Momivate!
  • Home
  • About Us
  • BLOG
  • DONATE
  • Services
  • S.M.I.L.E. Awards 2023

Getting Organized!

8/13/2022

0 Comments

 
by Esperanza DeLaLuz
PicturePhoto Credit: Daria Shevtsova on Unsplash.com

Organizing is what you do before you do something,
so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.

~~ A. A. Milne
Let’s start with this premise: Organizing things does not make you a better mom. But it does make it easier to find the Band-Aids, and for me, being ADHD, I am able to be a better mom when I have inner peace; and my personal inner peace is disturbed by chaos. But I know lots of wonderful mothers, including my own, who love and care exquisitely well, in a state of frequent disorder.

That said, I am a passionate organizer.  People actually pay me to come organize their kitchen or garage. There are some basic principles to organizing that might be useful to most people to one extent or another, that I thought I might share:

1 Simplify – there are lots of wonderful systems to encourage us to simplify, but most of them boil down to only keeping things that you need, or use, or enjoy. Less stuff means less clutter and less maintenance. But there is also something to be said for having useful backup supplies like food storage, meds, or craft supplies, for preparedness purposes also. But remember, those things are only useful to you if you can find them when a crisis makes them necessary.

2 Contain things – using baskets, boxes, bags, bottles, tubs, cupboards, drawers, etc., This is probably the most important element of organizing. My grandmother used to say “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” My father used to line his top drawer with all kinds of tiny boxes with places for each thing he kept there: watch, coins, keys, etc. So I come by it naturally. But when things are where they belong, my environment is neater, I can find things I need, and I am aware of how much I have and if I have things I can do without. 

It is also helpful to use similar sized and shaped things. For example, having all your dishes or food storage containers the same size makes them stack more neatly. This doesn't have to be expensive -- I actually cut the tops off plastic bleach bottles and used them to stack all my round containers of that size inside them, which kept them from falling over.

3 Put like things together – it continually surprises me when I go to help someone clean or organize, how often I find similar things in several different places. Now, it makes sense to have things in different places when you use them in multiple places. I have scissors in every room, for example, and of course, toothpaste in most every bathroom. But keeping things together that are the same, or that are used together makes sense. And subdividing those grouped things, so that each kind of thing has its own place can be very useful. You will notice if it is missing, for one thing, or if you have more than you need.

4 Label your stuff – I am probably too focused on labels, because I am absent-minded, and my labeler is one of my favorite tools. But labeling things helps us remember where they belong. Labels can help you identify what goes where and if it is missing. Most of the time you can do this subtly; you can have specific colors of towels for each bathroom, for example, or other visual cues that identify where things belong without actual labels. But you can also do them in cute ways, with fancy labels that are part of the décor. 

My sister pointed out that using pretty baskets to organize my craft supplies was more appealing, more “Feng Shui” than using my labeled assortment of plastic boxes. She was right! So, over the years I picked up lots of fancy baskets at second hand stores.  But then I found that they didn’t look good with labels on them. (But it gave me another fun crafting project to make a lot of cute little wooden plaques to attach to the fronts of the baskets.)

When keeping multiples for utility purposes, labeling which set goes where is very useful. For example, I write on those scissors with a permanent marker which room they belong in, so they don’t end up all in one room when I have used them. 

5 Store things where they are used – we keep the dishes in the kitchen naturally, but sometimes don’t apply that same idea to other places in our home. Closets, cupboards or drawers are less likely to become catch-alls, if you limit them to containing only things that are useful in that place. Of course, there are things that get used in multiple places. Some people keep multiples like I do with the scissors, others make a specific cabinet or dresser drawer for all those things. I have a “utility dresser” with drawers for simple household tools, tape, batteries, lightbulbs, and other things that everyone needs to get to often. Some people keep a “junk drawer” for things that have no specific place, but this is a poor idea since it gets crammed full of stuff that does not ever get assigned to its own place.

6 List stuff – Keeping a list, in a notebook, on the back of a cupboard, or on a computer, can be very useful, especially with stored supplies. It also helps keep supplies current. If there is a list on the back of the medicine cabinet mirror of what you plan to keep in that cabinet, you might be more likely to notice you are out of Band-Aids. A list of what goes in each cupboard on the back of the door, or a master list of desired food storage items, or a list of where important documents are stored can be very useful. Just make sure you have a specific place to keep the lists!

7 Put things back! – This is probably the hardest part for most people. We are naturally lazy, and we don’t want to get up and put things away all the time. But a basket on the stairs for things that need to go upstairs, or a defined place in each room to set things that don’t belong in that room, can make it easier to go around and put things back. You can also make a game of it for little children.  Some younger children actually think it is fun to go put Daddy’s tie in the bedroom for a few raisins! But you can also set up a pattern of going around gathering and putting things back once a day, if you cannot make yourself put things back right away.

