why a better back-to-school season starts with your home and you

Today is the second last day of our summer break (sadness). Unlike last year, I’m not quite ready for school to be back. It’s been really sweet having my kids around me at home—hearing their imaginations at play, gathering in the kitchen for lunch, and especially seeing their independence grow (chopping food and washing dishes at 7yo...unreal!). After traveling in between 8 weeks of summer swim team (#letsgosharks), we intentionally hunkered at home this month and had such a good time doing daily walks and little mundane errands. I’m going to miss it all and they actually said they want to keep up our weekly grocery run together!

The thing with back-to-school is that it’s not just about packing lunches and sharpening pencils. Parents shoulder an incredible amount before and during the school year—designing new routines, scheduling work and extracurriculars, making appointments (in sickness and in health), acquiring necessities and supplies, while trying to keep up with household and personal responsibilities. The mental gymnastics of it all easily spirals into physical and emotional overload, and frankly, I’m just not down for that right now.

What I do want is to carry the connection and ease of summer into the school season ahead. And I want that for you, too. So even though we can’t change WHEN back-to-school happens, we can choose HOW it unfolds. Here are 2 simple strategies for a smoother, less stressful school year, plus a tangible FREEBIE download to help you along the way:

reset home base

Although much of the coming months will be spent outside your home, it’s still where your days start and end. Think about the space you’ll lean on heavily when life get busy. The pantry for quick meal prep and easy to grab snacks? The dining room as a WFH office by day, homework table by night? The mudroom (or entry or garage) for housing sports gear and all-season wear? Or maybe the single full bathroom that serves the whole fam? Identify one or two spaces that will be instrumental to your lifestyle and give them a reset. Nothing major (unless you want to) and no need to buy anything. Assess for function by asking, "What typical activities happen in this space? What could I tweak to improve the functionality for my family?"

The goal is to remove what’s not working or needed, and revise what’s left for practical everyday use. Optimizing workhorse areas in your home simplifies the day-to-day routine (hello, autopilot), so you can take on present and unexpected events with more calm, focus, and energy. Added bonus: when one space improves, it positively shifts the household dynamic. Less confusion and arguments about what's where. More enjoyment with what you have and who you live with. Share this happy insight with your crew and you'll have them onboard to reset the next high-traffic space and then the next! Future you is already grateful.

make time

I believe caring for your home is caring for yourself. When you feel safe, comfortable, and in control of your environment, you set yourself up for freedom to do so much more of what you love in and outside it. The catch is you can't give to your physical interior space if your own inner mental, emotional space is cluttered, distracted, down, frustrated, anxious, exhausted, overwhelmed, or just not feeling good. Caring for you home starts with caring for YOU. And if there were ever a time for this to ring true, the school season is it!

While back-to school may seem like a crazy time to schedule in daily self-care, starting

something (anything!) super small now will feel so worthwhile when the intensity increases. Seven years ago, I made self-care a priority. It became a daily habit that changed my life for the better. More calm and control of my days. More physical and mental energy to help my family and clients transform where they live into a comfortable, functional place they love to call home. I want you to experience that calm and control, too, so I designed a FREE "Self-Care At Home Guide" just for you!

DOWNLOAD GUIDE

what are you most anxious or excited for with back-to-school?

 Maybe your kiddo is transitioning to high school. Maybe it’s their (and your) first of first days. Maybe you’re new to town and it’s a whole family experience. My first go-around was in 2020, which was so different than I ever thought my first time would be (anybody else?). You can read about the fun back-to-school rituals I created to mark this transition with a positive start point. My girls are already talking about their first day of school breakfast!

I'd love to learn where you're at in the Comments below because this IS a big shift for us all, and we don't have to handle or figure it out alone.

Always,