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Like the month of January, we tend to think of September as a "new car smell" kind of month. Late summer nights and road trips are winding down and with them, the temptation to close your computer and run under the sprinkler with the kids.
With school starting and the leaves crisping into to orange and gold, fall is a wonderful time to set up new structure and routines, something we all begin to crave at this point in the year. For those with ADD or executive function challenges, these routines are especially important for creating success at work and school, whether in person or virtual.
Here are some of our favorite ways to create structure this fall. We chose them because they are actionable and most can be done in 1 hour or less! #goals
- Start a habit of reviewing the calendar for the week ahead on Sundays. Add this weekly review to your calendar, and invite family members to join you. (30 mins)
- Create a consistent weekday routine, including bedtimes and wake up times, and post it somewhere visible. (30 mins)
- Make a list of items that are constantly getting lost and create a "home" for them. Share the new home with everyone in the house. (1 hr)
- Start a shared grocery list so that household members can add what they need rather than telling you. (15 mins)
- Open the mail that's been piling up. Create four piles as you go: "action needed","to file", "to shred" and "to recycle". Once you are done, set up a mail sorting station using those four categories. (1 hr)
- Set up a donation bin in your garage, add to it as you declutter. (15 mins)
- Clean out your car and vacuum the inside. (1 hr)
- Clean off the surface of your desk. (1 hr)
- Place a shred and recycle bin under your desk. (10 mins)
- Clean off your computer desktop. (30 mins)
- Determine set workspaces and help each family member feel accountable for their work area by decluttering, setting up an organizing system and personalizing the space. We can help with this too! Just reply to this email or give us a call at 503-245-3564. This one can take a little more time, but is well worth the effort. (1-3 hrs)
Even though 2020 has set us all back in many ways, there are still many places for growth, organization and peace. The key is to keep these goals and routines achievable, and remember that every day is a new one. You did not "fail" if yesterday was not so productive. Just keep going and be kind to yourself.
Happy organizing,
Missy and the team
PS: As a fascinating aside, September is also the national month of 132 holidays, including National Read a Book Day, National Make you Bed Day, and National Weiner Schnitzel Day. The more you know! You can read the full list here.
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Whose Mess is This, Anyway?
It is a truth universally acknowledged that spending more time at home equals more messes. Welcome to domestic life in 2020! It can be a huge challenge to manage all of the moving parts in a household while working from home, plus homeschooling, being a supportive partner, parent and friend while generally staying sane. First of all, please pat yourself on the back for all that you have managed to do this year. It's been a doozy. If working and/or parenting exclusively from home has left you wondering how your home keeps getting to "that point", it's worth looking at some behavioral patterns. Here are some tips to keep things running smoothly, and involving the whole family in a solution.
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Make a Wish Ball
Want to get organized AND help make some very special kids' dreams come true? Organizers Northwest has donated a four hour organizing appointment to the Make a Wish virtual fundraising event on October 9th, 2020! To register to bid and learn more about the event, visit their website below!
When you donate, you're giving children renewed strength to fight their illnesses, bringing families closer together and uniting entire communities. You can change lives.
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VOICES Speaker Series Reunion Tour
VOICES brings the world's most influential and powerful women to Portland, in a platform dedicated to inspiring, empowering and connecting women. Each speaker has a unique story to tell, sparking conversation, offering new perspectives, and supporting ambitions. Social distancing is temporarily preventing VOICES from hosting public lectures. However, the VOICES Reunion Tour gives you the opportunity to hear from past speakers of the VOICES Lectures in a monthly series of interactive online events.
Host: Francine B. Read Speaker: Asenath Andrews, founder Catherine Ferguson School for Girls Date: September 10, 2020 (October and November have dates as well, with different speakers) Time: 11:00 am PST Register Here (Scroll to the bottom of the page for Reunion Tour Information)
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2020 Ain't Cancelled!
Tune into conversations about shifting your mindset, becoming the best version of yourself & game planning.
Host: Portland Women of Color + B.Her
Dates: Sept. 14: Moving Through Grief & Mourning
Sept 21: The Power of Collective Healing
Sept 28: Surviving and Thriving
Time: 5-6 pm PST
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Discover Portland Scavenger Hunt!
Urban Adventure Quest has created an interactive scavenger hunt that combines the fun of the Amazing Race with a three-hour sightseeing tour of Portland. Guided from any smart phone, groups make their way among well-known and overlooked gems of the city, solving clues and completing challenges while learning local history.
Covid-19-Friendly Outdoor adventure. No tour guides or other players added to your team. Host: Amazing Scavenger Hunt Adventure Hours: Play anytime, Sunrise to Sunset
$39.20 for a team of 2-5 people w/ code PDXPIPELINE
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Local Donation Needs
If you are looking to donate time, money or items to help the Portland community during COVID, Hands on Portland has put together a helpful list of community support resources. This includes donation centers that are accepting items and what they are most in need of.
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Please spread the love and SHARE on social media!
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