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Original poster

Fancy sharing your 'atomic habits'* for inspiration for a September reset?

209 replies

LadyMaria · 20/08/2024 18:32

Hello everyone

I love a clean slate and making resolutions. I've been making (and breaking) resolutions since I was little. I always considered September to be a second January, and in that spirit, I want to take advantage of the fresh-start atmosphere that comes with the back-to-school season. My goal is to start implementing small changes that will help me reorganise my life and regain the sense of control that I absolutely crave.

I'm here to ask you lovely ladies to please share with me (and anyone interested in doing the reset) the tiny changes that helped you start transforming your lives for the better.

OP posts:
Jukeboxjive · 22/09/2024 16:34

Not sure if I can sneak this in as an atomic habit but someone on here once recommend having a indelible maker pen in the fridge.

Once open jars /mayonnaise /ketchup etc pop date on.
It's been glorious! No more wondering how old apple sourse is... We can see it's a year old 😳

Jukeboxjive · 22/09/2024 16:34

Not sure if I can sneak this in as an atomic habit but someone on here once recommend having a indelible maker pen in the fridge.

Once open jars /mayonnaise /ketchup etc pop date on.
It's been glorious! No more wondering how old apple sourse is... We can see it's a year old 😳

Original poster
LadyMaria · 26/09/2024 20:29

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 21/09/2024 08:54

Well, I finally did what I’ve been dithering over for ages - joined my very handy David Lloyd (just for the pool) and have been twice this week already. 20 lengths each time, must work that up a bit.

Determined to go at least twice a week, to get my money’s worth.

Great! Hope you managed not to miss any session.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyMaria · 26/09/2024 20:42

whiteorchids44 · 21/09/2024 14:00

January: Buy a year's worth of birthday cards, anniversary cards, etc.. and address them when you can. Check the expiration dates of medicine in the house.

March: Book Easter egg hunt or event.

May: Buy a size up on clothes/shoes and school uniform.

August: I declutter house room by room then sort things out to donate, bin or give away to friends/family. Seasonal: Halloween: Sort out Halloween costumes; Start thinking about/booking Halloween events; Christmas: Update to do list; Order Christmas presents; Start wrapping gifts when you have time. Book Santa's Grotto.

September: Just before school starts, I like to have the house deep cleaned by cleaners that usually do end of tenancy cleans. I can't tell you how amazing it feels after it's done. M&S starts putting the Christmas items out so I start stocking up on chocolates, tins etc..Schedule round of playdates for the kids;

Daily:
Make my bed as soon as I get up.
Drink water
Work out or go for a walk
Fold up and put away laundry as soon as you empty the dryer.
Clean up while you cook and wipe down the kitchen and table after each meal.
As soon as I get home, I clear out the contents of my bag.
Read a book for 30 mins.
Activities/sports kits are in clear plastic drawstring bags so you and the kids can see the contents and they are laid out by their backpacks the night before.
Prep kitchen for the next day/breakfast routine.
Lay out clothes out for the next day.
We try to keep the house tidy before we go to sleep.
Go over to the do list for the following day.

In general:
We have a cleaner that cleans the house fortnightly, we have our groceries delivered to the house, we meal plan and we have a gardener.
We share a family calendar on Google. There is also a dry erase calendar in the kitchen which has each family member's name and their activities for the week as well as a list of what we will be having for dinner.
We try to do chores during the work week so we have more time on weekends.
We try to plan out our weekends as best we can so we can make the most out of the weekends.
Aside from the kids' various sports classes, playdates and birthday parties,
we have a seasonal bucket list of places and things to do that we do as a family on the weekends.
I have an excel doc which lists all the extracurricular clubs, sports, activities, reminders etc. that my kids do and will plan to do by age. It makes it easier for me to jot things down there, and add reminders as well as list info for the sports and activities where they are on waiting lists for.
We try to focus on experiences and traveling rather than things. We're quite simple and minimalist at home when it comes to clothes, toys, home furnishings etc. We live off of a seasonal capsule wardrobes. I have a uniform for work, school run, and going out etc. so I don't have to spend too much time making decisions.

That's the kind of organisation I crave!
Having the house deep cleaned by professionnels must feel cathartic.

OP posts:
Original poster
LadyMaria · 26/09/2024 20:49

GameOfJones · 22/09/2024 15:43

Of course! It works best with white bread flour in my experience:

500g strong white bread flour
350ml warm (not hot) water
1tsp yeast
2 tsp salt

Put everything in a bowl and mix together with a spoon. Don't knead it, just make sure it's all combined. Cover with a damp tea towel and leave overnight.

The next morning, put a lidded casserole pot into the oven for 20 mins at 180c. The dough mixture will be really bubbly and sticky.

Scrape it out onto some baking parchment with a spatula. Don't touch it with your hands, just make it vaguely loaf shaped.

Take the hot casserole pot out the oven. Pick up the dough on the baking paper and drop it into the pot. Lid on (remember oven gloves as it's hot!) Back into the oven.

Cook at 180c for approx 45 mins. Maybe a bit longer if it looks like it needs it.

Show quote history

The bread sounds delicious. I may try the recipe; thanks for sharing.
I've been using a bread maker for the past two years and I've not bought any bread since apart from the occasional baquette.

OP posts:
Tigerlilyxx · 27/09/2024 12:05

LadyMaria · 26/09/2024 20:49

The bread sounds delicious. I may try the recipe; thanks for sharing.
I've been using a bread maker for the past two years and I've not bought any bread since apart from the occasional baquette.

Show quote history

How do you find the bread maker? I've been debating one but I need something to make baps for husbands sandwiches

Original poster
LadyMaria · 27/09/2024 21:46

Tigerlilyxx · 27/09/2024 12:05

How do you find the bread maker? I've been debating one but I need something to make baps for husbands sandwiches

Show quote history

Excellent. I have this one:
Panasonic SD-R2530 Automatic Breadmaker, with gluten free programme and nut dispenser - White https://amzn.eu/d/3yL21rC

OP posts:
GoldLameDarling · 29/09/2024 08:39

Whatever123456789 · 21/08/2024 10:17

I think the 'habit stacking' is the biz.
I'm so disorganised but the concept to take a thing that you already habitually do, and add another thing is great. My best success... a simple one.

First thing in the morning, drink a pint of water while the kettle boils for tea.

I take my probiotics while the kettle boils, so they reach an empty stomach.

Original poster
LadyMaria · 12/10/2024 21:38

Hello! How's the reset going?

Although I haven't accomplished the total reset I was after, I feel that I am getting there. I am focusing on decluttering and organising my surroundings as this, for me, is essential to have the energy to tackle the other aspects of my life. Between work and kids and life, it's been slow, but I am not discouraged.

I hope this thread has inspired some of you to at least think about potential changes that would change your life for the better.

Slow and steady wins the race :)

OP posts:
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