secrets of motherhood | tips for becoming a successful & organized mama

I love the idea of starting the new year off with cleaning & organizing.  Why not dedicate these next few cold, wintry months to spending a little more time – in between those warm cups of coffee and cozy blankets, of course – to revamp your motherhood lifestyle? Here are 10 of my favorite easy tips I use to keep every soul in my home happy + healthy.

1. establish a routine- essential to the flow of the day and keeping my little one able to predict what’s next. Children thrive off of structure and routine. But remember to be flexible too, because some days you really do just have to go with the flow. You know what I’m saying, mama.
2. have a space to keep all of your essentials – you need a space to keep everything organized, whether that be a desk or a command center. I personally use a desk that has all my essentials close by. I have binders specific to a few things I find important (like meal planning, recipes, emergency contacts, my son’s pediatrician and medical information, files for recent paperwork I need to quickly refer to, etc.) I also keep important camera equipment here, as well as a variety of basic office supplies. Michael’s has some great, inexpensive books that can keep every aspect of your life on track – totally not kidding!
3. buy a planner + use it religiously – I recently purchased my 2017 planner from Walmart and it was a whopping $8, compared to the fancy ones you’d find elsewhere. I did go to Michael’s though and I purchased a “Mom Sticker Kit” to use with my planner. It has 1500 stickers perfect for my motherhood lifestyle. Play dates, meal planning, workouts, appointments, family time. I mean how cute is the “motherhood is powered by coffee and love” quote sticker?  ❤ I think adding these little touches is what makes such a mundane task more beautiful and enjoyable. I check this planner daily, and although I also use the calendar on my iPhone while I’m out, I immediately transfer what’s in that calendar to this one. Im always afraid my phone is going to get smashed (with the way I drop it), or crash, and then I’m going to lose all my important dates, events, and birthdays. But most importantly, I love that I can hold my planner in my hands. Paper and pen would never go out of style if we’re up to me. Write, and add your own personal touches. In no time, you’ll  find joy in the ordinary everywhere you go.
4. “have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful” ~William Morris | always keep a donation box somewhere in your home. Try to fill it up regularly. If you bring something into your home, it’s probably a good idea to bring two things out of your home. Clutter takes away from motherhood in a sense that you will spend more time cleaning than you would with your little ones. And that’s just not very happy or healthy for all included.
5. use Sundays to relax and to prepare for the upcoming week – and whether that’s meal planning, or prepping meals ahead of time, do whatever you feel will help guide you through the work week. Set out clothes you want to wear that week, and try to make yourself have less things to worry about during your busy days.
6. eat healthy, exercise, and get enough sleep – if mama’s not happy, no one is going to be happy really. Us mamas in a sense are like the glue of the home. Take pride in this. We contribute in ways men can’t, and vis versa.  Take care of yourself and you’ll see that you have more energy to take care of the ones you adore.
7. have a nighttime routine – put a little end table next to your bed to be filled with books. Drink sleepy time tea, unplug, write in a gratitude book or you children’s baby books, make out your to do list, and make sure to star the top three most important things you want to get done for the following day. This keeps you on track and powers the next day with focus and direction.
8. research. study. learn. & grow – i always dedicate a little time to engulf myself into hobbies that benefit my family. Lately those include things like home apothecary, gardening, canning + preserving, essential oils, & DIY projects.
9. use Pinterest to become an organizational mothering guru – I get so motivated while browsing through Pinterest. I particularly love how much dedication there is to organization and ideas to simplify my life. And how so many other people love this kind of stuff too. I feel empowered when I can do things myself, and when I can find safe alternatives and DIY’s to products I don’t want to use in my home. If there are ways out there to make my life easier, happier, healthier and more peaceful, I want to discover it, learn it, and grow from it.
10. Follow other mothers on Instagram to get motivated – { with the understandimg that what you see is certainly not always what you get, and comparison can be the thief of joy } with that being said, there is an incredible community of mothers on Instagram who offer amazing advice and snapshots into how they keep the flow of theirs homes, and what they keep at the heart of it. Don’t be afraid to indulge a little into the lives of others, and to check out what other people are up do. Do so with caution. Always remember that you are your own person, what may have worked for them may not work for you, just be authentic in the process and you’ll find that you will learn and grow from this. Sometimes I find some really amazing ideas through these mothers. And sometimes I realize I’m not so different after all. And that motherhood is an adventure, scary at times, but nonetheless the most amazing adventure. And in a way, we are all in this together, so spread some love – you never know what it could start.

What are your favorite tips to becoming a more successful and organized mother? I would love to hear from you!

xx,

mamajbirdy