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Organization: Get Your Head in the Game

Organized people seem very, well, umm…organized.

They tend to have a systematic way of doing things and a solution for every storage problem. Using lists and planners may seem like it’s all too much for some, but they help you to have an organizing game plan. I tend to create a planning sheet for just about everything I desire to get done on a regular basis.

Being organized starts with your thinking and manifests itself in your actions!

Here’s why:

Organization starts in the mind long before it manifests in your kitchen or bedroom. The hunger for order in life or to solve organization problems happen in your thoughts and ends up with you sorting through your belongings and heading to The Container Store. Lol!

So, how do you shift your mindset to ‘Get in the Game’ of Organization?

Here’s how:

Decide that being organized is a solution to many problems. Decide that being in control of managing your home, your family’s schedule or your business requires a solution-focused mindset. It’s a good thing! Getting organized and staying that way is worth the effort and is completely possible.

Some of the results of being more organized are:

  • Pride in your home and family
  • Decreased anxiety and stress
  • A peaceful home and restful down-time
  • Opportunities to allow your creativity to come alive
  • Better health
  • Enjoyable homeschooling environment
  • Disciplined kids ready for the world

The decision to become more organized and stick to it is the first step in the process. The commitment to achieving the required goals towards organization and staying organized is key and comes next. Make the commitment in your mind to live a lifestyle of cleanliness, order, and peace. This mindset will motivate you to take action even when you are too tired and are wanting to let things go.

You Got This! I believe in you! GAME ON!!!

Get It Together Already!

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    The Mental and Emotional Trappings of Clutter

    Messiness is not a disorder, but the struggle with the trappings of it is REAL!

    There are psychological effects to living amidst chronic clutter. One of the known causes of these effects is overstimulation. Too much stimulation can lead to anxious feelings and other associated feelings like anger, depression, and more.

    Have you been feeling like this at all lately? Have you ever felt this way?

    Living in a cluttered or disorganized home can add to you and your entire family’s stress levels.

    Here’s how:

    • Kids thrive in structure- Disorganized homes tend to be highly unstructured. This is where some of that mom guilt should come into play. The kids don’t have any clean clothes to wear. You’re eating out for dinner AGAIN because you haven’t gone grocery shopping. You have overdue library books and now the kids can’t check out any books. Living under these conditions set poor examples of how to do life.

    Disorganization causes unnecessary stress. 

    Take a moment and meditate on that last sentence.

    Inhale…Exhale!

    • Order creates peace- Home should be your place of peace. Having a pleasant environment free of clutter and that overstimulation thingy, helps families disengage from the world and re-charge for a new day. If the home is in chronic disarray, it is difficult to recharge. The mere sense of things being undone (or done incorrectly if we want to be totally honest) can trigger feelings of anxiousness.
    • Families are a team- This is one thing we make sure to teach our kids. Teamwork makes the dreamwork, is our motto around here. You don’t want to begin to build any resentment towards your family. Families are a team, and everyone should be contributing to the welfare and care of the home. Even stay-at-home parents need support with home maintenance and responsibilities.  
    • Disorganization wastes time- Living a disorganized life robs families of their precious time. Being able to recharge and connect with each other seems like unachievable goals. Spending time looking for lost items makes people late getting out of the door. The scramble to clean up for unexpected company or devoting an entire day to catch up on laundry can cause undue anxiety and cause you to miss out on fun activities that bring you joy.
    • Disorganization causes embarrassment- Living in chaos (can’t have anyone over syndrome) or overwhelm can cause embarrassment. Don’t let a friend or neighbor ask for a ride and you haven’t gotten around to cleaning out the car. No ma’am! How about having unexpected visitors, and you feel like your home doesn’t truly reflect who you are, can make you feel uncomfortable and want to avoid hosting guests.  
    • Being disorganized costs money- Missing or being late to appointments can cost time and money. Families who are not organized oftentimes tend to eat out more, spend more on clothing and other items, and fail to live within their means. This stress can affect marriages and the tension can run over onto the children. Being organized makes it possible to manage a budget and keep track of important items. It prolongs the life of clothing and other frequently used items.

