The Other New Year: 6 Tiny Organization Habits; Fine-Tuning Your Family’s Fall Routine (Now that You’ve Found Your Footing)
You've Survived September; Now Let's Thrive in October
Remember that frantic energy of the first day of school? You've made it through the initial chaos. Now, one month in, you know what's working and what's falling apart.
This is the other new year—that September-to-June stretch when your family actually runs on a real schedule. And October? October is your moment to optimize.
You've tested the waters. You know which mornings are disasters and which evenings run smoothly. You've figured out that Thursday is always hectic and Sunday meal prep keeps slipping.
This month, we're making tiny adjustments that create big changes.
Think of it like this: September was survival mode. October is when you fine-tune the machine.
Tiny Habit #1: The 2-Minute Backpack Check-In
What's probably happening now:
Backpacks dumped by the door (or couch, or kitchen table...)
Permission slips discovered 10 minutes before school
Mysterious smells emerging by Friday
The October upgrade:
Location first:
Pick ONE permanent spot near your door
No floor dumps allowed
Wall hook, cubby, or designated chair only
The daily system (2 minutes max):
Unpack completely when home
Sort into 3 piles: Return, Keep, Trash
Repack essentials for tomorrow
Hang the backpack in its “home”
Pro tip for Brooklyn apartments: Hooks at different levels for different sizes, allowing everyone to participate in this habit.
Tiny Habit #2: The 5-Minute Evening Power Reset
What's probably happening now:
Mornings feel like a tornado hit
"Where are my shoes?" on repeat
Rushing out the door with unbrushed hair
The October upgrade:
Set a phone alarm for 8:00 PM. When it goes off:
Kitchen (90 seconds):
Wipe counters
Load/run dishwasher
Set out breakfast items
Living areas (90 seconds):
Toss toys in bins (don't organize, just toss)
Straighten couch cushions
Clear dining table
Tomorrow prep (2 minutes):
Lay out kids' clothes
Check the weather, adjust accordingly
Place "must-have" items by the door
The game-changer: Make it a family race. Set a timer, play one upbeat song, and everyone pitches in. It always helps to gamefy it!
Tiny Habit #3: Sunday Lunch Station (15 Minutes That Save Your Week)
What's probably happening now:
Making lunches at 7 AM while also making breakfast
Buying an expensive school lunch because you ran out of time
Kids are complaining they have "nothing good"
The October upgrade:
Every Sunday at 7 PM, spend 15 minutes:
Prep components, not full lunches:
Wash and cut fruit (store in containers)
Portion crackers, pretzels, chips into small containers
Make 5 sandwiches, wrap individually
Boil eggs for protein
Prep veggies with small hummus containers
Organize your lunch-making zone:
One shelf/drawer with everything needed
Lunch boxes live here when empty
Ice packs stored here too
NYC budget tip: Hit Trader Joe's for snacks or try Thrive Market, my kids love Chomps meat sticks..
Tiny Habit #4: The Paper Command Center (Stop the Paper Avalanche)
What's probably happening now:
School papers everywhere
"Did you sign this?" at bedtime
Important dates are forgotten until someone mentions them in a group chat
The October upgrade:
Create 3 zones (wall-mounted or on counter):
Zone 1 - ACT NOW:
Anything requiring a signature/payment
Permission slips with deadlines
Forms due this week
Zone 2 - REFERENCE:
School calendars
Menu schedules
Emergency contact lists
Zone 3 - MEMORIES:
Special artwork
Report cards
Awards (photograph the rest and recycle)
The daily check (60 seconds): During backpack unpack, immediately sort papers into zones. Keep a pen clipped to Zone 1.
Renter-friendly setup: Use removable Command strips for folder holders. No holes, easy to move.
Tiny Habit #5: The Morning Launch Pad
What's probably happening now:
"Where's my library book?!"
Forgetting gym clothes, instruments, show-and-tell
Running back inside three times before leaving
The October upgrade:
Every evening, create individual launch pads:
By the door, each person gets:
Small basket/bin with their name
Contains tomorrow's "extras" only
Keys, transit cards, special items
The night-before rule: Anything needed tomorrow that isn't in the backpack goes in the launch pad.
Examples:
Tuesday: Soccer cleats, water bottle
Thursday: Library books, art supplies
Friday: Show-and-tell, permission slip
Bonus for multiple kids: Different colored bins. No confusion about whose is whose.
Tiny Habit #6: The 10-Minute Sunday Strategy Session
What's probably happening now:
Surprise! We have three events on Tuesday
Forgotten doctor appointments
Double-booked nightmare scenarios
The October upgrade:
Every Sunday at 7 PM (right before lunch prep), gather everyone:
Agenda (10 minutes total):
Minutes 1-3: Schedule review
Pull up family calendar
Read out every commitment for the week
Identify conflicts NOW
Minutes 4-6: Meal planning
Which nights are crazy? (Those are leftovers/easy nights)
Assign cooking duties
Order groceries if needed
Minutes 7-9: Responsibility assignments
Who's doing carpool when?
Which kid has which evening activity?
Who needs rides where?
Minute 10: Highlight something fun
What's everyone looking forward to?
Plan one family moment, even if small
Tool tip: Use Google Calendar's family sharing feature. Everyone sees the same schedule, fewer surprises.
Your October Action Plan: Start Small, Build Momentum
You don't need to implement all six habits at once. Here's how to begin:
Week 1 of October:
Choose ONE habit from above. Just one.
Week 2 of October:
Keep doing that habit. Add one more if the first feels automatic.
Week 3 of October:
Assess what's working. Adjust as needed. Maybe add a third.
Week 4 of October:
Celebrate what's improved. You're thriving, not just surviving.
The Power of "Good Enough"
Here's what I tell all my Brooklyn clients: Perfect doesn't exist, especially not in a NYC apartment with kids, jobs, and a million commitments.
These tiny habits aren't about perfection. They're about:
Reducing morning chaos by 70%
Finding library books without screaming
Having 15 extra minutes for coffee
Feeling calm when you walk in the door
One month into school, you know your pain points. Pick the habit that addresses your biggest frustration. Start there.
Need Help Making This Happen?
Sometimes, the difference between knowing what to do and actually doing it is having someone help you set up the systems.
That's exactly what I do. As a Brooklyn mom and professional organizer, I've helped dozens of families create routines that actually stick; even in tiny NYC apartments.
Let's work together to:
Set up your personalized systems
Organize the spaces slowing you down
Create routines that fit YOUR family
Ready to make the other new year your most organized yet?
