#56 - 5 Daily Routines That Keep My Life Tidy (Simple Systems That Work)

#62 - Dad Brain Isn’t a Joke. It’s Neuroscience.

In this episode, I’m joined by Darby Saxbe, PhD [https://substack.com/@darbysaxbe], the author of the new book Dad Brain [https://amzlink.to/az0R6CoRlnMnH], which explores the science and psychology of modern fatherhood. It’s a fascinating book about the ways fatherhood changes men, challenges them, and reshapes identities in ways we don’t always expect. If you’re a dad listening, you need to read this book. And if you’re a mom listening, you need to read this book too. It’s a book that I can’t stop thinking about. 📚 Dad Brain: The New Science of Fatherhood and How It Shapes Men’s Lives [https://amzlink.to/az0R6CoRlnMnH] More from Tidy Dad:📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life [http://www.thetidydad.com/QRbook]🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com [https://tidydad.substack.com/]📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad [https://www.instagram.com/tidydad] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe [https://tidydad.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

#61 - What Does It Mean to Be Organized... Enough?

After finally taking down a giant birthday balloon arch that had slowly turned a corner of our living room into an unexpected clutter magnet, I found myself considering, “What does it actually mean to be organized... enough?” Inspired by a recent contribution to Real Simple magazine, I’m sharing practical, realistic strategies for organizing common problem areas, shaped by how our family organizes a 750-square-foot New York City apartment. In this episode: * Why “organized enough” may be a better goal than perfectly organized * How “flexible organization systems” can adapt as your life changes * Why the goal isn’t “always tidy”, but “easily tidied” Mentioned in this episode: * IKEA Boaxel modular storage system [https://go.shopmy.us/p-48788808] (Plus what it looked like for Real Simple [https://www.realsimple.com/ikea-inspired-laundry-organizing-idea-11810556]) * Over-the-door hooks [https://amzlink.to/az0snPX9bEJWK] for “pending clothes” * Tiered file bin [https://amzlink.to/az0oYiFWbR3dP] for sorting mail as it comes in * Lazy Susans [https://amzlink.to/az0aP66G38TrY] for refrigerators and freezers More from Tidy Dad:📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life [http://www.thetidydad.com/QRbook] 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com [https://tidydad.substack.com/] 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad [https://www.instagram.com/tidydad] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe [https://tidydad.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

#60 - What to Do With All the School Papers

In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, I’m sharing a simple three-part framework for organizing school papers and artwork in a realistic, functional way. We’ll talk about how to decide what to let go of, what to keep, and how to create systems that honor your children’s creativity without letting artwork and worksheets take over your home. Mentioned in this episode: * 5-tier paper file system [https://amzlink.to/az0oYiFWbR3dP] * File storage boxes with hanging folders [https://amzlink.to/az0XuUzKniQJv] * Art display frames with extra storage [https://amzlink.to/az0uQnFWvXedB] If you’re overwhelmed by piles of school papers, artwork, worksheets, and projects, this episode will help you create a simple system for incoming papers, sorting, storing, and letting go of paper clutter while still preserving the memories that matter most. More from Tidy Dad: 📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life [http://www.thetidydad.com/QRbook] 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com [https://tidydad.substack.com/] 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad [https://www.instagram.com/tidydad] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe [https://tidydad.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

#59 - Why This Family Downsized on Purpose

This week on Tidy Tidbits, I’m joined by Julia Clarke for a fascinating conversation about what happened when her family downsized from a three-bedroom apartment to a one-bedroom apartment in Glasgow, Scotland. I first read her story HERE. [https://www.businessinsider.com/family-of-four-lives-in-one-bedroom-apartment-benefits-good-2026-4] We talk about the assumptions many of us carry about space, privacy, and what kids “need,” and how their family unexpectedly found more connection, simplicity, and ease by living smaller. In this episode, we discuss: * Why they chose to downsize * The tradeoffs between more space and better location * Privacy, screens, and modern family life * Why smaller spaces can lead to simpler routines * The surprising ways their family became happier and more connected If you’ve ever wondered whether bigger is always better, this conversation might make you rethink what “just enough” really looks like. More from Tidy Dad: 📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life [http://www.thetidydad.com/QRbook] 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com [https://tidydad.substack.com/] 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad [https://www.instagram.com/tidydad] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe [https://tidydad.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

#58 - The Cleaning Routine That Quietly Changed My Life

This week on Tidy Tidbits, I’m sharing the 15-minute weekday cleaning routine that quietly changed my life. What started as a survival strategy during a chaotic season of parenting and work became the foundation for a calmer home, less mental clutter, and more manageable routines. I break down my “one space per weekday” system, explain why spreading cleaning across the week works for certain seasons of life, and share how small, repeatable routines can help tidy up your life beyond just your home. Grab a free download of my Weekday Cleaning Checklist! [https://tidydad.substack.com/p/weekday-cleaning-checklist] More from Tidy Dad: 📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life [http://www.thetidydad.com/QRbook] 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com [https://tidydad.substack.com/] 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad [https://www.instagram.com/tidydad] This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe [https://tidydad.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]