Restore Issue 11: March 2023

from my heart to yours

Spring is almost here!

The first official day of spring is March 20th, but if you’re like me, you're probably already thinking about spring and all it brings: spring break, spring cleaning, and preparations for Easter (April 9th).

I think we love the idea of organizing and spring cleaning because it makes space for the new season. It's important to mark time and spending extra time and attention on tidying every year helps us to do just that. We clean our windows to wipe away the dirt and debris of winter. We sort through clutter so that the house feels cleaner and brighter, just like spring.

I will be the first to admit that I am not the most organized person. Being a creative means that I have piles of piles around my office. I know where everything is, but it doesn't look quite so tidy. But I'm always inspired to keep trying and learn from those who are more organized than I am.

That's why I started a new feature this month: I took to social media and asked friends for their favorite organizing tip or product. It's why I invited my very organized friend, Jennifer Iverson, to give us some tips on bringing order to the kitchen.

I hope this issue of Restore helps you prepare for the all the blessings spring has to offer.

Question of the Month:

What is your favorite organizing tip or product?

I really enjoy little bins in the bathroom drawers! If everything has a home, it's easier to stay tidy.

@diana.mescher

AnyList app - I still use the free version. The key is to share it with the people who have smart phones in the house. Shared grocery list is used every day. I think packing is SO much easier with my master packing list shared with my spouse. Before a trip, I uncheck the things we need for that trip and both adults can see it.

Tip: Declutter first

@theneatandtidyspace

If you have to ask how to organize something, you have too many of them!

@mrs.wilbuilt

Labeled toy bins is another favorite.

Box/basket in the pantry with all the OPEN chips/snacks. The sealed bags are on the top shelf.

Joelle Hodson

Follow @aslobcomesclean. I appreciate her whole approach.

@triciaclarkemakeup

Meal planning - make a menu and plan ahead!

Melodi Leih

Shove everything you don't want to see into a drawer/cabinet/space that closes.

Claire Turner

Get rid of things you don't use or need!

Kat Berry

I love the Home Edit clear plastic organizers for drawers and cupboards. You can find them at Walmart or online.

Janet McHenry

Label maker! I use it for everything: craft supplies, toy bins, files, travel bottles, etc.

Kathi Lipp's Clutter Free Academy!

Listening to podcasts gets me physically started on work in an area and content is practical, encouraging and consistent. It's the whole marvelous package!

Plus, Kathi Lipp is just wonderful!

Kim Ward

Jenni Talcott The reverse hanger technique for the closet!

Amy Martin

Tips from Andrea

Use school boxes in the console of your car: fill one with dental floss, napkins, and utensils for eating on the go. Use another for miscellaneous items like pens, coupons, spare cash, hair ties, feminine products, etc.

To prevent your purse from becoming a crazy mess, use a pouch to keep things organized. I keep one for all the little things that get lost at the bottom: lip balm, dental pick, medicine, hair tie, etc.

Don't start a new load of laundry until the dryer is empty and everything is put away. This prevents clothes from piling up and getting wrinkled. Also, do one load of laundry every day.

Use decorative boxes to store things you want to keep but haven't organized yet. You can throw things in the box and sort it out later.

Go through your mail on the walk home from the mailbox. Sort out all of the junk and immediately throw it into the recycling bin instead of setting it on the counter.

I have several boxes like this that I still need to go through. I don't even remember what's in them, but hey, they look nice and organized. Haha! :)

"For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned." Benjamin Franklin

Five Ways to Bring Order to Your Kitchen

by Jennifer Iverson

The kitchen is the room with the most activity in our home. From eating meals to daily debriefs with my husband and kids, that room doesn’t go more than an hour without someone walking through. Which means it can get messy pretty fast!

I want to feel calm when I’m in my kitchen. I want to be able to make a meal without hunting for tools or ingredients. And I want my family and any visiting friends to feel at home there too. If you come to visit my house once, you are a guest. The second visit you are now family and I will put you to work!

Because I want it to be a space where we continue to gather and feel at home, here are five ways to bring some order to the kitchen.

1. Designate certain spaces for certain activities. Pick one side of the sink for clean dishes and the other for dirty. Define a meal prep counter and make sure your knives and cutting boards are within reach. Use a basket, paper tray, or metal bin to confine important papers and mail. These things take up valuable space and tend to spread. Look around your kitchen and see what other things need a defined home.

2. Clean out food storage containers. Are you a Tupperware fan or do you reuse food containers? Chances are you have a few that are cracked or missing lids. Get rid of them! Match lids to containers and only keep what you will use.

3. Create refrigerator rules. Corral the chaos and consider a few of these rules. Designate a shelf for leftovers. When it is full, make space by getting rid of something. Contain sauces to a shelf. Use the night before the garbage is collected to go through the refrigerator and clear out anything old. And don’t save leftover asparagus – no one is going to eat it!

