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.

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Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Leave the Planning at Home

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

Me out with my son walking 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Getting The Most Out Of Your Evenings

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

The Thai Green Curry I made from scratch

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

 

 

Doing Things That Aren't on a to do list

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Keeping The Kitchen Clean

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

So the first tip is:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Breaking Up Your Time

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

Epsom in garden journaling and planning

What do you want to focus on?

The first thing I ask myself. 

When is it going to need to be done by?

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

So what day can you complete a project? 

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

Set certain tasks on certain days. 

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

> Tuesday I go through my finances

> Wednesday Edit a Vlog 

> Thursday Film for other Youtube Channel:

        > Financial Living 

        > Carries Educational Youtube Channel

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

Moving Tasks around 

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

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

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

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

Have a fab day and thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Finding Your Own Style of Planning

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X