Clutter is about more than stuff. It's about your life - past and present. For most people clutter - or memories as they call it - is about their past. Having things that remind us of our childhood, or what we accomplished (old trophies) - gives us a sense of who we are. Or who we were.
But sometimes - we hold on to things from the past that have bad memories attached to it.
The question is - why?
Why do you want to be reminded of a bad or traumatic period of your life? So that you don't make the same mistake again? Or maybe to remind yourself that you were able to change and become a better person?
Whatever the reason - holding on to painful memories just keeps you in the past.
By letting go - of your clutter - of the past - you can start to make new and better memories.
Physical clutter takes up a lot of room in your home. Emotional clutter takes up a lot of room in your mind and heart.
Going through each room of your home - getting rid of the clutter - lets you open up the room to a new and fresh outlook on life. By clearing the clutter of things that no longer interest you (old crafts) - you make room for new interests.
Give yourself permission to clear the clutter out of your life - and let in more productive possibilities!
Start fresh - one room - one day at time!
Less Clutter = Less Stress SM in your home, your business and your life
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Monday, March 12, 2018
A Few Organizing Tips To Get Rid of Clutter
Clutter looks bad. It takes over our home and seems to grow. It usually starts at the front door.
When you walk into your home - what do you see? A bunch of coats, hats, boots - strewn everywhere? Piles of stuff - never moving.
You can conquer clutter! Start by having a landing area for your coats, hats, boots - and anything else that comes into your home. Use your coat closet! Sounds logical doesn't it? Yet most people don't use their closet and instead pile things up on a bench or hang a bunch of coats on one hook - meant for only one coat. It looks bad and gives a bad first impression.
By using a coat closet for coats - and only current weather gear - your entry way will immediately take on a more organized and clutter free look. Keep off season coats and gear in another closet or basement if there is not enough room in your entry way closet.
Horizontal surfaces are not your friend! People tend to pile things on them. And then more on top of that. And then more on top of that..... You get the picture! Piles upon piles!
What are piles? Delayed decisions.
Instead of just piling things - put them where they belong right away! It really only takes a few seconds to put things where they belong. Yet, people seem to think that it takes longer than it actually does and that it takes a lot more effort. In reality - piling things and then having to look through the pile and finding the correct home for the item - actually takes a lot longer and a lot more effort than doing it right in the first place. It's all psychological.
Have a donate bin handy. Whenever your family outgrows things (clothes, toys, books....) or you find that you aren't using something anymore - put it into your donate bin. When the bin gets full - take it to a donation center. Don't forget to get your donation receipt so that you can put it on your income tax return.
By keeping clutter at bay - your home and your life will become clearer and your stress levels will go down.
So start today - and check those piles! Banish clutter from your home!
Less Clutter = Less Stress SM in your home, your business and your life
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
When you walk into your home - what do you see? A bunch of coats, hats, boots - strewn everywhere? Piles of stuff - never moving.
You can conquer clutter! Start by having a landing area for your coats, hats, boots - and anything else that comes into your home. Use your coat closet! Sounds logical doesn't it? Yet most people don't use their closet and instead pile things up on a bench or hang a bunch of coats on one hook - meant for only one coat. It looks bad and gives a bad first impression.
By using a coat closet for coats - and only current weather gear - your entry way will immediately take on a more organized and clutter free look. Keep off season coats and gear in another closet or basement if there is not enough room in your entry way closet.
Horizontal surfaces are not your friend! People tend to pile things on them. And then more on top of that. And then more on top of that..... You get the picture! Piles upon piles!
What are piles? Delayed decisions.
Instead of just piling things - put them where they belong right away! It really only takes a few seconds to put things where they belong. Yet, people seem to think that it takes longer than it actually does and that it takes a lot more effort. In reality - piling things and then having to look through the pile and finding the correct home for the item - actually takes a lot longer and a lot more effort than doing it right in the first place. It's all psychological.
Have a donate bin handy. Whenever your family outgrows things (clothes, toys, books....) or you find that you aren't using something anymore - put it into your donate bin. When the bin gets full - take it to a donation center. Don't forget to get your donation receipt so that you can put it on your income tax return.
By keeping clutter at bay - your home and your life will become clearer and your stress levels will go down.
So start today - and check those piles! Banish clutter from your home!
Less Clutter = Less Stress SM in your home, your business and your life
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Sunday, March 4, 2018
Estate Division - Make It Easy on Your Family
Organizing your life includes organizing your assets so that your family knows what you want done should anything happen to you.
A lot of people think that only old people should have a will and think about the future. That is the furthest thing from the truth! Being prepared for anything that life might throw at you is a gift that you can give your family. At a time of crisis a lot of people make decisions based on emotion instead of logic. Make your important decisions before a crisis so that the decisions you make are in your best interest/
One way to do this is to make a list of all of your assets.
Divide your assets without dividing your family.
Estate Division software - there is a FREE version available. This is a great way to track and later divide household assets.
Take your time and organize your home and life - on your terms.
Less Clutter = Less Stress SM in your home, your business and your life
Organizational Consulting Services
Sunday, February 18, 2018
Monday, January 29, 2018
Organizing Basics for your Kitchen and Pantry
One of the busiest places in your home is your kitchen. This should be a place that is organized and clutter free so that you can create healthy and nutritious meals for your family.
Having a spot for healthy snacks - for you and the kids - is really important - not only for your health - but also for instilling healthy habits in your kids. By having a bowl of fruit or nuts available - instead of chips and other non-healthy food - you are setting your kids up for success in their future.
Your kitchen counters should be cleared off so that you have ample work space. Any appliances that you do not use every day should be stored in another area.
Go through each drawer - one at a time - pull everything out and lay it on the counter. If you have multiples of an item, decide how many you really need. Do you really need 8 wooden spoons or 6 tongs? Get rid of the duplicates and things that you really don't need or have never used.
