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Home ยป Blog ยป Simple Organization-Systems

Simple Organization-Systems

by Sarah Turner Clover Lane

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 Last week I wrote about the basic questions that need to be answered if we need and want to make changes and head in the right direction.  

These were the simple questions I asked myself the last month.

Have you ever made a list of things that bring you joy?  Things that you enjoy doing?  Things that you hate doing?  What you want your day to look like?  A week?  A year?  Your life?  What is one or two feelings you want to have and others that you want to avoid?  What are your priorities?  What do you want to accomplish this year?  How do you want to feel?  How do you want to show up for others?  What do you worry about the most?  Who do you want to be? 

The next step after answering these questions is to figure out solutions or action steps that can apply to “real life”.  Practical, calm, slow and steady steps forward.  Not freak out, I’ll never be able to do this, this can never happen, one million excuses answers but tons of grace, and experimentation and willingness to find a way.

It’s really simple problem solving and all about developing simple systems for goals.

When I adopt a “system” whether it’s for meal planning, laundry, self-care, cultivating more joy, it seems like these things actually happen and then soon become habits and then create order and peace.

One easy example:

I want to buy take out less and have easy simple meals every night.  

That means I need meal plans, and enough food for those times I can’t or don’t want to cook.  Which also means I need to get ORGANIZED and create a system to streamline it from start to finish.  

The thing I hate most about meal planning is thinking of the meals.  I can fill out my weekly menu plan so much faster if I have ideas and suggestions.  Better yet, if there are themes assigned to each day, a weekly grocery shop time planned, along with an ongoing list it makes this whole process so much easier.

I also don’t like wasting time and money on meals kids won’t eat.  

Here is what I did:

1. I bought a magnetic menu padwith a grocery list on the side and hung it on the fridge.  I designated a day (right before I go grocery shopping) for menu planning.

2. I wrote down all my go-to meals, consulting kids on what their favorites are.  I asked them what some of their favorite fix-it-themselves meals are.  I made a big long list so that I can easily fill out my menu for the week without having meal-brain-freeze.  I also decided I wanted to add new meals into our meal cycle, so I started a board on Pinterest called Meals I Want To Try.  When I am browsing and come across one I ‘Pin It’ and now I can easily (without getting lost in the bottomless wonderful pit of Pinterest) print off a copy and stick it in my Menu folder…which holds my list of ideas and past recipes that I love.  (Years ago I made my own cookbook.  This is a time-consuming projects but one that turned out so awesome.  I use that cookbook often, but a binder of favorite recipes or recipe card box is enough.)

3. I make sure to check out the cabinet and freezer to make sure we are stocked up on fix-it-yourself meals for the kids while I’m making the grocery list.

I have found it also helps me to set a challenge-like a month with no take out.  It motivates me to stay on track.

Now I have a system in place, a SIMPLE system, with the tools I need to make it is day-to-day easy.  It actually helps me enjoy something I was dreading also, and saves me money and time.

And remember this is a simple process for ANY part of life.  Whether it’s self-care, making time for things that bring us joy, a cleaner house, better nutrition for the family, spending more one-on-one time with children, streamlining things we don’t like to do, ANYTHING – developing a simple system works!

It soon becomes a habit and either maximizes or minimizes (depending on what it is) a part of life that helps me shape my days, weeks and years according to what I want the bigger picture to look like.

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January 13, 2021 ยท 4 Comments

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  1. S says

    January 15, 2021 at 11:19 am

    Love this! I do my meal planning very similarly but I am definitely going to make a list of faves to make it easier to plug them in. I have binders of tried and true recipes. I remove ones that I don't use so these are all go to's. Then I print recipes to try or bookmark them in instagram/FB but if I really plan to make it, I print it out. After I make it, if it was a hit it goes in a binder, if it's a flop the print goes in the recycle bin and I remove any bookmarks. The biggest thing that helped me years ago is to remember every meal doesn't have to be complex. Tacos, meatball grinders using frozen meatballs, Philly cheesesteaks using shaved steak all are meals! If I rotate those into more time consuming meals like chicken pot pie, enchilada bakes, etc, it makes feeding my family much more doable. Looking at the schedule and planning ahead means I can still feed everyone even if I am working all day and have an evening commitment because I will either assemble something the night before or plan a slow cooker meal so its hands free that evening.

    Reply
    • Sarah says

      January 15, 2021 at 6:24 pm

      So true! Feeding our families is a huge part of our lives and can be so time consuming-the secret is just what you said-planning ahead! Thank you!

      Reply
  2. Natalie says

    January 16, 2021 at 12:09 am

    Hi Sarah, Thank you for taking the time to come up with these questions and share them with all of us. For anyone reading the comments, I highly encourage each of you to set aside some time alone to answer these for yourself. It was such an eye-opening and helpful exercise for me. I have felt utterly depleted and overwhelmed, so with the new year upon us, I decided to take some time to evaluate where I've been and where I want to be in the future. I often turn to your blog Sarah for encouragement, a reality check and a reminder of just how valuable home, children and simplicity is. I was so happy to see this post and the questions you came up with–it was just what I needed. Your work on this blog is so meaningful to me. Thank you and I hope 2021 is filled with every good thing your heart desires:).

    Reply
  3. Loretta says

    January 16, 2021 at 10:35 pm

    Thank you for writing this. It is very helpful! Many blessings this year for you & your loved ones.

    Reply

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Welcome!