4. Only buy the organization you will use. The bins and racks and lazy susans may look beautiful on Pinterest, but don’t go buy the tools unless you know they will fit your space and be what you need. Bins work great to contain snacks and drink packages. Racks can hold cookie sheets and pot lids. You can find holders for water bottles, wraps and bags, cleaners, etc. Lazy susans work great for spices and oils. Decide where you want to store these things and measure the space before you buy the containers.

5. Don’t discount the power of cleanliness. One of the biggest impacts on a space can be cleaning the windows, appliance fronts, and counter tops. It may not seem like that is organization, but your brain calculates the fingerprints and water spots even if you don’t think you see them. It acts like more clutter. So if you only have five minutes, start here.

Creating organization doesn’t have to be a big project. Each of these things could take you just 20 minutes. Pick one to do today and pick another to try on the weekend. Small, simple things can have a big impact on your space immediately. Your space can be comfortable and functional.

Want some personal help for your space? Contact me at jenniferiverson.com.

Jennifer Iverson is a speaker, wife, mom and efficiency expert. With over 20 years of experience, Jennifer loves helping women develop as leaders and accomplish their goals. She believes that communication is the key that unlocks healthy relationships and that anything can be accomplished with a good cup of coffee.

Jennifer is mom to six children, now ages 16-26, and truly does organize closets for fun.

Find her at jenniferiverson.com and on Instagram @ivymamma.

Spring Cleaning Checklist

Declutter

Go through each family member’s wardrobe and pull out items that don’t fit or aren’t worn often. As you do this, inventory the clothing and shoes that will be kept and assess if any new items need to be purchased (think Easter or spring sports).

Go through each room in your house and try to get rid of at least 10 items. Don’t forget closets, the pantry and the garage.

Have the kids give away toys or books that they don’t use anymore.

Have a yard sale and use the proceeds toward something the entire family will enjoy, like a summer vacation or a new item you’ve all been wanting.

Deep Clean Inside and Out

Dust blinds and ceiling fans

Clean windows and screens

Clean baseboards, walls and doors

Wash curtains (window and shower)

Clean out the refrigerator and wash all shelves and drawers

Clean outdoor fixtures, like sconces and fans

Sweep the porch or outdoor walkways

Clean Up Your Yard

Repair or paint any areas neglected over the winter

Pull weeds

Prune or trim bushes and shrubs

Prepare your lawn by planting or fertilizing the grass

If you’re a gardener, prep your space and determine your planting schedule.

Spring Cleaning the Heart

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10 ESV

Do you love spring cleaning? Although I don’t really like the actual act of cleaning, I love the end result. A few days ago I went through some of my kids’ clothes they’ve outgrown and have two full trash bags to give away. Their closets now have more space and it feels good to get rid of things that don't belong in there anymore.

I have more plans to spring clean other areas of my house and can’t wait for the free space and refreshment it will bring to our home.

Spring cleaning isn’t something we should limit to our homes, we should spend some time analyzing and cleaning out our hearts. Lately, I’ve done this myself and it has been so beneficial.

God has opened my eyes to how I’ve carried fear and shame in my heart for a very long time. He’s helped me to realize this has held me back from living the abundant and free life God intends for us. It all happened because I got curious about my feelings and am working through them. It’s been hard, scary and painful, but the results have been liberating. It has taken time and some money to invest in myself in this way, time and money I could have spent on other things, but I’m coming out a better person and that makes the investment more than worth it.

What about you, friend? Do you have feelings in your heart you don’t want anymore? Unforgiveness, bitterness, jealousy or fear? Do you do things you wish you could change?

Maybe it’s your reactions: how you worry or lose your temper. Maybe it's your thoughts: negative soundtracks you keep repeating. Or maybe it's your habits: doing what you know you shouldn't do or neglecting to choose a better option.

None of us is immune from brokenness in this life, we all carry around pain and past hurts that will impair us and our relationships if we don’t address them. Get curious and don’t be afraid of digging deep to discover more about yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask for help and to spend time and money on becoming a better you.

Here are some resources I’ve found helpful:

Counseling: Visit The American Association of Christian Counselors or www.aacc.net or call the Focus on the Family Counseling Department: 1-855-771-HELP

Breaking Free by Beth Moore**

Boundaries by Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend*

Daring Greatly by Brené Brown**

Rising Strong by Brené Brown**

Why You Do the Things You Do by Dr. Tim Clinton and Dr. Gary Sibcy**

Lord, we acknowledge that we need You to refresh and heal our hearts from past wounds or current struggles. Please allow this healing to change our actions and reactions so that we can live life to the full, as You intended for us. We know that Jesus died to set us free, please help us believe it and live it out. We love you and praise you for being our Healer. Amen.

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