Post-It Power: Simple Ways Sticky Notes Can Organize Your Life
I love a Post-it—I truly do! In fact, back in 2007, I was so curious about them that I called 3M to ask if they gave factory tours. (Spoiler alert: I really wanted to see how Post-its were made.)
I use Post-it notes every single day, though maybe not in the ways you’d expect. Here’s how these humble little squares help me declutter my brain and ensure that tasks get to the right person at just the right moment:
Post-its for My Kids:
Every day, while my school-aged kids are away, various tasks and questions require their attention or input. "Laundry needs to be done tonight," "Do you want to sleep over at John's this weekend?" or "Camp registration opens in two days—water or adventure sports?"—the list is endless. To keep track, I maintain two Post-its on my desk, one for each child. As things come up during my workday, I jot them down immediately.
Post-its for My Husband:
The same system applies to my husband! Sure, some topics require more involved conversations or emails, but quick notes like, "Want to have dinner at Sally’s on Friday?" are perfect for a Post-it. This small habit significantly reduces our back-and-forth emails and texts throughout the day.
But here’s the real magic of this approach: These Post-it notes become natural conversation starters at dinnertime. Instead of immediately bombarding my family with questions and reminders as soon as they walk in the door, I let them decompress first. Then, as dinner cooks or during the meal itself, we casually discuss what’s on the Post-its. And guess what? These simple notes often spark quality conversations—which, when dealing with two teenagers, is pretty amazing!
Post-its for Myself:
Finally, I use Post-its to manage my mental load. When my workday ends, I genuinely want to stay out of my office and away from the gravitational pull of my inbox. But inevitably, thoughts creep in—an important work text, an Instagram DM, something that requires attention tomorrow. Rather than letting these thoughts linger, I grab a Post-it from the kitchen junk drawer, scribble down a quick reminder, and slide it under my office door. This way, I’m confident I'll handle it the next day and can enjoy a restful evening without carrying that mental clutter around.
I'd love to hear if you have a similar method or how you keep track of the everyday tasks and conversations with your family and work life. Let me know your tips—I’m always looking for fresh ideas!
