The winter is a beautiful time to handle a lot of your digital clutter.

Just because it’s not on your kitchen counter, doesn’t mean it’s not affecting you.

Organized tech = freedom.

My Favorite Winter Projects

Trimming Down My iCloud Storage

There’s nothing more annoying than the notification that pops up & tells you to upgrade for more. No ma’am.

I need less & here’s how:

• Deleting old photos & videos

  • Start with the largest files.

  • Blurry or duplicate memories.

• Search by screenshot, favorites, receipts, QR code, documents & more

  • Eventually, add to your Notes!

PRO TIP

• Create photo albums - based on time, category or theme.

• I have Early Years, Ancestors, Recipes, Music, Reference, Work, Testimonials & Confirmation (sweet texts from friends).

Next Level:

• Text messages (they actually save it all!).

• Contacts, passwords & apps.

• Documents, voice notes, old back ups.

Organizing My Email

Unsubscribe! There is now a button so you don’t even have to open the email! 🥳

• “Block” & label as “Junk.”

• Delete anything that isn’t necessary.

PRO TIP

Get in the habit of deleting EARLY.

Don’t wait hella long & hoard things.

Unless it’s a super important document - delete that ISH. Or put it in Google Drive or Apple Files!

EXTRA PRO TIP 🔥

Create a separate email alias for newsletters.

Organizing Documents

We are going to create 3 Folders - or 3 emails. Home, Work & Family.

Start dumping documents into these folders.

If it’s old - DELETE IT. If you see duplicates, delete it! If you need to share with somebody or print it - do it!

Future folders could be Connections, Learning, Health, Fun, Important (Gov. Papers & Finance).

Pro Tip

Me & my boys are now using the SkyLight Calendar for all our chores & daily tasks. It’s got our grocery list, meal plan, recipes & new “Early Years” album synced 🥰🫶🏽.

Silencing Communication

Unfollow people.

You deserve! Freedom, peace & quiet.

Also - focus, inspiration & alignment.

Turn off notifications.

• Use ZenScreen

  • Nobody can hit me up between 6-9 AM & 8-9 PM.

  • If it’s an emergency, you might be on my emergency list.

• Use Do Not Disturb, Focus / Personal Mode

  • Add people, apps & schedule (more peace)

  • This really helps with spam calls.

I recently created folders of all my favorite YouTube videos!

Recommended DJ Sets, Organization, Tech, Health, Movement, Travel, Dance Tutorials, Kids & Home.

You could also:

• Do the same with your AI or music. 💡

• Clear your browser & cache.

• Get an external hard drive or SSD.

The information is out here y’all, all we got to do is apply it!

Let’s this Fire Horse year be your best yet!

If you’re interested in more organization hacks & support in life - I got you. 👇🏽

I’m here to share the love & resources!

Stay Up,

Anna Ortiz-Aragon, DJ AO, founder of Align With Anna®️

Inquiries: info@alignwithanna.com

Book a Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/alignwithanna/discoverycall

Listen: SoundCloud

Follow Me: Instagram I LinkedIn I YouTube I Facebook I TikTok I Threads

I know you got goals. I know you got a fam (or want one!) and are busy making your dreams become a reality.

From working out, to eating clean, helping your kids stay organized & trying to have your own life. IT’S BUSY OUT HERE.

And let’s be honest - all the global BS continues, because we are stressed, pressed & exhausted.

All the notifications, all the socials, all the bombardment. Issa LOT. And it’s not a coincidence.

It’s time to take our power back. There is another way.

Like Bad Bunny says on SNL, “ I do whatever I want.” 😂

So here’s how YOU can do whatever you want.

And be peaceful about it!

Here’s my Top Tips as a former professional organizer, single mom of two & serial entrepreneur. 👇🏽

Get Your Tech Together

Have you ever heard of a tech stack?

It’s basically all the tech you use - everything including subscriptions, apps, free & frequently used tools & resources.

The goal is to a have a MINIMALIST (the smallest) tech stack we can.

For our own personal sanity, wallets & nervous systems.

Here’s my master plan - inspired by Life With A-Lac on YouTube:

Basically we’re going to use your iPhone (I’m sure there is an Android equivalent) to get our ISH together.

Don't buy more - DO LESS.

Overall Premise & Strategy

📝 FIRST - Notes App

All your big ideas, dreams, thoughts & resources - must have information.

• Everything that is longer than a simple task needs to be here.

• Think context & big-picture. If you’re writing multiple sentences, creating a long list, have multiple categories or ideas, it’s a Note.

Keep THREE Folders - Personal, Home & Work.

• Sync them across devices!

I have my kid’s school calendars, business FAQ, books, TV shows + movies, home repairs, utilities & budget.

• PLUS - Fun things around St. Louis, travel plans (miles & rewards), kid’s quotes, a dream journal, mantras & personal quotes.

