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 

Managing your time

When it comes to time I find that if I don't plan ahead that my to dos take over my wellbeing and I become self destructed and overwhelmed so now I like to manage my time to make sure that it gives me a boost and I get my life together by completing tasks and setting targets for myself. 

Good book to read that has helped manage my time 

Check out this video I did for my Life Coaching Programme "Summer Project 2024" https://youtu.be/Z6MghO0ZSqQ 

I like to spend time planning my days making sure I take breaks and get some form of exercise as I can get quite stiff when seated at the table using my laptop, so breaks are essential. 

It is good to hydrate through out the day and I am not always good with water but make sure I have some and I am focusing on my eating habits at the moment as this can affect me in managing my time. As an example snacking and picking, not having a meal, especially around lunchtime.

So I have been sorting out my eating times, the type of food and concentrate on having my three meals a day. Still a working progress but been well in that I haven't gone for the biscuits.

I try not to do too much each day, but if I feel like working on other projects then I will, but keep note of my time. I ask myself, how much time can I spend on each task? 

I keep the lists I make as small as possible each day so I don't get burn out and that I know I can complete. 

Remember SMART, Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relative and Time. 

How long will it take you to clean the kitchen?

What if I do the longest task first or should I get the small tasks done first and set an alarm as I do each task and what doesn't get done, can it be done tomorrow? 

I do a brain dump each Sunday and then see which day of the week I can realistically get it done. What have I got going on already planned ahead in the week, go through my list and see if there is anything overdue, to be done, and is there anything I can do on a later date.

Do you need to get up earlier or bed later? Check out the video I did today: https://youtu.be/_Hymsm7Kugk

If you have kids and work from home, can they do some chores? Can I delegate tasks to my spouse/friend/family member?

Can your kids cook a meal a week whilst you watch some TV or need to do some tasks on your laptop?

Doing a rota is a good method. When we and my husband agreed when we moved to Epsom that he will take care of upstairs and I would take care of downstairs. 

On Sundays my husband will mainly make dinner and I make the dinners in the week. 

So spread out your tasks and include breaks and then you will find that your time is with you not against you. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X  

 

Multi Tasking as a parent

I am not a fan of Multi tasking as it would burn me out, especially when it comes to being a parent. 

Focusing on one task at a time is a lot better for me. 

Image from my walk to my sons school through Ashtead

This morning I was trying to watch something on Youtube on my laptop whilst making breakfast and wasn't working and realised multitasking is not me. 

I schedule, and block my days of what I want to do on each day and of things that I need to remember like with my son's week, as he does swimming with his school and sticking this on my calendar reminds me to write on my daily and weekly task page, on One Note to focus on getting his stuff ready. 

There was a time where I was not using my google calendar because I kept getting alerts and was clogging up my email inbox and so changed it now and found a better way of using it, where this doesn't happen but still am notified and make sure that all errands for the day get done, by focussing on one thing at a time. 

I do find I can get distracted by other things so try to stay focussed but playing some music, when on the bus little to music or an audio book, and when cooking or cleaning. But focus on one thing. 

Now he does an afterschool club I will focus on walking to his school to pick him up, as the taxi he gets for school not able to pick him up, but I don't mind as I have been enjoying the walk. It is a long way but for one day, its fine and that I make sure that we get back and then have dinner and then bed, and make sure that he has bathed and concentrate on making sure he has a good nights sleep. 

In the evenings I make sure I finish on my laptop for the day so I can get his dinner ready, and we usually will cuddle up on the sofa and chill until bedtime and that he has brushed his teeth and gone to the toilet, and just focusing on making sure my son is alright, helps me then focus on myself and that I have all that I need to do for myself done to make sure I can focus on my son and just helps stop getting overwhelmed. 

As a parent there are lot of things to remember so taking my time, and thinking, when he gets up he will watch his tablet (please don't judge) its so I can get bits I need to do in the morning, then do his breakfast and then have him get dressed, get his bag ready and then wait for his taxi to take him to school and when not doing after school club, wait for him to come home. 

I hope this helps you and see that you don't have to do everything all at once, and schedule so you still get jobs and tasks done.

If you'd like to be kept up to date with my blogs then please subscribe and you will be alerted every time I post a blog, and miss out.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Clean and organize one place a day

I like to take my time when it comes to cleaning and organizing. I am not always enthusiastic about cleaning or organization, but doing it step by step helps, as it helps lesson the pressure of getting it done.