Sarah Turner

When our first baby was placed in my arms I knew there was no place I wanted to be other than home with him every day. Twenty five years, and five more babies later, (six children, now ages 26-8), I still feel the same. I blog here about motherhood, how to make a house a home, easy recipes, and simple living. You can read more about me here.

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Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular. Just an o Nothing pretty, flashy, or spectacular.  Just an ordinary Monday morning breakfast counter after the kids leave for school.  Because ordinary gets the short hand in our culture but really it's extra special. 
It's a symbol of unselfishness, contentment, prudence and gratitude.  There is a certain peace about the ordinary.  It's the opposite of temporary-it holds the joy of contentment and gratitude and prudence all in one hand.  It's lends itself toward peace, and a settling in, not a constant search for more or less or anything.  Ordinary is authentic and good enough- in short it's a gem in disguise. ๐Ÿƒ
I love my home and I hope you do also. With all t I love my home and I hope you do also.  With all the imperfections and maintenance it requires, when I pull up and walk in I want to stay, to relax, to feel safe, for daily life to be easy, and to care for "home". I want simplicity, ease, convenience.  To me when my home is simple, without being filled to the brim of things that just take up space I love it best.  I hope if you've participated fully or even partially as time allowed in 40 Bags in 40 Days you've found that joy and pride in your home.  I plan to share more little challenges and tips as the year proceeds to trouble shoot areas and keep maintenance effortless and the house love flowing.  Daily life in our homes should bring us joy and ease while we care for our families, we should be thoughtful stewards of our money and of our time and simple living is the answer to that. 
Thank you for participating! ๐Ÿก
I think this is one of the best things about the 4 I think this is one of the best things about the 40 Bag decluttering process.  When I know what I have and have removed all that I don't, it cultivates more discretion and caution about what I bring back in.  I think there is also some realization of how much money is wasted on fads, or thoughtless purchases.  It's quite eye-opening.  I've become so much more careful, and find we all take better care of things, as do my children.
The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days! I've tackle The final week of 40 Bags in 40 Days!  I've tackled all the areas of my home with exception of my oldest daughter's room (not the photo)- which she is excited to work on this week.
The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean an The simpler the room, the easier it is to clean and straighten up.  And then the more enjoyable it is to actually sit in that room.  It's not a hard equation, all it takes is ruthless purging-and not just little things but larger items also.  Functional furniture is the key and very few decorative pieces especially when children are in the home, makes life so much easier. 
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As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 As we head into the last week of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge I'm hearing from so many of you what a difference it has made in your appreciation of your homes, a certain contentment, and at the same time a thrill of looking in on the organized kitchen, closet and living space.  I agree!  I love purging, cleaning and organizing a space and then going back later that day just to get that wonderful sense of accomplishment.  It makes such a difference! 
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A lighter, fresher, calmer home is the result of de-cluttering.  I even had a participant who had been planning on listing her home, start 40 Days just to get her house ready to sell, and then was so ruthless in the process and also thrilled by the results that they decided to stay put in what seemed like a new home to them.  What a savings of time, money and energy. 
๐Ÿƒ
Next week I will be talking maintenance and answer all questions! โ˜€๏ธ
Tips For Shared Kids Rooms- This bedroom has seen Tips For Shared Kids Rooms-
This bedroom has seen every configuration possible.  With kids spread out 18 years apart, I've had to be creative over the years-which I think is the key to sharing rooms.  It is all possible-I consider it a rare luxury and privilege to not have to share a room although I know that is not the norm today. 
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I like to create a simple look with white furniture (this ends up making room transitions easier also when moving someone out and someone else in.) I also like to match bedspreads for a cohesive look. 
๐Ÿƒ
Clip on bed lights save space. 
๐Ÿƒ
A simple shared book shelf can hold a child's special books and knick knacks and if necessary can be assigned per shelf.
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When my kids were younger I had my dad build me a large wooden roll out box for under each bed.  This held each child's toys. 
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All clothes are kept in a closet instead of dressers to save space.
I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags I feel like I bailed on everyone following 40 Bags progress and tips.  My excuse is the stomach flu ravaging us all here in the last week with me being the last to fall and the slowest to recover.  On top of that the weekend before I tried to roller blade (don't even ask how many steps I made it) and majorly bit it.  Thankfully I think I just sprained my arm. So I've been using one arm for nursing sick children back to health, and doing whatever cleaning and cooking and straightening I can do.  Alas, last week was a wash.  We have two weeks to go.  I'd like to continue and end on a high note.  How about you?  Even a little de-cluttering counts! Spring is in the air and I can't wait to throw open my windows and let fresh clean air circulate through my fresh clean orderly home. โ˜€๏ธ๐ŸŒท๐ŸŒฑ
Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to th Especially where kids are concerned- we tend to think that the more things they have the happier and more occupied and loved they will feel.  Nothing can replace human interaction and I've found that too many toys has the reverse affect.  They cause overwhelm-just like us - we'd rather sit in an orderly space than one filled with too many things to do and too much stuff.
โ˜€๏ธ
When it comes to kids closets here are some tips-
1. Hand me downs don't all have to be received.  Or received at all.  Be choosy and keep just what they will use and need.
2. When children are presented with too many choices, tension and acrimony can exist.  Being able to open a closet with a reasonable amount of outfits can create more peace.
3. Cultivating independence in care of clothes is easier when there is less and the space is simplified and organized. 
โ˜€๏ธ
More tips coming on the blog this week.  I am moving my blog platform so I can't make any promises - it's under construction and that's exciting!
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