Reset Your Home For Summer Checklist
It’s officially Summer according to the calendar (even though it’s been hot here in North Texas for a while now). The focus has shifted to popsicles and hydration now more than ever! With the arrival of Summer comes necessary shifts in our life and home so we can cruise into this next season enjoying what it has to offer. Seasonal transitions are an inherently great time to slow down, reset your home, part ways with anything you don’t want to move forward with in your spaces, and gain clarity on what you’d like in greater focus moving forward.
Do a clothing check in.
1. Take a quick look in your drawers and clothing and remove anything that you KNOW you don’t plan to wear during this warm season. This would include things you avoided last Summer season, items that don’t fit, are uncomfortable, or items you no longer enjoy wearing. If you find anything that you still enjoy wearing that needs to be repaired or altered, put those items aside to repair on your own or take to a local tailor. Here’s our list of donation resources for clothing throughout the US and are often local to your area.
2. Move things around so it’s easier to get dressed during this warmer season. I’m a notorious’ organizing by color only person’ in my closet, but this season I was noticing that I was struggling to dressed easily once the heat started to crank outside, so I decided to move everything around. I grouped all my short sleeves, shorts, skirts, etc. together, organized them by color, then moved these ‘warm weather staples’ so they are the easiest to see in my closet. You can do something similar in your drawers with your warmer weather items. These visual cues focused on the current season for your clothing will help you get dressed with great easier.
3. Pay attention this seasons to items you’re avoiding OR wanting to wear more of. If you notice you’re avoid a particular pair of shorts, start asking questions. Are they uncomfortable? Do they need to be altered? Do they fit right? Are you not sure what to wear them with? Do you need to try them out with other tops or accessories to have more fun with it? Move things you want to wear in a spot that is easy to see. If you have a dress that you’re unsure you want to keep, wear it around the house for the day or on a day you’re running car errands (or quick errand into a store). See how you feel while you take it for a quick “test drive”. Try to mix things up and try out garments you’re not sure about with other things you’ve haven’t worn them. Intentionally shaking things up a bit will likely breathe new life into these pieces you’re unsure about. And if it’s not a match, you can be confident parting ways with these garments after you’d tested them out this season.
Do a food check in.
1. First take a breeze through your fridge and freezer. Look for anything you’re not going to eat, is expired or you simply don’t want anymore. Clean out and recycle and much as possible (please check locally for plastics they accept).
2. Next assess your pantry area. Whether you have an official pantry space or you like to store your room temperature snacks/dry goods/spices/baking ingredients in cabinets, out on a shelf or on top of the fridge, focus on removing anything that is expired, no one is eating or you no longer want to eat. If anything is unopened and not expired, check to see if your local food bank will accept it.
3. Organize and plan for the season. In any area holding food (fridge, freezer, pantry, cabinets, etc.) spend a few minutes group liking items so you’re not digging around all over for the same things. In any kitchen zones that you’re struggling to keep in order, give them a boundary (clear container, basket, tape line on the shelf) to give them a clear home. Label any area necessary so finding things and putting things is easy and intuitive for anyone in the home. Take note of anything you need to restock from your food decluttering session you just completed. Make your life easier with meal planning by creating a list of go-to Summer meals you can put on autopilot for the season. Try our weekly dinner planner notepad here or our Meal Planning Printable Bundle here that will help you plan out your meals with ease for months at a time!
Do a general home check in.
1. Walk the main areas of your home to look for anything out of season, and items that need to be removed or relocated. For example, the winter coats still on the hook in the entryway can be put away for the season. If you’d like to lighten the look in your living a bit, swap out blankets from other rooms to lighter ones during the Summer months. Swap out your kids artwork in frames to ones that feels lighter and brighter. Remove any unnecessary decor, pillows, nick nacks, etc. that make your space feel crowded and cluttered for donations. Recycle old magazines from past seasons. Recycle, file, shred, toss old mail/paper pile that’s been staring at you.
2. Look through your medicine cabinets and toiletries for expired products and items you need to restock. Come Summer, I always get caught off guard with all the products that are essential for our Summer, from bug sprays, aloe, skin care, sunscreens, lotions, etc. Check for expiration dates on all items each year. It’s also important to check in on your first aid kit status and restock on any essentials, including medicines. Check out our TOSS section for proper disposal of products, medicines and common expiration dates for many household items here.
