NAPO-WDC Blog

Professional organizers looking to learn more about our estate liquidation and downsizing services can check out the new video series we just launched! The series is also a fun new resource to share with your clients. Check out the YouTube playlist here.

The initial seven videos cover a very wide range of topics – from the question of whether people need to get appraisals before they sell their stuff to the great lengths we go to as “the green choice” for estate liquidation and home cleanout projects. The video series compliments our online guide, but we know many people would much rather kick back and watch videos than read.

We’ll keep adding to the video series over time. We’ve got all kinds of fun and informative things planned for it and the rest of our new YouTube channel -- so be sure to subscribe and see what comes next. You’ll already see a number of other quick-hitting videos. You’ll find interesting looks at subjects such as diverse as the value of a Mother Teresa autograph – and how you and your clients can help change lives by donating modern appliances to one of our favorite charities.

Most of you know our website is a modern equivalent of an encyclopedia full of information about antiques, collectibles, estate liquidation and downsizing. So check that out too if you haven’t seen it in a while.

One of the reasons our site and our company keeps growing? You!

NAPO-WDC remains a blessing to us each and every week. We just did a massive estate liquidation and home cleanout project last week. Organizer Karen Salinetti introduced us to a client who needed all kinds of help. We took the client’s best stuff to auction, tons of other stuff to charities, removed all the trash, and delivered a truckload of items to New Jersey. The clients told me they were thrilled by how well Karen and Orion’s Attic worked together to remove a mountain of stress from her shoulders.

Thanks again for all you do for us. We look forward to continuing to provide a fountain of information and assistance to you and your clients.

For more information, contact Christopher Lancette.

Aspirational Clutter & Your Closets: What is Aspirational Clutter, and What Will You Do With It Next? by Heather Nickerson

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 12:39:42 GMT

by Heather Nickerson

Have you heard of aspirational clutter? It’s the stuff you buy, collect, or otherwise hold onto with intention of some future use. Or maybe it's for some future version of you and the life you plan to lead.

Aspirational clutter can exist anywhere and everywhere in your home. Take the kitchen, for example. How many cookbooks, special pans, unique spices, and gorgeous serving vessels do you keep with the intention of expanding your cooking repertoire and hosting more events in your home?

For others, many many others, the bedroom closet is an absolute magnet for aspirational clutter. For this reason, you even commonly find references to this sort of ‘stuff’ in popular books. For example, the NYC-dwelling lead character in best-selling author Jodi Picoult’s book, Wish You Were Here, lamented her inability to let go of her shoebox full of art supplies when she pivoted to a career in art sales with Sotheby’s. But it was not only art supplies.

“The shoebox came with me, still unopened. I set it on the highest shelf of my closet, behind sweatshirts from college I no longer wore but couldn’t bear to donate to Goodwill, and the winter hiking boots I bought but never used, […]”

(By the way, Artifcts is a perfect digital shoebox for the valuable and sentimental items you collect alike.)

Here are more examples of aspirational clutter that find cozy homes in our closets:

Clothing that ties us to a special moment in our own story or we’ve outgrown or matured beyond, but we tell ourselves maybe one day we could wear again.
Accessories, like gorgeous silk ties and cufflinks, clutches and stilettos, and more for fancy events that we never attend.
Everything for the wrong climate. If you live somewhere in which winter’s scarcely a month long and snow is a once in a lifetime event, how many sweaters, sweatshirts, mittens, snow boots and spare down comforters do you actually want to make room for? You may dream of vacations or a return to cold living, but is storing this all for years if not decades practical?
Kits and crafts, maybe you bought them, maybe they were gifts, but you’ve never picked it up or kept it up. Maybe it’s time to let go in favor of a hobby that is you?

Closet Tales from Texas & Wisconsin

Our co-founder Ellen who lives in the heart of Texas recently emptied every single thing that belonged to her from her master bedroom closet. Her goal was simple: LESS. She reported that she felt depressed by the end by what she saw as so many aspirations unmet as well as waste, articles of clothing barely or never worn, “Because I just never felt good in it or never had the right occasion for it. It's no different than buying framed art for a wall or a pillow for a couch because you love them and then you realize, you really have no space for it.”

As depressing as it was, there were nice moments, too. Ellen saw in her items so many lives she’s lived.

“I literally found a maternity shirt I wore when I was pregnant with my daughter 14 years ago. Ha! I also realized I still owned the suit jacket I wore to my first interview at the CIA nearly 20 years ago. I really thought I had already gotten rid of it.”

When we asked what one tip she has for anyone undertaking a rightsizing of the contents of their closet, she said it was important not to let yourself off the hook. “I was smart to lay it all out on and around our bed because it put a clock on my work. We couldn’t sleep if I didn’t get through it.” Her sorted piles ended up looking like this:

Sell
Donate, “But first you can bet that I Artifcted that suitcoat from my CIA interview!”
Wash and/or repair (and then keep)
Keep
Trash
Give to my daughter/neighbor/friend
Recycle, “Especially all those hangers! I was able to return some to my local dry cleaners and the rest to Goodwill. I also marked a bag ‘Textiles for recycling,’ that could not be sold and gave that to Goodwill, too.”

More than 1,000 miles away from Texas, tucked in their new home away from home in chilly Wisconsin, a member of the Arti Community undertook a similar closet downsizing effort recently. But her efforts were precipitated by a change in career and a move from DC to Wisconsin.

Her biggest challenge? What to do with all those formal work clothes! They still fit, that was not the issue, but would she need them now? Suits, heels, and designer handbags, oh my! They meant enough to her to make the move, but now that she was staring at the ever-shrinking space in her new closet, did they warrant the space?

Her silver bullet was unexpected: her husband! Weeks of hemming and hawing, combined with a healthy dose of “do-you-really-plan-to-wear-that-up-here" questions from her husband helped her decide to sell the pieces that were sellable (thank you, The RealReal!) and donate the rest, but not before she Artifcted them. She now has the memories of the clothes, and what they meant to her, safely stored in Artifcts, AND a lot more closet space for all those cold weather necessities.

Before we conclude this ARTIcles edition, we want to know, what items are the tough stuff in your home, the hardest to let go? Please let us know at Editor@Artifcts.com. We'll update you next week on the results!

Happy Artifcting!

For more information, contact Heather Nickerson.

"My Parent is a Hoarder" by Heather Nickerson

Sat, 05 Apr 2025 12:25:48 GMT

by Heather Nickerson

contributors Melissa Autry and Matt Paxton

Audrey and her mother have always had a tricky relationship. While some people talk about the teenage years being strained, their relationship was strained from the very first sleepless nights when Audrey was a baby. Beyond the love lived a mix of frustration, embarrassment, and distrust that only worsened as Audrey grew older.

At the heart of it all, in Audrey’s view, is a legacy of too much stuff. She never invited friends to her home because she was embarrassed by the chaos of her mother’s clutter throughout their home. She didn’t even enjoy spending time there unless she stayed in her room, behind a locked door, where her mother’s stuff could not invade.

Now as an adult, she and her children visit her mom several times a year, and in each visit her mom attempts to gift her boxes of things she’s been saving for her. But in Audrey’s words, “I am going through boxes of nightmare. Nightmare! She’s blocking me with a bunch of s***.”

And there you have it – for Audrey the stuff creates a barrier between her and her mother, depriving her of the relationship she wants for herself and her children.

And who can blame her? Don’t we all want more than a cardboard box of memories?

So many boxes. What is it all? When did anyone last open them? What will become of them next? Photo credit: Janet Wilson.

As adult children begin looking at their parents’ homes with fresh eyes, they wonder: Is it safe? Is it healthy? And, someday, will it fall to them to clean it all out and decide what goes, what stays, and who gets it next? What was once their parents’ problem may soon become their own.

And guess what? The adult kids are not having it. We hear from them every week at Artifcts, when they express with a dose of disbelief the fact their parents are in no rush to downsize all that ‘stuff.'

Of course, the sense that a parent is a hoarder, “But not really, or maybe just a light hoarder,” is just a broad brushed way of saying it’s too much to deal with and they need help. And not all stories are as negative as Audrey’s story.

Patrick wrote to us to share that he was raised by two parents who loved him unconditionally and taught him to appreciate what it meant to be a collector. This passion sparked an interest in the arts that has carried through to his career as a museum curator.

But as his parents aged and declining health became a more pressing issue, Patrick told us, “What once appeared to be connoisseurship soon looked more like hoarding as I started sifting through their pieces.” He went on, “It was TRAUMATIZING, having to figure this all out for them, let alone do so at the age when most of my peers weren’t even remotely close to being confronted with these types of issues.”

Join us in today’s ARTIcles story as we peel back the worry and fear of adult children who have parents who have enjoyed collecting and accumulating ‘stuff.’ We’ll explore hoarding disorder in more detail and share strategies to help adult children navigate their parents and themselves to safer ground.

What is Hoarding? (And What is It Not?)

Much as nostalgia historically was misunderstood, so too has hoarding gone through an evolution in science and the mainstream.

Hoarding has been clinically studied for decades, but public awareness only surged after the TV show Hoarders premiered in 2009. Until then, most people had never witnessed the severity and dangers of hoarded living spaces. Academic research—particularly work by Dr. Mary E. Dozier and Dr. Catherine R. Ayers—underscores how object attachment intensifies as we grow older, further emphasizing the profound emotional and psychological factors that drive hoarding behaviors.

DSM-5 CRITERIA FOR HOARDING DISORDER

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), the reference guide mental health professionals use to support diagnoses of psychiatric conditions, classifies hoarding disorder (HD) under obsessive-compulsive and related disorders. The DSM describes a person who has “persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions, regardless of their actual value. This difficulty is due to a perceived need to save the items and to the distress associated with discarding them.”

Importantly, the DSM-5 states that hoarding impairs a person’s ability to use their spaces and the items within as they intended. As Audrey’s earlier story illustrates, it can also cause “clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupation, or other important areas of functioning (including maintaining a safe environment safe for oneself or others.)” What does this look like in real life? It ranges from health hazards like vermin infestations or blocked exists, to emotional stress and family conflict.

Studies show that hoarding behaviors worsen over time, particularly as older adults develop stronger attachments to personal belongings (Dozier & Ayers, 2020). By the time a family member recognizes the problem—by the telltale overwhelming accumulation of stuff—the condition has deepened and evolved and may be linked to other conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and ADHD.

If you suspect hoarding disorder, experts recommend seeking a mental health evaluation. Professional help can involve therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), sometimes combined with medications to address any co-occurring conditions, such as depression or anxiety. Resources for help are provided at the end of this article.

NO, THAT’S NOT "HOARDING"

You might be wondering then, where is that line between disorder and, well, not!

It’s important to recognize that hoarding is not the same as collecting, even if that means multiple and/or large, usually well-organized, collections throughout a home.

Notice the word “organized” inserted there? That’s because collections are further distinguishable from clutter. According to the DSM, clutter is “a large group of usually unrelated or marginally related objects piled together in a disorganized fashion in spaces design for other purposes (e.g. tabletop, floor, hallway).”

Collectors often systematically organize and proudly display their collections (e.g., stamps, vinyl records, or figurines). These items may have monetary or sentimental value, but they typically do not obstruct the normal use of living spaces.

In contrast, hoarded items are often:

Randomly piled or disorganized
Kept “just in case” but rarely accessed/used
Spreading into spaces needed for daily living (e.g., kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms).

In addition to collections being organized, the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) highlights the importance of the location of the collections as opposed to clutter, too. Clutter accumulated in your basement and attic is commonplace, as both locations are the typical catchalls and storage solutions in homes.

The key questions are:

Does the stuff interfere with daily life and cause distress, for the individual and their family?
Are they able and willing to part with items, whether through giving them to a loved one, selling, donating, or disposing of them?

Hoarding Disorder and Insights for “Non-Hoarders”

"Well, my parents aren't hoarders but nearly!" Generally adult children who describe their parents offhand as “hoarders” do not mean it. Rarely do their parents actually have hoarding disorder, and they know it. But the fear of all that ‘stuff’ is real.

Finding a foothold in the chaos is important as is a path forward. We spoke with experts in hoarding disorder to elicit strategies and lessons for those adult kids ready to take steps toward a better future for their parents, however defined, and feel less like Don Quixote in the process. While we are talking about adult children, these strategies are adaptable to all with a little imagination.

Insights from 25 Years in the Field, with Melissa Autry

Melissa Autry, CSA, CPO, CPO-CD, is a Hoarding Remediation Expert and industry advocate who has been working with people who have HD for more than 35 years. It makes one wonder, who was her mentor back then, when awareness of never mind specialization in this disorder was surely lacking! And sure enough, she told us she had to invent her own job title.

Melissa specializes in safety and habitability, often working in extreme environments. She reminds families:

"Every case is different because every person's relationship with their stuff is different."

“It’s not only about the amount of stuff or the loss of use of the home. It’s about a person’s emotional equity with their possessions. Nine times out of ten, they’re not working with a mental health professional. Sometimes, the safety issues outweigh the mental health need—ask any firefighter! According to the Massachusetts Department of Fire Services, hoarding was a factor in 24% of fatal residential fires between 1999 and 2009. While both matter, a compromised structure takes priority when there is an immediate risk of loss of life.”

Hoarding remediation is hazardous work, often requiring hazmat suits to handle biohazards, mold, pests, and toxic materials. But Melissa believes that every case is an opportunity to improve someone’s quality of life—and sometimes, even save a life (people and pets).

She also emphasizes that while health and safety come first, personal contents matter, too—especially irreplaceable items like photos, letters, and memorabilia:

“There may be some really happy, healthy stories out there—and I love those. But our phone rings when nothing else has worked, when families are overwhelmed, and when they don’t even know how to start the conversation.”

“We tell stories through our stuff and experiences. I look at personal belongings like the gift shop at the adventure park—Our Life!"

Here is Melissa’s top advice for all of you adult children and families, distilled into 8 key points:

1. Every adult child is like an only child.
No two siblings experience a parent the same way. Each child has a unique relationship with their parent based on individual experiences, personalities, and past interactions. What works for one won’t necessarily work for another.

2. The parent-child dynamic evolves—sometimes painfully.
To a parent, you are always 12 years old—frozen in time. To an adult child, your own life experiences have shaped who you are, making it difficult to fit back into old roles. As your parent ages and needs help, the roles can slowly reverse—where you find yourself parenting your parent. This shift can be emotionally complex, especially if the original relationship was strained.

3. Delayed trauma responses and emotional triggers are real.
If your relationship with your parent was unhealthy or complicated, stepping into a caregiving role can be extremely triggering. It may stir up old wounds, unresolved conflicts, or memories of neglect and emotional distress. Yet now your parent needs help, and navigating these emotions can be really rough.

4. Understand the emotional attachment to items.
Ask about meaningful objects before pushing for decluttering. Building trust is the goal—not forcing change.

A curated collection, a curated life, some items valuable, some items sentimental, all items honoring a life lived. Parting with them can be complex and emotional. Photo credit: Janet Wilson.

5. Appraisals can shift the conversation.
Assigning a monetary value can help separate financial worth from emotional worth (emotional equity) and clarify whether an item should be kept, sold, donated, or discarded.

6. Avoid “overhelping.”
Pushing too hard can backfire, making your loved one more resistant instead of more willing. Overhelping is a lose/lose scenario—both parties end up frustrated.

7. Recognize shifting roles.
The evolving dynamic between parent and adult child can feel unfamiliar and unsettling. You may no longer have anything in common other than the fact that you were both present during your childhood. Understanding this shift helps manage expectations and reduces emotional strain.

8. Practice self-care.
Decluttering a loved one’s home can be emotionally exhausting. While the phrase “no good deed goes unpunished” may ring true, caregiver fatigue is real. Everyone involved—parents, adult children, and professionals—benefits when a structured plan is in place with both a Plan A and Plan B.

Mental Health Support for Adult Children

Melissa also encourages adult children to consider their own mental health as they support parents who are downsizing their lifetime of belongings. “It’s a stressful and emotionally taxing experience. Adult children often benefit from speaking with mental health professionals, not just for the parent’s well-being, but also for their own emotional resilience.”

Melissa recommends online platforms like BetterHelp or in-person therapists who can provide coping strategies, stress management, and guidance for navigating complex family dynamics. You can find these and other resources at the end of this article.

Lessons Beyond the TV Show Hoarders, with Matt Paxton

We also sat down with someone who came into the HD specialty with a more public flare, so to speak. Matt Paxton, best known for his 15 seasons on Hoarders, has spent nearly 25 years helping families declutter. His philosophy?

“Keep the memories, lose the stuff," which happens to also be the title of his book.

In Paxton’s newest venture, Clutter Cleaner, he trains professionals in practical strategies drawn from his extensive field experience, including his work individuals with hoarding disorder and their families. He emphasizes the following lessons:

Start Small.
Overwhelming someone with big demands will likely cause them to shut down. Smaller, more manageable steps are far more effective in building trust and momentum. It's not about what you get done, it's about getting started and keeping going.

Prioritize Safety.
Clear pathways, remove fire hazards, and focus on habitability first. A safe environment is the foundation for any further progress.

Use Humor.
Hoarding can be emotionally heavy. Lightening the mood at appropriate moments keeps everyone engaged and reduces tension.

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection.
Any step forward—no matter how small—is a significant victory. Perfection is neither realistic nor necessary for positive change. “Focus on what you have achieved, not on what is yet to be completed. Mindset is everything,” says Matt.

Encourage Mental Health Support.
Professional help, such as therapy or support groups, is key to lasting success. Forced cleanouts without psychological support fail to address the root causes of hoarding disorder and are never successful. “In my 20+ years of cleaning out hoarded homes,” said Matt, “if the client doesn't receive some sort of therapy, the clean-out fails 100% of the time.”

Remember, you need not be alone in this work, parsing through the belongings of a loved one. Resources abound to help you from these tips to the linked resources below.

###

HOARDING DISORDER AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT RESOURCES

Ultimately, knowledge, compassion, and structured professional intervention remain the most powerful tools to transform a household overrun by possessions into a home that fosters well-being for everyone involved. By recognizing the clinical realities of hoarding disorder, seeking professional guidance, and approaching loved ones with empathy, adult children can create a pathway toward safer homes and healthier relationships.

International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) - Hoarding
Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD)
National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO)
BetterHelp – Online mental health platform connecting individuals with licensed professionals

For more information, contact Heather Nickerson.

Tame the Tax-Time Chaos (Without Losing Your Sanity!) by Nicole Holtman

Sat, 22 Mar 2025 14:11:48 GMT

by Nicole Holtman

Practically Organized

Did you just shudder at the word taxes? I get it. It’s one of those “adulting” things that just sucks. There, I said it. Taxes are tedious, stressful, and ridiculously easy to put off until the last minute. And if you’re a business owner? Forget it—it’s a whole other level of paperwork overload.

Between hunting down forms from different places, gathering receipts, and doing the prep work before handing it over to your accountant or tax preparer, it can feel like a never-ending task.

And here’s the thing—I’m a Certified Professional Organizer, yet for the longest time, I still felt disorganized when it came to taxes. I worried I was missing something, making a mistake, or leaving money on the table. Sound familiar?

That’s exactly why I designed a simple, repeatable system that helps me (and my clients—yes, even those who had back taxes to tackle). It’s not about doing the actual taxes—it’s about keeping the paperwork organized, so tax season doesn’t feel like a nightmare.

Quick Disclaimer: I’m not a CPA, accountant, or tax professional. These tips are purely for organizing and preparing for tax season. Always consult with a tax expert to ensure your specific financial situation is handled correctly!

Your Personalized Tax Prep Sheet

This is going to feel like a no-brainer, but you need a Tax Prep Sheet. I know, I know—there are downloadable worksheets and accountant-provided checklists. But this one is different because it’s completely personalized to YOU.

Think of it as your tax season roadmap. Whether you do your own taxes or hand them off to a professional, this sheet makes sure nothing slips through the cracks.

I personally use a simple Excel spreadsheet, but you can create yours in Google Docs, a notes app, or even on paper (as long as you make copies for future years). The goal is to make it reusable and editable so it evolves with your tax situation.

Part 1: The Ultimate Tax Checklist

Make a list of every tax form and document you need, broken down by category.

What to include:
✅ W-2s, 1099s, and other income forms
✅ Bank and investment statements
✅ Mortgage, property tax, and home-related deductions
✅ Business expenses and receipts
✅ Charitable donations
✅ Any additional forms for dependents, medical expenses, or other deductions

*Tailor this list to your needs and give each form and document its own line item.

Pro Tip: For each item, create two checkboxes: Received (so you know when you have it) and Verified (to double-check the numbers match). If you’re uploading your documents to a tax portal, you can even add a third column for that!

Part 2: Your Personal Tax Prep Guide

Here’s where the magic happens. Document your own step-by-step process for getting your taxes done.

✨ Pretend you’re writing instructions for an assistant who has never done this before. What steps do you take? Who do you need to contact? Where do you find certain documents? What calculations do you need to make?

Why this is game-changing:
Saves you from reinventing the wheel every year
Helps you catch missing steps before tax season stress kicks in
Acts as a backup plan when life gets busy (or you just don’t want to think about it)

Bonus Tip: Add a "Notes for Next Year" section. This is where you jot down anything you wish you’d done differently, plus any questions your tax pro asked that you weren’t prepared for.

Make Tax Season Less Stressful (Yes, Really!)

This system has saved me so much frustration, and my clients have told me it makes tax season way less overwhelming. It’s not about loving taxes (because let’s be real, that’s never happening). It’s about having a plan so you can handle them faster, with less stress, and no last-minute scrambling.

Need help getting your tax papers in order? Let’s tackle it together! Work with me here.

And hey—if you use this method, tag me in a pic of your organized tax papers! I’d love to celebrate your progress.

For more information, contact Nicole Holtman.

Community Forklift Boosts Lanham Estate Liquidation Success by Chris Lancette

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 22:38:10 GMT

by Chris Lancette

Strategic partnerships enable us to do more for our clients and for the planet

The nonprofit organization Community Forklift gave Orion’s Attic a big boost on our Lanham estate liquidation and home cleanout project last week. The effort served as another case study in doing financial good for homeowners, heirs and executors of houses full of stuff. It also did a ton of social and environmental good.

Lanham estate liquidation and home cleanout at a glance

A client in Lanham, Maryland needed a home he inherited cleaned out so that he could put the house up for sale and make the real money. Remember, the goal of most estate liquidation and home cleanout projects is effectively clear the home and get it sold. The goal is not to pay mortgages and property taxes for multiple months trying to sell Hummel figurines for $3.

This home contained a lot of furniture, art, books, and knickknacks that were best suited for donation rather than sale. Rather than charging the client for us to transport the stuff to a charity, we reached out to our friends at Community Forklift, one of our favorite partners. Orion’s Attic brings truck loads and van loads of stuff to its facility in Edmonston, Maryland all the time.

We love the organization because it accepts donations of a wide variety of home contents — everything from building materials to quality furniture. It in turn makes the items available to people in need through its various programs for free, and for below-market prices at its warehouse store.

How we worked with Community Forklift to clear the house

We sent Community Forklift a link to detailed photos of the home’s contents. It reviewed the photos, gave us its wish list, and sent a truck to the Lanham home on the day we did the job. Orion’s Attic got there early and used our big and diverse labor force to remove all of those items from the house. Part of what makes the partnership with Community Forklift work is that we have loads of man and woman power and a few trucks — and Community Forklift has even bigger trucks.

We promptly handed up everything the nonprofit wanted to the two staffers on the truck. The hard-working and super friendly Community Forklift folks promptly packed it all and headed out, providing the client with a tax donation receipt.

“This is amazing,” our client said, while watching us work in tandem with Community Forklift and finishing his entire project in less than a day. (We transport high-end items to auction and private dealers, haul away all the trash and leave houses broom clean.) “I can’t believe you made all this happen.”

End results of Lanham estate liquidation team effort

We cleared the entire home in less than one work day — enabling the client’s Realtor to come in the next day and put the house on the market.
Putting so many household items on Community Forklift’s truck made the above possible. We fit everything else on our two trucks and didn’t need to return the next day.
Finishing the job so quickly enabled us to present a final bill to the client that was $1,000 less than the estimate. He was thrilled. “Everybody comes out ahead in this,” the client said.
Working with Community Forklift meant that a house full of items got second lives. This is good for the people that need those things and good for the earth. It’s sustainability in action.

How the Lanham project worked for Community Forklift and for Orion’s Attic

The Lanham estate liquidation project accomplished our company goals for eliminating the burden people feel when it comes to downsizing or dealing with a loved one’s estate. We pulled away with yet another happy client. It also gave us yet another chance to put our environmental principles into action.

Community Forklift liked it, too, because it’s not used to companies like ours providing so much labor and making life easier for its staff.

“The crew also had a great experience and appreciated how efficiently everything was organized and ready to go,” Assistant Director of Donations Martina Ivanova shared with us. “We truly appreciate your willingness to collaborate, and we’re excited about the possibility of building on this model moving forward. Your proactive approach, detailed notes, and teamwork make a huge difference, and we look forward to more opportunities to work together.”

Orion’s Attic and Community Forklift loved the good old win-win.

“We’re glad we could help streamline the process and make things easier on your end while also ensuring that as many items as possible could be repurposed for a good cause,” Ivanova added. “It’s especially rewarding to hear how happy the client was with the outcome—that’s exactly the kind of impact we strive for!”

Contact us today! Orion’s Attic is a full-service estate liquidation, downsizing and home cleanout company based in Silver Spring, Maryland. We also buy antiques and collectibles. We serve the greater Washington, D.C./Maryland/Northern Virginia region. Our service area includes Montgomery County (Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Olney, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, Wheaton, Takoma Park, etc.), Frederick County, Howard County (Columbia, Ellicott City), Prince George’s County (College Park, Greenbelt, Hyattsville) plus DC and Northern Virginia.

Learn more about liquidating estates in our Estate Liquidation and Downsizing Guide.

See why we’re the environmentally responsible choice for your estate liquidation in Green Choice.

Get the scoop on why estate sales can be bad ideas here.

For more information, contact Chris Lancette.

12 Sharpie Hacks to Transform your Home by C. Lee Cawley

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 14:08:11 GMT

by C. Lee Cawley

If you’ve ever scrambled to match a charger to the right device, tossed a mystery bag from the freezer, or wondered how old that bottle of sunscreen really is—Sharpies are about to become your new best friend!

I keep permanent markers in almost every room of my home because they’re the easiest, fastest way to label things without dragging out my label maker. My personal favorite? The retractable Sharpie—no cap to lose!

Here are some genius ways to use Sharpies in every room:

BATHROOM

Write expiration dates on medications, vitamins, sunscreen, and toiletries as soon as you open them.
On makeup and skincare, jot down the "opened" date so you know how long they really last.

KITCHEN & FREEZER

Mark expiration dates on the tops of canned goods and on spice jars for easy rotation.
Label leftovers and meal-prepped items in the fridge or freezer with both the contents and the date.
Write directly on foil-wrapped foods and freezer bags so you’re never stuck with a mystery meal.

LIVING ROOM

Use a silver Sharpie to label black charging cables and blocks. Be specific—write “iPhone 14” instead of just “phone charger.”
Label remotes (because everything seems to come with one these days!).

OFFICE ️

Color-code file folders for quick organization—try Green for Finances (money), Red for Medical (Red Cross), Blue for Household, and Purple for Personal.

GENERAL USES & PLAYROOM

Mark chargers and remotes when opening a new toy, so you always know what belongs where.
Attach painter's tape to seasonal storage bins and label them so you know what’s inside.
Mark tools or shared items with your name—great for avoiding mix-ups in communal spaces.
Label power strips with what’s plugged in to prevent unplugging the wrong thing!

Bonus Tip: Need to label something temporarily? Sharpie ink can be easily removed from glass, mirrors, and some glazed ceramics with a little rubbing alcohol! Just dab some on a paper towel or cotton pad, wipe, and it’s gone. Perfect for labeling leftovers on glass containers, glasses with names for a party, or jotting quick notes on a bathroom mirror.

Sharpies aren’t just for art projects—they’re the ultimate organizational tool! How do you use yours? Let me know!

For more information, contact C. Lee Cawley.

10 Items Your Kitchen Can Do Without by Janet Schiesl

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 16:03:56 GMT

by Janet Schiesl

Kitchens collect a lot of stuff! It’s so easy to add things to your kitchen cabinets or countertop until they don’t function as they should, which can cause you unnecessary stress. Deleting what you don’t need will free up space to breathe.

Here are 10 items your kitchen can do without:

Small gadgets that don’t work the way you hoped.

We have all bought one of those single-use items that we thought would solve a problem—maybe it was a pineapple corer or an emersion blender. It didn’t quite do the job you hoped, but you didn’t have the heart to toss or donate it. If it didn’t solve your problem, then it won’t solve the same problem later. Ask yourself, “Can I do this task with a different tool I already have in my kitchen?” IF SO, LET IT GO!

Silverware that stays in the drawer.

Maybe you have extra sets of silverware (just in case you invite another 12 people over) or maybe it’s those cute cheese spreaders for the charcuterie board you’ve been meaning to make again. Decide how much silverware you need on a daily basis, then add a few more pieces and you’ll probably be good to go.

Specialty bakeware that has been forgotten.

Have you ever bought a special pan to bake an unusual-shaped cake? But didn’t have a reason to use it again. Or maybe you used to bake cupcakes all the time of the kids, but they are grown now and you don’t need a dozen of those tempting sweet treats around. Ask yourself if you use each baking item often enough to take up space in your kitchen. Also look at items you have multiples of, like cookie sheets or pizza pans. I tell clients “Only keep the number of baking items that can fit in your oven at the same time”. You probably don’t need more than that.

Souvenir and unused coffee mugs.

Have you ever picked up a mug from one of your travels, but when you get home you didn’t use it? You probably placed it on the top shelf of a kitchen cabinet, because that’s where there was space. It’s not easy to get to, so you don’t use the mug. Do you remember the trip when you made the purchase? Often people think they need to keep a souvenir to retain those memories, but you don’t. You are remembering the vacation right now without the mug in your presence. So many unused mugs! To determine how many you need, use the Pareto Principle by gathering all your mugs somewhere outside the cabinet. Then use the mugs you like for the next two weeks. When you use a mug, it can go back into the cabinet. At the end of the 14 days, you’ll know which mugs you prefer. Use them and donate the rest.

Appliance accessories you’ve never used.

It may be a piece from your KitchenAid mixer or a bin that came with your refrigerator that you have no use for. I understand that when you first buy an appliance you may want to use these extra accessories, but if you’ve owned the appliance for some time (maybe 6 months or a year) and haven’t used it, consider letting them go. Storing an unused accessory in a closet or the back of a kitchen cabinet isn’t going to make you use it.

The collection of extra cooking utensils.

There’s been a great debate lately on whether black plastic cooking utensils are dangerous to your health (but then I saw an article saying otherwise). You’ll have to decide for yourself. I’m no expert. But I bet you have utensils that you like and use all the time. But hiding in a drawer somewhere are the other spatulas, slotted spoons, etc that you never use. Is it because they are made of a material you don’t like or are too big or too small for your needs? Maybe you like the look of wooden utensils but never reach for them when cooking. It is time to evaluate whether they need to take up space in your kitchen.

Serving Platters that never make it to the table.

I have to confess, I have too many platters. If you are like me, you desire to entertain more often than you do. Like me, do you store serving platters (and bowls) that have never (or seldom) made it to the table. They probably aren’t “quite right” for you and you have something else that services the same purpose that you use more often. If you haven’t used a serving dish in the last year, ask yourself if you really need it.

Food storage containers that aren’t working for you.

Whether you’ve lost the lid or the plastic has cracked, I bet you could find a few items in this category that you could declutter. People often unconsciously collect food containers. Have you seen the Pretty Good Box video? The same goes for your collection of take-out food containers. One of my container tips is to have only containers of the same size, so you can stack them inside each other when storing, to take up less space. On another note, I think the container lids should be stored separately from the containers. What do you think?

Anything chipped has got to go.

Now this is subjective. Maybe you have small children and chipped plates are the way you roll. That’s fine. I wouldn’t want you to spend money on new dishware unless your family can handle it. But if you have too many dishes or bowls an easy way to declutter them is to eliminate the chipped items. Now, if we are talking glassware – if it’s chipped it got go!

Items you have collected on the counter.

After reading about 9 categories of things to declutter from your kitchen cabinets and drawers I wanted the tenth item it be anything not needed on your kitchen counters. Your counter should be clear of clutter so the space can function correctly. But, I know that’s hard to do consistently. The kitchen counter is where everything lands – every day, all day. See if you can make it a practice to do a 5-minute sweep of your countertop right before you make dinner or at the end of the day. This routine will at least help keep the clutter at bay.

As you can see, I didn’t tell you to get rid of an entire category of anything. I would never do this. Instead, evaluate each category separately to determine what you don’t use and can do without. Making a little space in each area will make a big difference in the overall functionality of your kitchen.

What is one item you could do without in your kitchen? Let me know in the comments.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Our Favorite Productivity Tips by Janet Schiesl

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 00:17:29 GMT

by Janet Schiesl

How do you stay productive? Most of us have a system in place when we need to get focused to complete a task.

Some of us use a steady approach, while others wait until the last minute. Either way, I’m sure you’re able to complete your tasks. However, less stress is the name of the game. The team at Basic Organization would like to share how we stay productive and relieve some of your stress. Let’s find ways to become more productive.

Janet– “When I want to create a new habit, I find it much easier to succeed by tying it to an already established routine.

Years ago, I decided that to encourage my family to put their dirty dishes in the dishwasher, I had to solve the issue of the “I didn’t know if it was clean or dirty” excuse. I decided that the dishwasher would run every day in the evening. Then, I tied the tasks of emptying the dishwasher to my making coffee in the morning. Can you empty a dishwasher at the same time it takes a Keurig to brew one cup of joe? I tied emptying the dishwasher with making my morning coffee. I now had a focus for the brewing time. Instead of wasting that time scrolling on my phone, I got something done. The success was that there was no reason for anyone not to load dirty dishes in the machine – saving me time!”

Patti-“I make lists and use the bullet journal method religiously.” Do you use a paper or digital journal? Check out her fun video explaining why she loves her paper.

“When you return to your project, you will feel refreshed and ready to begin again.”

Denene-‘I am a big proponent of using 4×6 ruled Post-It Notes to stay on task. Each night, I list the appointments and tasks I have to complete the following day, putting them in order by the time of day I would like to complete them. The next day, I refer to the list and start checking things off. It’s easy to take the list with me wherever I go and even stick it on the dashboard of my car so I can stay on task while I’m out and about. The 4×6 Post-It is the perfect size – just enough space for my day but not too much space to overwhelm me. Writing out my daily to-do’s and appointments on the Post-It the night before cements it and helps me visualize my day.”

Sandy-‘Staying on task and productive with decluttering and organization requires a clear and structured approach. It is most effective to write down what I want to accomplish, whether it’s an ongoing list, a weekly plan, or a to-do list made the night before, if I know I’ll have time the following day. I also set a time limit for each task, which helps break it down into smaller, more manageable segments, preventing it from feeling overwhelming. Minimizing distractions is key, so I put my phone in another room and close my laptop, removing any temptation. I’ve learned to celebrate even the smallest accomplishments—like organizing a kitchen utensil drawer and cleaning out the crumbs—as every step forward is a win!”

“I’ve learned to celebrate even the smallest accomplishments—like organizing…”

Rouba-“Number one thing for me to stay on task is to avoid multitasking and tackle one thing at a time. I have to stay focused on the job that I’m doing. Another one is to establish a to-do list, follow it as much as possible, and create deadlines as they help prioritize what you are working on. Eliminate distractions to be productive, and take little breaks if necessary.”

Michelle-“A key to staying productive is making time for breaks so you don’t get overwhelmed. Set an alarm on your phone, and when it goes off, walk away from your project and do something else. When you return to your project, you will feel refreshed and ready to begin again. I also find that it is helpful to work with a friend or family member. You can rely on each other to tackle the project together and have fun in the process.”

When you return to your project, you will feel refreshed and ready to begin again.

Lori– “I stay on task and productive by writing lists at night for the next day of tasks I need to do. I prioritize my list by the things I need to make sure I take care of right away. I also set the alarm on my phone for the most important tasks so I have a reminder. Sometimes, I’ve been distracted by unimportant daily interruptions, and having an alarm helps me stay on track.”

Ann-“My tip for being productive is to use a timer. Pick a task and set a timer for 15 minutes. You will be amazed at how focused you will be (it’s like a race with yourself). It also helps you realize how much you can accomplish in such a short period of time. That way, in the future, when you don’t think you have enough time, you will know what you can do in 15 minutes.”

Sue-“Limit distractions and make a list. I am most productive when I can see the tasks I need to accomplish written down on paper. Then, I can move towards checking them off. Also a closed door to my office allows for uninterrupted time and minimizes distractions.”

Share with us your favorite productivity tips below in the comments.

for more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Why Selling on Facebook Marketplace Can Be a Bad Idea by Chris Lancette

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 00:02:53 GMT

by Chris Lancette

Inviting strangers into your home is rife with peril, and often a waste of time

Thinking about selling on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist to sell the contents of your home? That can be a bad idea for a whole bunch of reasons.

While most people today understand that the best way to liquidate the contents of their homes and cleanout their houses is by hiring a company like Orion’s Attic to get it done quickly, some still think selling on Facebook Marketplace and sites like Craigslist is the way to go. Even people who should know better still suffer from that misguided impression. A Realtor called me recently to inquire about our services as the only thing standing between her clients and cashing in on the sale of their home was the stuff inside it. (Ditto for the Realtor making her commission.)

Estate liquidation market trends at a glance

I took the time to explain the basics to her, the way I’m always happy to do when people call. I conveyed that estate sales are going the way of the dinosaur. Next, I shared why estate sales are an ineffective way to accomplish the goal of selling treasures in a home.

I gave her an antiques and collectibles crash course. The market for many antiques is dead, I said. They generally cost more to move than they sell for. The entire market for “stuff” has changed, too, I elaborated. “There is too much supply of most things on the market today, and not enough demand.”

“The best, most effective and environmentally conscious way to clear your clients’ home is for us to do what we do best,” I continued. “We charge a labor fee and then get a house empty in a flash. What can be sold goes to auction and specialty dealers and your clients get the money. We take donations to charity and provide your clients with the tax donation receipts. Then we haul away the trash and sweep up on our way out.”

The Realtor took exception to what we’ve learned from 14 years of doing this work. She scoffed and said it’s ridiculous to pay a company to empty a house.

“Selling on Facebook Marketplace would be better,” she said. “Anybody could do that.”

I laughed out loud.

5 Reasons why selling on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist can be bad ideas

I didn’t mean to laugh but the suggestion was absurd. Here are just five of the reasons why:

Reason 1: Most people wouldn’t even know where to start.

The average homeowner, estate executor or beneficiary would have no idea how to approach this task. They don’t know what’s hot and what’s not in the market. They don’t know how to price furniture, antiques or collectibles. Many people would struggle with he mechanics of accepting payments. Creating great listings with solid photos and descriptions isn’t easy, either.

Reason 2: It’s hard to root out scammers and time-wasting buyers.

The moment your start listing items for sale to the public, you extend an invitation for all kinds of scammers, tire-kickers and unscrupulous people to enter your life. People say they’re going to show up to buy something but fail to show, so sellers end up dealing with countless people before someone actually buys a given item. Spammers and identity thieves hit you up.

Reason 3: It requires an enormous amount of time.

It would take even a professional like me an exceptionally long time to attempt to pull this off. Time is money, and the big money is always in the house — not the contents. Most people have jobs and lives; they don’t have a year to spend selling Hummel figurines for $3. We landed yet another estate liquidation and home cleanout job last month AFTER a Silver Spring, Maryland man listened to bad advice from someone else. He tried selling the entire contents of his home on Facebook Marketplace. He sold a whopping 15 items, and the few antiques he sold went for next to nothing.

Reason 4: It’s not going to get the job done.

Even if homeowners, downsizes, executors and beneficiaries had all the time in the world, selling on Facebook Marketplace is still not likely to accomplish the goal. They’re still going to be left with likely most of their stuff still sitting there and all they’ve done is delay selling their houses.

Reason 5: Selling on Facebook Marketplace and other sites can be dangerous

I am not the paranoid type. Nor am I blind. The world can be an ugly place, and people do get robbed while trying to sell on Facebook Marketplace. Assailants even use guns against Facebook Marketplace sellers. I don’t think inviting total strangers into your home to sell a set of china for $20 makes sense. (Maybe you’re trained in the martial arts and have bulletproof vests at the ready. Is it really worth it to you to use either of them?)

A very nice young woman called me the other day. She said her grandmother told her before she died that she could sell her four wine glasses and a few pieces of china for “a lot of money.”

“Grandmothers always say that,” I said. “They don’t know any better.”

I asked the young woman to text me photos. I looked at them. The items sell for next to nothing today, if a buyer can even be found.

A simple alternative to the risk with selling online — donation

“Save yourself a lot of time and hassle and take it to Goodwill,” I said.

“But I could try selling on Facebook Marketplace,” she countered.

“Is it really worth it to you to risk your safety to maybe make twenty bucks?”

“Umm …”

“You seem like a lovely person,” I continued. “I recognize the odds of someone responding to an online listing and then stabbing you or killing you is are small, but I’d hate to read in the Washington Post tomorrow that a young woman died trying to sell twenty dollars of stuff.”

“But my grandmother said –”

“I’m sure your grandmother was lovely, too,” I said. “But she didn’t do what I do for a living. And I’m quite sure she wouldn’t want you to waste your time and risk death to make twenty dollars. She would be happy to see you give the stuff a second life at Goodwill and go on with your life.”

“Thanks,” the young woman chirped. “That helps. I feel better now. I’ll go donate it.”

Learn more about liquidating estates in our Estate Liquidation and Downsizing Guide.

For more information, contact Chris Lancette.

The Psychology of Clutter by Janet Schiesl, Basic Organization

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 21:53:36 GMT

by Janet Schiesl

When does clutter become a problem? The answer to this question is different for everyone. However, clutter becomes a problem for most people when one or more of the following situations arise.

It is creating feelings of depression or anxiety.
The need for more or better or newer things seems insatiable.
It feels like you are losing control of your life as your possessions take over.
The disorder of your living space prevents you from feeling comfortable or happy at home.
You conflict with other household members over this issue.
You’re ashamed to have friends and relatives over to the house because it’s such a mess, and you feel more isolated.

If you can relate to these situations, you can no longer ignore them. It’s time to take control and get organized.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Home Organizing and Decluttering Tips to Steal from Movers and Downsizers by Heather Nickerson, Artifcts

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 21:39:04 GMT

by Heather Nickerson

When I moved three times in as many years, I had no choice but to come to terms with what stuff I owned and whether it warranted a spot in a moving box, place on the truck, and space in my next home. Of course, in a pinch, and if space was not at a premium, I knew which boxes left unopened for multiple moves I could contentedly continue to ignore for another day and hand into the truck.

But that level of awareness is unique I think to people who move a lot. A professional home organizer told me recently that her clients get tripped up when decluttering and organizing a space because they have forgotten what was even in it. So, they rediscover items they already own and want to keep them and put them to use. There’s a human psychological phenomenon in play here. Namely, we tend to place greater value on items we already own.

Through Artifcts, my co-founder and I have spent an above average amount of time with people who are moving and/or downsizing as well as the professionals who assist them. Along the way, we have picked up on some tricks to help us with our own 'stuff’ of daily life and are eager to share them here with you to help reduce your day-to-day stress and enjoy your homes more.

____________________

The Obvious Strategy: Pretend You’re Moving

Before we cover any true tips and life hacks, let’s just put it out there: Even if you have no intent on moving anytime soon, pretending you are and going zone by zone through your home can be an incredibly effective decluttering technique.

Few of us follow golden rules popularized by the likes of Martha Stewart when it comes to regularly refreshing all of our spaces, including those cabinets and closets, to remove dust and other debris. When you tackle one zone after another this strategy becomes a decluttering and home cleaning win all in one!

The Second Most Obvious: You Don’t Need It, but Someone Does

Decorative pillowcases, picture frames, books, and special glasses and dessert plates are great examples of this downsizing theme. Yes, it is perfectly good. Yes, it’s perfectly usable. But you have outgrown it. That’s okay! Tastes and preferences change. Your space has changed. You simply don’t need it. That’s life. You married your spouse, not the ‘stuff,’ so give yourself some grace and the permission to let it go. It's natural to let go of stuff.

How exactly should you go about letting go?

For some, the answer to this type of ‘stuff’ is charity. Temporary homes for abused persons and other displaced individuals often need the sort of TLC cozy and practical home goods and décor can offer. Donate locally! Or check our free Going Green guides for ideas.

For others, taking a page out of Margareta Magnusson’s book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, is just the ticket. And no, you don’t have to be dying or in your senior years to use this concept in your life. When it comes to ‘stuff,’ Magnusson reminds us that rehoming items not only lets us share the stories and value of them with loved ones now, but it helps us to live as comfortably and stress-free as possible without the burden stuff can become.

Add an Artifcts QR code to the item you are rehoming to ensure the stories and memories are passed down along with the actual item.

And if you do not want to use stickers, you can always print a QR code directly from your Artifct.

