Rightsizing in Real Time - An Ongoing Event for January 2024
I am stepping into 2024 with no illusions that a turn of the calendar will magically ease stressors, or reveal an untapped source of much-needed energy. Yet who doesn’t relish optimism, coupled with a fresh beginning of any sort?
A new year.
A rising sun.
An unexplored perspective.
It’s my job (and my joy) to help people discover comfort and contentment within their homes— particularly spaces that are compact and/or in need of heightened versatility. In order to tenderly weave that work into the intentions imagined by many at the top of the new year, I’ll be publishing regular posts throughout January as part of a month-long series entitled Rightsizing in Real Time. This series will offer simple, flexible prompts and examples aimed at helping folks with their own rightsizing, downsizing, repurposing, and/or organizational endeavors.
I hope you’ll mull over the concepts that apply to you at your own pleasant pace.
Good things take time and consideration.
Rather than jumping frantically from room to room (which is a common and often overwhelming approach that I find laughable when applied to small spaces), we’ll explore solutions to typical small space hurdles through a more versatile lens.
How can we thin the crowding of belongings wherever that occurs?
How can we better define and adapt zones?
What areas are under-utilized and need reimagining?
Where do we start when operating on a tight budget and with sustainability in mind?
Packing Carry-On Only Bags for Family Travel
Packing light for air travel with children.
When I showed glimpses of the carry-on only luggage that our family took to the Tiny French Farmhouse this summer, I received a cascade of unanticipated comments and questions: “How?” “Impossible.” “Packing list, please.”
First and foremost, we have somewhat of a cheat when it comes to packing for this particular destination, as the farmhouse is our home and we plan to leave items there over time for increasingly lighter packing in the future. However, since this was only our second visit — and three out of four of us have VERY different bodies and needs than we did the last trip — these were pretty much fully packed bags.
Since most of us are operating on minimal mental bandwidth these days, I’m breaking down what/how we packed into simplified categories below:
BAGS
3 backpacks:
~25L juvenile overnight-style backpack (I wouldn’t recommend the one we have — but this one would’ve worked better.)
1 kid’s ride-along convertible suitcase / seat extender
1 washable paper catch-all Palermo tote by UASHMAMA for miscellaneous overflow items
Baby Carrier Mini, in lieu of a stroller (Note: our youngest is small — please read specifications to find a carrier that suits your child.)
BOOKS
While I prefer hard-copy books, Adam and I use an e-reader for travel
For our baby/toddler: Indestructibles (lightweight, slim, flexible, waterproof)
For our young reader, paperback library books / series selected for content AND weight/size
FOOD + BEVERAGE
2 Stojo adult collapsible bottles, latched to backpacks with carabiners
2 Stojo children’s collapsible bottles, latched to backpacks with carabiners
1 Stojo collapsible, lidded bowl/to-go container
4 Sets of to-go cutlery with straws and washable napkins (minus the matching knives
1 Set of beeswax cloths
FOOTWEAR
I find that shoes from the following brands usually travel + wash well, as they’re slim but sturdy and flexible:
Rothy’s
AllBirds
Bensimon
FEIT slippers
Note: Rothy’s — both the men’s and women’s styles — are also versatile for dressing either up or down.
TOILETRIES
Shampoo + conditioner bar
All-age tin of sunscreen
Toothpaste tablets
Travel first aid kit
One shared travel-sized bamboo brush
Menstrual cup
LastSawb ear swab
Cadence magnetic honeycombs for smaller/specialty liquids.
A clear Stasher bag for all bottles, for easier TSA inspection when required. We then wash and use the bag for other things while abroad.
Above: A TSA-approved size bottle of multi-use Branch Basics cleaner from concentrate for use as detergent and more
TECH
We kept our tech to a minimum, editing cords and plugs and sharing as much as possible between necessary devices. We use a portable, zip-around cord book / organizer to keep everything streamlined.
TOYS
We repurposed small canvas pouches and reusable clear baggies to further organize and corral figurines, activities for fine motor skills, reusable-sticker books, and art supplies. All the pouches fit in the ride-along case with room to spare, since everything becomes undone in travel and needs to fit pell-mell, too. Once in France, we use the pouches and baggies to syphon off activities for car rides and unexpected waits while out-and-about.
CLOTHES + OUTERWEAR
This is so specific to preference, region, time of year and individual needs that I see no point in getting TOO specific. But since we knew we’d be able to wash our clothes, we only needed the following:
A TSA-approved size bottle of multi-use Branch Basics cleaner from concentrate for use as detergent and more
3 days worth of outfits each
1 overnight outfit each
Specialty gear like swimsuits and water-repellent jackets
Eco-Friendly Organization Tools
Tips for organizing, and living mindfully, beautifully, and practically in spaces of all sizes.
