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Showing posts with label Clutter. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Clutter. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Will You Be Contributing to Clutter this Holiday Season?

It's that time of year where everyone is busily shopping for holiday presents. There are sales everywhere. The stores are trying to entice you with lots of new gadgets and lots of shiny things. We just have to have the lastest and greatest. We have to keep up!

We have been inundated with ads. Sometimes multiple times a day by some companies.

Will you be able to resist or will you succumb to the holiday pressure to buy as much possible. Because we all know that the more presents you buy someone - the more you love them!  

And after everyone unwraps all the presents and the wrapping paper is thrown away - their interests in the item is short-lived. 

Don't get me wrong. I like to receive presents (sometimes). If it's something that is meaningful to me - and not only the gift giver. A lot of people tend to buy gifts that they think are nice (or would want themselves) - instead of giving a gift that is really meaningful to the person who would be receiving the gift. 

Some people don't know their friends as well as they think they do! 

So take a step back and really ask yourself a couple of questions before buying that gift:

Have you seen the person use or ask for (insert gift idea)?

Will this be something that the person has to display in their home and is there room for it?

Will you be offended if the person doesn't display the gift you thought would "fit in perfectly"?

Will you be offended if the person doesn't wear the gift you bought them (because it's really not their style)?

Are you buying a gift - any old gift - just to have something to give them - even though you don't know what to get them and don't want to go empty handed?

Gift giving is an art! You want to show people that you care about them - but forcing them to wear something or display something that does not fit into their own style - is setting them up to feel bad because they don't want to hurt your feelings.

Take a step back and really listen to their likes, wants and dreams. It's not how much you give or the size of the gift that matters. It's that you really paid attention to them.

Don't clutter up someone else's house with your ideas of "the perfect (insert item)". 

So what are some ideas that might not clutter up someone else's home?

An invitiation to lunch or dinner to catch up on their life

An invitation to a play that they've wanted to see

A gift certificate to the spa for a massage (my favorite!) or getting their nails done (if they do this)

A donation in their name to a charity that they support

A gift certificate to a class that they have been talking about

A gift basket of things that they like but would not buy for themselves (spa items, fruit or chocolate ...)

A gift certificate for a car wash (a great gift to get the dirt & snow off their car)

A gift certificate to the movies (with popcorn of course)

A gift certificate for free babysitting so that they can go out and do whatever they want

There are a lot of ideas that don't leave clutter in your home. I'm sure that you can come up with some more!

Happy Holidays!

Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....   



Sunday, October 29, 2023

Hoarding – Everyone’s Concern

Hoarding is a complex mental health issue. It can also be a safety issue. Intervention needs to take place at several levels. Hoarding cleanup can be extremely costly for property owners and local governments. Hoarding can cause a variety of complications, including:

·        * Unsanitary conditions that pose a health risk

·        * Increased risk of falls

·        *  An inability to perform daily tasks, such as bathing and cooking

·        *  Untreated medical or psychological conditions

·        *  Family conflicts

·        *  Loneliness and social isolation

·         * Fire hazards

Some Signs of Hoarding:

·         * Extreme collection and storage of items in the home and yard

·         * Accumulation of combustible materials (newspapers, magazines, and rubbish)

·         * Blocked exits (doors & windows)

·       *   Narrow pathway in the home

·         * Rotting food and/or used food containers

·        *  Insect infestations

·         * Long-term neglect of home maintenance

·      *    Non-working utilities, such as heat, running water, refrigeration

Fire Safety

Know the fire-safety risks and how you can keep yourself and first responders safe.

Risks: 

Personal items can crowd cooking equipment, making it unsafe to cook.

Personal items can crowd heating equipment, putting you at risk of having a fire.

Difficulties for firefighters:

Blocked windows and doors make it difficult for firefighters to get into your home to fight the fire and search for occupants.

Piles of belongings make it difficult for firefighters to move through your home quickly.

Important:

Always keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from cooking and heating equipment.

Keep doorways and windows clear for escape in case there is a fire. This will also prevent injuries from falling over excessive personal items.


Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life


Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....   

Monday, August 14, 2023

How Much Is Enough ?

 

How much stuff do we really need? How much is enough?

Do we really need 50 pairs of jeans? Or 50 pairs of shoes? Or 100 shirts? Or every new toy that comes on the market?

How many toys can a child play with at once? How many of their toys do kids actually even play with - once the novelty wears off?

What percentage of your clothes do you actually wear? Be honest! Most people only wear about 20 % of their clothes. A lot of people have clothes in their closet that still have the tags on them. Or if the tags are off the clothes - they still haven't worn them.

For a lot of people it's the "thrill of the hunt" - the "high of the buy". And then they quickly forget about their purchase.

Look around your home. What percentage of the things in your home do you actually use - on a consistent basis?

How much of the stuff is just "taking up space"?