Shred and Digitize, Today not Tomorrow.

Accidentally accumulating paperwork—yes, including photos—to sort through another day? Do not take a shortcut and stick it all in a binder or bin. That's a Band-Aid. Let’s go for a sustainable and useful fix. Mass digitizing and shredding can immediately clear spaces in your home and the back of your mind from this sort of clutter.

Yes, it could mean you now have shifted it to digital clutter, but at least you freed up space and now that it’s digitized, it’s accessible when you are on the go, shareable and searchable, and protected from destruction by mother nature or theft. You can’t say that for a filing bin, cardboard box, or cabinet.

And your files are ready to upload into whatever app you are using for planning all of life’s nexts. Perhaps those cards, postcards, letters, photos, and pieces of kid art are ready for Artifcting along with their stories. Maybe you need to add that latest home insurance policy into your digital vault, like Trustworthy.

Done digitizing? Now recycle.

Piles with Timelines (#IveBeenMeaningTo)

When you are heading toward a move, you start clustering things naturally in your mind: making the move, heading to donation, must ask a friend/family member if they want it, selling this, etc. If you apply that logic on a daily life basis, and dedicate a strategy for each intent, you’ll have a great habit that keeps you decluttering regularly.

Perhaps you have an under-the-bed bin, a cute basket with a lid, or even a simple bag tucked into a closet where you can put anything you’re ready to donate.

Perhaps you Artifct sentimental and valuable items and set a reminder with the Artifcts “In the Future” feature to sell by a certain date. Or maybe instead you share that Artifct with a loved one to see if they want it (especially now that they know the story) before you sell, donate, or otherwise rehome it. The act of asking not only avoids traps that faulty assumptions might set, but it’s also a best practice in managing your family history estate.

Another reason those move piles work wonders? It’s visible progress. For the items that have already made it through your assessment and are keepers, we strongly encourage adding a QR code so that you (and everyone else who looks) can see this item matters and can scan to learn why.

(Re)Set Up Your Home for Convenience and Peace

One of the best parts of a move is setting up your home again. You have a blank slate. Nothing is stopping you from using this blank-slate strategy even if you are not moving:

Grab a pen and paper or open up a blank note on your phone.
Go room by room.
Do you see any pain points, constantly cluttered areas, things that are broken or damaged? Note it all down.
Review and prioritize for action.

Let’s walk through some examples.
Is it constantly irritating and slightly absurd that your hook for your reusable shopping bags is in the pantry and nowhere near the car you get into to go shopping? Move the hook.

How about the fact that naturally everyone in your home has some volume of clutter. And it’s everywhere, including on the counter, on the table, on the coffee table. I have a specific pen I love, a tape measurer, a set of Artifcts QR code stickers, and a book I’m reading, all of which I want readily accessible. Create a home for your clutter. I have a cute little pop-up crate on my bookshelf that holds these and other random items. Problem solved. (And, yes, my husband and daughter have crates, too. And we have a small one for common household stuff like scissors, tape, batteries, and a retractable utility knife.

You can find these hay.com collapsible crates at MOMA, Design within Reach, and other online vendors in a variety of sizes and colors.

Furniture falls into this category, too, albeit we’re not always in the right place financially to do anything about it. But if you are, everyone who moves knows that you do not want to ship furniture that you always found uncomfortable, has a worn-out look that is not intentional or repairable, or is literally outgrown, like a toddler sized rocking chair. Sell or donate it, but either way, move it on out!

Schedule it.

When you’re on deadline, as in the moving trucks will arrive one month from today, you have no choice but to get stuff done. Many people already keep things running on a schedule at home anyway, e.g. how often the chimney is inspected, the air filters replaced, or the windows washed. Why wouldn’t you add decluttering to your schedule? Home is not just where you spend the majority of your time, but it is also a place that should help you to feel recharged and comfortable.

If daily or weekly sounds too intense, try monthly, as in, the third Sunday each month you schedule a specific space in your home for a once over. Sometimes it might be a “simple” drawer, other times you might schedule the front hall closet, because it’s a month when you know you’ll have more time. You do not need to make it a stretch goal. You just need to make the decluttering a reality.

And if you are truly under deadline, perhaps a guest is coming to stay, or you just feel overwhelmed, consider hiring a professional organizer to get you started with the most challenging spot for you.

____________________

All of these strategies are about (re)organizing and removing things that drain your energy and provoke frustration so you can live your life more smoothly. We hope you test them out, revise to your liking, and reap the rewards.

Happy Artifcting!

For more information, contact Heather Nickerson.

This $2 Homeowner Hack Can Save You $1000’s! by C. Lee Cawley, C. Lee Cawley

Fri, 17 Jan 2025 21:33:04 GMT

by C. Lee Cawley

When moving into a new home, there’s a lot to think about—decorating, organizing, and settling in. But there’s one simple, often-overlooked step that could save you thousands of dollars in the long run: investing in a $2 folder.

Yes, really. A humble two-pocket folder (preferably green, to symbolize money!) can be the key to easily keeping track of capital improvements—those upgrades and changes that increase the value of your home and help you save big when it’s time to sell.

Capital improvements are upgrades to your home that enhance its value, prolong its life, or adapt it to new uses. See what they are in this IRS publication on page 10. Think construction costs for additions, new HVAC or plumbing systems, installing a deck or fence, or even minor updates that will stay behind like grab bars in the bathroom.

When you eventually sell your home, these improvements can increase your cost basis—the amount you originally paid for your home, plus the value of qualifying upgrades. The higher your cost basis, the lower the taxable profit (capital gains) when you sell.

Without documentation, it’s almost impossible to claim these improvements for tax purposes. That’s where your $2 folder comes in.

Dedicate a folder or a large zippered pouch to store ALL the physical receipts. Whether it’s a major renovation or a minor upgrade, save those proofs of payment. Even smaller expenses, like under counter lights or landscaping projects, can add up over time.

I use a green two-pocket folder to organize my receipts with a page that lists the date, cost, vendor, and explanation of the expense with a running total for each year. Or you can take a digital approach and scan and save copies of your receipts for easy access and backup, using an app like Landlord Studio.

Imagine you purchased your home for $300,000. Over the years, you've made various improvements (adding a deck, replacing windows, etc.. ) totaling $50,000. When you sell your home for $500,000, your taxable gain is reduced from $200,000 to $150,000.

The info in your $2 folder just saved you from paying tax on $50,000!

It’s not just about saving money—it’s about peace of mind. When the time comes to sell, you won’t be scrambling to remember what you spent or trying to locate receipts from decades ago.

So, grab that $2 folder, pick a safe spot to store it, and start building your cost basis one receipt at a time. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.

For more information, contact C. Lee Cawley.

Yoga & Organizing: Decluttering Your Way to Mindfulness by Jill Katz, One to Zen Organizing

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 12:42:31 GMT

by Jill Katz

The Story

I love yoga! It's a form of exercise and meditation that doesn't really feel like exercise or meditation (I love a good hack). I also love organizing. I didn't grow up naturally organized (see this blog post about my journey) so researching and uncovering strategies to support an organized life really gets me pumped.

I have always looked at yoga and organizing as similar disciplines. I remember back in 2018, talking with my best friend on the phone and trying to come up with a name for my business. As part of a free association exercise, we tossed around words related to yoga like "mindfulness" and "calm" until we arrived at "One to Zen Organizing". I then chose a person sitting in Easy Pose (Sukhasana), a basic yoga position, for my logo.

Five Commonalities between Organizing & Yoga

I believe that by practicing organizing (on your own or with a professional), you can achieve many of the same benefits as yoga. Similarly, by practicing yoga, you are creating the foundation for an organized mind. Don't believe me? Read these 5 commonalities that I discovered and decide for yourself.

Both are a practice

In organizing and yoga "perfection is the enemy of the good." I tell my clients that the goal of our sessions is to continually practice good habits and routines in an effort to become more organized. Similarly, in yoga, the goal is to get your body used to new positions to the best of your ability based on how you feel that day. In both cases, practice makes "better" NOT perfect.

Both force you to slow down and reflect

Yoga is often practiced by moving through positions slowly. In this way, we can discover which muscles are stronger and which muscles are weaker and develop strategies to compensate for weaker muscles. For example, I might notice that I tighten my jaw when holding crow pose. I take that awareness off the mat by observing when I clench my jaw during the day. In this way, I start to notice situations where I am feeling stressed. With this new awareness, I can then strategize ways to relieve that stress.

Likewise, when a client is having difficulty letting go of a possession, we might stop and reflect about why that is happening. When sorting items into categories, I might ask a client to think about when he or she uses that item or if it is something used more or less frequently. When we slow down and reflect, we learn something new that can be applied to our practice. I discuss the importance of slowing down in my blog posts "The power of the pause" and Nighttime Routines: Clearing Your Mental Clutter

Both require modifications based on your abilities

When I work with my clients, I recognize that some struggle with organization. One person might have the ability to hang up their coat in a closet while another might only be able to get their coat to a hook next to the front door. Many of my clients have interesting hobbies, are very creative or have strong research skills. All these elements impact their organizing. Every person has areas of strength and we can build and expand upon that strength. We always make sure to acknowledge both our strengths and our successes while adjusting as needed.

In yoga class, when we are working through a flow or pose, the instructor will demonstrate alternate movements. They always say, "Remember that child's pose or resting pose is a choice for you." We always start the class by saying "Congratulations, you made it to your mat today." So we start with success and work toward our strengths while being compassionate about any weaknesses. In this way, we can build ourselves up. In this way, we can improve.

Both include mindfulness

Yoga creates an environment of awareness. When I am moving my body through various positions, I notice which muscles are tight and where I am holding stress. I notice when a pose is difficult and I am forgetting to breathe. I concentrate on creating ease of movement. I bring this enlightenment into my everyday life. During the day, I might realize that I am holding my breath. So I will take a few minutes to breathe. When I walk outside, I might notice that my shoulders are slightly hunched over so I will adjust my body so my chest is more open just like Mountain Pose (Tadasana).

Organizing also creates mindfulness. When I am working with someone, I go at their pace. Sometimes a client will make decisions very quickly and we fly through our session. Other times, that same client will encounter an area that requires more thought and we slow our pace to carefully consider a space or category. I check in with them and ask, "What associations is this category or object bringing up for you?" We explore and uncover and the result is a new awareness they can build upon.

Both achieve alignment and calm

I ask all my clients what success looks like to them and most of them include calm as their ultimate goal. They have reached out to me because their physical and mental clutter is creating noise in their lives. Decluttering clears the noise so they can feel aligned and calm.

Spending time on my mat, creates that same calm. I end my yoga practice with Corpse Pose (Shavasana) where I lie on my mat feeling an overwhelming sense of peace, reaping the benefits of my yoga session. It feels like a deep body massage.

In Conclusion

In both yoga and organizing, the journey is about creating space—physical, mental, and emotional—for what truly matters. By embracing the shared principles of mindfulness, reflection, and alignment, we can find greater calm and balance in both our homes and our lives.

For more information, contact Jill Katz.

RECYCLING - The mystery unfolded by Kruti Naik, We Organize

Thu, 19 Dec 2024 14:02:43 GMT

by Kruti Naik

We Organize

Recycling is great and very much needed, but putting non-recyclable items in the single-stream recycling bin can cause problems. Here's a general guide to common items and whether they are typically recyclable:

Commonly Recycled Items

Paper: Most paper products, including newspapers, magazines, and office paper, are recyclable. However, items contaminated with food or grease (like pizza boxes) are generally not recyclable.
Cardboard: Corrugated cardboard (like shipping boxes) is recyclable, as long as it’s clean and free from food residue or grease.
Glass: Most glass bottles and jars are recyclable. Avoid including broken glass or items like Pyrex or window glass that are unsuitable for curbside recycling programs.
Plastics: Many recycling programs accept plastics labeled with recycling codes 1 (PETE) and 2 (HDPE). Other codes like 3 (PVC), 4 (LDPE), 5 (PP), and 6 (PS) can be more variable, so it’s best to check local guidelines. Avoid including plastic bags or items like clamshell containers unless specified by your local program.
Metals: Aluminum and steel cans are generally recyclable. Make sure they are empty and clean.

Items Often Misunderstood

Plastic Bags: Typically not accepted in curbside recycling bins. Many grocery stores have special bins for plastic bags.
Food-Soiled Items: Items like pizza boxes and paper towels are usually not recyclable due to contamination.
Electronics: Items like batteries, phones, and computers require special recycling processes and should not go into the regular recycling bin. Look for e-waste recycling programs.
Hazardous Waste: Items like batteries, light bulbs, and chemicals need to be disposed of at designated hazardous waste facilities.
Shredded Paper: While paper is recyclable, shredded paper can cause problems in the recycling process due to its small size. Check if your local program accepts it, or consider composting it instead.

Resources for Local Guidelines

Local Recycling Program Websites: Many municipalities have websites or resources detailing what can and cannot be recycled.
Recycling Apps: Apps like iRecycle or Recycle Nation can help you find local recycling options and guidelines.
Recycling Centers: Contacting a local recycling center can clarify specific items and materials accepted in your area.

How to Improve Your Recycling Practices

Clean and Dry: Ensure recyclables are clean and food residue-free to avoid contamination.
Follow Local Guidelines: Always check local guidelines as recycling rules vary widely between regions.
Educate Yourself: Stay informed about new recycling technologies and practices.

Recycling correctly helps reduce contamination, which is crucial for the efficiency of the recycling process. Your efforts in understanding and adhering to these practices are a big step in supporting environmental sustainability!

Plastic Film and Bags

Globally, roughly 4 Trillion plastic bags are used each year. That doesn’t even include plastic films like shrink wrap and bubble wrap. That’s lots of packaging that can’t be recycled at the drop-off center or home.

Challenges:

Processing Issues: Plastic bags and films can get tangled in the machinery at recycling facilities. This can cause significant disruptions and damage to equipment, leading to costly delays and increased operational issues.
Contamination: When these items end up in single-stream recycling, they can contaminate other materials and make them unsuitable for recycling.

Recycling Solutions:

Drop-Off Locations: Many grocery stores and supermarkets have designated bins for plastic bags and film. These bins are specifically designed to handle these materials and keep them out of the single-stream recycling stream.
Specialized Facilities: Some recycling programs and facilities specialize in handling plastic film. You can look for local recycling centers that accept plastic film and bags.
Manufacturer Programs: Some manufacturers and retailers offer take-back programs for plastic film. Check if the brands you use have such initiatives.

Best Practices for Handling Plastic Film and Bags:

Separate Recycling: Do not include plastic bags and films in your curbside recycling bin. Instead, keep them separate and drop them off at designated collection points.
Reuse: Whenever possible, reuse plastic bags and films. For example, use them for trash liners or to package other items.
Reduce Use: Try to reduce your use of plastic bags and films by opting for reusable alternatives like cloth bags, reusable wraps, and containers.
Educate and Advocate: Share information about proper recycling practices with friends and family, and advocate for better recycling solutions in your community.

Disposable Cups

Challenges:

Coffee Cups: Many disposable coffee cups are lined with a thin layer of plastic or wax, which prevents them from being recycled with paper products. This lining interferes with the paper recycling process, making it difficult to separate and process the materials effectively.
Plastic Cups: Disposable plastic cups, particularly those used for cold beverages, are often made from plastics that are not accepted in curbside single-stream recycling due to their thin, flexible nature, which can cause problems in the recycling process.

Best Practices:

Use Reusables: The best way to avoid contributing to this problem is to use reusable cups and water bottles. Many coffee shops and cafes offer discounts for customers who bring their own mugs.
Check for Alternatives: Some coffee shops and restaurants use compostable or biodegradable cups, which are better for the environment. If you're unsure, inquire about the materials used and look for more sustainable options.
Proper Disposal: If you have to use disposable cups, make sure they are properly disposed of according to your local waste management guidelines. Some areas have specialized programs for composting or processing these materials.

Berry Containers and Plastic Packaging

Challenges:

Flimsy Plastics: Items like berry containers, lettuce clamshells, and single-serve meal containers are often made from low-density plastics that are not suitable for single-stream recycling. Their thin and flexible nature can cause problems in the recycling machinery, leading to contamination of other recyclables.

Best Practices:

Reuse When Possible: If feasible, reuse these containers for storage or other purposes around the house. This extends their life and reduces waste.
Avoid Single-Use Plastics: Opt for products with minimal or no packaging when possible. Buying in bulk and using reusable containers can help reduce reliance on single-use plastics.
Trash Disposal: Unfortunately, many of these plastics are not recyclable through curbside programs and may need to go into regular trash. However, check with your local waste management facility for any specific instructions or alternative disposal options.

To-Go Containers

Challenges:

Black Plastic Containers:
- Why: Black plastics are often not recyclable because the colorant used interferes with the optical sorting systems at recycling facilities. As a result, they can either end up in the trash or contaminate other materials.

Paper Containers:
- Why: Paper-based to-go containers, especially those with food residue or grease, are typically not recyclable. The contaminants make it difficult for paper mills to process them.

Clear or Colored Plastic Containers:
- Why: Some clear or colored plastic containers are recyclable, but they must be clean and free of food residues.

Aluminum Containers:
- Why: Aluminum containers are recyclable, but their lids are often made from different materials that may not be recyclable.

Best Practices:

Black Plastic:
- Disposal: Place black plastic containers in the trash. Avoid putting them in the recycling bin to prevent contamination.

Clear or Colored Plastic:
- Recycling: Clear and colored plastic containers can be recycled, but ensure they are clean and free of food residues. Check local guidelines as the acceptance of these items can vary.

Paper Containers:
- Disposal: Place paper-based containers in the trash if they are soiled with food or grease. Some communities may have composting programs for food-soiled paper products.

Aluminum Containers:
- Recycling: Recycle aluminum containers, but discard the lids in the trash unless your local program accepts them. Ensure that aluminum containers are clean and free of food residues.
- Rinsing: Always rinse food containers to remove grease and residues before recycling. Contaminated items can disrupt the recycling process and lead to contamination of other recyclables.

Coffee Pods

Challenges:

Composite Materials: Coffee pods are often made from a combination of plastic and aluminum, with a filter and coffee grounds inside. The mixed materials make them difficult to separate and process in traditional recycling streams.
Contamination: The presence of used coffee grounds can contaminate other recyclables and complicate the recycling process.

Best Practices:

Check Manufacturer Guidelines:
- Specific Programs: Many coffee pod manufacturers offer their own recycling programs. For example, Nespresso, Keurig, and others have dedicated recycling initiatives where you can send used pods back to them. Check the manufacturer’s website or packaging for instructions.

Use Manufacturer Recycling Programs:
- Drop-Off Locations: Some brands provide drop-off locations at retail stores or partner with specialized recycling centers. For instance, Nespresso has collection points in various locations, and Keurig has a mail-back recycling program.

General Tips for Reducing Waste:
- Reduce and Reuse: Prioritize reducing waste by avoiding single-use items and reusing products whenever possible. This is often more effective than recycling.
- Educate Yourself: Stay informed about what can and cannot be recycled in your local area. Waste management guidelines can vary by location, so knowing the specifics can help you sort your waste correctly.
- Advocate for Change: Support and advocate for improved recycling programs and sustainable practices in your community. Encouraging local businesses and policymakers to focus on environmental sustainability can help drive broader changes.

By adopting these practices, you can contribute to reducing waste and supporting more efficient recycling processes. Every small effort counts toward a larger impact on reducing environmental footprint.

Useful Resources

https://recyclesmartma.org/ - A handy site that allows you to search specific items with a clear description of whether they can be recycled, specifics of how to recycle them, etc. They even have 2 short quizzes you can take to test yourself on your recycling savvy and become a smart recycler!

https://plasticmakers.org/9-simple-tips-to-recycle-more-plastic/ - Useful tips for recycling plastic.

https://www.call2recycle.org/locator/ - Excellent source for finding recycling centres for a variety of electronic items.

For more information, contact Kruti Naik.

My Top 10 Organizing Tools by Janet Schiesl, Basic Organization

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:59:28 GMT

by Janet Schiesl

Here are my top 10 organizing tools for the trade. Everyone needs these to get and stay organized.

A planner or calendar – It doesn’t matter whether you use a paper-based or electronic calendar; everyone needs one.
A to-do list – Paper or electronic work well. You can use what works best for you.
A file cabinet – Everyone needs to keep some paper. Make it simple.
A bill-paying system – Stay on time and up to date.
A timer – It will help you focus on the task at hand.
Matching hangers – Keeps clothes oh-so organized in your closet.
A hamper – Everyone needs a home for their dirty clothes.
A grocery and menu plan – Make this daily task easier with a customized system.
Cooperation from all family members – Get everyone on board!
Advice from an expert – If you want to improve what you are doing now.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

French Fête by Samara Goodman, Samara Interiors

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:37:02 GMT

by Samara Goodman

Earlier this month, Samara Interiors had the honor of collaborating with STARK Carpet to create tablescapes and vignettes in their DC showroom for the Washington Design Center's Holiday Fête, benefitting Children's National Hospital and sponsored by Home & Design Magazine. What a wonderful celebration of design and designers! This newsletter details the vision and creation of these vignette designs.

IMPRESSIONIST DINNER
When I found out that the fête theme was Parisian holiday, I immediately thought of my fall visit to The National Galley of Art's exhibition, 'Paris 1874: The Impressionist Moment' and then to an exhibition that I saw many years ago at The Phillips Collection that centered around Renoir's 'Luncheon of the Boating Party' painting. This French impressionist inspiration evolved into the theme for my main tablescape design... the guests in the painting came for lunch and stayed late for a holiday dinner! Later, the holiday dinner party guests further evolved to being impressionist painters themselves.

In collaboration with the STARK DC team, we selected a traditional-style rug with colors that are found in the painting, specifically the elegant blue dress and its burgundy trim. All of the other vignettes' rugs were then selected with complementing this rug in mind. The painting also inspired many of the details, especially the table linens. The shade of blue for the main tablecloth was inspired by the ladies' dresses, and the crimson-striped table topper in the Opera Couple vignette was inspired by the crimson stripes in the painting's awning. Of course, no Victorian era formal holiday setting would be complete without bullion fringe ornamentation.

My favorite detail is the dessert made from STARK carpet poms and how it looks almost good enough to eat! Poms are used for selecting colors in custom carpets and, in my opinion, are a beautiful design element en masse all on their own.

PARISIAN VOYAGE
Pack your vintage suitcase and grab your antique map – it's time for a trip back in time to Paris of yesteryear. The STARK rug we selected for this vignette has a pattern that mimics the lines of the Eiffel Tower, and to many, it also evokes the image of a well-worn Parisian map. To keep this design neutral and cohesive, the ornaments we chose are gold (for additional sparkle) and straw colored (inspired by the men's straw hats in the Renoir painting). The illuminated Eiffel Tower and the fresh cedar garland with twinkling lights create a mood of a magical evening in Paris during the holiday season.

OPERA COUPLE
The idea for this vignette began with the idea of a Victorian couple attending The Opera Garnier who had momentarily stepped away from their seats, leaving behind their top hat, silky gloves, and opera glasses. Of course, the champagne is awaiting their return as well. The dramatic mood here is further enhanced by the colors in this stunning STARK rug that evokes the Victorian era with its flourished pattern and elegant colors. This rug was selected because it looks just as beautiful on the wall as it does on the floor. I think that it made a stunning proxy wallpaper, don't you?

THROUGH THE WINDOW
We noticed that the delivery door to the STARK DC showroom is what visitors see as they exit the elevator. So we improvised with our extra accessories, utilizing two luxurious STARK rugs, a pair of matching rug samples, and bringing in a brass menorah with blue candles, to create a cohesive and welcoming fourth vignette.

THANK YOU!
I have many to thank, as this installation could not have happened without them. First, to my family for their support and hard work to make this possible. To Pam Nemfakos, for her many months of brainstorming, creativity (the opera couple!), and styling, as well as the fabulous vintage items that made this vision possible. Many of these items are available at 3250 Blenheim Blvd, Fairfax, VA or email: pam@nemfakospartners.com. To Sarah Reeder of Artifactual History, for her inspiring enthusiasm, expert historic and artistic consulting, and ingenuity - the impressionists as dinner guests! To Maria, who instantly saw my vision and created the stunning custom table linens. Last, but not least, a special thank you to Lou, Dean, and the team at STARK DC, who were superb collaborators, knowledgeable professionals, and gracious hosts.

For more information, contact Samara Goodman.

Decluttering and Organizing to Create a Welcoming Space for the Holidays by Heather Nickerson, Artifcts

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:04:47 GMT

by Heather Nickerson

If you want to truly enjoy the holidays and not just operate in survival mode, take some advice from Santa Claus himself, who’s known for “Making a list and checking it twice.”

While you could potentially remember everything that needs to get done and also smoothly delegate along the way, why would you do that to yourself when you could plan it out and recycle and update those plans year after year? You wouldn’t be the first person to wing it and then gasp when they realize they’re missing a particular gift, key ingredient, or even the tickets to the annual holiday lights show that they never miss.

Today in ARTIcles by Artifcts, we’re sharing tips from the pros in hopes of keeping your holiday season merry and bright.

The following is based on the Fall 2023 Evenings with Artifcts episode featuring C. Lee Cawley of simplify YOU, Jill Katz of One to Zen Organizing, and Samara Goodman of Samara Interiors. If you prefer to watch the Evenings conversation, pop over to YouTube now.

Shift Your Frame of Mind and Start with Clear Goals

The holiday season is filled with micro changes to your routines and your home, which can make even the most laid back among us a bit stressed out and edgy, Jill told us. While Jill specializes in organizational services for neurodivergent people, you’ll discover her strategies and tools can keep us all in the holiday spirit.

WHERE IS YOUR MIND AT ON ALL THINGS HOLIDAYS?

To counteract feelings of frustration and anxiety, Jill suggests shifting your frame of mind about the lead up and the moments that make up your holidays in two key ways:

First, embrace that preparation is part of the holiday fun.Give yourself the space during the weeks ahead for prep activities like:

Choosing gifts thoughtfully, not frantically
Hand writing notes on holiday cards
Planning menus that come together to light up everyone’s taste buds
Creating music playlists

Second, absolutely avoid urges for perfection. Take a step back and remember why you are doing all this to start with and breathe. What do you want to remember about this holiday one year from now? Five years from now? We bet it’s about how you felt, not whether that centerpiece matched Martha Stewart’s design or that cake looked as good on your table as it did for Ina Garten.

WHAT WILL SUCCESS LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

Now let’s consider your goals for the season. Are your holiday plans designed to guarantee more family time? Are you seeking to create a new holiday tradition this year?

To reach your goals and avoid madly racing thoughts that will detract from what’s important, track your holiday routines and to-dos. This will also help you to avoid starting from scratch next year. While you might like a pad of paper or digital note, hands down our panel recommends digitally accessible and customizable spreadsheets.

Before you decide spreadsheets are too intense or complicated, hear us out. A spreadsheet lets you simply list out your to-dos based on when they need to be done, e.g. 4 weeks out, 3 weeks out etc., so you can keep track of the multitude of tasks and subtasks that are part of your holiday routine.

Common holiday to-do items from our panelists’ own spreadsheets:

Taking out and putting up decorations
Buying tickets for a holiday event
Planning the menu and its corresponding shopping list
Ordering custom holiday cards (and noting the “no later than” date for getting them mailed)
Gathering or buying materials related to annual traditions
Making any needed repairs around the house before guests arrive
Choosing and selecting a hostess gift for parties you’ll attend
Tackling cleaning tasks big and small
Pressing tablecloths and napkins
Buying flowers for the table or around the house
Ordering items that will sell out early or have shipping timelines that could threaten your fun

Last year our co-founder Ellen added a new recipe to her family's annual Christmas Eve open house: sugared cranberries. Now those ingredients are added to her annual shopping list.

Creating a Welcoming Space

Hosting this year? Great. We’re ready with tips for you.

PAPER CLUTTER

As the holiday season begins, get a strategy in place for one of the top sources of holiday clutter: paper! We’re talking about cards and flyers, donation requests from charities, and holiday cards, too.

C. Lee suggests buying or repurposing a decorative bin (with a lid) that you don’t mind setting out in your space to catch all the incoming catalogs and other generic mail. “But have a second box just for holiday cards that you do not want miss and may also include checks, cash, or gift cards.”

You’ll also likely generate some necessary paperwork during the holidays that C. Lee recommends you place into a durable labeled folder. What might this include? Copies of travel documents and itineraries, last year’s holiday card (to help you decide on this year’s), gift lists and ideas, receipts, and more.

Pre- or post-holidays, our handy Get Papered checklist can help you declutter all that paper! CLICK THE IMAGE to access this list and others and download for free!

ALL THINGS HOLIDAY

Clutter aside, let's move on to holiday decor and more! As an interior decorator who naturally embraces many principles of home organizers, Samara suggests that in decorating for the holidays and preparing for guests you think about all five senses.

“Often people think about what the room looks like, and what the menu will taste like, but what about touch? Cozy blankets and that feeling of warmth around you can be so inviting. As for sound, music sets the tone, ranging from upbeat and playful to quiet and calming, and helps you to transition through an event, too. And smell can go beyond your menu. Keep a pot of simmering mulled cider on the stovetop to evoke memories and warmth. And use cloves and cinnamon sticks to fill a decorative vase.”

Samara also favors natural decorations that are compostable, inexpensive, and reusable. You can check out ideas from her here. A simple glass hurricane with a white pillar candle can be filled with red and green candies during the winter holidays, sand and shells in the summer, and acorns or lentils in the fall. Likewise, you do not need a Christmas bowl. An elegant neutral bowl of clear glass, bronze or silver, or smooth wood can grace your home during any season or occasion. Just add festive ornaments at Christmas and enjoy!

Iconic gingerbread houses offer instant, homemade, and compostable decor! CLICK THE IMAGE to view this Artifcted house.

GUESTS WHO WILL SPEND ONE NIGHT OR MORE

If guests are coming to stay, you can easily discover online list upon list of items that you may want to have out and about to make your guests feel at home. Some things are small and easily done if you think of it, such as a small sign with your wi-fi password in a high traffic location as well as by their bedside.

Other things you maybe already have and/or do by routine anyway. Our favorites:

Laying out a sleep mask in case the sleep space is brighter than in their home
Providing a fan or sound machine in their bedroom
Clearing closet space and adding spare hangers along with a luggage rack
Placing a carafe or similar for water in their bedroom
Topping up or replacing basic toiletries

C. Lee also suggests repurposing wine glass tags for regular coffee mugs and glasses to avoid stress and confusion as to which glass belongs to which guest (and reduce dishes). And we also love her suggestion to leave out a note along with some plates/bowls, breakfast foods, and coffee/tea directions so that they can help themselves when they wake up and you can relax into your day.

A breakfast treat like coffee cake can be made ahead (even well ahead and frozen), and pulled out for all to enjoy at whatever hour they roll out of bed!

It's Okay to Control the Chaos When Guests are Staying

About those guests of yours: Keep your eye on the prize. Priorities shift when guests are in the house. Do you feel more like, "Your home, your rules?" Maybe treat your rules more like guidelines.

Set boundaries only where necessary to keep everyone (pets included) safe and to preserve your sanity. We’re willing to wager that more often than not your friends and family will follow along if they know your boundaries and general modes of operation. Just give them a nudge! For example, add a temporary over-the-door rack to hang multiple coats so people know where they can store coats and bags if you don’t want them strewn about. And if you are a shoe-free household, post a little sign and offer skid free socks to put on for their comfort and safety.

Guests are gone? Now is when you can reset and return things to normal around the house. Do not try to do this while they are there; it’s like fighting gravity. Is that really how you want to expend your energy while they are there and you’re trying to enjoy time together?

Tips for Making the 11th Hour Less Stressful

Remember that spreadsheet? We mentioned sorting it by weeks. Well, you may also want to create a timetable for the day of your event, says C. Lee, so you and everyone else remembers/knows when each thing needs to happen. When does each dish need to go in the oven? When will you light the candles and start the music? Who is arriving and when?

And what are old school sticky notes good for when it comes to the holidays? Delegation! Jill reminded us all to ask for and accept help. And even if you truly have it under control, you can appreciate that you’ll have folks joining the festivities who will feel more comfortable if they can help in some way.

Pop a sticky note next to the salad bowl, ingredients, and recipe, and say, “Make me!” Or add a note next to the stack of plates, flatware, and glasses and, write “Ready for the table.” If you coordinated in advance or simply know who will want which task, label the note with their name.

Samara encourages you to work ahead to set the table, which can be a serious effort depending on the number of place settings, the distance your table is from where all the essentials are stored, and how many layers of decorations, flatware and glasses, and more you add to complete the table.

“And if you don’t have a separate table you can decorate in advance, create a table setting box with everything you’ll need, including the tablecloth, napkins, candles, candle sticks. For items you can’t put in the box, like place settings, platters and glasses, make a list and add to the box to check off as you set the table.”

One more 11th hour prep tip is about gift opening. Have your helper tools stationed and ready. This might mean a bag for ribbons (to reuse) and another bag for non-recyclable wrapping and tissue papers. And to avoid losing anything in that holiday mess, have a box set out where small gifts can be popped into temporarily. Oh, and don’t forget to have a safety cutter on hand for eager gift receivers to open tough tape, boxes, and plastic covers without landing in the emergency room.

The Final Word

We asked our panelists for their final few words of advice to avoid getting our tinsel in a tangle. Here’s what they offered:

Simplify hostess gifts by picking one item to give to each hostess that season. Avoid more ‘stuff’ and go with consumables like wine, an evergreen potted plant, or special gourmet treats.
Which leads to… embrace regifting! If it’s a distinctive and memorable gift, perhaps just avoid regifting it inside the same circle of friends or colleagues to avoid awkward moments.
Centerpieces can be created well ahead of time and even done as an event, together with friends and family, for an instant tradition!
Minimize how much new you take on during the holiday season: one new decoration, one new recipe, one new tradition.
Plan in downtime so you can enjoy the season without being drained by it.

And with that, happy Artifcting!

For more information, contact Heather Nickerson.

2 Super Holiday Shopping Hacks! by C. Lee Cawley, C. Lee Cawley

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 16:30:01 GMT

by C. Lee Cawley

Here is my Rakuten partner link to share with YOU!

The holidays are a time for joy and magic, but let's be honest, they can also be stressful. Between shopping, decorating, and planning gatherings, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But fear not! Here are two hacks to help you simplify your holiday shopping and even earn some extra cash!

Tip 1: Get CASH Back with Shopping Extensions:

Level up your online shopping game with browser extensions that offer cashback rewards! Several options are available but these are my two favorites for passive income!

How does it work? Activate the extension links below. When you go to a participating online retailer a button to activate your reward will automatically pop up. IF both pop up, I compare the two offers and choose the higher percentage. And “ta-da” a month or so later the cashback is automatically added to my account!

RAKUTEN:

Using this extension really adds up. I’m so grateful to the friend who shared this resource with me. On average I earn $275 a year and I’m not a super shopper!

CHIRPIEST:

Works the same way but has a different roster of stores than Rakuten in my experience. Having both extensions means one or the other will pop up to get me cash back!

Here is my Chirpiest partner link to share.

Tip 2: Create a “RETAIL Email” Address

Ditch the paper clutter and promotional chaos in your personal inbox! Create a separate email address specifically for online and in-store shopping. Choose a simple name that's easy to remember and to spell when sharing with instore cashiers, like "LindaShops@gmail.com”

Benefits of a Retail Email:

Reduced Paper Clutter: No more paper receipts clogging up your wallet or drawers!

Clean Personal Inbox: Keep your personal emails free from promotional messages.
Quick Deal Searching: Use the retail email to easily find offers and coupons online.
Order Tracking Ease: Track your holiday packages and manage deliveries efficiently.

By following these 2 simple tips to save time and money you can transform your holiday shopping experience from stressful to streamlined.

For more information, contact C. Lee Cawley.

Decluttering-Blaze or Gaze Method? by Janet Schiesl, Basic Organization

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 13:45:23 GMT

by Janet Schiesl

I recently read this book titled, Minimalist Living: Decluttering for Joy, Health, and Creativity by Genevieve Parker Hill.

In it she discusses two ways of Decluttering using the blazing method or the gazing method.

To lessen stress, you declutter intentionally to honor your belongings. Depending on your personality, one of these methods may work better than the other. Let’s find out which one may describe your best decluttering method.

The “blazing” method is an efficient way to declutter. Similar to ripping off a Band-Aid. First, quickly identify the items you need and discard the rest. This method saves time and should make you feel comfortable. You’re not worrying about what you discard because you know it’s unnecessary. However, this may be challenging for some, so the author suggests getting a box to put your discarded items in. Put a date on the box and set a time to review what’s inside quickly. Take out what you need and then donate the rest. To make it even more challenging, don’t look in the box before discarding or donating.

The “gaze” method of decluttering takes more time and involves looking at your possessions, reminiscing, and assessing each item. It may be a slower process, but it’s less risky and more emotionally involved. Stay focused and ask a friend to keep you on track.

You could also combine methods, such as quickly organizing your closet (using the “blaze” method) and taking your time with your books (using the “gaze” method). Whatever method you choose, find what works best for you.

Have you tried the “blaze” or “gaze” method of decluttering? Let us know how it works for you. And remember, you can always contact Basic Organization for your organizing and decluttering needs.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Taming the Clutter Monster in 4 Key Areas by C. Lee Cawley, C. Lee Cawley

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 13:39:26 GMT

by C. Lee Cawley

The aphorism "nature abhors a vacuum" rings especially true when it comes to maintaining clutter-free spaces. If you clear a space completely without filling it intentionally, that open area practically invites new piles of random items. So the real challenge lies not just in clearing the clutter, but in preventing it from returning.

This is why I encourage my members of The Clarity Connection to purposefully fill the cleared space—not with clutter, but with simple, intentional decor that brings beauty and calm into the room.

CLEAR: Start by removing any unnecessary items from the area. Take them where they belong and if they don’t have a dedicated “home” create one.

PURPOSEFUL PLACEMENT: Once the space is clear, intentionally place items in the now-empty space that serve a purpose and enhance the room's aesthetic. For example:

Dining Table: Instead of housing a random pile of papers, delivered boxes, or projects, purposefully set the table with a tablecloth, napkins, a seasonal centerpiece, and even your best china and crystal. If this room is the first you see when entering your home what a difference this welcome will make! With this intentional setup, it becomes clear that the table's purpose is to bring people together, not to serve as a drop zone.
Kitchen Island: The same strategy works beautifully for kitchen islands, another notorious clutter magnet. When you’ve cleared your island, add a large lidded basket alongside a fruit bowl, fresh flowers, or a beautiful plant. Purposeful placement can make all the difference. The basket can be a dedicated space to contain any small items that might naturally end up on the island. Instead of random things sprawled all over, the basket can hold keys, mail, or sunglasses, keeping the area neat and easy to clear in a moment.
Coffee Table: Try adding a beautiful tray as the centerpiece; this not only anchors the look but also gives smaller items like remotes a designated home. Place a small stack of curated books or magazines that you genuinely enjoy. Consider adding a succulent plant, a candle, and a small decorative bowl for things like matches, keys, or coasters.
Side Tables: These often become catch-alls for unopened mail, keys, and other clutter, but transforming them into a display for framed family photos can make them purposeful and personal. Make the frame styles all the same color for cohesiveness and fill the void with smiles and memories. This setup shifts the table from a flop to a focus on fun and family.

MAINTAIN: If clutter starts to accumulate in these spots decide if it’s because those items don’t have a home or if the space is too empty. Perhaps more carefully curated items will prevent the pile-up. By putting thought into what fills these cleared areas, you’ll help ensure they STAY inviting and organized.

So, where do your piles tend to collect? And what beautiful, functional pieces could you replace them with? By intentionally filling your spaces with purpose, you can transform your home into a haven of peace and organization.

For more information, contact C. Lee Cawley.

FIVE Tangible Ways to Take Back Your Time by C. Lee Cawley, C. Lee Cawley

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 13:07:32 GMT

by C. Lee Cawley

National Take Back Your Time Day, celebrated on October 24th, encourages individuals to prioritize self-care, reduce stress, and reclaim control of their lives. In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the constant hustle and bustle, neglecting our own needs and well-being. This special day serves as a reminder to reflect, relax and recharge.

Why Taking Back Your Time Matters:

Reduces Stress: Chronic stress can have detrimental effects on our physical and mental health. By taking time for yourself, you can reduce stress levels and improve your overall well-being.
Enhances Productivity: When you're well-rested and relaxed, you're more likely to be productive and focused. Taking breaks and prioritizing self-care can improve your efficiency.

Boosts Creativity: Engaging in activities that you enjoy can spark creativity and inspire new ideas. This can help you tap into your inner resources and find inspiration.

Fosters Connection: Spending quality time on yourself allows you to connect with your inner thoughts and feelings. This in turn can create space for meaningful connections with others.

HOW to Take Back Your Time:

1. Set Boundaries:

Learn to say no: Don't overcommit yourself. It's okay to decline requests that will overwhelm you.
Establish clear boundaries: Communicate your availability and priorities to others. This will help manage expectations and prevent burnout.

2. Minimize Distractions:

Unplug: Turn off notifications, limit screen time, and create designated distraction-free zones in your home.
Prioritize tasks: Focus on one task at a time to avoid multitasking and improve efficiency.

3. Step Away:

Step away small: Take short breaks from your work or responsibilities to rest and recharge.
Step away large: Schedule time for activities you enjoy, such as going for a walk, reading, or practicing mindfulness.

4. Delegate and Outsource:

Don't be afraid to ask for help: Delegate tasks to others whenever possible. This can free up your time and reduce stress.
Consider outsourcing: For tasks that are time-consuming or outside your expertise, consider hiring a professional or outsourcing the work.

5. Practice Self-Care:

Prioritize sleep: Set an alarm to remind you when it is time to wind down and get to bed each evening
Stop comparing: Focus on your own journey and progress, rather than comparing yourself to the accomplishments of others.

National Take Back Your Time Day is a reminder that it's okay to slow down and prioritize yourself. By taking steps to reflect, relax, and recharge, you can improve your overall well-being and live a more fulfilling life. Remember, taking time for yourself is not selfish; it's essential for your health and happiness.

For more information, contact C. Lee Cawley.

Questions to Ask Estate Sale Companies Before You Hire One by Chris Lancette, Orion's Attic

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:56:04 GMT

by Chris Lancette

You may get burned by failing to ask for all the right details

Conducting an estate sale may work for some people in certain situations depending on their priorities for the estate liquidation and home cleanout project. But an estate sale isn’t often the right way to go for people who recognize that time is money. The same for people wise enough to recognize that the top priority is getting the house sold after a loved one dies or a downsizing move to a smaller home. If you ignore our best advice and insist on running an estate sale, you should at least arm yourself with the following questions to ask estate sale companies before you sign on the dotted line.

But let’s back up a step first.

Do a little homework and check out 13 reasons you should not opt for an estate sale. Then peruse how problems with estate sales can start the first time an estate sale company visits your home of the one you’re responsible for.

What is an estate sale?

An estate sale in general terms is a sale conducted at your home, often by a professional estate sale company. There are two main types of estate sales.

Sales conducted at your home attended by (hopefully) massive numbers of people who buy items with price tags on them. Prices are determined by the estate sale company hosting the sale. The companies may or may not consider lower offers, and may or may not discount prices as the sale drags on. These are sometimes called “tag sales.”
Estate auctions conducted online. An estate sale/estate liquidation company or auction house photographs and lists items in your home. Bidding starts at $1. Winners come to pick up their items on a given day and time.

We could go into more details but let’s not go further into the weeds here.

Here are the first three questions to ask estate sale companies before you hire one — fees and commissions.

You should ask any and all companies the same questions. Even us — in the rare cases we might agree to offer either kind of estate sale. (We’re far more likely to conduct an online estate auction for you. We’d rather stick forks in our eyeballs than run another old-fashioned sale with hoards of people bickering about items priced at $2.)

Will you provide a comprehensive written contract that stipulates all details of the sale you propose to conduct for me? This is a no-brainer. Say goodbye to any company that won’t provide thorough details in writing.
Which type of sale do you propose? Make sure you know if you’re looking at No. 1 or No. 2 above.
What is your commission? Commissions may range in the 30 to 50-percent range. The number depends on the type of sale and the value of the contents.
How much of the work will I have to do? Some estate sale and estate auction companies don’t do the set up work. They require you to organize the home’s contents so that they can come in, photograph and list the items, and leave. This requires you to do a lot of work, or hire a professional to do it for you.

Hidden estate sale an estate auction fees and staff size

Do you charge any kind of set-up fee? Some companies do. Others don’t. Ask if there other hidden fees such as photography fees, marketing fees or others. (We recently worked with one client after she used an online estate auction company that stipulated the company kept every dollar of the first $3,800 in sales.)
How many staff members will be working my sale? Many companies send very few — and they primarily sit at the front door collecting payments. The more staff, the better the service and the more the cash register rings. (Orion’s Attic heavily staffs our sales, enabling us to provide outstanding customer service.)
Will your staff remove bulky, heavy items from my home and deliver them to a buyer’s car or truck? Let a bunch of random people start yanking furniture around and your house will suffer damage. Orion’s Attic always provides the muscle to move objects out for buyers. This also made them more inclined to make the purchases.

