Anyone want to join me in becoming more efficient this Autumn?

[Thatsnotmybookworm]

Would anyone like to join me in a thread to encourage ourselves to be more efficient and organised this Autumn?
I'm about to return to work after maternity leave, and I've really enjoyed how organised and (reasonably) calm my life has felt over the past couple of months; I would really like to hang on to that state when I'm back at work, but I'll need to be pretty efficient to manage it; I'll need to figure out lots of shortcuts I think . Time is going to be my most precious resource and I need to manage it accordingly!
Would love some company on my journey

[dmango]

Yes! I'm going to try bullet journalling..

[Thatsnotmybookworm]

Thanks for the response .
I'm not too familiar with bullet journal but I love a list . I mostly use an app called Wunderlist (for long running ones) and the notes section of my phone for day to day To Do lists.

[Thatsnotmybookworm]

I think I'm going to try to list one 'efficient' thing I do everyday. So today, I tidied my bedroom, including a shelf of my wardrobe, tidied the landing and threw out a piece of out of date paperwork, while killing time upstairs, waiting for DD to settle for her nap.

[hidinginthenightgarden]

I REALLY REALLY REALLY need to do this!
I need to take control and sort out each room one at a time.
I might set aside an hour a day until the whole house has been gutted.

[MrsJonesAndMe]

Can I join? Need to sort out my finances, my health and a mountain of paperwork.

I have used a bullet journal before, so may well go back to that.

[dmango]

Sounds like we all have a plan which is a great start...I did the Spark Joy Marie Kondo 'thing' last summer and that's really helped with de-cluttering, organising & cleaning etc So I'm going to have a go at Bullet Journal- I am NOT a list maker I'm afraid so who knows how it'll go??

[StoorieHoose]

the Organised Mum method helps me loads - it’s a bit like fly lady in that you clean and sort rooms on a set day but less preachy!

Oh and a good diary and phone calendar keeps me right too

[Pebblesandfriends]

Ooh me! Both kids will be at school and I have a day to myself so feel like I may finally have time.

[Thatsnotmybookworm]

Welcome aboard everyone . I'm going to try to post regularly, even very small accomplishments; to try to keep myself motivated.

[camelfinger]

Yes please. One of my current favourite things is to spend 10 minutes (I don’t time it) doing one thing that will help with next week.

[BendydickCuminsnatch]

Me! I’ve just given up after a few years of bullet journalling. Going back to my trusty Filofax. Using my old one for the rest of the year, figuring out what I want to add/remove, which layouts I like, then for the new year I’m going to get a bigger one and start fresh :)

I’m trying to fill up my life a bit but struggling to work out what that means for me 😄 I’ve never known what I wanted to do professionally.
So the only things I really have to organise at the moment are the house and the kids (9 months and 3 years).

Thinking about it, here’s where i’ll Start:

Conquer the laundry for good - a load a day keeps me on track but then WHY are the clothes always on the floor???

Declutter office and utility

Find a regular activity to do with DS2

Work up to running 6k straight (can currently do 4) - not really organisation I spose!

Find a volunteer post!

Work more (i’m freelance)

Just the other day I made myself a timetable for the week, so put on all the weekly activities, chores (bins tues night, floors, sheets, bathroom), 1:1 time schedules for each kid. So then I’m not writing the same stuff into my diary week after week.

I’m working my way through an August catch-up to-do list as I’ve had so much life admin I’ve been putting off lately!

[StoorieHoose]

Organised Mum is on Facebook and Instagram as well as her own website

I love the look of a bullet journal but when I look at them on Instagram I always get the impression that they have a scrappy bit of paper with their real list on then they sit and re do it all nicely and arty !

[8FencingWire]

I started the other day by buying a pocket diary :)
I need to get my organised head on ready for the autumn. I’m not quite ready yet though, still one more holiday to have. But I must get back into it :)
So, I’m in!

[Cantchoosenickname]

I really, really need this thread so will be back later to read properly!

