Organizing for the -ber Months
The months of September, October, November, and December have recently been referred to as the “-ber” months! These months celebrate time together, fresh starts for the season, seasonal treats, and celebrations. This is also the time we nest for winter, no matter the real temperatures. Here are some ways to celebrate the season with organizing.
Freshen up your planner
Grab a mug of your favorite fall beverage and your planner and get started! Your planner is your first step in organizing. Write in all the upcoming events and activities. Set time for holiday travel planning and dates for travel. Add in home maintenance tasks like appointments for AC/Heater, gutters and critical system checks. Write a list of upcoming appointments to make such as a family photo for your holiday card. By adding dates to your planner for home organization and maintenance at the start of Fall you have a plan in place which lowers your stress.
Start preparing early for Fall holidays and celebrations. Work backward from your family celebrations to write in dates to chunk steps for each holiday. Write in when to take your family photo for your holiday cards, dates to grocery and gift shop, and all other small tasks that will make your holidays easier.
Freshen up your space
With new activities and cooler weather, you want areas of your home ready for fall fun.
- Reset your landing strip where you come and go from your home. Move Summer items into their proper homes, Set up a system for the academics and activities. Have a hook for each bag and hoodie. Make room for incoming and outgoing boxes.
- Declutter your command center. Whether this is in your kitchen or your home office, now is the best time to get ready for all the paperwork, fall schedules and incoming information. Review what to keep and spend an hour filing your papers in your file area. Set a weekly time for an administrative time, depending on your new fall schedule.
- Update your junk drawer. Clear out this space periodically to prevent it from getting out of control. It is easy to know what to toss and what to keep.
- Refresh your pantry. Fall is about food including back-to-school lunches, fall treats, and Thanksgiving.
- Say hello to your favorite fall sweater. Now is the time to pull out the fall clothing and tuck away summer clothing until next year. For your kiddos, check sizes and use bins to save clothes for your next younger kiddos. Keep only what can fit today in your kiddos’ drawers.
- Check your medicine and first aid areas. Declutter any expired medications and purchase what you need for the coming months. There is already a lot of sickness so be prepared with over-the-counter items and supplements. Check your prescriptions too. Pharmacies will take expired medication for proper disposal.
- Declutter your bathroom counters and vanities. Take a few minutes and go through your cosmetics and personal hygiene products. Some products have not solved your challenges, so let those go to friends. Evaluate what you use each day and create an easy, functional, and attractive system for daily use.
- Complete your organizing by adding touches of seasonal decor. Pumpkins, fall colors, and fall scents bring the season into our homes.
Find fun and energy this fall
Decluttering, organizing, and setting up systems in the -ber months all help you find more fun and energy for the fall. The goal of your fall organizing is to release what you do not need or love, reset your home, and prepare for fall fun. The best way to do this is to set time for fall self-care. Getting a good night’s rest, having more time outside, hydrating, and eating well are all the ways to energize and reset your frame of mind. If you have not done so, the first step is to set an adult bedtime for you to get ready for bed early in order to get rested.
Make the last quarter of the year the most organized and productive part of your year.
I always feel like September through early November are super productive times. As the air cools, I have a bit more energy, and everyone around me seems to be in the same frame of mind. Love that phrase “-ber months!”
Since I still use a paper planner, I need to order and set up refills each year. I did this two weeks ago. I enjoy the process. I put in all the birthdays, all the dates I know will be coming up in the new year, vacations, etc. It feels like a positive process, getting me ready for whatever might be on its way.
Happy fall!
I love that! The “ber” months are new to me, and the term describes them perfectly.
I’ve noticed how much more I’m drinking hot beverages. When I sit to write, attend meetings, or have virtual organizing sessions with clients, I always have a mug of coffee or tea with me.
You shared excellent ideas for improving your space. I just finished a guest bedroom reno project, and it spawned other smaller home changes, too. Something tells me there is more to come. 🙂
Ah the scope creep of home projects! We all know it well!
Just today I was adding dates to 2025. What a joy to be able to look forward to these!