Precautions and pricing philosophies.

What precautions will you take to prevent sleazy buyers from committing a range of dirty deeds? The Washington Post ran an article with unscrupulous resellers bragging about how they cheated estate sale companies and their clients. (Larger staff sizes like we use nips that garbage in the bud.)
What are your pricing philosophies and sales objectives? Dispatch any potential company with no clear answer. The unspoken truth there is often that many estate sale companies want to sell as much as they can with as little work as humanly possible. Orion’s Attic’s philosophy is that we price items at numbers that are fair to buyers, sellers and us. Our sales objective is very simple. We always to sell as many items as possible for fair prices and leave clients with as little as possible remaining in the home. And we’ll work our asses of to do it.

What happens after the sale.

Who is responsible for all unsold items remaining in the home after the sale? Some estate sale companies walk out the door the moment the sale ends and wishes you good luck. Others provide a cleanout service for a fee. Be sure to ask what those fees are. The cleanout fee can often be more profitable for the company than the sale itself. This is another reason companies may not do their best to get things sold.
What happens to the items that didn’t sell at my estate sale? Some estate sale companies may stipulate that they will take it all to charity. Others will throw it all away. (This is unconscionable to us. We are the green choice for your estate liquidation projects for a reason. We handled leftovers the same way we do our regular estate liquidation and home cleanout service. We take sellable items to auction for you, donations to charity on your behalf, and haul away the trash.) All additional revenues should go to you. It’s your stuff!

Contact us today! Orion’s Attic is a full-service estate liquidation, downsizing and home cleanout company based in Silver Spring, Maryland. We also buy antiques and collectibles. We serve Montgomery County (Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Olney, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, Wheaton, Takoma Park, etc.), Baltimore County, Frederick County, Howard County, Prince George’s County, and the greater metro Washington D.C., Maryland, Northern Virginia) area.

Learn more about liquidating estates in our Estate Liquidation and Downsizing Guide.

Learn more about selling all kinds of collectibles in Sell Us Your Stuff.

For more information, contact Chris Lancette.

Inspiring Design by Samara Goodman, Samara Interiors

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 11:33:05 GMT

by Samara Goodman

Interior design inspiration can be found anywhere - including woven into clothing design! I recently visited both the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Exhibit, "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" and The Washington Design Center's Fall Market. Both were inspiring examples of the artistic genius of so many designers, reminding me of the crossover between interior design and fashion, both old and new. Below, I explore and share some of the incredible details I observed, as well as ideas for how to incorporate them into interior design.

OMBRE
These scalloped dresses are both dramatic in how one uses tulle and the other uses jewels to create their ombre effect. The STARK x Missoni rug is the ultimate in ombre. Please notice the multiple layers of ombre stripes, how gorgeous! The color palette of each just adds to their beauty.

BUCKLES
We have rarely used buckles in our interior design projects outside of equestrian spaces. In the future, we will definitely consider incorporating this fun detail in new ways. Be sure to look closely at these dresses for the extraordinary bejeweled insects.

BLACK & WHITE
Does anyone get tired of this timeless, high-contrast combination? I don't! The antique fashion and contemporary furnishings pictured below are all stunning examples of how this classic color pairing is even further elevated by the use of luxurious texture and textiles. For more black and white interior design inspiration, please see this Historic Home article in Arlington Magazine where Samara Interiors is featured.

EMBELLESHMENT
For the maximalists reading this newsletter, we could not leave out these intricate nature inspired designs. Use of embroidery, beading, and appliqués are tried and true ways to add layers of detail to interiors and fashion. These embellished decor details can be easily incorporated into your home with accent pillows and window trim.

For more information, contact Samara Goodman.

7 Ways Clutter Affects Your Health by Janet Schiesl, Basic Organization

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 11:24:56 GMT

by Janet Schiesl

4. Poor Air Quality and Environment

Did you know that your home’s clutter could affect your health?

1. Increased Stress

Your messy rooms contribute to higher levels of stress in your body. The abundance of visual stimuli signals that you still have work to do, which can lead to guilt, anxiety, and frustration. You may see this stress as physical symptoms like asthma or emphysema. Maybe you’ve experienced increased blood pressure, heartburn, acid reflux, headaches, and body aches. You can create a serene space that will support better health by decluttering.

2. Decreased Focus

A cluttered environment limits your ability to focus. It’s similar to being overwhelmed by different noises all at once. Do you concentrate better in public spaces like libraries, conference rooms, or coffee shops? It’s probably because there are fewer distractions than at home. You can create a serene space that will support better health by decluttering.

3. Overeating

Did you know that a cluttered kitchen could be one cause of your overeating? Studies show that a messy kitchen influences poor snacking behaviors. Everyone is affected by what’s in their home, so a cluttered environment can negatively influence your habits and behavior, leading to overeating. You can create a serene space that will support better health by decluttering.

Clutter increases your risk of asthma and allergies. It’s hard to clean round piles of clutter, meaning you spend longs doing housework. Decluttering can also prevent pests and reduce dust, mold, and mildew. You can create a serene space that will support better health by decluttering.

5. Impaired Learning

Children in decluttered classrooms perform better on tests than children in disorganized classrooms. The same is true for your home. You can create a serene space that will support better health by decluttering.

6. Less Restful Sleep .

If your bedroom is cluttered, you may need help falling and staying asleep and experience more sleep disturbances throughout the night. Decluttering can create a serene space that will support better health.

7. Lower Self-Esteem

Clutter often leads to negative self-talk, which damages psychological well-being. When you declutter, you take positive action to make a favorable change in your home.

If you’d like to learn how we can help, give us a call. 571-265-1303.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

FIVE ways to Save and Have Stress-Free Holidays! by C. Lee Cawley, C. Lee Cawley

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 11:13:55 GMT

by C. Lee Cawley

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, the hustle and bustle and COSTS of the season can quickly become overwhelming if you're not prepared. By planning ahead and budgeting wisely, you can ensure a stress-free and enjoyable holiday experience.

Gift Giving: Planning and Budgeting

Create a Gift List: Start by making a list of everyone you plan to give gifts to. Consider the cost per person and their wish lists
Set a Budget: Determine how much you want to spend on gifts overall. This will help you avoid overspending and stay within your budget.
Consider Alternatives: Explore alternative gift ideas that don't involve spending money, such as homemade gifts, sharing experiences, shopping secondhand or making charitable donations.

Entertaining: Planning Parties and Gatherings

Decide on a Theme: Choose a theme for your holiday parties or gatherings to create a festive atmosphere.
Make a Guest List: Invite guests well in advance to give them ample time to respond.
Delegate Tasks: Divide responsibilities among family and friends to make planning and hosting easier.
Plan the Menu: Create a menu that caters to different dietary needs and preferences. Consider potlucks or buying ready-made to save costs and effort.

Travel Planning:

Book Early: If you plan to travel for the holidays, book flights, accommodations, and transportation well in advance to secure the best deals.
Pack Smart: Make a packing list and pack efficiently to avoid forgotten essentials and baggage fees.
Ship Gifts to Your Destination: Save lugging them there but address them to a pet (ex: “Fido Jones”) so that people know to leave YOU to open the packages!
Consider Alternatives: Explore possible options, such as celebrating on different days or celebrating virtually to save time and money.

Food and Beverage Planning:

Make a Grocery List: Plan your special and everyday meals and snacks in advance to avoid last-minute shopping trips.
Consider Bulk Purchases: Buy non-perishable items in bulk to save money if you have room to store them and will eat them.
Don't Forget Beverages: Plan for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to cater to all guests.

Other Costs to Consider:

Holiday Cards: Purchase or create holiday cards & stamps, and address them well in advance.
Traditions & Events: Reconsider traditions, does everyone really still enjoy "The Nutcracker outing? If so grab tickets early, if not stay home or replace with a drive to see light displays.
Decorations: Set a budget for new holiday décor or tableware and consider reusing decorations from previous years.
Charitable Donations: Budget for charitable donations if you want to give back during the holiday season.
Tips to Service Providers: Don’t forget to thank your hairdresser, lawn service, babysitter, cleaning staff, etc…

By following these tips and planning ahead using these planning pages, you can alleviate stress and enjoy a more joyful holiday season. Remember, the most important thing is to spend quality time with loved ones and create lasting memories.

For more information, contact C. Lee Cawley.

What Should You Do With Old Photo Albums? by Heather Nickerson, Artifcts

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 14:43:16 GMT

by Heather Nickerson

Dusty albums. Bulky albums. What do we do with you? We want to lighten our loads and declutter without guilt.

Who among us compiles physical photo albums anymore? "Back in the day” a store like Target would have had a huge photo department. You could purchase and process film and buy photo frames and albums, along with supplemental inserts in a dizzying array of designs and sizes.

No, not so anymore.

As we’ve shifted to digital photos, we’ve likewise replaced physical albums with digital-friendly options, including build-your-own photo books, shared digital albums on social media and cloud storage sites, and digital photo frames, like the beautiful frames from Aura. Physical photo albums today are usually reserved for major milestone events, like weddings, trips, and anniversaries, when we feel it’s worthwhile to sit down and thoughtfully curate those experiences.

Those of us with photo albums tucked in our closets and bookshelves, those that we have created and inherited, not to mention the albums our parents and grandparents own and we’ll inherit one day, need solutions. What do we do with all the existing albums, so they avoid landing in a craft shop or, worse, a dumpster when the details about the people and stories within are lost to time?

Photo Albums Have Problematic Similarities to Scrapbooks

Like scrapbooks, photo albums are designed to be shared, in person, and talked through, reminiscing about and reliving with the telling the places you’ve been, the experiences you have had, and more. Unfortunately, also like scrapbooks, photo albums present long-term challenges:

Do you know the stories behind the photos? (We have tips for that!) Will you remember them? Scrapbooks tend to at least provide more leeway to add notes and stories than photo albums. Stories behind the photos are incredibly vulnerable to being forgotten. We can animate photos in creepy ways, but they cannot remember for us the stories lost. Look back through your albums. Do you recall all the people and events in a way that’s meaningful anymore?
Albums, the pages within, and the photos will deteriorate. Little known fact outside the photo industry: Those photo prints you ordered in single and even triplicate were never meant to last more than a dozen years, and that's for the highest quality pritns! That’s why the colors change as the chemicals used to create the images degrade and the paper eventually becomes more fragile, too.
Your album is singular and unique, unless you have access to the negatives. But even then, those are decaying with every passing day as well, so ...
Albums can be bulky. Do you have room to continue to store them? What about those you may inherit? They are substantial in size and often uncooperative with short shelves and shallow storage. In the words of one Arti Community member, "I’m in my 40s and my albums are still at my parents’ house. I didn't feel the need to take them with me, but, yes, someday I’ll hold onto them. I don’t want to throw them away."

How Can You Preserve Photo Albums?

And maybe even let some photo albums go ...

Share the love. At the risk of making a lot of people very angry, we have to say it: You are not beholden to anyone to hold onto your own albums or anyone else's albums. Ask! Do YOU want them?

Don’t fall for the guilt trip you are getting or think you’ll get. Ideally, you should consider yourself a steward of the history within those albums and as such, ask family members if they want the albums before you take them apart or get rid of them. It’s the kind thing to do. But beyond that, ...

... Digitization has never been easier or more affordable. We have shared tips about digitization in general. You can buy machines to do it yourself, but there’s a catch. We turned to Cathi Nelson, founder and CEO of The Photo Managers, to explain:

"Many people created scrapbook photo albums during the decades of scrapbooking and those albums are often 12x12, which is too big for traditional flatbed scanners. You can outsource this project to a professional photo manager whose scans allow them to capture the entire page and individual photos.

If that is not in your budget, and you have a flatbed scanner, such as the Epson v600, scan each page and use photo stitching software to magically merge the pages.

Another option is to carefullly remove the photos and scan them (front and back). If they are stuck to the pages, you can use a butter knife or dental floss to gently remove the photos."

We want to also celebrate the amazing ease with which apps from modern photo companies like Photomyne and VividPix —with scanners at local museums, libraries, and historical societies that can scan whole album pages up to 11.8" x 17″—can slice up each photo on the page into its own file photo or image file. No need to take the pages apart or tediously scan them one by one. This is great for do-it-yourselfers!

Digitization Wisdom

Before you and as you digitize, keep three things in mind:

Photo layouts may be a part of the story. Some albums may be chronological or thematic. Others are designed for people to arrange photos in a way that may inherently help them to share stories, too. Take this example:

Had I scanned each photo and then disassembled the photo album, I would have disconnected these photos from the story of that day as captured in the Artifct, zapping their collective ability to convey a piece of my childhood. Instead, I could photograph or video the album before dismantling, if that’s what I decide to do with the album.

Capture ALL the details. You scanned the fronts to get the job done quickly, but did you even look at the backs? Now that you have, how will you preserve the additional details on the back with the photo? In a good-better-best plan, this could be:

- Create an index as you go for your photos with the file name and other details you care about (location, people, event, ...) or edit the photo metadata (e.g. date, location, and other information stored with the image file) with the additional information;
- Transform the album into a photo book and add the information in the image captions;
- Artifct the photos and include what you know about them. Check out our interrogation techniques for photos.

Share the stories behind the photos. CONNECT with your loved ones. Don’t be annoying and share 100s of photos from a single trip. Tell them the “best of” or most meaningful moments. Artifct the best ones! Artifcts are easy to share, helping you get the story out there so it can live on. You might also share the Artifct with a friend who is going on a trip to the same place you went and want your tips! You can also easily share an Artifct to a friend’s or family member’s digital photo frame. Ask them how.

If you are taking the time to create photo albums, maybe take time to create an additional Artifct or two to go with each album, even if the Artifct is of the album itself, and is your story of why you created it, what it means to you, etc. Bonus, you can include audio and video and bring your photo album to life for the next generation.

Six Single-Choice Simplification Strategies

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 15:28:42 GMT

by C. Lee Cawley

In a world of endless choices, we often get bogged down by decision fatigue. From the moment we wake up, we’re faced with countless small choices—what to wear, what to use, what to buy. These seemingly minor decisions can add up and cause stress. One easy solution? Simplify by Single-choice!

This doesn’t mean stripping your life of variety, but rather reducing the number of repetitive decisions you make every day. Let me show you how this works in a few areas of my life:

1. One Type of Sock

My husband used to have a drawer full of mismatched socks, wasting time every morning trying to find a matching pair. Now, he has just two styles:

White sports socks for casual wear and workouts.
Black dress socks for formal or professional outfits.

This change makes his day smoother. And when one sock develops a hole it does not negate the whole pair!

2. One Scent for All Soap Dispensers

Every bathroom and kitchen sink in my home used to have a different style and smell of hand soap. But now, I buy one large container of my favorite lavender scented soap and refill all the dispensers in the house.

Shopping for soap is a no-brainer, and I enjoy the cohesive, fresh smell throughout the house. Plus, it’s eco-friendly—fewer plastic bottles and less waste.

3. One Style of T-Shirt for Casual Wear

A client I know simplifies her days by buying one style of t-shirt that is the perfect weight, texture and fit! She buys it in multiple colors and it feels and looks great at all times. Whether she’s running errands or relaxing at home, she knows exactly what she’ll wear each day without giving it a second thought.

This doesn’t mean her wardrobe is boring; it’s streamlined. Having a go-to casual outfit makes getting dressed quick and stress-free.

4. One Type of Towel

Instead of having a mix of different towels in various sizes and colors, simplify by choosing one style and color of bath towel and matching hand towel for the entire household. This creates a uniform, clean look in your bathrooms and makes laundry much easier.

5. One Color of Serveware

Instead of a blend of colorful plates, bowls, trays, and serving dishes, I decided to stick to all-white serveware. It makes my everyday or holiday table look elegant, everything matches and all the food looks appetizing on white.

6. One Type of Pen

Choose one reliable pen with the point size and ink color you love for all your writing needs. Whether for work, journaling, or jotting notes, having a consistent go-to pen eliminates the distraction of multiple types lying around and not being “quite right”.

Why Single-Choice Simplification Works

When you choose just one of something, you reduce unnecessary decisions, free up time, and declutter your life. This practice also makes your environment more harmonious and your shopping more intentional. Plus, it can help reduce waste and promote sustainability by focusing on bulk buying or refillable items.

Start Small

You don’t have to overhaul your entire life to feel the benefits. Start with one area, like socks, soap, or t-shirts, and see how much easier life feels.

Choosing just one may be the simplest way to create more space for what really matters in life.

For more information, contact C. Lee Cawley.

Hit the UNSUBSCRIBE Button

Sat, 21 Sep 2024 13:25:34 GMT

by Kruti Naik

We Organize

The fastest way to inbox clutter and overwhelm your email inbox are those daily, weekly, and monthly emails that you either ignore or delete without reading when they land in your inbox. Let me tell you—the simple act of unsubscribing from unwanted emails (even if you unsubscribe from just one email a day) will do wonders in keeping your inbox uncluttered and under control. Trust me, over time you will see a big change. You may not realize it, but it makes a huge difference when you have 15 relevant emails in the inbox vs.30 emails in your inbox, half of which are irrelevant.

The Brain’s Reaction to Email Overwhelm

Studies show that email overload can have significant effects on the brain and overall mental well-being:

1. Cognitive Overload:

Information Processing: Your brain can become overwhelmed by the sheer volume of emails, especially when many are irrelevant. This overload requires additional cognitive resources to filter and process the information, leading to decreased efficiency and mental fatigue.

2. Increased Stress Levels:

Stress Response: Constant exposure to a cluttered inbox activates the brain’s stress response, leading to higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Elevated cortisol can negatively impact mood, cognitive function, and overall health.

3. Decision Fatigue:

Frequent Choices: Regular decision-making on whether to read, delete, or sort emails contributes to decision fatigue. This mental exhaustion can reduce your ability to make effective decisions in other areas of your life.

4. Decreased Productivity:

Distraction: A cluttered inbox can lead to frequent distractions, interrupting your workflow and reducing productivity. The constant need to manage and sift through emails can fragment your focus and hinder task completion.

5. Emotional Impact:

Frustration and Anxiety: The sight of an overflowing inbox can evoke frustration and anxiety, particularly if you feel overwhelmed by the volume of messages. This emotional strain can affect your overall well-being and job satisfaction.

Practical Tips for Managing Inbox Clutter

1. Unsubscribe Regularly:

Daily Habit: Make it a habit to unsubscribe from at least one unwanted email every day. Over time, this will significantly reduce the clutter in your inbox and help manage the volume of incoming messages.

2. Use Email Filters:

Automate Organization: Set up filters and labels to automatically categorize and sort incoming emails. This helps keep your main inbox focused on essential communications.

3. Create Email Rules:

Organizational Rules: Establish rules for automatically moving certain types of emails to designated folders. For example, newsletters can be routed to a "Read Later" folder, keeping your main inbox clear.

Schedule Regular Cleanups: Routine Management: Allocate specific times to review and clean up your inbox. Regular maintenance helps prevent email overload and keeps your inbox manageable.

Prioritize Important Emails: Focus on Relevance: Use tools and techniques to prioritize important emails, ensuring you address critical communications promptly while minimizing distractions from less relevant messages.

Final Thoughts

By hitting the unsubscribe button and actively managing your inbox, you can significantly reduce email clutter and its negative impact on your brain and well-being. This simple yet effective action helps lower cognitive overload, stress, and decision fatigue, ultimately leading to a more organized and less stressful email experience. Over time, the benefits of a cleaner inbox will become evident, enhancing your productivity, focus, and overall mental clarity.

For more information, contact Kruti Naik.

The 5 Stages of Change: Your Key to Unlocking Success In Organizing & Beyond

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 12:56:18 GMT

by Jill Katz

Elements of Fun Organizing

The Story

Have you every wondered why you are not making progress with your organizing goals or other goals in your life? I used to think about this all the time as it related to my clients.

Working with a client, sometimes we make great progress, other times...not so much. During times of stagnancy, I found myself confused and discouraged because I couldn't pinpoint what was standing in my client's way. After all, this person had reached out to me for help and I had the tools to get them there. So what was the problem?

Then one day, I was introduced to the 5 stages of change and I knew this was the answer. Understanding these stages is the key to understanding our process toward changing our behavior so we can reach our goals.

The 5 Stages of Change

The 5 stages of Change Model was developed by James Prochaska and Carlo DiClemente in 1983 and has been used as a framework to act in order to change a behavior. The 5 stages are:

Precontemplation: Not yet acknowledging that there is a problem behavior that needs to be changed

Precontemplation is the "pre work" happening in our brain before we even understand what we want. If you try to convince someone to change at this stage, they will most likely defend their current behavior. Sometimes, I will receive a call from a concerned family member asking me to help their loved one with clutter. I respond that I am happy to reach out but, ultimately, the person needs to want that help in order to make progress. We all have thoughts that need to marinate until we are ready to make sense of them. We can't take action on ideas that we are not yet ready to acknowledge.

Contemplation: Acknowledging that there is a problem but not yet ready, wavering

Contemplation is the stage when I first hear directly from a client. In a previous post, I mentioned that sometimes I speak with people who reach out to me and say they would like to declutter but, In the end, they decide they are not ready. During contemplation we are grappling with information and emotions and the outcome of this stage will decide whether or not we move forward to the next stage.

Preparation/Determination: Getting ready to change

When a client reaches out to me during the Preparation phase, his or her convictions are strong and goals are clear. I hear sentences such as "My clutter is preventing me from being functional and I want to do something about that." In this stage, we are gathering more research, which serves to ground our thinking and makes it more likely that we will jump into the next phase.

Action/Willpower: Changing behavior

This stage is where most of the external visible work happens. Ironically, it is the shortest phase. This means that most of our work is invisible and internal. But it all comes together during the action phase where we can be seen working toward our goal. This stage is where I am having sessions with my clients and providing accountability and strategies to help them move forward. All is good (usually... more on that shortly)

Maintenance: Maintaining the behavior

This final stage involves keeping on track after achieving your goals. In maintenance, we have periodic check-ins with ourselves reminding us why we have have changed. To maintain a decluttered space, I provide my client with strategies that will help them create routines. Hopefully, these habits can carry them through in times of struggle. We also talk about how to reset, so when a space or system falls apart, they can recover.

Obstacles To Progress - The 5 Stages of Change in Play

Once I had a familiarity with the 5 Stages of Change, I was able to pinpoint why I wasn't seeing progress with some of my clients. Maybe some of these situations will resonate with you and why you haven't seen the results that you would like.

Scenario #1: The Preparation Phase is Cut Short

In this scenario, my client has conducted enough research to hire me but is still missing a strong foundation for change. So when we start working together, they are not motivated to do the work. Going over client values or even having clients take some time to reevaluate their priorities has proven helpful in this stage.

Scenario #2: Help with Willpower & Discipline

In this case, my client has done the prep work but needs more support with willpower. Hiring an organizer can help, but additional support from family and friends, along with building good habits, is essential. Those with executive functioning issues might need more time establishing and practicing new routines.

Scenario #3: Relapse

In this last iteration, my client will be making the most strides and then suddenly have a setback. Here, I have found that the best move is to evaluate their coping strategies while making sure they show themselves plenty of grace and self-compassion. I try to model this compassion for them. If they can get past this phase, they can reset and often rebuild, creating an even better, more organized and productive life.

In Conclusion

Understanding the 5 Stages of Change has been transformative in understanding myself and my clients. It has shifted the way I approach organizing and helping others, giving me the insight needed to identify where each person is in their journey and how best to support them. Most importantly, understanding that most change occurs internally allows me to give myself and my clients the space to do the invisible work. Whether you are struggling to start, feeling stuck, or facing setbacks, recognizing where you are in the process can be the key to unlocking progress.

Have you experienced a stall or setback with your own or with your client's progress? Does this fit into the framework of the 5 Stages of Change? Send me a comment and share!

For more information, contact Jill Katz.

Organizing for Your Pets

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 20:35:27 GMT

by Ginger Willis

Pets may rule our hearts, but they do tend to bring a bit of chaos to the household! One of the best ways to return that love (and preserve your home) is to include them in your organizational strategy. This will help you better meet their needs without sacrificing your own quality of life. As it turns out, animals thrive on structure, much like human children. So, a functional system can play an important role in keeping them happy and healthy. I’ve put together the following guide to help you “manage the farm,” no matter what kind of pets may be roaming your house.

Avoiding Animal Take-Over

Sometimes all it takes is just one animal (or one disorganized pet parent) to make your home feel out of control. Creating the right space for your pets, keeping track of their food and supplies, and setting reminders for yourself can help restore order.

Set Up a Pet Station – Having a central location for all your pet-related stuff makes things more convenient and helps you keep track of what you have on hand. You don’t want to cross the room every time you need to fill a bowl or get the leash! You can set up a pet station wherever it makes the most sense for accessibility. Any closet, cabinet, drawer, bench, basket, or small cart will do.

Depending on how your home is set up, you may need more than one location to keep everything neatly tucked away. You may want a separate feeding station, walking station, and toy station.

Keep Items Close to Where You Use Them – Transparent storage bins are a great way to keep everything contained within the space. You can even pop a descriptive label onto each one.

Store Extra Inventory in One Place – Extra food and supplies that aren’t accessed daily may be stored in another dedicated space. But keep them together!

Have a Container for Toys – Baskets are a simple way to corral pet toys, and they can be matched to the aesthetics of your home.

*Storing dry food in an airtight container rather than the bag it came in can be a game-changer! The area will stay cleaner, food will stay fresher, and it will keep both insects and pets from helping themselves to a snack. Plus, you can easily label them with the pet’s name and the amount they get so you are pet-sitter-ready!

Set Up a Pet Area – Not every home has the space for it, but if you do, a dedicated pet area is a nice way to honor your pet and preserve your home. It can not only provide them a kingdom to call their own, but it helps keep everything pet-related contained…to a point.

Conduct an Audit - Regularly audit and edit toys, supplies, medication, etc. to make sure they are in good condition, loved and enjoyed, clean, in date, etc.

Set Limits – It can be tempting to bring more and more pets into your home, but consider your space carefully before you make that commitment. Do you have space for a massive rabbit cage in the living room? If not, and you really want that rabbit, plan and organize the space first. It may require some editing. Your other pets, your family, and the rabbit will thank you for it…even if you ultimately decide NOT to bring the rabbit home.

Stick to a Cleaning Schedule – Okay, I know. Where’s the fun in a cleaning schedule, right? The goal is to make things easier by tackling the mess before it gets out of hand. Animal fur, paw prints, nose prints, drool, tracked litter, well-loved toys, messy eating areas, and “aromatic” sleeping areas can add up to a lot of yuck. So, it’s helpful to stay ahead of the game! If you wait until it’s overpowering…well, you know.

Giving Your Pets a Solid Routine

Life tends to revolve around the combined schedules of your household members. But pets are people too, right? So, it’s important to create a routine so they know what to expect each day.

Feeding – Not only do your animals know what time it is, but they like to know what’s for dinner! So, being consistent with when, what, and how much you feed your animals is very beneficial to them. And you definitely don't want to run out of food and treats. Consider using auto-ship once you know how frequently you need to restock.

Potty Breaks – The more consistent you are with feeding, the more consistent your animals will be with the need for potty breaks. This not only helps them physically and emotionally, but it helps you plan around their “necessity” schedule and hopefully reduce accidents in your house.

Grooming – If your pet needs regular grooming, nail trims, etc., it’s helpful to set up a schedule with reminders…even if you do it yourself.

Annual Checkups – Keep your pets healthy by taking them to the vet annually for their checkups. It makes things easier if you schedule the appointment and put it in your calendar far ahead of when their vaccines and tests are due.

Medicine – If your pet requires meds, be sure to put the refills on your calendar, set reminders on your phone, or “set it and forget it” with auto-ship.

Prepping for the Pet Sitter

Sadly, we can’t take our pets with us everywhere, so at some point you may need a pet sitter. Whether that person is a friend, family, or a professional you hire, a set of instructions can be incredibly helpful. If you already have everything documented, you won’t find yourself stressed at the last minute trying to remember and relay those details.

Create a Pet Care Guide – You don’t have to write a book, but documenting critical information will make your sitter’s job a lot easier. It can also help you relax, knowing that you’ve given them everything they need to properly care for your fur babies. Here are some things you might include depending on what kind of pet you have.

Feeding Schedule

What do they eat, how much, and at what time? Do bowls need to be separated if you have multiple pets? Any special diets?

Play and Exercise Needs

How often, where, and how far do they walk? How do they like to be entertained? Where are the toys? Which toy is their favorite?

Human/Animal Friendliness

Do they get along with other animals and people, and are you okay with them interacting?

Behavior

Is there anything else important to know about their behavior?

Safety

Do certain doors need to be left open or closed to prevent an animal from getting trapped or escaping? Do you use a crate at certain times of the day? How do you transport your pet to the vet? Is your pet allergic to anything?

Potty Break Schedule

How long can they go between visits? Do you have certain cleaning supplies in case of accidents or wet/muddy weather? Does your neighborhood have any designated or restricted areas for pets?

Treats

When should they get a treat and how many are appropriate?

Location of Supplies

Where are food, treats, bowls, leashes, poop/litter bags, towels (in case it rains), sweaters (if they need to be dressed for the weather), and cleaning supplies located? This one is a lot easier if you’ve set up a pet station!

Medicine

Do they require medicine, how much, how often, and how is it given? A daily pill organizer can be helpful in some situations.

Commands

What commands do they respond to? Are they in training and receive rewards for certain behaviors?

Identification

Which animal is which if you have multiples? This is especially important if one needs medication or if there is anything to report back to you.

Trash/Recycling

Where do you dispose of poop/litter bags or empty food cans? Do you recycle?

Vet information

What’s the name, address, and phone number of your vet?

Contact Info

What’s the contact information for you and a local backup person?

Updates

How frequently would you like updates?

Availability

Will you be available for questions, be in another time zone, have phone service, etc.?*This one is trip-specific and will need to be updated.

Need to Create a Pet Organization System?

If you don’t already have a system that keeps your pets and their “stuff” organized, we can help! Our team of professional organizers absolutely loves working with pet parents. Whether you want us to step in and tackle the project for you or you just need a little virtual guidance, we’ve got you!

For more information, contact Ginger Willis.

5 Steps to Protecting a Collection

Sun, 15 Sep 2024 16:21:40 GMT

by Janet Schiesl

We all have a collection (or two). Even me!

From my perspective, it’s NOT OK to collect, for the sake of just having things. But it’s OK to have a collection. What’s the difference, you ask? In my mind, a collection is a group of items you gather together and take care of and it’s things you love. To collect is to keep things without meaning or usefulness.

A collection is a select number of any one type of item that you take pleasure in owning. 61% of us accumulate items of a similar nature (coins, toys, trading cards, jewelry) according to a 2022 survey by Magnify Money by Lending Tree. Being a responsible collector means taking care of your collection, especially if you want it to retain value over time.

Here are 5 things you need to do to take care of a collection:

Organize

A detailed inventory is a good tool when you need to assess the value of your collection. Whether you create a spreadsheet of information or use a service or app, it should include a description of each item, with measurements and flaws, and note where you purchased it and what you paid. Some inventory applications that you may want to check out are Artifcts, HomeZada, Sortly, or Pinventory. to name a few. There are many of them out there, so do some research to find the right one for you.

Accurately Value

You should know the general worth of your collection. An easy way to do this is to search for recently completed transactions on eBay for the same or similar items. If you want to work with a professional, find an appraiser through the Appraisers Association of America or the American Society of Appraisers. Expect to pay a flat or hourly fee to work with an appraiser.

A few things to note

Know the difference between an appraisal for fair market value or replacement value.
You may want to get items graded, which means evaluating the condition each item is in.

Proper Storage

Where you store your collection is important. Look for a cool, dry, and dark place. But, your basement may not be the best storage option. The humidity in some basements may cause mold or mildew, so run a dehumidifier to protect your items from damage. Even if you want to display your collection it’s important to preserve their value when displayed. There is a great book called Saving Stuff, written by Don Williams, a Smithsonian Senior Conservator that covers how to preserve a wide variety of collections.

You should also store receipts and the original packaging, since these may make your items more valuable. so consider how much space you will allot for storage when starting a collection.

Keep Clean

Be very careful with how you clean your collection. Again, a little research may go a long way to not making a mistake with cleaning products that could degrade your items. Even refinishing and repairing an item could lessen its value if you want to sell it in the future. Now, if you want to use the item, then go ahead and make it functional. I say enjoy those things that you love and make more memories around them.

Plan for the Future

Who will inherit your collection in the future? If one of your children loves the same kind of collecting you do and wants your collection, then count yourself lucky. Most of the younger generation isn’t interested in the same things. either way, your heirs will benefit from all the information you have gathered about your items. Make sure you note in your estate plan which person should be gifted your collection. Write down why it’s important to you, what they might do with it, and where/how they might liquidate the collection.

What Not To Do

Don’t stress over the value of your collection. The going price of anything fluctuates with time, so it can be unpredictable. My advice to you is, if you think your collection is valuable and you are saving it for your kids, take the time to sell it now. Don’t leave that project to someone else.

Bottom Line

Care for items while they are in your possession, but if they no longer bring you joy then sell, gift, or donate and let someone enjoy it.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Why do I recommend Professional Organizers to Downsizers?

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 12:56:35 GMT

by Anna Novak

Simply Downsized

In my experience as a Washington, DC-based downsizing specialist, I’m frequently tasked with planning, arranging and overseeing a wide range of services that may be needed to complete a major home transition. I almost always bring on Professional Organizers to support my clients with projects that are too large or too specialized for my clients to manage on their own.

When you think about it, a major downsizing move is the Granddaddy of all organizing projects! Sorting, selecting, organizing; these tasks are among the most challenging and overwhelming aspects of a move, especially when the client has lived in their home for decades.

Washington-DC area downsizers are fortunate to have so many wonderful options and specialties represented in our local cadre of Professional Organizers. Over the past six years, I have called on them for a wide variety of skills and support, including:

Photo Organizing and Document Scanning: Helping clients organize and scan their photos and important documents before their move.

Family History Preservation: Preserving family history by organizing and safeguarding heirlooms, documents, and memorabilia.

Wardrobe Downsizing: Helping clients sort through their wardrobe and choose the best options for fit, function and their future lifestyles.

Hobby Area Organization: My clients love their hobbies! Organizing and sorting supplies helps them continue to enjoy their favorite activities in their new, smaller space.

Furniture Selection: Measuring furniture and evaluating which pieces will fit into the new space and have the most value for my clients after they move.

Kitchen Organization: I love cooking and kitchens, but they are a big job to organize, pack and unpack. Organizers help my clients both before and after their move, ensuring everything is functional and accessible.

Cataloging Items for Auction: My clients sometimes choose to catalog and sell their items online or at a local auction house. An organizer can help with the task of creating accurate descriptions and tracking the details of auction items.

Home Decluttering for Market: Sometimes, a home sale can complicate an already busy and overwhelming time. Professional Organizers can make a tremendous impact when it’s time to declutter a home for market.

Move-Day Assistance: Helping with move-ins, including setting up essential areas like the bathroom and bedroom for the first night in a new place.

Unpacking After a Move: Another significant benefit of Professional Organizing is assistance with unpacking and setting up belongings when older adults move into a senior community or smaller residence. Unpacked moving boxes and packaging materials can easily overwhelm a small apartment, making the task of settling in seem impossible.

Storage Unit Clearing: Many of my downsizing projects include addressing items that have been in storage, either onsite or offsite. Organizers can complete this type of sorting quickly and efficiently, saving my clients a lot of money and effort dealing with things they no longer use.

There are countless scenarios where a homeowner could benefit from the services of a Professional Organizer, whether they are downsizing or not. I’m thrilled to have the resources of my local NAPO-WDC chapter for all of the variety and expertise they bring to projects small and large.

For more information, contact Anna Novak.

Creating Simple Passwords

Thu, 15 Aug 2024 12:08:35 GMT

by Janet Schiesl

Never forget your passwords again! Wouldn’t that be great? With this simple formula, you can do it.

It’s so simple, so secure, and easy to remember.

Follow the steps below for a simple way to create passwords for you and your family.

The first thing you want to do to create a secure password is to make up a sentence that you can easily remember. How about this:

We like to read paper books at night.

Secondly, take the first letter of each word in the sentence to start your password. (In this example I replaced the word to with the number 2 and the word at with @ sign.)

We like to(2) read paper books at(@) night.

It looks like this:

W l 2 r p b @ n

Thirdly, think of the websites you’d like to use. Let’s try Amazon. Use the first three letters of Amazon’s name.

Your password would look like this:

Wl2rpb@nAMA

You have now created a password specifically for Amazon’s website. So simple and so easy!

You can easily create a different password for each website you visit, making them easier to remember. Isn’t this a simple way of creating your passwords? Try it out!

Here’s another tip:

If you need to change your password you can do so easily by using the same sentence and placing the three letters from the website in front of your created password. Or you can change your sentence. The choice is yours, and again it should be easy to remember.

Enjoy this quick tip on how to create a secure password from Basic Organization.com.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Shifting from being a “Perfectionist” to an aspiring "Good-enough-ist"

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 12:43:25 GMT

by Kruti Naik

We Organize

Overcoming the paralysis that comes from striving for perfection involves recognizing that starting and making progress are more important than having everything perfectly aligned. By adopting these strategies, you can build momentum and develop a more productive approach to achieving your goals. Remember, the journey is often as valuable as the destination, and taking the first step is the key to making meaningful progress.

Here are a few tips for Embracing Imperfection and Taking Action!

Shift Your Focus to Action:

Action Over Perfection: Recognize that taking action, even imperfectly, is often more beneficial than waiting for everything to be ideal. Focus on making progress rather than achieving perfection. Taking small steps can build momentum and make the process feel less overwhelming.

Focus on Progress, Not Perfection:

Iterative Improvement: Recognize that progress often involves learning and adapting along the way. Every step, no matter how small, is a step forward.

Set Clear, Achievable Goals:

Break Down Tasks: Divide larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes the process less overwhelming and helps you focus on taking one step at a time.
Use SMART Goals: Set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals to provide structure and clarity.

Adopt a “Minimum Viable Product” (MVP) Approach:

Start Small: Begin with a basic version of your project or idea. The MVP approach allows you to test your concept and make improvements based on feedback without needing everything to be perfect from the start.

Develop a “Good Enough” Mindset:

Accept Imperfection: Embrace Brene Brown’s concept of being an “aspiring good enough-ist.” This mindset acknowledges that while perfection is unattainable, doing your best with what you have is valuable.

Create a “Starting Ritual”:

Establish a Routine: Develop a routine or ritual that signals the beginning of a task or project. This can help you overcome inertia and create a sense of commitment.

Practice Decision-Making:

Make Quick Decisions: Challenge yourself to make decisions more quickly to build confidence and reduce hesitation. Practice evaluating options and choosing the best course of action without getting bogged down by details.

Use Time Limits:

Set Deadlines & Time Constraints: Allocate specific time periods to work on tasks or decisions. Time constraints can help prevent overthinking and force you to take action within a defined time frame.

Embrace the Learning Process:

Learn from Mistakes: Understand that mistakes are part of the learning curve. Each error provides valuable insights and helps refine your approach.

Seek Feedback and Support:

Get Input from Others: Share your ideas or plans with trusted friends, colleagues, or mentors. Their feedback can provide new perspectives and help you move forward with greater confidence.

Reflect and Reevaluate:

Regular Check-Ins: Periodically review your progress and adjust your approach as needed. Reflecting on what’s working and what’s not, can help you stay focused and adapt to new challenges.

Quotes to Inspire and Guide

“The best way to get something done is to begin.” – This reinforces the power of taking the first step.
“Clutter is nothing more than postponed decisions.” – Barbara Hemphill: A reminder that clearing mental and physical clutter involves making decisions and taking action.
“Progress is impossible without change.” – Walt Disney: Emphasizes that progress requires embracing change and moving forward, even if conditions aren’t perfect.

Final Thoughts

Remember, starting is often the hardest part, but once you begin, you’ll find that each step forward builds momentum and confidence. It’s about finding balance between planning and action and allowing yourself the flexibility to adapt and learn along the way. Embrace the journey and keep moving forward—your progress is what matters most.

For more information, contact Kruti Naik.

Pro Organizer Tips for Avoiding Overwhelm

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 21:33:36 GMT

by Diane Greenhalgh

I love organizing, but organizing comes natural to me. I realize for many people organizing can feel overwhelming. Here are 5 pro tips for keeping your cool as you declutter, organize, and create your happy place.

Realistic not perfection

We've all seen those "Pinterest perfect" homes on social media, but the truth is, they’re not realistic. Unless, of course, you've got a housekeeper on hand. Don’t set yourself up for failure – aim for what’s realistic for you and your household to maintain. Allow for life to happen with all its joys and its messes. You want to enjoy your life and focus on what’s important.

Go at your own pace

You don’t have to do each step in one day. Do what you have the time or energy for. Schedule what’s right for you and keep chipping away at it, even if it’s just 15 minutes at a time.

Sit when you can

You make the best decisions when you have the energy. Keep fueled and hydrated and sit when the task allows. For instance, you could sit while sorting items from a drawer or while organizing a category into a bin.

It’s going to look worse at first

As you empty and sort things out, your space is going to look worse. Focus on your vision and keep going because it’s going to be worth it in the end.

Stand your ground

Once you’ve organized a space, keep it tidy. Don’t wait until all the areas of your home are done until you get in the habit of maintaining them. You don’t want to lose the progress you’ve made.

Get more tips for avoiding overwhelm with the Setting Yourself Up for Organizing Success Checklist freebie.

For more information, contact Diane Greenhalgh.

Collection Management Made Easy and Meaningful

Tue, 16 Jul 2024 14:39:42 GMT

by Heather Nickerson

Artifcts thanks Sarah Reeder, Artifactual History Appraisal, for her contributions to the following article.

You may have one or many collections, intentional collections and accidental collections. Part of the fun of collecting is keeping track of it: Knowing what you have and what you’re still hunting for, what is sentimental vs. valuable, and what is okay to sell some day versus you’d prefer to pass down to someone special.

We know a thing or to about accidental collections. Try out our free checklist available here.

If you were a professional archivist, librarian, or appraiser, you’d have a ready tool in your pocket to help manage your collections. It’s called a finding aid. But guess what? As you Artifct your collections, you are implicitly leveraging the best of finding aids, but in a friendly form that all can enjoy and benefit from.

Here’s your peek inside the world of archivists where we show you how finding aids and collection management are made easy and meaningful with Artifcts!

What Is a Finding Aid, and Why Should You Care?

Unless you are a collections professional (archivist, librarian, appraiser…), the concept of a finding aid is likely foreign to you. For the longest time at Artifcts we even mistakenly referred to them as finding keys. Oops!

A finding aid is exactly what it sounds like: A tool that helps you locate items within a large collection in a fast and efficient way. A finding aid is a guide that describes the contents of an archival collection. A well-designed finding aid makes quick work of determining the topical relevance of any collection. After all, what good is a collection if discoverability hinders locating and using elements within the collection in the future.

Many of us have experienced the feelings of dread and being overwhelmed upon contemplating many boxes of inherited items that probably have something important contained in them but what and where? Imagine if you had a finding aid that told you exactly what was important and where you could locate it!

This is the magic of what finding aids do.

To a large degree, information within a finding aid is standardized per guidelines from the Society of American Archivists, “Describing Archives: A Content Standard,” better known simply as DACS. Standardization means a professional could work with or for any gallery, library, archive, or museum (aka GLAM) and their collections without much difficulty. They might simply display the information differently than one’s accustomed to.

A finding aid would have information such as: reference code, title, date, extent, name of creator, description, dates, and location. Does that list look familiar? If you Artifct, it should…

For those of us who didn’t go to Library Science school, in our daily lives we probably do not want to think about taxonomies, metadata, bytes of storage, or even finding aids. We want to enjoy and share the meaning behind the items we’ve collected and ensure the stories and value behind them live on!

Enter Artifcts: Solving Age Old Problems of Finding Aids for Every-Day Collectors

What we created at Artifcts is the solution to several age-old problems of finding aids in an individual and family-friendly fashion. And this means great things for you all! While finding aids are brilliant tools for professionals, they are disconnected from how most of us describe and catalog the ‘why’ of our collections. We need more multitasking support in our lives.

Here’s how you can use Artifcts to preserve the history and the value of your collections beyond the constraints of traditional finding aids.

Use those QR codes.

If you were to work with a professional appraiser, archivist, or collections manager of any type, they will likely offer as part of their services a description of the collection and list organizing the inventory within your collection, a finding aid of some sort. But how do you link that list to your physical collection? At Artifcts, you can print a QR code or use Artifcts QR code stickers to link the physical and the digital.

An Artifcts QR code unlocks the story and value!

Record your stories.

Move beyond “scope notes” and “meta data” inherent to the archivist’s expertise – “This is a 19th-century {name of item}” – and breathe life, context, and personal meaning into the objects in your collection, e.g. “This is what Great Great Grandma brought from France when she moved to New York. And I’m giving it to you now.”

Artifcts offers the options to share your story, indicate what you want to do with items in the future, and supply critical other information like where on earth you’ve stored the item in your home or elsewhere and the supporting documents (receipts, appraisals, and more).

Connect the dots.