3. Create spaces that encourage you to enjoy your Summer season and support any goals you have. How do we do this? Here’s a few ideas. If you want to read more this Summer, create a reading spot with your favorite books, great reading light, cozy blankets and a spot to put your feet up (you can do the same thing for your kids). If you want to focus on less screen time and more activities in the home, create a puzzle table or game area with card decks/board games so things highly visible and not tucked away. If you’d like to cook more with seasonal ingredients while they’re the freshest, display fresh products in a beautiful way in your kitchen and plan out some meals that highlight your seasonal food favorites (see our everyday meals planner and our meal ideas list maker here).
I hope these tips will help you take a quick look at your home with fresh eyes, lighten your load in your home, and help you focus on more of the things that you enjoy about this Summer season.
If you’d like MORE HELP decluttering, organizing and resetting your home this Summer, here’s a few great places to start.
Free Declutter Guide, Learn the basics of Decluttering, Schedule Decluttering Support, Donate Your Decluttered Items For Good Links SHOP all Declutter + Organize Guides/Courses
5 Ways To Lighten Your Holiday Load
The holidays often come with unwanted pressure, stress, obligations eating up your time and that awful busy feeling we all hate. In an effort to go against the grain (as we like to do here), I’ve come up with some tried and true ways that will help lighten your load this holiday season, fill up your bucket and help you focus on what’s most important to you (minus the overwhelm and stress).
1. Unsubscribe From Unwanted Emails
Not where you thought I was going to start, am I right?!
Your inbox is about to be inundated with marketing emails and this is the perfect time to reduce what’s landing in your inbox. Within a few days and into the first week you’ll start noticing far less emails in your inbox to review, and less emails taking up your time.
WHAT TO DO:
put the timer on for 10 minutes
start unsubscribing from emails you no longer want to receive
delete emails you’ve already read + gathered what you needed from it
unsubscribe from stores/blogs/websites you never engaged with this year
2. Do A Quick Seasonal Declutter
I’m not talking about a huge entire home purge here, but editing things in a few key areas will feel like a full home declutter.
This is a great time to assess items that weren’t used, worn, not longer your taste or have expired. The change of seasons almost beckons for this, so let’s lean in! These three categories alone will have a far reaching effect on your day to day routines and how much you’re having to store/manage seasonally.
WHAT TO DO:
declutter seasonal decor as you pull it out to decorate your home (remove anything broken, you’ve fallen out of love it, have recently replaced, etc.).
declutter your cooler weather clothing/outerwear/accessories (if you never wear it, it doesn’t fit or beyond repair, send it on to donate or textile recycling)
declutter your fridge, freezer, pantry + spices (look for items you’re not eating or have expired) - donate anything unopened/not expired to your local food bank - have a list handy for writing down any items that need to be restocked
3. Look For Timer Savers
Many of you expressed to me that part of your biggest frustrations with the holiday season is feeling like you don’t have enough time for everything, therefore looking for ways to streamline your have-to tasks is a must.
Doing a quick time audit (where’s your time going each day) plus looking for ways to save time will help you get back in control of your days so you can enjoy what’s most important to you. Below are just a few examples that can be applied in many different ways.
WHAT TO DO:
write down things that are upcoming that are important to you that you want to make time this for this holiday season to put those into focus
identify things that can be done in advance or in bundled bursts to create more time for those important holiday activities/gatherings - this could be bundling cleaning or laundry tasks, scheduling a grocery order to save time or recruiting others to help with any of these basic but essential tasks
take care of shopping/errands during a low-traffic times on a weekday if you can, handle it all online or place an order for pick up for a convenient time
time saving example: I stock up on a few of my favorite appetizers that I can find in the frozen section for a few holiday occasions that save me lots of time (+ I like to pair with fresh fruits + veggies = is easy + fast)
time saving example: I love making fresh pie crusts but I often don’t have the steam for it so I spent time finding my favorite pre-made frozen brand as a back up that is delicious + preserves my energy for other things - I’ll stock up on several for pies, quiches + more!
4. Look For Things You Can Eliminate
Instead of saying yes to all the things, which we often feel compelled to do, try to looking for things that aren’t “have-tos” to let go of this season.
Saying no to things can be just as or more powerful than saying yes. And ironically, saying no to more things allows you to say yes to things that actually matter. Here’s a few ideas to help you recapture more time, energy + peace this holiday season.
