August Always Feels Like a Fresh Start

There is something about the beginning of a new school year that gives me that ‘New Year’ feeling, more so than the actual new year itself. Here in the USA, that happens to be in August (fun fact, kids here get nearly 12 weeks off. British kids (like I was eons ago) get 6 weeks).

But it’s not only because the kids are going back to school. I think it’s because nature is slowing down too. She’s worked her butt off over Spring and Summer, and is now working towards a well earned rest.

The big shifts in our daily routine and the natural world always give me a moment’s pause, and reflect on all the big areas of my life, including our household rhythms.

The Problem With “Getting Organized”

While the moment’s pause is lovely, it just makes me realize how much there is to do over the coming months:

Preparing for school and all the themed days (which I know are coming, but always feel like a surprise. They are fun though)
Preparing the house and yard for colder seasons
Preparing for the various holidays

Which technically, is only three things, but we all know how much more things fall under each of these sections.

There is so much to do.

Exactly where do you start?

Why I Didn’t Need Another Cleaning Schedule

My problem has never been not knowing how to clean. I am able to recognize that a space is in disarray, and needs attention and care to make it functional again.

My problem is that there are multiple other rooms in the house that need some sort of attention, and I have kids to take care of, and meals to make, and home maintenance to do, and health appointments to attend, and at some point, sleep, and maybe even have a social life.

Knowing where to begin is not the same as knowing how to clean.

So another cleaning schedule or plan wasn’t going to work for me.

What I needed was to stop over analyzing my problem, and actually get started.

It was only when I started observing and responding to our natural routines, that I was able to recognize a working rhythm for our home.

The Guide I Wish I’d Had

While I want this guide to help multiple people, this guide was written for post-partum me.

I had undiagnosed mental health issues, no village because we had moved a little over 1000 miles away due to my husband’s job, and I had no idea how to be a Mum AND manage a home.

Before I got the medical help I needed, I was on social media a lot, and tried to keep an unsustainable standard for my home which I saw online. Of course I failed. And I blamed myself. There was something wrong with me* for not being able to keep up with it all.

(*I had PPD, and Lexapro helped. If you are not where you want to be mentally, please reach out to your doctor or a loved one for help. Consider reaching out to SAMHSA 1-800-662-HELP (4357) ).

So… What Is the Whimsical Household Rhythm Guide?

The Whimsical Household Rhythm Guide is the result of finally observing my home’s rhythm. It helped me to recognize what was working well in my home, what needed work, and how I can fuse those together to create a homemaking system that worked well for us as a family.

While there is help on routines and structure, the guide is intended to provide gentle guidance to get started on working on your home, while recognizing how to adapt rituals and systems to your home’s own natural rhythms.

What’s Inside

Daily rituals
Energy framework
Zero-Battery Survival Map
Cleaning Products Guide
Tips on Keeping Everyone Fed
Tips on Sleep Environment
Homemaking Game ideas
Homemaking Hero Profile Map

Who I Made It For

Anyone who is overwhelmed with managing their home
Busy families
People with variable energy or health
People tired of perfectionist standards or ideals
Anyone unsure on how to get started on managing their home

Why August Is the Perfect Time

While August sometimes feels like the start of the ‘busy’ season, it’s also the perfect opportunity to slow down, show yourself some grace, and create gentle, compassionate rituals to manage your home.

I truly believe the energy we put into our home contributes to its overall environment.

Instead of stress or rage cleaning, this guide can assist you in recognizing the natural rhythms of your home, and how to make them work in a way that works for you.

This guide will not help you have a spotless home, but will help you get started in creating the environment you want for your home.

A Gentle Invitation

If you’re ready to stop trying to become someone else’s version of an organized homemaker, I’d love to share what finally worked for mine.

You can get your copy from my Etsy shop here https://cozymagichome.etsy.com

Before You Go

A prompt for your Homemaker’s Observation Journal:

If you feel comfortable doing so, feel free to share your thoughts below, or email me with them at hello@cozymagichome.com

I love hearing from you all, and respond to all the emails I get personally.

Until the next magical mess,

Amrita