a new series!
to show a peek into my daily life (and the systems I adore), and to give a gentle reminder that you - and all the tiny, behind-the-scenes work you do - are so important and appreciated.
10 tiny, behind-the scenes things I did for my family + household this month, in no particular order:
1) Ordered dog collars with our phone number
We got an Airstream! Story coming on that soon.
But in the meantime, I’m having the best time - planning camping trips at local state parks, bookmarking easy meals, scouring organization ideas. And figuring out what we absolutely need (and using that to also inspire our Christmas gifts - more on that in a second).
First and foremost, the dogs needed collars with easy-to-see information. Like our contatct phone number, just in case they ran off. Here’s the collar I ordered.
2) Packaged up returns + dropped them off at three different places
I don’t know why this takes up so much mental space for me, but it just does.
Something that really helped my overwhelm was creating a returns bin in our home - see this post for more on that. (The post has 9 other systems that really work for me, too!)
And three other things that really helped my overwhelm was leaving the house every single morning for a Morning Outing, deciding ahead of time what each day’s Morning Outing will be, and assigning household errands and appointments (like returns!) to Wednesdays and/or Thursdays only, if at all possible. Read alllll about our weekly Morning Outings - and why this really helps me as a sahm with two littles - here.
3) Picked out clothes for everyone for fall photos
Gah, I find this so exhausting. The mental Venn Diagram of “what looks good,” “what’s the weather,” “what do we already have that would work,” “what are we lacking,” and “what could we get that we could potentially use again in the future” sends my poor brain SPINNING. But, because having professional photos done yearly is important to me, I happily prioritize this task - even if it wears me out.
To those in charge of photo outfits and special occasion outfits - you are so appreciated.
And for those that are curious:
Brett will wear a white polo and gray chinos he already had
I will wear this long sleeve blue dress (or this short sleeve one)
KK will wear this darling flutter sleeve dress with these perfect shoes
and Joey will wear this light blue outfit or this dark gray outfit
PS remember that we only wear certain colors, and this simple system really helps us in our current season. Read the quick instagram post on this here.
4) Figured out a few Halloween things
Look, I will never be the person that loves creating gorgeous, intricate, creative Halloween costumes. And that’s okay. But this year I am giving myself the gift of getting it all decided, ordered, and done early. Here’s our family’s costume for this year - a costume that works as individual pieces, a costume that works beautifully for years of imaginative play, and a costume that workss phenomenally as my go-to, easy costume for years to come. You’re welcome, Future Haley.
But also - to everyone in charge of orchestrating Halloween costumes - however that looks for you - you are so appreciated.
And! Something I do love? Creating simple (read: junk-free), little boo baskets for KK, Joey, and their cousins. See how I made these baskets for all ages here!
(OBSESSED with the personalized ghost name tags I ordered.)
And I ordered this cute ghost ribbon, these blank gift tags, and some precious $5 ghost mugs from Target for a sweet friend/teacher/family/whomever treat. (So many great ghost puns! “I love you, boo!” is what I’m doing for friends/aunts, for example.)
And I started thinking about what treat/beverage I want to bring to that Halloween party, what I’d like to offer for Trick-or-Treating, etc. I do so much better when I think ahead.
5) Organized the cords on my kitchen appliances
Simply because the loose cords laying everywhere were causing me rage. Bought these little handy stickers that hold the cords wrapped in place and OH MY WORD I feel better - a tiny act that took care of Future Haley.
But it also is definitely a task that no one in my house would even notice, so it’s definitely behind-the-scenes. :)
6) Purged our house some more
Maybe it’s the heat, maybe it’s the back-to-school season, I don’t know. But I keep finding things in our home that would better serve some one else. So I guilt-free donate them and oh my word I’m feeling so much lighter.
But all that to say - while I love the feeling of a good declutter, decluttering is still work.
Here’s six things I always do when I’m anxious, burnt out, or overwhelmed.
And here’s a peek at one of my new favorite systems - a laundry basket that’s our permanent donation bin. (The post has 9 other systems I couldn’t live without, too!)
7) Started figuring out Christmas gifts
I finish all my shopping by December 1st. But also? I figure out by November 1st all our Christmas gifts. I figure out what we’re giving KK, what we’re asking from my parents, what we’re giving teachers, what we’re giving each other, what we’re giving friends, everything.
I’ve learned these two self-imposed deadlines help me savor this time of year so much more. I’m also more likely to really enjoy gift giving, pick really intentional gifts, and stay under budget. Win, win!
So right now, I’m carefully looking at our Christmas budget, peeking through what we really need, and crafting a Christmas plan from there. To everyone else in charge of holidays - the gifts, the traditions, the priorities, the schedules, the coordination, the budgets - you are so incredibly appreciated.
8) Tended to KK’s sore throat and Joey’s heat rash
I was telling Brett that I feel like we’ve been sick with something for the better part of twelve weeks. I’m thankful we keep these 20 things on hand for when we don’t feel well - they’ve been so appreciated these last twelve weeks.
Like, yesterday, KK got to have one of her sore throat lollipops, and even if those lollipops are just rebranded regular lollipops, I don’t care. Something about them comforts (and hushes) my whining toddler, and for that I love them. I could’ve kissed Past Haley for keeping them on hand.
But also? Every September and March, my yearly tasks and expenses list tells me it’s time to take quick inventory of our medicine and first aid stash. What needs to be replenished, what is expired? This saves my bottom more times than I can count. Because the last thing I want to do when someone in my house is sick is run to the store. And while sometimes that can’t be avoided, I find that keeping these 20 things on hand is enough for most situations.
Or, if you’re curious what we keep on hand for colds specifically for the kids, see this post.
9) Peeked into The Fall Box
AKA our easy system for storing seasonal things.
And I thanked Past Haley for ordering these five monogrammed shirts as my Decide Once seasonal attire.
10) Rescheduled my dentist appointment, my annual skin check, and Joey’s check-up
To everyone else in charge of the household calendar (and everyone’s health), you are so appreciated.
My yearly tasks and expenses list reminds me which annual appointments we like to do when. And my If Haley Dies document helps me keep track of doctor stuff.
Like, November is for annual skin checks, at the very least. September and March are for dentist appointments. April is for eye appointments. Etc etc etc.
Here’s three other lists I love to keep.
But also: listen to your big sister Haley and take inventory of any preventative health appointment you’ve postponed. Make the appointment. Prioritize your well being. You matter.
This definitely is not an all-inclusive list of everything I did this week. There are dishes that were done, kids that were comforted, dogs that were let out to potty - just to name a few more.
But all that to say - I hope you know how appreciated and important you are for all the tiny, behind-the-scenes work you do. I see you, and I’m right there with you.
(See past posts here!)
Sending hugs.
xo, h
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