by Jayme Radomski | Jan 9, 2025 | Cleaning, Digital, Money & Paper Management, Organizing, Self Care, Bathroom, Work & Home Office
The new year is a great time to organize various aspects of your life and start fresh. Here’s a list of ideas to help you get started. Don’t expect to tackle the entire list in January, but maybe pick one topic for each month. At the beginning of each month, develop a plan on how you will organize one area.
Set Resolutions: Define specific, achievable goals for the year.
Health & Fitness: Plan routines, set fitness goals, and book annual health check-ups.
Hobbies & Skills: Schedule time to learn something new or pursue interests.
Budget: Review last year’s expenses and create a budget for the new year.
Savings & Investments: Set savings goals and review your investment portfolio.
Taxes: Prepare for tax season by gathering necessary documents.
Debt Management: Plan repayments and track your progress.
Decluttering: Go through closets, pantry, and other spaces to donate or discard unused items.
Cleaning Schedule: Create a weekly or monthly plan to maintain your space.
Repairs & Upgrades: List and prioritize home maintenance tasks.
Career Goals: Identify skills to improve or new responsibilities to take on.
Networking: Connect with colleagues and expand your professional network.
Workspace: Organize your desk and digital files for efficiency.
Calendar: Coordinate birthdays, anniversaries, and important events.
Vacations & Trips: Plan holidays or weekends away (e.g., your March family trip).
Traditions: Set plans for family rituals or start new ones.
Mental Health: Schedule self-care routines or therapy sessions if needed.
Mindfulness Practices: Start journaling, meditation, or gratitude exercises.
Time Management: Assess priorities and set boundaries to avoid burnout.
Photos & Files: Organize digital photos and documents, and back them up.
Unsubscribe: Clear out email clutter and cancel unused subscriptions.
Password Update: Update passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
Volunteer: Choose causes to support with time or donations.
Social Engagements: Join local groups or participate in community events.
Top Shelf Home Organizing takes pride in helping busy families get organized. Reach out to Jayme to see how Top Shelf can help you plan and get organized in 2025.
by Jayme Radomski | Dec 8, 2024 | Cleaning, Closets, Clutter, Cooking & Kitchen, Eating & Kitchen, Organizing, Pantry
Preparing your home for December holidays can make the season more joyful and stress-free. Having a plan can help you prepare and avoid procrastination and last minute, unnecessary purchases. Top Shelf Home Organizing has four areas to plan and focus on to keep you focused on the reasons for this busy season.
Sort and Declutter: Go through your holiday decorations and discard or donate broken or unused items.
Plan Placement: Decide where your tree, lights, and other decorations will go to avoid last-minute rearranging.
Store Smartly: Keep unused decor in labeled bins for easy access. Purge the décor you repeatedly decide not to use.
Clean and Stock: Clear out expired items and stock up on baking essentials and festive staples (e.g., spices, flour, and beverages).
Plan Serving Ware: Ensure you have enough plates, glasses, and serving dishes for guests.
Prep in Advance: Organize your recipes and ingredients for holiday meals to save time later.
Declutter Common Areas: Tidy up living rooms and clear surfaces for decorations or entertaining.
Guest Room Prep: If hosting guests, freshen up linens, clean closets, and add festive touches like candles or small gifts.
Seating Arrangement: Plan seating for larger gatherings to avoid scrambling for chairs.
Inventory: Take stock of gifts already purchased and make a list of remaining items to buy.
Set a Wrapping Station: Keep wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and tags in one area for easy access. Have a plan to use the wrapping supplies you already have. This will help avoid storing excess holiday wrap supplies the remainder of the year.
Hide Gifts: Choose designated hiding spots for gifts to avoid clutter or surprises being found too early.
Planning ahead and scheduling out all of your holiday preparations will help save you stress, time and money. If preparing for a holiday brings too much stress, Top Shelf Home Organizing can help. Reach out to Jayme to see how we can help you during these busy times.
by Jayme Radomski | Nov 12, 2024 | Bathroom, Cleaning, Closets, Clutter, Cooking & Kitchen, Eating & Kitchen, Organizing, Pantry
Getting your home ready for Thanksgiving can make the holiday feel more enjoyable and less stressful. Top Shelf Home Organizing has eight key areas to focus on:
Clear surfaces in the living room, kitchen, dining area, and entryway. Remove unnecessary items to create an inviting, open space for guests to gather.
