Summer Reads to Fit Your Schedule

Pick an #organizing book that fits into your schedule to avoid getting overwhelmed with the task, says VeryWell Mind. Pick a short book with small projects if you’re time-constrained, or something more detailed from a #decluttering or home guru such as Marie Kondo or Martha Stewart. If you can count on your family to join you in the struggle to #declutter and #organize, try The Real Simple Method to Organizing Every Room: And How to Keep It That Way, which offers checklists and step-by-step instructions for a variety of household organizing projects that can build a new routine and encourage long-term tidiness. #SummerReading

Start a 12-Month Organizing Schedule

As you enjoy #summer #vacation, make a plan to #organize your home once and for all: Grab a copy of Organize Your Home In A Year Or Less! by Kai M. Jordan as your beach read. The book discusses mistakes when attempting to #orgnanize their homes and three techniques you can use to sort out your life. The calendar-based approach offers 12 exercises to follow in organizing your kitchen, living room, bathroom, garage, attic, bedrooms, closets and more, and discusses the differences to know between #decluttering (a project) and #organizing (a system). Get with the program to clear up the persistent messes and #clutter that add to stress. #SummerReading

Summer Reading for the Aspiring Declutterer

Summer is in full swing, and you’re chilling at the beach. But even as you relax, you can’t help but you left something undone — all of those home #decluttering and #organization tasks you’ve been meaning to do for months. Guiltlessly prepare for your return by reading up on the topic to get some tips you can use on a rainy day. Want to start small? Check out Start With Your Sock Drawer: The Simple Guide to Living a Less Cluttered Life by Vicky Silverthorn. The longtime professional organizer details bite-sized, actionable steps that can add up to a significant impact on your home’s organization and efficiency. #SummerReading

Help Mom Get Organized for Mother’s Day

Sometimes the ultimate #clutter-free Mother’s Day gift is something that helps wrangle and #organize her #stuff, says Sensational Organizing. Gifts that add to #organization include a set of packing cubes to keep clothing grouped during travel, sets of matching and labeled kitchen containers, purse organizers and laundry carts. Or consider helping digitize family photos and videos that still exist in old media and get rid of the physical copies. Or you could spend the day actively helping Mom #declutter, and #donate any extra # clothing and household goods to ClothingDonations.org. #MothersDay

Start the School Year Clutter-Free

It’s back-to-school time, and if you are a parent of a student or a student yourself, you know that the sudden influx of homework, books and other supplies makes it a challenge to stay #organized and on top of tasks. But several strategies can help manage all that #stuff better while keeping track of assignments, due dates and extracurricular activities.

Parents can help young students stay #organized by streamlining the household environment. Invest in a chore chart, white board and academic planner, Good Housekeeping suggests. And to keep clothing, books, shoes and other items from getting #disorganized, get as many shelves, bins and cubbies as you need and label them.

A homework station is a good idea for students of all ages — and WFH parents, too. You’ll need a rolling cart, plastic storage baskets, a dry-erase calendar and a desk, Woman’s Day says. Post a calendar, a daily schedule and a pegboard organizer or bulletin board nearby, and it will be easier to keep track of tasks and needed supplies.

Teens who build good habits in school will keep them their whole lives. Student empowerment specialist Daniel Wong offers 30 tips on using routines to stay focused, get homework done on time and still have time to relax with family and friends.

One is to #declutter one’s #workspace on a weekly basis. “Look through all the papers, notes, brochures, and other things you’ve accumulated,” Wong says. “Recycle or throw away all the things you don’t need. Clutter attracts clutter, so if you declutter once a week, you’ll be more likely to stay organized in general.”

#Thrift stores supplied by #donations of clothing and goods to ClothingDonations.org are a great place to look for lightly used organizers, baskets and bins. You might even find a good selection of stylish #clothing that growing students can wear to #school at prices that won’t break the bank.

And if you find anything your students won’t be needing in the as they move ahead in school — disused sporting goods, books, outgrown clothing, etc. — contact ClothingDonations.org to schedule a free, contactless #donation #pickup. Here’s to a happy, healthy school year!