Summer Simplified: How to Organize for Travel, Guests, and Busy Schedules
The summer is an amazing time for adventure and connection. Schedules are freed up with kids out of school and big projects out of the way, and the weather is perfect for getting out and exploring the world. This is the time of planning vacations, family visits, summer sports, and creating memories that will last a lifetime. All this planning can be stressful, however, especially when it's disorganized. Staying organized and creating a system for your summer will ensure that you’re ready to enjoy your well-deserved adventures.
Summer Styles
Summer weather means switching out the winter fashion and bringing in lighter wear. Organizing your clothes around summer plans will help you prepare for what’s in store and ensure you aren’t scrambling last minute. As the weather starts to warm up, take a day to sort through your summer clothes and switch out your wardrobe. Make sure you have enough clothes to rotate through and make note of any pieces you might be missing. Do you need a summer dress for a day at the park? Do you still own a swimsuit? Take the time now before the weather really ramps up to make sure your clothes fit and are in good condition. You can also use this time to declutter. If you find anything you never wear, give it a new home! When you’re done, pack away your winter clothes.
Keeping Summer Tools on Hand
Summer adventures mean summer sports equipment and yard gear. It’s your time to garden, hit up the basketball courts, and get the family together for a barbeque. Pulling out these tools ahead of time and finding a place for them to live that’s easily accessible will help you take advantage of the weather and enjoy these activities when the time presents itself. If you have a porch or a mud room, use this space as a home for your summer needs. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy but giving them a home that’s off the floor and away from the farthest corner in your basement means you won’t be scrambling and wondering where everything is when you’re ready to go out.
Travel With Ease
If you have any travel plans this summer, preparing ahead of time is important to prevent stress. Once your travel is solidified, think about what you’ll need to bring and if there’s any loose ends you need to tie up at home before you leave. Pull out the suitcases long before you think you need them and make a list of what you’ll want to pack. You might find you need to whittle this down as you get closer to leaving, but for now, just add anything you think you might need while you’re gone. Check in with your bank so they know you’ll be out of town and let your family or friends know you’ll be away. If you’ll be gone for a longer period of time, see if someone you trust can check on your house a couple of times to make sure everything’s alright. Finally, as you’re getting closer to the day you leave, make sure you have any last-minute items in order: tickets, reservations, passports, etc. With all this prepared, you’ll be able to enjoy your travel and vacation in peace and (possibly) quiet.
Preparing For Guests
Summer is the perfect season to have family and friends over to visit. Preparing for guests can be stressful, though. Even when it’s people you know well, you want to create a space where they feel welcome. Once you have solidified the dates for guests to arrive, plan out what you’d like to get done beforehand. Are there projects you want to complete? Larger errands you need to run in preparation? Furniture to rearrange? Once you know what you’d like to accomplish, set aside time to make it happen. Giving yourself a due date can prevent last minute surprises and ensure you’re not worried about getting things done last minute. This is a good time to do a full house clean, with special attention to whatever space your guest is staying in. You and your family can prepare emotionally, too: discuss the changes in routine and schedule you might have while your guests are over and set aside time in advance where you can relax and take a break from hosting.
The summer is an ideal time to escape the chaos of the world. As the weather warms and everything comes alive again, you have the opportunity to really enjoy the next few months and spend some time with your loved ones. Setting yourself and your family up for an organized summer will save you stress and give you the chance to really focus on the joys of what’s to come.