Surprise! Organizing on a Snow or Ice Day

Snow days aren’t just for kids. Many love the idea of having an unexpected day with no plans and with everything cancelled. You have the joy of an unexpected gift of time. A surprise day off can be the perfect opportunity to rest and reset your home. As a Certified Professional Organizer, bite-sized, baby steps are the best way to organize. One focused day can make a meaningful difference. Here’s how to make the most of a snow or ice day intentionally.

Start with rest

The velocity of life is draining. You likely need time to rest. First off, permit yourself to do nothing. The most productive people make time for rest and reset. That is always a great first choice for surprise time off. Snow days can be a time of low energy, cozy vibes, and sometimes cabin fever. Use your energy wisely, and you will be happy with your plans.

Prioritize your options

While you cannot do it all, you can focus on what is most important and meaningful to you. Start by making a list of all the possibilities for organizing. You can find the pain points as a direction for your work. Review your list and add time allocations for each project. Now you are ready to determine what is the best use of your time and energy for that day. Options for the day are to choose one primary project and one small bonus task or three small organizing projects. Remember to put your perfectionism aside in order to accomplish more.

Set the stage

Before diving in, set yourself up for success. Put on comfy clothes and play your favorite music or podcast. Gather your supplies like bags or bags, post-it notes, paper, and markers. Be ready to work and dive in.

Project possibilities

• Entryway or Landing Strip: Declutter shoes, outerwear, and bags. Toss trash and distribute items to their original homes. Assign homes for new items.
• Paper piles, home office or command center: Sort mail and paper into recycle, shred, action, or file. Refresh your command center. Add tasks to your task list.
• Digital or photo editing:  Edit documents on your computer or organize documents into files. Or edit photos on your phone and create albums to organize them.
• Pantry or fridge reset: Toss expired items, group items together, and create zones for breakfast, baking, snacks, or lunch.

ADHD-Friendly Tips (Especially on Snow Days)

When you have an unstructured day, it is easy to get distracted. Use these tips to help you accomplish more.

• Use a timer (25–45 minutes on, short break)

• FaceTime or phone a friend or ask a family member to be a clutter buddy or body double.

• Make note of where you stop to restart again. Write in your calendar the next date you can work on that area.

Celebrate the day

Wrap up your organizing work before dinner time. Review your successes and share with your family or friends. Get your boxes and bins to the car or curb.  Organizing on a snow or ice day is an intentional time to create peace of mind and calm in your life.

So the next time the forecast brings snow or ice, think of it as a pause button—and a chance to create a little more ease at home. ❄️