    I don’t want you to take this lightly. Don’t get mentally or emotionally trapped in the effects of clutter and disorganization. Sitting on your sofa after a long day, staring at yesterday’s dishes doesn’t promote relaxation. There are real psychological consequences to clutter and chaos. You can improve your mental and emotional health by becoming clutter-free and organized.

    Get It Together: Conquering the Clutter Can Set Your Life in Order

    Being in a state of disorganization can feel overwhelming. Which came first, overwhelm or disorganization? It’s a valid question, but sometimes it’s hard to tell. Nonetheless, being disorganized contributes to chaos in and out of the home. It affects every aspect of your life. Creating order not only clears the clutter from your home, but it also helps to organize other areas of life that you may not be aware of.

    People who feel tired and overwhelmed in life generally have low energy. The lack of energy makes it hard to do chores and tasks. Before long, there’s no food to make a complete meal, no one can find a clean pair of socks, and the bills are overdue.

    Disorganization can lead to:

    • Depression
    • Health issues
    • Anxiety
    • Reduced property values
    • Lost productivity
    • And more

    Unfortunately, disorganization bleeds from one area of life into another. As one area becomes affected, it spreads into another until a sense of overwhelm, hopelessness, and helplessness sets in. Before you know it, there are messes everywhere – literal and figurative.

    Messiness and mild-to-moderate disorganization doesn’t mean there’s no hope. Some people are just naturally less organized than others. Don’t despair if things are messy or you currently have a lifestyle that someone else might consider cluttered. Failure to make the bed doesn’t label a person unorganized. If the lack of organization is causing disharmony in your family or you are avoiding important tasks at home because you can’t seem to get “it” together, streamlining might be a solution.

    First off, sorting out the clutter plays a huge role in streamlining your life and making things easier on a daily basis. It may require effort in the beginning, but the results are so worth it. Once you have the resources in place to maximize your home and your mind, you can expect to feel things getting easier. You’ll soon discover that extra time you’ve been praying for, and have less anxiety about chores and the expectations of your family.

    Here are some key ways to declutter and streamline your life:

    • Create or purchase a home and personal planner to help with scheduling
    • Organize your pantry for easier meal prep and save money
    • Create chores for your family
    • Create routines for daily, weekly, and monthly maintenance
    • Have a capsule wardrobe
    • Get outside assistance
    • And more

    Clearing the clutter can streamline your day-to-day living and make it possible for you to do more with ease. Having systems in place and using your energy wisely creates harmony in your home and beyond. The satisfaction and pride that comes from running an efficient home that is free from clutter and chaos is worth the efforts it takes to get there.

    The Beginner’s Guide to ME Time!

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link.

    The Beginner’s Guide to Mentally Exhaling (ME time)

    Mentally Exhaling is one of the most important practices or habits busy moms should aim to implement into their lives.  For me, with all of the duties of managing home, family, and our family businesses, it has been a rewarding experience and essential for me to have a peaceful, balanced, and orderly life overall.  I often like to refer to Mentally Exhaling as my ME time.

    My life tends to be a pretty interesting one.   I’m the wife to my high school sweetheart.  Hey Babe!  I’ve been a homeschooling mom for over 20 years now.  My family has owned quite a few businesses in different industries over the years, and we’re currently caregivers.  Mentally Exhaling (ME Time) has become one of the greatest methods of relaxation that I’ve added into my life.  I often tell myself it’s for the survival of me AND my family.

    Happy Wife…Happy Life!

    Many years ago I read a book entitled Maximize The Moment by T.D. Jakes.  I didn’t get past chapter one and was awakened to what was actually going on in my life.  A week hadn’t gone by before I’d scheduled a “meeting” with my closest friends to give them my “hours of operation” and boundary setting rules that HAD to be set for my sanity and my wellbeing.

    What exactly did setting boundaries look like?  My girlfriends probably thought I was out of my mind, but I proceeded:

    • “I will no longer be accepting calls after 7 pm, unless there is an emergency.”
    • “If I don’t NEED to know something, please don’t share it with me.”

    DRASTIC???  Not at all! 

    The list went on and on, but those were the top two that needed to be dealt with immediately.

    Those were some of the very first steps I took to usher me into creating a lifestyle that included allowing my body AND my brain to take a break…to Mentally Exhale!

