In this Shortcuts episode of Storytellers: Journeys, host Bernadette Hill shares how she used the Lean 5S method — yes, that workplace organizing tool — to bring structure, peace, and a little joy to her family’s chaotic pandemic homeschool setup.

With a 6-year-old first grader, a tiny desk overflowing with Legos, and a need to create calm during uncertainty, Bernadette turned to 5S as a practical way to simplify. What started as an experiment became a beautiful reminder that improvement doesn’t have to be complicated — sometimes it looks like a clear surface, a labeled bin, and an ice cream high five.

This mini-lesson is a heartfelt window into applying continuous improvement at home, and a reminder that simplicity isn’t sterile — it’s human.

What you’ll learn:

• How 5S works in real-life—not factory—settings

• Why structure helps kids feel safe and confident

• Small systems that reduce emotional and visual clutter

• How simplicity supports parenting during stressful seasons

• Why Lean tools belong in everyday life

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Keywords: 5s method, lean for life, simplifying motherhood, pandemic homeschooling, personal improvement, continuous improvement, home organization, bernadette hill podcast, shortcuts, simplicity tools