Julia's Tips for...Cleaning Your Room

     If you read yesterday's post (Prepare for School: The Importance of a Clean Room), you know that having (and keeping) a clean and organized room is important. But, cleaning your room is easier said then done. All it takes is one step into your cluttered room for all of your motivation to fly away. So, how do you manage to get started? How do you keep on going? How do you get started? Searching for answers to these questions? Then read below for all if those little tips that will keep you on track.

Tip #1: Create a Plan. Of course, this will only work for some people, as not everyone works well with a plan, but I know this definitely works for me! This plan can be as detailed, simple, or complicated as you want. Is it a to-do list? An hour-by-hour agenda of the process? A simple list of what you want to get done? Whatever you chose to do, forming a plan might be one of the most logical and easiest ways to stay focused and productive.

Tip #2: Set Goals for Yourself. Goals, small or big, are a great way to push yourself forward. They also can easily take the place of a plan, and are, most likely, something you are used to doing by now. In school, you are constantly making and working to achieve set goals. Teachers do this for a reason. By making goals, you are sure of your purpose, what you are going to do, when you want it done by...all of the little details you might forget other wise!

Tip #3: Set Rewards for Completing a Step. Who doesn't like rewards? By creating rewards for yourself, you are motivated to get work done. For example, a reward could be texting your friend for 10 minutes or eating a special snack. Just be sure that your reward won't distract you!

Tip #4: Listen to Music. By listening to music, you can keep yourself entertained, and cleaning your room will seem less boring. An  the great thing is, there are so many ways you can listen to music: on the radio, your phone, iPod, Kindle Fire, iPad, CD player, etc. I am sure there is some way that you can play your music. Just be careful: play it too loud and you may disturb your family members.

Tip #5: Hold a Competition. If all else fails, a little friendly competition won't hurt, and will definitely push you forward. Grab a friend, sibling, or even your mom or dad and start the cleaning! First clean room wins.

     I wish you luck in cleaning and organizing your room. Remember, it does not have to be done in a day. This might take time. All that matters is that you get a good product at the end.

Prepare for School: The Importance of a Clean Room

     Let's face it: no one really likes to clean their room. Yes, there are those who actually find pleasure in doing this, but for most of us out there, cleaning our room can be very difficult. Even if we say, "I want to clean my room," when it comes time to do so, we suddenly find ourselves not wanting to. But we all know that a clean room is important...especially during the school year. The longer you stall, the harder it will be when you clean it, so you might as well do it now. (This, in a way, is also a reminder to myself. In fact, I will make you a deal: I will clean mine, and you, yours. Okay? Good.)


Why should I clean my room?

Answer #1: You should clean your room because a neat room is important for the school year. For a lot of teens, tweens, and kids, homework is done in the bedroom. And, who wants to do homework in a messy bedroom? A neater room is easier to concentrate in. Additionally, a clean space is more welcoming (you will actually want to go in it), and less distracting (pretty difficult to focus on homework with clutter all around, isn't it?), making homework time easier.

Answer #2: A clean room is more welcoming (as mentioned briefly in Answer #1). With a cluttered room, you will not want to spend much time in it. If it is insanely messy, it will be difficult to move around. Your room should be a place where you can relax and rest at the end of the day, but with an unorganized room, it will be harder to settle down. The mess is distracting and stressful, and might even keep you more awake. Plus, if you are like me, a messy room will be a constant reminder of all the work you will have to do to clean it, adding more stress to whatever pile you have already created. Hanging out in your room will not be fun, as you might not be able to sit in it, move around easily, or do things you want to do.

Answer #3: Having a tidy room is key to being organized. Having an untidy room however, is a one-way path to a struggle in finding things. You might currently find yourself thinking, "Where is it?", and this might be happening a lot. If this is happening (or you think you are close to being in this state), you know you need to clean your room soon. Not being able to find things is really annoying and frustrating...and definitely something you don't want happening to you. On the other hand, if you have a clean room, you will easily be able to find things, important when you need to quickly grab something.