Try going from room to room - and quickly look at the items in the room - and if you haven't used the item in a long time (or don't even remember having it) - maybe it's time to move it into the "donate" box (everyone has one - right?).

You might be surprised how quickly that box fills up!

Before you take out your credit card and buy more "stuff" - take a step back and think "do I really need this" and "do I have a specific place to put this". If the answer is "not really" - put that credit card back in your wallet and walk out of that store!

Having too much stuff in your home doesn't create a sense of calm. Your home should feel peaceful.

Clutter is noisy - so don't add more clutter to your home! Enough is enough.


Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life


Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....   

Friday, April 14, 2023

Getting Unburied and Moving Forward - a Clutter Class

New 8 week class – “Getting Unburied and Moving Forward” –  a class for people with chronic disorganization and hoarding issues.


We have created a new condensed 8 week version of the "Buried in Treasures" class for people that don’t want to commit to a 16-week class.

 

The class covers the most important information that is in the 16-week “Buried in Treasures” class plus has expanded information on time and paper management.

 

In the 8-week “Getting Unburied and Moving Forward” class – we will cover:

 

·         Understanding the complexities of hoarding issues

·         What’s stopping you from working on your clutter problem

·         How to reduce acquiring and start decluttering

·         How your goals and values play an important part in your success

·         How to make categories that work

·         Learning the organizing process

·         Paper and time management

·         Putting it all together and moving forward

 

Let this be the start of your journey to the life you want to be living….

“Getting Unburied and Moving Forward” – a Virtual Class

 

Sessions start: Wednesday, June 21, 2023  -  6:30 pm – 8:00 pm  -  Mountain Time – USA

or

                           Wednesday, June 21, 2023  -  9:00 am – 10:30 am  -  Mountain Time – USA

 

(The fee for the 8-week class is $ 240 US)

 

Anyone – anywhere – can take the class! Class is held on Zoom.

 

This group offers a judgment-free environment for people ready to make a change in their life.

 

Early Registration and acceptance into the group is required. Email for more information - kefconsulting@gmail.com


Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....   

Thursday, February 16, 2023

Things to Declutter Right Now!

Decluttering isn't always about getting rid of "big items". Most of us have a lot of small items, items with missing parts, items without their pair, items that we longer use, items that are expired or past their prime. Item that we haven't used in a long time or that we even knew we had.

Take a look at this list to see if you have any of these items that you can get rid of now. Turn it into a game with your family - "whomever finds the most items that they can get rid of - wins a prize".

Make clutter disappear! It's easy! Do you really want to keep old candy or broken dishes or cat toys when you no longer have a cat???

Join us in this clutter challenge - and make your clutter disappear! 

Things to Declutter Right Now

Appliances that are rarely or never used

Batteries that are deal

Books that you will never read or won't read again

Boxes - stuff in them that you never open

Calendars - Old

Candy that is old

Cards - get rid of them after a few weeks

Cat litter - no cat

Cat toys

Cleaning supplies that you never use

Clothes - from kids

Clothes that are stained or worn out or never worn

Coffee mugs - how many do you really need

Containers that are empty

Cookbooks that you never use

Costumes - halloween

Coupons that are expired

Craft projects that you will never finish

Crayons that are bits and pieces

Dishes - old

Earrings without a partner

Electronics that are broken

Fabric Softener

Flowers - dead

Food containers without lids

Food that is expired

Fruit - moldy

Games or puzzles that are missing pieces

Garden hoses - old

Gifts that you will never use

Glasses - old prescription

Gloves without a partner

Holiday decorations that are in excess

Jewelry that you will never wear

Junk Mail

Legos

Linens that are worn out

Magazines/newspapers - Old

Mail - old

Makeup - Old

Maps - to places you will never go

Medicine that is expxired

Menus - old or takeout

Nail polish - dried out

Notesbooks - college or old

Paint - old or that you will never use

Paperwork that should be recycled

Pencils shorter than 3 inches

Pens that no longer work

Perfume

Plants that are dead

Plastic bags

Receipts that are old for things you don't have

Receipts that are old for things you don't need for taxes

Snacks that are old

Socks with holes or missing a partner

Spices or seasonings you never use

Sunblock that is expired

Tags from clothing that you have cut off

Takeout sauces or packets

Textbooks - old college

Toothbrushes - older than 4 months

Towels that are torn or worn out

Toys that your kids have outgrown

T-shirts - old

TV cabinet - old

Underwear - with holes or stretecher out elastic

Unidentifiable  anything

Vases

Washer / Dryer - old or broken

Wok - electric

 Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more.... 

 

Monday, October 17, 2022

Clutter - It's more than just Stuff. Letting Go of Whatever is Cluttering Your Life.

Clutter comes in many forms. It's not just about "stuff" or "possessions". There are many types of clutter. Most people only think about clutter in terms of physical clutter. But there is so much more.


