A Return to Blogging

Lost in Translation

So for the last 17 months I lost my blogging mojo. My health and life were in chaos, not that most people could tell. I have had to make some tough decisions and learn to live with a very changed me. I am not going to go into detail right now about what I have been through, but my focus has shifted slightly.

Decluttering and organisation are still at the heart of what I do, however I have had to simplify our family life for the sake of my health and wellbeing.

Taking control of my life

I now use a handwritten planner rather than relying on technology to tell me what is happening. I started with a large family planner diary, but found it was too overwhelming to carry and use. So I recently splurged and collected a Kikki K planner while it was on sale. I love that I have been able to customise it to suit my life and the way I want to use it. I am not a fanatical planner user, nor am I the fancy shmancey decorate every page kind of gal. I do however love that it look pretty and is functional at the same time.

As a working and studying mum, I need to be organised. I have learned over the first semester of my study, when my most productive time is. So now I use my evenings (when the kids are in bed) to do my study, my pre readings are done while waiting to collect kids from school and all other errands are done during school hours on my days off. 

I now get up 40 minutes earlier than I used to and start my day in prayer and planning my day.

As a family, we got serious about our debt. As of today, we are down to just over $10,000.00 of debt (other than our mortgage). This has shrunk significantly from 12 months ago. This time last year, we had around $30,000.00 in debt.

Where to now?

I have learned over the course of the last couple of years, I NEED focus. So I now set myself a challenge each month. I hope that over the next few months, I can inspire myself and others to focus, simplify and regain control of mental, emotional and spiritual health, as I prepare for a life in Christian Ministry.

Get organised in 30 days, The Grand Finale!

CONGRATULATIONS!

I hope that you have enjoyed this series of challenges over the last month. I know I have. Now that the challenge has officially come to an end, I implore you to keep up with what you have learned. Getting organised is a journey. It will take time and a lot of patience for some of you. Please feel free to come back and re read over the posts. 

Today we are going to go back into our offices and spend 15 minutes tidying your office again. A tidy office is an inviting office.

Thankyou for joining me in this series

I am now going to return to my sewing, just for a little while at least :)

Take care and God Bless

Rivkah

Get organised in 30 days, Day 29

Can you believe we have nearly completed this challenge?? What an achievement. You should all be very proud of what you have done in your homes over the last month. You have decluttered, got financially aware, made better use of your time, cleaned your kitchens and bedrooms. We have learned about planning "Me" time and projects, made time for our families and I have managed to walk you through all of this and not completely fall apart!

I want to thank everyone who has encouraged me to share my knowledge and techniques. Without these people I would not have even considered writing on a regular basis. It has been a major challenge for me to transfer thoughts to paper and then expand them onto this blog. I have had to open up about myself in a way I have not been able to do in the past. This journey for me has also helped me reduce my anxiety and may one day lead to write the book that I have also been challenged to write.

For now, I am going to enjoy working on my quilt project, which I will share with you tomorrow.

Organisation Day

Well for the 2nd to last day of our challenge is a tough one for some. I can proudly state that my decluttering buddy Tash, did this over the weekend and the difference is amazing!

Today we are going to go through our DVD collections and decide what you love and what you really don't need. If your anything like me, you have kids DVD's that the kids are no longer watching or have grown out of. 

Our other task today is going to be to organise one area in your craft room or your kids' craft supplies.

Once you have completed these tasks, remove the donations and place them in your car immediately. Next time you are out, donate them to your favourite charity. 

Have a wonderful and Blessed day!

God Bless

Rivkah

Get Organised in 30 Days, Day 28

Wow! The weekend seems to have flown by and I straight out forgot to write my Post!! However I have been busy helping my Decluttering Buddy, Natasha to regain another room in her home. Nothing like releasing the clutter of toys no longer wanted, costumes that have long since had it and videos that have been replaced by DVDs. Over 2 days and a total of 6 hours, we cleared out 3 boxes of kids clutter, a TV cabinet and created a study station for her 2 kids. A book case got a complete makeover and there are now boxes upon boxes of stuff going to a garage sale this weekend. The wheelie bin is full and there is a great deal of satisfaction being felt for the achievements this weekend. It wasn't all work though, as  we took time out to have a swim, a couple of BBQ sessions and spending time with the kids.

TUESDAY HOUR OF POWER!

Today we are going to a bunch of 10 minute jobs to get the house ship shape before school starts next week.

