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Organize Your Road Trip

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Collect your maps. Relive the adventures.

 

We get to experience more of the journey when we feel prepared.

 – Marla Dee

We want you to start with some clutter clearing of the small stuff. It’s surprising how the little things can drive us crazy on the trip but we forget all about them when we return. Do you stash away all those brochures and guides – just in case?

Use this Travel Guide to Organize Your Road Trip well before you head out.

SEE IT – Take a look at where you are now. Answer the questions below for your typical road trips.

  • What has worked? You can be specific or general.
  • What do you like (if anything) about how the car gets packed, whether you have what you need and how you feel while on the road?
  • Are there things you know you want to change?
  • What isn’t working? What don’t you like?
  • Is there stuff that doesn’t belong in your car for road trips?
  • Are you prepared for the unexpected while out on the open road?

MAP IT – Make a written plan for what you really want. We get to experience more of the journey when we feel prepared.

  • What kind of music do you want to play? Maybe you love audiobooks.
  • Plan for the unexpected: make sure spare tire is full, purchase roadside assistance, have extra water and snacks, carry a first aid kit.
  • Have a water bottle, charger, sunglasses, etc. for each person.
  • Are you taking coolers with food or will you be stopping to eat? Or both?
  • List out all of the items, including luggage pieces, you will be putting in and/or on the car. The list will help you be realistic and cover all bases.
  • Do you need cargo racks or boxes for extra space?

DO IT – Take the steps to make it happen. Plan at least a week or two ahead of your trip to be sure you have what you need, that everything fits, and that it will be a sustainable set up for the duration of your travels.

  • Talk with everyone going on the trip to make sure they have what is needed and if there are any special needs. Determine who is responsible.
  • Start by gathering all of the items you are planning to take. For this purpose, your empty luggage will work or can be stuffed with blankets for fullness.
  • Do a trial run of packing everything ahead of time so you know what fits best and where – luggage, food, supplies, etc.
  • Get the physical maps for your journey and highlight the route. You can also put the route in your GPS.
  • Lastly, write down what works and what doesn’t for next time. Have FUN!

Download Your Travel Guide

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Travel, Organize Your Travel
Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Travel, Organize Your Luggage, Container Store
Your Guides to a simpler life, Marla Dee & Kate Fehr.

We love teaching the Clear & Simple Way to live free of clutter and get organized at last.

Organize Your Luggage

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Stop using raggedly old luggage or pieces you don’t like.

 

How many pieces of luggage, backpacks, purses, etc. do you have?
How many do you actually use?

 – Marla Dee

In 2019, the global luggage market was valued at approximately 22.11 billion U.S. dollars. We can’t begin to imagine how many pieces of luggage or travel bags everyone has.

The question is: Do you use all those pieces of luggage or travel bags? Is it time to let go of some?

Let this Travel Guide help you.

SEE IT – Take a look at where you are now. Answer the questions below for your current luggage pieces and packing habits.

  • What’s working? You can be specific or general.
  • What do you like (if anything) about your luggage and packing?
  • Are there things you know you want to change?
  • What isn’t working? What don’t you like?
  • Is there stuff you know you won’t need and take anyway?
  • Breathe deeply and tap into how you feel when you prepare for packing and are on vacation. Do you have more than you need? Do you forget things?


MAP IT – Make a written plan for what you really need and want. We enjoy our trips and have more freedom when we are honest about this.

  • How do you want to feel while packing for and being on vacation?
  • Get inspiration from Pinterest and YouTube and save it for reference.
  • Create a mind map showing all the elements you need and want.
  • Will you be traveling for pleasure? For work?
  • Are you willing to schedule time to plan, purchase, and pack.
  • Is it time for you to purchase new luggage you love and that supports your trips? If so, add this to your plan of action.


DO IT – Take the steps to make it happen. Look on your calendar and schedule the time at least a week ahead of traveling!