WHAT TO DO:
eliminate any social gatherings that you don’t want to be a part of - no reasons are needed, promise!
eliminate the need to make all the food for an event - ask others to bring things, order food in advance or try a combo of making some + buying some already made to lighten your load
eliminate the pressure to buy new decor, a new outfit, or big gifts - repurpose what you have + gift with heart/intention - the size + cost doesn’t matter
eliminate the need/pressure to buy “things” to give to others - offer up your time, cook a meal, gift an experience, offer to fix something or do housework for someone or make something with your own two hands
eliminate the pressure for family photos, holiday cards, etc. if you’re heart is not in it this year, don’t do it - save your money + energy - take intentional time to connect with those you care about most when you can + call it a day (or year!)
5. Fill Up Your Bucket + Others
Lightening your load is very much intertwined with how you care for yourself + others.
In a season where the feeling of “busy” seems inevitable, let’s slow down + look for ways to do just the opposite. Here’s a few ideas to get you going.
WHAT TO DO:
donate to a favorite charity or new one in your area for a cause you’re wanting to support/impact this season
take some quiet walks to move your body, get some fresh air + clear your mind - or meet up with a friend to walk together
surprise a neighbor with a meal or homemade treats they might not be able to make for themselves
schedule in downtime and quiet alone time to rest your body + mind
take some leisurely power naps + read more
focus on local shops and small businesses for gifting and home good needs
incorporate a free family activity or fun with friends like driving around to see Christmas + holiday lights in your area on Friday nights until New Years
schedule a low key game night with family or friends + maybe throw in some hot chocolate, popcorn or store bought treat/keep it easy!
call, text or write a quick note of encouragement to friend/family member
purchase high priority items from an Amazon wish list for a local non-profit or charity - check their website or send them an email to inquire more
Get creative, start looking more intentionally and I promise you’ll find lots of ways to take your time + energy back while doing some good for yourself + others.
Wishing you all the happiest + healthiest of Holidays!
Thanks for being here + I’ll see you in the next post.
3 Things To Simplify Your Morning Routine For Less Stress: Back To School Edition
Well friends, it is August and back to school plus the general shift out of summer mode is upon us, and with that comes the resurgence of morning chaos (if we let it)!
The phenomenon of morning chaos comes from two things. One, things taking too many steps to complete. And two, things being done that don’t actually need to be done at that time. But I have GREAT news! We have control over both of these things, and when we streamline our morning, it also allows for more flexibility to handle those unpredictable moments that tend to pop up conveniently at this time (like spills, a forgotten scrunchie, or a missing favorite shoe).
Well friends, it is August and back to school plus the general shift out of summer mode is upon us, and with that comes the resurgence of morning chaos (if we let it)!
The phenomenon of morning chaos comes from two things. One, things taking too many steps to complete. And two, things being done that don’t actually need to be done at that time. But I have GREAT news! We have control over both of these things, and when we streamline our morning, it also allows for more flexibility to handle those unpredictable moments that tend to pop up conveniently at this time (like spills, a forgotten scrunchie, or a missing favorite shoe).
Whether your kids are headed back to school, you homeschool, you’re starting a new job or just wanting to tame your regular morning chaos during the week before you start your day, I’m here to help. Let’s not waste another second!
1. Clarify what’s essential for your morning.
You’re no longer going to walk blindly into your mornings or let them just happen to you, deal? You’re also not going to shove a bunch of stuff into your morning that won’t add value to you, your family or your day. When I say clarify, that’s exactly what I mean. I want you to go through this list below and ask yourself (honestly) what needs to be part of your morning (and for everyone involved) to make it great (and of course less chaotic). We’re going to do a morning time/activity audit if you will!
Before you add or allow something into your morning routine, first ask yourself:
Will this add fuel to my tank (or to others) to start the day?
Does it absolutely have to be done in the morning before work/school/etc?
Could it be done at another time and still be helpful/effective?
Do I even need to do it at all? (domestic chores, can lunch packing happen at night or the process be simplified or delegated)
Make sure whatever you have loaded up into your morning routine during the week are things that HAVE to happen in the morning to get your day started off on the right foot. Edit out everything else from your morning that doesn’t need to happen then and watch the chaos melt away!
2. Edit your “exit” zone.
You can also consider this your landing area for bags/daily essentials OR the place you grab all the things you need before you head off to school, work, etc. If you’re schooling from home, take some time to edit your learning hub/learning command center so your transition into your learning time is smoother and easier. Our exit zone in our laundry niche, which also happens to be the pass thru between our kitchen, pantry and garage. There is a lot of activity happen in one small area so it must be a well-oiled machine or it quickly turns into the hot mess express.