8 A few clever helps – everyone has stuff in their house that other people left there. Setting up a basket by the door for these things not only contains them, but also makes it easier to remember to give them back or return them. A box by the garage door for things that need to go out of your home on errands makes it easier to get those errands done and get those things out of your house. Having a specific shelf for your purse, or for school books and back packs, makes finding them much easier. 

Drawer dividers, hook racks, extra shelves inside cabinets, and tote bags can be very useful tools. Having a tote specifically to hold smaller things for organizing (tiny boxes, plastic packets, bags, and such) makes it easier to find something to use to contain and organize things. A place to set things when you first come home, such as a table, bench, or shelf keeps things from getting piled up on the floor. 

Setting up a specific rack in which to put outgoing and incoming mail, a key rack, a mirror, the family calendar, and a place to leave notes, all by the front door can be very useful. A hook rack for hat, coats, sunglasses, flashlight, umbrellas, tote bags, sunscreen or other things that are often needed as leaving the house is useful, too, especially if it can be near the door.
​

I hope that these general principles can make your life a little bit easier!

Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing.
~~ Doctrine and Covenants 88:119

0 Comments

Where did all the money go?

7/6/2021

0 Comments

 
One for the Money 
Two for the Show
Three to get Ready
Four to go
Picture

This past week I began listening to Every Day Millionaire by Chris Hogan, a book my daughter recommended from her Finance class. In it, Hogan corrects some myths many believe make a millionaire. Using the old nursery rhyme, here is a little something I have taken from what he said:

One for the Money
Money is a tool, not the means, to becoming financially successful. DISCIPLINE  and CONSISTENCY are the key ingredients.

Two for the Show
The purpose of having money is not showing off what you have. Money is for spending wisely on your needs, not trying to keep up with the neighbors. 

Stay out of debt. Don’t get loans.  

Three to get Ready
Hogan says, “We are only young once, but we are also only old once.” Preparing for the future starts today. You do this by saving wisely and not spending everything you get. 

These are some other things to remember: 
1. Take advantage of any matching funds your employer offers. 
2. Most people don't earn their money by taking high-risk investments; most people lose money by taking risks.
3. Know what your net worth is. Take all your assets and add them up. Being a millionaire does not mean you have millions in the bank. 


Four to Go
Know what you want when you are 50. Do you picture yourself working, or spending time with your family and doing things for others? Make a plan and set some financial goals. Having a plan makes it possible to reach your destination. 

The next book I plan to read is The Cheapskate Next Door by Jeff Yeager. 



0 Comments

Less Screen Time, More Green Time!

6/22/2021

0 Comments

 
By Cindy Thomsen, Momivate's Leader over Schedules & Systems and blogger at ResilientMotherhood.net

Summer break is here and it seems when kids are bored they spend their free time on a screen? There are so many fun electronic resources as well as so many distractions! What do your kids like? Youtube, streaming movies, playing games all day! How do we stop that from happening and help our kids get the most out of their Summer?

I started researching ways to help my kids put down their electronics and find more productive ways to spend their time. There are so many great ideas out there. Here were a few that stood out to me. Hopefully these can help you too to have a fun-filled Summer together with fun activities and a more focused and planned screen time.

... to read the rest of Cindy's post, visit her blog at: resilientmotherhood.net/tips-to-reduce-screen-time-this-summer/


Picture
Photo Credit: Tom Wheatley on Unsplash.com

0 Comments

Wellness!

5/24/2021

0 Comments

 
My twin daughters are in a kickboxing class at the local community college and this video was assigned to them as homework. It struck me as so simple that it is well worth the couple of minutes to review information we likely are already aware of but need continual reminders about. Moms, this is what we do -- we are the reminders, the repeaters, the consistent, kind, and friendly reviewers and encouragers!
​

From the YouTube Description:

Wellness means overall well-being. It includes the emotional, environmental, financial, intellectual, occupational, physical, social, and spiritual aspects of a person’s life. Incorporating aspects of the Eight Dimensions of Wellness, such as choosing healthy foods, forming strong relationships, and exercising often, into everyday habits can help people live longer and improve quality of life. The Eight Dimensions of Wellness may also help people better manage their condition and experience recovery. This short animated video explores the Eight Dimensions of Wellness and helps people understand the practical strategies and ways they can begin developing healthy habits that can have a positive impact on their physical and mental health. To learn more about SAMHSA’s Wellness Initiative, click here.

0 Comments

The Value of...

5/24/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
If you want to know the value of...

...a month...
               ask a teenager who's been grounded.

...a week...
               ask a student with a research paper due.

...a day...
               ask a substitute teacher.

...a minute...
               ask a guy getting bombarded with questions by the parents of the girl who is still upstairs getting ready for their date.

...a second...
               ask a basketball player, down by 1, in possession of the ball.

...a millisecond...
               ask a gymnast.

...a yard...
               ask a running back at a football game.

...an inch...
               ask a bungee jumper.

...a gallon...
               ask a teenager who buys his own gasoline.

...a phone call...
               ask the person who just put in a job application.

