This morning I cleared out a cupboard, my husband did run on the treadmill and Henry played one of his new games. It is good to have a collection of items that can help the days when it is too cold to go out.

I am on a look out for a pack of cards so gonna look in the charity shop to buy a set as I thought we did have pack but not sure as to where they are.

Invite friends over and have a meal indoors or a coffee and chat. It is good to set up a playdate and one thing I'd like to have is a playroom, but now we spend our time in the Living room and so we have toys available such as a dartboard and an a indoor golf set. 

Having a bit of sports day. At the moment I am watching Birmingham vs Coventry and later watching the Chelsea game and so gonna have dinner early. It is good to just be with family and my son wanted me to watch it with him, before he begins to do his learning again with his tutor. It will begin either this week or week after. 

When my son has his tutoring at the local library I also will do some reading and learning and updating journal and planning shows, blogs and Vlogs. You can check out my content via my X platforms, Facebook or Pinterest. See links below:

(7) Pinterest

The Typical London Gal (@Carrie82434764) / X

Typicallondongal | Facebook

It is also a good time to have Facetime if you can't visit fiends or family in person or phone them for a chat. 

Allow for some TV time and I love watching concerts and documentaries and later will be watching some comedy.

So there is always plenty to do, whatever the weather. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Getting Ready for 2026

It is on the horizon, but feel good about it. I means starting a new chapter and sticking with some existing things like reading. If I don't conquer my reading goal which is 20 then so be it, will try again. It means getting some projects finished, like my sons bedroom and mine. Hopefully my son gets a place in a school and my blogs and YouTube channels continue to grow and have another book published. 

One of my favourite meals not just at Christmas, with healthy food for 2026, along with sticking with our favourites. 

So what habits are you going to continue and projects?

It doesn't have to be done in January but when it feels right to you. I was reading an article and there was an article interviewing Amelia Fox who's famous actor, she doesn't make resolutions but she goes through what she wants the new year to look like. 

Everyone has their own way and it doesn't make it wrong. Each to their own. It is what works for you.

I like to make life changes. I like to have word. Two thousand and six is Grow. 

It means doing more Radio shows and not allow my fear over take and not shy away from other opportunities. It means letting go of stuff no longer serve me. So I am getting rid of my baking items and I will be moving. I live with my mum and step dad aswell with my son and husband part of the time. So that is going to be a massive change but not worried, which is the first of me. 

I can worry my socks off and all it does is cause stress and so letting go of my old feelings, for 2026.

Then my son has his sports clubs and get back to my walking and building my steps. 

I am taking part in a Walking Event in April and seeing Bon Jovi in concert so got a few things to look forward to.

It is good to have things planned. It can be meeting with a specific friend you don't often see once a month or week. It can be to go for a walk in a park once a week and go on a shopping trip. I will be doing No Spend January and cutting my spending down and since Henry's learning in the library for now spent less and so saving for holidays we plan to have in 2026. 

So lets get ready for the new year to have a lot more happiness, if possible and things to look forward to.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Avoiding The Mess

It has been a long insight to see that I avoid the mess.  There is something about mess that makes me close my door and ignore it. I have tried to put things away but I will pretend it isn't there and know at some point I will tidy it up. I am a still decluttering, but I have a cupboard full of underwear and socks, I have box files that have no order so I know I need to step up. 

So the first thing I need to do is to step away. I need to allow rest time and then when I go to brush my teeth will tidy up my bed once I have had my tea and it is time to brush my teeth and in fact I am going to do that now.

Do a bit a day. A small amount can still make a difference and I am enjoying my decluttering. Finding items that are just gathering dust. If there is no reason for an item, then it goes.

It is good to allow others to motivate. I will clean, tidy and declutter if I see my husband cleaning so he will be the influence and then I will sort my mess out and that I am not letting the side down.

Let your kids help clear up the mess. My son has the habit of leaving is teddy bear on the floor so will tune into asking him to pick it up and the same with other toys and things he has finished using. 