     So, where do you go now? Well, I hope this answer comes to you instantly. If it doesn't, I will tell you directly:

·~·~·~·~·~·CLEAN YOUR ROOM!·~·~·~·~·~·

     Remember, cleaning your room will take time, as a lot of thought and planning will be put into it (unless you just throw things in drawers and your closet...don't do that), and that's okay! No one is expecting you to finish cleaning your room in an hour (unless it really isn't that messy), and there is no set level of how organized or clean it should be. Some people like it so that every little thing has its on place, and others are a little more laid-back. But whatever your style, be sure to keep your goal and self in mind. :)

[Just a Little Note: To make up for not posting on Monday like usual, I will be publishing a special Wednesday treat for tomorrow. I hope you will enjoy it, and thanks for reading our blog! :D :D :D]

Summer To-Do List Check-In

     I know that you were probably expecting a post from Emily today, as she usually writes on Fridays, but for this Friday, you get me (Julia) instead! Hope you don't mind that. I'm not that bad, right? Anyway, I am here to remind you of something very important. Remember that summer to-do list I suggested? Well, how many of those things are actually done? 
     If your answer was "many of them", "most of them", or "all of them", then congratulations! You are very well accomplished this summer! But, if you are like me, and answered "some of them", "few", or even (gasp!) "none", than you might want to continue reading. Sorry. Oh, and if you did not make a summer to-do list, don't worry! Click here to view that post.
     Okay, so you don't have a lot of boxes checked off. Don't worry, for there still is some time left of summer vacation left (for some people) to get at least some of these things done. How are you ever going to do these things? There are a few solutions to your troubles, so don't worry. Read through each one and find the one that best fits you and your situation.

1. Make a plan. Making a plan is probably one of the simplest options, but might sound easier than it is. Before finalizing your plan, think about the following. Do you have any plans with family and friends over this time? Do you have other priorities? How long will each activity take? Oh, and don't forget to work some testing time into there too!
2. Discard some of your "to-dos". So maybe you don't have enough time to do all of your planned things. I know that I don't have enough time to do all of the activities on my list! Pick certain activities based on both the amount of time you have left and on what you like the most. The rest of your activities can be saved for next summer's fun!
3. Save some activities for school weekends. You do need something to do over the weekend, and if you can't complete these activities over the summer, why not do it during the school year? It might be a slow process (one or two per weekend), but eventually you'll be able to say that you completed your summer to-do list...even if it is a little late!

     After looking through these myself, I suggest combining the first option with the second or third option. If you know you can't complete these over the summer, why not extend your plan over the rest of the summer and the school year? So, I wish you luck with your last-minute summer plans, and maybe future school plans. Just don't let it distract you from enjoying your last days of summer vacation...or doing homework!

[Sorry about the hastily-made post. At least it's something! :)]

Make a Summer To-Do List

     What do you plan to do this summer vacation? Clean. Draw. Write. Play. The possibilities are endless! To keep track of all of these wonderful things (that you MUST do), you can create a summer to-do list! It's easy, simple, and can be fun! But most importantly, it will serve as a reminder of all of your goals.

Step 1: Think! :) Obviously, before you make the to-do list, you have to think about everything you going to put on it! While you probably already have a good idea of what you want, allow me to list a few suggestions below!

• Read (our book suggestions can be found on our books page)
• Draw, paint, color, or sketch
• Tidy up your room
• Have sleepovers (check out our sleepovers label)

Step 2: Gather your supplies! Once you have thought of most of your plans (you'll probably think of more along the way!), it's time to get all needed materials!

• Paper (lined or blank; you pick)
• Different colored pens or pencils
• Any decorations or pictures you may want to add (ex. paper flowers, beads, etc.)
• Glue (used to apply decorations)

Step 3: ***CREATE*** the to-do list! This is the best step for me, and maybe you too! When you make your to-do list, don't just make it in one color! You can organize your goals while making it pretty just by doing this! For example, you can use orange for craft-related goals, purple for "chore"-related ones (ex. cleaning), blue for goals that involve reading, and green for social goals (goals that have to do with other people). You can do whatever you want to do! Use different colors and categories if you wish! Don't forget to include the check boxes! When your done writing down these plans, you get to ~~DECORATE~~ your list! Color, add, draw...I'll leave it up to you! ;)

Step 4: Hang up your to-do list! Where is a good spot for you? On your whiteboard? Wall? Bulletin board? Wherever you hang it, make sure that it is in a spot that you will easily see it and be reminded of your goals. After all, what good is a to-do list if you never look at it?

*~*~*~*CONGRATULATIONS*~*~*~*

You have successfully created your own summer to-do list!

I hope this will be helpful to you during your summer vacation.

Don't forget to check off completed to-do's!

By Julia

Love it? Loved it? Did it? Comment below and share with friends! :)

Sleepover Supplies

Do you have a sleepover soon? Don't know what to bring? That's okay. Here is a list of supplies you would need:

• a sleeping bag (who wouldn't bring one?)
• a pillow
•  stuffed animals (if you can' t sleep without them.)
• a tiny bag with a toothbrush, a container of floss, and a small tube of toothpaste
•  clothes (pajamas, an outfit for the morning, and underwear.)
• a comb (handy if you wake up with balls of knots!)
• games (cards,board games, anything to make the night fun!) 

I hope you have fun at your sleepover! Remember, don't stay up too late!