Get organised this March

Can you believe it’s March already? Where have the first 2 months gone? March is a wonderful time to get ready for Spring. For many of our European friends and the freezing cold they’re experiencing, this seems like months away. To help you prepare for summer and all its fun activities, now is the right time to declutter and organise your life. We’ve prepared 4 areas for you to tackle this March!

1. Eat what’s in your pantry

How often have you heard your partner or family ask you “Honey, what’s for dinner?” It’s one of those dreaded questions! The easy option: Go out, order in, bake that frozen pizza. Yet, during your grocery shopping trips, you load up the cart with tons of fresh fruit and vegetables, healthy grains and delicious pasta.

This week, look at your pantry. Throw out the expired packages and tins. What’s left? Well, what meals can you create with just that or possibly only a few more ingredients? My Fridge Food and Supercook allow you to search for recipes based on what you have. Use tools like these or traditional cook books to create a meal plan for the week.

If you need anything from the supermarket, take a picture of your pantry before you leave. It will help you in the supermarket wondering whether you already have this food item.

2. Make space in your wardrobe

For many, Spring is to rejuvenate after harsh winters. Listening to my friends and family up north, they certainly can’t wait to put away thick winter sweaters and swap them for lighter clothes. In this region, we can already do this!

As you look at your wardrobe, start with one section, for example your tops. When taking out each top, ask yourself:

• Do I currently wear it?
• Have I worn it in the last 6 months?
• Will I wear it in the next 6 months?
• Does it fit?
• Does it make me feel good?
• Does it look good on me?
• Is it in good shape (e.g. colours not drained, without stains or not torn)?
• Would you buy it again if I went shopping today?

If you’ve answered “yes” to all questions, keep that top.

If you haven’t worn something in the last 6 months and you’re not sure if you will in the next 6 months, create a “maybe “pile for these.

For those pieces you’ve answered “no” to one or more questions, it’s time to say good-bye. Still in good condition? Donate those tops to a local charity or sell them at a second hand shop. Otherwise, throw them out.

3. Remove old make up

All too often, we buy too many make up items and don’t throw out the old or expired ones. This week, go through your make up items. You can start with the ones you use on a daily basis and then move onto weekly or monthly products, like that facial mask or special hair treatment. Don’t just look at the make up in your bathroom. Also check what you have in your various cosmetic bags, the lipsticks and hand lotions in your different handbags and what you have at work.

4. Unsubscribe

This is my favour activity. Unsubscribe from emails you no longer wish to receive! How many times where you thinking of unsubscribing and yet, didn’t do it? Next time you get a newsletter you no longer fancy or have the time to read, click “unsubscribe”. Want to get off more sites, use tools like Unroll.me.

You can do the same with postal items like catalogues, text messages (very annoying in my opinion) but also social media notifications. You don’t need to be notified every time one of your friend’s posts a picture on FB, or do you?

The beauty of these tips is that you can start with the one you want. While saving money on your food may be great, this may not be your biggest eye sore. That’s your wardrobe, so begin with your clothes. Each activity is meant to last a week, giving you the flexibility to run through them or, with everything else that’s going on in your life, spread it out.

Until next time,
Agni