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Help me get organised before I start my exciting new job!

20 replies

paralysedbyinertia · 25/05/2021 09:07

I have had a really shit time recently...was made redundant last year and then spent several months out of work looking for something else. Also suffered with significant health anxiety in relation to the pandemic, followed by terrifying cancer scare. Thankfully, following investigations, I have now been given the all-clear on that front, and I'm also due to get my second jab in a couple of weeks. Phew!

I am also due to start my dream job next month. It is a very senior role with lots of responsibility, and I'll have a slightly longer commute than before, so it will be busy. Thankfully, dd is 16 and quite independent these days, but it's months since I have been in work and I'm worried about how I'm going to adapt to having less time and how I'm going to manage everything. It is likely that DH will go abroad for an extended period shortly after he gets his second jab (partly for work/partly to sort out some long-standing family issues). So it will be just me and dd for a while. DD is very happy to chip in and help out around the house as required, but she will also be busy with A-levels, part-time job, volunteering etc.

I have really got used to a slower pace of life since being out of work, and I feel busy all the time even though I have very little to do.Grin I will need to adapt to the new regime quickly, so I'm looking for some really good strategies to get organised and keep on top of things efficiently!

So, busy people, please tell me what works for you? How do you keep on top of everything that needs doing? What clever short cuts do you take? What quick and easy (meat-free) meals do you eat during the week?

Thanks all in advance!

OP posts:
Rainbowqueeen · 25/05/2021 09:18

Bbcgoodfood sweet potato and spinach Dahl is really quick easy and healthy.

Once upon a chef french lentil salad with goats cheese is also great.
Vege burgers

I would:
1 meal plan plus have a couple of frozen dinners ready in case of emergency. Maybe see if you can come up with 3-4 weeks of meals and just rotate them
2 use your time now to stock up on cards and gifts for birthdays that you know are coming up
3 use your time now to go to the dentist, eye check Pap smear etc so you won’t need to do any appointments for the first 6 months or so
4 pay bills, catch up texts etc with friends on your commute (assuming you use public transport)
5 declutter now. It’s easier to keep the house clean the less stuff you have
6 online shopping
7 cleaner. Even if it’s just once a month
8 good routine for laundry.

Good luck!!

poorbuthappy · 25/05/2021 09:27

I work full time and have 3 kids.
My best tip would be bed at a reasonable time and up early.
If I rush in the mornings it throws my entire day off and I never feel like I catch up.
I always mostly have a clean kitchen before leaving the house (or sitting at work desk as currently WFH) so that when I come home mess doesn't greet me.

paralysedbyinertia · 25/05/2021 09:51

Thank you very much, there are some wise tips here! Good plan to get things sorted as much as possible before I start, I want to use this time well. I have just booked an eye test!

Bed early and getting up early sounds good too. I need to find time for exercise - my recent health scare has reminded me of how important it is to take good care of myself, so I really want to prioritise that. Early mornings might be a good time for that?

OP posts:
HoldontoOneMoreDay · 25/05/2021 09:57

Get a cleaner, but if you can't get a cleaner, clean the house on Sunday night instead of Saturday morning. That way it's at its tidiest and cleanest before you 'leave' for the week. (Obvs everyone contributes to the clean)

Online grocery shopping, obvs - get the app and you can do it on the commute.

Food, everyone is going to say batch cooking and I'm a massive advocate of it, but to get you over that starting 'hump' the very thought of batch cooking isn't going to help. So again, buy in as much help as you can - I like Cook meals, Waitrose Charlie Bingham ready meals are nice, think about gusto or Naked Chef - these last two not necessarily time-saving but they do take away the mental effort of food planning and shopping.

I'd absolutely blitz the house now, before you start, and get rid of all clutter, invest in some storage if you need it, etc etc so the house runs as smoothly as possible.

paralysedbyinertia · 25/05/2021 10:47

Thanks for the ideas, will have to think about a cleaner. DH isn't keen, but it might be worth getting someone in when he's away.

Good plan to do the online shop on my commute. Haven't yet decided whether to use car or train, but I'll factor this into my decision-making!

Will think about batch cooking. I probably need to reorganise the freezer, which isn't huge, in order to make some extra space for stuff. Will look into gusto and Naked Chef - are they expensive?

I definitely need to blitz the house over the next couple of weeks in order to get things sorted before I start. We haven't had any visitors for months, so the mess has built up a bit.Blush

OP posts:
MotherPiglet · 25/05/2021 11:00

Clean kitchen before you go to bed. So then your not coming home to mess, it'll literally just be breakfast pots (which can be hidden in the dishwasher if you have one)

Prep lunch a few days at a time. I'm a SAHM now but used to do this while cooking tea so it didnt necessarily take up any extra time.

If your wanting it start exercise, set aside 30 minutes when you get up in the morning to start the day off well. Have your workout clothes ready the night before to throw on when you get out of bed. Have your work clothes ready in the bathroom so after your shower you know where everything is.