Pro Tip

Use hashtags like #Fun, #Goals, #Finance & #Travel for easy access.

⏰ SECOND - Reminders App

SPECIFIC TASKS

• Think grocery lists, correspondence, scheduling, dropping / picking up.

Use FOUR folders this time - Personal, Home & Work + Inbox.

• The goal is to write it down HERE (Reminders) first!

• Organize & schedule later - just catch it!

Pro Tip

Use Date & Time (shows on iPhone Calendar App), Location (via Maps) & Hashtags

• I use #Shopping, #Chores, #Computer, #Finance

And Create Templates! If you buy the same things from the grocery store.

🗓️ THIRD - Calendar App

TIME for each Reminder (Specific Task)

• Put reminders on your calendar!

  • You can even add it straight from the Calendar app (hello auto sync)

Put recurring events on your calendar!

• Gym, school, pick ups, drop offs, work, personal appointments.

  • Add an address, phone, image or a link!

• Customize reminders (24 hours, 15 minutes, both or none)

Also INVITE people! Partners, kids, friends, work folks.

• Eliminate stress & confusion by making sure everyone has the same information.

Pro Tip

Add the link (to your Reminder) in the Calendar!

• Helpful for doctor’s appointments or important meetings with documents, links or papers.

The Beauty In This

Once you start decluttering your digital life, your mind can calm down.

Think about how many creatives are out here just swamped with basic shit!

What time do they have left to create?

To do something for themselves?

Trust me when I say organizing your closet is just as important as organizing your phone or computer.

ESPECIALLY, in this digital age where the notifications are constant!

It’s annoying AF & it affects our nervous systems - for real.

Yes, it takes time. But also - what’s sacred, needs to be protected.

AKA you!!

If you’re interested in more organization hacks & support - I got you. 👇🏽

If you’d like to work with me or create something magical together, book a Discovery Call!

I’m here to share the love & resources!

Stay Up,

Anna Ortiz-Aragon, DJ AO, founder of Align With Anna®️

Music has always been my anchor, my joy & safe space.

It’s in my blood, in my spirit & mis caderas (hips).

When there was no one to talk to - music held me.

When I didn’t know how to process emotions - music showed me.

When my body was stiff & scared, my mind angry & afraid - music unfolded me (cue Kehlani).

When I had JOY (getting ready to graduate college) I played Adorn by Miguel.

I would sing & dance around in my room.

Save all my favorite songs on the radio with my tape recorder.

Download Limewire, Napster & Kazaa to get all the jams across all genres.

Make CDs for all my friends. Being gifted CDs by boys who liked me & girls who really saw me. 🙏🏽

I would study lyrics, read about the artist & fall in love even deeper with what I was listening to.

I would play my music loud, in my headphones, in my room, on my iPod & eventually in the car.

That’s when it really felt like freedom.

Nobody, but me & the artist.

I remember construction workers laughing at me at the stop light because I was so into my music. I’m glad I made you smile. 🫶🏽

Dancing, singing, just feeling free.

And I rarely saw others doing that. It was often only at night - on the way to the club.

BTW, there’s nothing like driving around the Bay Area from 9-11 PM when folks are out!

Swishers in the air, blunts & backwoods. Mac Dre, Keyshia Cole.

I was a FREQUENT flier.

From 14 on LOL.

In my junior year at boarding school (outside of Philly) my roommate & I snuck out, got picked up my some older African dudes & went to my first REAL club.

Dollar bills, dancers, lights & grown folks who were ALL about it.

I took dance classes my whole life - ballet, modern, jazz, salsa, hip hop, cumbia, bachata, mergenue.

Music lessons too - piano, guitar, flute & clarinet.

Honestly, most of the Latin music was experienced free-styling. Like blues. And rock.

I’ll never forget the Dave Mathew’s Band SLAYING at Outside Lands.

I literally because a security guard so I could go to more concerts. 😂

When I moved away from home in 2016, I bonded with my first friends in Saint Louis at the club.

I just wanted to dance. And to be around others who also danced.

I wasn’t there for the boys - I was there for the music ALWAYS.

I remember my voice & magic being stifled too.

By my own family.

It be your own people.

That tell you your voice is ugly. To turn it down. To remain silent or pass judgement when you just want to dance & have a good time.

And definitely when you want to play the music.

That was the hardest part for real. Like damn, I deserve to express too.

I’m not trying to take over, I’m good at this.

I can read the room.

I think the best DJs are psychics. I’ve always been one.

Observing, sensing, reading minds & fields.

Peeping feedback - from the body. The nonverbals. What’s said & unsaid.

It’s not about control, it’s about resonance.

From my MySpace profile to the majority of my conversations.

It’s how I bond. How I understand who you are. And what’s important to you.

