Tidy Tidbits

#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]

#57 - Screen-Free Family Time: The Quiet Hour Routine That Works

What if one small shift could completely change the energy of your home at night? In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, I sit down with Jon Gustin, fatherhood creator, advocate for sobriety, and author of The Tired Dad: 100 Reflections on Showing Up for What Matters Most [https://amzlink.to/az0Xj3QFNe2Iz]. With a community of over 1 million followers, Jon shares honest, grounded insights on parenting, presence, and what it really means to show up for your family. Together, we talk about a simple but powerful routine his family calls “Quiet Hour.” No screens. No distractions. Just intentional time together through reading, crafting, and creativity. Our family has been listening to audio books while doing diamond art [https://www.diamondartclub.com/?rfsn=8842566.6eca1a&utm_source=refersion&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=8842566.6eca1a]. It sounds simple… but in today’s fast-paced, screen-filled world, it’s actually a radical act of connection. And sometimes, the simplest routines are the ones that bring us closer to what matters most. More from The Tired Dad: 📚 Order Jon’s book: The Tired Dad: 100 Reflections on Showing Up for What Matters Most [https://amzlink.to/az0Xj3QFNe2Iz] 🗞️ Subscribe to Reflections In Modern Parenthood: thetireddad.substack.com [https://thetireddad.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips] 📸 Follow Jon on IG: The Tired Dad [https://www.instagram.com/thetireddad/] 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]