Ok Set your timer for 10 minutes for each of these 6 jobs

1. Sweep your floors and give a quick Mop.
2. Sweep your Patio/balcony
3. Clean your bathroom (just a quick swish and swipe)
4. Clean mirrors and glass.
5. Tidy your junk drawer
6. damp dust your lounge room.

Getting these few tasks done will help to get your home looking ready for any surprise visitors. Have a great day and enjoy the journey!

God Bless

Rivkah

Get Organised in 30 Days, Day 24

Self Image and Self Care

As a busy mum and carer, I have had very little time to myself over the years. I learned a few years ago how to do a few things once a week to set my week up to be successful. Normally on a Friday night (or Saturday if we have a date night), I do these 3 things:

1. Spend 30 minutes ironing my clothes and pair up outfits for the next week. 
2. Have a soak in the bath, give myself a facial and manicure my eyebrows
3. paint my nails.

By doing these 3 tasks, I find that I am less stressed during the week, as I already have my clothes ready. I can stumble out of bed n the morning and grab an outfit, put it on and start my day looking good. I also have regularly scheduled appointments with my hair dresser. This is my one BIG outlay every 2 months, as I do colour my rapidly greying hair. I have saved hundreds of dollars by doing my own eyebrows and facials. This allows me to have the luxury of getting my hair done.

Today, I challenge you to add to your weekly facial routine and do these 3 tasks. take some time out and think about next week. Make up some outfits, paint your nails, spend a little time on yourself. I guarantee that your mood will improve and you will have a spring in your step.

I also challenge you today to book in a couple of date nights in with your loved ones. With your partner and with your children (should you have any). 

Have a wonderful Friday

God Bless

Rivkah

Get organised in 30 days, Day 23

Home office or Dumping Zone?

For a person who is so well organised, my office is the messiest and most disorganised room in our home. For most people it is either this room or their Bedroom where everything amazingly finds it's way to have a nap and many times never leave! As I have mentioned in the past my office is used for more than one task. So I am on a constant Declutter in my office.

So this brings me to today's task:

20 Piece Pick Up.

Today we are going to remove the items from our offices, so that we can see our desks again and get in to do the work we know we really must. When you have cleaned out the extras, give your desk a wipe down and vacuum the room. There is nothing better than a clean and tidy office to invite you in to do some work. While you are at it, Grab some flowers to brighten up the room too :)

SURPRISE CHALLENGE!!!

Today I challenge you to do one random act of kindness. Be it for a stranger or a neighbour. 

By doing something for someone else selflessly, you will discover a smile creep up on your face that you just can't shake. Give it a go and post your activities on our FB page :)

Have a Blessed Day

God Bless

Rivkah

Get organised in 30 Days, Day 22

Organisation Day

Welcome back to another Organisation Wednesday. There has been much decluttering and shuffling of stuff around the ODAAT home. We are in the process of streamlining a few things and even planning our Kitchen renovation. We have finally settled on a layout and style, but the waiting for quotes is the hardest part at the moment. So what does this have to do with today's post? Well... a couple of things. We have been getting organised for long enough, that we have time now to plan projects and do little organisation tasks at the drop of a hat.

As we are in the Bedroom this week, we are going to look at your clothes and your laundering habits. DO you wash every day? Do you wait until the weekend and get frustrated, because you have to do the washing all weekend, just to have clothes for the next week? I used to wash my clothes only on the weekend. I also used to get mad, because I couldn't get anything done with the kids or my hubby.
My family now has a laundry routine that includes the kids stripping their beds on alternate weeks, and everyone taking their dirty clothes to the laundry and even sorting their washing into our sorting system. I have to give The Organised housewife credit for the sorting system, as it is the best system for our busy family.

Although it is her idea, I purchased mine from Ikea, as it is narrower and fits in my available space. It was also 20% cheaper than the Howards Storage version.

The other thing we are going to do is set a daily/bi daily laundry routine. Figure out how often you need to wash darks, colours, whites, sheets and towels. I know that for my family it is 1 load a day and usually 2 on Wednesdays and Saturdays. I normally don't wash on Thursday or Sunday, as I give myself a break. I turn my washing on first thing in the morning and hang it out when I get home from the morning's errands. I also remove the previous day's washing, fold and put away all at the same time. This usually takes no more than 20 minutes to do all of this. I dare you to try!

The other thing we are going to do is plan a project to work on. Spend 10 minutes today writing down a project you want to work on. It could be in the garden, an art project, planning a renovation, even planning time out with your beloved.

Enjoy your home life and keep it simple.

Have Fun with it all and God Bless

Rivkah