Why are security door maintenance plans so important?

This is a collaborative post

In 2026, with so many advances in security measures emerging in the digital realm, it’s important to remember that physical security doors remain central to keeping all sorts of premises safe.

Whether that’s internal fire doors in residential blocks or roller shutters in industrial units, keeping up with maintenance is crucial to keeping these security systems running at their best. 

From the money-saving aspect of preventative maintenance to the positive impact these plans have in reducing administrative loads, here’s why having a maintenance plan in place is so important. 

Preventive maintenance saves money

One of the most important reasons to set up an effective security door maintenance plan is that it will save you money. Preventive maintenance can have an immense positive impact in terms of extending your doors’ life spans, not to mention avoiding the need for emergency callouts. 

This applies to both relatively simple fire doors and more complex industrial roller shutters from providers like LBS Group. You need to make sure that their mechanical components are greased and realigned before, not after, they become problematic. 

Photo credit Chelaxy Designs via Unsplash

Ensure regulatory compliance

Keeping your security doors up to scratch is also a regulatory responsibility. In some cases, such as with fire doors in larger residential buildings, there will be clearly established maintenance and check schedules that you have to adhere to. 

In other cases, there might not be a legally stated timeframe, but if the doors or shutters fail and it can be proven that you didn’t invest in adequate maintenance, you could still be held legally responsible.

Reduce operational delays

If a security door goes wrong unexpectedly, this can cause serious operational delays. For example, if the roller shutters in your warehouse fail to open, you could be left unable to access critical stock for at least half a day or so. 

Preventative maintenance makes it much less likely that these kinds of incidents will occur, in turn reducing the knock-on effects that door failures can have on the rest of your business.

Simplify the administrative process

Security doors will need to be maintained, there are no two ways around it. And even if you do manage to take care of this maintenance in a proactive manner without having a plan in place, having to set this up on an ad hoc basis adds an unnecessary administrative burden to your team. 

Putting a plan in place means that all non-reactive maintenance is already in the books and doesn’t need to be thought about. You just schedule a maintenance crew to attend regularly when you set up the plan, and then forget about it.

Maintenance plans are simple to put in place, and can have a big impact when it comes to preventing all sorts of easily avoidable door-related incidents. Make sure that you consult an expert about the exact doors your premises have before implementing a plan, so that you can be absolutely certain that the plan will be able to cater to your doors’ specific maintenance-related requirements.

Journal prompts for bloggers and other types of content creators

Whether or not you are a blogger, journalling is a really good way to help you get your thoughts in order. For bloggers in particular it can be helpful both as a creative outlet but also to help you think about your blog and its direction, and to brainstorm new ideas for blog posts.

I've come up with a list of journal prompts which are aimed at bloggers, and I've split them into two lists. The first are personal prompts to help you think about your motivations for blogging and to think about how it fits into your life. The second list contains prompts which help you to think about your blog and hopefully come up with some new content ideas.

I hope that you find it helpful!

Personal journal prompts for bloggers

Why did I start blogging in the first place? 

How has my blog changed over time?

What parts of blogging do I enjoy the most?

Which areas of blogging do I find most difficult?

What would make me consider my blog to be a success?

When do I write my best posts?

How do I fit blogging into my daily life?

What would I write if no-one was going to read it?

What has blogging taught me about myself?

What pressures would I like to remove from blogging?

Where would I like my blog to be this time next year?

What causes me to find blogging difficult?

What do I do when I don't feel like writing a blog post?

What has made me proud in my blogging journey?

What would make blogging more fun?

Journal prompts to help brainstorm content ideas

Which are my favourite blog posts and why? 

What type of blog posts do I most like to write?

What type of blog posts do my readers enjoy most?

What questions do people often ask me that could become blog posts?

What topics do I find myself returning to?

What posts would I write if I wasn't worrying about my readers finding them interesting?

What posts from my archives could be updated or expanded?

What have I experienced in my life that could help or inspire someone else?

What is unique about my life that others might find interesting?

What else might people be interested in about my life?

What regular topics could I return to again over time?

What seasonal events are coming up that might inspire a blog post?

What is an ideal posting schedule for me, based on the time that I have available?

Photo credit Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

How to use these prompts

Choose one, and write for five minutes without stopping

Use them if you are suffering from a creative block and don't know what to write about

Think about which of these journal entries could be adapted into a blog post

Come back to prompts to see if your thoughts have changed

Further reading

If you enjoyed these prompts then you might also like these posts:

How to use images as journal prompts

Christmas journal prompts and ideas

The last-minute checks you need to do before moving home

This is a collaborative post

Moving home involves taking care of seemingly 1001 different tasks. Just when you think you’ve done it all, a new issue pops up, whether that’s having to redirect your post or give your neighbour's lawnmower back. 