If we can’t talk music, what are we really talking about?

I wrote raps too. From elementary school. We would chat & share on AIM.

I created my Quinceneara playlist, all by myself. The DJ KILLED IT.

My best friend, a Mexican homie, shared so much Latin magic that my Peruvian Dad didn’t.

I was grateful, because sometimes parents forget - to see their children. To amplify what they naturally gravitate towards.

I say all this to say, if you are a music lover & don’t GAF who’s watching, DJing could save you.

If you’ve been collecting, saving & organizing your music since birth - you’re born for this.

If you DANCE, sing & enjoy music from all over - you’re embodied.

If you have always dreamed of being the one - you are the one.

Sometimes playing an instrument, becoming a professional singer & dancer costs too much energy.

Too much wear & tear.

DJing is a beautiful middle ground. It’s the best of both worlds.

You get to help, encourage & INSPIRE others to move freely.

To express themselves, to remember!

• From children, to elders, to the snarky, closed off, cross-armed butthole, who finally cracks a smile. 😂

• The postpartum mama who’s trying to get her groove back.

• The broken-hearted boy who is all in his feels.

• The foreigner, who just wants a taste of home. 🙏🏽

• The abuelo who wants MFs to know he was the shit back in the day. (AYEEE!)

• The teen or young adult who’s so distraught, they’re about to end their life. (Real talk!)

You literally have no idea how many lives you are saving - by saving your own.

Since beginning my DJ journey:

• I’m happier

• More fulfilled, confident & MYSELF

• Teaching my children (one is a natural - we complete the channel of rhythm)

• More magnetic

• More REAL friends (other creatives & down ass supporters who are amplifying my / our collective vision)

• Invitations! (Private, corporate, community, wellness, educational & cultural - OKAYYY!)

• New techniques, tech, software, skills & plugs 🔌

• More creative elsewhere (writing, painting, film, workshops, communities)

• More sensuality (love, feels, presence & gratitude)

• More eyes (cute potential boos, fan-girls & folks who just stop & admire you because you’re GLOWING)

• More color (in my home, decor, clothing, facial expressions)

• A slower pace of life (more nature, rest, yoga & authentic lanes)

I’m also experiencing:

• Less eyes (silence from fam & old friends - shieeeeet we’re making room!)

• Less concern, worry & stress

• Less consuming & more producing (in this age of information)

Like Mo from Smart Guy when he was supposed to be presenting a class project & was in his head like DUN DUN DUN DUN DUN. 😂

If you stop mid-sentence when the music comes on.

If your body starts moving immediately.

If you’re more concerned with the vibe than anything else.

You’re probably - a DJ.

Now, let’s get that dream started. 🥳

1. Find a group class.

2. Get on YouTube.

3. Find a private instructor.

4. Start gathering your library in a way that you could share.

Then open your mouth.

Tell people what you’re doing & interested in.

Let the universe support you.

Since I have shared my DJ journey, others have started too.

“Shit, if she can do it, I can do it.”

This isn’t about perfect, It’s about expression.

Yes, it takes time.

Anything good in life, takes time. Or else we wouldn’t know the difference.

Yes, there will be moments when you want to give up.

It’s not easy learning a new skill. Especially tech, because shit it’s beautiful, but also frustrating.

Yes, it’s not easy putting yourself out there.

But if you’ve been dancing & singing your whole life (or playing sports), you already know what mistakes feel like.

You’ll always recover. And you’ll always learn from it.

That’s what having an open mind is all about.

An open heart really.

So if you’ve been debating...

Wresting with past memories, childhood moments & BS (or imaginary) haters - this is your sign.

Don’t worry about:

• What you look like

• What people will think of you

• If you’ll be good or not

Instead focus on:

1. This being an innate gift.

2. Trusting your sensitivity.

3. The freedom.

There is no greater tragedy in life, than not realizing / actualizing your potential.

Nobody on Earth dies happy that they held back.

Period.

Do it for “little you.”

Do it for the parents you wish you had.

The children you DO have.

The circles & people you DO want to be around.

The creators & soon-to-be creators who are looking for inspiration JUST LIKE YOU!

I promise - the doors, connections & opportunities will open.

Keep your head down (or bobbin), put the work in, DOCUMENT.

You gotta listen to yourself. I know it’s scary.

SI SE PUEDE (yes, you can). 🎧

Then, build / connect with a community.

I’m building my own (subscribe for first dibs) & also a part of a local one here in Saint Louis.

On this 2026 Capricorn New Moon Portal - this is big picture shit.

You got this!

Stay Blessed,

Anna Ortiz-Aragon, DJ AO

Song for Vibes:

PS - If you’ve already started your DJ journey or are thinking about it, drop a comment below! 👇🏽

Leave a comment

Let us know what worked for you! How it felt! What you still need help with!