Types of Clutter:

  • Physical Clutter:           things that you have
  • Paper Clutter:               piles of paper everywhere
  • Digital Clutter:             emails & internet
  • Time Clutter:                things that you do
  • Brain Clutter:                things that you think about
  • Relationship Clutter:    people in your life that are not good for you
  • Emotional Clutter:        things that you burden yourself with

What are some things that are cluttering your life?
  
Stress  -  Work  -  To Many Things On Your To Do List   -  Guilt  -  Worrying  -  Clothes  -  Stuff  -  Obligations  -  Noise  -  Regrets  -  Jealousy  -  Failure  -  Bad Relationships  -  Paper  -  Commitments ...

Take some time to think about all of the things that are cluttering your life and try to decide what you can let go of. 
Pick one thing in each category that is cluttering your life and let it go. 
It's not easy - but if you continue to let these things clutter your life - you won't have time for the good things in your life. Or the new things in your life. 
Things and people - come and go out of our life. That doesn't mean that we didn't care about them. As we grow we all develop new and different interests. With work and family - we don't always have time for some of the activities or hobbies that we enjoyed when we were younger. Our focus changes as we age. It's not a bad thing. But we need to let go of some of the material things that are cluttering our lives to make room for our current life. And sometimes we also need to let go of  relationships that are no longer in our best interest.
Learn to embrace your current life without the clutter of a life that no longer serves in your best interest.
There are many different types of clutter. Look at each type of clutter and start letting go of some of the things that no longer make you feel fulfilled. You deserve to be happy and clutter free.

Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more.... 



Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Are You Living Your Life of Today


People change. As we grow older our lives change.  Our families change. Our likes and dislikes change. Our hobbies change. So, the question is “are you living the life of today?”. Does your home reflect that life?

If your kids are grown and out of the house – do you really need a big house with four bedrooms? Do you really want to maintain that house. Or do you want the freedom to do something else? Maybe it is time to think about downsizing so that your time is freed up to do other things.

If you no longer have the time or desire to knit, crochet, quilt, paint or any other hobby – maybe it’s time to give away all of your yarn or fabric or paint. There are probably a lot of people that would really appreciate all of those things.

Just because you had a hobby once doesn’t mean that you have to continue it forever. Your tastes change. Your availability to do these things might change. Maybe you are not physically capable of doing these activities anymore.

If you do not ski anymore or roller skate or ride your bike – pass the equipment onto someone that will enjoy it.

Let it go. Without guilt. Clear the stuff out of your home. Make room for new hobbies. You do not have to hang onto things just because you were once interested in them.

Enjoy the life that you are living now.

But remember that you collected all of these things over time, and it will take some time to go through it all and declutter your home. Plan short decluttering sessions interspersed with a fun or relaxing activity. By doing this you will not wear yourself out and you will be more likely to continue the decluttering process.

Once an area is cleared of clutter – then you can start the organizing process. But’s that's another article!

 

 Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more....

 

Monday, May 31, 2021

Clutter is "Stuff"

People wonder what "clutter" really is. Well - it's just "STUFF". 

It could be "good stuff" - but that doesn't mean that it's "good for you". 

A lot of time people keep "stuff" just because they haven't gotten around to clearing it out- not because it means something to them. 

Letting go of "stuff" - especially when it's memorabilia is really hard. It's emotional. And therein lies the complexities of purging. It you have an attachment to things - it's hard to let go.

In order to "let go" of clutter - you have to change your mentality about the stuff. Don't keep things that have bad memories or things that make you feel sad - or things that your family member gave you that you have no use for. Only keep things if you really like it or if it makes you happy.

Don't bring things into your home that you got "for free" if you don't really need it.

Don't feel the need to keep things that have outlived their usefulness.

Don't bring things into your home that take up room that you don't have.

You deserve to live in a home that is calming and peaceful. Before you buy anything (or get it for free) - ask yourself:

       Do I really need it?

       Will I actually use it (within 6 months)?

       Do I have room for it? (Where - exactly - will I put it)?

       Can I afford it?

       Will it enhance my life?

If you can't answer these questions - DON'T bring it into your home.

So - say "NO" to Clutter!  And live a life with less stress!

Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more.... 

 

Monday, March 29, 2021

Too Many Books - When is it Time to Let Go

People collect all kinds of stuff. From clothes to craft items to books. 

So - when is a "collection" a "collection" and when is it a "hoard"?

Another question is - "when is enough - enough" and "when is it time to let go"?

There is no "one size fits all answer". 

If you have the room in your home and there is no safety issue - and let's throw in - that you know what you actually have and can find it and actually use it - then it might be o.k. to have a bunch of "stuff".

But - if you never use it - what good is it? It just takes up room. And you spent money on something that you are not getting use and enjoyment out of.

