Time, Clarity, and a Post-It Note!

By. Meredith Biesinger

We talk a lot about organizing ourselves as educators, including the best ways to manage our classrooms, curriculum, parent and student communication, and now, online or hybrid learning lesson plans for many of us. 

While being an educator is a significant aspect of our life, it’s not the only thing we do. Often, when we aren’t organized within our homes or personal spaces, we can feel anxious, and that anxiety might even creep over into our classrooms. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, I recently read to start with small and simple tasks like folding clothes or doing dishes. These are small acts help us to feel a sense of accomplishment and allows our brain to reset. 
These small and simple tips pack a big punch and will help you stay organized at home, at school, and in life!

1. If you drive a vehicle to and from work, keep in mind that your vehicle is the last personal environment you are in before you enter your school and the last thing you are in before you get home. Keep your car clean and organized with a car container that holds your necessary car items and helps to eliminate clutter in the car. Take a few minutes each week to clear out any trash, vacuum the interior, and perhaps choose a scent for your vehicle that you like. Creating a calm and organized space in your vehicle will help you feel a sense of calm and organization for yourself. 

2. Plan a weekly menu and grocery shop for the items you need over the weekend—meal prep for the week by dividing each meal into labeled containers. If you have a family, try meal prepping the time-consuming elements of each meal. For example, every Sunday, I cook whatever meat we might have that week, and I also chop up our vegetables. Doing so saves me time and simplifies putting together a meal for myself and my family. Don’t enjoy cooking? No problem! Try a home-meal delivery company and have them do the work for you! 

3. Each night, take a few moments and reflect on your plans or the events of the next day. Make a to-do list on a post-it note that you can bring with you and refer back to that list. A daily to-do list will ensure that your day stays organized and that you won’t forget anything. 

By doing some of these small steps, you’re giving yourself a tremendous gift; time. Staying organized at home and in your classroom helps eliminate unnecessary stress and allows you to take some extra time for yourself.