Hi Reader,

I hope this email finds you well and that you’re enjoying a joyful and stress-free holiday season! I’m so happy you’re here and taking time for yourself amidst the holiday hustle.

What I'm Taking Time for Right Now - Home Decluttering

Every December, as much as I adore the holiday decorations and treats, I start to feel overwhelmed by the extra "stuff" in my home — decorations, packages, gifts, extra food — all on top of the day-to-day essentials. That’s why this time of year, I always get the urge to declutter.

Here are a few reasons why decluttering might be just what you need too:

• Less clutter means less to manage (mentally and physically).
• Make room for the new gifts and items you or your family will receive.
• Donating before the holidays helps low-income families shop for gifts at thrift stores.
• Selling high-value items can give you extra cash for holiday shopping or savings.

I use a method from my engineering days called 5S to tackle clutter. It’s simple and works wonders! The beauty is that you can do it in one room, or even one drawer at a time — whatever fits your schedule and mental bandwidth at the time! Here’s a quick breakdown:

1. Sort: Go through the space and categorize everything into four groups:
   • Trash: Items that are broken or unusable. Have a trash bag nearby to collect these.
   • Red Tag Area: Items you no longer need but can donate, sell, or give to someone else. Use a box, laundry basket, or even just a designated pile for these.
   • Store Elsewhere: Items you want to keep but don’t need in this space, like holiday-specific serving dishes.
   • Keep in Space: Items that belong in the space and are used regularly.
2. Set in Order: Assign a home for everything you’re keeping. Ensure frequently used items are easy to access. Clear organization helps you maintain the space over time and allows others to find things easily too.
3. Shine: Clean the space thoroughly. Dust shelves, wipe down surfaces, vacuum, or mop the floors. Making everything sparkle can bring a fresh and calming feel to your home.
4. Standardize: Make it easy to maintain by adding labels, taking photos of the organized space for reference, or setting up a tracking system. For example, you could create an inventory list for your pantry or establish a command center near your entryway to manage incoming items.
5. Sustain: Commit to keeping the space tidy. This means updating systems as needed and encouraging everyone in your household to follow the organization system. The initial effort pays off with long-term simplicity and peace of mind.

Whether you try this before Christmas or in January to kickstart the new year, I’d love to hear how it works for you! Share your progress with me — I’m always here to help.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out these posts:

• ​4 Time Management Strategies for Busy Moms​
• ​Simplify Your Life with These Must-Have Apps for Moms​
• ​How to Reset Your Life for a Fresh Start​

Meal Plan of the Week

Here is this week’s meal plan to help simplify your week! Just print out the grocery list, and you’re all set. If these meals aren’t quite what you’re looking for, you can browse my tried-and-true family favorites here. Want more tips for the rest of your meals? In my post on meal planning, I dive into how I handle breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, as well as my strategy for creating easy pantry-pull meals—quick dinners made from ingredients you already have on hand! Check it out for a stress-free approach to feeding your family.

​Meal Plan Dec 14 -20.pdf​

Let's connect!

We’re taking the conversation beyond the newsletter! If you love actionable tips, inspiring ideas, and support to help you achieve your goals, you’ll want to connect with us on social media.

On Instagram and X, you’ll find:

• Quick, actionable strategies to help you streamline your day.
• Inspiring posts to keep you motivated and focused on your goals.
• A behind-the-scenes look at Taking Time and how I create resources to help you thrive.

Let’s grow this amazing community together! Follow us on Instagram @takingtimeblog and on X @TakingTimeBlog—I can’t wait to connect with you there! ❤️​​

New on the Blog:

31 Simple Daily Habits to Improve Your Life Speaking of fresh starts, my latest post shares 31 Simple Daily Habits to Improve Your Life. As we approach the new year, these small but impactful habits can help you create your best year yet. Don’t miss it! Read article

Until next time!

I hope you enjoyed this week’s newsletter! If you did, please share this link with your friends so they can join the fun. As always, I love reading your replies, so don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, struggles, or tips to share with the other awesome women in the Taking Time community!

Warmly,
Shelby