My journal and drinks I love when cleaning and organizing

Getting up early has made a difference too, having a routine on a Monday setting out my week and go through my to dos, spread across the days of the week and that I don't get overwhelmed. 

Also getting some bits done the night before like clearing the dishes and setting up our mugs and Henrys glass he uses out already by the sink and kettle. Check out my cheat sheet I do each week as I did one sharing tips on Saving time. https://theparentingadventurestipsandtricks.wordpress.com/2024/04/22/new-cheat-sheet-saving-yourself-time/

Each Monday I go through my finances, going through previous week of what I have purchased and plan my spending for the week, and have no spend days and changed my budgets and make sure that I don't overspend and have money I can save and just make sure that I know what has gone out, what is going to come out and just stay on track. 

I now put up on the kitchen food that bought for meals and when they have to be used by. I am writing down what meals we are having this week and if we have enough food for meals in the week, and that it gets used, to eliminate waste. 

It then gives me time to set my projects I am working on each week and that I don't waste time and taking breaks and now I give myself Free Choice time and set it out on my google calendar.

I make sure I take a break from my laptop and no longer spend time in the evenings on it so make sure that I get things done on it in the day and then I can concentrate on making dinner, spend time with my son and wind down for the evening. It has made a real difference as I get a good night sleep. 

It is about how many hours you work but what you've done in the day that can help you have a good and feel like you've haven't done anything constructive and have just wasted a day. 

So now I prep and now ready to start another week ahead to get things done and do want I don't enjoy to what I do. 

Many thanks for reading

Carrie  X 

Ten ways I organize my life

I like systems, having a good routine and planning. Please believe me when I say I am not organized, but because of that I have implemented systems to help with that, by:

A picture of when we decluttered the shed as mentioned in this blog 

1. Getting up before anyone else. My life changing habit for 2024. It means I can listen to some chill out music, have a nice cup of tea and start working on my laptop, doing some writing and planning without disruption. 

2. Tidy up. I like to spend time washing up any dishes from the night before, and my husband puts some laundry on or I do this myself and making sure we all have breakfast and are dressed, we have brushed our teeth and got dressed for the day, and sorting out my clothes for the day.

3. Money. Check out my Youtube Channel where I share how I manage my money: https://www.youtube.com/@mywayofliving1602 I check my bank account everyday and each Sunday and Monday I go through what I have spent that week and track it on a spreadsheet . I will do a spending plan for the week and for the month, and making sure I pay money onto my credit card, as did get into debt, but now clearing it. I put money into my sons bank account and put money into my savings. I do no spend days, and do a no spend challenge in January and this has really made a huge difference in how I manage my money.

4. Shopping. As a kid my mum would shop on Friday and often me and my brother would be super hungry which can increase what you buy, and play up. So I make sure I have eaten, and my husband will do his grocery shopping on a Saturday morning when it is less busy, but rarely takes a list. I always make list and shop in the mornings in the week, as I like using this to build up my steps and then have the rest of the day to get other bits done.

5. Garden. My husband deals with the garden, but I do like to have a place to sit and do some writing out there during the Spring and Summer and play football with my son, and keep the table out there along with the goal, and this year had a declutter of the shed, which I would recommend to do, as it can become a dumping ground. When it Wimbledon my mum and step dad take care of that, but my son will help, and thinking of getting some flower pots again. 

6. Bags. I have cut down on the bags I own, but my bag is something that needs to be cleared out. This doesn't always get done, but make it a must that I sort it out and put my receipts into a small plastic folder. I do like to have a bum bag for short trips out and going to start using this again in the summer and the weekends, because I don't need to carry a lot unless filming for youtube vlog channel: Typical London Gal.

7. IT and the internet. To organize my days, weeks, months, quarters and for the year I will use OneNote which is a free Microsoft programme, my diary, journal and begun to use google calendar again. Every Monday I plan for the week ahead and for each day. I will have a clear out of photos, tidy up my Pinterest, any images of videos stored on my laptop that I no longer need and google photos, same with emails and documents and downloaded items. 

8. Journal. Every evening now I will write down what I am happy about each day, and if I want to express my feelings and thoughts. It is a good way to lift weight off your shoulders and everyday using my journal app on my phone too.

