Organize + Energize: 8 Ways To Stay Organized For Summer Outings
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Does your beach bag look like it's overflowing with last-minute toss-ins? Time to get organized before the next time the beach calls.
I was at a pool party last year and one of the guests and her husband had their 3 children with them. The children were getting ready to go in the pool, but their mom realized that in her bag full of pool gear, she forgot to pack a pair of swimmies and masks for 2 of her children. Her husband had to drive back home to pick up the things that she forgot to pack.
How many times have you forgotten to pack something, whether you are packing for an overnight trip to grandmas, a weekend getaway, or a day trip to the beach? Nobody is perfect, there are times when we are going to forget things, but having a list to follow will help with the process.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTInitially, this may seem time consuming and tedious, but you will benefit from being prepared in the long run. Being prepared will save you time, money, energy and you will be less stressed in the end.
Here are 8 tips to get organized for summer fun!
1. Think of places you take your children (or yourself) where you frequently need a packed bag. Do you take them to camp, sports lessons, beach, overnight stays or day trips?
2. Make a list of everything you would pack according to each trip you take on a regular basis. Write everything down. That item that you think you will remember and don’t jot down is the item you will end up forgetting.
3. Clothespin or clip the list to the bag you normally take with you on the trip. Seal the list in plastic or laminate for future reference.
4. Next time you need to pack, grab the bag and the attached list and pack from the list. This shouldn’t take you long because you are referring to your list instead of trying to remember what you need to pack.
5. You only have to write the list once and forget about it. Add to it as need be. Initially, it will take about 15 minutes to generate the list, but going forward you will just grab the list.
6. Check everything off the list as you go through it. You never have to wonder if you left something behind, because you will always have the list to check.
7. Prepare snacks at the beginning of the week for day or beach trips. Divide snacks into Ziploc bags or containers. Grab and go.
8. Keep towels, sunscreen, toys, and other necessary items for the summer packed in a beach bag. After you do laundry, place the towels back in the bag.
Take the time now and make your lists! If you make the lists last minute, you may forget items. Make the list out when you have a few minutes. Having these lists in place will save you time, energy, money, and will reduce stress. This is a perfect time to write your lists for summer occasions since you have what you need to take fresh in your mind.
Kristin Carcieri-MacRae, the founder and owner of Organizing in RI, has always enjoyed finding creative ways to streamline the environment around her. Kristin has appeared on air on www.talkstreamradio.com and Patricia Raskin's Positive Business Radio. Her articles have been published in the Rhode Island Small Business Journal and New England Home Life. Her CD, Organizing Basics, is a 1-hour guide for the person who wants to get organized but doesn't know where to start and is available at the following locations listed here. She is also available for organizing workshops.
Related Articles
- Organize + Energize: 10 Ways To Have The Best Yard Sale Ever
- Organize + Energize: 9 Ways To Get The Most Out of Containers
- Organize + Energize: 10 Ways To Organize Your Kids’ Clothing
- Organize + Energize: 10 Ways To Stay On Top Of Your Mail
- Organize + Energize: 4 Steps To Combat Mental Overload
- Organize + Energize: 7 Ways To Maximize Your Space
- Organize + Energize: 10 Steps To An Organized Garage
- Organize + Energize: 7 Ways To Organize Your Makeup
- Organize + Energize: 10 Steps To Organizing Your Office
- Organize + Energize: 7 Ways To Save Time
- Organize + Energize: 10 Steps To a Clutter-Free Bedroom
- Organize + Energize: 8 Ways To Organize Your Pets
