Do you ever feel like it’s all too much? Every Thursday, I share one action, habit, or project you may want to undertake in order to improve your health, happiness, and sense of well-being.

PROJECT OF THE WEEK

How to keep your car organized and clear of clutter.

Let me guess. You took a road trip to visit family for Thanksgiving. You’re back home and when you open that mini-van door a plethora of toys, books, coloring utensils, and french fries come pouring out (along with your children, of course). Please, don’t be embarrassed - this happens A LOT.

For many of us, we spend quite a bit of time in our car, whether there’s a holiday road trip involved or not. Therefore, it's important that the car environment we create and maintain supports the life and goals we are working towards.

I have found that focusing on the value of maintaining the car environment you want is the best place to focus.

It only takes a few minutes a day to maintain a clean car, but it can take hours to create a clean car, if you let it go for a few weeks, especially if you have kids.

Getting Started

Research says it can take up to 30 days to start a new habit. That’s all cleaning your car daily is - a new habit. It's common to want to start something new, but then repeatedly forget to make it a part of your day.

I would recommend setting an alarm on your phone, that repeats daily, to remind you to "Clear Out Car". Think about when you get home most days and set your alarm for that time.

For example, even if you work from home, you leave to take a Pilates class during your lunch hour each day and return home around 1 p.m. Set your alarm for 1 p.m. Don't worry if there are multiple days a week where the timing is different and you still forget. As long as you are going through the motions a few days a week, your brain will slowly start to create the habit of checking the car for what you need to bring in before going directly into the house.

This habit is a great life skill to teach your kids as well. Plus, the more hands the better, right?

Happy Spaces’ Tips & Tricks

Keep a trash bag in the car at all times. Depending on how much trash you accumulate, you can decide what size trash bag is best.

Keep a box of trash bags in the trunk, so it is simple to grab a new bag when your current trash bag is full and you need to throw it away.
The easiest way to build a new habit, is to stack it onto a habit that is already in place. Most gas stations have a trash can right next to the pump. One option would be to throw out your trash bag every time you get gas and then start a new trash bag.
If you drink a lot of beverages that come in cans or bottles while in the car, keep a clear recycling bag in the car as well. Keep a box of those in the trunk too, so it's simple to start a new one when the bag is full.
Just like in your house, everything in your car needs a home. It's ok to keep some items in the car, but make sure they have a designated spot. I would recommend any box or bin that is open on the top. If you find it simple to remember what you are "storing" in your car, you may want a bin like this. However, if you routinely forget what you have, I would recommend getting clear bins.
Some items that may make sense to "store" in the car are reusable shopping bags, umbrellas, an extra blanket, and sports equipment you use regularly. Plus, it’s always a good idea to have an emergency kit.
You may want to have a Utility Tote Bag that is specifically for carrying items between your car and your house. It's not uncommon for items to accumulate in your car throughout the day. At the end of the day, you should bring in all items that do not "live" in your car and disperse them to their proper homes. Having a Tote Bag, that lives in your car, can help you do this in one trip.

Like any new habit, clearing out your car at the end of each day may feel overwhelming at the start. However, the more you do it, the more you will appreciate that it only takes a few minutes and it means you will never have to "clean out" your car again.

Feeling Overwhelmed?

We understand how challenging and scary it can be to start something new. If you feel excited about implementing this strategy, but worry that it’s just too much to start on your own, the It’s All in the Planning Started Pak was designed for you!

Get Started

A Note from Happy Spaces

The goal is to add value to your life. If you think this project will add value:

Estimate how long you think it will take. I would recommend doubling the time you estimate.
Look at your calendar over the next week and pick a date and time to get started.
Make an appointment on your calendar for the estimated time.
If you estimate that completing this project will take longer than one hour, I recommend doing it over multiple days. This will support you in getting started!
Prior to starting this project, take a few minutes to make a step-by-step list of EVERY action you need to take to complete this project.
It's not all or nothing. You can choose to implement only the parts of this project that add value to your life.
An Accountability Partner can be a great support in following through on your goals and commitments.

Creating a life you don't need a vacation from! ®

Sincerely,

Sarah Weingarten

Meet Sarah

Growing up as the oldest of nine siblings in Upstate New York, I learned to use organization to create sanity among the chaos. Today, I work together with individuals, families, and small businesses to create habits, systems, and spaces that support their needs, goals, and dreams. Clients often refer to our work together as "life-changing" and "better than decades of therapy". What I love most about my work is the lasting impact it has on real people's lives. Nothing makes me happier than hearing the many success stories of clients I have worked with.

How to Keep Your Car Organized