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 

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 

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

                                                                                                                         

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 2025

I like to cover this because my Organisation habit have changed, as I see bags that I need to clear out and store them somewhere. I have been making plans. I have kept some of my sons work at school that he has been bringing home and not sure what to do with them. I feel sad throwing them away. Getting organised is something I have always battled with because of keeping things. 

At the moment I am sorting out my room in Epsom. I have used under bed storage and it sorted out a place for my PJS and some clothes. My husband ordered me some hangers to hang more clothes up and then it is stripping my bed and I have got a second hand cabinet from my mum and step dad and will have a bedside table again which I have missed. This has place to store bits and a draw too.

I have file boxes which is good for storing papers and ordered ring binders as  I used one to store letters and school reports and so going to use these new folders to make him a new one and go through his older folder. 

When it comes to getting organised I like to check out Pinterest for organisation ideas and the room I have is small, so can't store too much. 

I have suitcases that have bits in and once I have cleared the storage in the closet then these will be going in the shed, this will make more space. The one question I ask myself is "When is a good time to get it done?" #I will answer do it now and I have got to sort the top of my closet.

Many would probably say "Do it in one go". For me, this makes me dread it. This is why I do it one bit at a time and small changes is helping me make sure it is done for bigger changes, such as a room is my own little nest and will make me love it more.

It  is good to have a room where it is functional and hung up more clothes yesterday. I have easy access to them, my underwear and socks with bras and leggins. I am trying to get out of wearing leggins all the time, so will be wearing more trousers and dresses. Yet practical. I play many sports with my son and I do Parkrun and see my son play rugby on Sundays.

I have a ruck sack which stores all that I need and this comes with me I travel to and from my home in Wimbledon. The black one I have I take when I once a week go to a coffee shop to write and picking up shopping. I would like a better place for them. 

The one thing I have done that has made me be vigilant is go through my finance each week and stuck at it and so careful with my money. Unsubscribing from retailers and other companies I no longer interested in. This includes Youtube and need to go through my photos again. 

I use Notion, Notebook, google calendar and diary. Really helps me stay on track. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X