Clutter usually isn't about clutter.

Hi everyone. I think like most issues in ones life the symptom is but a reflection that something else is going on.  Clutter is not always about the clutter.
I have worked with folks who have so much clutter they cannot see their floors, tops of tables nor the back of the closet.  The clutter is just the result of something else at play; depression, shopaholic, ADHD, grief and many others. The main thing I hear from folks is; I don't know how it got this way and I do not know where to start. I like to start at why someone has so much stuff? Are they shopping as an escape, do they forget what they have at home when out shopping, do they think if they have a lot of things they will feel better? Each person has their own reasons and it is up to a professional organizer to find out the whys.  Once we know why we can address this issues.

Folks that have ADHD will need to make a commitment to changing how they do things; ie. use a timer when cleaning up and/or have someone with them when cleaning so when they get side tracked they can be reminded where they were working and why. Someone with depression needs to take on 20 minutes at a time and try their best each day. You will be surprised how much can get one in 20 minutes. If someone is grieving and wants to hold on to all their loved ones belongings yet have no space for them all we can work on how we can honour this person; make a picture collage, create a shadow box of treasured items that hold greater meaning and display it.

People tend to attach emotions and memories to items. I am here to say your memories will always be with you about your loved one, keeping their items in boxes stored in your attic/basement or garage is not honouring them. Without us realizing it, having boxes of items in our house causes stress; when will I get through those boxes and display some items, those boxes will be left for family to go through when I have passed I feel bad about this, I am not honouring my love one with boxes stored away I am a bad person etc.  These ideas are floating in our minds whether we are aware of them or not.
If you can relate to what has been written above, make a change today! It does not have to be all or nothing, just one small change: go through one box, de-clutter for 20 minutes a day, have someone you trust help you go through items you find it hard to part with, call a professional organizer to support you with your changes.

It is ok to have things, but when your things take over your life and space there is a problem. The clutter is a symptom not the real issue at hand.

It's Time for the Holidays...

For most of us the major Holidays are coming, Christmas and Hanukkah!!  It always seems to creep up on us doesn't it?  Let us change it this year.
To get ready for and organized for the holidays there are a few simple things we can do:

1.  Make a list and check it twice; Have a list of all the people you need to send a card to and another list for those you buy presents for.  Write down how much you plan on spending on each person and what you want to buy them.  Take this list with you when you go shopping, this will help from impulse buying and overspending your budget.






2.  Check to see that you have all the dishes/napkins/table decorations/candles for the season for when you are entertaining.  If not make a list of what you need and purchase them now, trust me most dollar stores have started adding their holiday item



3.  Make sure you have a calendar handy to plan when all your holiday get-together's are so you can keep track of them and to be sure not to double book yourself.

4.  I know you have all your wrapping paper all organized and easy to access, if not now is a good time to get all these items together and see what you need; tags, tape, wrapping paper, bows, ribbon etc.  Make a list and purchase what you need, sooner than later so you have a nice selection to choose from.




5.  If you are entertaining make a list of people you are inviting and invite them.  This way people can plan ahead for their get together's.  You can always create an e-invite to send to people, or actual cards in the mail or a simple phone call.  I know texts are the way most people communicate nowadays but they are also easily forgotten. Be different, make your invite memorable.

These are the small simple things you can do over the next 2 months to make the holidays more organized and less stressful for you and your families.

What do you do to get ready for the holidays??

20 minute Declutter

It is hard to find the time to de-clutter and well lets face it unless you are a professional organizer the chances are you are not a fan of de-cluttering!
If you take just 20 minutes per project you will be amazed at how much you can accomplish in such little time.
Try to schedule one project a week, write it into your agenda, on your wall calendar, in your phone where ever you will be reminded that this is important and needed.

Here are the top 5 areas that will make the most impact when you choose to de-clutter them:

1.  The Front Entrance Closet:  This closet is usually meant for guests coats, umbrellas and seasonal gear.  Use a couple of bins and a garbage bag when de-cluttering.  Throw out anything that is broken, take out anything that is not in the right season, fill a bin with items to donate.  To keep the closet de-cluttered have a basket for guests hats and gloves, add a couple of hooks to hang umbrellas and make sure you have a clear section where guests coats are hung.

2.   Under the sink:  So many things get tossed under the sink and not put away neatly.  Lets have our garbage bag ready. Throw out anything that is broken, return items to their correct home if not meant to be under the sink and check to see if your containers have product in them or not.  Use baskets to keep like items with like, such as; make-up with make-up, shampoo and conditioner together, cleaning supplies and so forth.  You can label each basket to keep order among them.

3.  Your Desk Drawers:  This is a place where "everything" ends up!  Empty your drawer and throw out anything that is broken, donate any items that you do not use and group items with like items. Once you have de-cluttered the drawer's items use small bins/boxes to keep like items together, such as; paper clips in one bin, pens and pencils in another, tape and liquid paper in another and so forth. This system with help keep your drawer neat and easy to find items.