Here’s a few things to consider while you edit your space:
Does each item in this space support what needs to happen here?
What can I remove from this space to make grabbing our essentials for the day easier/quicker?
It is clear what each person should do here, is clearly marked, or highly intuitive so it is easy to do?
Do I have everything I need here or do I need to add anything to streamline how this space works? (more hooks, labels, rearrange a few items)
Have I given this space some breathing room (some white space) so it’s not chocked full of stuff and more flexible for us to move in and out of?
Does everyone in the home understand where everything is, what to do in here and what the realistic expectations are?
After you edit your space, give it a test run to make sure you’ve covered all the details. Walk everyone through how to use the space and let them ask questions and share feedback/share their insight to make improvements. Make tweaks as needed once you start getting in you groove during a normal week day. We learn and improve things only by living with it and by reflecting on how well it is working.
3. Carve out time to fuel + care for yourself.
Remember to do this what actually help you save time and energy over the course of your whole day, boost your mood and increase your patience/flexibility to handle whatever the day might through at you. This looks different for each person, but as the adult in the home, you need to invest time each day in yourself to care for your well-being, even in small ways right out of the gate as you start your day.
Here’s a few ideas to get your going:
Having a quality but simple/quick breakfast.
Filling your favorite water bottle up the night before to save time in the morning.
Quiet time to stretch before you join your family to start the day.
Packing a protein snack for later in the day.
Having fresh flowers out on the counter you see the most during your morning routine.
Reading a few pages in your book instead of screen scrolling.
Avoiding checking emails first thing in the morning.
Sipping your favorite coffee or tea while you get breakfast ready.
Delegating some tasks to free up a few extra minutes so you can spend more time caring for yourself.
Getting up a few minutes earlier so you can move slower while getting dressed for the day.
Listen to your favorite music or an inspiring podcast while you get ready.
Going to bed 20 minutes (or more) so you can feel more refreshed when you wake up in the morning.
Tidy up the kitchen, your bedroom or your exit zone the night before so the first thing you see in the morning is order and peace.
Test these 3 simplifying strategies in your home now to reduce the stress and chaos you feel in your morning. And remember to check back in with these whenever you feel the chaos on creeping up again…you just might need to implement a few simple tweaks to get your routine back on track!
See you in the next post!
BIG HUGS,
Kristin
More Support for Your Home + Life:
✔ Lots more decluttering + organizing support here to lighten the load in your home!
✔ Ready to take action in your home? START HERE with with FREE Home Simplifying Quick Guide!
✔ Not sure where to being + need help getting started? Check out the tools I’ve created for you HERE.
5 Things I'm Intentionally Taking Slow Right Now
Summer seems to slow us down from the heat and a shift in routines for most of us. I can’t say I needed the heat to crank up like it has recently here in NTX but the shift in routine has proven to be critical to my body, my mind and my soul as I’ve moved through the first few weeks of it.
Summer seems to slow us down from the heat and a shift in routines for most of us. I can’t say I needed the heat to crank up like it has recently here in NTX but the shift in routine has proven to be critical to my body, my mind and my soul as I’ve moved through the first few weeks of it.
During this shift, here’s 5 things I’ve decided to take intentionally slow right now, and invite you to come up with your own list as well.
#1. The pace of my business
Ya’ll, this last spring was fast and furious. It seemed to wildly fly by. I was wrapping up the creation of my new Organized Home Masterclass that rolled out literally the day my oldest daughter finished school. I couldn’t believe I had made it to the finish line. But all along last spring, my intention was to roll out that program in order to down shift for the summer with my girls. And somehow I did it!
Last summer was quite different, as I rolled out my Ultimate Kitchen + Pantry Guide smack in the middle of the summer to celebrate my 10th year in business as Fuzzy Hippo Shop in July of 2021. For me celebrating this milestone meant I wanted to create something new for you, and that’s exactly what I did! I knew, however, this summer needed to be different, as I didn’t have the mental or physical energy to repeat this. It was critical I shifted my timeline to make space for a slower paced summer.
This summer, while I am still very much running my business on reduced and adjusted hours around being with my kids, the focus is a lot more about letting my mind wander and hold space for new ideas to develop, while my business mind is allowed to be less busy and more quiet. I can’t wait to share with you more about the new shifts in my business that will happen in the future! So excited!
