Organizing Tips for a Fall Refresh
As I write this, my honeycrisp apple candle is flickering on my coffee table and the ground outside my living room window is scattered with fallen leaves. Not quite enough that they need to be raked up, but just enough to herald all the leaves to come.
Most years when fall comes I get excited about the extra time to spend at home, as the outside air grows colder and the days shorter. I’m not feeling quite that same excitement in 2020 since quite a bit of the year has been spent at home anyway.
But as we round the corner to fall, it also brings the reminder that this year, with all its highs and lows, is nearing its end.
Whether you are excited by the coming of this new season, or dreading any extra time you have to spend within the walls of your home, having a home that is tidy, clean, and organized can help.
Spring cleaning definitely gets a lot of hype - but I think that the transition to fall (especially since it brings flu season with it) deserves just as much attention. It’s another great time to get your home in order for all that lies ahead.
We should all probably start this season with a pretty thorough sanitation of our homes. We don’t want COVID or the flu, especially not from being home. This is the perfect time to use all those sanitizing wipes and industrial-strength cleaners you may have stocked up on in March. And maybe light a fall-scented candle while you’re at it - we know that none of those cleaning supplies smell good.
Another great place to refresh with the change of seasons is your refrigerator. Cleaning out the fridge has always been one of my least favorite chores, but the transition to a new season is a perfect time. Any of those odd condiments from the one socially-distanced BBQ you hosted this summer can probably be tossed. And any leftovers that you know you won’t eat. This also clears space for stocking up on soups, stews, and of course - pumpkin pie. And I think I may have seen egg nog floating around my local grocery store already - so you’ll probably need some space for that too.
Personally, I have been reaching for my warm sweaters for the last month or two, but if you live somewhere a bit warmer than I do (in which case, I’m a bit jealous) then you might be starting to think about transitioning your closet. This is somewhat of an optional item since many people I know (myself included) keep all items in their closets accessible all year.
If you do keep your clothes in a seasonal rotation, it’s that time of year again! And even if you don’t, I would encourage you to take some time to go through your closet regardless. You can declutter any summer items that you didn’t reach for over the last couple of months and also assess if there is anything you may need to purchase for the colder, shorter days ahead.
Since we also know that the holidays are just weeks away, now is a great time to start getting organized. For me, that means beginning my list of people to buy gifts for and ideas for what to give them. Towards the end of this month I’ll begin to purchase or make the gifts that I know I will need - and since I have started early I am able to keep an intentional lookout for ideas for the people that I haven’t yet found the perfect gift for.
Even though I love the holidays and they really are just around the corner, and even though fall is only my third favorite season, I’m taking time to savor it. I hope that you can too - and I know that it’s just a bit easier to do in an organized home
Stay warm, and safe, and healthy.
Until next time,