Tidy Tidbits

In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, Tidy Dad talks with Kate Strickler, the creator of the Instagram account Naptime Kitchen, and the author of the book “I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen: And Other Lies I Think Will Make Me Happy (Small Habits and Mindset Shifts to Find Contentment and Joy in Life)”.
Together, we explore the mindset shifts needed as we move into February, when the “new year, new you” energy of January often fades and self-doubt creeps in. This conversation focuses on finding the middle ground, breaking free from all-or-nothing thinking, and building sustainable habits that actually stick.
If you’ve ever felt like you “failed” a New Year’s resolution, this episode offers practical reframes and gentle strategies to help you reset without starting over.
In this episode, we talk about:
* Why January should be viewed as a starting line, not a pass/fail test
* The importance of the middle ground—and why progress still counts
* How to rethink “failure” by asking better, more curious questions
* What to do when a goal feels too big or unsustainable
* Why consistency matters more than motivation
* How to identify one small, doable step to get back on track
* Letting go of the all-or-nothing mindset
Tidy Takeaway
Sustainable change isn’t about perfection, it’s about adjusting, learning, and choosing small actions you can repeat.
—
Reel mentioned by @No.Food.Rules, about the “all or nothing” mindset”:
Important Links:
👀 Follow Kate Strickler on IG: @naptimekitchen
🌟 Kate’s book: “I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen: And Other Lies I Think Will Make Me Happy (Small Habits & Mindset Shifts to Find Contentment and Joy in Life)
📚 Order 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

In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, Tidy Dad sits down with Kyshawn Lane, the home maintenance expert behind Weekly Home Check, who’s built a community of almost 2 million followers on Instagram by helping people care for their homes.
Together, they unpack why ignoring maintenance can lead to expensive surprises, and why doing one task a week is often more effective than tackling everything at once. Home maintenance doesn’t have to feel overwhelming and a simple, weekly system can save time, money, and stress. If you’ve ever thought, I should really deal with that… but then didn’t, this episode is for you. You don’t need to be “handy” to feel confident in your space. You need an approachable plan that makes maintenance manageable.
In this episode, we talk about:
* Why home maintenance feels overwhelming and how systems make it manageable
* The cost of ignoring small issues until they become big repairs
* How Kyshawn learned home maintenance as a first-time homeowner
* The power of a 52-week, one-task-a-week maintenance checklist
* How learning your home builds confidence and connection, not just savings
Important Links:
👀 Follow Kyshawn Lane on IG: @weeklyhomecheck
🌟 Sign up for Kyshawn’s FREE 52-Week Home Maintenance Checklist
📚 Order 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

Cooking isn’t just about food. It’s about confidence, creativity, and learning how to make decisions in real time.
In this episode, Katie Kimball and I get into the real skills beginners need in the kitchen, from knife skills and reading recipes to planning meals, managing grocery budgets, and thinking on your feet. We also talk about why cooking is such a powerful life skill for teens and young adults. Cooking builds independence and problem-solving, and shared meals build confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging.
Wondering how to actually get your teens in the kitchen? Teens Cook Real Food is a comprehensive cooking course designed specifically for teens and young adults.
It’s a self-paced online cooking course, teaching over 70 skills like how to read recipes, knife skills, how to boil water, how to make salads, cook veggies on the stovetop and in the oven, how to incorporate herbs, spices, acid, and sauces, how to cook meat and eggs, how to bake bread, and tips for meal planning, grocery shopping, and sticking to a food budget. And MORE! It includes real-food demos, chef talks and kitchen science via professionally filmed video lessons. It’s massively epic.
They’re also offering a FREE 3-video series for parents, including a 15-minute workshop on the mindset shift needed for parenting teens. You can start there!
If you’ve ever wished your teen could confidently make a meal, this is worth your time.
👀 Follow Katie Kimball on IG: @raisinghealthyfamilies
🌟 Check out Teens Cook Real Food + sign up for the FREE 3-video series for parents
📚 Order 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

In this episode, Tidy Dad reflects on his own journey of adjusting his sleep schedule to wake up early. He outlines his current morning routine that allows for self-care and productivity before the chaos of the day begins. He encourages listeners to find what works for them, rather than trying to replicate his exact routine.
Three key principles that guide his morning routine:
* I give myself the first fruits of the day, before I’m “on.”
* I look for progress I can repeat, not perfection I can’t sustain.
* I rely on a simple sequence of tasks, not an overwhelming set of rules.
He shares specific details about his morning activities, from gentle yoga and cleaning to preparing breakfast and engaging with his children. But this conversation isn’t about waking up earlier. It’s about deciding when YOU get to be a person. You don't need a perfect routine. You need one that fits YOUR season of life. What fuels you?
Follow Tidy Dad on Instagram!


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 engaging conversation, inspired by National Quitters Day, that moment when most people quietly give up on their resolutions, Tidy Dad and Jo Piazza explore the theme of quitting as a form of self-empowerment and personal growth. They discuss the importance of letting go of toxic relationships, the societal pressure to optimize every aspect of life, and the joy of embracing simplicity in wardrobe choices.
Jo shares her insights on the significance of having a nemesis and the courage it takes to quit things that no longer serve us. The conversation encourages listeners to reflect on what they can let go of in the new year to make space for joy and authenticity.
👀 Follow Jo Piazza on IG and Substack: @jopiazzaauthor and Over the Influence
🌟 Check out Jo’s books: The Sicilian Inheritance, Everyone is Lying to You (my favorite fiction read of 2025), and The Parisian Heist (coming in July 2026!)
📚 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