Organizing for a Calm August: Creating Space Before the Back-to-School Rush
Quick Reset Before the Chaos Hits:
July through August is your chance to pause and prep before the back-to-school scramble begins
Clear visual clutter and set up simple, calming systems
Use these actionable tips to start the school year grounded—not overwhelmed
August can hit like a whirlwind—forms to fill out, backpacks to pack, routines to re-learn. But before it does, late July through early August gives us a gift: a quiet moment to reset.
Use this transition time to do more than buy supplies—use it to reclaim peace. Organizing now can prevent that chaotic August scramble that leaves us mentally and physically drained.
Start with visual clutter
Clear surfaces = a calmer mind. Tidy up your entryway, kitchen counters, and kids’ common areas. These high-traffic spots influence the tone of your entire day.
Even five minutes of surface clearing each day can reduce stress. One client recently shared, “When I see my countertops, I feel like I can actually breathe again.”
Make a school launch station
Designate a space near the door for backpacks, shoes, lunchboxes, and permission slips. Add hooks, baskets, and labels to make it easy for kids (and adults!) to stay consistent.
You don’t have to wait until school starts—start practicing the system now so it becomes second nature.
Do a "mental unload"
Grab a piece of paper and write down everything on your mind. School prep, work projects, appointments. Seeing it all laid out helps your brain relax.
Then use a daily planner (like mine!) to break it into manageable steps. Bonus: highlight just three priorities each day to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Prep a few anchor routines
Simple rhythms bring calm. Try these:
- Sunday night prep: lay out clothes, prep lunches, check the calendar.
- After-school snack station: baskets with grab-and-go healthy options.
Evening tidy-up: 10 minutes of family cleanup = smoother mornings.
Create space for rest, too
Organizing isn’t just about doing—it’s about creating room to rest. Clear your bedroom nightstand, set limits around evening screen time, or designate one weekend day as “no plans.”
Reminder: It doesn’t have to be perfect
One mom told me she started prepping one routine each week in July—by mid-August, everything flowed more naturally. “It felt like I was ahead of the game for once,” she said.
August doesn’t have to feel chaotic. With a little prep now, you can enter the school year feeling grounded, not frazzled.