4.  Garage:  Don't know where to keep something put it in the garage...Wrong! This area becomes a catch all for items without homes.  This area will most likely take a few 20 minute sessions.  To start take a garbage bag and throw out junk and broken items.  Have a box/bin for items to donate - ask yourself when was the last time I used this?  When do I plan on using this next?  On your next 20 minute de-cutter put all like items together; sporting equipment, tools, gardening items etc.  To keep your garage organized use hooks and clamps to hang bikes, folding chairs, rakes etc. Make use of shelves with bins of like items together and use larger bins on the floor for bigger items that won't fit on the shelves.

5.  Laundry Room: This is another space where people end up putting items they have no idea where to house.  Fill up that garbage bag with broken items or clothes you have not mended, unmatched socks (or use them as dusters) and empty containers.  Donate any clothes that you have not worn for the past 6 months but are still hanging in the laundry room. Consolidate all your laundry soap bottles together so you can minimize the space utilized.  Use baskets or bins to organize like items; such as; sewing in one, in need of mending, all your stain removers/dryer sheets/dryer balls in another and so forth.  Add an empty basket or bin for donations.  When you wash something your kids have outgrown or are doing a seasonal wash put aside the items you did not wear and donate them to a local charity.


I hope this gets you motivated to de-clutter your home one 20 minute project at a time!!  Share your before and after photos to help motivate others!!

No excuses....

I find most people use the excuse that they do not have time to organize and de-clutter.  I would like to challenge this excuse with 10, 10-minute tasks!

1.  Designate a spot for incoming papers.  Paper is a major source of clutter in most households.  If you keep all papers in one spot it lessens the clutter and keeps you organized to find important papers when needed.

2.  Clear your counters.  Take everything off them that you do not use on a daily basis.  Store small appliances, no room in your cupboards remove small appliances from your cupboards if you only use them 2 - 3 times a year and store it in your basement or pantry.

3.  Pick a shelf any shelf.  Commit to clearing off one shelf, in the garage, laundry room, pantry, where ever you choose as long as you complete one shelf. Take it one shelf at a time.

4.  Create simple folders. Have incoming bills, paid bills, active paperwork etc. nothing too fancy but this can be set up in your designated paper area.  This will keep you on top of this pile and not feel overwhelmed by it.

5.  Learn to file quickly.  Once you have done all you need with in coming papers, file them immediately. This will keep the paper area organized and keep paper flowing not piling up on you.

6. Have a box/bin in your trunk for charity donations. When you come across an item in our house you no longer need but is useful and in good shape add it to this box/bin . When your box/bin is full donate it to a local charity.

7.  Clear out your medicine cabinet.  Only keep items you use on a daily basis in there.  This allows for more room and less cutter so you can easily find things.

8.  Pull everything out of a drawer.  Go through items and ask if you still need it, can it be donated or is it garbage? Put back items needed in an organized fashion, use bins and boxes to separate like items together.

9.  Admire your hard work. Once you have organized and de-cluttered an area look at it, take it in. Make the decision that this is the look you want for the entire house and commit to working on it 10 minutes at a time.

10.  Create a 30 day list. To keep a lot of new stuff from coming in make a list of items you see out and about that you want, date the item and in 30 days if you still want it you can purchase it. Most times shopping is done on an impulse and we do not need nor want things we did over the course of 30 days. This will save you money and new clutter from happening.

Let me know how your 10-minute tasks go...share before and after photos to encourage others to take the challenge as well. I hope this smashes your excuse for not de-cluttering and organizing, you deserve a serene and functioning space just like everyone else does  :)

Dance Cards is the new Black

As an entrepreneur I find myself meeting several people in a week under the guise of a dance card.

No not that type of dance card...
If you are not aware of what a dance card is here is a brief description: it is where you put your business card in a "hat" and then draw out a card.  You connect with whomever got your card and vice versa. This sets up 2 meetings in a week. I am naturally an introverted person so I have grown quite a bit and am coming out of my shell by being myself with several people on a weekly sometimes daily basis.  I am all the better for this experience and would not trade it for the world.  I live by the philosophy that all people are teachers, they teach you what you want to be or what not to be.


                    



Here is the latest thing I have learned along the way while on a dance card of course it has a little bit of organizing involved!!

Scott McEachern, a financial planner, taught me quite a bit when we met for a coffee.  The one thing that stood out for me was his "LifePath Essential Document Checklist", ok its true I love check lists and feel everyone needs more of them in their lives.  This check list is a smart one.  It is a few pages that you fill out key information about your important documents, such as; who is your lawyer, where your will is kept, insurance policy numbers, TFSA, GIC's, RRSP's etc contract information, computer codes and passwords and the list goes on and on.  If you want more information check out his website.  www.McEachernFinancial.ca
He also taught me that new dad's have baby brain too and they can somehow survive on no sleep just as well as new moms. Congratulations again on the new baby Scott!