We typically describe each Artifct you create as connecting the dots, because only you know how photos of those specific items relate to shape a story or history. But we help you go a step further, too. You can use our @ feature to cross reference one Artifct with another, tying together pieces of a collection and pieces of a story that others may not otherwise realize relate.

Simply type @ as you add the story or description to your Artifct to link to other Artifcts.

Leverage your community.

Let’s not forget the value in sharing and collaboration to learn more about items in your collections. Through Artifcts Circles and the option to give ‘Edit’ permission to other paid Artifcts members, you can crowdsource information from your loved ones and experts alike to capture important details about your collections that may add historical and family history information as well as increase the value, too.

Preserve what is.

Add the photos, videos, and original documents you have to your Artifcts. There’s a spot dedicated to securely preserve each as is. No compression. No conversion. What you upload is what you can always download again, too.

In our spring 2024 series finale of Evenings with Artifcts, our expert guests shed light on the 'why' and 'what' of collections.

Ensure that if you work with an appraiser or other collections manager in the future, they provide documentary support through Artifcts, so that you can protect and share the value of your collections with friends and family as well as knock off those “to dos” with your insurance company, financial planner, and estate attorney.

For more information, contact Heather Nickerson.

9 Ideas For an Organized Family Reunion!

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 11:47:09 GMT

by C. Lee Cawley

July is National Family Reunion Month, a time to reconnect with loved ones and create lasting memories. But planning a large gathering can feel overwhelming! Fear not, with a little organization, you can transform reunion planning from a stressful marathon into a joyful sprint.

The Planning Phase - Laying the Foundation for Fun

1 - Communication is King: Create a central hub for information sharing, like a dedicated email address or online forum. Send digital invitations with details like dates, locations, accommodation, and directions. Online tools like shared calendars and collaborative documents will help keep everyone on the same page.

2 - Name Tag Know-How: Designate different colors for family branches. Add space for nicknames, fun facts, or hometowns to spark conversation. Have extras on hand for last-minute arrivals.

3 - Conquering the Culinary Conundrum: Harness the family's culinary talents! Create a potluck sign-up sheet to ensure a diverse spread and encourage guests to indicate dietary restrictions. Delegate tasks like appetizers, drinks, and grilling among trusted family members. Plan ahead for leftover storage to avoid waste and allow second helpings at home!

4 - Catering to All Ages: Schedule a mix of activities for different age groups and interests: board games, crafts, scavenger hunts for the young ones, or hold a family talent show. Create quiet relaxation areas for older relatives or parents with young children. Consider hiring babysitters or organizing supervised group activities for young children.

Event Time - Making Memories Together

5 - Embrace the History: Create a visual family tree with names, ages, and maybe even photos. Set up a space to display family heirlooms and photo albums. Encourage guests to bring their contributions and share stories. Designate someone to capture photos and videos throughout the event for a lasting record.

6 – Activities for All: Plan a mix of activities throughout the reunion. Think: water balloon toss with sponges instead of balloons, a beanbag toss competition, or charades. Award silly prizes and celebrate participation over winning.

7 - Delegation is Key: Delegate tasks throughout the event. Assign someone to manage the music, oversee the games, man the grill, pack up leftovers, refresh the ice, be the clean-up crew, or snap photos. This distributes the workload and ensures everything runs smoothly.

8 - Embrace the Unexpected: Leave room in the schedule for impromptu storytelling sessions or games. The most cherished memories are often born from unexpected moments of connection.

Afterward - Keeping the Spirit Alive

9 - Share the Memories: Create a shared online album or video montage to capture the reunion's highlights. Post it for family members to relive the fun!

By following these tips you can ensure your family reunion is an organized and joyful event filled with lasting memories. So get ready to reconnect, reminisce, and create new family traditions – your stress-free, well-planned reunion awaits!

Bonus: Reunion Supply Checklist!

Sunscreen (if outdoors)

Hand fans (if outdoors)

Bug spray (if outdoors)

Hand sanitizer

Trash bags

Plates, cups, utensils (if not provided at venue)

Condiments and serving platters (for potluck dishes)

Food storage containers (for leftovers)

Coolers (for drinks and leftovers)

Games and sports equipment

Chairs (if not provided at venue)

Flashlights or lanterns (for evening events)

Toilet paper (especially if using outdoor facilities)

S’mores supplies (if having a bonfire)

Cash for any unexpected expenses

For more information, contact C. Lee Cawley.

5 Steps to Protecting a Collection

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 11:43:53 GMT

by Janet Schiesl

We all have a collection (or two). Even me!

Here are 5 things you need to do to take care of a collection:

Organize

Accurately Value

A few things to note

Know the difference between an appraisal for fair market value or replacement value.
You may want to get items graded, which means evaluating the condition each item is in.

Proper Storage

You should also store receipts and the original packaging, since these may make your items more valuable. so consider how much space you will allot for storage when starting a collection.

Keep Clean

Plan for the Future

What Not To Do

Bottom Line

Care for items while they are in your possession, but if they no longer bring you joy then sell, gift, or donate and let someone enjoy it.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

June 25th is Half-Christmas! 5 Ways to Celebrate!

Tue, 25 Jun 2024 12:27:19 GMT

by C. Lee Cawley

Believe it or not, June 25th isn't just another summer day! It's also Half-Christmas, also known as “Leon Day” (LEON is NOEL backward) a fun and quirky way to mark the halfway point to the holiday season. While the snow might not be falling and carols might not be playing, there are still plenty of ways to celebrate Christmas in June!

1. Plan Your Perfect Holiday:

Six months might seem like a long time, but Half-Christmas is the ideal opportunity to start planning your ideal holiday season. Do you want to host a tea party for friends? Or do you dream of a festive getaway to a winter wonderland? Use this time to send a “save the date” email, research travel options, brainstorm gift ideas, and create a realistic budget, The earlier you plan, the less holiday stress you'll face in December!

2. Get a Jump on Greetings:

If sending cards brings you joy, why not jump ahead of the curve and order your holiday stamps online during Half-Christmas? You can find a variety of fun and festive designs that will add a touch of cheer to your holiday mail. Plus, by getting your “Forever” stamps early, you'll avoid the last-minute scramble closer to the holidays.

3. Reflect and Refine:

Half-Christmas is a great time to reflect on your past holiday traditions. Think about what aspects of the season bring you the most joy – the annual cookie baking marathon, the festive carol sing-along, seeing The Nutcracker or the charity drive you participate in. Use this time to list your favorite traditions and drop the activities that seem like chores.

4. Cut the Christmas Card:

Speaking of which, perhaps you've always sent out traditional paper Christmas cards, but don’t enjoy it anymore. Just stop! This year, send your greeting on Valentine's Day instead, or consider sending out digital greetings with photos or even embedded videos. It’s a great way to save money on paper and postage, while still spreading holiday cheer.

5. Change Gift Giving Expectations

Perhaps you are all out of ideas of what to give? Instead, suggest that your extended family enjoys a special outing together instead of exchanging gifts? Or that only kids under 10 get gifts. Or do “Secret Santa” and only purchase one gift for your crowd of friends. Making the suggestion NOW gives everyone time to get used to a new idea.

6. Budget NOW for Spending Later:

Do you get caught up in the season and overspend? Don’t forget to make room in your budget - not just for gifts but for special food, events, travel, donations, and more. If you plan now and earmark a bit each month you won’t get caught out with huge bills in January.

7. Add in Something New:

Half-Christmas is also a fun opportunity to plan a new holiday tradition. Maybe it's sending letters to the troops, or creating an advent calendar filled with self-care activities instead of candy. Think about what would fill you with joy and do it!

So, there you have it! Even though December might seem far away, June 25th offers a unique opportunity to celebrate Half-Christmas and get a head start on planning a joyful and stress-free holiday season. So grab a summer drink, crank up some carols (if you dare!), and start planning.

For more information, contact C. Lee Cawley.

Declutter, Clean, Organize & Tidy – Defining the Differences & the Best Order

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 14:11:46 GMT

by C. Lee Cawley

We've all been there: staring into a cluttered room, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of "stuff." Maybe it's a messy desk, a chaotic kitchen, or even a closet overflowing with unworn clothes. The solution seems simple – “clean” it up! But before you grab your cleaning supplies and go to town, it's important to understand the distinct roles of four key concepts in conquering clutter: declutter, clean, organize, and tidy.

Let's break them down:

1 - DECLUTTER

Imagine your wardrobe. Editing the excess is always the first step. What needs to be banished? Be honest –will you wear that too-tight skirt or ever replace a random button from the big bag you’ve collected over the years? Don't be afraid to donate, sell, or recycle what no longer serves you. Remember, less is often more when it comes to creating a functional and inspiring wardrobe or workspace.

2 - CLEAN

Once the decluttering step is complete, it's time to brandish disinfectant wipes, vacuums, and dust cloths. When you have a clear surface, nothing on the floor, and empty drawers after your decluttering edit, it’s an ideal time to clean before you put things back. However, cleaning isn't magic – it can't make clutter disappear. A clean space overflowing with stuff is still a cluttered space, so that is why decluttering first is key.

3 – ORGANIZE

Think of organizing as creating a designated home for everything you've thoughtfully kept during the decluttering phase. This is where systems and strategies come in. Invest in shelves, bins, and drawer dividers to categorize and store your belongings efficiently. The goal is to create a user-friendly system that minimizes clutter build-up in the future. Think of it as creating a flow in your space, where everything has a designated spot and is easily accessible. Being “organized” means you can find what you need when you need it!

4 - TIDY

Tidying is the final piece of the puzzle – the daily or weekly habit that ensures your organized space stays that way. It's putting things back in their designated spot after use. Did you try a dress on but choose a skirt? Hang the dress up, don’t leave it on a chair. This simple act of daily tidying prevents clutter from accumulating and maintains the clear order you established during the organizing stage.

Why the Order Matters

Treating these activities as separate steps ensures a more efficient and effective final outcome. Imagine cleaning a cluttered room – you might move things around to vacuum, but the clutter is still there. By decluttering first, you eliminate extra work, making cleaning, organizing, and tidying a much smoother and more satisfying process.

So, the next time you face a cluttered space, don't feel overwhelmed. Embrace the power of decluttering, cleaning, organizing, and tidying. By tackling them in this specific order, you'll transform chaos into a haven of functionality, one room, closet, or pantry at a time!

For more information, contact C. Lee Cawley.

Being Organized Saves Time, Money, Relationships, and More

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 12:32:12 GMT

by Diane Greenhalgh

Fed up with feeling overwhelmed and just want to make your space work for you? With “a place for everything and everything in its place”, organizing can give you a calm space where you can chillax and connect with the people you love. But it also gives you so much more…

Room to live

When you organize, you create space to live the life you want for you and your family. The spaces in your home become more functional, and you’re able to find things when you need them.

Imagine having uncluttered counters to make dinner or not having to constantly search for the TV remote. And if you’re like a quarter of Americans who can’t fit your car in your garage, imagine being able to pull that baby in to where it belongs!

Time saver

With everything in its place, no more daily hunts for your wallet and keys before you head out the door. That saves you time and energy for more worthwhile pursuits. How much time? According to the 2017 Lost & Found Survey by Pixie, Americans spend 2.5 days a year looking for misplaced items. That’s greater than 190 days over the course of the average lifespan!

What’s more, the National Soap and Detergent Association says that decluttering and organizing cuts 40% of housework in the average home. Less cleaning?! Sign me up!

Show me the money!

(Famous line in Jerry McGuire)

Getting organized can save you a buck or two. American women have an average of $550 worth of unworn clothes in their closets, according to a 10 Yetis study. So much buried treasure in our closets, yet the Pixie Lost & Found Survey revealed we collectively spend $2.7 billion replacing items each year. No more buying stuff you already own when you know what you have and where it is.

More ways you save money:

Eliminate late fees by keeping up with deadlines
Locate receipts for returns and warranties
Deposit checks before they expire
Use gift cards and coupons that were buried in the junk drawer
Eat out less because meal planning and prep is easier
Get rid of storage unit fees
Prevent the need to upsize to a bigger, more expensive home
Pay less medical bills with less stress (see below)

Happier + healthier

Clutter has been shown to cause people stress, but when you don’t have to remember where things are, you eliminate an element of chaos and uncertainty in your life, relieving stress and anxiety. This is because there is comfort in predictability and your newfound sense of control. What’s more, clearing your mind creates space for other things, like curiosity and creativity.

Less stress leads to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol in your body, which means better health. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that 80% of medical expenses are related to stress.

Getting organized also helps you eat healthier and get active. A top strategy for building healthy habits is to make doing them as easy as possible. Along with creating extra time, organization helps you create a space that supports the goals in your life, including eating healthy and staying active. Easily accessible equipment, uncluttered workspaces, and systems for planning ahead all help keep you on track.

Stronger relationships

Organization creates the space, and the time, to do fun things together with your family or roommates. And once you don’t have that mess to be irritated and stressed about, you’ll be nicer to each other, especially if you’re the one upset by the mess. If your clutter is causing the friction, getting organized can be an act of love or respect towards the people you live with.

Once you have a home you’re proud of, you can also invite your friends and family over for regular get-togethers. Or have a party to make new friends. Added bonus… a kick in the butt to tidy up.

Become a rock star

Being organized seeps into all aspects of your life and makes you more productive and better at getting things done. Gone are the days of missed events and late arrivals (or at least a lot less). For instance, an IKEA study found that women with shoe racks are 7 times more likely to be on time for work. And that’s just a shoe rack. Imagine what a fully organized home can do!

Seeing how organization and productivity improves your life teaches your kids valuable skills and encourages your partner or roommates to jump on board the organizing train. Destination? A boost of self-confidence!

Caution for people with addictive tendencies

I am not a medical expert. Consult your psychiatrist or therapist for advice specific to your situation.

If you have the tendency to go down a spiral by things like “don’t break the chain” or get overly invested when trying new habits, exercise caution when organizing. It can become obsessive if you’re not careful. Don’t aim for perfection, focus on what’s realistic (this goes for everyone actually).

If you fall into this category, including if you have been diagnosed with OCD/OCPD or hoarding disorder, consult your therapist before starting your organizing project and consider hiring a professional organizer trained in obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Organizing can exacerbate your symptoms.

Whether you’re jumping in feet first or taking it each small project at a time, there’s no time like the present to get started on your organizing transformation. So, check out my free step-by-step organizing how-to page and know that I’m here to help you every step of the way.

Consider me your organizing coach.

For more information, contact Diane Greenhalgh.

Swedish Death Cleaning Your Digital Legacy

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 14:51:13 GMT

by Heather Nickerson

Swedish Death Cleaning provides a conceptual framework to encourage us each to organize and declutter our homes to reduce the burden on loved ones who would otherwise need to sift through 1000s of objects one day when we’re no longer here. We might be some of the biggest fans of Margareta Magnusson, who introduced the concept in her book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning, that she’s never met. We all can understand and maybe even relate to the concept but having a term for it gives us a starting point to act on it!

Artifcts is your best-in-class Swedish Death Cleaning app. It’s a big reason why we write on and provide workshops related to this topic. Today we’re considering Swedish Death Cleaning from yet another angle: Your digital legacy.

Defining “Digital Legacy”

What ARE we talking about, “digital legacy?”

Good question! Because, no, in this context, it is not about the entirety of your online life or digital assets, e.g. banking, mortgages, insurance policies, investments, or similar. All critical! All should be a part of your estate plan and/or will. You should also invest in an online digital vault to corral it together, benefit from automated and smart reminders, and enjoy the ease of sharing securely or accessing it yourself in an emergency.

What we are talking about with "digital legacy" are the digital items that reflect our lives and personal histories as well as who we are as members of families and communities.

What makes up your digital legacy depends in part on your age as well as your personality and views. Some of us have chosen not to adopt certain aspects of digital life or have intentionally created the smallest digital footprint possible. Others of us go big online for personal and professional reasons.

Below we’ll provide a framework to help you get started as you organize and maybe declutter your own digital legacy to ensure its best chance of meaning and survival!

What: Take Inventory

Literally pause, grab a piece of paper or digital notebook, and start jotting down your digital footprint. Yes, you might need to wander your home, pull out some bins, open some drawers, but this is the easy part. We’ll help you get started. Do you or other household members have any of these?

Digital music and/or movie libraries, including media that’s natively digital and any you might have digitized when you, oh, let’s say, “decluttered” that VHS, DVD, or CD collection.
Photographs, again, digital native photos from your phone, most likely, and those pics you have scanned or otherwise digitized over time.
Social media posts, and before those, your blogs
Academic and professional research, including publications, patents, and even genealogy, family history, and DNA information.

NFTs and other digital works stored, for example, in your digital wallet(s).

Where: As Tech has Changed, Storage has Changed

Before cell phones were our go-to video recorders, there were small handheld versions that were wow’ing, because they had great quality and storage for the time, and were many times smaller than those you held with a strap in one hand or the ones that were so big that they sat on your shoulder. Did you ever download all the videos on your digital handheld camera? Treasures untold may be waiting.

Think creatively through all the digital tech you’ve used and held onto through the years when you consider where your files may be resting, and in some cases, actively degrading.

Bulk stashes via old and new hardware.

As time has gone on, we’ve been able to more cheaply and conveniently store massive volumes of data on those things and yet you might be surprised how little you actually saved to some. One of our Arti Community members told us she has 15 thumb drives that each contain three songs her daughter recorded during her spring and fall piano recitals.

Dig out those thumb drives, memory cards that may still be in old cameras or spare cases, disks (floppy, hard, and otherwise), and flash drives. Environmental implications aside, harvesting and storing those digital files together, and backed up in a second location, is a relatively easy, cheap, and fast undertaking. Hurray!

Desktop and laptop hard drives.

Hopefully before you donated or recycled old computers, you saved the contents somewhere else, a flash drive, your preferred cloud environment, or your new computer, perhaps. Wherever it went, take stock. And watch out if your employer is okay with you using your work device for personal use, too, as you may have some gems on those devices.

“The Cloud,” e.g. Google Drive, Box, Drop Box, and Permanent, among others.

You may have gotten on a kick and started storing stuff within a particular environment because a friend or family member was sharing stuff with you there and you followed suit. But what are you using nowadays? Consider if your habits have changed and you need to rescue files from various cloud locations and move to one central archive for storage.

Memberships, especially apps and websites you love or loved once upon a time.

If you are worried you might not remember them all, you have some options.

Option A. Checking billing statements is the best starting point. We hope you’re not paying for something you haven’t used in years. While simpler than scrolling through your email for pages, this still gets messy if you are using many different payment methods (credit cards, PayPal, etc.) and/or other household members might be paying via a family account. So, option B ...

Option B. Go to the apps lists on your phone, tv, and computer. What’s installed? Are you paying for it? While you’re in there, check which have location, contact, notification, and background refresh services turned on. You might want to lock down your privacy! Bonus Tip: For Apple (iOS) mobile users, you can go to your Settings -> Click on your name/circle at the top -> and click “Subscriptions.” You may find surprises there, too!

Take a moment to consider first what content do (or did) you create or upload to these memberships that you own and can potentially download to back up elsewhere and/or to then close your account. Then, if you want to keep the account open and have backed up the content, check the account’s settings for legacy contact and/or memorialization options and set yours up so you do not lose anything you created or upload to that membership. You also will then hoepfully avoid falling into a scenario in which inactivity grants the company via its terms and conditions the right to delete your data or use your data in a way you do not support.

Now What: What Do You Value Most? What Do “They” Value Most?

Life comes with inherent limits. Only so much time in a day, money in our accounts, bandwidth in our brains. We must choose carefully how we spend our resources. What matters to you will help you prioritize how you manage your digital legacy.

Here are three steps you can take to manage your digital legacy. These are not mutually exclusive! Start at ‘good,’ add in ‘better,’ and laugh, enjoy, and gain peace of mind with ‘best.’

Good. Inventory the items and put physical storage devices, e.g. flash drives, in a fire-safe place. Get rid of what you don’t want. This might mean recycling some tech (options exist!) and cleaning out files. But before you get too aggressive with that decluttering, ASK loved ones if they are interested in the types of materials you are ready to shed. You may be surprised what matters to them versus to yourself! This will help you with the next option.

Better. Digitize items with backups and share access to those resources with loved ones. This is now moving into prime Swedish Death Cleaning territory where we have not just organized but we’ve also decluttered in a way that’s potentially meaningful. Loved ones get the option to raise their hand and say, “Yes, that I want.” And the beauty here is it is digital. It won’t take up physical space so it’s less risky for them to say yes.

Best. While we all love photos, videos, and documentary evidence of cool things, like being the mastermind behind a patent, without context, even digital items become clutter we ignore. Here’s the story of one family’s “great” discovery. Whether your format is Artifcts, scrapbooks, or photobooks, find a medium to gift your loved ones a ‘why’ and not just more digital stuff. What is the story behind this photo? In layman's speak, what was this amazing scientific breakthrough in this patent that bears your name? What did it mean to you?

Let us know about your progress. What was the easy part? Are you stuck on any specific digital histories of yours? What was the outcome?

For more information, contact Heather Nickerson.

Opening Envelopes

Sat, 15 Jun 2024 10:49:33 GMT

by Janet Schiesl

Did you know that opening envelopes is the key to mail and paper management?

It’s a mistake to leave mail unopened or to place the contents back into the envelope after reading the material. Opening each envelope and discarding the unwanted inserts will greatly reduce the volume.

Once you have eliminated the excess, unfold everything that remains, staple pages together if needed and (if nothing else) place everything in an action tray for later. You can choose to go further and process your daily mail each day or decide on a regularly scheduled time that you’ll do your mail processing each week. How about Saturday morning over your first cup of coffee or one evening a week, when you are watching your favorite TV show? The processing can be simplified by asking yourself “What’s the next action I need to take on this piece of paper?” The usual answers to this question are: file it, read it, do some action (like send an email or make a call, etc), and then there are the bills. By opening envelopes, unfolding the paperwork, and discarding said envelope you are miles ahead in your paper management.

Also, I need to mention junk mail. There are several ways to eliminate most junk mail, which will greatly reduce your paper processing time. Here’s another blog post that will help you get off those pesky mailing lists.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

How The Loving Kindness Meditation Can Improve Your Organizing Practice

Mon, 27 May 2024 16:55:29 GMT

by Jill Katz

The Story

If you have ever seen the homepage on my website, the Loving Kindness Meditation is featured prominently on the page:

"May I feel safe,

May the path before me be smooth,

May my surroundings bring me calm."

-Loving Kindness Meditation

I placed this meditation front and center because it plays such an important role in my organizing practice. Here's why.

History & Meaning of the Loving Kindness Meditation

The first time I heard the Loving Kindness Meditation (LKM) was in yoga class about 7 years ago, right before I started my organizing company but during a time where I was already working with clients. I was very taken with the words and I felt transformed after saying it. I was intrigued and googled this meditation the very same day. I found the following information:

The Loving Kindness Meditation, also known as the Metta Meditation, originated in India about 2,500 years ago and was later incorporated into the Buddhist tradition.
Repeating this meditation every day is thought to calm the mind and create a sense of peace and love with ourselves and the world.
There have been multiple studies like this one that showed that subjects experience more self compassion and less judgement for themselves and others after saying this meditation for an extended period of time.
The LKM creates positive emotions that have been proven to create lasting positive change for those experiencing depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia and other mental health struggles.

The Connection Between Loving Kindness Meditation & Organizing

What initially drew my attention to the LKM and organizing was the line: "May my surroundings bring me calm." But as I practiced this mediation alongside my organizing practice, I noticed other connections:

Combating Anxiety

I am an organizer that brings mindfulness to my practice. I struggle with anxiety and I know that the Loving Kindness Meditation helps to calm my brain and combat overwhelm so I can approach my day with clarity and compassion. It is important to me to showcase this calm approach as the center of my organizing practice. In fact, I begin every organizing session with an invitation to my clients to practice breathing or other mindfulness exercises because I find that it helps my clients cancel out all the "noise" that might have been going in internally before I come through their door.

Increases Self-Compassion and therefore, compassion for others

In this meditation we are saying that we all deserve goodness. Therefore, recitation of the LKM fosters self-compassion, which, in turn, expands into compassion for those around us. . Developing Self-compassion is another important component of organizing, on both the organizer and client end. If you are wasting your energy berating yourself for your clutter, then you won't have the energy and openness for self-discovery and development of new habits and routine that work for you. Likewise, my job as an organizer is to create an environment without judgement and to model compassion.

Emotional Regulation

The Loving Kindness Meditation also helps with emotional regulation. Many of the people I work with, struggle with executive functioning (including myself!) and one of the challenging pieces is to learn how to balance a barrage of emotions in order to work through them in a healthy way. The balm of wishing upon yourself a safe, smooth, and calm space creates a sense of stability the sets the stage for emotional regulation. When we are emotionally regulated we are ready and open to learn, explore, and discover.

General Positivity

Guess what? Not everyone is as psyched as I am to organize and declutter! But the loving kindness mediation is all about positivity. And having a positive approach to organizing can breed success. So say this meditation and create the positive vibes you need to get you through! It's a neat trick to say the words of the meditation to psych yourself up when you need to complete a less desired task. Trust me, it works! I consider it one of the "fake it until you make it" approaches (a subject for another blog post, perhaps?).

In Conclusion

Today, I incorporate the Loving Kindness Meditation into my organizing practice by practicing it myself and offering this practice to my clients before our session. This practice has not only transformed my approach but also enriched the experiences of my clients. Here are some guided loving kindness meditations if you are interested in exploring this practice.

Wishing you and your loved ones safety, a smooth path, and calm surroundings.

Do you have a meditation practice that you love? Have you ever tried the Loving-Kindness Meditation? Please share with me in the comments.

For more information, contact Jill Katz.

Focus on Your Goals

Wed, 15 May 2024 10:51:48 GMT

by Janet Schiesl

Want to accomplish a challenging goal? Better focusing will help. Easier said than done, Right?

Being able to focus on the task at hand will be the key to conquering a challenging goal.

Not rewards, sheer willpower, self-discipline, or motivation will work. (We’ve all tried those!) Maintaining focus is the only way you will reach a challenging goal. What do you think?

Here are a couple of suggestions on ways to make focusing on the important easier for you so that you can achieve that one big goal.

Know your best time of day.

When are you most productive? Early morning or late at night? It doesn’t matter. What matters is you use that time to work on moving forward on a project that will get you to a goal. When you work during your most productive time it is easier to focus or get in your zone. Time will fly, but so will the amount that you move forward to meeting your goals.

Create a deadline for yourself.

Remember being in school, where deadlines reign? You knew exactly when that term paper needed to be turned in and you knew the consequences if you didn’t complete it on time. In your work or personal life, there aren’t always deadlines. So how do you use a deadline to create focus? Why you can make one up! It can be short-term – I need to finish this before I stop for lunch or I’m going to deliver this report before the end of the week. All of a sudden you’ll be more able to focus on the task at hand.

Prep before you start.

I’m a big fan of prepping for tomorrow. Just spending a little time clearing things up at the end of the day and planning for tomorrow can help you jump into work the next day. Always looking forward will help you get a jump-start in the morning so you don’t waste any precious time when you sit down at your desk.

Focus on your goals today!

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

4 Organizing Lessons my Mom Taught Me!

Tue, 07 May 2024 12:15:24 GMT

by C. Lee Cawley

My mom, Helen k. Cawley was born in 1917 and lived through a time of immense historical change. She came of age during the Great Depression, navigated single motherhood with my older sisters in the midst of World War II, and emerged a pillar of strength and practicality. Her life experiences instilled in me valuable lessons that continue to guide me today. Here are four nuggets of wisdom I learned from her:

1: The Power of Lists:

My mom was a master list-maker. Grocery lists, to-do lists, budget lists – you name it, she had a list for it. These weren't just random scribbles on a piece of paper; they were meticulously crafted roadmaps to efficiency. From her, I learned the power of planning and organization. Lists help me stay focused, prioritize tasks, and avoid the chaos of a scattered mind. So next time you're feeling overwhelmed, grab a pen and channel your inner Mom – make a list!

2: Invest in Quality Staples:

Helen wasn't one for fleeting trends. She believed in buying quality pieces that would last. Her philosophy? Invest in well-made shoes, bags, and coats. These essential items formed the foundation of her daily wardrobe, and she took good care of them, ensuring they served her for years. This lesson translates beautifully to life beyond fashion. Investing in quality tools, cookware, or even a comfortable mattress can enhance your life for years to come.

3: Waste Not, Want Not:

Food waste was a foreign concept in our household. Mom practiced a simple yet brilliant strategy: the "leftover shelf." Dedicated space in the refrigerator ensured perfectly good leftovers didn't get lost in the back and forgotten. This system not only saved money but also encouraged creative recipe reinvention. Leftover chicken became a delicious stir-fry, and leftover vegetables found new life in a hearty soup. Helen's "leftover shelf" wasn't just about food; it was a reminder to appreciate and utilize what you already have.

4: Rotate Your Backstock:

Helen lived through a time of scarcity and understood the importance of resourcefulness. One of her clever practices was "backstock rotation." This meant regularly revisiting the hidden corners of her pantry and cupboards. Everything was boldly marked with it’s expiration date so that it could be used in a timely fashion. Older items were brought to the front to be consumed first, ensuring nothing lingered forgotten and expired. This system not only prevented food waste but also helped us discover forgotten treasures and avoid unnecessary duplicate purchases.

These are just a few of the countless lessons my Mom gifted me. Her experiences during a challenging era shaped her into a resourceful, organized, and wise woman. Her legacy lives on in the way I approach life, and I'm forever grateful for the timeless wisdom she instilled in me!

Do you have any life lessons learned from your parents or grandparents? Share them in my Free FB Group HERE.

For more information, contact C. Lee Cawley.

Spring Cleaning Passover Style: Tips & Trips to Master Any Seasonal Events Or Tasks

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 19:21:00 GMT

by Jill Katz

The Story

Every year during March & April, my social media feed is filled with fellow organizers talking about spring cleaning. And I ignore every post. Why? Because as an observant Jew, I deal annually with the phenomenon of Passover cleaning, a monumental undertaking that makes typical spring cleaning pale in comparison.

To give some context, Passover is a religious holiday most well known to the masses for its dinner or Seder and for special food called Matzah. But for those that observe the laws of Passover in totality, here is what Passover means:

Ridding your home of any crumbs, even those hiding in kids backpacks, your car, under couch cushions
Ridding your home of all regular food since they might have a tiny bit of “Chametz” or unleavened bread which isn’t allowed on Passover
Replacing your entire pantry of food with Kosher for Passover food including spices and oils
Scrubbing your kitchen, including stovetop, oven, and refrigerator so it looks brand new
Moving out your old dishes, utensils and pots/pans (and you have 2 sets for milk & meat) and moving in your Passover sets
Cooking for an average of 12-20 people for the Seders (observant Jews have 2 nights of Seder) with special recipes that have no bread, flour, rice and beans in them.
Cooking for the other days of Passover since your usual go-to foods are gone
Readying your home for guests
Switching everything back in a week when Passover is over
Throwing in other “spring cleaning” errands if you can like carpet/rug cleaning, lawn/garden spring cleanups, window cleaning, pillow cover cleaning, etc.

The Strategy: Mastering Passover Prep & Spring Cleaning

Over the years, I have learned some tricks that help me organize my Passover Spring Cleaning. You can apply these strategies for any event in your life that needs special attention including spring cleaning, a move, a wedding, a Graduation, etc.:

Start Early

My preparations for Passover start 4 weeks before the actual holiday. Those first 2 weeks allow me to do things that aren’t as necessary such as a general spring cleaning of my home, outdoor landscaping, inviting guests, seder themes and general passover purchases. I also choose the date on which I plan to switch my kitchen from regular to Passover (a huge project in itself). The last two weeks are much more intense, focusing on setting the menu, shopping, and necessary cleaning.

Spreadsheet the hell out of it,( yes, spreadsheet can be used as a verb)

I use spreadsheets for everything and Passover planning is no different. Every year, the first thing I do when it’s 4 weeks before Passover, is to pull up my spreadsheet and make a copy that I rename with the current year. Then I open up my spreadsheet and change the dates and make the tweaks for this years holiday.

I have 3 tabs for my Passover Planning:

Tab 1: Dates & Weekly Planning
Tab 2: Shopping
Tab 3: Menu & Cooking Schedule

Tab 1 is the master list with all the important dates and a timeline. The top of the page has the date that Passover begins and when it ends (Passover is 8 days). I also list the all important date when I change over my kitchen from "Chametz," aka my year-round kitchen to "Passover,"when I can only eat and prepare special Passover foods. This master list also tells me when I should be shopping (Tab 2) and when I should be refering to my Cooking Tab for details (Tab 3)

Put a gate around it

I block entire days off for cleaning, shopping, cooking, hosting (if I have family/friends staying in my home), and enjoying the holiday. It seems obvious to do this and yet it took me many years of running around crazily before I gave myself this grace. Is there a week in your life where you can give yourself this gift? - Perhaps a week when your kids are out of school or there is a big holiday or even a date where you need extra time to grieve a death. When you have something that happens annually that needs your attention, it's best to cut yourself some slack that entire week.

Use your Calendar for Recurring dates

We have birthdays and holidays in our calendar, why not put use this strategy for seasonal tasks like, "Clean the Gutters" or "Start Mowing Lawn?" I put as many annual or seasonal tasks as possible on my google calendar as a recurring annual task so I don't have to rely on my own memory.

In Conclusion

As I navigate the intricacies of Passover preparation each year, I can't help but wonder: What strategies could others adapt from this intensive process to streamline their own spring cleaning? Let me know if find any of these strategies helpful for your spring cleaning or Holiday prep? I would love to hear from you in the comments!

For more information, contact Jill Katz.

9 Things to Declutter when Moving to an Assisted Living Apartment

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 22:38:42 GMT

by Diane Greenhalgh

Moving into an assisted living community can be stressful. There’s so much to do, and so much is changing. On top of that, the move is probably not by choice, and the loss of some of your independence can be scary. There’s certainly many things to look forward to as well. Getting help also means you don’t have to do some of those chores you’ve always dreaded, like cleaning the bathroom. And you’ll be much more connected with the community. Live-in chess partners or craft circles are part of the perks.

But one thing I can’t sugar coat is you’ll need to downsize… a lot. You’ve got a lifetime of accumulated stuff to go through. It needs to get done at some point anyway so might as well be now. You don’t want to burden your family with it down the road, do you? But where to start? I suggest first focusing on the 9 things below that you don’t need anymore. Eliminate these items, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a curated collection of treasured belongings that make you feel at home in your new place.

Dining and entertaining

No more hosting family dinners. But you’ve served your time, so let someone else take it on. Donate your dining table, entertaining supplies, and even extra sets of silverware. It’s just you, and your partner if you have one. You only need enough for yourself/yourselves and maybe a friend or two to come over. A small dining nook would do the trick. If you don’t have room or the mobility for that, you can use tray tables or trays affixed to your furniture.

Bulky furniture

This one should be obvious. There’s no space for bulky furniture anymore. Bring or purchase smaller furniture that fits in the space.

Anything already provided for you

Depending on the services the facility provides, there are a number of things you won’t need anymore. Certainly you won’t need household maintenance and lawn care items and most of your tools. If you have a meal plan you can do without most of your food and cooking supplies. Other services might include an exercise room, music room, crafting space, game room with puzzles, or party room for entertaining. Also, there may be items provided in the apartment, such as window treatments and certain furniture, like a hospital bed. Check out the amenities and decide what you need from there.

Rugs and other safety concerns

Anything that can be a tripping hazard should be left behind. Even if you don’t have mobility issues yet, if you’re moving into assisted living it’s a safe bet friends from the community you invite over will have some trouble getting around. Avoid rugs and anything stored on the floor and leave plenty of space to maneuver. Also, plan for the future — get rid of any flimsy stepstools (or stepstools altogether) and furniture that requires you to climb or kneel down to use.

Forbidden items

Just as dorms do, assisted living communities have rules about certain things you can’t have for either safety or aesthetic reasons. Think candles, small appliances, window signs, or draperies in vibrant colors. Read the rules and leave those things behind. You don’t want to get written up, or worse, thrown out.

Unsentimental décor

You have such a small space, choose only the things you love that give you a feeling of home. And limit what you bring. Too much will just seem cluttered, and clutter has been shown to cause anxiety. You don’t want that for your new home.

Holiday decorations

I’m not saying you need to get rid of all of it, but you’ll want to pare it down significantly. The community is bound to have decorations for every season so all you need are a few for around your little apartment and something for your door. Look on the bright side, no more detangling lights.

Other people’s things

It’s time to have a chat with your kids, or anyone else storing things with you, that it’s time for them to take responsibility for their belongings. You no longer have the space. Give them a reasonable deadline and let them know that you’ll be donating whatever is left after that date. Keep in mind, they may not want them anymore. Even those sentimental childhood mementos you’ve been holding onto for them. If you still decide to keep them, they are now yours and your responsibility to find somewhere to put them. You can always save space by taking a photo and letting the physical item go.

Important papers

If at all possible, store important papers and valuable belongings with a trusted family member or in a safety deposit box. Community staff will be in and out of your apartment, so best to secure those items. If you decide on a safety deposit box, make sure the executor of your estate or power of attorney is aware so the fee is consistently paid, so you don’t lose the contents.

Try to Avoid Storage Units

If assisted living is going to be a long-term, permanent living change, don’t just throw your excess items in a storage unit with the intention that you’ll go through it later. The truth of the matter is, you probably won’t. You’ll be wasting money and pawning the responsibility of figuring out what to do with it onto your grieving family.

There are two caveats I have for this. 1) If the turnaround to move into assisted living is really quick, you may need to use a storage unit temporarily. Set a schedule in your calendar to go through it to make sure it gets done. 2) If you have seasonal items that you regularly switch out, you can use a storage unit to expand your storage space. But if you haven’t visited your storage unit in the past year, it’s time to let go.

Letting Go Without Letting Go

There are lots of other ways you can save space but without having to let go. You can go digital with your bills, rent books from the library or purchase audio or e-books, rent special occasion wear from Rent the Runway, and stream music and movies. For the holidays, ask for consumable or experiential gifts.

Whatever you decide, remember to focus on what is important to you for helping you lead your new life and what makes you feel at home.

For more information. contact Diane Greenhalgh.

The Mayonnaise Jar & Coffee

Tue, 16 Apr 2024 12:52:07 GMT

by Janet Schiesl

This is a great story . . . . (about time management) . . .

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle,
When 24 hours in a day is not enough; remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A wise professor stood before his philosophy class and had several items scattered before him. He picked up a one-gallon mayonnaise jar and filled it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured it into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf ball. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous ‘yes.’

The professor then produced two cups of coffee and poured them both into the jar. The students laughed. It’s full now!

‘Now,’ said the professor, as the laughter subsided, ‘I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. ‘

The Golf Balls

The golf balls are the important things – God, family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions. Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The Pebbles

The pebbles are the things that matter like your job, house, and car.

The Sand

The sand is everything else — The small stuff.

‘If you put the sand into the jar first,’ he continued, ‘there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.’

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So…

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.
Take time with your children.
Take time to get medical checkups.
Take your partner out to dinner.

There will always be time to clean the house and make repairs.

One of the students raised their hand and inquired, what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled.

“I’m glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem,
there’s always room for a couple of cups of coffee and time with a friend.”

For more information contact Janet Schiesl.

I’m Drowning in Storage Containers! Taming Your Baskets, Bins, Boxes, & Organizers

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 15:06:16 GMT

by Jill Katz

The Story of Hidden Clutter

When I first became a professional organizer, I expected to see a high level of clutter when entering most homes. What I didn’t predict was the large amount of empty storage containers and organizers. Bins, baskets and Amazon boxes. Functional, chic, cute, cracked, banged up, or seen better days storage. All shapes and sizes. And all these darn storage solutions were creating clutter!

Is this you (awareness is the first step, after all)? Or maybe you have a “friend” like this? Or perhaps you are a fellow organizer that knows what I mean? In either of these cases, please do read on to understand my take about storage clutter.

Why Do We Have So Many Storage Containers???

Your storage boxes are taking up too much space. Oh, the irony!

Here are some possibilities on how you got here:

Riding on the Fumes of Motivation

You start noticing the clutter around you and the frustration is mounting. You need to do something about this NOW! So you stop by the Container Store, Target, or head online to purchase some storage bins and organizers on Amazon. The storage bins arrive but the urgency to declutter resides as the next urgent need enters your life and you move on. Sadly, the bins/storage boxes do not.

Overbuying

Buying is fun for some of us (not for me). Decluttering is not fun for most of us (Well it is for me, but probably not for you). If you are an overbuyer, the first step for you is to purchase something to solve this clutter problem you are having. And you procrastinate the part where you go through your things and think about how to organize items and how to use those bins you purchased. To learn more about how to streamline your shopping habits to stay organized read my previous blog post here.

You Used Them & Now You Don’t Need Them

Many of us have systems that involve boxes, bins, and organizers. We use bins for storing the next level of baby clothes as it is passed from one sibling to another. We use them for Christmas decorations or Passover dishes. We receive boxes that carry our Amazon items. We use makeup organizers and crafting organizers. At some point or another, we outgrow that system. Our life transitions and we no longer have babies or baby clothes. Or we downsize to a smaller space and donate our Christmas decorations and Passover dishes - we will let our children host us for the holidays! Our focus changes and our hobbies and interests change. Those empty bins and organizers accumulate.

The Solutions for Drowning In Storage Containers

Half the problem of drowning in storage is that we are unaware of the sheer amount of clutter it is causing. So now that you are aware of the problem, you are on your way to solving it. Here are some solutions to get you to the finish line.

Declutter first:

This is an organizing mantra. Always declutter first, then organize what you are keeping, and only after doing those first steps do you purchase organizing solutions if necessary. What you will find is that you often have all the bins and boxes you need. So start with what you have, then tweak and upgrade. This will prevent the storage problem from recurring.

Put Like with Like:

As with any other category, put all your storage bins and organizers together to see what you have. Divide them into categories: Put all your clear bins together (stack if possible), corral your baskets into another pile, and finally, pile your other miscellaneous organizers into a 3rd pile. Now you can see them all and strategize. If you are staring at a monstrous pile, then it’s time to cull. How many extra bins does it make sense to keep based on potential need and storage space?

Create Rules and Strategies to Support Letting Go:

I find that storage organizers are similar to nice reusable grocery bags and cute gift bags. We collect them, accumulate far too many, then find it hard to part with them. When there is a category that clients find challenging, I suggest creating rules. For example, you could establish a rule that you will only keep baskets that fit on this closet shelf (space-related) or you will only keep X number of storage bins. Or you can create a rule that you will use baskets and bins for an upcoming project or event and then donate the rest. Having a source for passing on these items can also be helpful. Posting storage in your local “Buy Nothing” group is a “feel good” way to pass things on to other people who you know will use the items with gratitude.

And please, please, please get rid of those extra Amazon boxes. I love this Holderness Family Video that pokes fun at our love of boxes.

In Conclusion

By taking these steps, you'll not only reclaim your space but also ensure that your storage containers serve their purpose without becoming additional sources of chaos. So, let the journey begin, armed with awareness and the commitment to a clutter-free future.

Are you drowning in storage containers? Feel free to share your story in the comments. I would love to hear it!

For more information, contact Jill Katz.

Rightsizing Your Life!

Tue, 19 Mar 2024 15:01:45 GMT

by Janet Schiesl

Buy the books that changed how I declutter.

I am giving a presentation today on Downsizing for Seniors. The dreaded D-word!

But what does that mean, Downsizing? Instead of thinking of eliminating things from your life and closing doors on your past, Don’t make it negative. Make it a positive experience. Call it Rightsizing! Make your life, your space, and your schedule, work for your life now and in the future.

Your home is not the same as it was years ago, before children. Neither is your time or the demands on your schedule. It probably isn’t even the same as when you had the kids at home. At least it’s quieter now, I bet. Look at this time of your life as your chance to make your life all about you. Focus on quality, not quantity. Treat yourself like you are the most important person in the picture. Bet that’s hard, but try.

Start looking at your home and your life focusing on the future. How do you want to live the next 5 to 10 years? Are you tired of cooking and want to dine out more? Are you tired of climbing the stairs? Maybe rearranging rooms in your home would make sense. One day of chaos in your home and paying some movers is worth years of no stair climbing. I think so! Maybe it’s time to focus on a hobby you never had time for. Get started. Eliminate what you don’t need so you have space for what you want. Get started Rightsizing your life!

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Nonfiction Books in 2023 that Changed How I Approach Decluttering

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 23:50:54 GMT

by Jenny Albertini

Decluttered

THESE BOOKS MAY CHANGE YOUR LIFE TOO

In my first round of attempting the KonMari MethodTM while decluttering my own things, I got stuck on books. As a lifelong, voracious reader, I had been taught that books are sacred and you should hold onto them – so much so that I had dragged many of my college and grad school textbooks back and forth across the Atlantic ocean with me each time I moved.

But in 2016, settled into my apartment in Washington DC but unsettled in life, I felt so detached from these books I used to love. I was in the midst of a major career transition and my reading habits had changed too. I began to experience reading differently, as my brain searched for connections between the experiences I witnessed with my clients and the larger public health systems – and issues – that informed my prior career.

I’ve since decluttered my books to make room for the evergreen books that I love. And now I am sharing some of the best nonfiction books that I read in 2023, with you. They are all different, and they each informed my approach to decluttering, my discussions with clients, and the writing of my own book.

