I believe the days my late Mumsy dreaded the most was shopping for school supplies ~ extremely hard for a single mother of three girls living on a shoestring budget. At the beginning of the school year, I often think back to the conversations I had with Mum as a little girl trying to understand the difference between what I really needed on that long list vs what I wanted so she could stretch every dollar. Today, we live proudly knowing that she did the best she could with the resources she had. She taught us some incredible life lessons ~ from learning to live with less, embracing our creativity, and finding ways to repurpose. That’s what Tick Off the List Home Services is all about—a way for me to share my experience with others.
My home is as organized as I can make it, but this is my junk drawer—or, as some might call it, the life drawer—which has been getting a pass on my To Do List lately…not anymore.
As the summer season winds down, here’s some suggestions to put on your Rainy Day To Do List to clear the clutter;
- Junk Drawer – dump the entire contents of your junk drawer (yes, I know you have one!) and edit out anything that exceeds the space or purpose of its existence in your household. Pens, pencils, markers, mine is chock full and I know a local teacher in my community would welcome them. If you have excess school supplies in good condition, donate them however you can, I know they will be a blessing to those that need them.
- Fall Wardrobe Refresh – soon we will be wearing our lounge wear, sweaters, long sleeve tops, jeans, cozy socks, and scarves, etc. It’s time to pull it all out and take inventory. Ask yourself what you will actually wear this season and what is taking up space? If you don’t plan to wear it then bless it forward to your local Thrift Store!
- Decor – excess baskets, fabric bins, clear acrylic compartments will help organize a drawer full of socks for example or even a home office space. Find ways to use your existing home decor as a storage solution.
- Toiletries – with summer travel behind us, perhaps you accumulated extra toiletries. A bar of soap in a clothing drawer will make clothes or bedding smell fresh and can help keep moths away. Wrap soap in paper or cloth and tuck it between folded items. Shampoo, extra toothbrushes, body lotion would be a Godsend to a local women’s shelter.
- Kitchen Counter Reset – if you dream of clean, open and simple counters, cabinet doors that actually close, and shelving that is not crammed with stuff then it’s time see what’s taking up much needed space. For example, coffee mugs, platters, and vases soak up a lot of space. A little editing goes a long way and could create storage for small appliances off the counter! Yes! Consider someone in your family that might appreciate them or donate to the Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary store for example.
No matter the mess & clutter that you are experiencing in your household, there is a better way. If you’ve been pondering a household reset, a 30 minute consult is time well spent to explore some ideas that will help you save time and live lighter with less stuff. To learn more about Tick off the List Home Services, please visit my FAQ and for a free 30 minute consultation, email niki@tickoffthelist.ca.