It’s barely Halloween, yet thoughts turn to the upcoming holidays bearing down on us. Let’s focus on some of the general preparation that allows us to feel ready for celebrating. This might consist of:
Preparing your guest room. Often the guest room is the space in your home where things get placed that ‘don’t have a place.’ So, now is a good time to clear these spaces of clutter and ready them for the arrival of family and friends.
Make your lists. List making is a tried and true organizing strategy. Whether you do it by hand or by app, it’s a great way to get all of the details out of your head and into a concrete format.
Purchase/Consider some essentials. Think ahead on this part – is there a favorite coffee or tea that a family member likes to have on hand? Is there a type of soap preferred in the shower? Is a family member allergic to certain products you need to remove from your space? Do you need more boot trays for the additional shoes/boots that will be around? Do you need to check with a neighbor about parking extra cars in their driveway?
Do some general de-cluttering by category – are there too many games, puzzles, and newspapers lying around? How about books and magazines? Pick one category and finish before moving on to the next.
Stick to your routines. Make sure you continue to eat well, exercise, and get enough rest. If you stick to these habits and stay committed to them thru the holidays, it will make the season less stressful and hopefully healthier!