3 BOOKS THAT INFORM HOW TO “DECLUTTER FOR HEALTH”

My work overlaps between health and decluttering, so it’s no wonder that some of my favorite books do too. I’m just as likely to recommend a book that touches on an underlying issue challenging them, as I am to suggest an appropriately sized container for their winter boots.

Here are three of the books that really stood out to me and ignited my thinking around health issues that can manifest as challenges with clutter.

Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey – The benefits of rest are profound; mentally, physically and spiritually. This book tucks you into a dream state that will unwind the tight grip many of us have on our time and schedules.
Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness (Crystals, Cleanses, and Bubble Baths Not Included) by Pooja Lakshmin – Lakshmin offers expansive ways of thinking about how to care for ourselves and others, taking into consideration how the structural conditions of our world either enable or threaten our ultimate well-being.
The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness by Meghan O’Rourke – When diagnoses and ailments overlap, our health suffers and clarity feels unreachable. This memoir helps people searching for truth and treatment feel less alone and more empowered amidst their piles of doctor notes.

3 BOOKS THAT CHANGED HOW I “DECLUTTER FOR HOME”

The dynamics of sharing space with others is a fraught topic for many of my clients. Whether processing residual trauma experiences from childhood, negotiating complicated care tasks, or even navigating shattered ideals around what “home” means, people often struggle with decluttering their homes.

These books are a way to feel less alone in these shared and all-too-common struggles that manifest for so many people. If you want to restructure shared spaces and meet your decluttered goals, these books might be the extra insight you need.

Life Would Be Perfect If I Lived in That House: A Memoir by Meghan Daum – At times I laughed, and at times I cringed – reading this memoir on idealized versions of what home can mean reflected my journey through different spaces, albeit perhaps a more dramatic trajectory by this author.
I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy – So much of our experiences at home are shaped by our parents, and this excellent memoir brings all of that to the big screen as we see how hoarding behavior and trauma can cause a lasting impact.
How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by Alexander Chee – Perhaps not what you expected to see from here as a recommendation of books on home from a decluttering expert! But this essay collection is exactly the type of work that pushes me to think broadly about meanings of home and self and situating ourselves in experiences and spaces that do – or do not – support our desires.

3 BOOKS THAT GUIDE ME TO “DECLUTTER FOR BEYOND”

What is the balance between productivity and creativity? It is often shifting – and rarely balanced. I often think about what it means to care for ourselves gently while navigating our goals and desires in these spaces.

Reading can offer new visions of how to bring our whole selves to work, to our art, and to our communities. Here are some books that showed me more expansive ways to consider the benefits of decluttering parts of my life to feel better as I show up for and as myself wherever I am.

Work Better Together: How to Cultivate Strong Relationships to Maximize Well-Being and Boost Bottom Lines by Anh Nguyen Phillips and Jen Fisher – Too many workplace books focus on tips and tricks to optimize performance, neglecting the role that our connections and self-worth play in how we show up in professional lives. Not this book. Its focus on mindful steps that are easy to implement and yield high impact, which is my favorite way to think about work.
A Renaissance of Our Own: A Memoir & Manifesto on Reimagining by Rachel Cargle – This memoir about transitions that blossomed into transformations offers expansive prompts and reflections. Cargle shows us that we can reimagine our own futures while also working to change the larger world at the same time.
Find Your Unicorn Space: Reclaim Your Creative Life in a Too-Busy World by Eve Rodsky – This book pushes us to prioritize our dreams and desires and does so by sharing research behind the importance of adding joy into our lives and decluttering out the other stuff. Rodsky also offers practical tips to help us with increasing overall energy, fun and play.

BUY A BOOK AND SEE WHAT MAGIC HAPPENS NEXT

Hopefully some of these books will resonate with you, or maybe some already have if you’ve read them already. And if they are new for you, which book will you pick up first? Let me know how it sparks anything for you in relation to your experiences with clutter, health, and relationships.

For more information, contact Jenny Albertini.

10 Tips for Taking the Doom Out of Doom Boxes

Fri, 15 Mar 2024 23:38:14 GMT

by Jill Katz

The Story

Have you ever had this experience? Your sister and her husband are coming over to stay for a week and your guest room is a mess. So the day before their arrival you run around the guest room throwing all the piles into boxes and bags which you stack in the closet or in the corner of the room.

Or how about this? You get home from dinner at a restaurant with the kids and you throw the restaurant tote filled with coloring books and other activities in the corner of the mudroom and then forget about it.

Perhaps this happens to you? You go to a 3-day conference where you talk with colleagues and attend insightful presentations. You collect binders, handouts, business cards and swag. When you get home, you put the conference bag in the corner of your office where you proceed to look at it from time to time anxiously over the next few months.

As an organizer, I see these boxes and bags in many client’s homes in Home Offices, Guest rooms, Bedrooms, you name it. And this past year, I finally had a client give name to it: She referred to these bags as “Doom Bags” or "Doom Boxes."

Definition

When I got home I looked up the word “doom bag” which led me to its more common term, “doom box” which is defined as a:

“Box of various stuff, often gathered over time. Doom boxes originate from cleaning sprees under time pressure. Usually it is the intention of a doom box creator to postpone organizing the stuff in a doom box.”

The term is even used an acronym for "Didn't Organize, Only Moved".

Why do doom boxes happen?

In order to make these doom boxes and bags go away, we need to first uncover why this phenomenon is happening. I have distilled it down to 3 reasons:

Overwhelm: Individuals with neurodiverse traits may struggle with executive functioning, making it challenging to plan and initiate tasks, such as decluttering. Difficulty making decisions is another reality for the neurodiverse brain. The thought of tackling a cluttered space can be overwhelming, leading to avoidance and the creation of Doom Boxes.

Hyperfocus: On the flip side, some neurodiverse individuals may hyperfocus on particular tasks or interests, making it difficult to shift attention to tidying up and decluttering. This intense focus can lead to the neglect of the physical environment.

Sensory Sensitivities: Some neurodiverse individuals are highly sensitive to their environments. The clutter in the home can create visual and tactile distractions that lead to discomfort, making it tempting to hide items away in boxes to reduce sensory overload.

So while doom bags can be created by all, we are more likely to see them in homes with neurodivergent people.

10 Tips To Help Banish Those Doom Boxes

OK, so now you know what doom boxes are and why they are accumulating in your home. So what’s the next step? Here are some tips to help you deal with or at least, make peace, with your doom boxes:

1. Embrace your neurodiversity

Doom Boxes showcase the way your mind works. You need to get items out of the way quickly to make space. This is not a moral failing!

2. Create Awareness

Awareness is the first step to decluttering. Make a list of areas where you want to eliminate piles of doom.

3. Chunking

Attack those doom bags by breaking the work into smaller steps by setting a timer. Use the Pomodoro technique to maintain focus.

4. Use Sensory friendly containers/tools

Use gloves to handle annoying tactile messes, Take items out of their space one small pile at a time when decluttering so visual clutter doesn’t stop you from putting things away.

5. Rewards

Give yourself a treat for working through those doom bags: read a good book, eat a piece of chocolate, talk a walk in nature, whatever works as a healthy reward.

6. Accountability

Work through the doom clutter with a friend, family member or professional organizer. Use an accountability app such as focusmate.

7. Create zones for special interests

If these items have a home, they are less likely to accumulate in doom bags and boxes.

8. Take photos of sentimental items

Take photos of sentimental items so you don’t feel you need to keep every single thing.

9. Create rules around categories that get you stuck

For example, showcase your birthday cards for the week or month of your birthday and then either discard or put in a special box dedicated to sentimental cards.

10. Experiment, by building on your other successes

Look at the most functional area of your home and think about how you made that area work for you and try to replicate the strategy. Don't beat yourself up about techniques that work for others but not for you. Remember to have a neurodiversity-focused approach which means it’s customized to fit your brain.

IN CONCLUSION

Remember, the goal is not just to eliminate Doom Boxes but to make peace with them. By acknowledging and working with the intricacies of your neurodiverse brain, you can create an organized and functional space that respects your unique self. So, next time you encounter a Doom Bag, approach it not with dread but with the understanding that it's a part of your journey towards a more harmonious living environment.

Do you have doom boxes in your home? Please share your story or tips with me in the comments section. I would love to hear about it!

For more information, contact Jill Katz.

Ideas for Where to Sell or Donate Your Items

Sat, 02 Mar 2024 13:12:08 GMT

Jenny Albertini

Decluttered

After unpacking some of the underlying reasons around why decluttering may make sense for you, let’s make a plan about what to do with all with the stuff leaving your home.

Here are some tips I often offer to my in-person clients for what to do with the items you have decided to let go of–and how to earn some money or help a charity along the way.

1. IDENTIFY WHICH PIECES OFFER THE HIGHEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT (ROI)

Focus your efforts on selling the highest-quality items you have. If you have any furniture for example, or luxury goods (like clothing, jewelry, or watches), prioritize selling those items first. You may need to contact a few resale options to find buyers but overall because you will earn a higher amount of money potentially for selling those items this will make better use of your time than focusing on selling lower-cost items.

Be realistic too: selling items is often time-consuming. People often overestimate how much items can fetch in the resale market. That said, if you have a good amount of high-quality items or you have time to spend finding buyers, then you may want to consider selling.

For clothing, there are many resale options for secondhand clothing through websites like The Real Real and Poshmark. Consignment stores looking for vintage pieces may also be interested in what you have to offer depending on the season of the year and the season of clothing you wish to sell.

2. DONATE ITEMS THAT ARE IN GREAT CONDITION

When deciding whether or not to donate something, consider first the condition the item is in. Dropping off broken or unsanitary items at donation centers just creates more work for the staff members there to sort and throw those items out. Most donation centers have guidelines – follow them! For example, some places do not want old kitchenware, so don’t drop those items off there. If you want to get your donate pile out of your house but don’t have an easy way to bring your donations to a local center, order up a Dolly service (like Uber for your things) to collect and drop off the items for you.

Remember that many charity groups who offer pick-up services for furniture donations are inundated around the New Year transition months (November–January) so wait times can be long. Last year, in December, the wait time was two months for a donation pick-up for one of my clients who was letting go of many pieces of furniture. In Washington DC, there are local shelters and support organizations that I recommend contacting to see what their current donation process is like, including So Others Might Eat, A Wider Circle, Homes Not Borders, and the Oasis Alliance.

3. GET RID OF STUFF THAT “NEEDS TO GO” WITH SERVICES LIKE FREECYCLE OR OFFERUP

Consider services like Freecycle or OfferUp for no or low-cost ways to get items out of your home. I use OfferUp now with my clients instead of Facebook Marketplace because it doesn’t seem to need as many fussy pictures or lengthy descriptions. Plus, Facebook Marketplace can involve a lot of back and forth. Just take and post a photo and then arrange for local pick up of your items. I always set pick-up locations near but not at my house or my clients’ homes, for safety reasons.

Those three options should answer a lot of your questions around what to do with ‘the things’ after you have decluttered. Sign up for my newsletter for more tips and tricks for people with luxury goods, entire homes full of belongings to sort, and entire closets to unpack.

For more information, contact Jenny Albertini.

From Clutter to Compassion: A Neurodivergent Organizer's Journey of Self Discovery

Fri, 23 Feb 2024 14:39:31 GMT

Jill Katz

I initially became an organizer because I enjoyed problem solving for clients with brain-differences. As a research loving Mom to a neurodivergent child, it just made sense. However, my life took a sharp turn which led me to reevaluate the “Why”. I will explain.

The History

When you read the “About Me” summary from a professional organizing website, you will often see something like this:

“My name is Charlotte Organized and since the age of 3, I have had a passion for all things organizing.”

My history is the complete opposite. Since the age of 3, I have struggled with disorganization. I was a messy child, a teenager that struggled to focus on her homework, and a young adult who developed anxiety about showing up late to just about anything.

In high school, my Mom helped me create a detailed schedule to study for the 9 finals in my dual curriculum Hebrew Prep School. In College, I drew a visual color coded schedule of my college classes and internships so I could see the blank spaces of my free time and make plans. As a young adult, I created routines for myself, slowly experimenting throughout the years to see what worked and what didn’t. I earned a degree in Marketing and got a job that I loved. I got married and then I became a Mom of a child with learning differences.

“Momhood” And A Path To Organizing

What’s it like to become the mother to a neurodivergent child? It’s humbling, it’s challenging, it breaks you down and you rebuild. I read up on all the literature and learned words like “Executive Functioning”, “Comorbidity” and “Sensory Processing”.

I left my job and became a SAHM (stay at home mom) using my new acronym in special needs support groups (Hi, I am a SAHM of a daughter with these issues…). Every day a new Early Intervention specialist came - a physical therapist, an occupational therapist or a speech therapist and I had a binder to keep track of all their notes and suggestions. Slowly, many of the Moms from the playgroup cohort disappeared. They couldn’t relate to my experience and I couldn’t bear to hear how they reached yet another milestone with their neurotypical child. It all felt very isolating.

Time passed and I had another child. I enjoyed being a Mom of two but I itched to get back to work. A friend of mine became an organizer and she hired me to assist her for various jobs. And I noticed the neurodivergent clients. When you have a kid with differences and have read so much literature surrounding the subject, you end up with a knack for noticing others with differences. And I wondered about them. I mean, I helped to support my child with her schoolwork and other responsibilities, but who helped neurodivergent adults with their own children and other vast responsibilities?

Thus, Oe to Zen Organizing was born and I started to focus on clients who needed and deserved compassionate out-of-the-box organizing support.

But the story doesn’t end there…

Full Circle: The Journey of Self Discovery & Neurodiversity

When I started my organizing business, my goal was to help adult clients by expanding on what I had learned with my neurodivergent daughter. What I didn’t expect was to discover that I was neurodivergent. There wasn’t any one moment of discovery. The realization happened slowly over time as it dawned on me that I had experienced many of my client’s struggles. It’s amazing to me that it took so long to reach this understanding!

The discovery cast a new light on how I viewed my life. I tried to explain to my confused family what I was experiencing even though they didn’t view me as any different than I was the day before. I worked through the shame I had endured knowing deep down of my differences. I worked through understanding the masking I exhibited to try to fit in. I considered when being hard on myself was helpful and when I should be doling out more self compassion. Overall, I started to notice my differences in real time and worked at accepting them. In summary, it was a rollercoaster of emotions and I am still processing what this means for me.

In Conclusion

How do I explain that this new discovery changes everything? I can practice self compassion and mindfully apply the same executive functioning strategies that I teach to others on myself. I can relate to my clients on a new level and truly understand the frustration of not being able to apply traditional organizing strategies. I can revel in looking back at my successes in overcoming many of my challenges with creativity and perseverance. And I can confidently encourage my clients to abandon perfection and let them know “You can do this.”

For those of you who have had a journey of self-discovery, what did you learn? How did it change your life? I would love to hear about it in the comments.

For more information, contact Jill Katz.

Creating a Habit

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 13:58:17 GMT

Janet Schiesl

Creating a habit that will truly last.

I’m working on creating new habits all the time.

However, I work on one new habit at a time. I’ll master it before moving on to the next.

This is how I learn best – Focusing on changing one habit at a time.

Taking small steps to engrain a habit is how you will be most successful.

Perhaps you want to create a habit to become more organized. Start small. Why not bring the mail in each day and sort it right then and there? Or if you have a more health-related habit in mind then start by taking a short walk every day or drinking more water.

My suggestion for you is to try each new habit for at least 30 days. Taking one small step at a time will enable you to see the difference it’s making. You may start to feel a little more organized and then less stressed – or refreshed from your daily walk and water.

How do you create a habit? One at a time.

What new habit have you created lately?

For more information contact Janet Schiesl.

Best Organizing Products for Small Spaces to Try in 2024

Fri, 16 Feb 2024 13:35:56 GMT

Diane Greenhalgh

*We've evaluated all the recommended products here and make no financial gain if you purchase something. We don’t care about making money from this list, we just want to help you love (and organize) your space.

If you're anything like us, you love tiny living. But maybe, right now, you're feeling like tiny living means there's not enough space for the stuff you need. But who says you need a ton of space to live large?

We're here to tell you it's all about maximizing the space you've got, so we've compiled a list of the best organizing products for small spaces. These must-haves will help you maximize your small space and bring simplicity (and maybe even a smile!) to your daily life. From sleek over the door organizers to versatile lap desks, we've curated a list of the best organizing products that promise to create more room, improve efficiency, and make your home happier. Let's dive in!

1. Over the door shoe organizer with pockets

Over the door shoe organizers with pockets are a dream come true! Whether you go with the Gorilla Grip Shoe Holder Rack, the MISSLO Large Over the Door Organizer, or the Container Store's 24-Pocket Mesh Over the Door Shoe Bag, they can all hold a surprising amount of weight and offer a fantastic solution for keeping all kinds of things in order without taking up precious floor space.

Don't let the word "shoe" in this organizer's title fool you because they are best used for everything but shoes unless you have tiny feet, like with kids, or use them for flip-flops.

You can store almost anything in your home—accessories, toiletries, and even pantry items. Remember, in a tiny space, every inch counts. Our favorites are the ones with multiple mesh pockets, so it's easy to see and access what you've stored.

2. Behind cabinet door organizers

This next one offers a clever solution for holding items that can otherwise clutter your space, such as bags, cleaning supplies, paper towels, and even hair dryers. Their design utilizes the often-overlooked and typically unusable space behind cabinet doors, making them an ideal choice for those looking to maximize every inch of their home.

With various designs and materials, you'll find the perfect match for your needs and style. Some are simple, with a tray or two to store items. And some even feature specific compartments for items like paper towels or hair dryers.

One of the significant advantages of these organizers is accessibility. They're always within reach, saving you from rummaging around in cluttered cabinets or drawers. Plus, their position behind the cabinet door keeps them out of sight for a clean and uncluttered look.

You can find them on Amazon, Target, and Wayfair to start maximizing that valuable space behind your cabinet doors.

3. Adjustable closet rod

This nifty simple closet tool is a game-changer for your wardrobe organization. This innovative product, like the ClosetMaid Double Hang Closet Rod, can be easily clipped onto your existing closet rod, instantly doubling your hanging space. Its adjustability ensures it fits seamlessly, no matter your closet size.

Constructed of durable, powder-coated steel, it provides reliable support for your garments. With its deep nickel finish, it not only maximizes your storage but also adds a touch of class to your closet. Moreover, this versatile rod is not limited to clothes. You can use it to hang accessories, bags, or hats, making it an all-around closet organizer.

It's an ideal organizing solution for people who want flexibility in a small closet and for increasing accessibility for shorter individuals, people in wheelchairs, and children who may struggle with reaching higher rods.

The ClosetMaid rod is our top pick, and you can grab it at retailers like Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Walmart. There are other types, like this one pictured above from Umbra, available at The Container Store®.

4. Space-saving hangers

Living small means making every inch count, especially in your wardrobe. So space-saving hangers are a stylish fix for a cramped closet.

Skinny velvet or felt hangers are the best for this. They're slimmer than old-school hangers and keep your clothes from slipping off (and having to hang them up again!). Plus, getting them with the sturdy bar at the bottom means no stretching or poking your favorite sweater while you're hanging it.

Want an even cleaner-looking closet? Try color-coordinating your hangers. Cohesive hanger colors can reduce visual noise and make your closet feel more spacious.

There are so many options for colors and brands of space-saving hangers. You can even get kid and petite sizes. The best deal is from Costco, but you can also grab some from Amazon, Walmart, Target, or The Container Store®.

5. Over the door mirror

If you're a frequent mover or renting your space, an Over Door Mirror is your new best friend. It's the smart answer to the pesky problem of mounting and unmounting mirrors or struggling with mirror clips and ending up with a warped reflection.

The Beauty4U Over the Door Adjustable Hanging Mirror has our vote as the best choice. It gives you a full-length view minus the floor clutter and is a breeze to install. But what sets it apart is its adjustability. You can position it at just the right height, making it perfect for individuals of varying heights, including children or people who use wheelchairs.

Some other over-the-door mirror models even have hidden storage for your jewelry or accessories. And some are just plain dreamy with modern details and finishes like this super long one from Bed Bath & Beyond. Whatever model you get, it's not just a mirror; it's a space-saving, style-enhancing accessory for your home.

6. Slim rolling cart

With its smooth-gliding wheels, this nifty little helper is designed to seamlessly navigate through your home, fitting snugly into even the smallest corners. It's sleek, it's functional, and it's ready to revamp your storage strategy.

We love that it's a versatile storage solution that shines in any setting:

In the kitchen, it becomes a mobile pantry for cans, spices, or utensils.
In the laundry room, it serves as a convenient holder for laundry essentials, easily sliding into narrow spaces.

For crafty folks, this cart transforms into an organized craft station with easy access to supplies.
In the bathroom, it becomes extra storage you can slip in a small space that’s flexible because you can move it around.
In a bedroom, it can be a unique nightstand alternative.

Regardless of the room, a slim rolling cart blends style and functionality, making it an invaluable addition to any home.

7. Portable lap desk with storage

Compact and foldable, this Portable Lap Desk with Storage is designed to make the most of your space, even if that space is your lap. Whether you're a work-from-home pro or a student cramming for exams, the desk offers a stable spot for your laptop or tablet.

Ideal for small homes in need of flexibility, people who need a change of scenery, or kids who love being around their parents, it moves easily from room to room or even outdoors. When you're done, just fold it and tuck it away to save space.

Speaking of space... Despite its size, it doesn't skimp on storage! There's plenty of room for your essentials, like stationery and notebooks.

Other portable desk options can be found at Target, Wayfair, and Walmart.

8. Corner dish shelf

mDesign's Corner Shelf is a great option for those looking to maximize their kitchen storage. We like to use it to stack plates so you don’t have to lift a pile to get to the size you want.

Another option is this Bamboo 3 Tier Plate Rack, made from natural bamboo it can easily organize your dishes. The three-tiered design takes even more advantage of vertical space if you can’t adjust your shelves, which is a critical factor in compact areas. So instead of sprawling across your counters, these shelves grow upwards - keeping your countertops clutter-free while ensuring your dishes are always within arm's reach.

9. Turntable

With its 360-degree rotation, the turntable (sometimes called a Lazy Susan) is a game-changer, ending those frustrating moments spent rummaging at the back of cabinets. With just a quick spin, everything you need is within reach.

What makes a turntable so special is its straightforward (and round!) design. Whether nestled in your pantry, fridge, or bathroom cabinet, this organizer ensures every item has a designated spot within easy reach.

And it really shines in the kitchen. A two-tiered Lazy Susan is perfect for housing spices. Round spice jars on a round turntable? It's a match made in heaven! With this addition to your kitchen, it's so easy to find the paprika without knocking over the pepper.

But it's also a dream for storing canned goods in your pantry or even cleaning supplies. For those items, we recommend grabbing a turntable model with a lip to keep everything in place (instead of toppling off if you spin it too hard). Some turntables are open with a lip around the edge, and some are divided into sections. The Container Store® has oodles of turntable options, so check them out.

10. Corner shower caddy

When organizing small bathrooms, a corner shower caddy is your best friend. It offers ample storage without taking up significant space. Whether you have a tub or a standalone shower, this versatile organizer fits seamlessly into any layout.

The Kadolina Corner Shower Caddy brings organization and style into your space, along with four tiers! That's perfect for stashing your shampoos, conditioners, body washes, and even a rubber ducky.

Similarly, the Rebrilliant Eisenman Tension Pole promises plenty of storage space, rust resistance, and sturdiness, translating to years of squeaky-clean service. We love the unique soap dish and hooks!

And another great option is the Zenna Home Chrome 4-Shelf Tension Pole. It has the tiers and the tension rod to make it fit in any space, but it also features a built-in towel bar because who doesn't love a multi-tasking product? With this caddy, you finally have a spot in the shower to hang your washcloth where you can actually reach it!

How to choose the best organizers for small spaces

FUNCTIONALITY FIRST

When you're on the hunt for the best organizing products, think about their functionality first and foremost. You want items that solve specific storage struggles you're facing, are adaptable, and can be used in various ways.

A great example is the over the door shoe organizer we shared above. It isn't just a kid's shoe rack in a closet; the same organizer could be a home for your accessories or a pantry space expansion.

SIZE AND DESIGN

Every square inch counts when you're working with a small space. Opt for compact, space-saving organizers that seamlessly blend with your aesthetic. Don't overlook vertical space—wall-mounted shelves or racks can transform your area. And be sure to measure the space before you make your purchase.

QUALITY MATERIALS

While you're shopping, look for durable materials like steel, bamboo, or heavy-duty plastics. Steel has a modern flair and resilience, while bamboo offers a warm, eco-friendly vibe. Heavy-duty plastics are lightweight, budget-friendly, and come in various colors to match your decor.

Maintenance matters, too, when you're thinking about what materials you want. Choose materials that won't give you a headache when cleaning time comes around. If you're eyeing fabric organizers, make sure they're either washable or armed with a protective shield against stains and spills. Or if you're shopping for spaces like bathrooms or kitchens that often have higher humidity, rust-proof or moisture-resistant organizers should be at the top of your list. They'll stand up to the elements and keep looking great.

Transform your space, transform your life

Living tiny doesn't mean you have to sacrifice comfort or functionality. With the right organizing products, every inch of your small space can be optimized to its fullest potential, making it not only visually pleasing but also a joy to live in. We've already shared some great stores to shop for the best organizing products. But there's more - so much more! Snag our freebie, 35 Stores for Small Space Solutions, for a list of stores to shop for organizing tools and small space furniture for any budget and location.

In the end, it's not about the size of the space you have. It's about what you do with it. And we're here to help! At Tiny to the Max, we're not just about creating organized spaces. We want to help you make room for what truly matters.

ENJOY, Y’ALL

For more information contact Diane Greenhalgh.

What’s the reason you keep empty boxes?

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 12:44:28 GMT

Janet Schiesl

Are empty boxes the newest indication of over-consumption?

Recently my team member, Denene mentioned that she’s been observing a new trend happening with our clients.

I’m noticing more and more that everyone seems to be collecting boxes!! Spaces are being overrun by empty boxes. Not only are people keeping shipping boxes of various shapes and sizes (just in case), but they are also collecting all sorts of used, pretty boxes (too pretty to throw away).

A bunch of the clients already have (or we worked on setting up) a small space for their box “collection” (mostly the pretty gift-type boxes) to make it easy for them to find what they need.

The key is to not go beyond the small space and to use them! I have to say I’m guilty of collecting boxes too, so this has been a good reminder to me.

I think we all have a stash of odd boxes lying around, but I have to agree with Denene, it’s becoming something else that needs organizing. How did we get to the point where we need to sort, declutter, organize, and maintain empty boxes? Below are the types of boxes I see most and what I think you should be doing with them instead of keeping them.

The Amazon Box

Of course, the proliferation of online shopping has made cardboard clutter something most people deal with these days. Maybe some of us save a unique box or two (but probably never use them). If you shop online then you’ll probably agree with me that if you get rid of your stash more will be delivered soon.

Here’s a way to use those shipping boxes.

I have a challenge for you! One of the reasons that clutter collects is that we bring more into our homes than we take out. One of the organizing strategies we live by is the One In-One Out rule. So take some of those empty boxes and create donation stations throughout your house and fill them with items that will equal the volume of what was delivered. Donation stations can be located in clothes closets, kitchens, laundry rooms, linen closets, and garages. You can even use a box to collect papers destined for shredding. You’ll reuse the box while also creating a donation system to keep your home organized.

There’s even a program that makes it easy for you to donate. Have you heard of Give Back Box? It’s a new method of donation because, in addition to creating a secondary use for your cardboard boxes and guaranteeing that they will be recycled, it helps clear closets, create jobs, and offer more companies and their customers an opportunity to recycle. All you have to do is pack items you no longer need into your empty boxes and then download shipping labels from their website and deliver your donations to UPS, USPS, or FedEx. They distribute your donations to their partner organizations.

The Gift Boxes

If you are a gift-giving person you probably have a collection of shirt boxes, jewelry boxes, and gift bags somewhere in your home. A few can come in handy at the spur of the moment, but how many do you actually need? They are not a dime a dozen, but pretty close! These days most of us live around the corner from a Dollar Tree or Dollar General where gift boxes can be purchased in packs of 2, 3 or 4 for $1.25. Adopt the mindset that you’ll let these stores store your gift boxes until you need them.

Let go of the gift boxes.

This is what I do. I use most gift boxes when wrapping holiday gifts, so I go purchase what I think I’ll need at the beginning of the season. Then once the holidays are over, I’ll offer any leftovers for free on my Buy Nothing group.

The Specific Boxes

I’ve observed clients saving boxes for specific items. Boxes for TVs, stereos, small kitchen appliances, and toys are the bulk of what I’ve seen. The biggest reason for keeping them is that they might need the boxes the next time they move and the second reason is that they’ll need the box if they sell the item.

Use the right product for the job.

We do a lot of packing for moves, so when our clients want to use these boxes to move I advise them to think again. Usually, these boxes are oddly shaped, therefore they won’t stack well in the moving truck. They’ll also be harder for the movers to balance/carry them onto the truck. The last thing we want is for their items to get damaged after all their box-saving efforts.

Did you know there is a difference between packing a box to move and packing a box for shipping?

Yes, there is a difference. So our clients who are saving a specific box for stereo pieces or small kitchen appliances are saving the box that was used to ship that item. An item can be packed for a move much more efficiently with packing paper and without all that odd-shaped Styrofoam that’s impossible to figure out how to reuse for packing.

The Moving Boxes

I’ve even encountered people who save moving boxes (in bulk) for their next move. Now, I’m all for reusing these boxes. But I always advise our clients that they are not worth the cost of the square footage in their home. It’s best to offer used boxes to family and friends (or try to Buy Nothing or Facebook Marketplace) for free. Let the good karma sent out with the boxes come back if you decide to reuse boxes at you next move.

Moving is expensive, but boxes are not.

These days, the cost of moving is not for the faint of heart. It’s expensive! So the thought of saving a lot of money on your move by reusing boxes is not realistic. Yes, you’ll save some. But is it enough that it will be worth giving up the square footage in your home now to save some later? My last word on this subject is that if you absolutely need to save your moving boxes, at least break them down so they take up less space. Re-taping is cheap people!

So I hope I’ve inspired you to let go of a couple (or many) of the empty boxes around your house. Take a minute to find a few, break them down, and put them in your recycling (if they are recyclable). Then start enjoying that little extra space that you created in your garage, basement or closet.

For more information contact Janet Schiesl.

Downsize and Digitize Your Photos and Special Documents

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 13:03:47 GMT

Debbie Smith

Keep Your Stuff Simple

Do you have boxes and envelopes with decades of photos that you haven’t gone through in years? Photo albums stuffed into closets that never get looked at?

During the hot dog days of summer, it’s the perfect time to take on an indoor project while you stay cool. Organizing your photos to scan and digitize them provide you a simple way to document and share them, preserve them from a disaster, and eliminate clutter.
Take a trip down memory lane, organize the photos chronologically for digitizing and pull photos you may want to send to family members or old friends with a nice note –

something we all enjoy getting when most communication these days is digital!

You won’t need to scan every photo, that’s where the downsizing is; there will be plenty of duplicates, fuzzy photos, or old pictures of people and scenery you no longer want.

Once you have your photos digitized it is easy to make special digital photo albums of vacations or a DVD for a special birthday or celebration – beautiful and simple ways to remember and view the special moments of your life.

You can even scan special papers; documents, medical records, anything you want to be able to put your hands on without going through massive files and piles of paperwork.

Debbie and KYSS can help you get this project started!

For more information contact, Debbie Smith.

Craftmatic Adjustable Bed

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 13:46:05 GMT

Anne Lyons

Step One Organizing

Watch Video

We recently sold the house my parents had lived in for over 30 years. Make no mistake, it was no small clean-out project. We were fortunate to have lots of time for the process. Which allowed my mom, my siblings and me to take our time deciding about what to do with things. Mom downsized to apartment living and we took just enough of just the right things there to make it feel like home for her. Friends and family were invited over to grab what they wanted, and many did. My city-dwelling sister took a pass identifying favorites to put in storage for the future country cottage of her dreams. My brother took small treasures he loved, but as he has very different style sensibilities than my parents, it wasn’t much. We’re proud Army brats, accustomed to moving with frequency. Every move involved a purge, so you just didn’t get too attached to stuff.

As the professional organizer in the family, I was at the forefront of this process and my approach was intense and somewhat merciless. I made frequent passes through the house to make decisions about things. I defaulted to letting go more than keeping, though I waffled often. It wasn’t easy, but I managed to toss hundreds of photos into many trash cans. I tore apart picture frames and plaques. I took knitting supplies to senior centers. I gave a future fashion design student two very expensive sewing machines. I sent pictures of funny items and notes to friends and then let them go.

The hauler needed five small trucks to take the rest away.

Also as a professional organizer for over ten years, I know all to well what it’s like to take too much of your parents' stuff. I can’t count the number of clients whose initial call with me includes the phrase “...oh and I’ve got a bunch of things in my basement that came from my parents’ house that I need to figure out what to do with…” That was a burden that I did not want for myself. I was very deliberate about what I chose to keep take home with me.

I made myself picture any item’s future location in my own home before taking it. Furthermore, when I did take items to my home they either went straight to that new location, or into my dining room until it was piled high - giving me a constant visual reminder to deal with the items. I also gave myself a ‘clear the dining room' deadline. It didn’t happen overnight, but the dining room is clear and everything has a home. Later, I called a hauler myself for the items I changed my mind about, and also the things of my own I started to realize no longer served me. Clearing your parents’ home has a unique effect of making you look at your own things differently too.

Six months later, I wish I’d kept the Craftmatic adjustable bed. Me and the spousal unit are starting to appreciate a little elevation or padding under the knees for sleeping. A few times I wished I had the very high quality clothes steamer we let go. I definitely wish I’d asked my mom one last time about that winter coat.

Oh well.

Oh well. Could have had a free Craftmatic.

Oh well, could have gotten those fancy tablecloths I did keep nice and crisp with the steamer.

Wouldn’t have to find mom a new coat.

Oh well.

Do I need to elaborate the point here? The highest emotional regret I can come up with is "Oh well.” I have a small number of treasures from my parent’s home. I took some furniture that was practical to put in my newly finished basement. I replaced a cheap-ish console table of my own with a beautiful antique my mother loved. I put art of theirs up on my own walls. I wove special bits of their home into the fabric of my own - and now they are my treasures. They enhanced my house, did not overwhelm it. Not a single item is stored in a box in the basement. In my office is one box of photos that will take me some time to scan and store and learn about.

The process isn’t easy, even for a professional organizer, but it’s so important to remember — THINGS are not your memories, your memories are your memories. A few items can go a long way for sentimentality. Saving ‘just in case’ is quite often not the best course of action. If you do find you’ll need something, you may have some regret, but it won’t probably won’t be a huge deal. Letting go is liberating in so many more ways.

Also, the Craftmatic was over 15 years old. Who knows how much life it had left in it? The steamer probably was too and is huge.

I really should’ve checked with mom one more time about that coat.

Oh well.

For more information, contact Anne Lyons.

7 Tips for Organizing Your Charitable Giving

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 13:34:27 GMT

Jill Katz

One To Zen Organizing

The Story

I would like to think of myself as a good person. I genuinely care about people. I buy Girl Scout cookies, give to the local food pantry and write checks throughout the year to multiple organizations. But there are so many causes out there. I often overthink the where, the how much and the why of my donations so that by March, I am emotionally spent. But this year I decided to get organized with my charitable giving and I decided to bring you along for the ride.

I researched this topic and culled what I thought were the 7 best tips for organizing charitable giving. So let’s get started.

The Tips

Tip #1: Pick a number

Is this a magic trick?

If we are truly going to get organized, we need to estimate how much we plan to spend annually on our charitable donations.

According to Luke Freeman, Manager of Giving What We Can, there is no one size fits all answer to picking a number but there are 3 general approaches:

The “Give What You Won’t miss” approach (aka Greasing the wheels):

Do you just need a starting point? Then you might begin by giving about 1% of your yearly earnings to charity. This approach allows you to incorporate the process of giving into your lifestyle without impacting your wallet too much. You can always increase the amount next year.

The “Give the Average” approach (the average tactic):

Most people give between 2-6% of their earnings to charity. If you want to make sure that you are doing your part, then choose the path that most Americans take. T

The “Give Generously” approach: (above average for those who are able)

Jews & Christians refer to this approach, giving 10%, as a tithe but even if you are not religious there are some benefits to using the 10% approach. It is low enough that it's accessible to those who have means but it is high enough that it really feels meaningful to most people. It also has the benefit of being a round number that is easy to calculate!

Whatever approach we choose, we need to remember it’s just a starting point so let’s not agonize over it. We will pick one and move on!

Tip #2: Time to Divvy it up

Open up your piggy bank

This is the tricky part. This is where I personally get lost in the weeds. So I called my esteemed colleague, Samara Goodman, ASID, Owner of Samara Interiors, LLC to help me out. Samara is always volunteering for one cause or another so I knew she probably had her act together when it came to charities and she did not disappoint.

Samara told me that she first learned to organize her charitable giving about twenty years ago when she worked for the Federal government. The government has a program called the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) that allows you to use pretax dollars deducted from your paycheck toward your chosen charity. In order to take advantage of this perk, Samara learned to think ahead. Thank you US Government!

Samara’s approach is to choose 1 or 2 primary charities that she cares about and go deeper by giving more to and getting involved in those 2 charities. Her advice: “Don’t pick too many places, start with one or two … Two doesn’t mean you are doing less, it just simplifies the giving process.” Over the years those 2 core charities have changed. Right now Samara’s focus is going local and donating to charities in her Arlington, VA area that serve those in need, as well as those one-time donations when a friend makes a request on behalf of their charity.

“Don’t pick too many places, start with one or two … Two doesn’t mean you are doing less, it just simplifies the giving process.”

After speaking with Samara, I felt much calmer. I love her simple approach of choosing just1 or 2 charities versus my overthinking process which leaves me with too many charities in which to keep track. Two charities or even three charities - I can do that! The only problem: I still have a bunch of pamphlets from charities and my heart is hurting. Should I just throw those away? This is too hard. Which brings me to the next tip….

Tip #3: Leave Room for Smaller Donations

So now we have our total amount of 1 to 3 main charities. But what about your friend’s request to donate to her top cause on Facebook for her birthday? And what about sending money to those in place X who are recovering from an Earthquake? And what about those pamphlets I receive throughout the year about 10 other amazing causes? Do I just ignore all of those donations?

No! The trick is to allocate the majority of your total contributions to your main causes and then set aside funds for smaller donations and spontaneous giving.So, for example, if you are giving $100 total to charity for the year (just picking a nice round number), then $90 would go to your main charities, leaving 10% for your spontaneous giving. The same holds true for any expected seasonal requests. If you always give to your local church or synagogue during Holiday time, remember to subtract that amount from your total giving.

Tip #4: Consider a recurring giving schedule (ex. Monthly)

Giving monthly rather than giving in one lump sum provides more impact on the organization. A charity with recurring payments can plan for the year based on your monthly donation. Monthly donations also allow you to become more invested in the cause because you are reminded of your donation every month. Staying connected to the cause is a core aim of charitable giving. So next time you give, check off the recurring donations form and divide your total into 12 monthly payments.

Tip # 5: Consider Giving Publicly

I'm letting everybody know

I was surprised by this research. I always thought that anonymous giving was the preferred method because it seemed more authentic - you are giving to help others and not for recognition. But then I came across a proven phenomenon called social proof coined by Robert Cialdini in his 1984 book "Influence." According to Cialdini, when we see others doing something, we are influenced to follow their lead. So if people see you donating to a charity, they might be persuaded to donate as well. Other examples of social proof are celebrity endorsements and website reviews. So we shouldn’t shy away from allowing ourselves to be listed in the “Golden Circle.”

Tip # 6: The Apps & Websites

These days, there are apps and websites for anything. My personal strategy is to visit these technologies after I set up my initial systems of organization. I love information so giving me these new tools to play with is a recipe for disaster. The research would never end! Here are some interesting technologies I found - just don’t fall into the information trap!

Charity Navigator: Shows you which charities are doing the best work
https://coinupapp.com/: Rounds up your purchase to the nearest dollar and donates the “coinage” to charity.
https://charitymiles.org/: Find a charity and associated sponsors that will donate based on the miles you run
https://sharethemeal.org/: Allows you to donate a meal to those in need around the world. Provides a monthly option.

Tip # 7: Giving ourselves some Grace

We organizers have a saying: “Perfection is the enemy of the good.” Our goal right now is to lay the foundation for charitable giving. We can always revisit our system and tweak it over time. In fact, we are likely to adopt new causes as our experiences change and as we enter new life stages. The takeaway - we care enough to think proactively about charitable giving and we get a gold star for that!

In Conclusion

These 7 tips have helped me to set up a system and I hope they guide you with your charitable giving.

I would love to hear if these tips have helped you or if you have any other tips. Scroll down to the comments section at the bottom of the page to share.

For more information, contact Jill Katz.

Your Treasures or Your Children’s Junk

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 18:34:35 GMT

Debbie Smith

Keep Your Stuff Simple

One man’s junk may be another man’s treasures, but more and more, your treasures are becoming your children’s junk.

Many folks hold onto ‘stuff’, memories tied tightly around it, saving it for the kids. Be assured, they don’t want it. You may have closets, attics, and garages full of family memories you’re sure your kids will want some day. The china sets? The silver? Various memorabilia? Nope, they do not want it.

One of the best gifts you can give your kids while you’re alive is downsizing your stuff before they have to. They have their own stuff; they’re working, raising kids, and not only do they do not want your stuff, they don’t have time to go through it.

Take the time today to downsize and simplify your possessions; go through these things together with your kids and cherish the memories. Give with warm hands the jewelry, photos, or special items the kids may want. For the rest of it, hold onto the memories, but give away, recycle, repurpose or donate ‘stuff’ now. You will enjoy the walk down memory lane as you do this, and your kids will thank you!

For more information contact Debbie Smith.

Decluttering for Dementia

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 18:27:58 GMT

Heather Nickerson

If you’ve ever needed a better reason to stick to or create a resolution to declutter your home, this one might do it: It’s good for your brain. And we’ve seen it firsthand.

In today’s piece for ARTIcles by Artifcts, we talk openly about facing a loved one’s dementia diagnosis, and how, maybe to your surprise, decluttering can help. We are grateful to include specialist insights throughout from Cathy Rice, certified senior move manager and life-long educator.

________________

Dementia is heartbreaking, terrifying, and, so far, irreversible. Even if a loved one is in many ways themself, we know the disease is slowly changing them and shortening their life. I know. I have a loved one who is among the more than 50 million people worldwide with dementia now and already lost a loved one to dementia as well.

Some of us react to this sort of diagnosis with a desire to do something, anything, to help, to make our loved one’s life in any way better, to take the tiniest measure of control over the disease. We dive into a multi-prong tactical to-do list that we must continuously update as together we progress from diagnosis, to sharing that diagnosis with others, to learning how to manage the disease and being as prepared as possible across legal, medical, financial, and insurance fronts.

As I sought out my own ways to help, I expected I’d find information about diet, exercise, and social activities, both for my loved one with dementia and their primary, day-to-day care provider. And I did. What I was surprised to find recently while browsing HFC, Shining a Light on Alzheimer's: 5 Brain Health Habits was the hot mainstream topic of decluttering.

Benefits of Decluttering for Those With Dementia

You know decluttering well from TV shows like The Joy of Swedish Death Cleaning and The Home Edit, books including Marie Kondo’s famous The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and bins and more from shops like The Container Store. Decluttering to support someone with dementia in some ways is like decluttering for people with normal brain health. Too much stuff can literally be dangerous if we cannot safely navigate our homes. Some of us are also more sensitive to feeling drained by too much stuff lying about around us.

Of course, when you have dementia, decluttering has other benefits, too.

Reduce stress. Stress reduction is imperative when you have mild cognitive impairment or dementia. And decluttering can mean clearing away some of the to-dos that come to mind when people see stuff to tidy, dust, or keep safe. Have you experienced a loved one with dementia hiding things to keep the item safe? I am sure you have because it's an incredibly common behavior.
Improve sleep. Quality sleep is critical for the brain’s nightly reset. Busy surroundings can lead to busy brains and may even sow confusion in bedtime routines.
Safety, safety, safety. We know, decluttering is about aging well in place for all of us as we age, but it’s especially true for people with health conditions, like dementia, that can make them more vulnerable to confusing and distracting surroundings.
Avoiding anything close to hoarding. Keep in mind, hoarding disorder is its own condition, but managing even the clutter of daily life is more difficult when you have dementia because of increased challenges in making decisions.
Purpose. We know finding purpose at any age is important. Here we are talking about giving the decluttering process a purpose to help your loved one part with more items than they might otherwise be willing to do. Purpose might be supporting a local shelter, resupplying charitable builders with tools, or reconnecting with loved ones when you pass down items. You get the idea.

Decluttering for Dementia
We’ve prepared these tips from our own practical experience helping our loved ones with dementia as we try to help make sense of it all, including one’s surroundings.* In some cases our loved ones were also decluttering to downsize and move. In others, it was more of a practical decluttering, for safety and mental health.

