Clutter Busting Coach

…clearing clutter from your mind, body and space

clutter busting

Clutter Busting: Back to School Routines

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We are just a couple weeks into the school year, and if you haven’t done so yet, there is still time to create routines for the school year.

Here are suggestions for creating a routine not only for you but also for your child:

Get prepared the night before.

  • Check the school schedule for the next day with your child to determine what supplies are needed at school, gather and put in one location by the door.
  • Layout uniform or outfit.
  • Pack lunches.
  • Check that all homework is completed.
  • Sign any paperwork.
  • Pack school bag.
  • Pick up the house.

[Read more…] about Clutter Busting: Back to School Routines

Clutter Busting: Organize for Success in College

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Being organized is key to achieving student success in college — so here are a few organization tips to help you get started or for you to help your student be successful.

  • Manage your time. One of the most valuable skills you can develop is time management. Start by setting long-term goals and then break them down into short-term goals. Prioritize the short-term goals into action steps and list them on your calendar to keep yourself on track.
  • Create routines. Schedule yourself to get up and going to bed around the same time each day. Also try to maintain a standard study time every day where you typically find yourself being the most productive. Don’t forget to include pleasurable activities in this schedule such as exercising or time with friends. Once you have figured out the time of day when your mind is sharpest, then make sure to set that time aside for studying and working on projects.
  • Organize your workspace. Make sure your study zone is set up so you can easily find what you need.
  • Maintain a “knowledge vault”. Save your work so you can easily access it from one semester to the next along with important ideas, resources and data
  • Use online tool to keep you organized. There are a variety of online tools that you can access on your computer or any mobile device to help you stay organized and connect with instructors and fellow students any time and from any location. A few useful tools include: Questia, Brainify, inClass, iCyte or Toodledo.

These helpful organization tips should allow you to get a jump start on organization to prevent end-of-semester chaos from getting the better of you.

What tips do you know for staying organized and achieving student success?

 

 

Clutter Busting: Making Healthy School Lunches

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Fueling your child’s body can help them function better in school.

There are several techniques you can use to get organized and provide healthy meals and snacks during the school year. But what about lunches?

A healthy lunchbox is full of:

  • Colorful foods
  • A variety of foods from all groups (proteins, fruits & vegetables, and whole grains)
  • Nutrient-dense
  • Delicious

Here are some ideas to try:

  • whole-grain wraps
  • hard-boiled eggs
  • grape tomatoes
  • trail mix
  • sliced apples with almond butter (as long as there is not a nut restriction)
  • hummus and veggies

Create a healthy lunch plan for the week and have all of those items on hand, this way you avoid the stress of “What am I going to pack today?”

  • Pre-chop fruits and vegetables in the beginning of the week.
  • Place food portions for meals in bags or containers ahead of time: things like crackers, fruits, cheese portions.
  • Use frozen vegetables in a pinch if running low on fresh produce.
  • Use left-overs from the night before.
  • Make lunch while you are making another meal, like breakfast in the morning or dinner the night before.

Other ideas include: [Read more…] about Clutter Busting: Making Healthy School Lunches

Clutter Busting: Use Vertical Space

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One way to control clutter is to utilize vertical space whether in the entry way, mudroom, closet, garage or laundry room.

Here are some ideas to make use of vertical space:

  • Add adjustable shelving. Use wall mounted or post shelving.
  • Mount racks to hold items such as long-handled tools or other items such as brooms and dusters.
  • Hang tubs or baskets from hooks to make frequently used items easy to grab.
  • Hang items from the ceiling such as bikes in the garage.
  • Hang items like the ironing board.
  • Use a towel bar to hang table cloths or other linen on the closet side wall or door.
  • Install hooks for bags or a purse or keys.
  • Add a second shelf in the closet for infrequently used or out of season items.

Utilizing vertical space can help keep the floor clear and can decrease visual clutter as well as maximize storage space. Where can you add vertical storage in your home?