By doing this for each drawer you will have cleared out and paired down your kitchen in no time.
For your pantry:
Take everything out of your pantry and place it on a table.
Get rid of any expired food or anything that you don't use.
Sort like items with like items - for example: all of your beans, soups, sauces, condiments - should all be placed together on the table.
Once you have everything out and know how much of each item you have - then you can decide how many and what type of containers (baskets, jars....) you will need.
You could also add some turntables or stepped organizers as needed.
Put everything back into your pantry- grouping like items together.
By having things grouped together you will know what you have at a quick glance.
For a great article on how to store your spices - read:
16 Ways to Store Your Herbs and Spices
Less Clutter = Less Stress SM in your home, your business and your life
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Friday, January 26, 2018
GO Month 2018 - Get Organized in the New Year
GO Month 2018
January is Get Organized (GO) MonthSM, a month long
campaign by the National Association of Productivity and Organizing
Professionals (NAPO) to promote the benefits of working with an organizing or
productivity professional who is committed to professional development.
January is the ideal time for GO Month, since getting
organized is a popular New Year’s resolution.
During GO Month, NAPO professional organizers and productivity consultants
across the country host events in their communities to empower individuals,
families, businesses and organizations to regain control over their
surroundings, time and possessions. By sharing proven organizing and
productivity techniques and principles, NAPO members help people save time,
save money and reduce stress.
The History of GO
Month:
In 2003, NAPO established the “Get Organized Week” Community Service Project Program, where NAPO
members held events to help promote organizing in their communities. The
success of the program led NAPO to officially proclaim January as Get Organized
(GO) Month in 2005, and
develop a public awareness campaign to focus national
attention on how getting organized empowers people to regain control over their
time, possessions, inboxes, and surroundings.
NAPO professional organizers and productivity consultants across
the country once again will
share their knowledge and host community events to help
individuals, families, businesses and organizations bring time management,
organization, storage solutions and productivity into their lives, and start
the year with systems and solutions to improve efficiency long term.
2018 Theme: Get
Organized and Become More Productive!
The natural evolution of the organizing professional to
productivity consultant is the focal point of this year’s campaign. How does
the process of becoming organized yield greater productivity? During the month
of January, NAPO will share tips, articles, research and member stories that
focus on the basics of getting organized and the tools that help to provide organization.
NAPO will also share success stories about how better organizational practices
have yielded greater productivity! And finally, NAPO will educate members and
the public about the growing field of Productivity Coaches and Consultants.
Organizational Consulting Services plans to participate in
the national public awareness initiative by offering free organizing tips to
help people start the new year off right by getting organized. Just email a request to kefconsulting@gmail.com – put “free
organizing tips” in the subject line.
About NAPO
The National Association of Productivity and Organizing
Professionals (NAPO) was founded in 1985 as a nonprofit professional
educational association for professional organizers. Today, NAPO has
approximately 3,500 members worldwide, representing the full spectrum of the
global industry: professional
organizers, productivity consultants, authors, educators, trainers,
manufacturers, service providers and more. NAPO’s mission is to be the leading
source for organizing and productivity professionals by providing exceptional
education, enhancing business connections, advancing industry research, and
increasing public awareness.
NAPO is headquartered in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, and is on
the web at www.NAPO.net.
Organizational Consulting Services
Less Clutter = Less Stress SM in your home, your business and your life
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Less Clutter = Less Stress SM in your home, your business and your life
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
Monday, January 22, 2018
Organizing for Seniors - Tips to a Safer Home
As people age their requirements for safety and ease of living changes. In making a home safe and easier for older adults there are a few things that you should do.
1) Be careful of throw rugs - in fact - get rid of them. Throw rugs are a safety hazard. They provide ample opportunity for people to trip.
2) Put things down at a lower level so that older adults don't have to reach up to get things. In the kitchen put the dishes and glasses that are used most often on a lower shelf.
In the bedroom closet - make sure that clothes are more easily accessible and lower.
3) Don't make older adults bend down so often. Anything that is normally kept on the floor or a very low shelf - should be moved up a bit highter.
4) Make sure there is ample lighting in every room - so that older adults are not straining their eyes and can see things more clearly. This also helps with safety - in navigating from room to room.
5) Keep the walk paths clear of clutter - so that no one trips over things on the floor.
6) Keep the rooms clear of clutter - for easier maintenance for older adults - with less energy to clean.
7) Make sure there are grab bars in the bathroom.
8) Make sure there are handrails going up and down all steps.
A few simple changes will make the lives of older adults living at home much more enjoyable and much safer!
Less Clutter = Less Stress SM in your home, your business and your life
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
1) Be careful of throw rugs - in fact - get rid of them. Throw rugs are a safety hazard. They provide ample opportunity for people to trip.
2) Put things down at a lower level so that older adults don't have to reach up to get things. In the kitchen put the dishes and glasses that are used most often on a lower shelf.
In the bedroom closet - make sure that clothes are more easily accessible and lower.
3) Don't make older adults bend down so often. Anything that is normally kept on the floor or a very low shelf - should be moved up a bit highter.
4) Make sure there is ample lighting in every room - so that older adults are not straining their eyes and can see things more clearly. This also helps with safety - in navigating from room to room.
5) Keep the walk paths clear of clutter - so that no one trips over things on the floor.
6) Keep the rooms clear of clutter - for easier maintenance for older adults - with less energy to clean.
7) Make sure there are grab bars in the bathroom.
8) Make sure there are handrails going up and down all steps.
A few simple changes will make the lives of older adults living at home much more enjoyable and much safer!
Less Clutter = Less Stress SM in your home, your business and your life
Organizational Consulting Services
http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com
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