* We are not medical professionals. If you are considering radical changes to your loved one’s home enviornment, you should consult first with a specialist licensed in dementia care.

LIGHTS ...

Before you start your declutter, check the lighting throughout the home. Living like a cave troll generally does no one very good. But dementia is not only about memory. If you can see well what’s around you, it’s easier to make sense of your surroundings (and of course it’s safer). Make it easy to see the light switches, too. Understanding and interpreting surroundings, like a white switch on a white wall, can become an impediment for someone with dementia.

Cathy’s Insight: Adding felt pads to any lighting fixture to differentiate the feel of the switch from the fixture itself or a simple icon as a visual cue helps to support the brain's understanding of the item with its function.

… CAMERA, ACTION!

Start from the ground, and work your way up.

What’s on the floor? Stacks of stuff? Wandering power cords? Rugs that slip and shift? Take a fresh look. Then move your eye upward to the surfaces of counters and entry tables. If someone needed to quickly grab onto a surface to prevent a fall, would they have a secure place to grab? Is there a clear and secured place for common objects, like house keys?

Cathy’s Insight: People with dementia often find comfort in knowing that their stuff is close-at-hand. Create a "command center" within easy reach of their favorite chair for essentials (eyeglasses, books, pencils, fidget items, etc.).

And about those rugs … if you must keep them, use carpet tape to secure edges to the floor. The same applies to small storage trays, which you can secure with surface-safe tape or museum putty.

Favor simple home furnishings.

As we know stress takes its own toll on the brain; let’s try to minimize the stress home décor can accidentally create. One Arti Member told us, “My loved one was disturbed by a decorative lumbar pillow that had a shaggy fur cover. It looked like a small dog.” Sometimes textures and patterns can be difficult for people with dementia to interpret. Likewise distinguishing whether an object is inanimate. This is why some people with advancing dementia find comfort with life-like pets such as those from Joy For All.

Take it down a notch.

This is about audio clutter. Too much and/or competing noises can be incredibly distracting for anyone, particularly someone with dementia. Think about simultaneous noise from the television, washing machine, and someone on a phone call, for example.

Cathy’s Insight: Taking this point a step further, family, friends, and caregivers should practice standing in front of, and at eye level if appropriate, people with dementia before speaking with them. Get their attention by saying their name and then speak simply and succinctly.

Set it aside, together. Do not remove it.

Don’t remove it immediately, if you do not have to, that is. Rushes to declutter in support of someone with memory loss could lead to irreversible loss of cherished mementos that also can serve as visual cues for familiarity and comfort. Is there an alternative way to display the items that the person with dementia says they care most about? Maybe try grouping like items on a shelf or table where they will see them often. For photos, you might even consider a digital photo frame, such as those from Nixplay, Aura, or any of the many other options.

For items that do not make the cut, if space permits, store them in an appropriate box, and set them aside so you can pull them back out later if needed or as part of a monthly or maybe seasonal rotation. We recommend you Artifct them before they go into the box and tag them to easily recall what you've stored. This approach does not apply to duplicates, meaningless bits and bops, or trash. Consult with your loved one always as well as your own good judgement.

Clarity of Purpose for the Win

Our final decluttering tip is about visual chaos. If you open a drawer and see a jumble of socks, pants, and t-shirts, you could get distracted or confused. If a cabinet has five options for plates, and 10 options for cups, which should you choose? Not only should you streamline what’s inside for simpler decision making but consider visually labeling doors to indicate what’s inside. This gadget could help you get started with easy printing of images from your phone.

Cathy’s Insight: As the disease of dementia progresses, consider only placing the clothes needed for that day in the drawer or use a shelf in a bedroom/bathroom as the place for their daily wardrobe.

Do you have decluttering tips for dementia? We’d love to hear them! You can contact Editor@Artifcts.com.

Happy Artifcting!

_________________

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

If you are a caregiver or supporting someone who is, you may find it helpful to browse and share these related resources.

Alzheimer's Society, UK: 10 Ways to Make Your Home Dementia Friendly

US National Institute of Health: Study of Home Modifications for People with Dementia

Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute: Communication Strategies in Dementia Care

Mayo Clinic: Clearing Clutter Benefits Your Health and Well-Being

Psychology Today: The Many Mental Benefits of Decluttering

AARP Michigan: Dementia Resource Guide for Families

For more information contact Heather Nickerson.

Easy Seasonal Decor

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 17:57:50 GMT

Samara Goodman

As many of you know, I am the Vice President of the DC Chapter of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO-WDC). So clearly, I spend a lot of time learning from my knowledgable organizing and productivity colleagues. One thing I have learned is that season-specific decor often creates clutter. In this issue, we will share tips for simplifying the foundational pieces used in tablescapes and ideas for easy seasonal decor updates throughout the year.

NEUTRAL BASE
What do clear glass, white pottery, silver, wood, and wicker all have in common? They are all neutral! These materials make great base vessels to hold your changing decor throughout the year. Whether it is a bowl, vase, jar, or tray, you do not need to change this base – even when the season changes or when you just get tired of the filler. No need to go out and purchase new vessels, just shop your home for them. Cake stands and glass floral-delivery vases are two of our favorites.

EASY FILLER
One can find beautiful holiday and seasonal decor inspiration online and in shop windows. However, most of us do not want to store these one-month or one-season items for the rest of the year. Look to nature and everyday items for ways to customize these vessels year round. Items such as candies, fruit, leaves, and nuts are all easily accessible and affordable. We especially like to use items that are compostable after the season is over. The Samara Interiors Décor Guides provide many vase, bowl, and basket filler ideas.

For more information contact Samara Goodman.

A Lost and Found Basket Works!

Fri, 15 Dec 2023 11:48:33 GMT

Janet Schiesl

“Keep a lost & found basket in a central location where family members can stash things they find lying around the house and look for things they have lost.”

– Harold Taylor

I subsequently do this and it works!

I use it a lot. Much more than the rest of the family. It makes me crazy when things are lying around, and out of place, since I like everything neat and organized more than everyone else.

“Everything in its place” is my motto.

When the space is organized through the use of baskets, bins, or boxes, wayward items will seem more organized and there will be a central location for all family members to look for items that are “lost”.

It’s certainly quick and easy. Throughout the day, you may choose to walk the circuit in your home to collect items, or you may grab them as you go.

For more information contact Janet Schiesl.

Books, Wonderful Books: What to do with all of them?

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 18:13:31 GMT

Elaine Weiss

Declutter For Good

As a life-long reader and lover of books, I totally get it.

If books are central to who you are, you have been collecting them since you were little (and, possibly, since your kids were little). Each aspect of your life – high school, college, jobs, parenting, hobbies, book clubs, travel – has provided an opportunity to accumulate different ones. They all have sentimental value. You can’t part with them.

But they can also present a problem. They are all over your home: on the bookshelves, tables, chairs, and now, even the floor. You have a feeling you aren’t actually going to read most of them again (or even once). But even if you might be able to part with some of them, you don’t know where to start. Or how to ensure they don’t end up in the dump.

A few years ago, I was in your situation. I had at least six book shelves in various rooms throughout the house, with both books I loved and ones I didn’t. Books I had promised myself to shelve “right away” were settling into semi-permanent homes on the table, buffet, and chairs. When I went looking for one to read or reference, I could never find it. And as someone who had never parted peacefully with my books, I had dreaded even the thought of tackling this task. As it turned out, it was actually among my most enjoyable activities. Not only did I create space for many non-book items, I can consistently find the book I want. And even better, having a collection of only truly loved books has reinvigorated the book-lover in me.

If you’ve been thinking that dealing with your books should be part of your home organization, now is definitely the time. Why now?

The holidays are coming. Tackling this one part of your clutter can create a more inviting space for holiday hosting, clear your head to make planning, cooking, and shopping more efficient and enjoyable, and set you up for further, bigger organizing wins in 2024. Add this to your pre-New Years’ resolution list.

Books make wonderful gifts. As you sort through the many you no longer want to keep, you will come across several that are perfect for a particular family member or friend. And inscribing a book you have loved with a note (and maybe adding a cute bookmark) can make for a more personal, special present. (I’m also a fan of crafting with old books! Sparkly jewelry boxes, cute pen holders, and unique lamp bases, are among the virtually endless options.)

‘Tis the season of giving. Good book drives are everywhere. One that is meaningful to me is the GO month drive by the National Association of Professional Organizers (of which I am a proud member). It is a month-long campaign to raise awareness about the many benefits of organizing and decluttering. So, this December and January, consider putting your pre-loved books to great use.

Ready to get started? Feel free to reach out to me for a list of great local charities that can ensure your books find loving new homes.

Cleaner closet. Clearer head. Cuter me!

I don’t know about you, but I tend to spend a lot of time in the morning looking at my closet and not being able to figure out what to wear. And not infrequently, even after I have managed to choose, I take off the skirt or top I selected and swap it for another that feels like a slight improvement. Picking the day’s outfit has definitely gotten harder over the years, and I’ve been attributing it lately to a combination of aging and insufficient early-morning caffeine. I just turned 50, though, and I’m the kind of person who is naturally awake – and immediately chatty – when I get out of bed, so I knew at some level that it couldn’t be only those factors.

For the past five months, since my full-closet declutter, it has never taken more than a few seconds. I can see every option, and while they all look good, it is very easy to determine which I want. Several factors seem to be at play here.

First, of course, is the fact that there are so many fewer options. Six months ago, I was trying to decide between fifteen or more pairs of shorts. Now I’m down to nine (if all of my laundry is clean, which is almost never the case). Given that, even if I stay home all week and wear shorts every day, that feels like a more-than-enough set of options. And having picked one or the other of my remaining pairs of jeans shorts twice, I can see that I had too many “lounge” shorts I wasn’t wearing, but could use one more pair of good jeans shorts. I.e., not only do I know what I want to wear, I know what to buy (and what not to!)

Second, I am not getting bogged down by all the unconscious negative thoughts I didn’t realize I was experiencing. I’m not having my eyes catching on t-shirts that I don’t like, that no longer fit me, or that were never really my thing but that I couldn’t admit to, having just paid for them. Those all went to other people’s closets where they will be appreciated and worn, which also makes me feel lighter and less guilty (leaving me mental space to enjoy the tops that fit great, match my remaining shorts, and fit perfectly into a single drawer).

Third, my husband’s side of the closet, which, despite being a bit smaller than mine, has consistently, since we’ve moved into this house, been neater and better organized than mine, now looks to me like a disorganized mess. His shirts, which had seemed so accessible relative to my three-on-a-hanger skirts, are clearly not so easy to get to. When I scan his shelves, I spot multiple shirts that he hasn’t worn in years and that are just making it hard to see, and pull out, the few that he consistently puts on. (But, I promise myself, I will not take that on until I finish decluttering my stuff, which remains far and away the biggest clutter issue facing our household.)

Finally, my friends are jealous. I have been gleefully sharing pictures of my newly organized, lovely, accessible, attractive closet, and I suspect that I’ll soon be receiving requests to help them do the same with theirs.

Helpful "storage unit'? Or endless black hole?

If you’re like me, you have encountered a pile of old (sub your favorite “clothing” “books” “papers” “80s mementos”) and had the epiphany that the big grey bin you found at Home Depot would be the perfect solution to this disorder. All it needs is a label. Yay, mission accomplished!

Fast forward five, seven, ten, eighteen years. Big grey bin is beneath two boxes, has gathered a few cobwebs, the label is faded, and even if you can read it, you can’t remember what it is in there. And the thought of pulling it out from beneath those boxes, opening it, and sorting through the dozens of things inside that you know you don’t want is just too daunting. So you pretend it didn’t happen.

Now multiple that big grey bin situation by a lot. What do you have? A storage unit. I.e., a seemingly helpful tool for organizing and making space that, in reality, is a predatory force preying on us when we are most vulnerable.

That might be an exaggeration, but only a very slight one. Why are storage units four-letter words in my mind?

ONE:
They get you when you’re down. Who rents storage units, and why? People who have accumulated more things than they can reasonably store in their homes, whether because they were talked into buying things they didn’t need, inherited things they don’t want or can’t use, and/or went through a major life event that made dealing with things too difficult. I.e., you were persuaded that the new couch was necessary and perfect, only to realize that you couldn’t quite afford it and now have no space for the furniture that was already there. When your parents died, you were in no shape to sort through their drawers, cabinets, closets, and boxes, so it went, mostly intact, right into this space. Your husband’s sister had to move in with her baby, pushing old kids’ clothes you had been meaning to sort and boxes of books you read in college into the storage unit. This might sound like help when you need it, until you consider that…

TWO:
They enable you to avoid healthy grieving and processing. Of course, you wouldn’t “grieve” the bad decision to buy the couch you didn’t really want, but by shoving the old one out of sight, you allow yourself to not confront the pattern and nip this forming habit in the bud. And while it’s natural not to be able to cope with sorting your parents’ clothing, needlepoints, sentimental but not-your-thing serving platters, and old love letters in the weeks and months after they passed, the storage unit has turned those into years in which you never fully processed and missed out on valuable opportunities to use and cherish the few items that do keep them alive for you (and that you really do want to pass on to your own kids). And you are building up resentment towards your sister-in-law because the monthly rent for that storage unit has gone up a ton, but you can’t tell her that. Leading to…

THREE:
They stealthily rack up bills that, cumulatively, would have enabled you to do so many other, better things. I read in another organizer’s blog post recently that her clients’ twenty-plus year storage unit, which was housing basically her parents’ entire apartment since they died, had cost them more over those two decades than they needed for a solid downpayment on a second vacation home. This is likely on the extreme end, but the practice storage units employ of giving you the first few months cheap, or even free, and then raising the rates over time, is no accident. Most of us would balk initially at the rate we pay a few years later without even noticing. And the convenient monthly or semi-annual automatic payments guarantee that we’ll overlook the bills we’re accruing and make them feel much smaller.

This is not to say that there’s no situation in which a storage unit is a good, or at least necessary, tool. But my strong advice to my clients is to treat it as such.

Know, going in, that it is a temporary resource. Lean on it in tough times – when you can’t and shouldn’t deal with sorting and processing – but don’t let that set of crutches become a cane or a wheelchair you don’t need. Your initial criteria for choosing a unit can help ensure these wiser, more cost-effective choices. Proximity is huge – if you can’t easily get to your unit, you’re a lot less likely to actually start the sorting process at the three-month mark you set for yourself. Take advantage of those initial first months’ for free offer. If you play this right, those are all you need. Then, when you have cleared that baby out (with my help, if needed) within the six-month trial period, take yourself out for a drink on the money you earned, and toast your stellar ability to make these rules work for you.

Who knew that cleaning a cabinet could turn into laughter, tears, and great memories.

We all have a space in our home – a closet, cabinet, drawer, or box – that started out with a clear plan for what would go there, but over time has evolved into a somewhat random catch-all. As such, it’s one of those places that, as we go through our de-cluttering process, we avoid. It’s going to be too messy.

Our buffet is one of those places in our house. Now, to be clear, the buffet itself is fantastic in every way. Michael inherited it from a great-uncle in Los Angeles who had both money and great taste. It’s got a 1930s-1940s post-Art Deco feel, with warm honey-stained wood and funky etched round handles, and it’s solid as a rock. (As the poor guys who moved our stuff from our one-bedroom downtown delivered it, they realized how underpaid they were!) It fits perfectly in our small dining room, yet it holds a surprising amount of stuff. The latter, however, has become as much of a curse as a blessing over the nearly two decades we’ve been here.

It was initially the storage space for our “nice” dishes – a subtle white-grey-beige Villeroy and Boch leaf pattern that we fell in love with at someone’s dinner party – and our tablecloths and napkins. It made sense, then, that when my sister gave us a raclette grill for our wedding, the accessories would go in there, too. And once the kiddush cups and candlesticks and the lovely glass seder plate were stashed in the bottom drawer, it became a repository for any and all other things Jewish-holiday themed: the cute havdallah set and several candles, small silver tschotchkes that Michael’s great-aunt in Geneva sent home with him from winter visits there, and of course the requisite, and always-growing, pile of kippot (which really got out of hand when our daughters’ friends started to become bar and bat mitzvahs).

You probably recognize this pattern and are wincing a bit thinking of your own “buffet.” But I’m writing to tell you not to. Over the past two days, once I got past the reluctance to tackle this cluttered monster, I’ve experienced multiple pleasures.

First, of course, now that I’m becoming a pro at knowing what I will use and want to keep and what I won’t, I enjoy the feeling of sorting the plate, placemat, bowl, and cup “nos” into neat piles and then into a big box, where they can support families who are moving into their own homes for the first time. This also means that there’s now proper, non-cluttered space for the keepers. Second, and much more joyous, many of these items – both keepers and non-keepers – brought back wonderful memories.

One of the now five tablecloths was a wedding gift from my parents’ close friends, and we still comment every time we sit down to eat about the lovely, colorful Hungarian embroidery. It recently has company from a second hand-embroidered tablecloth that my mother-in-law and I discovered while cleaning out her linen closet, and that brings its own story to the buffet. The apron that Michael’s grandmother embroidered for him with all our names – including both dogs – needs Atticus’ name added to it, which I can do. The way-too-ornate-for-my-taste tea set that I inherited from my maternal grandmother – the ultimate “if it’s got gold on it I love it” grandma – has evolved into our Mothers’ Day tradition of serving fancy tea after a brunch of tea sandwiches, scones, and cookies. Without the set, I suspect the tradition, which has become a huge favorite, including among the dads, would not have happened. And as Michael and I sort through the various tschochkes we have accrued, we can consider which few of them we really love and want to hold on to, and find a place for them that isn’t the bottom drawer of the buffet, but a lovely spot where we can display and enjoy them every day.

For more information, contact Elaine Weiss.

Prioritize Organizing-Time

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 14:09:11 GMT

Janet Schiesl

You can achieve a more organized life in 5-minute increments.

Good time management is accomplished in small bits of time. The exercise of mapping out a daily/weekly/monthly plan is important to stay on track.

Successful people plan their time by writing everything down. But it’s hard for some to understand. I get it. Time is such an abstract idea. It’s hard to do. How long will each task take? How about the commute? What can you do while you are waiting for the meeting to begin? I tell my clients that a successful calendar is “full” of notes.

Whether you use a paper calendar or an electronic version practice noting everything you want to accomplish in your calendar. It is very important to schedule how long each task will take. By sitting down in the morning (or the night before) and mapping out your day with a list, you are less likely to be surprised with extra to-dos and you will also accomplish a lot more. It’s like making several appointments with yourself in one day.

As you get comfortable with this exercise, you’ll find that it will only take 5 minutes. Plan your day, then follow the plan.

In conclusion, try it – Prioritize Organizing-Time in 5 minutes.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

4 Ways To Determine If You Are Ready For A Change

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 19:39:09 GMT

Jill Katz

Are you thinking of renovating your kitchen, moving, or switching jobs, but you aren't sure if you are ready for a change? Well, as a professional organizer, I have become a bit of an expert when it comes to life transitions because professional organizers are most popular in times of change. I receive many calls in September when the leaves are falling and the air starts turning crisp, or right around January 1st when people are reevaluating their goals. Not to mention times when change is unplanned (i.e. a job loss, empty nesting, or learning you have ADHD.

But not everyone is ready to make a transition. Please understand; There is no judgment here. Choosing to make a change may not be the best decision for you, no matter the season. But how do you determine if the time is not now?

The "Why Now" Question

In order to determine your readiness, my number one question during a discovery call with a potential client is “WHY NOW? “

Here are some of your responses to the “Why Now” question that suggest that you are ready for change:

We are planning on moving soon and I would like to downsize so I don’t move items I don’t need/want/use into our new home (awareness, motivation)
I’ve reached my pain point and I can’t deal with the kitchen clutter anymore (motivation)
I just found out I have ADHD, I have been working with a therapist, and I want to get organized (awareness, mental readiness, support)

Here are some other responses to the “Why Now” question that suggest you are not ready for change:

My Significant Other is taking over the house with his hobby - please help (no Support)
I want you to come and declutter my home (vague, probe more to see if awareness)
I want my 10 years worth of clutter gone by the end of the month and I can only meet on Tuesday evenings (lack of time)

The 4 Signs of Readiness For Change

So how can you tell if you are ready for change - organizing or otherwise? Here are some guidelines I came up with based on my experience:

1. You Have An Awareness Of Underlying Issues

Awareness is integral to readiness for change. A great example- I once had a client with a shopping addiction who didn’t mention her addiction to me on our initial call or during our sessions. This lack of awareness suggested that she was not ready to change. Once this addiction was clear to me, I felt ethically obligated to point it out so we could openly discuss goals that would support her challenges. She could then decide if she wanted to continue working with me. Conversely, I have had many clients with underlying issues who have been forthcoming about it and successful in creating change.

2. You have a Willingness to Form & Practice New Habits & Routines

More often than not, my organizing sessions go beyond straightforward decluttering and containerizing. If so, I can organize and suggest new systems and supporting routines but it’s up to the client to practice these new habits. In this case, a client needs to be willing to make those changes in order for our sessions together to be a success. If a client is hoping for a quick fix, that client is not ready for change.

This willingness depends on 2 areas:

Motivation

If you have hit enough of a pain point to seek help then you have motivation. If this motivation is strong then it will carry you through the effort of practicing new habits. If you have ADHD then holding motivation is a challenge so you need to come up with ideas (I can help!) to create sustained motivation.

Mental Readiness:

Changing routines can be scary. It takes flexibility and it can feel like a risk to start something new. Jumping into this new space can cause anxiety and not everyone has the bandwidth to enter that space. You might have too much going on right now or you might be a high anxiety person who doesn’t feel that the cost-benefit is worth it. But if you are prepared mentally for this change then you are ready!

3. You Have The Necessary Support

This one is super easy to identify. If you are coming to me about someone else or if your space is a shared space then the true question is: “Are all the involved parties ready for change?” If we are organizing a playroom then are all the adults involved ready to create rules for the kids and/or make decisions about what to do when the grandparents give a wagon-load of gifts over the holidays? And if you want to organize a shared space do you have the support of those sharing that space? Lastly, if you grapple with mental health issues, chronic health issues or are chronically disorganized, do you have a support system in place for you to help you with your challenges? If the answer is yes then you are ready for change.

4. You Have The Resources

You may have the awareness, motivation, and support, but if you don't have the budget, energy, or time then change might not be available to you. I have worked with people who have chronic health issues and often, those with flagging health, need to reserve their energy for more basic functions (see my post about The Spoon Theory). If you are throwing a wedding for a loved one, it might not be the time to spend money hiring a professional organizer. On the other hand, if you are a teacher that has time off for the summer, that would be a perfect time to work with an professional organizer.

In Conclusion

So if you find yourself on the phone with me and we have already discussed the details of my process. and you have asked your questions. and you are still hesitating, consider this - maybe you are simply not ready to take the next step. And that is OK. In that case, you might hear me pause, and then respond: “Why don’t you think about it? I will be here when you are ready.”

Have you recently made a change? How did you know you were ready? Feel free to leave your story in the comments.

For more information, contact Jill Katz.

Containerizing Chaos

Thu, 26 Oct 2023 11:38:26 GMT

Cris Sgott

Organizing Maniacs

How to Use Containers to Declutter and Organize Every Room of Your House

Finding ways to declutter and organize your home can be a constant struggle. But what if there was a simple solution? Enter containers – the unsung heroes of home organization! As you may know, here at Organizing Maniacs, we LOVE containers and use them in every room - and let’s face it, most of us want to keep our stuff. We just need less chaos.

With their ability to neatly store and categorize belongings, containers are the key to achieving a clutter-free environment. We will show you how to maximize the use of containers to create a well-organized and serene living space by containerizing chaos.

Whether you're dealing with a chaotic kitchen, a messy bathroom, or an overflowing closet, containers can provide the structure and order you need. We will guide you through the process of selecting the right containers for each space, organizing your belongings efficiently, and incorporating container systems into your daily routine.

Get ready to transform your home with the power of containers. Say goodbye to mess and welcome a sense of calm and order into your life. Let's dive in and discover the secrets of containerizing chaos.

Benefits of Using Containers for Decluttering and Organizing

Before we jump into the specifics of containerizing chaos in each room in your house, let's first explore the numerous benefits of using containers for organization.

Maximize Space

Containers are a great way to make the most of your available space. By utilizing vertical space and neatly stacking containers, you can create additional storage areas without cluttering your living space.

Efficient Organization

Containers allow you to categorize and organize your belongings in a systematic way. With clear labeling and proper placement, you'll always know where to find what you need, saving you time and energy searching for misplaced items.

Visual Appeal

Not only do containers provide functional organization, but they also add visual appeal to your living space. With a variety of colors, styles, and materials available, you can find containers that complement your home decor and enhance the overall aesthetic.

Understanding the benefits of using containers for organization sets the foundation for achieving an organized and clutter-free home. Now, let's dive into the different types of containers available and how to choose the right ones for each room.

Understanding Different Types of Containers

When it comes to containers, there are various options to choose from. Here are some common types of containers that can help you in your quest for an organized home:

Plastic Bins with Lids

These are versatile containers that come in different sizes and are suitable for storing a wide range of items. With their stackable design and clear lids, plastic bins provide easy access and visibility to your belongings.

Baskets and Woven Bins

If you're looking for a more decorative option, baskets and woven bins are a great choice. They add a touch of warmth and texture to your living space while providing storage for smaller items like toys, accessories, or bathroom essentials.

Drawer Organizers

For organizing smaller items like utensils, office supplies, or jewelry, drawer organizers are essential. These segmented containers fit neatly inside drawers, keeping items separated and easily accessible.

Shoe Racks and Shoe Boxes

Keep your shoes organized and prevent them from cluttering your entryway or closet with shoe racks and shoe boxes. These containers help maintain the shape of your shoes while keeping them neatly stored and easily visible.

Choosing the right type of containers depends on the specific needs of each room. Now, let's explore how to containerize chaos in different areas of your house.

Containerizing Chaos in the Kitchen

The kitchen is often the heart of the home but can quickly become a hotspot for clutter. Containerizing the kitchen is essential for efficient meal preparation and maintaining a clean and organized space. We suggest waiting to purchase containers until you’ve sorted through what you have. And always feel free to get creative about using what you have in your home as a container. Here are some tips to get you started:

Clear Out and Assess

Begin by clearing out your kitchen cabinets and drawers. Assess each item and decide what to keep, donate, or discard. This will help you determine the number and size of containers you'll need. Read more about where to start when organizing your kitchen.

Categorize and Label

Group similar items together, such as baking supplies, spices, or utensils. Use clear plastic containers or labeled bins to store these items, making it easy to find what you need when cooking or baking.

Utilize Vertical Space

Maximize your cabinet space by using stackable containers or adding shelf dividers. This allows you to make the most of your vertical space and prevents items from getting lost at the back of the cabinet.

Containerizing your kitchen not only streamlines your meal preparation process but also creates a visually appealing and clutter-free cooking environment.

Our Favorite Containers for the Kitchen

Some of our favorite containers for the kitchen include Tupperware and Rubbermaid food storage containers. They come in a variety of sizes and can store nearly anything, from your assorted teas to cereals. We also love baskets for storing things that don’t easily stay on the shelf, like sugar packets or small condiments.

Containerizing Chaos in the Bathroom

The bathroom is another area prone to clutter due to its limited space and the numerous products we use daily. Small bathrooms, especially, can be challenging. Containerizing your bathroom will help create a spa-like oasis and keep your essentials easily accessible. Here's how you can achieve a well-organized bathroom:

Declutter and Sort

Begin by decluttering your bathroom cabinets and drawers. Dispose of expired products and items you no longer use. Sort similar items, such as skincare products, hair accessories, or toiletries.

Utilize Drawer Organizers

Place drawer organizers in your vanity drawers to keep items like makeup, brushes, or dental care essentials neatly separated. This makes it easier to find what you need and prevents items from rolling around.

Utilize Wall Space

Install wall-mounted containers or shelves to store frequently used items like hand towels, cotton pads, or small toiletries. This frees up valuable counter space and adds a decorative touch to your bathroom.

By containerizing your bathroom, you can transform it into a peaceful retreat and maintain a clutter-free environment.

Our Favorite Containers for the Bathroom

The bathroom lends itself to some create solutions when it comes to selecting containers. From using wine glasses to hold makeup brushes to cookie canisters for cotton balls and Q-tips, it’s easy to get creative. Over-the-toilet shelving and over-the-door hooks can free up a lot of space.

Containerizing Chaos in the Bedroom

The bedroom should be a sanctuary for rest and relaxation, but a cluttered space can disrupt your sleep. Containerizing your bedroom will help create a serene environment and keep your personal belongings organized. Here's how to achieve a clutter-free bedroom:

Declutter Your Closet

Start by decluttering your closet and donating or discarding clothes you no longer wear. This will create space for containers and make it easier to organize your remaining items.

Utilize Under-Bed Storage

Invest in under-bed storage containers to maximize space and store out-of-season clothing, extra bedding, or shoes. These containers are easily accessible and provide hidden storage.

Jewelry Organizers

Use small jewelry organizers or trays to keep your accessories tangle-free and easily visible. This prevents necklaces from getting tangled and makes it easier to find the perfect piece for your outfit.

Containerizing your bedroom will not only create a clutter-free space but also contribute to a better night's sleep and a more peaceful environment.

Our Favorite Containers for the Bedroom

Our very favorite containers for the bedroom are clear shoe boxes. They let you stack and store your shoes on shelves or even on the closet floor in a very organized way while still ensuring you can see all of them to make quick style picks.

Containerizing Chaos in the Living Room

The living room is where we relax, entertain guests, and spend quality time with loved ones. Containerizing your living room will help maintain a clean and inviting space. Here's how to achieve an organized living room:

Media Storage

Invest in media storage containers or shelves to neatly store DVDs, CDs, or gaming consoles. This prevents them from cluttering your entertainment center or coffee table.

Toy Storage

If you have children, containerize their toys with labeled bins or baskets. This makes it easy for them to find and put away their toys, teaching them the importance of organization from an early age.

Magazine Holders

Use magazine holders to store and organize your favorite magazines or books. This keeps them within reach while preventing them from piling up and creating clutter.

By containerizing your living room, you can create a welcoming and organized space for relaxation and entertainment.

Our Favorite Containers for the Living Room

When it comes to quick and easy storage in your living room, nothing can beat an ottoman with storage. Reduce clutter by keeping everything from blankets to extra board games tucked away. Baskets and shelving can also make a big difference.

Containerizing Chaos in Your Home Office

Whether you work from home or use your home office for personal tasks, containerizing this space is crucial for productivity and efficiency. Here's how to achieve an organized home office:

Cable Management

Cable clips or sleeves can keep your cords and cables organized, prevent them from tangling, and create a clean and clutter-free workspace.

Desk Organizers

Invest in desk organizers or small containers to store office supplies like pens, paper clips, or sticky notes. This keeps your essentials within reach and prevents them from getting buried under paperwork.

File Storage

Utilize file storage containers or labeled file boxes to keep important documents organized and easily accessible. This prevents them from getting lost or damaged and streamlines your workflow.

By containerizing your home office, you'll create a productive and organized space that boosts your focus and efficiency.

Our Favorite Containers for the Home Office

For paper organizing, we love color-coded filing systems. To really reduce your clutter, digitize every important record that you’re able to. Our favorite container for the home office is a fire proof safe where you can store all of your important papers.

Containerizing Chaos in the Garage

The garage or storage area is often a neglected space that quickly becomes a dumping ground for miscellaneous items. Containerizing this space is essential for efficient storage and easy access to your belongings. Here's how to containerize your garage or storage area:

Purge and Sort

Start by purging and sorting through your items. Dispose of broken or unused items and categorize the rest. This will help you determine the size and number of containers you'll need.

Use Stackable Containers

Invest in durable, stackable containers for storing items like holiday decorations, tools, or sports equipment. This maximizes your vertical space and keeps your belongings protected from dust or damage.

Labeling and Shelving

Label each container with its contents and consider installing shelves or racks to store the containers. This makes it easy to find what you need without rummaging through piles of boxes.

Containerizing your garage or storage area not only creates a clutter-free space but also makes it easier to find and access your belongings when needed.

Our Favorite Containers or the Garage

The best way to maximize your space in the garage is with overhead storage. It can make all the difference.

Final Tips for Maintaining an Organized Home

The art of containerizing chaos can help you to declutter and organize every room of your house. By incorporating containers into your daily routine, you can maintain an organized and serene living space.

Final Tips for Maintaining an Organized Home

Containerizing chaos is an ongoing process. As your needs change and your belongings evolve, adapt your container systems accordingly.

Regular Decluttering

Set aside time every few months to declutter and reassess your belongings. This prevents clutter from accumulating and ensures your containers are utilized efficiently.

Consistent Labeling

Labeling your containers is crucial for easy identification and maintaining organization. Regularly review and update labels to reflect any changes in your storage system. Apply this same practice to your digital filing and storage, too!

Establish Routines

Incorporate container systems into your daily routines. Encourage family members to return items to their designated containers after use, creating a shared responsibility for maintaining an organized home.

As always, if you need help with decluttering, organizing, and choosing the right containers, just get in touch!

For more information, contact Cris Sgott.

How to Downsize without Decluttering

Tue, 24 Oct 2023 11:52:10 GMT

Anna Novak

Simply Downsized

Is it time to downsize to a smaller home, but you’re not sure how to start? As soon as you make the decision to downsize, you'll likely encounter advice from all sides telling you that the first thing you need to do is “declutter.” In fact, it seems like the terms "declutter" and "downsize" almost always appear together, as though they are interchangeable ideas. However, decluttering is not always advisable as your first step in your downsizing journey.

You Don’t Have to Declutter First (or at all)

Back in 2018, when I first immersed myself in the world of downsizing, estate clearouts, and home transitions, I too believed that decluttering and downsizing went hand in hand. Early readers of the HomeTransitionPros.com blog will remember that much of my initial advice centered on decluttering, either as an immediate starting point or an ongoing process in the months before a move. Over the years, however, my downsizing advice has evolved. Now, it’s just as likely that I will advise my overwhelmed clients not to focus on decluttering at all.

If you 1) know exactly where you’re going and 2) have an imminent move on the calendar, it might be wise to temporarily shelve decluttering tasks. While decluttering might seem like a logical first step, it may not necessarily be the best use of your time. Moreover, as moving day draws near, many of my clients find that delegating the decluttering task to others can be a lot more efficient and less emotionally taxing than trying to do it all themselves.

Of course, some people have a long lead-up to their move and have their minds set on sorting and decluttering all of their belongings until only their most loved objects remain. Some people even enjoy the task! But even for the most organized, the decluttering step should take place after some initial planning and legwork to make sure you’re not “decluttering” things you actually need or want.

Three Reasons to Postpone Decluttering

Don't Declutter: It Can Drain Your Energy

Believe me, decluttering can be draining, especially when you’re facing a mountain of belongings that has accumulated over decades. We frequently see households where the drawers barely close, closets are bursting, and cabinets and shelves are overflowing with all manner of household wares, sports gear, tools, hobby supplies, books, paper, holiday decorations… the sheer volume can make you feel paralyzed.

If this sounds familiar and you’re feeling overwhelmed, you’re not alone! Plenty of people are in your same situation. The first step forward in this case is to embrace the fact that decluttering may not be your strong suit, and that your energy will be best spent on other more important tasks.

Simply doing the work to secure your new place and deciding what to take with you are both huge jobs that can take months. Instead of focusing time and attention on the unneeded items that are probably not going with you, I encourage you to preserve your energy for more critical decisions, such as:

1. Safeguarding important documents.

2. Protecting sentimental and valuable possessions.

3. Identifying essential items for your health and comfort.

You'll discover that making these significant decisions is a more valuable use of your time and energy than rummaging through your cupboards for unwanted items.

Don't Declutter: You May Need Those Items

The first thing I ask any downsizing client is “Do you know exactly where you’re going?” If the answer is “no,” I usually recommend that they put all of their energy into those decisions before they start getting rid of “stuff.” Put simply, if you don’t know where you’re going, how do you know how much space you’ll have to furnish? And which of your belongings will fit neatly and serve your needs the most? Even if you think you want to eventually move to a one or two-bedroom unit, it can be difficult to choose what furnishings to take with you without the benefit of a detailed and accurate floor plan of your actual space.

I often meet people who get excited about downsizing and start giving away small or manageable items to friends and family, only to realize later they actually needed some of those items to furnish their new homes. When you've been living in a spacious home with many accumulated possessions and plenty of space in which to store them, you could get carried away with your purging and overlook some items that could prove useful in your new space.

Be sure to keep an open mind and an eye out for these things you already own:

1. Smaller, versatile furniture with functional storage.

2. Decorative art that suits smaller spaces.

3. Organizational items for your closets, drawers, and cabinets.

4. Multi-purpose items.

Downsizing is more of an art of maximizing your space than simply choosing your favorite things. You don't want to discover that you discarded or donated items that would have been perfectly suited for your new space. Delay decluttering until you're certain you've identified everything you need to take with you.

Don't Declutter: Your Unneeded Items May Be Worth Money

These days, the most valuable items in your home are probably not antiques, art or collections. You will likely make more money if you sell practical items like lawnmowers, tools, vacuum cleaners, or small kitchen appliances. And, more stuff equals more money. When you engage the services of an online auction service or local auction house, your best bet is to have a large quantity and variety of items to offer. You never know what buyers are looking for, and you may be surprised to find that your old computer keyboard is worth more than your wedding china.

As a downsizing specialist, I always rely on the experts to decide what might sell, and I advise my clients to not get rid of anything until the pros have thoroughly looked through your belongings for items of resale value.

Keep Your Eye on the Prize

I advise my clients to prioritize the things that are going with them, not the things being left behind. When you consciously select your most essential and beloved belongings, the clutter naturally remains behind, and you're left with only the items you actually need and value.

After you’ve determined each and every item that has earned a spot in your new, smaller place, I encourage you to relax and simply enjoy living in your home until your actual move. The rest of the “stuff” that is not going with you can easily and efficiently be handled by downsizing pros in your area.

For more information, contact Anna Novak.

Using the Box Method to Organize

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 12:49:51 GMT

Janet Schiesl

Whenever you try to organize and eliminate the unnecessary, do these dreaded questions arise?

Should I get rid of this?
Will I need it someday?
Will that day ever come?

Here’s a method I suggest to my clients. An experiment really.

Firstly, empty everything from a confined space: like a kitchen drawer, dresser drawer, desk drawer, closet shelf, bulletin board, glove compartment, purse. . . I could go on.
Secondly, put it all into a cardboard box. Write the date on the box. Stash that box not too far away.
Finally, if an item is needed, simply get it, use it, and then return it to its original location.

I think you’ll find that you use the same items often and leave a lot of unused items in the box. Eventually, as time goes by you’ll see that a lot of what you are storing is stuff for someday. How long will you keep stuff for someday?

One month after you filled the box, consider what you haven’t needed. In six months realize the items you haven’t used for 1/12 of the year! Surprisingly, there may be quite a few items. Could you do without them? Can you let that stuff go?

Whenever my clients use this method they are often quite surprised at what is left in the box.

For information please contact Janet Schiesl.

Design Terms Demystified

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 12:24:47 GMT

Samara Goodman

Does it seem like there are new interior design terms popping up weekly? Cottagecore, grandmillennial, grandmacore, hygge, and so on. This Samara Interiors Newsletter will explain what some of them mean and put them into the context of other, more familiar design terms. The most important takeaway for us is that classic design and tried-and-true aesthetics are always in style.

GRANDMILLENIAL
What's old is new again! The relatively new grandmillennial design aesthetic is consistent with what Samara Interiors refers to as transitional design. To us, transitional design is a classic decorating style that is exemplified by a well-curated and elevated blend of the old and new. Samara Interiors specializes in transitional design. The photos below show examples of how we implement transitional decor into various rooms of clients' homes. We have also heard the grandmillennial aesthetic described as "posh" cottage core!

To address the historical context of this term, I have asked a favorite grandmillennial and brilliant historian, Sarah Reeder of Artifactual History Appraisal, to give us her take on this style. Sarah says, “When Samara first asked me to write about grandmillennial design as she thought my taste was representative of it, my first thought was, 'Who, me?' Granted, my own grandmother had superb style, but when I think "grandmillennial," what immediately comes to mind is crochet, doilies, and potpourri. But when I researched what grandmillennial style actually is, it turns out Samara was right! The name was first coined by Emma Bazilian for an article in House Beautiful in 2019 and has become a design sensation in the subsequent years, particularly embraced by millennials like me.

Combining items from multiple design eras? Check.
Bright colors and bold prints? Check.
A love of unique pieces that are assembled over time? Check.

… a wonderful way to mix inherited items with new acquisitions you love. Not being constrained to a single style or design era creates a unique home that truly reflects the person living there, rather than a mass-produced suite that looks like an entire page from a furniture catalog just got delivered to your house. On reflection, now I'm proud to be a grandmillennial!”

COTTAGE CORE

This whimsical aesthetic has been embraced since the start of the pandemic and is exemplified by elements such as light, flowing linens and vintage floral patterns on textiles, tea cups, and paintings. There are two classic decor styles that this new term brings to mind: English country and shabby chic. English country design is a style that has been around for some time. In our view, cottage core is a muted version of the English country design style. Designer Rachel Ashwell coined the term "shabby chic" in 1980. This aesthetic was inspired by rustic French country living. The photos below are examples of vignettes that reflect this style.

NYU professor and co-founder of Perfect Old Things, LLC, Max Kaplan, shares his suggestions for how to create this style in your home from his perspective as both a visual culture expert and a fan of this charming style. Max says, "[We] encourage decorators and collectors to incorporate the beauty of the 'country' or 'cottage core' aesthetics into multilayered interiors using folk art objects like quilts, theorems, baskets, and hooked rugs. A seasoned American Folk Art dealer-as-mentor reminds us that folk art has consistently been a constant reference in fashion, textiles, and interior decorating through time as the genre paved the way for modern art in 1930s America."

HYGGE
This is a Danish term that means "quality of coziness." In decor, it refers to bringing a feeling of well-being into your home. This style makes us think of the Scandinavian minimalism design aesthetic. The homes pictured below created warm, inviting, and nurturing environments for these client and their guests.

For more information, contact Samara Goodman.

Make Your Pantry Resemble a Grocery Store

Jeanne Fox Alston — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 13:58:05 GMT

Janet Schiesl

Grocery stores are clean and organized. They have to be, in order for their customers to be able to find what they need.

Use their model to create a little grocery store within your home – YOUR PANTRY!

Everything has its place. This couldn’t be more true than in your own panty. Lets start following the basic principles the grocery chains use. These tips may help you find things quickly and easily in your own pantry.

Categorize food into groups, such as baking goods, paper products, breakfast items, pasta and rice, bread, and canned goods.
Place frequently used products at eye level. Make it as easy as possible to find what you need most often.
Place lighter-weight items, like paper towels, chips, and crackers on the top shelves, so there is no danger of injury if something should fall.
The tallest products are in the back, so you can see as much as possible. If you can’t see it, it’s the same as not having it.
Further, organize categories of items for better efficiency. Canned goods can be sorted into soups, fruit, and tomato products.
Contain bagged items like spice packets, pasta, rice, and beans inside bins or empty them into jars, so things don’t spill and create a mess and/or more chaos.

Organizing a pantry to resemble a mini grocery store can save you time, energy, and money. Try it!

For information please contact Janet Schiesl.

Two Tricks to Simplify Life

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 18:30:34 GMT

Janet Schiesl

Simplifying will give you breathing room to do the things that truly matter. Try these two tricks to simplify your life!

“The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.” — Hans Hofmann

Forget about perfection.

Don’t worry about it. You can’t achieve it, so don’t try. Give yourself permission to do your best and that’s it. Instead of impersonating Betty Crocker, send store-bought cupcakes in for the school snack. Set a deadline date for a project, finish it, and then move on. Don’t go back and redo something that is just fine the way it is. This is hard to do. You have to feel as though your best effort is good enough.

Let me tell you a short story. I learned my perfection lesson early. When I had my first child, I always made a huge effort to get him dressed every day. You’d think he was going for a photo shoot. But on the days that I went to work early, my husband would dress our son and take him to daycare. Sometimes, when I’d pick the baby up from daycare I’d wonder if the DH had dressed him in the dark. What was he thinking – those pants with that shirt? But, did it really matter? My daycare provider and I would have a laugh over it and move on. Does anybody remember this now, years later? No (just me). Is my son scared by his fashion faux pas? No. He dresses better than his father.

Don’t worry about variety.

Does your family care if you work your fingers to the bone making a fancy meal every night? No, they just want to be fed. People tend to have their favorites and keep going back to those, so why go against that? I’m not saying to never try something new, but just not every night. Make up a meal schedule and stick to it to simplify food shopping, food prep, and clean-up. The same with clothes. Buy classic, well-fitting items that you can mix and match for a bit of variety. Shopping for new clothes for variety’s sake can be a time-consuming budget killer. Again, we all have pieces of clothing that we love, and that make us feel good when we wear them. Stick to those items instead of looking for that feeling at a shopping mall.

Leaving these two things behind will not only simplify your life but also your time and your budget. Simplifying will give you breathing room to do the things that truly matter.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Want a Jammin' Junk Drawer?

