Tidy Tidbits

Every January, the urge to declutter kicks in, but most challenges fall apart fast. Not because we lack motivation, but because we’re asked to declutter things we don’t fully control: shared spaces, other people’s stuff, and emotional or sentimental categories.In this episode, Tidy Dad introduces a different approach: a 31-day decluttering experiment focused only on decluttering your own categories of items.No negotiating. No family meetings. Just your stuff.Each day features one small, specific category you can tackle in 10 minutes or less, using the same four-step process: Clear, Sort, Assess, Plan.The goal isn’t perfection, it’s momentum. Small wins that build decision-making muscles and help you make space for the life you’re living now.👇 Grab the FREE January Decluttering Calendar and start with one small win.We’re also nearing the one-year anniversary of Tidy Up Your Life. If jumping into decluttering feels overwhelming, the book is a great place to start. It focuses on function over aesthetics and offers strategies that apply to your home, habits, routines, and life. It’s available in hardcover, or ebook, or audio book (read by me)!📚 Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Follow Tidy Dad on Substack: The Tidy Times📸 Follow Tidy Dad on IG: @Tidy Dad 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

A Tidy Take with Shannon Leyko, host of the Paring Down podcastIn this episode, I sit down with Shannon Leyko, who recently made a huge life move, relocating her family from Florida to Alaska. (Yes. Alaska. ❄️)We talk about what it’s really like to move through big transitions—whether that’s a cross-country move, a new job, or a season of loss, and why flexibility and mindset matter more than having a perfect plan. Shannon shares how choosing enthusiasm (even when things feel messy or uncertain) can change the way we experience change.We also dig into the “fresh start effect.” That moment when a big shift gives you permission to rethink what you want, what you need, and how you want your life to feel. It’s especially timely as we head into that New Year, New You energy.Shannon reflects on how transitions invite self-discovery, and why creating a living space that supports your energy and happiness isn’t just nice, it’s essential.If you want a grounding, encouraging listen for a season of change, this one’s for you.Takeaways:* Flexibility is crucial during transitions.* Transitions offer opportunities for fresh starts.* Mindset plays a key role in handling change.👀 Follow Shannon on IG: @paring_down📦 Check out Shannon’s podcast: Paring Down📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Follow Tidy Dad on Substack: The Tidy Times📸 Follow Tidy Dad on IG: @Tidy Dad 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

Just because you’re capable doesn’t mean you have the capacity. Tidy Dad and organizing expert Shira Gill talk boundaries, intentional living, and how to protect your time, energy, and family connection, especially during the holidays.In this episode, Shira and Tidy Dad unpack the difference between capability and capacity, especially during the high-demand holiday season. We talk about setting boundaries, choosing what actually matters, avoiding performative “doing it all,” and checking in with your family to make intentional decisions instead of defaulting to overwhelm.🌟 Check out Shira’s books: Minimalista, Organized Living, and LifeStyled 👀 Follow Shira on Substack: The Life Edit📸 Follow Shira on IG: @shiragill📚 Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Follow Tidy Dad on Substack: The Tidy Times 📸 Follow Tidy Dad on IG: @Tidy Dad 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

In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, Tyler (Tidy Dad) breaks down what it really feels like to be in full-on holiday surthrival mode. It’s that stretch from Thanksgiving to the ball dropping in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, where everything is joyful, chaotic, and wildly exhausting, like living in a snow globe someone won’t stop shaking.Tyler shares a real-time look at life in the Tidy Dad household: three daughters, NYC schools teaching straight through until December 24th, nonstop events, and everyone feeling the holiday pressure. He also talks about why the popular “just rest” advice doesn’t work for everyone, and how his version of rest oddly includes organizing toy bins and reworking his morning routine.In surthrival seasons, the tidying principles apply: cut the excess, name what matters most, and make intentional space for it.Holiday Surthrival Guide: Tidy up your holidays with your go-to companion guide for thriving while surviving the season. Inside you’ll find my five signature surthrival strategies applied to the holidays, a reflective year-end wrap-up, and a cozy Holiday Bingo game that turns tidying and self-care into something worth celebrating.In My Surthrival Era Hats! If you’re deep in holiday surthrival season, you might as well accessorize. Get an In My Surthrival Era hat and wear your season with pride. Grab one for yourself… or gift one to a friend who’s in their own season of surthrival. For the month of December, use code TIDYDAD for 30% off your order! ORDER HERE! Want the full backstory behind why I’m “ignoring the Lazy Genius” this season?I wrote about that, messy mornings, holiday overwhelm, and why rest doesn’t look the same for everyone, in a slightly cheeky Substack piece. Read it here. 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com📸 Follow along on IG: @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

A Tidy Take with Chris Marcum, from Chris Loves Julia & Hey Old Sport - In this episode, Tidy Dad talks with Chris Marcum from the lifestyle duo Chris Loves Julia. Chris is also a home chef and recently founded the brand Hey Old Sport to launch Overachiever, his versatile seasoning blend. Chris shares insights on the spice blend, and how it can enhance meals while accommodating various dietary restrictions. He shares about the importance of flavor in cooking, how to make meal prep more joyful and less stressful, and the significance of prioritizing fresh ingredients and flavors.Takeaways* Tidy up your cooking by prioritizing what you want to get out of your food* Focus on fresh food, real ingredients, and getting flavor out of your food* The Overachiever seasoning blend enhances flavor and simplifies cookingOverachiever Spice BlendGrab the Overachiever seasoning blend HERE: it’s become a staple in our kitchen, and I’m sure it’ll be one in yours too. Bonus: it makes a great hostess or holiday gift.RecipesHere’s what’s on Chris’ holiday menu: Get all the recipes HERE!And here’s my own recipe: Tidy Dad’s Overachiever Chicken TendersCrunchy, flavorful, kid-approved, and ready in under 15 minutesIngredients* 1 lb chicken tenderloins (or sliced chicken breast)* 1 egg + 1 tbsp water (for egg wash)* ½ cup breadcrumbs* 2 tbsp Overachiever seasoning blend* 1 tbsp grated Parmesan (optional, but delicious)* Cooking sprayInstructions* Prep your coating:In a shallow bowl, mix breadcrumbs + Overachiever (and Parmesan, if using).* Make the egg wash: Whisk the egg and water in a separate bowl.* Dip + coat:* Dip each chicken tender into the egg wash.* Press into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated on all sides.* Air fry:* Preheat air fryer to 400°F.* Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray.* Add chicken in a single layer (work in batches if needed).* Air fry 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked through (165°F internal temp).* Serve:Let cool for 2 minutes, then serve with your favorite dips—honey mustard, ranch, BBQ, or ketchup.Tidy Tip - Make a double batch of the chicken tenders, slice them up, and store in your snackle box in the refrigerator for quick protein packed snacks or salad toppers!In this episode: Chris Loves Julia, Hey Old Sport, Overachiever spice blend, cooking, lifestyle, meal prep, holiday cooking, spices, flavor, stress-free cooking, cooking tips👀 Follow Chris and Julia on IG: @chrislovesjulia and @heyoldsportofficial🌟 Try the Overachiever seasoning blend: Order it HERE 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad 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