What would you add??


0 Comments

The Nike Ad from Decades Ago

5/24/2021

0 Comments

 
Too often we are scared.
Scared of what we might not be able to do.
Scared of what people might think if we tried.
We let our FEARS stand in the way of our HOPES.
We say "no" when we want to say "yes."
We sit quietly when we want to scream.
And we shout with the others,
when we should keep our mouths shut.

WHY? 

after all,
we do only go around once. 

SO STOP.

Try something you've never tried.

RISK IT.

Enter a triathlon.
Write a letter to the editor.
Demand a raise.
Call winners at the toughest court.
Throw away your television.
Bicycle across the United States.
Try bobsledding.
Try anything.
Speak out against the designated hitter.
Travel to a country where you don't speak the language.
Patent something.
Call him.
You have nothing to lose.

And everything

EVERYTHING

EVERYTHING to gain.

JUST DO IT.
Picture
Photo Credit: Kenny Krosky on Unsplash.com

0 Comments

    AuthorS

    Our Team of CouncilMoms take turns submitting blog posts in each area of the RAISE UP acronym. Guest authors are encouraged to submit their blog posts as well (CONTACT US for more info! Thank you!)

    Join our Momunity!

    Provide your email address or texting number and we'll alert you to new posts!

    Categories

    All
    Adoption
    Ambiance
    April Fools
    Atmosphere
    Autism
    Bad Mom Day
    Bad-Mom-Day
    Birth Parents
    Bonding
    Breastmilk
    Budget
    Butterflies
    Calm
    Cancer
    Carbs
    Challenges
    Change
    Children
    Chores
    Cleaning
    Cleanliness
    Clutter
    Connection
    Conscious Effort
    Consequences
    Consistency
    Contribute
    Control
    Deaf
    Debt
    Depression
    Diabetes
    Discipline
    Discovery Family Adventures
    Drugs
    Eating
    Education
    Encouragement
    Energy
    Example
    Exercise
    Family
    Family Strengthening Month
    Feel
    Finances
    Food
    Fortitude
    Fostering
    Fun!
    Games
    Give
    Goals
    God
    Grace
    Green Ribbon Week
    Grief
    Group Effort
    Growth
    Habits
    Happiness
    Health
    Hearing
    Help
    Holidays
    Homemaking
    Home Management
    Homework
    Hugs
    Husband
    IEP
    Illness
    Imperfection
    Income & Outgo
    Individual Personality
    Infertility
    Influence
    Keto
    Kitchen
    Laundry
    LGBTQ+
    Listening
    Long Term Perspective
    Long-term Perspective
    Love
    Lullabies
    Mealtime
    Meaningful Moments
    Meditation
    Meeting Needs
    Menopause
    Military
    Mindfulness
    MomUnity
    Money
    Mothering
    Motivation
    Music
    My Discovery Destination
    Newborns
    Nurture
    Nutrition
    Optimism
    Organizing
    Other Mothers
    Outside
    Parenting
    Patience
    Peace
    Perimenopause
    Perspective
    Plan
    Pledge
    Positivity
    Potential
    Praise
    Pregnancy
    Prepare
    Preparedness
    Prevent Child Abuse
    Prioritize
    Procrastination
    Promoting Family Values
    Protein
    Reading
    Realistic Expectations
    Reality
    Reasonable Expectations
    Recipe
    Relationships
    Relationship With God
    Resilience
    Rest
    Reward
    Routines
    Sacrifice
    Safety
    Savings
    Schedules
    Screens
    Screen Time
    Security
    See
    Self Care
    Self Discipline
    Self-discipline
    Sense Of Self
    Service
    Sight
    Simplify
    Single Motherhood
    Sleep
    Smell
    Social Media
    Spirituality
    Stepmother
    Sugar
    Summer
    Survival Mode
    Systems
    Taste
    Taxes
    Technology
    Teens
    Temporary
    Thanksgiving
    Thyroid
    Tie
    Time
    Timer
    Touch
    Traditions
    Unique
    Unique Circumstances
    Unplug
    Wisdom
    Words
    Work
    Yelling

Momivate is a BRAND NEW, official 501(c)3 Non-profit organization! Your donations of time or money are greatly appreciated!
Click HERE to donate funds!
Click HERE to donate time!
Thank you!

COMPANIES: Become a MISSION SUPPORTER

ABOUT US 

CONTACT US

​
RESOURCES

​
GLOSSARY


SUBMIT A CONCERN
NOTE: We are only legally able to offer our services in the United States. If you live outside of the U.S. and would like to start a branch in your own country, please contact us.

Click here to read our Website Terms of Use

Please see our Disclaimer.

Please see our Commitment to Privacy here.
Picture

All content on this website is intellectual property of Momivate. All rights reserved.
Photo used under Creative Commons from quinn.anya
  • Home
  • About Us
  • BLOG
  • DONATE
  • Services
  • S.M.I.L.E. Awards 2023