It is good to have a calendar that is available to you. So plan what you are going to focus on first, to break it down and avoid overwhelm if this is causing you to avoid any mess.

Journal your fears about the mess. I will write down my fears. I find it helps address them and how to get over it and if it works out and you do it, how will it make you feel? 

Have a system. When it comes to washing up, I will use my morning whilst the kettle is on to clear any plates or mugs away used the night before. Then, when it comes to dinner time I will clear away any items used for lunch and what needs to be left out for dinner. 

I find I am more untidy during the winter with gifts for Christmas and muddy clothes from the rain and taking my son to do his sports at the weekend and find it hard to dress because of the cold. I love to layer up so clothes are messy and the bottom of the bed, keeping stuff to junk journal and I love notebooks and so need to make choice if I want it to be tidy or live in a mess.

So 2026 it is a year of change and invest in the things that are help me "Grow" which is my word for 2026. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Having to Move on and plan visits to new places

I have a bedroom that needs sorting out. I love that I have my room, I like a lived in environment but I want it to be more than a room but my Sanctuary and be like a nest. I just vacuumed my bedroom and it wasn't that bad, I was thinking that it was going to be a hard task and actually it was good as I got to declutter another item and so going to do one thing a day and including my stuff in Wimbledon and it feels good to let things go. 

Picture I took of the #southcoast of England 

When it comes to organisation it is also a personal change. Example I loved working at a Holiday Camp and met a lot of people but now I am ready to let that part of my life go. I still keep in contact but many have gone their own way and that is fine. People come and go, have a family, meet new friends which is fine. I have found it hard to move on, because it was such a brilliant experience and my son wants to visit Bognor where the Holiday Camp is located, so we may visit again, but not any time soon. 

The vibe to go down there has gone and want to go different places like the Isle of Wight and Edinburgh next year and Henry my son said he'd like to go somewhere hot so, will see.

I am sure we will go back to Bognor Regis but not anytime soon and want to explore other places in England and my son is desperate to go to St Albans and I'd like to go there too. Not that I going to stop contact with people via social media and wish then happy birthday, but visit other places along the coast of England. 

So organising trips but not worrying that it has to be planned by the book and is sometimes last minute can be some of the best times. It is good to go somewhere historic, so not full of fancy restaurants, but where we can get a coffee, shop at a supermarket or has a cafe. 

If it got a kid friendly pub that's does food, we like to take advantage and if there are funfair rides and fish n chips stalls fantastic but take our time and just being by the sea makes me feel so good and have a peaceful mind. 

I go over the bad times I've had and trying to stop. I want to stop living in the past and want some new experiences and meet more people and build more relationships. 

So gonna plan for 2026 and enjoy Christmas and explore and building more memories. 

I do have a Vlog Channel if you'd like to check it out: (117) Typical London Gal Carrie Holmes - YouTube

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 

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 

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.

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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 

  

Buying Stuff I do not need

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Getting Bits Done

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

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 

Do we consume too much?

I feel we do. As I write this blog I am thinking about a mug I saw in TKMaxx that I want to buy and soon we will going to ASDA's to pick up a few bits and thinking about buying an item of clothing and ordering a top from Amazon. 

If you not checked out my Youtube channel, then check this one out:

It is time to cut down, and I will be doing No spend January, and that means using my money on the essentials, such as food, bits for my son for when he returns to school. So, going to go through what I already have and use up and checking that his school clothes still fit him, because he is growing so fast, but no spending on items that I don't need, and can wait.

When it gets to this side of Christmas I get sick of spending, and so doing No Spend January helps me to do that, and save.

The problem with me is that I get bored, and the only thing that fixes that is buying something, but then I am spending money for the sake of it, I feel I have wasted it, and could have been saved for more important items. 

So going to change up my wardrobe of what has been worn and what I have not. Shop my wardrobe basically, and packing for when I am in Epsom, and wear what I have already got. I am so glad we had a quiet Christmas, and didn't over do it. 

