A Week Back Into the School Routine: Why Less Really Is More

By Florena Davies | Surrey City News | September 13, 2026

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We’re a week back into the school routine. How is everyone holding up?

September always feels like a fresh start, but it can also feel like a lot. School lunches, activities, work schedules, backpacks, laundry, permission forms and everything else that suddenly needs our attention again.

I know I’m trying to stick to productive routines in my own home, and even when you’re someone who organizes for a living, it can be tough to keep everything running smoothly.

My biggest piece of advice this September?

Less is more.

The less stuff we have in our homes, the less we have to manage.

There is less to pick up at the end of the day. Less laundry overflowing from drawers. Fewer toys covering the floor. Fewer things crammed into cupboards. Fewer decisions about where something belongs.

And that means more time.

More time with your family. More time for yourself. More time to rest. More time to do something you actually enjoy instead of spending another hour tidying your house.

You don’t have to become a minimalist or get rid of everything you own. Start by looking at the things that are creating extra work for you.

If the kids’ drawers are so full that putting laundry away is frustrating, maybe they have more clothing than they need.

If the playroom takes forever to clean up, reducing the number of toys available at one time can make a huge difference.

If your kitchen cupboards are overflowing, you may not need another organizing product. You might simply need less inside them.

One of the easiest habits to bring into the school year is a quick daily reset. Take 10 or 15 minutes at the end of the day to put things back where they belong, clear the main surfaces and prepare a few things for tomorrow.

Those few extra minutes can make mornings feel so much easier.

But remember: resets are much easier when your home isn’t overloaded with stuff.

Organizing isn’t about creating a picture-perfect home. It’s about creating a home that takes less energy to maintain and makes everyday life easier.

So as everyone settles back into the September routine, give yourself permission to simplify.

You don’t have to organize everything.

Sometimes, you just need less to organize.

And the time you get back? Use it for whatever you need most right now — family time, self-care, a quiet cup of coffee, or simply some much-needed rest.

Florena Davies is the owner of Organize by Flo, a professional organizing and move management company serving families throughout the Lower Mainland.

Florena Davies is the owner of OBF | Organize by Flo, serving Surrey, Delta, Langley, White Rock, and the Lower Mainland. She specializes in creating customized organizing systems that are functional, sustainable, and tailored to the way each client lives. For Consultations: P. 778-872-8468
📧 florena@organizebyflo.ca
🌐 www.organizebyflo.com

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