I used to think “spring cleaning” was for people with spare time, energy, and color-coded label makers. Not moms like me juggling appointments, medications, insurance calls, and half-eaten granola bars in the bottom of every bag I own.
But over time, I’ve learned that getting organized doesn’t have to mean creating a Pinterest-perfect system.
For caregivers, it means clearing out the chaos just enough to breathe again.
So this spring, I’m doing a different kind of cleaning. The kind that makes space in my house, my brain, and my emergency plan.
Here are five ways I’m keeping it simple, doable, and actually helpful.
1. Toss the expired stuff
Check the med drawer. The bathroom cabinet. Your “just in case” bag.
Throw out expired prescriptions, duplicates you forgot you had, and that one mystery bottle you swore you’d label later. You don’t need a museum of outdated medications. You need clarity.
Tip: Set a 15-minute timer and do one area at a time. That’s it.
2. Make a “go bag” you can actually grab
Have one bag that’s always packed for emergencies. Include:
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A current med list
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Insurance cards
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A few comfort items like snacks, a phone charger, a small toy, or extra socks
Bonus: Keep a Post-it on the outside with the last time you checked it so it stays fresh.
3. Update your Risen Devices dashboard
Life changes fast. Medications change. New allergies show up. Emergency contacts shift.
Take five minutes to log in and make sure your information is up to date. In an emergency, every second matters, and accuracy can change the outcome.
Real talk: I created Risen Devices because I was tired of being the only one who knew everything. Having a tool that can carry some of that weight for me? Life-changing.
4. Keep one folder and ditch the rest
Pick one physical folder for hard-copy documents you actually need. Diagnoses. Letters. IEPs.
Everything else? Digitize it or let it go.
This isn’t about being perfectly organized. It’s about being able to find what matters fast.
5. Declutter the guilt too
No, you’re not going to get it all done in one day.
No, your system won’t be perfect.
But if you’ve taken one thing off your mental load—one drawer, one form, one update—you’ve already created more space than you had yesterday.
That counts.
This year, spring cleaning isn’t about being more productive.
It’s about being more prepared, with a little less chaos and a little more calm.
And if you’re looking for one tool to make that easier, Risen Devices is a great place to start.
One scan. All your critical info. Ready when it matters most.
Because emergencies aren’t predictable, but your response can be.
—Mallory