I’m so grateful for all the love & resources I’ve received & here to help share more!

Integration is a real thing.

The bigger the “ah-ha” moment.

The bigger the release, awakening, etc.

The bigger the unpacking, unwinding & unraveling.

It’s the yin & yang.

It’s inevitable.

It’s what’s required to graduate.

To fully own your stripes & leave that shit behind.

Doesn’t mean it won’t pop back up (insert theme), but you gotta MOVE differently.

If you’re not moving differently, it’s because whatever light-bulb moment you think you had - hasn’t really landed yet.

So how do you land the plane Anna?

It starts with:

1. Wanting it. Do you really? Or are you just talking? 🧐

2. Choosing it. Are you INTENTIONALLY, willfully selecting? Or just fantasizing?

3. Being about it. What changes have you made in your real life?

Read more

This winter break, I read three books. When I tell you my whole BEING has changed. This has been the most profound, magical, life-alternating, mind-shift I’ve ever experienced. I’m still integrating, but also a brand new woman.

This is deep shadow work. Work that will have you examine your childhood, family dynamics, past partners & the world at large.

Once you know this information, you’ll never be the same - if your heart is right. There is a caveat, a prerequisite, to knowing this information.

You have to “give up your right to castrate men forever.”

BREATHE. I know ladies. You’re talking to a boy-mom here.

Read more

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” - African proverb.

Man does not live on an island. A child is not raised without a village.

Yet, in this capitalist, fuck boy, white-man matrix, grinding and hustling in the standard, expectation & overarching narrative.

I mean…what’s the end goal?

Read more

The Truth: You’re Not Behind. You’re Just Overstimulated.

Most people don’t need a bigger house, another planner (unless it’s the Big Energy Planner), or another morning routine. They need space — mentally, emotionally, and physically.

This time of year — when the leaves start falling and the air cools — is nature’s reminder to let go. To release what’s heavy so you can focus on what’s essential. 🤌🏽

If you’re waking up overwhelmed — laundry piles, cluttered counters, kids’ stuff everywhere — your nervous system is overloaded before breakfast.

When your system is overloaded, self-care feels impossible and purpose feels far away.

Let’s change that.

Step 1 - Less is More

A cluttered space is loud energy. Every unmade decision — that drawer you avoid, that pile you don’t deal with — drains you quietly.

When you simplify your home, you’re not just organizing — you’re creating energetic harmony.

Here’s how to start today:

1. Pick one area that stresses you most in the morning — kitchen, entryway, or your desk.

2. Remove everything that doesn’t belong. Don’t think, just move.

3. Clean the surface — physically and energetically (wipe, sage, open a window).

4. Reintroduce only what supports your flow. A tray for your keys. Hook for your kid’s backpack, a candle or Bluetooth speaker for ambiance.

You’ll instantly feel lighter — because you’re actually removing friction & calming your nervous system. 🙏🏽

Step 2: Montessori Your Mornings

This isn’t about being perfect or minimalist — it’s about accessibility and independence. When your space meets you where you are, it makes it easy to do what matters.

That’s the Montessori mindset: design your environment so success is the default. For parents, this means kids can find their shoes, pour their own cereal, and join the morning flow instead of fighting it.

For adults, it means you know where your phone, charger, water bottle, and peace of mind are.

✨ Set up your home like a sound system — everything in rhythm, everything intentional.

Step 3: Align with Your Human Design

Your environment affects your energy type — big time. You can’t operate correctly, if your space overwhelms you.

Use this as your guide:

• Projectors: Simplify your surroundings to preserve energy. You thrive in calm, curated environments.

• Generators/MGs: Keep what excites you visible — instruments, tools, inspiration boards — and remove the rest.

• Manifestors: Create a sacred corner where you can act on impulses freely.

• Reflectors: Declutter often; you mirror your environment more than you realize.

Your home is a frequency mirror. Turn up! And see magic what happens.

Need help with this? Check my Human Design offerings. 👀

Step 4: Create a Family Flow

Music teaches rhythm — so does home life.

When you pair sound with structure, you anchor your days without rigidity.
Try this:

• Morning playlist while everyone gets ready

• Soft lo-fi or affirmations during breakfast

• 3-minute family clean-up song after dinner

• Sunday “reset” with a shared playlist and walk in the park

These rituals turn the mundane into fun and memories into new traditions. 🥰

Step 5: Use Fall Energy to Let Go

You don’t need to overhaul your life — just shift the energy.

Before the year ends, spend one weekend setting yourself up for success:

• Start with one category or room and FINISH IT.

• Keep a trash, donation and recycling bag near you.

• Give thanks, pack up the car and drop off the excess ASAP.

Action builds confidence. Trust yourself. Follow through and watch what happens on the other side. Your peace, creativity & clarity are waiting for you.

