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Get Organized for Autumn Activities by Lisa Zaslow
As the lazy days of summer give way to the hustle and rustle of fall, we seem to have ever more to do, even as the days get shorter and shorter. You can keep the easy-breezy feeling of summer alive by following these tips to get organized for autumn activities.
With a little organization and planning, your full fall days can be as much fun as a day at the beach!
Manage schedules. With school back in session, businesses out of vacation mode, and cultural organizations starting their new seasons, everyone’s schedule is busier in the fall. Set up a centralized calendar to keep track of all your family members’ after-school activities, meetings and events. Color code each person’s schedule on a wall calendar or use a shared electronic calendar so everyone knows who’s where, when.
Gather your gear. Get organized for autumn activities, like fall sports, school and volunteer projects, by collecting the equipment, clothing and items that you need for them. Keep your stuff together so you can simply grab and go when it’s time for your activity. For example, put stadium cushions, blankets and team sweatshirts in a Space Bag Storage Pack to save storage space and simply toss the bag in the car when you head out to a football game.
Prep for cooking. As chillier days approach, the thought of preparing warming, hearty meals seems particularly nourishing. Organize your kitchen to make cooking easier and more enjoyable. Group foods by category – canned goods; pastas; grains; seasonings; baking ingredients; oils and vinegars. Clear cabinet clutter so that the pots, pans and utensils that you use frequently can be grabbed without causing an avalanche of lids and containers. Organize favorite recipes in a 3-ring binder with plastic sheet protectors and divider tabs so you can easily answer the question “What’s for dinner?”
Have fun – not in the sun. Cooler weather and shorter days means that everyone will be spending more time inside. Create a (non-video) “play station” by stocking a cabinet, bin or shelves with plenty of fun things to do. Gather favorite puzzles, books, board games, toys, hobby and craft supplies – for kids and adults! Having an organized go-to recreation location will cut down on screen time and avoid the dreaded, “I’m bored.”
Preserve memories. Fall is a great time to organize your photos, videos, mementos and kids’ art projects from earlier in the year. Frame and display your favorites and use photo-sharing websites to easily create scrap-books, albums, calendars and personalized items like mugs and totes. These make terrific, unique gifts.
‘Tis almost the season! Before you know it, the whirlwind of the holiday season will begin. A little organization early on will save you time, aggravation and money later. Gather Halloween costumes, holiday tablecloths and linens, decorative pillows, Santa’s suit and other soft items in a Space Bag Higher Capacity Storage Tote. You’ll save storage space and keep everything clean, dry and handy for when the festivities begin. Use plastic bins to store the bulkier decorations and trimmings. Start a gift shopping list now to avoid the last-minute rush at the mall later in the season.
About Lisa Zaslow
New York professional organizer Lisa Zaslow has been helping people save space, time and effort for 10 years by organizing their homes and offices. Her Less Mess = Less Stress™ workshops and teleclasses have taught thousands of people how to be more organized and her expertise is regularly featured in the media.