There are a few basic last-minute checks that you can do to minimise the chances that you’ve forgotten something important. From checking the electricity and gas meters to making sure your new home has heating and power, these are a few of things to keep in mind.

Check the meters

As you leave your new home and enter your old one, check the water and electricity meters for both, and take dated pictures. On one side of things, utility providers can often ask for evidence at the end of tenancies, so that they can check if they’ve under- or overcharged you. 

On the other hand, you don’t want to inadvertently end up paying for the old tenant's bills in your new home. A simple check and a quick picture can make sure that this isn’t the case.

Check nothing is left behind

No matter how meticulous you’ve been with your packing, there’s a good chance that you’ll have forgotten something in a hidden nook or cranny. Make sure that you check in the attic, the eaves, the back of every cupboard and drawer and in the corners of the basement.

A short check now can save you plenty of hassle later on. You don’t want your slippers and towels to get mixed in with the new inhabitant’s belongings, and it’s an unnecessary faff to have to sort out. 

Photo credit Dina Badamshina

Check you’ve got the help you need

You’ll hopefully have organised some help for the day of your move. Whether that’s family, friends or a professional removals service like Bright Movers, it could be a good idea to double-check a few days before that everyone is set to help out. 

Make sure that they got the message, and that you didn’t give them the wrong date. It will only take a second, and you can avoid the ramifications of making a really annoying mistake.

Check the new house’s basics

Lastly, double check that the heating, water and electricity are all working in your new house, and ideally the wifi as well. You don’t want to find yourself moving into a cold, dark shell of a house, and it should be avoidable with just a quick phone call (although you may also have to check in person). 

If any of these basic necessities turn out to be an issue, you may have to find an alternative living situation for a couple of nights. Some issues might also be ok for a short while, but something like no heating in the middle of winter could be a health hazard.

Moving house is a hassle, but there are some simple strategies you can use to limit the chances of making some painful mistakes. By slowing down a little for a moment and doing some last-minute checks, you can make that breathing room to sort basic issues out before they’ve escalated into something more serious.

Tips for experiencing the best of Rome on a budget

This is a collaborative post

When you picture a trip to the Eternal City, you might imagine that the best experiences, such as grand monuments, mouth-watering food and vibrant piazzas, come with a certain price tag. But you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy everything a city break in Rome has to offer. 

With a little planning, you can make the most of your time in this timeless city while keeping your budget in check.

Walk to get around

One of the best ways to experience the Italian capital is on foot. Many of Rome's major landmarks, including the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, are all within walking distance of each other. Instead of relying on taxis or buses, stroll through cobbled streets and piazzas, letting the city's history unfold around you. 

Walking not only saves you money, but it also gives you the chance to uncover hidden corners of the capital – from small local shops to charming cafés where you can pause and enjoy a quick espresso. 

Visit free historical sites

Rome is steeped in history, and luckily, many of its most famous landmarks are free to visit. For example, the Pantheon is a remarkable second-century Roman temple turned Catholic church that you can enter at no cost. This stunning site offers visitors a glimpse into the city’s rich past with its awe-inspiring architecture. 

Photo credit Gabriella Clare Marino

Similarly, the Trevi Fountain (apart from the lower basin area), Piazza Navona and the Spanish Steps are all open to the public without any admission fee. These iconic spots are as central to the Roman experience as any paid attraction, so take your time exploring them – no ticket required!

Eat authentic Roman street food

If you're keen to try traditional Roman food without breaking the bank, make sure to sample the city's best street food markets. For just a few euros, you can grab a quick bite such as a supplì, a deep-fried rice ball stuffed with mozzarella, or a trapizzino, a pizza pocket filled with delicious fillings like braised beef or chicken cacciatore. 

These tasty snacks are easy to find in local markets or on street corners, and they’re often much cheaper than sit-down meals in tourist-heavy areas. Eating like a local not only saves you money, but it also gives you a true taste of Roman culinary culture.

Discover Rome’s charm without overspending

Visiting the Italian capital on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing the quality of your experience. In fact, some of the most memorable moments don’t cost much.

So, take your time, explore off-the-beaten-path spots, and immerse yourself in the beauty of this fascinating city – all while keeping your wallet nice and plump.

An update on my January goals

At the beginning of the month I shared some of my January goals. As the month finally comes to an end, here's how I'm getting on with them!