You’ll feel your life breathe again. 🌬️

Final Thought: Addition By Subtraction

You don’t need a total rebrand. You need a reset. A home that helps you rest. A rhythm that helps you focus. A space that reflects the peace you’re working so hard to find.

This is your permission slip to slow down, clear out, and realign before the new year. Because when your environment supports your nervous system,
you’ll finally have the energy to focus on what you’re here to do.

Create and share your real magic. 🙌🏽

Related Resources

Featured Blogs & Podcasts

• Music Is Therapy: Latin Dance for the Divine Feminine

• Episode 83 — Finding Your Voice & Being Your Own Blueprint with Fluid

• Dominoes & Spades Playlist

• 10th Annual Vision Board Party + New Year Brunch & Vibe

Tools & Affiliates
My favorite self-care, home and organizational tools + people to support you!
✨ Get My Faves

Work With Me

1️⃣ Power of Organization Masterclass — $11
Quick, powerful workshop to clear clutter and restore calm.

2️⃣ Declutter Your Life E-Book — $22
A step-by-step, room-by-room guide to simplify your home and habits. Includes checklists, reflection prompts and is Montessori-inspired.

3️⃣ Strategy Session (90 minutes) — $333
Holistic system design for home, business, and self-care.

4️⃣ Sound Healing & DJ Bookings
For retreats, organizations, and events that merge wellness and rhythm.

For Teams, Teachers & Organizations

I lead organization and wellness workshops for schools, nonprofits, and companies ready to shift from group dysfunction to group synergy.

We’ll explore:

• How to design environments that breed creativity

• How to delegate & distribute using Human Design

• How to create calm, sustainable systems with sound & self-care

👉🏽 Book a Discovery Call

Anna Ortiz-Aragon ✨
Coach | Educator | Organizer | DJ AO
Align With Anna®

Traveling is the best education period. Working in hella different schools & districts, nothing hits/imprints like a foreign (or domestic) trip!

You’ve got to get out of your regular situation - to experience, appreciate & embrace life. And see your kids grow! They’ll have amazing stories to share in school, feel infinitely more comfortable & confident.

AND you’ll be able to record hella dope family videos (sprinkled throughout this post). Check my How To Go Camping With Your Family if it speaks to you!

Moments like dancing in the kitchen in Rome to “Hold Me Closer” by Brittney Spears & Elton John. Going to a Parisian playground with your friends from high school. Kind strangers helping you make your next flight - make all the rushed, emotional moments worth it!

Key Things To Keep In Mind

1. Be patient. Breathe, stretch, shake, let it go. Enjoy this family time by giving yourself & your kids as much grace as possible. Traveling can be uncomfortable, take time & car, plane & train schedules can change. The more you can relax, the better! (Me & the boys heading to Chicago).

2. Be organized. There’s nothing like forgetting an extra onesie when you need it in Central Park 😂. Ask my neighbor who called me a “Rookie.” Guess what, I’m a boss now.

3. Be open. Trust, unify, work as a team. That’s how you’ll meet hella cool people, get through any hiccups & be invited to insider tings! The hot spots are often only word-of-mouth. And that requires trust.

4. LIVE LIFE. Life is beautiful. Life is meant to be magical AF, honored & celebrated. “When in Rome.” Make some memories!

Watch this video with my top vacation tips (including incorporating your kid’s Human Design)

Best Places To Travel With Kids

• Paris, France - Eiffel Tower, amazing food, arts & vibe (City, Hop-On-Hop Off River Tour + Restaurants & Farmer’s Market + AirBnB)

• Rome, Italy - Old ruins, fountains, parks & outdoors (Lake, Site Seeing & AirBnB & City, Trevi Fountain & Friend’s Apartment)

• Cancún, Mexico - SUPER family friendly. With a ridiculously easy commute from the airport you have a ton of resorts & options. The airplane is always full of families & this is a GREAT place to start.

• New York City - Central Park, fashion, entertainment.

• Atlanta, GA - Enjoy the Botanical Garden, outdoor walkway, Ponce City Market (go to the crystal shop & get the Cuban food)

• The Bay Area & Wine Country - Enjoy the Discovery Museum, Muir Woods, Ocean Beach, Giant’s Stadium & farm-to-table food. Visit Cozy Plum in Sebastopol, Sol Food in Mill Valley, San Rafael or Petaluma & WildSeed in the Marina, San Francisco.

Best People To Travel With

• Former classmates, study abroad friends & neighbors - people you know well or have already traveled with.

• Aunties, other parents, folks that are kid-friendly. Sometimes your birth family is not the vibe, and that’s okay. Do you, make sure you have your own space & know that your vacation is up to you!

That’s my mom hanging with our neighbor’s kids in Manhattan, New York!