This includes cleaning appliances like the oven, stove, fridge, and microwave. Make sure you have enough counter space and clean tools for all your cooking and serving needs.
Sort through your pantry to ensure you have the essentials like spices, flour, sugar, and canned goods. Toss out expired items to make room for Thanksgiving ingredients.
If you have a separate dining room, set the table with plates, napkins, and cutlery ahead of time. Consider adding a table centerpiece or festive decorations to bring a holiday feel.
If you have guests staying over, ensure the guest rooms are fresh and clean with extra towels, fresh sheets, and any essentials they may need.
Make sure bathrooms are well-stocked with essentials like toilet paper, soap, hand towels, and any air fresheners. A small basket with extra amenities can make guests feel welcome.
Clear any shoes, bags, or coats that might clutter the space where guests first arrive. You could also add hooks, a small rug, or a shoe rack to manage belongings.
Decide on a spot where guests can serve themselves food and drinks. It could be a kitchen counter, buffet table, or even a sideboard. Having this ready will make serving easier and keep the flow in the dining area relaxed.
Getting organized early will let you focus on enjoying the holiday and spending time with family and friends! If your busy schedule prevents you from organizing your home, Top Shelf Home Organizing is here to help. Reach out to Jayme to schedule a consultation.
by Jayme Radomski | Oct 7, 2024 | Closets, Cooking & Kitchen, Eating & Kitchen, Organizing, Wardrobe
Organizing your home can be a great way to prepare for the upcoming fall and winter months. Here are seven important areas to focus on:
Create a checklist for decorations, costumes, and treats. This helps you avoid last-minute purchases and gives you time to find the best deals. Consider repurposing items from previous years, checking thrift shops or borrowing from friends.
Get crafty! Use materials like cardboard, old sheets, and nature (leaves, branches) to make spooky decorations. There are plenty of tutorials online for creating everything from ghostly figures to jack-o’-lanterns that can save you money.
Organize a costume swap with friends or neighbors. Everyone can bring their old costumes and trade, ensuring everyone has something new to wear without spending a dime.
Instead of buying expensive candies, consider making your own Halloween treats. Simple recipes like popcorn balls, caramel apples, or themed cupcakes can be fun and cost-effective. Plus, you can involve family or friends in the process!
Look for local community events, such as pumpkin patches, festivals, or trunk-or-treats. These often have free or low-cost activities and can provide a festive atmosphere without the high price tag.
With a little planning and creativity, you can have a memorable Halloween without breaking the bank! For more tips on staying organized, follow Top Shelf Home Organizing on social media or sign up for our Simplify Your Life Monthly newsletter.
by Jayme Radomski | Sep 16, 2024 | Closets, Cooking & Kitchen, Eating & Kitchen, Organizing, Pantry, Wardrobe
Organizing your home can be a great way to prepare for the upcoming fall and winter months. Here are seven important areas to focus on:
Swap out your summer wardrobe for fall and winter clothes. Store away summer items and bring out warmer clothing, including jackets, sweaters, and boots. Donate or sell items that don’t fit, appear worn or no long fit your style.
Check your pantry for expired items. Meal plan around items that need to be used. If needed, restock with essentials for fall cooking, such as spices, baking ingredients, and canned goods. Organize your kitchen to make meal preparation easier as the holiday season approaches.
Prepare your garden and outdoor spaces for the colder months. Clean up the yard, store away summer furniture, and consider planting fall flowers or vegetables.
Ensure your heating systems, such as furnaces and fireplaces, are in good working order. Schedule maintenance if necessary and stock up on firewood if you have a wood-burning fireplace.
Now that everyone is back to their school and work routines, take some time to reassess work spaces and supplies. Adjust the areas as needed.
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Start planning for upcoming holidays. This could include organizing decorations, making gift lists, or starting to think about travel plans.
Take the time to declutter your home. Go through each room and get rid of items you no longer need or use. Donate, sell, or recycle these items to free up space and reduce clutter.
Focusing on these areas can help ensure a smooth transition into the fall season and holiday.