The area that I have had most success in is improving my eating habits. I'm not dieting, but I've tried to be more conscious about what I'm eating. I'm especially interested in reducing ultra processed food, and I've made a big effort with that this month. I've also been making some food swaps, for example replacing white bread, pasta and rice with the wholemeal alternatives. I've been eating more fruit and vegetables and I've cut out almost all of the unhealthy snacks. 

I've also kept going with the exercise routine that was working well for me before Christmas. I've been planning my workouts for the week ahead and sticking to them really well. I'm basing my exercise on a great podcast that I listened to with Stacy Sims, and also from her book Next Level. I used to just run three times a week but instead I now do one workout with running sprints and then two workouts with weights for strength training. I also swim once a week and do regular stretches. If you are approaching or already in peri-menopause then she has a lot of great advice which is particularly aimed at women in this stage of life.

Photo credit Elena Kloppenburg via Unsplash

I'm doing very well at my decluttering challenge, working on removing five items a day from my home. It was easy at first as I had lots of random things lying around, but it began to get harder around the middle of the month once all the obvious areas had been tackled. That was when I moved on to hidden storage areas like the top of my wardrobe and my craft drawers and it has made a huge difference. I'll be sharing how I got on more fully in a few days, but I'm really pleased with myself.

Finally we have made a good start on our home project to renovate our bathrooms. The deposit is paid, and although we still have some final decisions to make the work is due to start in March. It's very exciting, and I'm really looking forward to updating these neglected areas of our home!

My goals for next month - looking at my garden and deciding what seeds to plant this year, and working on planning our holiday to Japan this summer. 

How did you get on with your new year goals?

How to choose a decluttering challenge that will work for you

I love decluttering, and I also love researching tips and tricks to help me keep my home decluttered and organised. I'm really motivated by a good declutter challenge.

Everyone is different, and something that works well for someone might not work for another person. I've gathered together some of the most popular decluttering challenges that you might find online, and thought about the advantages and disadvantages of each.

The 30-day Minimalism Game

Created by The Minimalists, the 30-day Minimalism game is my favourite decluttering challenge, and I've attempted it several times. Every day you declutter a certain number of items, based on the day of the month. One item the first day, two the next, and son on all the way to 30 or 31. Easy to start with, but by the time you get to the middle of the month it's definitely becoming a challenge!

Advantages - It's perfect for people that like to make lists and want a clear structure. At least in the early stages it doesn't take up too much time, and by the end you'll be able to see clear results. 

Disadvantages - If you miss a day it can be hard to get back on track, and it get overwhelming as you approach the end of the month (one way to avoid this is to do it in reverse). It requires a daily commitment. 

You can see how I got on with this challenge here - Playing the #minsgame 

Project 333

Project 333 was developed by Courtney Carver and it's a way of reducing clutter and stress by limiting the number of clothing items in your wardrobe. All you need to do is choose 33 items for 3 months, including clothing, accessories, jewellery, outerwear and shoes. Some categories are excluded, for example sleepwear, underwear and gym clothes (as long as you are actually wearing them to work out!)

Advantages - There is a great community around this challenge, so it's perfect for people that like to share their progress on social media. If you feel overwhelmed by deciding what to wear everyday then it removes that layer of stress from your life, and it's a great way to experiment with making the most of the things that you already own. Although it's focussed on clothing, it can help you to think about other areas of your life where you could simplify - for example in the kitchen or hobby supplies.

Disadvantages - It doesn't suit people that enjoy creating their daily outfits, or who use their clothing as a form of self expression. It's also a little tricky if you live somewhere with a changing climate or if your social or work life requires you to switch between different types of outfit.

Photo credit Sarah Brown via Unsplash

One in one out

This challenge is just what it sounds like - every time you bring something new into the house you must choose something to leave, ideally in the same category.

Advantages - It works well if you have already done a big declutter and you are looking to maintain your space. It also helps you to think about what you are buying if you know that you will need to choose something to replace. It works well for families that have a constant flow of things coming into the house.

Disadvantages - It's not really a method of decluttering, more about stopping things getting worse. There won't be any impact on the total number of items that you own.

Declutter X items per day

This challenge works really well for me and I've done it several times. I go with 5 items every day for a month.

Advantages - It's a slow method, but enough to make a big difference. If you miss a day it's easy to catch up the next day and it's simple to keep track of. It doesn't require any major disruption to your home.

Disadvantages - You might become discouraged if you miss a day or two. It can also mean that you declutter more obvious things without tackling hidden areas.