Places To Stay

• Club Med (Cancún, Mexico) - All-inclusive family friendly resort with childcare, excursions & classes all over the world. Includes rides to & from the airport! Watch these summer trips including:

  • Overall Club Med Vibe

  • Kid’s Programs

  • Amenities & Classes

  • Rooms, Water Sports & Restaurants

• AirBnB’s - Choose a family-friendly flat, home or rental where the kids can have their own room, you get a kitchen & even laundry! Choose a central location and/or one close to public transportation. Bonus points if it has a back yard, terrace or pool!

• Hotels - On our way back from Europe, we had 1 night in Paris. We stayed right by the airport for the convenience, space-themed hotel, room service (I was tired after 10 days), affordablity & we even got chauffeured in the morning.

• Hostels - When I was single, I stayed here in Ecuador with my sister & homegirl. It was MAGNIFICENT. There are families, but not too many. Just do your research. Thinking communal meals, bikes, lockers, group outings, insider info on tours & excursions!

Side Story - My phone was stolen in Paris. I left it in the Uber & the guy totally played me. HOWEVER, the hotel staff, SLAYED. They spoke to him (in French), told him to meet me in the lobby (with cameras) & made sure I was GOOD. He ended up bring the wrong phone (boy stop) - but regardless, I was incredibly protected & supported.

Best Activities To Do With The Kids

Traveling with kids is different than with your friends. You & your people might want to explore the best restaurants, night-life & museums. But with your babies you can see a whole other side of the city (and get a sitter when you want too)!

• Walking tours (Rome, Italia 2022)

• Zoo, parks, museums & Botanical Gardens

• Bike rides

• River cruises, sailing & hop-on hop-off tours/buses (Cancun 2024 & San Diego, 2025)

• Beach, hiking & exploring (Italia Beach Day)

  • Lago Albano - AMAZING super-local, Italian lake town. We went to Le Palme Resort (1.5 hours from Rome).

  • Beach, Rome

• Outdoor markets, shows or festivals

How To Plan Your Trip

1. Select your destination. Beach? Mountains? International? Domestic?

2. Decide where you want to stay. AirBnB, Hotel with family or friends?

3. Look at the map. See what’s nearby. Is there a park? A major landmark? Grocery store? Zoom in, get the lay of the land.

4. Create a list of all the things you want to do & see. Tourists spots, shops, museums, land marks.

   1. Pro Tip - Me & my family created Shared Notes (iPhone) to add flight info, AirBnB addresses, suggested plans, grocery lists & links! It seriously saved hella back & forth, questions & confusion. We pinned in the group chat

5. Research with TripAdvisor, Yelp & Google to plan your days & itinerary. If you’re in travel groups (Facebook, IG, etc.) search previous posts, click on some hashtags, check Pinterest, ask your friends & get the insider deets!

6. Plan 1 main outing per day. With rest, scenery & food.

   1. Pro Tip - The younger the kids, the more space & transition time they need. Also the larger the group, the longer it takes. Think study-abroad, class trips & bachelorette parties.

7. Be flexible. Sometimes you miss something, you’re late or have to adjust. Breathe & know you have everything you need. Check out my Euro Trip Recap (2022), Once we go to Paris, we decided to go to Rome! And then a lake-trip & a beach-trip!

8. Start listening to music, watching movies or learning about the language. It’ll pump you up, show the kids what it looks like & give you some room to realign your vision.

Me & the boys in Paris, Summer 2022. I asked the waiter to take a pic!

What To Organize Before You Go

1. Apply for/renew passports & driver license. Allow 6 weeks time.

2. Apply for Global Entry & TSA PreCheck here.

3. Reach out to friends or family in the area! See if you can connect!

4. Tell the school, other parent or employer.

5. Get a pet/house sitter.

6. Call the bank & let them know your plans.

7. Set-up email vacation responder.

8. Schedule a day off when you come back - to reset & unpack.

How To Prepare For The Airplane

Talk about the trip often.

Have the kids practice packing (& carrying) their own back pack + suitcase & watch you pack. Ask for help & input on outfits, gathering items & selecting toys/books.

Explain that traveling requires a few different things - car, train & plane + a lot of walking. You’ll be in a new place, carry all your stuff & need to think like a team (cooperation). There will be lines, patience & quiet time required. United Airlines has a cool “Social Story” with a kid-friendly play-by-play.

Check all the bags with young children so you have your hands free. Check your stroller & carseat at the gate & ask for a “Kid’s Kit,” stickers or airline toys. When the kids are older - carry-on only, it’s faster & teaches you all how to travel light.

Once you get through security - fill up all your water bottles & buy some gum. When ears need to pop, snacks, drinks & breastfeeding will do the trick.

Sometimes (in SFO) there is a kid’s area or yoga room. If you got the right credit card - you can get into the lounge. And other times, you just need to walk up & down to settle some energy.