Keep on top of washing. Sort into darks / lights every couple of days and once you've got a full load get it done. If your washing machine has the function you can set a timer so it's ready for when you get up in the morning to hang out or when you get home from work.

paralysedbyinertia · 25/05/2021 11:41

Yes, I think getting up early to exercise is probably the best option. And although I hate cleaning the kitchen in the evenings when I just want to relax, I'm sure it will make for less stressful mornings!

Our washing machine does have a timer, so I'll try to make use of that.

OP posts:
paralysedbyinertia · 25/05/2021 11:55

Any tips for work productivity would also be gratefully received! I believe that I have undiagnosed adhd, so organisation has always been a challenge for me. I'm trying to get the adhd investigated, but would welcome any tips that I can use in the interim!

OP posts:
HoldontoOneMoreDay · 25/05/2021 14:38

@paralysedbyinertia

Thanks for the ideas, will have to think about a cleaner. DH isn't keen, but it might be worth getting someone in when he's away.

Good plan to do the online shop on my commute. Haven't yet decided whether to use car or train, but I'll factor this into my decision-making!

Will think about batch cooking. I probably need to reorganise the freezer, which isn't huge, in order to make some extra space for stuff. Will look into gusto and Naked Chef - are they expensive?

I definitely need to blitz the house over the next couple of weeks in order to get things sorted before I start. We haven't had any visitors for months, so the mess has built up a bit.Blush

Oh does DH do all the cleaning then? I wonder why he's not on here looking for tips about organising the house?

Soz, I'm being a cow but if the cleaning falls on you (which it must do if he's abroad) then he doesn't get an opinion on whether or not you get a cleaner...

paralysedbyinertia · 25/05/2021 15:24

@HoldontoOneMoreDay, yeah, I get where you're coming from. To be fair, he does do more of the cleaning than I do, though we both share it. He thinks a cleaner would be a waste of money, but if he isn't here to help, then it might be a very sensible option!

OP posts:
paralysedbyinertia · 25/05/2021 18:41

Bumping for the evening crowd in case anyone has any further brilliant tips for me!Grin

OP posts:
ICouldHaveCheckedFirst · 25/05/2021 18:45

A colleague used to all her online life admin - grocery shop, setting up bill payments etc - during her lunch break. You may want to use that time to get to know your new colleagues of course.

paralysedbyinertia · 25/05/2021 19:08

Thanks, that's a good plan to use those spare moments to work through the little tasks that need doing. I don't yet know what the team culture will be like with regard to lunchtimes etc, but I may be able to do that kind of stuff on my commute too.Smile

OP posts:
emmathedilemma · 25/05/2021 19:14

Make a meal plan for the week.
Have Friday night as "no cook" night so easy "bung it in the oven" type meals, takeaway or similar.
Batch cook and freeze.
Make packed lunches the night before or prepare veg for dinner the next day e.g chop veg or make pasta sauce etc.
Share out the household chores
Use your lunchtimes for online shopping, exercise etc.
Exercise on the way home from work if you can't do lunchtime, otherwise I find once your bum hits the sofa it doesn't get up again!

BiddyPop · 25/05/2021 20:00

Plan ahead for meals, and if possible, internet shop for groceries. Or do a big "stock up" shop now for things that are staples and can make easy meals (tins of all sorts, pasta, rice, couscous, packets/jars of sauces or good seasonings, dried mushrooms, stocks, jars pesto, part baked bread rolls, wraps, long life gnocchi etc for cupboard; frozen veg already chopped (and mixed), packets like a stir fry that's frozen, a couple of good ready meals; etc).

Organise your day:
It may seem odd that I start with the evening but bear with me.
Come in from work, empty out and dump bags, get dinner sorted, deal with post and listen to DD etc.
Eat, then washup. Washup time also includes any prep needed for the next day - peeling/chopping veg, taking things out of freezer to defrost, perhaps making a sauce (I'd normally say things like Spag bol, curries, chilli - but any veggie meals that need slow simmering time). Also make any lunches for next day - for you or DD to bring with you and pop in fridge overnight.
Get any chores needed done then as well, before relaxing.
At bedtime, lay out breakfast things before leaving the kitchen, and otherwise leave it tidy. Leave your work things, handbag, etc, all ready to go. Upstairs, lay out your clothes for the morning while changing and doing ablutions, and then get a good sleep.

In the morning, you can then be in more autoilot mode. Up, washed, dressed, make sure DD is up, get both of you fed, grab lunch, grab coat/bag, head out door.

A good travel mug is great for commuting to fill at home, and having podcasts or an audio book to listen to.

Put bills on standing orders/direct debits where possible, or at least set up for mobile banking.

Having a drawer of general birthday and other occasion cards, spare stamps and envelopes and notelets/writing paper are very handy. I also have a stock of gift bags and various types of wrapping paper/ribbons and tape, so even if I need to grab a gift in a hurry at lunch/order online, I can at least wrap it nicely at home.

