Ultimate Reset!
Cleaning, organizing, simplifying, and realigning.
Some Background
Growing up with two teachers as parents, I feel like I was given an unrealistic view of what summers as a grown-up looked like. I never really considered that in like 98% of jobs, you have to work during the summer. So it might not come as a surprise to you that I am now also a teacher and enjoy a summer break not unlike the ones I shared with my parents as a child.
Back in the spring, I thought a lot about what I wanted my summer to look like and what I wanted to do. I knew I still wanted to work some because honestly, I just feel very purposeless and unmotivated when I do not. Also, my husband and many of my friends work “regular” jobs, so it was not like I would be missing out on time with them.
So, I signed up to teach summer school, and I also picked up some babysitting jobs here and there. But amidst the work, I have also planned out very specific things to do to reset my space and my mind before the upcoming school year. Specific things like organizing the drawer that you stuff another charger in and say “oh well I’ll organize that soon.” Like when you think I really have way too many clothes. I should get rid of some, but you have not gotten around to it yet. It also includes booking appointments, dealing with insurance claims, and all those other grown-up things that I am still learning how to balance along with being a wife, friend, daughter, teacher, and so much more.
So if you are looking for inspiration to get your life together, clean, and simplify, I hope I can provide some. Whether it is before the school year starts, before the new year, or somewhere in between. I know it seems like a lot, and it is. But you do not have to do it all at once. You could do it in a week you have off for a holiday. You could tackle one room every Saturday for the next few months. You could do it over the summer like me if you have the time off. Or you could just pick one small thing to do every free afternoon you have. This is just a springboard for your inspiration. Take what you want, add what you need, and leave the rest.
Here is my ultimate reset routine!
Mental
Priorities - This is the FIRST thing I like to give thought to when resetting. If I forget what is important to me, my resetting and realigning will lack direction and purpose. Take this time to think about what is important and make sure you are orienting your schedule and space around that!
Routines & rhythms - Every so often, usually seasonally, I like to look at my routines and rhythms and change them up a little to fit my current season and the current season outside. Right now, in the summer, I want to stay up a little later and get outside earlier in the morning. I want to spend at least one night by the pool. So those are things I try to thread into my routines and my weekly schedule. Find what works for your family! (I plan to share more about my specific routines and rhythms for our family in an upcoming newsletter.)
Digital declutter - We spend a lot of time on our screens, so it is important to simplify and clean them out as well! This is when I delete old photos and apps, turn off notifications I do not need, and reorganize my home screen. It is also a great time to delete old contacts or go through your social media and unfollow people whose content you do not enjoy anymore. It does not have to be a big or fancy overhaul, just whatever makes it feel simple and organized to you!
Budget - My husband and I share our finances so this is something we do together. We use the app You Need a Budget. It tracks all our spending and even makes these beautiful charts, making it easy to see where we are on track and where we might be overdoing it a little. This time mostly looks like a conversation for our family and realigning our spending to our top priorities and goals.
Meal planning - I use this time to find new recipes, plan meals, and make grocery lists. This summer I decided to overhaul how I do our meal planning and grocery shopping. Instead of shopping weekly, I am trying to do a big stock up at the beginning of the month and then only going weekly to grab fresh produce or things I forgot. Stay tuned for how that works out!
Appointments - One of my least favorite tasks, but it is important. Just take a couple hours in your day to book the dentist appointment, schedule the annual physical, and get your car in for an oil change.
Kitchen
Deep clean - This includes the dreaded oven cleaning and giving the dishwasher an empty run with some baking soda and vinegar.
Declutter
Reorganize - Put things where it makes sense to keep them (i.e. keys by the door, books by the bed).
Go through your pantry - Check for expired food or food you never plan to eat. Toss the bad stuff and donate the good to a local food bank.
Stock up on pantry essentials - Go ahead and buy some of your staple food items in bulk. This will cut down on your grocery bills and stress in the future.
Season your cast irons - I am new to cast irons and am still learning how to care for them properly. They take more work than other pans, and now might be a good time to give them some love (and by love, I mean oil).
Living Room/Dining Room
Wash all linens - Blankets, placemats, pillow covers, etc.
Deep clean
Declutter
Freshen up the couch - I like to vacuum, use some baking soda to freshen it up, and use a fabric shaver on it. To each their own!
Bedroom
Wash all bedding AND the curtains
Deep clean
Declutter
Clothing
Declutter - Make four piles: donate, keep, sell, trash. I keep my donate piles for at least a week to make sure I do not end up wanting something out of it. That is probably not the most ruthless and minimalist way to do it, but it works for me.
Clean
Organize the dresser - I want every drawer to have a theme and make sense (i.e. workout clothes, pajamas, etc.) Create systems that work for you!
Organize the closet - Again, create a system!
Iron - Maybe this is just me, but I hate ironing/steaming. It feels like way more of a chore than almost anything else to me. But now is the time to stop putting it off.
Throughout the House/Laundry/Closets
Dust the ceiling fans - Is this something other people do on a regular basis? Because I never do.
Wipe those baseboards - My husband is highly allergic to dust mites, so this is essential in our home.
Run your air purifier - If you have one, now is a great time to give the air a good clean. I like to open the windows and let some fresh air in the day before, run the air purifier, and diffuse some oils to give it a nice clean smell!
Run empty washing machine - Similar to the dishwasher, vinegar and baking soda work wonders!
Declutter
Organize - Find a home for the guest towels, the broom, and all the extra batteries.
Sweet, mop, vacuum - Once I do this deep clean of the floors, our house is implementing a “no shoes” rule. You get to lower the toxins in your home, keep the floors clean, and have a good excuse to always wear slippers all in one fail swoop.
Bathroom
Wash all linens - bath mats, shower curtain, towels, etc.
Deep clean - Yes, you have to get the hair out of the drain.
Declutter
Organize - I am planning to buy some of those clear organizer containers to help me out on this one.
New shower liner - Is it just ours that gets nasty every few months?
Hang eucalyptus - Smells like relaxation.
Set up subscriptions - You know that subscribe and save feature Amazon is always trying to get you to do? I am going to try it out and set up things we purchase often (deodorant, toothpaste, body wash, etc.) to just be shipped every few months.
Random Things - This is just my list, but yours will look different. What is it you have been putting off?
Clean out the outdoor closet - For you, it might be the garage. We just have a small outdoor closet that has a bunch of random stuff in it.
Decorate porch - We have had a balcony for a year, and I have done nothing with it.
Deal with donate and sell piles - Drop them off at the local thrift store or sell them on Facebook Marketplace. Just do not let them sit in your house too long!
Get a car wash and clean out the car!
Dry clean my bridesmaids dress from my brother’s wedding
Change name on passport
Update vehicle title
Happy resetting.
Take care,
Caroline
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