[Mummybearpeanut]

Ooihhh can I join up too please ?not sure what a bullet journal is lol but I'm a list maker .now summer holidays are over soon I'm trying hard to be organised with uniform and clearing out .does anyone have the problem of dcs ransacking a room once you've tidied it or emptying a charity bag claiming mummy I love that even if they haven't played with it for 6 months .

[Thatsnotmybookworm]

Oh this is wonderful, welcome everyone!

This evening, I have loaded the washing machine ready for tomorrow.

[FreeButtonBee]

So my number one tip for post maternity leave it to do literally nothing other than go to work, come home to your baby and do easy simple things at the weekend close to home that doesn’t involve any mental exertion. And book a holiday for six weeks time if you can.

Otherwise - online shopping and meal planning - full but essential if you don’t want to live on ready meals

[Mummybearpeanut]

Well done super efficentNot sure I'm normal but I've done a Christmas gift list tonight all family done 15 people 2 kids oh 3 friends and 7 friends kids .they were easy to choose but no idea what to get my 7yr old who's growing up too fast .

[GruffaloSoldier]

Ooh please can I join? I definitely need to. I have three boys, the youngest being almost 8 months and our house has got so out of hand since he was born. (It wasn't great before...) I'm am very much the disorganised Mum!

[LethalLola]

Joining! I use the app 2Do which syncs with DHs phone meaning we can both add things to the list and assign them to someone. I have so many colour coded lists and projects on there and it's so satisfying.

I've also just gone back after mat leave and feel like I'm chasing my tail constantly so would love to find more ways to keep on top of everything. Although probably my biggest issue is the motivation to do it!

[8FencingWire]

Right. I’ve ordered a new backpack and school shoes for DD. All I have left to buy is her PE kit, pens and pencils and tights. And put money on her school account for occasional meals.
Got lunchbox, waterbottle.

Next project is redoing her room, ironing her tonnes of white shirts, going through clothes etc.

I need to finish this weekend. Then I don’t have to worry about it.

The next thing I must do is clean the fridge and freezer and make a menu plan for september (a rough one). Try and eat more seasonal fruit and veg.
I need to take stock of supplies like toothpaste, toilet paper etc.

I’ve got a huge mountain of ironing too. I must get back into my friday night ironing.
Let’s see how I do this weekend.

[PeterPrunus]

Great idea for a thread OP

My eldest is off to uni in a couple of weeks and I’ve got so used to them doing little jobs around the house for me Time to get the youngest involved I think but I also need to pull my own socks up.

Today I’m going to concentrate on catching up with the washing.

[Oh2beatsea]

Yes please ~ sign me up! We’ve been back from holidays for a week and I’m pleased that I’ve got the washing / ironing / cleaning all in order.
I now need to focus on getting paperwork/ direct debits / office stuff sorted out now.
I also want to write and stick to a meal plan. We seem to have just eaten variations on salad over the summer which is great but now I can’t remember what we used to eat pre the hot weather!

[Thatsnotmybookworm]

Welcome everyone! Thanks @PeterPrunus .
Today I bought DSis Christmas present. I don't usual like to Christmas shop until November as it's part of the build up for me, but I saw it, knew she would love it, and in the interests of efficiency, I bought it (instead of faffing around thinking about it, and waiting for it to maybe go on sale at some point.)
I have also done my usual Saturday laundry load of tea towels and kitchen cloths, along with another load.

[hidinginthenightgarden]

Xmas am I a little organised but me and kids have their birthdays in October and DH a week before xmas which makes present buying super hard!

Last January I bought DS a set of lego because it was half price and a bargain. I put it away ready for his birthday. I did similar with DD's presents when I saw them on offer. Half their birthday presents were bought in the first half of the year.


This weekend I have gone through the kids rooms and chucked all the broken toys. Sorted through clothes too and I have also made a mental note of things I think I could sell/charity shop ready for birthdays. I want to do the toy box downstairs and my wardrobe today.