    Beginners Guide to Mentally Exhaling for the Busy Mom

    What is Mentally Exhaling?

    Mentally Exhaling is ultimately allowing your entire being to breathe, rest, refocus, reorganize, and refresh itself.

    I know, I know…I hear you now:

    “Nikky, you doing too much girl.”

    “I don’t have a minute in a day to do all of that.”   

    “My schedule is overflowing and I can’t even find the time to breathe.”

    “I am in full demand from the time I wake up until the time I go to bed.”

    I hear you and I understand fully…

    The husband

    The kids

    The parents/in-laws

    The pets

    Work

    Housework

    Schooling

    Cooking

    Cleaning

    Laundry

    Bills

    Errands

    …and that’s just with your personal life.

    We haven’t even gone into ALL that takes place outside of the home, and for some of us that could mean 7 days a week.

    When it all boils down, YOU haven’t even made it to the list yet.  Just sayin’!  THIS has got to change.  You are too valuable not to be tended to.  You can do this!

    What Are Some of the Benefits of Mentally Exhaling?

    This is just a brief list of some of the benefits of having and experiencing successful times of Mentally Exhaling.

    • The refocusing, refreshing, rebooting, reorganizing of your brain
    • Helps to hear your inner voice more clearly
    • Helps you to destress and unwind
    • Aids in the improvement of focusing and concentration
    • Things lying dormant inside of you begin to awaken
    • Allows you to discover YOU, your giftings, and calling
    • Definitely strengthens your relationship with God and your loved ones
    • Helps you to become more productive

    How to Get Started with Mentally Exhaling?

    With all that’s going on around you, you are going to have to be intentional about taking moments to have these breaks…to breathe…to Mentally Exhale.

    So let’s get started…

    Right now, wherever you are, at this very moment while reading this, PAUSE!  Press play on the video below.  Take 5 minutes to close your eyes, breathe slowly and deeply and begin by thanking God for your life, health, and strength.  After that, simply sit there and do absolutely NOTHING for the remaining time.

    I love these moments of silence.  After I sit for a moment, I then ask the Lord to speak to my heart, and I sit quietly (sometimes in prayer/meditation).  There are times that I’ve had my ME time for three hours or more.  I always take a journal with me, and there have been many times where I’ve come out with pages and pages of notes, instruction, plans, ideas, dreams, etc.

    Now that you’ve had your very first Mentally Exhaling experience.  Comment below and share with us what it was like for you.

    Tips for Success During Your ME Time.

    Here are a few simple tips and suggestions for maximizing these ME time moments.

    1. Find a place of solace in your home, away from all distractions.  If it has to be a bathroom, or even if you have to go outside to sit in your car, so be it.  REMEMBER…we’re being intentional about this!
    2. Play soft instrumental music of your liking.  The video shared above is from one of my favorite YouTubers to listen to during these times.
    3. Set candles or lower your lighting.
    4. Always have a journal and writing utensil available.  You NEVER know what you may discover when you give yourself permission to disconnect from all of the to-do’s and allow your brain to breathe.
    5. Having a soothing beverage would really top it all off.
    6. Make this time NECESSARY!  This is for YOU!  This is your ME time!

    Common Questions About Mentally Exhaling

    • How do I begin to put ME on my schedule?

      • I often have my ME time at night after the house is down and after I’ve showered and gotten ready for bed.  If you are an early riser, that time of day may be a better time for you.  When the kids are in practice, and you’re waiting in the car, you could make that your time.

    • How can I get my husband and family to support this need?

      • Please have the conversation.  Explain to them how crucial it is for the betterment of YOU overall.  For example, if you suffer from anxiety or the like, these can be moments of healing for you.  Your family needs you and once the issue has been brought to the surface, they should be super supportive in your need to have a crack in time to exhale.

    • What are the benefits?

      • As women, we are always ON.  We don’t have the privilege of clocking in and out of our duties as wives and mothers.  Sometimes the brain simply needs a break from it all.  Brain fog, forgetfulness, disorientation, anxiety, confusion, depression, and oppression are just some of the common conditions we experience that can greatly benefit from the praxis of Mentally Exhaling.

    • What if I don’t have a place to retreat to?

