FEELING THE RUSH
Time-saving solutions to get a caregiver from crazed to calm—and to work on time!
BY:MARY ELIZABETH TERZELLA
Does rush hour begin before your commute? "The secret to a saner, less-stressed start to your day is to organize your morning in the evening," says Donna Smallin, author of The One-Minute Organizer. Here, her time-saving solutions that can help you go from crazed to calm—and get you to work on time:
Have everything handy when you head out. Keep a tote or organizer by the door where you exit the house and stash everything that you need to bring with you the next day: keys, papers, prescriptions to fill, caregiver contact list, DVDs and library books to return.
Assemble your outfit in advance. The night before, put out everything from suit to accessories. That way, you won't run into a.m. snags, such as a stained shirt or missing button.
Organize your closet. The key to hassle-free dressing is to minimize your options, says Smallin. "The less you have in your closet, the easier it will be to find what you want to wear." Pare down your wardrobe to clothes you love and like how they look on you; donate—or store elsewhere—things you never wear or that don't fit. Organizing your closet won't seem overwhelming, says Smallin, if you tackle one category (shoes, pants) a week.
Keep must-have makeup in an easy-to-grab kit. Store or purge beauty products you rarely use, so you don't waste precious minutes rummaging through an out-of-control makeup collection in search of your favorite lipstick.
Simplify bed-making. Use only fitted sheets and duvets, those down-filled comforters with washable covers that function as top sheet, blanket and bedspread all in one. With duvets, making the bed is as simple as shaking out and pulling up the spread.
Once you streamline your morning routine, a surprise call from the doctor or a quick visit to check on your parents shouldn't throw you off schedule.