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.... 

 

Organizing Quotes to Live By......

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

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.... 

Kitchen - Organizing your Food and Recipes

When people think about organizing their kitchens - they don't usually think about all of the food that a kitchen contains. But most kitchens have a lot of food products that have been forgotten about.

At least twice a year (if not once a season) - it's a good idea to go through all of your cupboards and look at every single item that you have in your pantry and see if it has expired or if you will actually ever use it. Sometimes people buy things with a certain recipe in mind - but it never actually gets made - and you have a handful of a certain spice or condiment that you will never actually use.

Be honest with yourself and toss out the unused or half-used spices or condiments or other food products - some of which you may have forgotten about.

And now to the recipes......

We all have good intentions and we really do want to make that fancy dinner or fancy dessert that we saw in the magazine - but - life gets in the way! Go through your pile of recipes that were ripped out of magazines and toss out the ones that will take too much effort (that you don't have) or one that you now realize and admit - that you will never make. 

Go through your cookbooks and get rid of ones that you've never used or will never use. 

Get rid of things that are cluttering your home and your life. Don't feel pressured to keep things just because you bought them or someone gave them to you. 

Simplify your life....and gain the Freedom to do whatever you really want to do....

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.... 

 

More Spring Projects for Your Home

 As the snow melts and spring is right around the corner - everyone is anxiously looking forward to spending more time outside. So - it's time to clean out and organizer your garage, patio and shed!

Start by pulling everything out of your garage.Then sweep it out.

Look at all of your tools, rakes and anything else in the garage and first make sure that it's all in good shape and working. If not - throw it out.

Anything that doesn't belong in the garage - put it back where it belongs.

If you are done using your snowblower or other winter weather gear - store it in the back of the garage. Be sure that it's cleaned up first. If you won't be able to use it next winter - get rid of it.

Don't forget to look at winter "toys". If you or your kids have outgrown or are no longer interested in any winter gear (sleds, ski's, snowshoes...) - get rid of it. Don't let it clutter up your garage.

Put all of your spring and summer gear closer to the front of the garage - where you can easily get to it.

Make sure that your lawnmower is ready to go! Make sure that you have rakes and leaf bags and anything else that you will need.

If you have bikes - make sure that the tires are all inflated and in good condition.

Once you are done with the garage - work on your patio or deck. Clear off any furniture and sweep it off. Make sure that any furniture you have is in good condition.

If you have a gas grill - make sure that  your tank is all filled up so that you are ready to grill!

Next - on to your shed (if you have one). Some people had sheds for extra outdoor furniture or garden supplies. If you haven't cleaned it out since last summer - now is the time to clear it out, sweep it out and organize it.

Spring is a busy time of cleaning and organizing! But once it's done - you have the entire summer to enjoy your newly cleaned and organized spaces!

 

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.... 

 

Spring is Almost Here - It's Time to Clean

Cleaning your home is not everyone’s idea of fun. But it is something that all of us have to do. In the spring we have a yearly ritual called “spring cleaning” that I am sure everyone is really looking forward to!  😉

We drive ourselves crazy and clean the entire house from top to bottom in one or two days. We clean things that we have ignored all year long.

It's a great idea to clean your house from top to bottom - but break it up over a few days so that you don't wear yourself out.  You can also break down each room into it's own project.

Here are some quick ideas on some of the things that you can do >>>>>

In the Kitchen:

Wash all of the appliances. Both outside and inside.

• Refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, stove
• Wash the stove drip bowls in the dishwasher 
  

Refrigerator

• Take down all of the magnets – throw out old ones that you really don’t need
• Remove all of the shelves in refrigerator and wash them
• Remove all of the bins in the refrigerator and wash them
• Defrost the freezer
• Put fresh baking soda in the freezer
• Clean under the refrigerator(throw out expired food)
  

Oven

• Clean your oven (self cleaning or with oven cleaner)
• Rinse the oven thoroughly after it has been cleaned