Remember - The flight attendants are literally pros & will help you! I’ve definitely cried a few times doing it all alone, but that’s when the Angels come out.

We ran into some family friends & their kids on our trip home! 👆🏽

Side Story - My BFF (Cailin👇🏽) came to visit me in St. Louis! I purposely planned a trip home so we could all be on the flight together. I was SOOO grateful! Her presence & the experience was 🤌🏽.

What to Pack

Get my complete Family Packing List, including checked & carry on items! Plus my favorite gear to make it super memorable!

✨ For Sporty People - Bring a GoPro (Check out my Italian Beach Video & this photo 👇🏽)

Recommended Travel Apps

• Uber & InstaCart

• Whatever airline you are taking - Southwest, United, Delta, etc.

• Cash App/Venmo/Zelle

• Apple Pay - Europe Uses Revolut

✨ Pro Tip - Some old school towns & restaurants still use cash! Make sure you check your bank situation for ATM fees & international charges.

Also, don’t exchange money at the airport, it always cost more. Do it once you get settled - at a reputable bank/ATM. Ask the taxi/Uber driver (they’ll stop for you), hotel or AirBnB host.

Prepping The House

Going on vacation feels much smoother when you prep the house! Check out my Packing Timeline for the days leading up + getting home.

What To Do When You Get There

Pat yourself on the back. 🥳

Ask people to take pictures of you - on your phone & InstaMax.

Get a local babysitter or use the kid’s club.

Play music & add songs to your Kid’s/Family playlist! 🎧

Ride a Lime Bike or Scooter. 🛴

If you’re interested in a float or camping trip while on vacay - check this out:

If you’re interesting in learning how to make money while you’re traveling check this:

How To Build A Business Leveraging Systems & Automation.

If you want some 1:1 coaching or to check out my DJ & health services, I got you! Connect with me here. 🥰🫶🏽.

Camping with your family is one of the best memories!

Trees, bonfires, smores. The fresh air, cool breeze & lightning bugs. The hiking, float trips & games.

Making new friends & having great conversation. Sometimes it’s silent too, which is also nice.

You’ll see each other in a new light. It’s fun & endearing. It teaches you patience, resilience & so much about life.

It’s even better with friends! Share this in the group chat & make it a community/village moment! 🥳

Here’s what I’ve learned from successful young family camping trips:

1. Prepare by sending time outdoors. Go for hikes regularly. Watch movies about the wilderness. Go for a day float trip. Read books & share pictures of your personal camping experiences.

2. Choose a place that has showers & bathrooms. On your first couple of trips, you’ll be so happy to have real lights & plumbing. Especially a hot shower after a long day on the river. It’s also easy to wash dishes. Get a campsite as close as possible. If not, I got some portable toilet & shower info in my Camping List.

3. Pack your camping gear in clear plastic, rain-proof bins. Get all your kitchen supplies, lighting, batteries, chargers, coolers & ice packs together. Morning dew is real, everything outside the tent should be protected. Use smaller mesh bags for easy access.

4. Invest in nice, origami-like gear. Be thoughtful with space & longevity so you can pack the car easily. Check out my Camping List to get my recommendations (including dog supplies!).

5. Go grocery shopping. Here’s my Camping Grocery & Meals List.

✨ Bonus Tip - Find a camping place that has river access, a pool, store and/or a horse riding situation. Depending on your level of comfort, you can even find camping sites with a whole hotel, cabins & restaurant.

📲 Check my IG Video from our first year! And the second!

The Day Before

• Fill Up Gas/Carwash

• Prep the Kids mentally for a roadtrip

• Gather bedding (my boys have sleeping bags & I got my own packable blanket), sheets & pillows

The Night Before

• Charge everything (including kid’s tablets)

• Pack all the big stuff - tent, cots, beds, chairs, lighting + kitchen & swim

• Pack clothes - packing cubes are great & super easy for the kids

The Day Of

1. Pre-chill the cooler (add ice first thing or leave it open & outside if it’s already chilly)

2. Pack toiletries (after morning tooth toothbrush)

3. Gather your dry food (chips, bars, fruit, etc.)

4. Stock your cooler (2:1 ice ratio)

   1. I use reusable ice packs + refrigerator ice.

5. Get your hydration for the ride and/or purchase refillable jugs

Once You Arrive

• Set Up Your Tent - Immediately & put the rain cover on

• Open up the windows, hang lights, set up your beds

• Put long pants & socks on, hit the water or start the fire 🔥

  • Never been on the water? 📲 2024’s Float & Summer 2025

Parent Tips

1. Make it cute & homey for your kids - especially if they’ve never camped before

2. Give them space to chill & acclimate - let them relax, play outside or walk around to get the lay of the land

3. Show them where their headlamps, flash lights & bathrooms are

4. Teach Tent Etiquette:

   • No shoes in the tent (place on a towel by the door)