#2. The speed in which I do things all day
Up until summer, I found myself rushing through almost everything I was doing all day, even when there was no reason to do so. Rush to wash my face and put on make up, rush getting dressed, rush making the bed, rush making breakfast, etc. You see where I am going. This had all been conditioned to get my babies to their school on time, which is all fine and well, but I was struggling to control when to go fast and when to go slow. It’s like I always tell my kids, there are times to move quickly (like move across the road quickly because a car is coming) or slow, when chopping veggies for dinner so we don’t get hurt.
Those are two basic examples, and I’m finding we need both rhythms everyday in some capacity. Some days need to be intentionally slow to rest and refill out bucket. Some parts of our day might be more action packed, but then maybe we downshift later on to reduce that feeling of rush that we all dislike so much. Either way, we can control these rhythms and we can decide when they happen or need to shift. And this lady is currently in slow down mode.
#3. How I exist with my children
Kids move fast, run fast, play fast. I’m intentionally trying to join in with them during the day when I can in slow ways. Reading or snuggling together on the couch. Sitting on the floor with them to have a tea party or play a game. Sit on the floor and watch them build something while I stretch after we walk the dog. Often I find the change in position/change in the level I am on helps a lot. Getting" out of the “standing over and observing mode” and sit down on the floor, lay down or pull up a stool to engage always helps things slow down. And my kids love when I am on their level by the way. We all win!
Also worth noting, anytime outside with my kids (or even if I am alone) feels slower, whether it is picking tomatoes in the garden, listening to the birds, watering, looking at butterflies bouncing around on the zinnias, or looking underneath the big vining leaves for cucumbers. Being outside seems to freeze time, especially if you have an ice pop or popcicle in hand!
#4. Taking slow walks with my dog
I am walking in the neighborhood with my girls most mornings now that we are all home and at first I was feeling a little annoyed that my morning walks were no longer a fast-paced exercise for me to get my rear moving. Now we’re walking at a much slower pace with little legs. Once I got out of my head about this I was just simply grateful to be with my kids outside during the coolest part of the day, getting fresh air, listening to the birds, practicing our car/street crossing safety, looking for cool leaves, rocks and feathers to bring home, etc.
My walks during the summer have a different purpose and I have learned to be ok with this. It’s also given us a chance to connect more with some of our elderly neighbors we don’t get to see as much during the rest of the year, bring them tomatoes from our garden or flowers, and just so many other things that in the rush of the pace before would not have happened before.
#5. My meal planning structure
You know I’m an avid meal planner during most of the year because it saves me so much brain power, time and money. But during the summer I ease up a bit on the planning and loosen the reigns with how I meal plan. If I feel like doing it one week, I do it. If I decide that we’re going to eat meals to “clear out the fridge this week” then so be it, and I write nothing down. A lot of our meals right now are swirling around how I am going to use all these beautiful garden tomatoes, and what a wonderful problem to have! I don’t know about you but my appetite shifts a lot during the summer as well, in that a lot of foods don’t sound as good because of the heat. So often what I will do is jot down a few dinners that do sound good and just put those bad boys on repeat and not look back. I highly recommend it!
And when you’re ready to dive back into meal planning or want to test it it out to see just how much mental bandwidth it saves you, check out all the notepad/list helpers I have in the paper shop to make all of this so much easier to do! Your brain space and energy during those more chaos filled days will thank you!
Now I’d love to hear from you in the comments.
What’s something your doing this summer to intentionally slow down? I can’t wait to hear what great ideas you have to share with us!
Thanks for being here.
Seasonal Shifts | How To Declutter + Design Your Way Through It
It’s an interesting time right now for most, where cooler weather (unless you’re in Miami per se) has you bustling around with a renewed sense of energy that was previously absent in those high heat months. While it is a time of year that for most of us feels like things are RAMPING UP, I’d encourage you to SLOW DOWN during this “Seasonal Shift” into Fall/Winter, as we dive into December. Look at it as a time to review a few odds + ends around your home to lighten your load as the new year approaches. The new year will thank you!
It’s an interesting time right now for most, where cooler weather (unless you’re in Miami per se) has you bustling around with a renewed sense of energy that was previously absent in those high heat months. While it is a time of year that for most of us feels like things are RAMPING UP, I’d encourage you to SLOW DOWN during this “Seasonal Shift” into Fall/Winter, as we dive into December. Look at it as a time to review a few odds + ends around your home to lighten your load as the new year approaches. The new year will thank you!