So let's take books for example. How many books can you have? How many books should you have? It all depends on the above answers.

If you have hundreds of books - have you actually read them all? Or can you / will you - actually read them all? How long will it take you? Is it realistic to have hundreds or thousands of books that you will never read? Even with "good intentions". 

Books are wonderful. They can teach you so many things. They an transport you to another world and brighten your day. But if they are "just there" and you never really use them - what good are they?

And the next question is - who is going to be responsible when you are gone? Is the next person going to care about them as much as you do? How will you feel if they just throw them all out? Those are questions that most people won't ask themselves - because they don't really want to know the answers.

So - take charge of your own life - and books - and make some decisions.

For some interesting reading about book collecting and book hoarding - read these articles:

                  Are you a book hoarder? There’s a word for that. 

                  There’s A Japanese Word For People Who Buy More Books Than They Can Actually Read

 

Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more.... 

 

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Clearing Your Clutter During This Pandemic

The last few months have been very stressful for everyone. But it's also given people a lot of time to work on clearing their clutter.

Then again, there's the problem of what to do with the clutter if the donation centers are closed or they won't pick up.

Clearing you clutter should be an ongoing project. I always have a donation bin going at all times. When the donation bin gets filled - it's time to take it to the donation center. So what goes into the donation bin? Anything and everything. If you have kids and they outgrow their clothes - put it in the bin. If they outgrow their toys - put it in the bin. It will fill up quickly!

You can go through your rooms - one by one - and take a good look at everything in the room. First start with anything that you don't really like anymore. Your tastes change - so let someone else enjoy the item! If your room looks too crowded - move some things out. It will open up the room and make it look bigger.

Go through your kitchen. What gadgets haven't you used in the last 6 months or a year? If you haven't used them - ask yourself "will I ever use it?"  Be honest! If you aren't using them (but will during holidays or only once a month....) - put them somewhere out of the way - instead of on the kitchen counter or in a prime location.

Go through your garage and basement - and clear out things that you rarely ever - or never use. If you "might need it someday" - you can always borrow it or buy it again (which can be cheaper than storing it).

A lot of people have tons of books - that they have already read (numerous times) or never read at all. Maybe it's time to let them go.

What about memorabilia? How long are you going to keep it? Why are you keeping it? Do you have a place to display it - or is it just taking up valuable space? Take a picture of it, write a story about it and let it go.

What about things that you are keeping for your kids - who are all grown up with families of their own? How long are you going to store it? Ask your kids if they want it (they probably don't). If they do, give them a deadline to pick it up - or you will donate it. If they don't want it - donate it.

When you  are going to start a decluttering project - give yourself a time limit - so that you don't get overwhelmed. Take frequent breaks.

Now - as for the donation dilemma. If your favorite donation center is not accepting donations yet - you have two options. Either you pick another donation center that is open or you continue to store your donation bin for a time in the future (hopefully soon) that it will start accepting donations again. But, put a time limit on how long you are willing to wait. 

Clearing your clutter gives a lot of people a sense of freedom and clarity. If you don't experience that - it's o.k. At least it will give you a less cluttered home!

Happy Clearing!

Less Clutter = Less Stress SM     in your home, your business and your life

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
.

Visit our Life & Business Coaching website:  North By Northwest

*** check out the Products tab for self-paced workshops, planners and more.... 

Sunday, July 26, 2020

Buried in Treausures


 
 A Group to Address Hoarding Behavior
   
 The Buried in Treasures Workshop is about more than clutter...
· Overcoming challenges 
· Increasing motivation 
· Reducing acquiring
· Prioritizing and celebrating choices

Self-Help & Empowerment
For
Finders and Keepers

Is clutter getting in the way of how you want to live your life?
Are you feeling overwhelmed with too many possessions?
Are you embarrassed to have people over?

This program offers a 16-week course that is based on the book ‘Buried In Treasures’​.  Join us for this group created by and for people who are ready to live a less - cluttered life! 

​The Buried in Treasures group is for people who would like to learn tips on how to de-clutter and stop over-acquiring with people who know what it’s like. Each week we will have a discussion around a specific skill, followed by the completion of challenging and rewarding exercises. Individual progress, challenges, successes, and goals are also monitored throughout the sixteen weeks.

Participants are expected to commit to attending all the sessions as well as to participate actively.

A Buried in Treasures Group is forming >>>

*** this will be a VIRTUAL CLASS - anyone - anywhere can participate in the class

Sessions start:    Wednesday, September 9th, 2020  -  from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm  -  Mountain Time


This group offers a judgment-free environment for people ready to make a change in their life.

Registration required. Call or email for more information.

(440) 666 – 9326 or  kefconsulting@gmail.com

**** Virtual Class available – Conference Style – by phone and/or computer - call /email for Starting Date / Time and to be put on a Waiting List for future classes