9. Reading. I love to read, and so I make it a must that I do some reading, and not going to buy anymore until I have read the books I have got and do read several books at the same time, especially self help books and I do write reviews, check out my Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thetypicalLondongal/my-current-books-i-am-reading/book-reviews-my-recommended-reads-other/ I also have a Wordpress site too where I write books reviews: My Books & Stories – Reading is the food for our writing (wordpress.com I store them in a bookcase, in a walking closet I have in Wimbledon, in a ruck sack in a plastic draw unit. I have joined libraries and can help with storing so many, but I like having a good selection, and is so important as it helps us to grow, and if you like writing then get reading as this will help you.

10. Exercise. I am lucky because in Epsom my husband has a treadmill, weights and I keep my exercise mate there too, or I will make sure I do some walking, and I put my clothes which are mainly fitness on and then there is no excuse and I like going for a morning walks and indoor workout in the afternoons. 

So I hope this blog helps you to organize your life. You can be alerted of when I post on this site if you select subscribe I try to write a blog on this site each week and I also have a Pinterest board where I share these posts and shares others content that have helped me in organization, so see above and just put in Organize 4 the better. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

5 Things to help organize on a regular basis you can do in the kitchen

Hello and welcome. If you'd like to be notified on my blogs on this site, then please follow me. 

I have been going through what needs to be eaten and did a meal plan, but as always changed my mind and big believer in using what you have already got before buying anything else and when things must be eaten first and making simple meals, Breakfasts, lunches and dinners. 

Foods I have donated for the local foodbank

Here are 5 things to help organize on a regular basis you can do in the kitchen.

1. Do a regular stock take of the food you've got and if there is cans that are not going to use, but are in date, donate them. I each month now do a monthly donation of food to the local foodbank in Wimbledon and feels so good to make a difference. I go through the fridge, work top where we keep fruit and cans of drinks and the food cupboard. 

2. Go through your kitchen ware and if you have dupes get rid of and donate, or anything that you've never used. Anything with chip or a crack get rid of, unless you can fix or know someone who can fix it, and repair them.

3. Change your sponges on a regular basis and put these with cleaning products and near the sink, and same with cloths and scrubbers. 

4. Have a home for your appliances that you can easily get to it and gets used, and not all over the worktops, but underneath where it will be used and can pull it in and out of its home and not forgotten about. If you still don't use it but in fine condition see if it will of use to someone else, and put it up on Facebook Market place.

5. Put your recipe books in a cupboard you can reach and where you can take out, along with a folder with printed recipes of meals you like to make. Any recipes not used or books donate, sell or recycle.

These are so simple to do and going to make a series of blogs and help you have a more organized home and life.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Organization 2024

So already I have myself set up at the dining table in the Living room in Epsom and have a desk I use in my bedroom in Wimbledon. Its a different set up and so I have to make sure I have bits I need and split my living there and here in Epsom, but is well managed. I now take myself off from my laptop at the weekend and focus on spending time with my son. I may vlog but take a break from my blogs and books and having the time with my son it important to me, as you never get that time back. 

My desk set up in Wimbledon

If you would like to check out my vlogs then here is the one I published today:

https://youtu.be/rx5CM2_mqGU

These last few days I have now started to work in the morning and take breaks to put away the breakfast bowls, cups and plates and have one to two cups of tea in the morning and like popping out in the morning to get my steps in and run errands.

I am writing a book on organization as I am not organized, but introducing good positive habits that has made a difference in helping me to be organized and set my day on a good start and ready for each day. 

When it comes to meals I do plan but I do a list of meals I want to have because I do change my mind and it is what I am in the mood for, like tonight because we are going away at the weekend and have used up most of the food we bought, we going to have a Pizza evening. Not a takeaway. The food shopping is shared, my husband will by the majority of it, and I will buy the extra bits and batch cook. So for my lunch today for example I have left over chicken, and it saves a lot of money and shop wisely.

I now changing the way I budget when it comes to budgeting that suits me better and have a monthly budget on things like food and will be realistic. Do what works for you.

Things change and it is what working presently that will helps me to continue to evolve each year, for my future self, and keep growing and learning. 

Today I am going to be sorting out the shed in the garden. Exciting. So going to end blog. I hope it helps you to organize in 2024 and keep the meter running.

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X