Shelves / Counters

• Take everything off of your shelves and counters and wash them thoroughly

Backsplash

• Wipe down your backsplash all around the kitchen

Floor

• Wash your kitchen floor with a good de-greaser

Living Room

• Clean drapes and curtains
• Wash your blinds (this can be done in the bathtub)
• Shampoo your carpets
• Wash throw rugs or air them out …outside
• Vacuum the entire house….pull everything away from the wall….
• Vacuum your couches (pull out the cushions and clean underneath them)
• Use furniture polish for an extra shine on your furniture
• Dust ceiling fans, fixtures and lampshades
• Wax your floors

Dining Room

• Take all of your books & knick-knacks off of your hutch or bookshelf and dust each piece
• Dust the bookshelf / hutch
• Wash the chandelier (if the pieces come off they can be run through the dishwasher)

Bedroom

• Wash your mattress pad, blankets, quilts, pillows
• Turn over your mattress
• Dust ceiling fans & fixtures & lampshades
• Vacuum under the bed

Miscellaneous:

• Wash the windows throughout your entire house
• Clean attic & basement
• Scrub deck & patio
• Wash outdoor furniture
• Bring out your spring / summer clothes
• Clean out your car (move winter stuff to storage)
• Dryer – check lint filter…..so it doesn’t cause a fire - vacuum behind the dryer

  

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.... 

 

 

Getting Organized in the New Year - Some Tips from a few Organizing Experts

 

Getting ORGANIZED in 2021 is more important than ever with so many people working from home. In order to be more productive you have to be more organized - with a space that is functional and clutter free.

This month I was featured in the REDFIN blog.

Read my contribution ---

Change your mindset

With the changes we’ve all gone through in the last year, getting and keeping your home organized and clutter-free in 2021 is more important than ever. Start by changing your mindset. Before you buy anything or bring anything into your home – ask yourself these questions: Do I really need it or do I just want it? Will I really use the item in the next few months? Do I actually have a specific place for the item? If you answered “no” to the above questions then don’t buy it and keep the clutter out of your home. – Organizational Consulting Services

 

Some other words of advice -

Organizing is not a "one and done" process. Even a Professional Organizer has to work at keeping her home organized. One of the things that is really helpful is to keep a "donation box"  handy. As you find things that you no longer wear, use or want - place it in the donation box. When the donation box is full - take it to a donation center. Your home will be less cluttered and you will get the satisfaction of knowing that your items will be used by someone that appreciates them.

Make a habit of going through your closets at least once a season. By purging out things that you don't use anymore you are eliminating the clutter and your closets will look better.

 

To read all of the contributions in the REDFIN blog- visit:

  12 Habits That will Help You Get Organized 

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.... 

 

Hoarding - Help for Families and a Workgroup for the Person with Hoarding Issues

Hoarding is complex. Most people don't understand what's really beneath it - including the person that has issues with hoarding and their family.

There are two virtual seminars that are starting soon that will help explain things to the family and help the person with hoarding issues start on their way to creating a better, less cluttered life.

Understanding Your Family Member or Friend that Hoards

Understanding Hoarding Behavior and How Not to Deal with It 

Thursday, January 14th, 2021  -  from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm  -  Mountain Time 

This seminar offers a judgment-free environment for people that have family or friends with hoarding issues. 

In this seminar you will:

·         Learn what hoarding is – and is not

·         Explore the complex issues surrounding hoarding

·         Learn how to understand and support your family member/friend

·         Learn ways to enable your family member/friend to start on the way to making changes

·         Learn how to help your family member/friend “let go” and start to declutter

·         Have the opportunity to ask questions

Registration required.   Call or email for more information. Seminar Fee is $ 40. 

Registration link:  Family-and-Friends-Seminar 

                    ******************************************************

Hoarding - Help is Available - if You are Ready to Make a Change

A  VIRTUAL Group to Address Hoarding Behavior

              "Buried in Treasures" - a 16-week work group

Starting:  Wednesday, February 17^th, 2021  -  from 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm  Mountain Time 

or  9:00 am - 11:00 pm Mountain Time

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

Early Registration and Acceptance is required. Call or email for more information.

(440) 666 – 9326 or  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....