Think ahead for clothes where possible. Try and get at least the basic essentials online where fashion and fit are not such an issue (if you are a standard size, things like socks/underwear/nightwear/basic tshirts & jeans etc). So your precious spare time to shop can be used to find a few fun things.
For me, I have a fairly standardised look for work - plain trousers, plain ribbed poloneck jumper or plain long sleeved top or plain short sleeved top (depending on season) and comfortable but respectable shoes (lots of walking), with some dresses thrown in and the odd suit. My jumpers are various colours but a standard M&S pattern that has been going for at least 10 years so I can renew as needed. My tops are LandsEnd, standard shape and fabric, but again various colours. I often manage to get new ones (to replace ones looking a bit shook) with a discount code or in the sales. But it means I can have fun with scarves and jewellery, or jackets/cardigans to go over them, which are what I spend my in-store shopping time on. (Quite often, that might be a few minutes at opening time on my way to the office on quieter mornings, or at lunch or heading to the train in the evening).

And do get good quality clothes that will last and look after them well - they really will save you time and money in the long run!

I have a full makeup kit at home, a full kit in my desk and a full kit in my always-packed travel washkit. I tend to keep the more sparkle stuff at home for going out at weekends, but otherwise, all 3 are virtually identical. Sometimes I have time to do before I leave home, sometimes I only get time at work (or decide I don't need it then someone calls a meeting!), and i do a lot of travel so keep my travel kit full and ready to go (I refill my small bottles when I come home and repack it then as it's sometimes short notice but usually chaotic when going but much calmer when I just get home).

Get a good haircut now, and learn how to manage it quickly and easily. Think about any other grooming and maintenance - find beautician or whoever you might need that you can pop in at lunch or on the commute if you can. And things like doctor, dentist, optician etc too - especially if the ones near home don't do evenings/weekends.

Find good people to help.
Cleaner for home.
Dry cleaner, shoemaker, dressmaker (for repairs) etc to keep the wardrobe looking good.
Repair trades for problems at home - just have their numbers so you can call and organise yourself.

One thing we do to keep laundry under control is to wash as needed during the week (usually organised as part of the "washup after dinner and household chores time but set up on the timer), hang on the clothes horse overnight or throw into the dryer if the washing line outside is not an option (and we don't care about them getting "darked on" so they stay out overnight) - but throw them in a separate clean clothes hamper downstairs once dry. So anyone can rummage through that if they need clean things during the week, but DH or I pick a quiet time at the weekend to pile it on the floor and fold all the clean things at once - usually watching a movie - and out them away then. Or throw ironing back into clean hamper until they are ironed while watching countryfile on Sundays.

Oh, and on food, find some good batch cooking meals if you can, and put a few meals in the freezer for mad nights. Don't give yourself grief for the odd midweek takeaway or dinner that is a part baked baguette cooked alongside an M&S Welsh rarebit cheese thing and a glass of cold wine. Use delis or places like M&S for conveniences in between more wholesome HM meals. Individual plastic takeaawy containers can be great when washed for freezing individual portions of batch cooked dinners - which might be after a whole day doing a few different things, or just an evening where you've had a bit of time to cook and done enough for 2 nights not just 1 so freezing leftovers for another night.

NotRainingToday · 25/05/2021 20:08

What sort of very senior is the role? What sort of things will you be responsible for? Will you have a team/line management?

I'm probably better on work hacks than life hacks, I think pps have it covered :)

PinkTonic · 25/05/2021 20:22

@NotRainingToday

What sort of very senior is the role? What sort of things will you be responsible for? Will you have a team/line management?

I'm probably better on work hacks than life hacks, I think pps have it covered :)

I was thinking more about what it’s going to be like going back after a period of being out of work, post pandemic etc. I’ve been in my new role for 4 months now after redundancy and 7 months looking and it’s been a real shock to the system. We are still fully remote, very difficult to get a feel for the culture, haven’t met anyone, some changes resulting from the pandemic are good, some challenging. It’s hard. The domestic stuff is the least of it.
AlgalDoom · 25/05/2021 20:57

People's productivity is boosted by getting away from screens and outside during the lunch break.

Make sure 50% of the life admin is going to your partner.

Look into Trello for project management.

Viviennemary · 25/05/2021 21:08

Get a cleaner. It will take a lot of pressure off if you get a good reliable one.

paralysedbyinertia · 25/05/2021 21:48

Thanks @emmathedilemma and @BiddyPop for some brilliant tips. There are loads of things there that I can try to apply. I'm going to do a load of batch cooking before I start, and will definitely do some stock-up shopping for the basics. I have booked a haircut and will invest in some new work clothes as I've lost quite a bit of weight.

@NotRainingToday, senior role means senior leadership role with organisation-wide responsibility. I will be responsible for a substantial team, but I have managed similar sized previously, so that in itself doesn't faze me. I'm actually rather good at the people management bits, but personal organisation seems to escape me. I can just about manage to hold it together in work, with the right systems in place, but it all falls apart at home!Blush Work hacks would also be very welcome though!

@PinkTonic, I'd be interested to hear more about your experiences of going back to work after a long break. I know it's going to be difficult with a lot of people still remote working etc, but I'm actually looking forward to the challenge. Let's see how I feel in a couple of months!

@AlgalDoom, I will try very hard to heed your advice about getting away from screens at lunchtime. I'm not always very good at that. Didn't really get on well with trello when I tried it previously, but might have another look.

@Viviennemary, I will definitely give some thought to the cleaner. It would make life easier.

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