      • For me, over the past few years, my master closet had become my War Room (prayer room).  This is where I can lock myself away and escape.  I’ll share more in detail about my oasis in the near future.  If your only place of solace is a bathroom or out in the car, like I mentioned before, it can definitely be accomplished.  How about driving to a park being surrounded by nature?  I have a girlfriend who likes to have her ME time while she takes her daily walk at her local park.  Even if none of the above seems to work for you, try it out while lying in bed, morning or evening, close your eyes and activate your time of respite right there.  Like I mentioned before…BE INTENTIONAL!  You can soooo do this!

    • How much time does it take and how often should I do it?

      • For starters, I’d say at the very least, try once a week.  Set a day, time, and time limit that works best for you.  The more you do it, you’ll automatically know how much time is needed.  Actually, you will find yourself beginning to crave these moments.  Just start NOW and commit to trying again a week from now and go on from there.

    Final Words About Mentally Exhaling

    So Chica, what have we learned here today?

    1. YOU ARE IMPORTANT!
    2. You MUST put YOU on your schedule.
    3. ME time is an amazing practice to begin, not only for mental clarity and health reasons but also to begin to prioritize yourself.  To get in touch with who you are…REALLY.  Allowing God to reveal and speak to your heart.  To give your brain a break and allow it to breathe.

    Although this post mainly focused on the wife and mommy, I often encourage my husband and boys to have their own versions of me time as well.  It’s beneficial for us all.

    Don’t forget to comment below and let us know what your very first ME time experience was like.

    Please share this information with your friends.  You never know what lies beneath the surface of some of the smiles you see.

    Be sure to subscribe to our email list so you can stay in the loop of things here on the Lane.

    Share your ME time pics with us and be sure to use the hashtag #mentallyexhaling.

    Until next time,

    Nikky

    My Top 5 Home Organization Vloggers

    Those who know me well know that I am a huge YouTube junkie.  My subscription list is immeasurable with channels geared towards a wide variety of topics.  YouTube has been an amazing platform for teaching, inspiring, and entertaining.

    I wanted to share with you my favorite vloggers that inspire me in the area of home organization.  These women are amazing!  They are my go-to for all things organizing.  I hope you will check them out for yourselves and be inspired to be great!  I can honestly say, watching them is the best stress reliever anyone could ever prescribe.

    Here they are, in no particular order.

    1.  At Home With Nikki

    I have actually sat and binge watched Nikki on a rainy weekend.  She makes organizing look so simple.  She inspires me greatly.  She helps me to BREATHE!  Seriously!  She also has a second channel At Work With Nikki where she vlogs about work space organization.  You can check Nikki out on all major social media platforms as well.  She’s amazingly amazing!  Yes, there is such a thing.

    2.  My Great Challenge

    I love to watch Sophia from The Great Challenge.  She lays out all the details for you as she takes you on her journey to organize, declutter, and remodel her home.  She’s like the neighbor next door that loves to welcome you into their home and share their latest projects and finds with you.

    3.  Pretty Neat Living

    If you ever need any tips on how to organize and prep for hosting the holidays at your home, Jen from Pretty Neat Living is it.  She is wonderful!  She is such a soft spoken, laid back vlogger who gives you all the details of her organization and planning systems.  She is another one who I have binge watched in the past.  Be sure to check her out.

    4.  Do It On A Dime

    Kathryn from Do It On A Dime has just the right energy I need to get going.  I often find myself watching her as I’m cleaning or decluttering my home.  I have watched her for many years and she doesn’t slow down or lose creativity.  Go check her out!

    5.  Home Organizing by Alejandra.tv

    Boy oh boy!  Last, but DEFINITELY not least.  Alejandra from Home Organizing by Alejandra.tv is ALL THINGS ORGANIZING!  Her videos never fail!  She’s a professional organizer and she also offers a training system to help you get yourself together with this life of organizing.  Do yourself a favor and pay her channel a visit.

    Well, those are my top 5 that I wanted to share with you.  There are many others out there who offer organizing videos as well.  There is no excuse for any of us to not be inspired, uplifted and even advised on a variety of methods to get our homes in order.

    Are you a fan of vlogging?  If so, do you have a favorite organizing vlogger that you’d be willing to share with us in the comments below.

    NOW GO…AND BE INSPIRED LADIES!

     

    Nikky

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