Non-Negotiables for Summer
I can get overwhelmed pretty easily and the summer months with my kids off from school can feel like too much at times.
In June, I wrote about setting my intentions for a fabulous summer. Two weeks into my kids' summer vacation, I am feeling some old habit energy of overwhelm and stress coming into my days. I don't want that.
I do want my days and my home to be simple, clean and organized. This month, I am sharing my list of non-negotiables to stay organized and grounded during the busy summer months, no matter how crazy my kids get or how many visitors appear at our doorstep.
There are two categories of non-negotiables for my summer: self care and household. I start with self care, because it helps me be more patient, productive and clearer in my thinking.
My self care non-negotiables are basically the same things you need to keep a toddler happy and they work for adults too: enough sleep, quiet time and time outside. I stick to a fairly consistent bedtime, so I can rise early to have daily quiet and nature time. It's nice to have a little time to myself before things become undone.
Then there are the household non-negotiables: a regular cleaning schedule, along with daily tidying and chores. Our homes can be a peaceful sanctuary when they are clean and tidy.
Every day I do one load of laundry, vacuum the high traffic areas (we have a large shedding dog) and tidy up with my family before our bedtime routine. After every meal we take care of all of the dishes and wipe down the flat surfaces. We use our kitchen for a variety of activities throughout the day. For the most part, we do not snack between meals (thanks to healthier eating tips from Angelle Batten!).
These simple daily habits keep things from piling up and becoming overwhelming. As for papers in the home, I go through the mail daily and set aside time at least weekly to process paperwork.
Are you an ambitious mom who feels overwhelmed by all you have to do? Do you want transform your non-negotiables and get organized? I would love to work with you! Just fill out the Productive Environment Scorecard on-line. Carolyn will contact you to schedule your complementary 30 minute Discovery Session via telephone.
