Here at VolunteerSpot, we’re committed to simplifying the busy lives of parents, teachers and active volunteers. Along that theme, we’re pleased to support your personal efforts in getting organized and gaining quality time and present guest organization expert April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach! Today, April is keeping the organizing momentum going by giving advice on how to jump into your clutter-free summer by taking stock of the school year leftovers treasures. Thanks, April!
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The Black Bag 
By April Welch
Welcome back to another addition of Tidy Thursdays!
Now, if you took my advice last week {Preventing Summer Brain Drain} you should be wrapping up a week of blissful laziness. And, if so, you probably are surfacing from your carefree stupor evaluating exactly what has happened to your personal space in your absence.
{work with me here}
As an expert who walks my talk I too am surfacing & evaluating. First thing I noticed was the lovely present my soon-to-be middle school child has left for me in the front entryway.
A black garbage bag ... contents unknown.
Well, that's not entirely true. I'm aware of what might be lurking in there. Nice of his teacher to send it home resembling garbage {grin}. This bag is what he was sent home with on the last day of school ... the guts of his desk.
All those used up workbooks, half sharpened pencils, tidbits of crayons ... and among the chaos ~ the treasures I'd like to rescue. Things like the A+ on his math exam or the drawing he did for art class {that no longer resembles splatters of paint but actual budding talent}.
Honestly, it's just like finishing up any major project ... there's leftovers.
So, what do you do with all this miscellaneous stuff?
Many of my clients find it helpful to throw out the garbage first. Then move on to searching backpacks and lunch boxes for any food remains. It may be timely to give them both a wash and a day's long sun bath. {Be sure to include the kiddos in this process, it helps them learn personal responsibility for taking care of their belongings.}
Gather up the workbooks and study guides and make a space on a well-trafficked bookshelf for summer learning. Younger ones may enjoy playing 'school' and older ones may use them for reference during summer review activities. Alternatively, consider moving them out all together and opting for online summer learning fun instead.
Next, determine what supplies could be re-purposed and create a storage area for the summer. Think calculators, rulers, markers, pads of paper, notebooks, labels, and newly fresh-smelling backpacks and lunch boxes. Insider tip for relocating that storage spot: Mark in your calendar {probably on the August page} where you put the items.
If you're wrapping up a big volunteer project and know you won't be reusing the supplies for the same type of project, consider creating an "office supply" storage area. Then when you start with a new project you'll have a place to grab from. If you feel you're well-provisioned, donate the supplies back to the nonprofit or school you were supporting for their other volunteer teams.
As for those special items, tune in next week. I have some great ideas for kids artwork, bulky memorabilia and how to de-clutter without tears.
Keepin' it tidy,
April
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April Welch is the founder of Simply Organized Online, LLC and shares her organizational expertise on her blog, The Mental Clutter Coach. In addition to her company, she speaks at conferences nationwide and gives helpful advice on how to effectively organize anything and everything.