   • Always zip up - so no bugs get in

   • Close the windows when changing

   • Use inside voices (because everyone can hear you)

5. Let them know cooking can take longer than usual

6. WiFi may or may not be available, download your movies/shows

✨ Pro Tip - Make a kid’s cooler/insulated bag, with quick pre-washed fruit & snacks

Packing Up

• Leave an extra towel out - to help wipe/clean your tent

• Pack clothes, personal items, tech & bedding

• Take down cot & tent

  • If it’s wet, shake off the top, let the rain cover hang dry in the sun, as much as possible

  • Wipe down any other wetness or dirt

• Pack up kitchen items

  • Add all dirty dishes to your sink & wash in the bathroom

  • Put all the supplies back in your bin

  • Consolidate food & coolers

• Throw your garbage away & take your recycling

  • Make A Note - what could/would have made your life easier

Once You Get Back Home 🏠

• Take out the tent, let it air dry, wipe & shake down before you put it away

• Empty your cooler, let it dry upside down, outside

• Start a load of laundry (wet bags, towels, blankets & swimsuits)

✨ Pro Tip

• Load any camping dishes in the dishwasher

• Make A Note - what you didn’t use

Take a relaxing bath, let your kids chill

Camping With Friends ⛺️

Once you get curious about camping reach out to your network. Check in with local nonprofits, youth programs & outdoorsy people.

Tell folks you want to go camping.

Think exercise groups, Montessori schools, yoga folks, kayakers & hikers.

Even if your friends are not immediately down, they’ll see the blueprint & might join you!

I always go with my friends & a nonprofit I serve on the board for - Ujima STL.

It’s fun to make friends with other folks who enjoy the outdoors!

Final Wrap

Anything else you would add to the list?

Seasoned vets - anything that would be helpful? Leave me a comment below, sharing your favorite tips, tools & recipes! 👇🏽

If you’re interested in traveling the world with your kids - check this out:

If you’re interesting in learning how to make money while you’re out & about check this:

How To Build A Business Leveraging Systems & Automation

If you want some 1:1 coaching or to check out my DJ & health services, I got you! Connect with me here. 🥰🫶🏽

Healing, growing, being my best self - as often as possible.

Because that’s the goal right? Not perfection, just intention. 🤌🏽

This year I become a professional DJ, joined Substack & am going all-in on production, film & audio classes. I’m also blessed with new mentors, networks & opportunities.

On the flip side, my dog passed. I let go of some friends, tech & projects. I decluttered my whole house, downsized & simplified - so I can be clear.

I’m really taking life seriously. Focusing on what matters. Sharing my knowledge - because it’s time.

2025 is a 9 year (2+2+5 = 9). In numerology, 9 means endings. Completing cycles & refining so you can move forward. New beginnings..

Warning, 🚨 these books I’m about to share are heavy hitters. There is a lot to chew on.

Don’t start none of these, unless you’re ready to do the work.

I recommend taking your time. Finding/phoning a friend. And be prepared to write about your experiences, thoughts & downloads.

There’s no way these books won’t shake shit up for you.

1. All About Love - Bell Hooks

   Thanks to my friend Arkayla, I’d never read a book specifically about love. Other than, The Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah, this was my only literary experience. Exploring this topic as a parent, a millennial & community worker is another level. We owe it to ourselves & the future generations to get right with love.

   

2. The Shadow Work Journal - Keila Shaheen

   This was a TikTok trend for a while. It’s a journal packed-full with prompts, research & exercises to help you better understand yourself. Diving into early memories or painful experiences that shape your behavior today. With blank pages & an easy, mapped-out journey.

   

3. Unleash & Unlearn Workbook - Porscha Anderson (my bestie!)

   Asking you to challenge & redefine your core beliefs. “Does this serve me? Does this move me in the direction I want to go?” Getting clear & setting yourself up for success - with a real action plan. The perfect compliment for the Shadow Work Journal.

I am proud to say I completed all these books, this summer.

The Shadow Work Journal took me 2 years, Unleash & Unlearn 1 year & All About Love 10 weeks. It was a beautiful way to wrap up the summer.

After this literary saga, I feel more at ease. In my home, with my children & in my day-to-day.

I feel more clarity. In my goals, business & where I want to be/invest my time.

I feel more love. More grace. More appreciation of life. And the journey. 🙏🏽

Anytime you do inner-work, you are clearing space. 🌬️

Making room for creativity, joy & new experiences.

I’m excited to see how these clearings unfold!

If you’re ready - explore these books & let me know how it goes below 👇🏽

Explore my Library of Resources - for my 2020 Book Club recommendations.

Also, check out my current book list. 📚

If you have any suggestions, let me know!

To get all my future posts, updates & more - subscribe! ✨

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