I’m delighted to be featured on the UASHMAMA blog today, sharing tips for organizing, and living mindfully, beautifully, and practically in spaces of all sizes.
I answered such questions as:
Many people want to de-clutter and live with less, but generally don’t know where to start and what to let go of. Do you have any tips for those who are just beginning the process of a living with less lifestyle or mindset?
… as well as:
When thinking about designing in a small space, should you prioritize design or function? Or can you have both?
Roundup: Double-Duty Accents & Inspiration
Furnishings aren't the only items in a small home that can pull double-duty to save space-- accessories should function in multiple ways as well. From mirrors that act as jewelry organizers, to everyday countertops that transform into work or dining surfaces with the help of a stool, to vertical decorative accents that save surface inches below, there's no end to the clever ways in which you can maximize the capabilities of your tiny space.
I'll forever be inspired by functional decor, such as under-the-shelf hooks and bins, to table-top risers that create instant storage. I've rounded up a selection of imagery (below) that demonstrates some simple, beautiful ways to get the most use out of select household accents. One of my favorite features from the visuals below is the last one, by Margo Hupert. Margo runs her art studio from her home, and her flat files, shipping tubes, and administrative accessories are always carefully curated and artfully organized, making her company's "warehouse" into a gorgeous, uncluttered, live-work gallery.
But before you go about trying to organize everything, be sure to get rid of a thing or two... or twelve. Remember: "When you have cleared all of your clutter, you can be of greater service to those around you." - M.B. Kitson
Roundup: 5 small ways to start decluttering
Feeling the need to declutter amidst all the holiday layers and gifts? It's easy to get overwhlemed quickly, so start small, tackling one compartmentalized topic/area at a time. Here are five easy ways to get going:
Sewing Kit
Unless you sew on a regular basis, there's probably no need for an entire box of spare buttons, thread, and so forth. A simple jar or pocket-sized tin can most likely contain the basics that most folks need on-hand to repair slight tears and loose hardware.
Hangers
While it clearly helps to reduce the number of items in your wardrobe, don't forget to take a fresh look at the closet itself. Cleverly designed, slender, no-slip hangers can help your clothing last longer, while also freeing up much-needed space on the dowel. (Just round up all those old wire and plastic hangers and recycle them at your local dry cleaner.) If you have children's clothing that needs to be suspended as well, opt for recyclable cardboard hangers, which you can drop in the blue bin once your kids outgrow them.
Receipts
This project takes a bit longer, but it's an easy task to plow through while you chat on the phone, listen to podcasts, or watch a movie. For those of us who don't need to keep physical paper receipts and can use digital copies for our business and personal record-keeping purposes and taxes, a slim, speedy scanner can eliminate binders (or even boxes upon boxes) of old paperwork, freeing up surprising amounts of storage space in the home.
Desk Drawer
It bugs me that most pens and pencils-- along with other miscellaneous office supplies-- are sold in multiples. Why buy (and store) a dozen duplicates of something when you only need two or three? Consider donating your excess office items to a public school, and just rely on the small number of high-quality, beautiful, practical items that you actually need. Eliminate duplicate charging cords if possible as well, and check your local resources to find tech waste recycling options. Try keeping everything easily accessible and well organized via zipper pouches, or in kits primarily designed for travel use.
Cabinet Beneath the Sink
For years I've intended to make my own cleaning supplies in order to save space. But I have to admit that I just never get around to it. I do, however, make sure to manage our bottle build-up, keeping only what we need regularly on-hand. I don't buy in bulk, and I always make sure that we have no more than what can fit into our small upcycled cleaning crate or repurposed garden caddy. This ensures that we actually go through all the products in our home, rather than losing track of what we have and buying duplicates while older bottles expire and go to waste. Go through your cleaning and beauty items and get rid of anything out-of-date or unhealthy. You'll most likely find that you'll be more mindful of your future purchases once you've taken the time to organize your products back at home.
These are small steps, but in a tiny home or apartment they'll make a difference. And just remember to go easy on yourself-- it's the holiday season! Let's spend less time worrying about our stuff, and more time with our families, friends and/or communities.
Daily Paper Clutter
Here's my tiny office early on this Monday morning. (I removed my 10,000 other mugs and glasses that were on the desk, but otherwise this is basically what it looks like most of the time.)
Everyone asks how I manage to keep the space so clean. The single handiest tool for curbing the paper clutter is this little device:
Compact-Space Color Mobile Scanner
This little gizmo is one of the best purchases I've ever made. I scan all of our financial records, medical documents, pet paperwork, cards and notes. It saves me from accumulating piles of paper around the cottage, and helps my business run more efficiently. It measures 11.5" x 2" x 1.5" inches-- basically the size of a thick ruler.
It lives on the back of my iMac via a "backpack" that I really love.
More small-space office tips can be found here on one of my older blog posts. I hope it helps!
