Do You Use It ??? Have you worn it lately ???

Most people have a lot of "stuff" that they never use. Yet - they just can't seem to get rid of it.

Why?

Because they bought it and it was expensive
Because someone (family member, friend...) gave it to them
Because they might need it "someday"
Because they might lose weight and fit into it again
Because they could break it apart and use it for something else
Because....
Because......
Because.........

But all of this "stuff" - that is never used and probably had been forgotten about is taking up room. Valuable space in their home.

People complain that they don't have enough room, enough storage space - yet they have "stuff" that is cramped into every nook and cranny - and is never used.

If you haven't used something in over a year. If it doesn't fit anymore. If it's out of style. It's time to "let it go".

If your child has graduated high school - you don't need to keep their childhood toys.

If you never use the fancy china or silverware that is in your hutch - "let it go".

It's not easy for a lot of people. Especially if it has sentimental meaning. But - you can take a picture of it and keep the memory. Memories don't take up as much room.

Clear out your clutter and clear out your stress.

"Let it go".



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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Organizing to Sell your Home

It's springtime - and a lot of people are putting their house on the market. So how can you make your house look better?

• Declutter
• Organize
• Pack Up Unneeded Stuff
• Stage Your Home to Showcase It's Assets

Here are some basic tips:

Make the entryway welcoming and clutter free – by hiding shoes, coats, keys…

Keep tables, countertops, nightstands coffee tables and dressers clear of papers, trash & clutter

Clear off refrigerator magnets

Clear out your cupboards so that they are not overflowing or messy – so that potential buyers can get a sense of the actual space

Box up kitchen items that you rarely use – to maximize the look of the space

Empty the garbage

Make the beds

Clear out your closets – so that they aren’t stuffed full and make them look roomy

Set the table

Open up blinds and shares to let in natural light

Start packing before you even sell your home – so that it looks more spacious

Make decisions and purge before you pack – instead of packing everything and paying for and moving stuff that you will throw out when you get to your new home. It’s a waste of time and money.

Rearrange your furniture to make your room look bigger and more inviting

Clear out children’s toys and put the toy bin away for open house

Do a thorough cleaning and deodorize

If you have an office – turn it into a bedroom

No more than 3 items on the kitchen counter

Clear bathroom countertops, add fresh towels 

Maximize space by minimizing stuff


Re-read:

Getting Ready to Sell Your Home - DeClutter For a Better Sale

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

Organizational Consulting Services

http://www.organizationalconsultingservices.com

Letting Go and Starting Fresh

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

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

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.

                 FairSplit:  https://www.fairsplit.com/?ap_id=OCSfairsplit

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

 

Funny (or real) Comics about Clutter

Just a few comics to lighten up your day!









    
       

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