Thriving, Not Just Surviving: Organizing Tips for the Busy Mom Life

Life as a busy mom can feel like a never-ending juggling act. Between managing schedules, preparing meals, and keeping the house in order, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But what if I told you there are simple organizing hacks that can make your family life so much easier?

I recently had the pleasure of chatting with my friend Arin Jura of Arin Solange and Arin Solange at Home, a social media influencer with over 1.2 million followers who shares incredible organization tips, Amazon finds, and DIY ideas. Arin’s journey as a mom of four has taught her valuable lessons about creating systems that work for her family, and I’m excited to share some of her insights with you.

Embrace Your Unique Family Dynamic

One of the most important things Arin emphasized is the need to find systems that work for your family. What works for one household might not work for another, and that’s okay! Arin shared how she and her husband are both naturally disorganized, which means they’ve had to be intentional about creating systems that help them thrive.

Meal Prep Magic

For Arin, meal prep has been a game-changer. By dedicating a few hours on Sunday or Monday to prepare meals for the week, she’s able to contribute to her family’s well-being even with a busy work schedule. This not only saves time during the week but also helps alleviate some of the “mom guilt” that can come with being a working parent.

“I can give maybe three hours of my Sunday or my Monday to my family. And then Sam packs lunches, he does the breakfast, all of that. And it depletes some of my mom guilt that’s only there because of me.”

Create Simple Routines

Arin shared a brilliant idea that has become a cherished family tradition: Sunday night movie night. Instead of stressing over an elaborate Sunday dinner, they opt for easy snacks or leftovers, pile into the living room, and enjoy a movie together. It’s a simple routine that helps end the weekend on a relaxed note and creates lasting memories.

Flexible Meal Planning

When it comes to dinner, Arin keeps it simple. She’s not afraid to repeat easy meals that her family enjoys, like baked potato bar or taco night. The key is to have a plan, even if it’s a basic one. As Arin puts it, “It does help if I have a plan for meals every night as we go into our week.”

Organize with Purpose

Arin’s approach to organization is all about finding what works for you and your family. She encourages trying out different systems and hacks, but not feeling pressured to adopt every suggestion.

“If you’re watching one of those videos and you feel like this is a lot of products, buy two. Buy one. Buy what? Don’t like, buy if it doesn’t. There’s no pressure.”

The goal is to create an environment where you and your family can thrive, not just survive. It’s about finding those small tweaks that make your daily life easier and more enjoyable.

Give Yourself Grace

Perhaps the most important takeaway from my chat with Arin is the reminder to be kind to ourselves. We’re all doing our best, and it’s okay if everything isn’t perfect all the time. As Arin shared her experience of going through a difficult personal loss while maintaining her public presence, it was a powerful reminder that we’re all human, facing our own challenges.

Remember, the goal of these organizing hacks isn’t to create a picture-perfect home. It’s about creating a space where your family can flourish, where you can focus on what truly matters, and where you can find moments of joy amidst the beautiful chaos of family life.

So, take a deep breath, mama. You’ve got this. And if you need a little help along the way, that’s okay too. We’re all in this together, figuring it out one day at a time.

Tune in an listen to Arin Jura’s episode here on Under the Oaks Podcast.