  • Just get it done. Start by hauling out all of your travel items; luggage, toiletries, travel kits, toys and tools.
  • Go through the S.T.A.C.K.S.© System on each category of stuff you hauled out (Sort, Toss, Assign, Contain, Keep it up, Simplify). By following S.T.A.C.K.S.© the project will be easier and you will save time, energy, and money. Go to www.clearsimple.com/systems.
  • There will be far fewer items than on typical organizing projects, but they may also feel more loaded because we agonize about being unprepared.
  • Once you complete this project, take time to practice and prepare things. Pack your bags in different ways to find what works best for you. Fill refillable toiletry bottles.

SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT.© Organize Your Travel Guide

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Travel, Organize Your Luggage
Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Travel, Organize Your Luggage, Container Store

Your guides to a simpler life, Marla Dee & Kate Fehr.

We are passionate about teaching The Clear & Simple Way© to live free of clutter and get organized at last.

Organize Your Travel

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Traveling can be stressful if our stuff and our time is not organized.

Travel can spark new ideas and connect us with different cultures.

 – Marla Dee

Travel – the excitement, the fun, the adventures, the journey!  Travel – the planning, the organizing, the decisions, the overwhelm. 

Use the Clear & Simple Way to organize your travel. You’ll be well ahead of the game by applying our systems to your pre-travel time!

SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT.© to Organize Your Travel Guide

 

SEE IT – Take a look at where you are now. Answer the questions below for how you typically travel.

  • What’s working? You can be specific or general.
  • What do you like (if anything) about planning, packing, and traveling?
  • Are there things you know you want to change?
  • What isn’t working? What don’t you like?
  • Is there stuff you know you won’t need and take anyway?
  • Breathe deeply and tap into how you feel when you prepare for a trip or vacation? Are you able to relax? Are you really on vacation?

 

MAP IT – Make a written plan for what you really need and want. We take just what we need and enjoy our trips more when we are clear about this.

  • How do you want to feel while planning for and being on vacation?
  • Download apps to support your planning and traveling.
  • Create a mind map showing all the elements you need and want.
  • Will you be traveling for pleasure? For work?
  • Be open to scheduling time to plan and learn new ways.
  • Is it time for you to purchase new luggage that you love and that supports your trips? If so, add this to your plan of action.

 

DO IT – Take the steps to make it happen. Look on your calendar and schedule the time at least a week ahead of traveling!

  • Just get it done. Start by hauling out all of your travel items; luggage, toiletries, travel kits, packing cubes, travel accessories, etc.
  • Go through the S.T.A.C.K.S.© System on the stuff you hauled out (Sort, Toss, Assign, Contain, Keep it up, Simplify). By following S.T.A.C.K.S.© the project will be easier and you will save time, energy, and money. Go to www.clearsimple.com/systems.
  • There will be far fewer items than typical organizing projects, but they may also feel more loaded because we agonize about being unprepared.
  • Once you complete this project, take time to practice and prepare things. Pack your bags in different ways to find what works best for you. Fill refillable toiletry bottles.

 

Download Your Travel Guide

 

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Travel, Organize Your Travel
Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Travel
Your Guides to a simpler life, Marla Dee & Kate Fehr.

We love teaching the Clear & Simple Way to live free of clutter and get organized at last.

Celebrate Your Garage

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A clutter free and organized garage is worth celebrating!

Can you celebrate parking your car in the garage?

Marla Dee

It’s time to celebrate!

We’ve spent the month clearing out the garage and the car. These are big areas that collect a lot of clutter so it’s time to step back and enjoy the new space and tidiness.  With every clutter clear, we encourage you to celebrate the outcome!

If you want all the juicy blogs and more – read here. And remember you can use the one page guides for your garage and your car that we designed just for you.