The Marie Kondo method

Based on the bestselling book The Life Changing Method of Tidying Up, the key behind this method is to sort by category, and the categories are worked through in a particular order which helps you to practice making decisions about your items. 

Advantages - If you follow the method correctly then you shouldn't need to declutter again. There is a logical order to follow and it makes a lot of sense. For example, if you gather together a certain item like pens in one place you can really see when you have too many.

Disadvantages - It takes time, and depending on the level of clutter in your home it can be disruptive. Ideally you need to have space for a staging area where you can gather your categories of items together, and it can be overwhelming to see everything laid out together at once. 

Here you can read about how I used the Marie Kondo method to declutter an older child or teenager's room

The area by area challenge

This challenge is almost opposite to the Marie Kondo method. Instead of grouping by category, instead you concentrate on one area, for example a drawer or cupboard, at a time. There are many different lists that you can follow to give you some areas to work on within a certain time frame, for example this 30 day declutter challenge.

Advantages - Because you are only working in a small area each time, mess is kept to a minimum. It works well if you can dedicate a small amount of time each day to decluttering, and you can choose your area based on how much time you have that day.

Disadvantages - It doesn't give you a full overview of your clutter - you might still end up with a spare pair of scissors in every drawer. You might feel the pressure of having to work on the particular area in the challenge list.

The packing party or box method

This is another decluttering method championed by The Minimalists. It's a great way to get a fast result, you just pack up everything that you own into boxes and then you spend a month or so only unpacking things as you need them. In theory you can then get rid of everything else!

Advantages - It's an extreme method, so it's perfect for people that want to have a huge clear out. It's particularly suitable for people going through some kind of home transition, maybe moving house or doing renovations. 

Disadvantages - This doesn't work well well for everyone, for example if you have a large family, as it's very disruptive. You need a lot of time and energy to pack everything up, as well as a large supply of boxes and bags. Because the challenge takes place over a short period of time, it doesn't account for seasonal items or special occasion clothing.

Photo credit Brett Jordan via Unsplash

My thoughts

I personally find a decluttering challenge a powerful way of motivating myself to make some space in my home. Throughout January I've been removing 5 items per day, and I'm definitely noticing and appreciating the results. 

All of these challenges can be adapted to make them easier or more realistic for you, and because they are all popular challenges there is plenty of advice and guidance online from people that have found what works for them. 

Good luck if you are attempting a decluttering challenge this year!

The books that I want to read this year

I've done very well recently working my way through my "to be read" pile which puts me in a position that I've not been in for many years - looking for some new books to read! I have some Christmas money to spend, so I'm going to be treating myself to some new books, both brand new and second-hand.

Here are some of the books that I want to read this year:

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami - I've read several books by Murakami and I really like his writing style and the surreal, magic realism elements in his stories. I've had 1Q84 in mind for a while, and when I recently found out that it's set in Tokyo I thought that it would be a good one to read in the first half of this year, before we visit Tokyo in the summer.

Everest, Inc.: The Renegades and Rogues Who Built an Industry at the Top of the World by Will Cockrell - I've shared that I want to indulge my interest in Everest this year, and this book seems like a highly recommended place to start when it comes to learning about the commercialisation of climbing the mountain.

Other Everest books - I've been doing some research and I'm slowly building up a list of books about Everest that I want to read. Some of these aren't available new, and I'm also conscious of my book buying budget, so I have put together an order of second hand books from World of Books. I always order books from there in groups of four as they are usually buy three get one free! So the ones that I'm starting with are Dark Summit by Nick Heil, No Shortcuts to the Top by Ed Viesturs, Left for Dead by Beck Weathers and The Other Side of Everest by Matt Dickinson. These books may well get a bit samey after a while, so I will probably spread them out over the year!

Photo credit Lauren Gray via Unsplash

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy - I've had this on my shelf for a while, but I moved it from the "to be read" shelf to my main bookshelf so that I didn't feel the pressure to read it! But I keep hearing about how good it is and I definitely want to give it a go. Just so that I can say I've read it!

The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt - I've been hearing a lot about this book recently. Although it's a couple of years old now, I think that people are talking about it at the moment because the government has been discussing banning social media for under 16s. I'm really interested in social media and the effect that it has on people, especially children, and obviously having teenagers of my own it's an issue that I want to learn more about.

Finally I want to get back to the library! I've not been for months because I've had such a huge pile of books to be read beside my bed. But now that it's feeling more manageable I want to go and have a good browse in the large library near my daughter's school, and come home with a pile of new books to try.

Do you have any reading plans this year?