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 18:19:45 GMT

Janet Schiesl

Want a Jammin’ Junk Drawer? I’ve been reading a lot of blog postings about junk drawers lately.

I think this because it’s a quick and easy project for those who have resolved to become more organized in the new year.

One reason why your junk drawer is an easy project is that there are many different products available to customize your drawers and make them work for you.

I love these Clear Drawer Organizers.

These drawer organizers can be used all over your house. We often use them in the bathroom and kitchen drawers. We like that you can configure each set to fit perfectly into your space.

Have you tried these two-tiered drawer organizers?

Stack the small trays on top of the larger bins or use them separately. They fit nicely in kitchen drawers to keep them neat and organized. This is such an easy way to get more use from your drawer space.

Another great idea is these Bamboo Expandable Drawer Organizers!

If you want to customize a drawer so each member of your family has a space to drop their stuff, try these expandable drawer organizers.

They say it’s for utensils, but why not use it for a junk drawer?

It stretches to fit the space and offers large sections for keys, cell phones, sunglasses, and wallets.

It would be great to use in a drawer in your entry, so everyone can drop their items as they enter the house.

If you can’t find an organizer to accommodate your drawer space, try these Adjustable Drawer Dividers.

It allows you to truly customize your drawer for whatever you need.

Use scissors to easily cut out the size suitable for your specific drawer size. You can make the sizes you need. Perfect!

Before you go to the store, plan the right option for your specific needs.

Measure your drawers and note the types of items you want to store inside. You really don’t want to be standing in the aisle of the store trying to figure out what will work and what won’t!

For the frugal organizer, can use small jewelry gift boxes or cut-down tissue boxes, or cereal boxes. The cardboard version won’t last as long, but they’re free!

Try this quick organizing project! It will give you the confidence you need to try it in other places throughout your home.

Have fun and enjoy your jammin’ junk drawer!

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

How to Protect Yourself From Scams

Jeanne Fox Alston — Thu, 01 Jun 2023 17:31:05 GMT

C. Lee Cawley

cleecawley.com

Recently scams have affected people I know well. My dear Mother-in-Law lost nearly $300, while a good friend's father was scammed out of $69,000! Both of them are highly intelligent people but it shows how clever scammers can be with their deceptive tactics!

The FBI reports more than $10 Billion in losses from online scams n 2022. Don’t let this happen to YOU! Here are some suggestions from the FTC:

1 – To block telemarketing calls, register your number on the “Do Not Call List” which protects landline and wireless phone numbers. You can register at no cost by calling 1-888-382-1222. You must call from the phone number you wish to register. You can also register at donotcall.gov.

2 – Learn how to BLOCK and LABEL other unwanted calls to your cell phone, VOIP line, or landline HERE. Scroll down to find your service provider.

3 – Register with a free service for VOIP landlines like NoMoRoBo to prevent the scammers' calls from getting through. (A paid version is available for cell phones)

4 – Recognize, remove, and avoid malware on your computer. Learn how to HERE.

5 – If you receive ANY calls or emails from the IRS that are suspicious, DO NOT click on them! Instead, forward them to phishing@irs.gov.

6 – If you have received suspicious emails claiming to be from your bank, Apple, Amazon, or anyone else the FBI also wants to know about it at the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Your report will help them catch criminals and protect others.

7 – And The FTC wants to hear from you about ANY kind of fraud! Fraudulent calls, emails, texts, businesses, and identity theft are all things they will help with.

Your homework: Take 10 minutes today to stop or block unwanted calls and check for malware. When you get suspicious spam or calls, take a few minutes to report them to the authorities above. Can you share any scams that you have been exposed to? Share your observations in my FB Group to help protect us all!

For more information, contact C Lee Cawley.

A Transcendent Experience

Jeanne Fox Alston — Thu, 18 May 2023 15:10:37 GMT

Jeanne Fox Alston

Your Space Made to Order

I’m a professional organizer, not an interior designer. But whenever I see new ways to refresh and enliven one’s living space, I take note.

Earlier this year, I flew into the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport on a bitterly cold and snowy day. A long-time family friend was being honored by the University of Minnesota for her years of leadership and service. I was looking forward to helping to celebrate her accomplishments while reconnecting with her and her family.

I had booked a room at Graduate Minnesota, the closest hotel I could find to the venue for the event. As I walked into Graduate Minnesota, I took note of the comfy and worn leather arm chairs, the long tables of students working on their computers and, on the front of the check-in counter, wood rounds cut from tree trunks. This was no generic, cookie-cutter hotel. Instead, the vibe was that of a cozy lodge.

I had planned to explore the campus after checking into my room. But, as I observed the swirling snow outside, I chickened out, deciding instead to have a leisurely lunch at the restaurant just off the lobby. Then, as I began walking back to the main lobby, I saw a long, curved wall.

Along the base of the wall was a row of tall armchairs upholstered in black and white Native American-inspired blankets. But the showstopper was what was above the chairs, a gallery wall unlike any I had ever seen: landscape paintings of all different sizes, and so many (two hundred? more?) that not a single inch of bare wall was visible. They were simply framed and, true to Minnesota’s reputation as “the land of 10,000 lakes,” just about every painting featured a beautiful lake.

Questions sprang to mind. Who was the inspired genius behind this amazing display? Were these all paintings of Minnesota landscapes? Did it matter? How and where were these paintings found. Thrift stores? And how was it possible to hang all these canvases so neatly and beautifully on a curved wall?

But those thoughts fell away as I continued to stare at the wall. I was transported from a busy and noisy lobby to a serene and remote venue, quietly absorbing the beauty and magnificence of the trees, the water, the rocks and the mountains. Those modest paintings created a transcendent experience.

Weeks later, I keep seeing that gallery wall in my mind’s eye. I was moved by it. I’ve since learned that the 20-some Graduate Hotels all are located on or near large college campuses and each has its own unique décor that reflects and pays homage to its surroundings.

I love gallery walls. Indeed, I’ve helped many clients to create them as a way to personalize their spaces and showcase family photos or favorite pieces of art. The gallery wall at Graduate Minnesota showed a different approach (at least to me), namely assembling a wall of art or photos around a central theme.

But here’s why I study interesting interiors and encourage my clients to personalize their homes. First, I’m a visual person and I enjoy seeing anything that's new and different. But my theory is that when we refresh our living spaces, via a new paint color, piece of art or even fresh flowers, doing so increases our enjoyment of our homes. And that, in turn, gives us the motivation to continue to stay organized.

For more information, contact Jeanne Fox Alston.

10 Ways to Organize Without Spending Any Money

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 16 May 2023 21:28:02 GMT

Janet Schiesl

You can get organized without spending a lot of money. Actually, you don’t have to spend any money. This might seem unreal if you have been watching The HOME Edit on Netflix. They spend a lot of money on products that make everything look wonderful, but is it more organized? Can it be maintained? There are many small things you can do to be more organized without shelling out cash and they don’t take much time at all.

Try these tips below:

Plan Meals. Have a plan. Use your calendar to schedule easy-to-make meals on the days you don’t have a lot of time.
Turn your hangers around to identify the items you never wear. This is a great exercise to do with the change of seasons, in Spring and Fall.
Note everything down in your calendar. I mean everything! Then look at your calendar every morning.
Make a grocery list. This goes along with planning meals. Once you get into the habit, writing a list will only take a few minutes.
Organize your pantry. Knowing what you have and making it easy to find will save you time and money.
Sort piles into groups of like-items. Doing this exercise will help you identify good homes for these groups of items.
Reuse empty containers to store things. You can organize without spending money by using what you already have.
Organize your loose photos in chronological order. This is a big one! If you own a lot of physical photos (digital too!) it can be overwhelming.
Write down family routines and post them for all to see. Sharing schedules is a great way to communicate with your busy family.
Live with less. YES! Limiting what you own will bring you more space and less stress.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

10 Tips for Organizing Your Kids' Bedrooms

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 03:10:52 GMT

Janet Schiesl

You want your kids to be organized. But you need it to be easy and fast and fun! It’s important for children to manage their own things. By giving them responsibility for their toys, clothes, and rooms you teach them essential life skills. You can use these tips to make your life easier and your kids more organized.

Here are ten tips to organize your kid’s bedroom.

Every child should have their own hamper and a wastebasket.
Provide a place for homework by having a workspace with good lighting, supplies, and storage for books.
Provide each child with a place for special things they want to keep, like a memory box.
Only keep clothing that fits right now hung in the closet and housed in the drawers.
Separate types of clothes into drawers for easy put-away.
Label and call those drawers by name to build communication.
Place a donation or hand-me-down box on the floor of the closet for the clothing that no longer fits.
Hang clothes at their level so they can reach them or hang hooks for easier hanging.
Cull kids’ clothing (and toys) regularly.
Build a sense of ownership by giving children their own space and the responsibility to maintain it.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

How We Organize Our Mornings

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 18 Apr 2023 03:03:21 GMT

Janet Schiesl

A morning routine can get the day off to a good start. Although every morning routine will look different, it’s important to have one. Here are some tips from the Basic Organization team, about how they organize their mornings.

Janet empties the dishwasher as her coffee brews. That way everyone in the house knows that the dishwasher is ready for dirty dishes all day long. Communication and rules are important amongst household members to maintain order.

Sue puts on her workout gear first thing and then starts a load of wash when she gets up in the morning. She stays on top of the regular chore of laundry and gets her exercise in. A win, win.

Patti has a calming meditation session to begin her morning followed by feeding her cherished pets. Walking her dog in the morning is one of her favorite things to do. Taking care of yourself helps you take care of others.

Denene makes her bed as soon as she wakes up. It feels good to start her day off right, and it sets the tone for a very organized day ahead. Having routines will help you maintain organization throughout your home.

Lori starts the night before by getting her clothes ready for that early a.m. appointment. No need for her to worry about looking for something to wear at the last minute. Forward-thinking at its best!

Sandy is early to bed and then early to rise. She gets most of her household chores done before the rest of us open our eyes. Her schedule puts her one step ahead of everyone else.

Candy checks her emails and calendar first thing so she is on task for the day. Being mindful of your daily to-do’s is a great start.

Michelle tidies up her bedroom by making the bed, throwing open the blinds, putting clothes in the hamper, etc. It takes her only 5 minutes and helps her accomplish more small tasks like this throughout the day. Great setup for more success later!

Rouba’s routine also starts the night before, with a clean and spotless kitchen. In the morning, she relaxes with her coffee while catching up with the news and weather. How many of you enjoy starting the day with a nice warm cup of coffee?

Jennifer packs lunches, snacks, and water bottles for school and work. All three of her kids are responsible for packing their lunches while she and her husband are there to assist if needed. Horray to teaching the youngsters responsibility!

Stephanie makes a note of what specific things she’s grateful for every morning. She keeps her phone far from her bed and uses her watch as her alarm. This way, she doesn’t look at her notifications until she’s ready. Way to start the day on her terms! Not reacting to the incoming messages and demands of the world, helps her stay grounded and keeps her on task with her priorities for that day.

These are the ways we organize our mornings and maintain organization in our homes. How about you?

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Check Your To-Do List

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 18:42:19 GMT

Janet Schiesl

If your to-do list is overwhelming or ineffective let’s check it. If you feel as though you never cross anything off your list, here are three strategies that may help you turn your to-do list into “done”.

Make sure you only put tasks on your list that will take less than an hour. If it will take longer, break it down into several steps. Accomplishing one step at a time will get you to the same final goal.
Take emotion off the list. If there is a task that has been lingering on your list because you are agonizing over it, just DO IT. Tackle a hated task first thing in the morning and get it over with. Accomplishing your least favorite chore first will make the rest of the day flow.
Be clear on how long something will take you and schedule a time to do it. If you don’t make time to do each task, it simply won’t get done. Scheduling will help you to be realistic about how much you can accomplish on any given day.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Fireplace Makeovers

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 18:07:19 GMT

Samara Goodman

Warmest wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season! What better way to stay warm during the holiday season and all winter long than by cozying up to the warmth of a fireplace? This issue looks at numerous client fireplaces that Samara Interiors has updated over the years. So grab some hot cocoa and enjoy these fireplace transformations – we hope they will spark delight in you on these long dark winter days!

REFRESH

Many clients ask us to refresh their homes from a traditional style to a transitional one. There are many ways to do this, including replacing some furnishings, switching out accessories, and, as these clients have done, renovating their fireplaces.

TRANSITIONAL design is a blend of traditional and contemporary styles that, when done well, evokes a curated-over-time yet up-to-date aesthetic.

In these three homes, we updated the fireplaces by designing and incorporating contemporary finishes. Below are the zoomed-in before & after photos, along with a zoomed-out whole room view to see how the new streamlined fireplaces are still cohesive alongside the clients' traditional furnishings.

THE PROCESS

Have you ever wondered about the step-by-step process of a complete fireplace renovation? Here is a peek behind the scenes during a fireplace transformation. The 'before and after' photos can be seen below.

MODERNIZE

This client asked us to update all of the fireplaces in their home with clean lines in order to coordinate with a broader home refresh. We designed minimalist mantels and updated the surrounds & hearths with granite slabs for the matching living room and den fireplaces. Before, after, and zoomed-out pictures below. The faux log GAS INSERTS were replaced with modern glass stones. Bonus: new gas insert technology offers more heat output options than ever.

For more information, contact Samara Goodman.

Curing the Catalog Chaos

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 27 Dec 2022 18:01:04 GMT

Janet Schiesl

At this time of year, we are all inundated with catalogs. Everyone is trying to make their pitch and sell you that special something for that special someone. I, myself, receive several catalogs that feature kid’s toys and my children are past the toy stage. I also receive multiple catalogs from L.L. Bean and J. Crew and there isn’t a preppie person in my family. By ordering items on the internet, I know that I get my name on mailing lists that eventually will fill my mailbox with all this paper that I am not interested in.

Well, here’s what I do to counteract these mailings. I deposit all the catalogs in a pile, as they enter my home. As soon as the holidays are over (and the catalogs slow down) I visit a great website Catalog Choice. Here you can opt out of mailings and stop solicitors from contacting you. You will need the contact information on the back of each company’s catalog to opt out. Catalog Choice makes it simple and secure to opt out of unwanted advertising material and protect your privacy.

It’s great! You will see your mail pile reduce in size and do something small for the environment all at the same time.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Dispose of Expired Medicine Responsibly

Jeanne Fox Alston — Sun, 16 Oct 2022 19:41:56 GMT

Janet Schiesl

Did you know you can responsibly dispose of expired medicine?

When you throw unused or expired medicine in the trash or flush it down the toilet it ends up in our rivers and streams. Don’t do this! Protect our environment.

Contact your local pharmacy and ask if they will safely dispose of your old medication. Or gather all your old medication and visit an American Medicine Chest Challenge location near you.

The FDA website asks “Is your medicine cabinet full of expired drugs or medications you no longer use? Your medicine is for you. What’s safe for you might be harmful to someone else. The best way to dispose of your expired, unwanted, or unused medicines is through a drug take-back program.”

“The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) sponsors National Prescription Drug Take Back Day in communities nationwide. Many communities also have their own drug take-back programs. Check with your local law enforcement officials to find a location near you or with the DEA to find a DEA-authorized collector in your community.”

For more information about how the FDA suggests you dispose of expired medicine read this article.

If you must dispose of expired medicine then the American Pharmacists Association recommends these steps for safely disposing of medication.

Keep the medication in its original container to identify the contents.
Cross out your name and prescription number for safety.
For pills, add salt water to dissolve them.
For liquids, add cat litter or dirt.
Seal the container and secure it with duct tape.

Every little bit helps in protecting our environment.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

A Splash in the Bath

Jeanne Fox Alston — Sun, 16 Oct 2022 19:25:01 GMT

Samara Goodman

This glamorous pink powder room was a topic of conversation at a client's recent party.

A younger guest remarked that she aspired to have a STATEMENT BATHROOM like this one day. Which got me thinking, why wait for someday? Below are photos of some Samara Interiors statement bathroom projects and our thoughts on why we love to make a splash in the bath. We hope this article inspires you to take the plunge too!

POWDER ROOM

A favorite room to decorate in clients' homes is the powder room. I often tell clients that this is a perfect place to create a JEWEL BOX of a room for all to enjoy. This small space can be a place to express your creativity in a more adventurous way than you would elsewhere in your home. We commend these courageous clients that defied convention. The statement bathrooms below are admired and enjoyed by the homeowners and their guests alike.

WINDOW of OPPORTUNITY

In these two bathrooms, we chose bold window treatments to complement the wall color and further the fearless fun! Whether you select a PATTERNED fabric for a Roman shade, a solid colored honeycomb, or some other wonderful window covering, it is sure to wow.

POWERFUL POPS

Paint and wallpaper are not a requirement for creating a captivating bathroom. These three bathrooms started out neutral and we used bright art and ACCESSORIES to make a striking statement. Art is always a fantastic place to find the color inspiration to go bold.

For more information, contact Samara Interiors.

First Day of School!

Jeanne Fox Alston — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 15:19:15 GMT

Janet Schiesl

This month it is important to work with your budding student to get them ready for the big day.

First day of school - how exciting!

Every child is different, so you need to focus on what is best for your child.

Will they adapt well to getting up early, getting dressed, and being out the door?

A new morning routine should start a few weeks before the beginning of school so that it will be one less new thing to conquer.

Do they know where they are going?

Visiting the school and classroom, if possible, before the first official day will help ease the nerves of most little ones.

Hopefully, you’ll be able to meet the teachers, walk the halls, and check out the playground and the cafeteria.

Discuss their new schedule with them.

Will they go to a before or after-school program?

Where will they be picked up and dropped off?

By whom?

How will your family’s evening schedule change?

Do you need to set aside time for homework?

Will bedtime change?

This takes work from all involved.

You will have the most success if you have a plan and begin implementing it before the big day.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl

You've Got Mail

Jeanne Fox Alston — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 22:40:37 GMT

Janet Schiesl

Do you know that we receive more mail in one day than our grandparents received in a month? These days, it seems like an endless task.

The post office does a pretty good job of delivering a pile of decisions to you every day. On average, it takes ten minutes a day to sort through your mail and make those decisions. Should I keep this, can I throw away that? Do you have the time to ponder these questions for every piece of mail you carry in your home? Do yourself a favor and make helpful changes now.

Decide to toss the junk as fast as you can. Pretend those envelopes have been sitting in your oven all day, instead of your mailbox, ready to burn your fingers. Remember “stop, drop and roll”. Use this lesson, ‘stop’ at the trash can or recycle bin, ‘drop’ the fliers, coupons, and anything else that’s junk, and ‘roll’ away with the important stuff. You should have much less in your hands to deal with.

Try this method with the mail that has piled up inside your home. Instead of ten minutes a day, try adding five more minutes to that time to make it fifteen minutes to help get through the backlog. Slowly you will see the pile decrease until it is gone.

Use these unsubscribing services to alleviate some of these decisions:

Unsubscribe from catalogs CatalogChoice.org
National Do Not Call Registry DoNotCall.gov
Receive less mail DNAchoice.org
Stop junk mail Eco-cycle
Mailstrom
Opt-Out Prescreen
Stop junk mail app PaperKarma
Clean up your inbox Unroll.me
YellowPagesOptOut.com

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

10 Ways to Repurpose a Glass Vase

Jeanne Fox Alston — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 21:54:57 GMT

Janet Schiesl

I have a small collection of glass vases. You know that kind that you get filled with delivered flowers. they are nice, but not as nice as the few crystal vases that I own. I never want to just toss them, so usually, I donate them. But every once in a while I want to keep them. How about you? Do you do the same?

Here are 10 ideas to repurpose those glass vases.

Use a vase outside to house a fat candle. The glass will prevent the flame from being blown out by the wind.
Collect coins inside a vase. Place it near the front door and encourage everyone to toss their spare change inside when they enter the house.
Serve a summer salad in a vase. You’ll make a beautiful presentation by layering a salad in a glass vessel.
Use a vase as an ice bucket or to keep a bottle of wine cold for a party.
Place a vase on your bathroom vanity to store jewelry or makeup inside.
Replace your utensil crock near your stove with a vase for a modern look.
Re-purpose a collection of vases on your desk to hold office supplies like pencils and pens, paperclips, or rubber bands.
Display a collection by filling a vase with marbles, seashells, or whatever you love and want to show off.
Decorate for the holidays by displaying jelly beans in the Spring and Christmas tree ornaments in the winter in a glass vessel.
Offer healthy nibbling by placing fresh fruit in a vase and leaving it on your kitchen counter.

In what ways do you repurpose your collection of glass vases? Or are you ready to donate them to your local charity?

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Curated Design

Jeanne Fox Alston — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 21:19:24 GMT

Samara Goodman

Have you ever wondered how to incorporate family heirlooms and sentimental furnishings into your home decor in a way that looks updated and intentional? At Samara Interiors, we love expertly blending old and new items to create beautifully curated design.

WHAT IS CURATED DESIGN?

Curated design appears as though the decor has been collected over time and put together with a sophisticated design eye rather than overly planned and straight off of a catalogue page. Well-curated interiors are carefully and intentionally pulled together. This Thoughtful planning results in interiors that reflect the homeowners personality, a.k.a. client-centered design, and with clients loving their spaces. One client told us that they "feel happy every morning" when they come downstairs and see the space we designed. Another client told us that they feel relaxed each time they arrive home and open their front door. Other phrases, such as "It's so us!" and "I love that my grandmother's chair in that new fabric works in my space," let us know that we have accomplished this goal.

ANTIQUES

What is the difference between antique and vintage items? Put simply, an ANTIQUE is an item that is at least 100 years old. VINTAGE refers to a younger item, typically at least 20 years old. In the article 'New Uses for Old Things' in Worthwhile magazine, Sarah Reeder of Artifactual History Appraisal offers fantastic suggestions on how the most commonly encountered antique and vintage furnishings can be repurposed in a new way. In the well-curated living room below, we strategically mixed the client's INHERITED items, such as the stunning art and beautiful dark wood furniture, with a contemporary rug, sofa, and custom-designed new fireplace. In the art-inspired dining room beneath, the client's antique grandfather clock was just the right size to flank the doorway in perfect balance with the modern artwork. Bonus – having sentimental pieces such as these invokes meaningful memories.

BLENDING

Creating a well-curated look involves thoughtfully picking out new furnishings and mixing them with older items such as art, furniture, and accessories. Often, these are items that you already own and love. The 'How To Incorporate' box below highlights our top three tips. For a one-page GUIDE with specific examples on blending the old and new, please see this Samara Interiors Decor Guide .

STARTING NEW

When a client does not already own antique or vintage decor, we rely on the Samara Interiors 'Design Style Assessment' to determine the client's design likes, dislikes, and style. This allows us to acquire antique and/or vintage decor that reflects the client's personal taste. Starting with a BLANK SLATE is a 'problem' that we love to solve! It allows us to shop in some of our favorite places such as auctions, vintage shops, and antique shows. For many clients, we seek out original art that complements their style and elevates the depth of the decor, such as in the images below.

YOUR HOME

This phrase, attributed to the British sitcom Ab Fab, is a fun one to keep in mind when decorating. To us, this humorously captures the principle that a home looks best when it appears as though it has been curated over time. Not every home needs furnishings that are technically older than the homeowner, but a well-curated home will definitely not look as though all furnishings were recently produced and purchased.

For more information, contact Samara Goodman.

Rethink Your Office Space

Jeanne Fox Alston — Sun, 22 May 2022 17:46:19 GMT

Janet Schiesl

May 22, 2022

Recently, I was on my way to a client’s home. We were finishing up the transformation of his home office. Like many of my home office clients, he had compiled a bunch of mismatched, inexpensive pieces to furnish his office space. This client is a busy man with lots of paperwork attached to the various business ventures he is involved in. He was in great need of different furniture that would make his space function better.

Why do we do this?

We spend on the furniture that fills the rooms of our homes that we seldom use, like a formal living room and dining room. Typically these are spaces that we use for guests. At the same time, rooms that we spend hours in each day, hold our cast-offs. The stuff we didn’t want to get rid of but doesn’t really work for us.

What does this say about how we are treating ourselves?

If you spend a lot of time in your home office each day or you live in the family room or kitchen, look at how you are “living”. If you are putting up with furniture that doesn’t work for you it is probably making your life harder and more complicated. Think about changing things around. You will immediately see and feel a difference.

Yesterday’s client now has a completely transformed office, with well-functioning furniture pieces. This will make it easier for him to work. Not to mention that the space looks great and he will probably enjoy the time he spends in the space much more.

It has me thinking – maybe my home office needs a change?

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Composing Collections

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 03 May 2022 21:23:37 GMT

Spring 2022

Happy Spring! This newsletter presents ideas for how to display collections in your home in a way that honors your treasures and features them in an aesthetically appealing manner. Highlighting a client's special collection is a favorite part of decorating for us, and it is part of our design plan from the beginning. From bookcases and curio cabinets to gallery walls and coffee tables, your collections can shine!

EDIT

To highlight your collection best, PARE DOWN the items to your absolute favorites. Once this selection is done you can determine how much room you will need for the display. Only display the items that you treasure the most. If you are not ready to give away the other items, put them in storage. After editing your collection, display things according to these FOUR GROUPING OPTIONS.

1. CLUSTER

Instead of scattering all of your collections, go through and gather all LIKE ITEMS such as vintage pens, mantel clocks, ceramic figurines, or paper weights and group them together in just one area of your home. For example, we grouped all of one client's religious items into a curio cabinet with a gallery wall display above it. For another project, we used a mirrored tray to cluster and amplify a Limoges box collection.

2. THEME

We have numerous clients that are world travelers and highlighting their amazing travel-themed collections in their home decor is a treat. We love the look of grouping travel treasures from AROUND THE GLOBE all together as we have done with these two clients' collections.

One client had lovely artifacts from various countries in Asia that we featured on a built-in bookcase in their family room amongst non-Asian décor to maintain a casual feel. Another client’s carefully curated global collection wows on a pair of oval wall shelf units. This client was thrilled to see the items expertly arranged in a thoughtful grouping that enhances their appeal. In the bathroom pictured below, we grouped the clients' Washington Nationals SPORTS MEMORABILIA in their second powder room and we complemented the collection by painting the walls in Nats red!

3. MATERIAL

Instead of co-mingling materials, group all of your crystal vases in one area and all of your ironstone pottery in another. SEPARATE your leather-bound books from your canvas-bound books. For this client we gathered all of their brass candlesticks together and placed them on a side table where they accentuate the brass tones in the painting above.

4. COLOR

Display all of your blue and white objects TOGETHER in one space, as we have done with this client's ginger jars. For more blue and white collection display please see our Fall 2020: Blue and White newsletter here. Consider "rainbow arranging" collections such as all of your Lego creations; it will make more sense and be more pleasing to the eye.

TIPS

Our eyes enjoy symmetry and ODD NUMBERS, so arranging three or five similar items with the tallest in the center is visually appealing. For large collections with multiple colors, such as salt and pepper shakers, try grouping by both the cluster and color! For a one-page GUIDE on collection display, please see this Samara Interiors Decor Guide.

Efficient Commuting: 10 Tips

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 03 May 2022 21:11:50 GMT

Janet Schiesl

May 1, 2022

We all spend a lot of time commuting. While it’s necessary, it’s just such a waste of time. Could it be spent getting something done?

It could be used to an advantage that you haven’t yet thought about.

Here are 10 ideas of ways to spend your commuting time.

1. If you like to read then listen to audiobooks I find it’s more compelling than listening to the radio.

2. If you want to learn something new then listen to podcasts. You might be able to catch an interview or a business lesson.

3. If music is your desire then try Pandora or the plain old radio.

4. If you like to be informed then listen to the news then you will be up on the latest happenings.

5. If you are stuck in traffic and sitting still then make some business calls. Be careful, this may not be legal in your area.

6. If you haven’t shown some love lately then call a loved one. They’d love to hear from you and you know you’ll get too busy once you get into the office or home.

7. If you are a planner then take this opportunity to plan out your day. I do my best thinking in the car, maybe you do too.

8. If you are carpooling then by all means get to know your passengers. If they are your kids this is a great opportunity to catch up with them.

9. If you just want to relax then simply take in the sights. As they say “enjoy the ride”.

10. If you just need to relax then do nothing. Just breathe and drive. A little downtime could do you good.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Flexibility vs. Structure

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 03 May 2022 20:31:06 GMT

Changing Where You Live On The Routine Spectrum

Jill Katz

May 1, 2022

The Story

Part of my job as a Professional Organizer is to help people create habits and routines, and then stick to them. And I am great at doing that! In fact, my own life is filled with habits and routines that keep me on track throughout the day and week.

But while I love my routine-filled day, I always marvel at those who take an hour to have coffee with a friend or even an occasional spa day. I want to introduce more flexibility into my schedule but my routines are what keep me tethered to a sense of normalcy. Without them, what would happen?

The Routine Spectrum

My thinking led me to approach “Routine” as a spectrum. On one side of the spectrum is Flexibility and on the other side is Structure. There is a tendency for different neurodiverse brains to fall on different ends of the spectrum For example, when I organize with people who have ADHD, I often find they fall on the flexiblililty end of the spectrum. Because those with ADHD struggle with executive functioning, they need help creating structure and order. On the other hand, when I work with people who live with OCD or Aspergers, I often find the opposite phenomenon. In their need to exert control, those clients tend to have highly routinized days and fall on the structure end of the spectrum.

The Strategies

So what do you do if your schedule is completely flexible and you want to create more structure? Or if, like me, your days are full of structure and you want to create more flexibility?

Here are some strategies I created for those of you who would like to change where you lie on the spectrum:

Mindfulness in your goals

Yes, changing your behavior always starts and ends with mindfulness. In order to change, you first need to decide where you want to lie on the spectrum. What bothers you about your day? Which routines do you need and which ones are getting in the way? For example, perhaps you would like to have 2 days a month where you upend your work routines and make a playdate. Or maybe you would like to establish a morning routine because you feel your morning “gets away from you.”

1. Ask “why” 5 times

The “5 Whys” techniqueis a problem-solving technique that gets to the core of your motivation. If you truly want to add more rigidity or more flexibility to your schedule, you need to drill down a bit. You can do this by asking a question, answering it, and then taking that answer and turning it into the next “Why” question. Here is an example of how it works:

Why #1: Why do I want to establish a morning routine? Because I want to get something done in the morning.

Why #2: Why do I want to get something done in the morning? Because I want to feel more productive.

Why # 3: Why do I want to feel more productive? Because I feel bad when I don’t get things done by the end of the day.

Why #4: Why do I feel bad when I don’t get things done by the end of the day? Because then I feel I am a failure as a parent.

Why #5: Why do I feel I am a failure as a parent? Because I want to do more for my children.

Motivation for a morning routine: I want to do more for my children

Practice

Look for small opportunities to implement change. Start small in order to create success that you can build on. For example, if you want to create more flexibility in your schedule, think about one fun thing you can do that month. Then the next month, aim for two fun things.

Play to your strengths

People can be hard on themselves. We tend to hyperfocus on our deficits with harsh judgment. For example, one person might say, “There is something wrong with me. I can never stick to a routine.” Another might say, “I am so boring. I never do anything spontaneous.” Turn that script around! For example, you can say “I am a caring person” and use your strength of caring to build a workout routine – go walking with a friend who can use the company. Or say “I am a great planner” and use your planning abilities to plan a fun day if you need time to adjust to a change in schedule.

Be curious

Lean into the “Power of the Pause” by reflecting on your attempts at changing your place on the Routine Spectrum. When reflecting, consider your goals, what happened when you tried something new, and how you felt about it. If it worked, consider the reason for your success and don’t forget to celebrate! If your attempt fails, consider why and tweak as needed. But keep trying!

In Conclusion

Where do you lie on the Routine Spectrum? Where do you want to be? Which strategies resonate with you? Please share in the comments.

For more information, contact Jill Katz.

Practicing Self-Compassion: Why Is It So Difficult to Be Kind to Ourselves?

Jeanne Fox Alston — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 00:53:35 GMT

Jill Katz

November 9, 2021

The History

I missed my September Blog.

I created my Organizing & Mindfulness Blog in March 2020 right before Covid hit. Every month since then, I have been faithfully publishing one blog at the end of each month. But when this September rolled around, insanity hit. I had so much happening - celebrating five Jewish holidays in a row (In order: Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shmini Atzeret & Simchat Torah), preparing for guests, getting my two kids settled in school at home and abroad, and carrying my regular client load. So September came and went without a blog. And even though I preach self compassion to my clients, boy did I beat myself up about it.

And it’s not just me who has this self-flagellating tendency. Countless times, I have shown up to a client session only to hear the client berate him or herself. Here are some common phrases that I hear:

I am so embarrassed by this mess.

I didn’t get to your homework. I am terrible.

How could I let this room get so out of control?

The Research

Why are we so hard on ourselves? Psychologist Kristin Neff explains that we carry around these common misconceptions surrounding self-compassion and self-criticism:

We think that being kind to ourselves will stifle our drive to do better.
We think harsh criticism will push us to improve.
Our brain perpetuates the myth that “Perfection can be a reality.”

However, in truth:

Self-criticism serves as a barrier to self-improvement
Harsh criticism is similar to corporal punishment: It will work in the short term but produce harmful long-term effects
We are by nature imperfect

The Strategies

So how can we break through these brain barriers and improve our practice of self-compassion? Here are some tips:

Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the first step in assessing your feelings and needs, an important part of any kind of compassion. How are you feeling at the moment? Are you hurting? Disappointed? Those feelings signal the need for self compassion.

Connectivity

We all make mistakes - attempting and failing is a universal struggle. Recognizing this imperfection in ourselves allows us to be more compassionate with others. For example, if I give myself a break when I am late to an appointment, I am more likely to treat others with compassion when they turn up late to our meeting. The next time you treat someone harshly consider: Are you perhaps intolerant in this area because you don’t allow yourself some leverage? Perhaps this is more about you and your feelings and needs.

Practice

Give yourself a hug

We all know that “Practice Makes Better.” (Remember, there is no such thing as Perfection). But how do we practice self-compassion?

The next time you fail to live up to your own expectations, say out loud. “It’s OK, insert your name, everybody makes mistakes” or “That’s OK, you will do better next time.”
Use soothing gestures such as a pat on your own back or a self-hug, even a shoulder kiss.
Speak as though you are talking to a friend or loved one instead of in first person (“You” or your name in third person instead of “I”). Studies have shown that we can think more clearly when regarding others over ourselves. Why? Learn more about the Solomon Paradox.

In Conclusion

In her Happier podcast, Gretchen Rubin shares that many teachers dub the first week of school, “Mercy Week”. During that week, teachers extend a free pass to any late students as they adjust to their school schedule. I have decided that September is my “Mercy Month” and am giving myself a free pass. “It’s OK, Jill - you deserve it!,” I am now telling myself. And don’t forget that YOU deserve self-compassion when you fall short of your own expectations.

For more information, contact Jill Katz.

Light-Minded

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 20:32:56 GMT

Samara Goodman

Samara Interiors LLC

Fall 2021

As we head into the fall with daylight decreasing each day, this is a good time to make sure that our homes have great lighting to keep our spirits bright year-round. Lighting is a critical decorating layer to consider in all aspects of home design. Whether you're lighting for mood, function, style, or safety, there are more options than ever to choose from. This article will look at the layers of lighting (general, accent, and task), as well as safety lighting and a brief overview of light bulb lingo.

GENERAL

Most often, people think of CHANDELIERS as light fixtures for the dining room. But they aren't just for dining rooms! Consider installing chandeliers in a bedroom, walk-in closet, and over a freestanding bathtub. For more information on size, style, and placement of a chandelier, please see this Samara Interiors Decor Guide. PENDANT lights are sometimes used for task lighting, but often, they are used as a primary overhead light source. For that function, at Samara Interiors we prefer using clear glass to maximize the light output, as was done in the client's kitchen below. Other common overhead light fixture types are SEMI-FLUSH MOUNT and flush mount. These are typically used in hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms. In both foyers below, we coordinated the style of the semi-flush mount fixture to complement the other fixtures throughout the home.

Samara Interiors; Arlington, VA

ACCENT

In both of the homes below, we used decorative TABLE lamps to enhance the clients' decor style. In the home with Southwestern flair, we found this eye-catching Jonathan Adler bullhorn lamp. In the Asian-inspired home, the client already had this lovely lamp that they had brought home from their time overseas. In the family room below, we placed these fabulous, contemporary, light-diffusing, 6 foot tall FLOOR lamps to illuminate the corners while not blocking or distracting from the amazing view.

Samara Interiors; Arlington, VA

TASK

A critical lighting layer is FUNCTIONAL task lighting. Lights such as desk lamps, under-cabinet lighting, picture lights, and reading lamps provide directional illumination that will spotlight the task while causing minimal discomfort to the eyes. Good lighting is also critical for both security and for aging in place. Too much light is not visually comfortable and too little light causes eye strain and can be a safety hazard. For SAFETY lighting, consider lighting all staircases and steps, both inside and outside the home. Amber night lights provide safety lighting that does not interfere with circadian rhythms and sleep patterns.

Samara Interiors; Bethesda, MD & Arlington and Falls Church, VA

In many of the photographs seen throughout this newsletter, one can see examples of ARCHITECTURAL LIGHTING – lighting that is integrated into the rooms structure and is hard-wired as opposed to plug-in. This type of lighting is seen in many forms, such as recessed, spotlights, and cove. Architectural lighting can be used to create mood, to highlight artwork, or to function as the primary overhead light source. In the example below, we have used an LED puck light to illuminate the client's beautifully reframed artwork in the built-in niche.

Samara Interiors; Fairfax, VA

For more information, contact Samara Goodman.

Decluttering for the Next Stage: A Client Experience

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 20:12:24 GMT

Janet Schiesl

November 2021

What do you do when you are ready for the next stage of life, but need help getting there?

Moving on to a new phase in life can be hard. No, let me change that – For most people it’s extremely hard. Even if it’s a happy “new phase”, like a new home or addition to the family (baby or puppy). With change comes upheaval. You have to adapt schedules and routines and reimagine parts of your life. When I started organizing I didn’t realize that I’d be part of the support people need when moving to the next stage of life.

Sometimes making a change requires getting support

It may take a while to get yourself moving to the next stage. Have you wanted to look for a new job for a while? Or maybe you’ve wanted to move, but just can’t find the motivation to get out and look for a new place. This is often the case when people hire a coach, to help them move on. Sometimes the Basic Organization organizers find themselves in a “coaching role” when a client is ready to move to the next stage in life but needs some support to do so.

Today I’d like to tell you the story of how we helped one client move on to the next stage in her life. I’ll tell you now, it’s not all about organizing.

The Beginning

At our first meeting, I found “Jane” to be a delightful, motivated, and focused individual. This is not always the case with organizing clients. Jane showed me her detailed, written plan of what she wanted to do. I think if someone can get to the point of a written plan they don’t need the help of an organizer. I learned so much from Jane. She knew when she wanted to work (around her work schedule) and she knew where she wanted to start (in the storage room). Jane wanted to review and declutter her entire house, but like a lot of our clients, she wanted to see how it went. I understand. If you’ve never hired a professional organizer, it is not easy to give over to the process right away.

Jane had spent the pandemic working from home. I think having this extra time in the space had her rethinking how she was using it. Jane had become a widow 5 years earlier. Since then she had not made big changes in her home. Spending all this extra time had her re-examining how she wanted to live in the space – for herself and no one else.

The assessment went stunningly well. I toured the home with her. She showed me every room. We talked about what she wanted to do in each space. I asked Jane about her goals in each room. How she wants to use the space in the future is important to have a good outcome with an organizing project. Most of the house was lovely, albeit a bit cluttered. The exceptions (in my opinion) were her kitchen and her storage room. Jane wanted to start in her storage room. Awesome! In my experience, your storage room is a great place to start, because when your storage space is disorganized, pockets of clutter grow in your living spaces.

We scheduled 4 days to declutter and organize the storage room. I can hear you say “WOW! 4 days!”. Let me tell you, this storage room was big and had a lifetime of items inside. The biggest challenge (I knew from experience) was going to be Jane’s deceased husband’s things. His things took up about half the space. Also included in the storage room were a few of her adult daughter’s things, holiday decor, the laundry room, and some storage for cleaning and kitchen items. The typical storage room really. Jane’s daughter came home for the first two scheduled appointments to help out. We scheduled 3 organizers for the first 4 appointments.

We always try to use the materials that our clients already own while organizing a space. Jane had all the shelving and storage bins that were needed to complete this space, so she didn’t have to purchase anything to get started.

The Middle

I was lucky enough to be part of the team for the first appointment. As the story goes, we spent most of the first two days sorting through what was in the storage room. Jane had a lot of items that she wanted to sell. So as we worked, we separated those items out, into another room and took photos so we could post them on her neighborhood Facebook sell page.

Jane chose a lot of items to go to the curb. GO TO THE CURB means “good for someone else” items that the client does want any longer, but is willing to give away for free. These items are usually not good enough to donate, like well-used furniture or a pile of wood. We posted these immediately on the Facebook marketplace for free, each day that we were there and by the end of the day (always) everything was gone, saving Jane a junk removal fee. Jane also identified what was trash, which was bag up to go out in her regular pickup. We also loaded our cars with donations each day. This alleviates Jane from taking multiple trips to her local charity drop-off location or making an appointment for a pickup.

Jane and her daughter made quick decisions on items . . . until they didn’t. We learn that Jane had lost a child many years ago when we uncovered some items that had memories attached to their lost loved one. At times like these, we give the client space. Things tend to slow down and we step well into a supporting role. These are emotional times for clients and we want to honor their emotions and wishes. Jane and her daughter worked through these memories at their pace and did the hard work making decisions on what the Next Stage was for these things. We were honored to help them through the process.

Moving on, we tackled the storage room and left Jane with an organized, half-empty space. Now she can find and move easily get to what she needs. Jane can also now re-imagine and use the empty space for something that supports her present-day interests.

The End

Jane was so happy with her newly organized storage room, that she made more appointments to tackle other spaces in her home. Next came the kitchen reorganization. Jane sorted and let go of many items that no longer fit her present-day lifestyle since she’s now living alone and does cook those big meals that she used to. Eventually, we worked in her office, linen closet, and bedroom.

Oh and by the way, we were quite successful in selling many items for Jane on Facebook, so she recouped a bit of our fee as well.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

10 Reasons to Love Organizing

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 20:01:05 GMT

Janet Schiesl

November 9, 2021

I love to organize and know the benefits I reap from the exercise. If you are not the same, focus on the benefits of those unlikeable tasks to get them done.

Gain energy. Clutter isn’t just ugly, it’s exhausting. It’s just a reminder of things to do. Eliminate the tension by cleaning up the clutter.
Improve safety. You’ll feel better knowing that your house is cleared of clutter that could cause a fall or other injury.
Start your day happy. Above all, you’ll feel in control if you can start your day by getting dressed from a clutter-free closet and dresser.
Gain more time. By knowing where things are you won’t waste time looking for items.
Appreciate what you have. I often quote Peter Walsh to my clients, by saying “When everything is important, nothing is important.” Only keep items that mean a great deal to you.
Do less later. When you clean your home you usually start with decluttering. By being proactive you eliminate that first step in cleaning.
Enjoy more light. Cleaning the windows and lampshades can give you a new outlook on your space.
Get some exercise. Decluttering and organizing is hard work. Therefore you’ll burn some calories by clearing some space.
Be “company ready”. Eliminating clutter will go a long way to making your space ready for visitors.
Take a tax deduction. Take your unwanted items to a charity and take a deduction on your taxes.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Student Time Management & Organization

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 14:25:42 GMT

Janet Schiesl

September 27, 2021

It’s that time of year again! School is in session. How is your student managing their time? Do you find yourself constantly nagging them to do their homework? Do they always end up doing a large project the night before it’s due? Managing their time and organizing the tasks they need to do is a common issue for today’s students.

So how can you help them?

First, ask yourself some questions. Do they have a good system in place to track all of their to-dos? Are they proactively planning and working ahead? Do they have a way to look at their extracurricular commitments AND their schoolwork in order to see possible future time crunches? Have you discussed the benefit of working ahead and not doing everything at the last moment? Is their desk space organized and uncluttered, with appropriate supplies and limited distractions? Do they have both a paper filing and electronic filing system (they should be similar) in place so they can easily find the information they need to do their work?

One of the most important things a parent can do to prepare a child for schooling at the next level (e.g., middle school, high school, college), is to make sure they have good time management and organization skills to manage their workload. Each year, the amount of work a student is expected to manage increases. The system they used previously needs to be continually improved to meet their additional workload.

Is your student learning time management?

I’m amazed that our schools don’t actively teach our students to do this as part of their education. If you’re lucky, they’ve had a teacher that made this a personal priority. I’ve seen so many capable students whose work suffered not because of their ability, but because of limited organizational and time management skills.

So, if you haven’t already, sit down with your student and have them show you the system they use. Ask the questions listed above. Ask what is working and what is not working. Try not to be judgmental. Don’t try and impose your system on them. We all operate a bit differently and each individual needs his or her own system. Many students do well with a planner that includes both school and extracurricular activities managed together in a very visual, grid type format (the planners handed out by many schools DON’T work well for some students or would work better used in a modified way). Others can operate fine with a series of lists. Some like to use paper and pencil and others prefer to use an automated tool or application.