 

Here are some fun ideas for celebrating:

  • Host a PARTY!  Invite your friends, cook a great meal and set up the food & beverages in your tidy garage.
  • Share your story – Take pictures and please share them on Social Media. We want to celebrate with you. Use #CSOrganizeGarage.
  • Deep Clean – Hire someone to come do a deep clean for you and detail your car as well.
  • Paint – Put a fresh coat of paint on the walls or floor!
  • Containers – Take these areas to the ultimate level by using a storage system and containers. Check out some of our favorites below.
Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Garage, Organize Your Car, Container Store, elfa,

The elfa System, by The Container Store,​ is our favorite for storage needs. This system offers many choices and organizes tools and supplies in minimal space. Elfa Ventilated Shelves make the most of wall space by storing items off the floor.

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Garage, Organize Your Car, Container Store, elfa,

For all those little things that the kids toss around the car, here’s a great item to keep on hand. There are so many items to use for storage in your car to keep those extra items tidy rather than tossed around the seats and floor.

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Garage, Organize Your Car, Container Store, elfa,

It’s really fun once you declutter to take the important items and get them organized. The Container Store has lots of great ideas for all areas of your garage and car. Check them out and start envisioning the organizing and tidy spaces where you can find all your items easily.

Click here for The Container Store’s full array of car and garage organizing solutions.

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Garage, Organize Your Car, Container Store, elfa, Gladiator
Your Guides, Marla Dee and Kate Fehr.

We love teaching the Clear & Simple Way to live free of clutter and get organized at last.

Organize Your Car

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Make your car a happy place to be each day!

Are you calm or distracted when you are driving?
A cluttered car can affect your focus and peace of mind.


 – Marla Dee

If you were looking inside your car right now, what would you see? Is there clutter, trash, homeless items you haven’t dealt with? Because we are in the car so often, it is easy to have the clutter buildup.

Studies have found that a cluttered car can increase the risk of accidents. It’s scary to think about that fact but it’s true! Items hanging from the rearview mirror, piled up to minimize visibility and even items blowing around with open windows, all have an impact on our focus when we are driving.

SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT.© For Your Car Guide

SEE IT – Take a look at where you are now. Answer the questions below for the whole car including specific areas such as the glovebox and console.

  • What’s working? You can be specific or general.
  • What do you like (if anything) about the look, feel and function?
  • Are there things you know you want to change?
  • What isn’t working? What don’t you like?
  • Is there stuff that doesn’t belong here, like donations and garbage?
  • Breathe deeply and tap into how you feel when you drive. Are you calm and present? Scattered and frenzied? Perhaps you have never noticed before.

MAP IT – Make a written plan for what you really want. We feel better and are more focused when our cars are clean and free of distractions.

  • How do you want your car to look, feel and function?
  • Create an online board of images that inspire you.
  • Create a mind map showing all the elements you want.
  • Is your car used primarily for commuting? Or do you take off on day adventures and road trips? What else would you like to do?
  • Be open to scheduling standing time to clean, vacuum and wash your car.
  • Is it time for you to purchase a new/new-to-you vehicle? If so, add this to your plan of action.

DO IT – Take the steps to get it done. Pick a weekend and make this happen. You will be so happy you did! 

  • Just get it done. Start by hauling everything out and putting things into boxes to go through the system below. Take it to be washed, wiped down, and vacuumed. Then put back only the items you really use and need. Get honest about what you really need.
  • Go through the S.T.A.C.K.S.© System on the stuff you hauled out (Sort, Toss, Assign, Contain, Keep it up, Simplify). By following S.T.A.C.K.S.© the project will be easier and you will save time, energy, and money. Go to www.clearsimple.com/systems.
  • Why not create a relationship with your car… name it, make it smell good, or put on stickers if that makes you happy. Get creative and have fun.
  • Once you complete this project, take time to celebrate. It might even feel like a new vehicle. Go for a leisurely drive and soak up the difference in how your car feels.

SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT.© For Your Car Guide

Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Garage, Organize Your Car
Clear & Simple, SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT., Marla Dee, Kate Fehr, Organize Your Garage, Organize Your Car, Container Store, elfa, Gladiator
Your Guides to a simpler life, Marla Dee & Kate Fehr.

We love teaching the Clear & Simple Way to live free of clutter and get organized at last.