Before the new years though I will be buying a jar of coffee, as I am running out in Epsom, and some face wash. So a few bits I need to get, but enough of what I need, and will get me through the month. Not meaning that after January I can go on a shopping spree, in fact it will be the opposite, and doing No spend days. 

I am going to challenge myself to make sure that before I buy anything that I already have and run out. This means my toiletries, clothes, food and buy less snacks, and go snack free. 

There will be temptations, but make sure I have a break between meals, and that I eat food that properly fills me up. 

So, going to keep going through of what I have got and save. I am going to pay of my credit card, and save so we can have a holiday this year, and a proper one. 

Why not join me in use up what we got and consume less.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X

Getting through the festive season

Yes the Christmas season is upon us and many have already decorated and then their is dinner. I usually go to someones home or stay in and have a dinner at home, and this year we may be going away. 

When I say getting through, I am not meaning that I don't enjoy it and I am looking forward to it, but with people having to go to foodbanks it can be really effect how we feel about it, and that there will be families not having a Christmas dinner.

My first Winter Cider for Christmas 2023

So when you go to the supermarket and you have a local foodbank to donate to, then why not donate an item of food, and some supermarkets are working with charities like Tesco, has done where you can donate part of your shopping bill, and it is only pence, but it doesn't have to be a lot, a little bit still goes a long way.

I use this time to visit Charity shops for gifts and decor. They do a lot of Christmas Ornaments and I like these types of decor as they can passed down to the next generation of family and buying someone new decor for Christmas is a lovely gift, and a keepsake for other Christmases to come.

I did a video on my Youtube Channel My way of living about not Worrying over Christmas and just enjoy seeing family and friends, and it is not about how much you spend, but you being there and catching up and have everyone contribute: https://youtu.be/9agww2YOWIU 

To save time on getting things done do some prepping of wrapping gifts and you can donate toys too in many supermarket, this time of yer, and do it when it is time for yourself with a movie on or Christmas music and getting food bits done. Like chopping up vegetables and meats that you are going to have in the freezer and just make sure they defrost before cooking. 

Have a station in your home of all the decor if not put up yet, and a good way of having a clear out, before buying some new decor. 

If you know someone who is going to be on their own, why not invite them to join you for Christmas dinner or if not able to, make one to take one over to them, and have a drink with them too, as I hate the thought of people on their own, with noone to see and talk too. 

I want to do something for others at Christmas, and so going to plan and think of ideas, and please give me your ideas and what you do during Christmas. You can leave a comment below.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Travelling up London at the weekend

Hello and welcome to a another blog! Today I took my son up to London and had a coffee and travelled from Victoria to London Waterloo and then back. It was remembrance day, here in the UK so the traffic was being deverted. My son wanted to walk from London victoria to Epsom, but we walked part of the way, but was raining and my anxiety was getting the better of me, as I fear being stranded, but got on a bus to London Waterloo, where he initially wanted to go, and then came back by train, and now at home, and promised him that we will try to walk at some point but be some what prepared and let him see how far it is.

You got to allow kids to explore and I do want to up my walking so would be nice to try so, for my sons sake will give it a try. 

When travelling to London at the weekend you have to plan somewhat. I use Trainline, (no not sponsored), because there often can be rail replacement. So by bus, but like to day some of the trains were operating, and get your self a train APP or a Map to help you plan you travel in London, and you can use credit and debit cards, aswell as an Oyster Card. 

Walking from Westminister to Chelsea can be nice. Check out The Kings Road. A good place if you like shopping and having a bite to eat. As a kid I would often be in Chelsea as that is where my mum and dad come from, and would spend many a weekend there. It has changed a lot, but still a good place to visit.

I like walking along by the river, and you can get the buses and the Underground, but check before you travel to see what is operating. 

I got to see places like Victoria, going passed seemed to not have a lot there now, but that are some food places and St James's Park is only a 5 minute trip and great to walk through and then you have Trafalgar Square, which we didn't pass on the bus today, but when you can it does look so proud of itself and featured in one of my favourite films, Mary Poppins. 

So out London at the weekend, and explore. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X