Ask them how they are filing their schoolwork, both paper, and electronic files.

Encourage them to set up a paper-based filing system in a file drawer or file crate for this year’s schoolwork. (If they haven’t cleared out last year’s work, now is a good time to get that done!). Most students file papers and files by school subject, making subfolders as needed. Others prefer to file based on their block scheduling (odd day subjects vs. even day subjects). The system should make sense to them and paper and electronic filing systems should be the same.

Finally, make sure they have a good place to work.

It should be comfortable and inviting. Ideally, they should have a hard surface, a comfortable reading chair, access to organized supplies, easy access to a computer and their electronic filing system, a file cabinet or crate for paper files (with extra folders and hanging files), and limited distractions. Some students need to be encouraged to leave their mobile devices in another room while working. Others work better with background music. Encourage your student to try a few different things. Many of them are surprised how productive they are when their phones AREN’T in the room with them.

Most students are using some system. However, many of them haven’t customized it to work well for THEM or are missing some of the important pieces discussed above.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

10 Tips for Reducing Paper Clutter

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 14:15:06 GMT

Janet Schiesl

September 27, 2021

Let’s talk about how to reduce paper clutter.

With the wide variety of paper that comes into your home every day, you need individual systems (a defined way) to deal with each kind of paper. Having a system will make it easier to determine what is necessary to keep and what should go.

1. Stop the junk mail and catalogs by signing up for Catalog Choice to remove yourself from mailing lists.

2. Manage your magazines from coming into your home by canceling subscriptions that you don’t read consistently. Rip out the articles that interest you and file them in categories in folders to eliminate the bulk of the magazines.

3. After reconciling your bank and credit card statements shred all receipts, except for large purchases, business expenses, and items under warranty. These need to be filed.

4. Post only needed paper on your bulletin board. This is where less is more. You’ll be able to see what you need without the clutter of unwanted or old paper.

5. Simplify your library by trading or giving away duplicate books. Consider purchasing an e-reader for future reading, so you don’t add to your collection.

6.. Manage business cards by scanning them into a contact management software program or organize them into a notebook made specifically for business cards.

7. Only keep your kid’s artwork that is display-worthy. Keep everything together in one box and take photos of the 3D projects that you want to keep as a memory.

8. Gather your new greeting cards into categories and store them in a card organizer. Evaluate the sentimental cards you have received and only keep the ones with a high value to you.

9. Keep coupons in an organizer that will allow you to use them. If you find that you are not taking them shopping with you, stop the practice of clipping them.

10. Curtail your printing. Save digital copies of bills, statements, and other documents on your computer or in the cloud instead of printing them.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl

10 Ways to Manage Your Reading Material

Jeanne Fox Alston — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 23:38:57 GMT

Janet Schiesl

August 18, 2021

I love to read. Do you? But it can get away from me sometimes. Have you seen my nightstand or e-reader lately? At this time of year, I love a paper book (beach read anyone?) So to help you (and me) out today I’d like to list 10 ways you can manage your reading material. All these tips are for paper-based reading.

Don’t let magazines or newspapers pile up. Clip out articles of interest and file them in manila folders that are labeled as to the topic.
If you’re in the habit of lending books to others, write your name on the inside cover, so they’ll be reminded to return it.
A quick way of identifying your books so you can keep books of one topic together is to place colored labels on the spines. Red for business, blue for health, green for psychology, etc. If they get separated it’s easy to spot them.
It’s faster to browse through books on websites than in bookstores. The largest site is (of course) www.amazon.com. You can search by title, author, and subject.
When photocopying material from books that cannot be marred, write the source on a sticky note that can be removed after photocopying.
Stick a partial pad of sticky notes on the inside cover of any book you are reading so you can easily mark pages and make notes.
If you find you lose your place when reading books due to the bookmarker falling out, use an elastic band. It keeps the read pages firmly in place and will definitely not fall out.
Keep a folder containing articles torn or photocopied from magazines so you can read while traveling, in waiting rooms, or in long lines.
Every few years, allow your magazine subscriptions to expire. Reinstate only those you have missed.
Read books and magazines with a highlighter in hand to mark relevant ideas and a pen with which to jot ideas in the margin.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

10 Tips for Organizing Your Kids

Jeanne Fox Alston — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 23:25:45 GMT

Janet Schiesl

You want your kids to be organized. But you need it to be easy and fast and fun!

August 18, 2021

You want your kids to be organized. But you need it to be easy and fast and fun! It’s important for children to manage their own things. By giving them responsibility for their toys, clothes, and rooms you teach them essential life skills. This is a broad subject, so we’ll focus on tips you can use to make your life easier and your kid’s toys and books more organized.

Store small toys in see-through bins that are an appropriate size for your kids to carry.
Sort items of the same type into bins.
Communicate where things belong with labels.
Use container size as the limit for that type of item.
Apply the one-in-one-out rule to cull the number of toys.
Never keep the box from a toy separate from the toy itself.
Make it easy for preschoolers to put books away by housing them in bins.
Store books for older children on shelves.
Make putting things away as easy as taking them out.
Model the behavior that you want from your children.

Hope you enjoyed these tips on organizing your kids, here are similar posts, with general kid’s organizing tips, and tips for organizing kid’s bedrooms.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Pressing the Reset Button

Jeanne Fox Alston — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 15:55:51 GMT

Jill Katz

August 2, 2021

The Back Story

This past year, I started asking my clients a new question:

“How do you think your space should look when it’s not in use?”

This question occurred to me when I was organizing a client’s new apartment. Each time I walked into her apartment, I noticed that the dining room table was cluttered. Although we were organizing another room, I took a moment one session to ask her how she would like it to look when she wasn’t using it. She thought for a moment and responded: She would like the table to have a few items in the center but, otherwise the table should be clear.

So we started by moving everything off her table and arranging her napkins,salt, and pepper in the center. We took a step back and sighed contentedly. Then, we took an hour of the session to investigate and problem solve the other items that were accumulating on the table. Her puzzle could be moved to the coffee table and placed on a special puzzle mat. Her mail could be sorted on the coffee table and any bills or to dos could be placed in the storage space there. Her keys and wallet were set on a pretty bowl on the hall table. The Reset was born and it was revolutionary.

How the Reset Differs From Traditional Organizing

At first glance, The Reset doesn’t look much different than ordinary organizing. But I knew I was onto something. Here’s how the Reset differs from traditional organizing and why it is so effective:

For the Reset to work, you must use a small space. (i.e. a table, counter, shelf or shelves, perhaps a small closet)

The process is flipped in The Reset by jumping to the last step of traditional organizing and arranging items in the space the way you want it to look when everything is put away. This is super motivating.

The client needs to create a clear perspective of his or her space’s purpose upfront as well as a mental picture of the end result.

The Steps

Intrigued? Try it yourself! Here’s how you apply the reset to your space:

Choose a small space that is accumulating clutter. Start with your own space. Not a shared space. We will discuss shared spaces real soon in another post. I promise!

Ask yourself: What is the function of the space? Really challenge yourself to think about how you have used the space in the past and if you would like to use the space in the same way moving forward. Don’t forget to ask yourself how you want the space to look when it is not in use.

Some examples:

Kitchen counter: Used for food prep

When not in use only items on counter are toaster oven and coffee maker

Office Desk:

Used for work and paying bills and dealing with mail

When not in use only items on the desk are laptop, a vertical file holder and pens

Now take everything out of that space and only put back what you want in that space when it is not in use

Look at the items that you removed from that space and sort through them. What categories do you see? Where do they belong at the end of the day? How can you problem solve so that it’s easy to put them away?

This is a critical step or else these items will creep their way back into your space. Some items will be used to serve that space when “in use” and will be stored nearby. Other items don’t belong in that space and need to be stored in a different area. Don’t forget that some items don’t belong anywhere in your home and should be donated or thrown away.

In Conclusion

So next time you feel a heaviness descend on your soul as you walk past a cluttered counter or table in your home, consider pressing The Reset button. Were you able to transform that small space? Let me know how it goes….

For more information, contact Jill Katz.

How to Work With A Professional Photo Organizer

Jeanne Fox Alston — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 15:29:01 GMT

Jody Al-Saigh

Picture Perfect Organizing

August 2, 2021

How to Prepare for Your First Visit with a Professional Photo Organizer

For people who struggle with organizing their photos, hiring a professional photo organizer can be a great resource. A photo organizer can provide valuable tips for organizing photos and can give hands on guidance to achieve your final results. But there’s a few things to keep in mind that can save you time and money.

1) Think about your goals for the professional photo organizer.

A common goal is to preserve precious memories. Perhaps you were given photos by a family member or found historic photos after the passing of a loved one. Maybe you’ve run out of room and your printed photos are cluttering your space. Or you want to be sure not to lose precious digital photos, but you don’t know how to back them up.

Another goal could be to share the photos with others. What is the point of taking all these photos if they never leave your phone? Maybe you want to make a scrapbook as a gift. Or share photos online with former classmates and friends. Perhaps you want to frame some beautiful vacation images.

Many people are also interested in downsizing and digitizing. Can you take all those albums with you? Will you have space for all of the framed photos you used to hang? Will your digital memories be organized after you’re gone?

When you’re getting ready to move, photos are a key piece to consider, but often get put aside when trying to think about moving furniture and other items. Getting printed photos scanned is a great way to take all of your photos with you, even if space in your new home is limited.

2) Prepare to get started.

A lot of people get daunted or overwhelmed by the process of organizing photos. They just don’t know how to get started.

Setting an appointment is a great first step!

Sometimes people hire a professional photo organizer just to have a regular appointment to keep. If they are paying someone by the hour, they know they don’t want to waste their money and time. An organizer will work side by side and becomes an extra set of hands in the organizing process.

For many people, photos trigger a lot of emotion. Organizing photos can get derailed when the memories cause pain or sadness or even if they just cause the client to get sidetracked reminiscing about happy times. Photo organizers can offer guidance and steer you back on course when a project hits a roadblock.

Photo organizing is one of those tasks that, for many, can fall by the wayside in our busy lives. But after a while the task gets too big to manage because you’ve put it off for so long.

Often the bigger a project gets, the more money you end up throwing at it in order to quickly solve the problem. professional photo organizers can make sure that you’re shopping and spending appropriately – finding the best backup solution for your hard drive, determining how much cloud storage you should pay for, finding cost effective but photo-safe methods of storing prints and memorabilia items.

3) Get going on your project!

You’ve got a goal for your photos and your first appointment with a photo organizer is booked.

Prepare for your visit to maximize your savings.
For print photos, search and collect from every place photos are stored in your home and get them into one spot. This saves time for when the organizer arrives – you don’t need to hire someone by the hour to help you rummage through your drawers and closets.

When everything is brought together, set up a good area to work. You should have a large flat surface such as a dining room table or a bed in a guest room. If you have the space, find an area for photo sorting that doesn’t have to be put awaybetween appointments.

It’s always good to break up the organizing process into small and manageable chunks – you can’t expect to organize all your photos in one single session with an organizer. So, it’s great if all of the sorted piles can stay put if you have the space to leave them out.

If you’re trying to organize digital items, similar rules apply. Everyone these days has multiple devices that take and store photos. Gather all of your phones, tablets, camera memory cards, old hard drives and laptops, thumb drives and CDs together to show your organizer. Make sure you have all of the necessary cords to charge and plug in those devices so your organizer can view everything contained on each device. Your photo organizer will want to see the total volume of your photo collection to determine the scope of your project.

Advancements in technology have made digital storage much easier to achieve, even for those who aren’t technologically savvy. Whether you can manage it yourself, or if you need a little help, you will definitely want to use technology to your advantage to preserve your collections in a digital format.

Now you’re off to the races! You and your photo organizer can work efficiently and with less stress because you’ve prepared in advance. Best of luck with your photo organizing!

For more information, contact Jody Al-Saigh

Top 10 Advantages to Slowing Down

Jeanne Fox Alston — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 16:44:21 GMT

Janet Schiesl

July 12, 2021

I recently finished reading Small Change by Susan & Larry Terkel. The beginning of the book had a great chapter on how to apply small changes to your life. Like many of our clients who are trying to make changes, doing something large is overwhelming and often left untried. Susan & Larry suggest that small changes will add up to something big in the end.

On top of chapters on health, relationships, creativity, and work, the chapter that resonated with me the most was small change for more happiness. Isn’t that what we are all about, living a happy life.

There was a section in the chapter on Slowing Down and the first line is, “Are you always in a hurry?” They suggest that one small change you could make is to slow down. It will make a difference in all areas of your life. The authors suggest 10 advantages to doing this exercise.

Slowing Down

Allows you to be more careful and lessens the chance of accidents
Removes much of the stress caused by hurrying and worrying about it
Makes you a safer driver
Helps you to be more patient with everyone
Gives you time to think before you speak, talk more slowly, and listen more carefully
Allows you to be more mindful
Makes you eat more slowly and allows you to enjoy your food
Enables you to rely less on fast and processed food and more on home-cooked meals and pleasant dining experiences
Allows you to entertain more easily and make your guests feel more welcome
Makes you feel as though you had more time to live life

In our fast-paced world, it may be hard to consider slowing down, but if you want to improve one of these 10 areas of your life, slowing down may be the ticket.

In conclusion, try to do everything a little slower.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

Be More Productive By Limiting Your Choices

Jeanne Fox Alston — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 16:36:56 GMT

Janet Schiesl

July 5, 2021

The more choices you have, the longer you spend deciding what you want. Limiting your choices makes it easier to make decisions. Therefore you are more efficient.

What to do about choice?

Pick out what you are going to wear to work the night before.
Only wear solid colors or certain colors.
Establish a weekly dinner menu.
Eat the same thing for breakfast every morning.
Create a standard grocery shopping list.
Pay all your bills in the same method.

Finally, consider cutting back on time spent mulling over decisions and move on to the next thing.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

My 5 Focus Essentials

Jeanne Fox Alston — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 16:15:20 GMT

Janet Schiesl

June 28, 2021

Productivity is all about focus. Starting and staying on task is the only way your to-do list is going to get done. Some days, easier to said than done. I get it. I can procrastinate with the best of them. Not the best place to be for an organization and productivity specialist. I found some fixes that work for me and thought I’d let you in on my essential requirements to getting things done.

I can get ‘in the zone’ pretty fast and when working with a client and when it clicks, it’s magical. The work flows, time flies, things get done! It’s great. But then I move to my office where the admin happens and it seems like the clock stops. Have you ever felt like that?

The 5 Things That Keep Me Productive

1. Finding a quiet place to work

In our portable technology world, you can work anywhere, anytime. But is that always the best way to be productive? Not for me. One thing I know about myself is that I need to tuck myself away from any other activity in order to focus on work. I am lucky to have a designated office space in my home. Everyone who works from home should be so lucky. It allows me to block out distractions like family members, laundry, TV, the frig, or a sunny day. It’s as simple as closing the door to my office. In my mind, the closed-door means business. Don’t bother me unless you are on fire!

Some people work best in a busy, noisy environment or with lots of people around. Whatever helps you focus. If you are not sure what works for you, do a little experiment. Move to different locations inside and outside your house. Work on something challenging. Where are you most successful? Tweak your work environment until you get the results you want.

2. Finding the best time of day

When are you most productive? I am a morning person through and through. As a kid, I used to wake up hours before the rest of my family. So much so that my mom would set out dry cereal at night, so I could have something to eat while waiting for everyone else to rise. So why not take advantage of that? I still rise early. Do a little lingering at the TV and coffee pot, but then I go into action mode. I can get more done at my desk in three AM hours than I do the rest of the day. I focus on the hard stuff first. You know the ‘Eat That Frog’ idea. Get what I am most dreading done and then the rest of the day is cake! I saved the afternoon for reading, education, email and chores when my mind is not as sharp.

What’s your best time of day? Maybe you are a night person. More power to you. It doesn’t matter what time you do your book-keeping, pay your bills, or write your paper. Why not do it at your most productive time of day? Figure out your sweet spot on the clock and then focus your efforts on the important tasks of the day then, can raise your productivity with not much effort.

3. Finding the deadline

Some tasks have deadlines and some don’t. One thing that has helped me be my most-productive-self is to set deadlines for everything. I set deadlines for writing blog posts (like this one) or they’d never get done. I’d push them to the bottom of that to-do list of mine every day. The thing I find the hardest to complete is the development of my company. What’s the next step? Where will I step outside my box next? I use the support of colleagues to focus my thoughts in this realm. We ‘meet’ over the internet once a month. often discussing our new ideas and challenges and encourage each other to move forward. But what makes it work for me is that we give ourselves challenges with the deadline of reporting back at the next meeting. We keep each other accountable. It’s fantastic!

Look at all your regular tasks and set dates and times that you will do them. Make an appointment with yourself. Put it on your calendar. There is something about writing (or typing) it on a calendar that cements it for me. Try it. It may work for you too. You could even try micro-managing your calendar for a bit. Write down what time of day you will check email, make phone calls. Time blocking like this really works. It’s deadline personified!

4. Finding prep time

I love to schedule and plan and I think that is one key to my ability to focus on the tasks of the day. Prepping for the next day is essential (to me) for a good night’s sleep. I use a modified Tickler File for my business planning. It’s visual, it’s easy and it’s fast. I have a file system on the wall, next to my desk that I use religiously. I mean it, all day, every day. My routine every morning includes pulling out what’s in that day’s file and shuffling the folders/papers into the order of importance. Bam! My day is laid out in front of me, right there. See it. Do it. Done.

More prepping is done at the end of my day. I am a member of the clean desk club, (to me) which means that I clean my desk off at the end of each workday. File things back into my wall filing systems anything that did not get finished. The thought “I’ll do it tomorrow” is enough for me to put it out of my mind until the next day.

Do you incorporate prep time for the next day into the end of your day? I know about those days you’d rather run from your desk when the day is done, but wouldn’t you feel more prepared to tackle what’s coming tomorrow if you downloaded/decided all the issues of the day before walking away?

5. Finding a reward

It sounds kind of funny and simple, but I find a to-do list helps me focus. It’s the challenge of seeing what needs to be done and concurring it that helps me move forward. When I feel overwhelmed with how much I have to do, I sit down and make a list. I am very visual, so seeing it on paper helps me focus. I love checking things for my list. Just that little reward of the checkmark does it for me. There is nothing like seeing everything checked off at the end of the day and tossing the paper. You see the reward doesn’t have to be big. It just has to work. Feeling accomplished is a reward enough for me.

What type of reward do you need? Could it be recognition from colleagues or that glass of wine at the end of a successful day? Figure out how often you need to feel that sense of accomplishment and make sure that your rewards are attainable in that time frame.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl

10 Tips on How to Get Going on a Task

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 03:12:41 GMT

Janet Schiesl

June 7, 2021

How to get going on a task. If you are always doing things at the last minute, you are not alone. Many people have trouble getting motivated to start tasks. Large or small, homework, chores, or job responsibilities – getting started on all these can stress you out.

To help you with options to move forward, here are 10 tips to get you going.

Evaluate whether the task is something you really value. Maybe it’s something that someone else asked of you and may not important to you.
Imagine yourself doing and completing the task. Seeing the outcome may motivate you.
Chunking. It means to break down your task into smaller, more doable pieces. It won’t seem so overwhelming then.
Make action items. In addition, make a list of the tasks you want to accomplish and use verbs at the beginning of each item.
Get it in your planner. Prioritize each task on your calendar and schedule enough time to do it, you are more likely to succeed.
Use post-it notes to remind yourself of the tasks to complete. A little reminder never hurt.
Be accountable to someone else. For instance, reporting to someone who will support your work and not criticize your efforts will be a great motivator.
Look at what is getting in your way. If you have tried everything and still struggle, examine if outside (or inside) forces are getting in your way.
Get help. Working with a friend will motivate you to move forward. Making any activity more social can add to the experience.
Finally, plan a reward at the completion of a task. Make it small, but fun.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

The Spoon Theory: A Unique Perspective on Energy & Productivity

Jeanne Fox Alston — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 22:42:53 GMT

Jill Katz

June 7, 2021

Do you ever wonder why some days you are flying through your tasks while other days you are slogging along? Lately, I have been reading up on The Spoon Theory and I believe we can all learn a thing or two about productivity from this insightful concept.

The Spoon Theory - A Story

The Spoon Theory was invented in 2003 by Christine Miserandino who wrote a story detailing a conversation she had with her best friend about coping with Lupus, a chronic illness. I will summarize the story but I urge you to read the original short story yourself.

In the story, Christine is in a diner and her best friend urges her to share her experience about living with Lupus. After some consideration, Christine asks her friend to grab 12 spoons from the surrounding tables. She explains that these spoons represent her total energy for the day. Christine challenges her friend to go through a pretend day and make choices about how to use her spoons. She takes away spoons for waking up, getting dressed, and making breakfast. By the time her friend is talking through starting her workday, she is only left with six spoons. Five more spoons were used during the workday for standing at her computer, taking public transportation and skipping lunch. By evening, her friend had only one spoon left and had to spend it wisely. Christine shared with her friend that she never has enough spoons so she must make some hard choices about what to give up. For example, having a meal with a friend might mean that she doesn’t have energy to pay her bills or take a shower.

Understanding Those With Chronic Illness

I spoke with my friend Atara about The Spoon Theory. Atara lives with a chronic illness called Dysautonomia so I was curious to hear how she related to these ideas about energy. Atara described what it felt like to not have enough energy to accomplish her daily tasks:

“I am budgeting energy instead of money and I have under-resourced funds to spend. It is fear-based: I don’t want to overdo things today and then I can’t move tomorrow. ” She also spoke about judgement. “There is an expectation by yourself and others to be successful. You have to recognize what it’s like to be you and create your own set of standards.”

Over the past year, Atara has been feeling much better and I asked her if she still thinks about her energy as spoons. She replied, “I remember that just because I can, doesn’t mean it’s good for me. So I still prioritize my day, pushing off things that can wait. If I don’t overextend myself then I can count on having enough spoons tomorrow. That consistency is very important to me.”

The Autistic Community & Other Adopters

I actually first heard about The Spoon Theory from the autistic community. My daughter has Asperger’s, a form of High Functioning Autism, and I often look to this community to explain some behaviors that I don’t understand. For example, my daughter might have a day where by midday, she is utterly exhausted. At first, I was perplexed by this phenomenon, but when I applied The Spoon Theory, it all made sense. Certain activities such as socializing and taking a shower can tax her energy, even if she enjoys these experiences.For example, she loves her friends but attending to all the social cues and loud noises can cost her many spoons. What teenager would choose schoolwork over hanging out with friends at the mall? But hanging out with friends will often drain her of energy for anything else and she will collapse in bed, unable to even show up at the dinner table.r which activities to sacrifice in order to have enough spoons for another. For example, in order to conserve her energy for work, she might have to pass on dinner with a friend.

How Does the Spoon Theory Apply to You?

I have explained how The Spoon Theory works if you have chronic illness, autism, or mental health diagnoses. But what about the rest of us? Here are some takeaways that I would like to share with you:

Show Compassion & Empathy for Others

We must realize that others have different needs and different ways of distributing their energy.

Recognize That We Are All Neurodiverse

We are all individuals with our own set of needs. Giving ourselves extra grace for tasks that drain our energy can only make us more productive in the long run.

Pace Yourself

You know that saying: “Life is a marathon, not a sprint.” Overexerting yourself in the short term, can be devastating in the long run. Physical overexertion can lead to a muscle injury. Mental exertion can cause burnout or depression. One way or another, our body will communicate to us that it is time to rest.

Weigh Tasks by Quality and Not by Quantity

Look at your day and strategize. What drains your energy? What gives you energy?

In Conclusion

In her story, Chrisitne Miserandino tells her friend: “Don’t worry. I see this as a blessing. I have been forced to think about everything I do. Do you know how many spoons people waste everyday? I don’t have room for wasted time, or wasted “spoons” and I chose to spend this time with you.”

How do you choose to spend your time? Will you apply The Spoon Theory to your life?

For more information, contact Jill Katz

Declutter Your Downloads Folder

Jeanne Fox Alston — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 20:47:24 GMT

Penny Cattrell

Order Your Life

June 7, 2021

One of the first things I tell my clients to do when starting work with them on digital organizing is “declutter your downloads folder.” Your downloads folder is the place on your computer where digital clutter hides. When you take the time to declutter your downloads folder you’ll reclaim much needed storage space on your computer.

Your Computer’s Temporary Storage Area

In essence, the downloads folder is the location on your computer where files, documents, installations, and other content downloaded from the internet wait for you to do something with them. It’s basically digital limbo and it can become a complete mess if not attended to regularly.

When you click on a file or photo attachment in an email, a calendar invite, or an installation program for an application, the content goes straight to the downloads folder. It waits patiently there for you to open it, install it, and eventually move it to a permanent location or delete it.

Maintain and Declutter Your Downloads Folder Consistently

The problem is that many people don’t even know where their downloads folder is, much less how to clean it out or organize it. That folder accumulates more and more content, eventually eating up vital disk storage space. A client of mine just told me that after cleaning out her downloads folder she got an extra 80 GB of space!

It’s vital to the smooth operation of your computer to check your downloads folder regularly, move the files you want to keep to the appropriate place on your computer, and to delete everything else.

Here’s how to access your Downloads folders on a Mac and PC. And here are three easy steps for keeping it cleaned out.

Sort by Type
- Much of what ends up in your downloads falls into four main categories:
  - Documents in PDF or Doc format (ending in .pdf or .docx)
  - Other files like PowerPoint Presentations and spreadsheets
  - Calendar invites (ending in .ics)
  - Photos or images (ending in .jpg, .png or .tiff)
  - Installation programs. (ending in .dmg for OS or .exe for Windows)
- If you sort your downloads by Kind or Type, you can quickly group similar downloads together.

Delete
- Old calendar invites – once you’ve added it to your Google Calendar or iCal, you don’t need the download
- Anything ending in .dmg or .exe. These are merely the programs to install apps on your computer, not the applications themselves. Once the application has been installed, you don’t need the installer.
- Duplicate versions – every time you click the same file to download it, it creates another copy of it in your downloads folder. That’s why you may see multiple versions of the same file with 1, 2, 3, 4 etc. after each title. You can quickly delete all the copies and decide if you want to keep the original.

Move/Organize
- Preview the rest of the files and decide if you want to keep them. (Mac user power hint – use your spacebar on your Mac keyboard for a quick preview of the file without having to open it).
- If you do, move them into the appropriate folders wherever you store your documents or photos. See more about organizing your digital files in my blog post here.
- Make sure to rename the file something that identifies it and makes sense to you. The download name may not necessarily be something you want or need to keep.

And that’s it! If you clear your downloads out at least once a month, you’ll keep your computer running smoothly and save a ton of storage space.

For more information, contact Penny Catterall.

Productivity Improvement for Entrepreneurs

Jeanne Fox Alston — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 20:30:46 GMT

Janet Schiesl

June 7, 2021

You can improve your productivity and take your business to the next level by adopting better business habits. These are fundamental rules that every Entrepreneur can implement. Follow these seven business rules to get to where you want to be.

Start your business day the night before.

After the dinner dishes are done plan your next business day. Write an old-fashioned “to-do” list, include everything you need to accomplish the next day. This brain dump will also help you sleep better tonight and tomorrow you will get a great sense of accomplishment as you cross off each item on your list.

Set an alarm clock.

Don’t think that since you work for yourself, you don’t need a schedule. In order to improve productivity, you need to be on a schedule and control the start of your day.

Never work in your pajamas.

Getting dressed will help with your mindset for the whole day. It will subconsciously show respect for you, your clients and your business. You will feel more confident and ready for action.

Do not schedule meetings before noon.

If you are at your best in the morning keep that time to get the most important things done. A concentrated effort in the morning will set you up to accomplish more than ever before.

Take a mid-day break.

You will improve your afternoon job performance with some exercise or relaxation in the middle of the day. You will come back to work with improved mental sharpness and more creativity.

Have lunch with a mentor or colleague once a week.

Step outside of your busy world and get some feedback on ideas. Taking the time for a relaxing lunch with someone you admire and can relate to will make a huge difference in how you look at your business.

Reconcile your “to-do” list.

At the end of your workday compare what you had planned to accomplish and what you actually got done. Did you have a good day? If you completed 75% of your list, you succeeded. However, if you fell below that number make some changes to gain better control of your business and be more productive.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl

Why You Should Stop Multitasking Right Now

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 11 May 2021 19:56:45 GMT

Penny Catterall

Order Your Life

May 11, 2021

Multitasking is something a lot of us do without even realizing it. It has become a way of life in our crazy, non-stop world. According to the American Psychological Association, multitasking happens when someone tries to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, switching from one task to another, or performing two or more tasks in rapid succession. Multitasking reduces productivity.

Dave Crenshaw, time management expert and author of The Myth of Multitasking: How “Doing It All” Gets Nothing Done, says “When someone tells me that they are good at multitasking, I know they’re inefficient. Saying that you’re a good multitasker is the same as saying that you’re good at using a less effective method to get things done.”

He has a point. We are always trying to make the most of the time we have by doing several things at once, but multitasking, especially with complex tasks, has been actually proven to be counter-productive. If you’re the type of person who multitasks on a daily basis, now is the time to stop. Here’s why.

The negative effects of multitasking

If you search online for the negative effects of multitasking, you’ll be swamped with articles showing how multitasking reduces productivity. To save you the trouble, I’ve listed the top three negative effects of multitasking and what science has to say about it.

1. Multitasking reduces productivity and increases stress

Research shows that when we engage in task switching, our productivity decreases significantly. It can take up to 25 minutes for our brains to refocus after being interrupted from a state of flow. When you force your brain to constantly switch gears, you lose time and efficiency.

These interruptions cause stress on the brain – a sort of mental overload. It’s also easier to make mistakes when you are in a state of stress, leading to poor work performance and anxiety. The world and the things we do to get by every day cause enough stress and anxiety. Why would we want to add more by multitasking?

2. Causes brain issues

Multitasking is linked to causing several brain issues. This is because by switching from one task to another too quickly, our brain isn’t able to keep up. It is still focused on the first task and by the time it begins to focus on the new one, we have likely moved on to a third one.

We believe we’re being productive by crossing off a lot of items on our daily to-do lists, . but productivity is not about how much you get done, it’s about working towards results. Busy is busy, it does not equal productivity. Multitasking won’t help you achieve productive results, because you’re not giving your brain the opportunity to focus on the task you need to accomplish.

3. Causes memory problems

And our kids are learning from us. They see us trying to juggle several things at once, making them believe they can do the same. When we’re talking on our phones while doing something else, we’re not giving either thing our full attention. Kids see that behavior and mimic what they see. The Cleveland Clinic says teaching our kids to multitask is hindering their ability to work well. Multitasking makes it difficult for their still-developing brain to connect thoughts and it slows their ability to prioritize and make clear choices. [1] If you’ve been teaching your kids to multitask, stop now, and instead teach them how to stay focused on one task at a time.

3. Stunts creativity

Decreased performance combined with increased stress, anxiety, and cognitive issues, add up to the third most negative effect of multitasking – a block in creativity. If you’re constantly jumping from one thing to another, how can your brain have the room to produce original work? You need to relax to get creative. That state of flow that you get when you focus on one thing is what brings about creativity, inspiration, and deep productive work.

Tips to stay focused on one task

Now that you know why multitasking is bad for your productivity, what can you do to fix it? If you’ve been a natural multitasker all your life, how do you change the way you work? Start here:

Pomodoro technique. If you have a lot on your to-do list, try this time management method. Spend 25 minutes on a task. When the timer goes off, take a 5-minute break. Then continue on with the previous task or start another one. That 5-minute break lets your brain reset itself so it can focus on the next task without needing to catch up. You can read more about this on my blog post here.

Turn off your notifications. How many times have you stopped working because you saw a new email, social media, or message notification? These little distractions are productivity’s biggest enemy. Turn off all your notifications when you need to focus on a task.

Find your best time of day. We all have a time of day where we feel most energized and ready to tackle anything. It can be first thing in the morning, mid-afternoon, or even at night. Try and notice when you feel most productive and dedicate that time slot to working on those really important tasks.

Create weekly milestones. Break large goals down into smaller, weekly tasks. Use some reverse engineering to figure out how long a certain project will take. Then work backward from its due date. Once you know how much time you have, create weekly goals or tasks. By the end of each week, you’ll be closer to a finished product.

Take breaks. That 5-minute break in the Pomodoro technique is super important. Your brain can only handle so much for so long. Give it a chance to breathe. Set a timer to go off every hour. When it does, get up, stretch, walk around, and step away from the computer. Five minutes is all you need for a little brain recharge.

Keep a notebook nearby. Jot down ideas as you do your work. Keeping a notebook handy is a great way to capture thoughts and other to-dos. This will help you keep track of what is next, without compromising the work of the task you’re currently working on.

So, in a nutshell, don’t let yourself fall into the multitasking abyss. If you can focus on single tasking, it will ultimately help you better organize your thoughts and to-do lists, and ultimately achieve your goals. In my busy life, I have found Evernote to be a tremendously useful tool. I offer consulting services to teach you how to use it and make it part of your daily routine. Find out more here. And be sure to check out last month’s post about The Best Time Management Tips to Boost Productivity, where I go into more depth about some of these tips.

For more information, contact Penny Catterall

A "Worried Well Nation": Suffering from Anxiety & What to Do About It

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 11 May 2021 19:24:17 GMT

Jill Katz

May 11, 2021

What is “Worried Well”?

When I was a new Mom, I would call the doctor at least once a week with a new question. I would call so often that, 17 years later, I still know the pediatrician’s phone number by heart. Every once in a while, that call would culminate in a doctor’s visit. On one such visit, the doctor needed to leave for a minute and he left his clipboard behind. Of course I took a peek, wouldn’t you? And what did I see written in big letters on the report: “WW (Worried Well).”

When I got home, I spoke with a doctor friend of mine and found out that worried well is actually a code doctors use for insurance when the patient, or parent, is worried but all is well. This code indicates that the patient is suffering from health anxiety with no underlying physical ailment. I asked my friend if too many “Worried Well”s would get me kicked out of the pediatric practice. She laughed and told me that pediatric offices understand that new parents need reassurance and that I was in the clear.

Increase in Worried Well Population

Fast forward to today. I subscribe to different online media about clutter, productivity and mental health and, for the first time in years, I saw that term again, “Worried Well”, in various articles. These articles divulged that COVID testing lines are becoming too long because they are full of “Worried Wells”. In other words, people are overly worried that they might have contracted COVID without any rational reason. These “Worried Wells'' are running to get tested because they need reassurance that they are OK.

These articles highlight how COVID has turned us all into a “Worried Well” population. The vast majority of us are on high anxiety alert. Our life has been upended and we are trying to find a sense of control and a return to stability during uncertain times.

Worried Well: What To Do When Anxiety Messes

With Your Productivity

When we are anxious we have trouble focusing and making decisions. Our productivity suffers and we can’t seem to organize our mental and physical spaces. Yet we need to continue to eat, work, and take care of ourselves and family members. Here are some tips on what to do when you are having a COVID anxiety:

Limit your news intake and use reliable media sources

I experienced 9-11 as a twenty something working in midtown Manhattan. I still remember watching TV with my husband from our Bronx apartment. The media coverage was nonstop and we watched for days. Finally, we realized that watching the news constantly was making us feel sick. So we turned it off. Today’s news presents even more challenges with social media, fake news, and partisan leaning reports. Limit your exposure to the media and try to search for unbiased reporting (I like The Flip Side).

Seek support from loved ones

Now is the time to lean on our loved ones and friends. COVID might limit some activities but we can still chat or zoom with a friend or ask them to lend support with shopping or errands.

Put less on your plate

On anxiety-ridden days, we have a lower capacity. Limit your to-do list to three things. Delegate tasks and get takeout or give your kids peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for dinner. Settle for “good enough.”

Self care

I am sure you have heard the word “self care” about a million times since COVID hit. “Don’t forget about self care,” says everyone. That is because self care is really that important. Now that you are limiting your “To-do List” you can focus on getting enough sleep, eating nourishing food (nothing fancy, a simple salad or cut-up veggies or fruit will do), meditating and exercising.

Trust your instinct

Don’t forget that “Worried Well” rests upon the foundation of anxiety without any real physical systems. If you are having trouble managing your anxiety, you should seek out a therapist or psychiatrist for help. If you are experiencing physical symptoms, see your doctor or a specialist. Get inspired to listen to your body by reading this woman’s story.

Create a routine

Unstructured days create anxiety for most people. And the pandemic has changed or destroyed our routines before March 2020. Building new routines are key to establishing a calm day. Create boundaries in your day for work, rest, mealtimes, socializing, exercising and other activities and hobbies.

In Conclusion

I made it through my “new mom worries” and I am optimistic that we will soon be viewing our pandemic worries in the rearview mirror. But as a population of “worried wells” we need to manage our anxiety in order to sustain ourselves so we emerge from the pandemic health, whole, and stronger than ever.

For more information, contact Jill Katz

5 Steps to Super Simple Paper Management

Jeanne Fox Alston — Tue, 11 May 2021 19:04:08 GMT

Janet Schiesl

May 11, 2021

There are only 5 steps to super simple paper management.

I know, paper can pile up faster than dirty dishes. All those bills, receipts, records, statements can easily stress you out. Getting clear of the paper chaos in your life will save you time, money, energy and some say your sanity.

Follow these five simple steps to organize all your paper records.

Step #1. Toss what you can.

After reconciling your monthly statements, you can toss any receipts for small purchases. You should keep receipts for large purchases for the life of the item.
At the beginning of each calendar year, you can let go of all those monthly statements. Once you receive your yearly statement for an account the monthly statements can go. These types of paperwork include paycheck stubs, monthly credit cards, and mortgage statements, utility bills and brokerage and mutual fund reports.

Step # 2. Hang on to what you must.

For tax purposes, you should hang on to any paperwork that supports your tax return, for seven years. After that time period, you can toss any supporting documents. Some of your supporting paperwork may include, W-2s and 1099s, year-end credit card statements, receipts for all deductible business expenses, charitable donations, child-care expenses, retirement account contributions, out-of-pocket medical expenses, mortgage-interest, and property-tax payments. Want a paper retention guide? Look here for a downloadable Paper Retention Schedule from Jazmine.
After the seven-year tax period has lapsed, you only need to retain your actual tax return.
You should keep receipts for major purchases and home improvements until you no longer own these items or you sell your home (and file taxes dealing with the sale). It is also important to keep the confirmation slips that show beneficiary designations and the purchase price of stocks, funds, and other investments.

Step #3. Give your papers a home.

You don’t need fancy office furniture to get a handle on your paper piles. Designate a corner of a room or space in a closet to store your vital documents, so you will know where to find them when needed. You’ll need a filing cabinet or file boxes and file folders to complete your project.
You’ll want to keep vital records such as birth and marriage certificates, insurance policies, deeds, and other permanent records in a fire-proof safe. Make sure that your heirs can access the safe if needed.

Step #4. Be systematic.

You need a plan for processing all this paper. Have space where the paperwork that you need to act on will live until you are finished with it. But, once finished, the key to keeping up your system will be to file or toss each piece of paper. Don’t pile, act!
A simple file system will work for most people. Have a folder for tax-related materials, credit card statements, financial statements, utility bills, etc. Taking the time to set up a filing system will save you time in the long run.

Step #5. Tackle the backlog.

Once you have a system in place, you’ll need to deal with your accumulation. This can be done slowly, so you don’t get overwhelmed. Sort through and make decisions on an inch or two of a pile each day and the backlog will slowly disappear.
Soon you’ll find that your system is saving you time, money, and frustration. You’ll love the peace of mind that you have created for yourself.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl

The Best Time Management Tips to Boost Productivity

Jeanne Fox Alston — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 17:36:29 GMT

Penny Catterall

Order Your Life

April 5, 2021

Time management is the ultimate tool for productivity. But how often have you told someone you can’t do something because you’re “too busy?” How many times have you heard that from people you know?

Don't confuse being busy

with being productive

Busy is the new "I'm fine," response when people ask each other how they are. There's nothing wrong with being busy. But too many people confuse being busy with being productive. The truth is they're not the same.

Productivity can mean different things to different people. Debbie Rosement from Simply Placed says it's "getting the desired results in the most effective and efficient way possible." But you can't be productive without one key element. Time management.

Here are a few of the benefits

of time management:

Increased productivity.
Less stress and anxiety.
Greater focus.
Better work/life balance.
More time and freedom.

Time Management 101

Improving your time management doesn’t have to be difficult. It all comes down to figuring out a system that works for you. The basics of time management are the same. Julie Morgenstern, author of Time Management from the Inside Out, has an accomplished system you can read about here. But here are the top five steps to get you started on your time management journey.

1) List Your To-Dos

First, sit down and write everything you need to do. And I mean everything. Don't skip even the smallest task. This is what David Allen of Getting Things Done calls a mind sweep. Try and use action verbs to get more specific. Words like "call, email, review and pay" are some examples. You don't want to look through your list and wonder what you meant by writing "office policy." Writing "review office policy" is more to the point.

2) Define Your Goals

Once your list is complete, it's time to define your goals. What do you really want to accomplish? Circle anything on your list that you've put off over and over. Circle anything that really needs to get done. If you find you're circling everything listed, take a step back. Go back to the list once you've really narrowed down your major goals.

3) Prioritze

Look at your circled tasks. On another sheet of paper, create four columns. Label each one Year, Month, Week, Day. Which of your circled tasks can be completed in a day? Add them to the Day column. What tasks might take a week or more to complete? Do you see the pattern? Do this for every circled task until your done.

4) Plan

If you don't have your planner with you, now's the time to get it. You can also download a time management app like ToDoist or Microsoft To Do for this part. Look through the next twelve months. Look at your four columns. Start planning when you want certain tasks done. Mark it in your planner. Do this until all the tasks from your four columns have a due date.

5) Flexibility

This steps isn't so much something to do, but it's something to be aware of. Plans change. Life happens. Things can come up without warning. You must be flexible. If something happens that gets in the way of completing a task, don't think that you've failed. Simply reschedule it. Understand things are going to happen. But also understand that tasks can be rescheduled.

Overwhelmed? Don’t panic just yet. In fact, be proud. You completed the first — and most daunting — task of all. You planned. That is the first step towards using time management to be productive.

TIME MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

AND TECHNIQUES

Now you need a plan to work on your plan. That’s where strategies and techniques come into play. Time management is nothing but a tool. And sometimes a tool needs a tool. Here are some ways to stay on top of your time management:

Set Deadlines

You’ve already done this by planning out your tasks. But now it’s time to set more strict deadlines. For example, if you have a work proposal due on Friday, set a deadline to have a draft finished by Tuesday. This gives you two days to edit what you put together.

Another trick is setting a time limit. People perform better when there’s a time frame because they have no choice but to focus. Remember when you took the SATs and you had 40 minutes per section? You were never more focused than in those 40 minutes. If you have a lot to do on a certain day, work on each task for 25 to 30 minutes each. Deadlines are a vital productivity tool. They’re a motivation booster and done right you’ll find yourself checking off a lot of tasks in no time.

Chunk Similar Tasks Together

Are there any tasks on your list you can do together to achieve greater efficiency? For example, if you’re doing laundry anyway and you’ve been meaning to reorganize your supplies, now’s the time to do it. Note products you’re low on so your grocery list stays up to date as well.

The same goes for when you’re running errands. If you have dry cleaning to drop off and your pharmacy is down the road, stop at both places to knock out two tasks at once. Try to get all your calls done at the same time, as well as answer emails at specific times of day, rather than answering them as they come up.

Reward Yourself

We all love praise. Work performance naturally increases when your hard work is acknowledged. Incorporate this method not just for work, but for home as well. Treat yourself with little rewards when you accomplish something.

Finished meal prepping early? Take ten minutes to scroll through social media. Cleared out your inbox with minutes to spare? Step outside and inhale the fresh air. Rewarding yourself — no matter how big or small — will show you how productive you can be.

Use Helpful Apps

I mentioned Todoist and Microsoft To Do earlier. These are both great apps to help you track your tasks, projects, and goals. They sync to all of your devices and offer web extensions or desktop apps which make it really easy to get your To Dos out of your head and into a trusted system. There are dozens of other time management apps out there – what you use really depends on what works best for you. I suggest trying a few free ones out before committing.

You can also use an app I love called FocusBooster which helps you power through blocks of time with greater focus using the Pomodoro Technique. You can read more about how this highly effective time management technique works here.

Most importantly, if you use a digital calendar like iCal or Google Calendar, use it to time block your days. You can also set reminders, sync with all your other devices, color-code tasks and more.

Anyone can be productive with the right time management skills. Remember, it’s about being productive, not busy. Time management is a tool to get you there. When you nail down a system that works for you, you’ll reap the benefits before you know it.

For more information, contact Penny Catterall at penny@orderyourlife.net

Why Am I Suddenly Disorganized? Experiencing Life Transitions

Jeanne Fox Alston — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 16:55:15 GMT

Jill Katz

April 5, 2021

Do you consider yourself an organized person but all of a sudden feel disorganized and out of control? You are probably experiencing a life transition.

I experienced a major life transition in my late 20’s. Within the span of 2 years, I moved from New York to Maryland, and changed my lifestyle from a business-travelling marketing executive to a stay-at-home mom. My days centered around diaper changes, naps and feeding instead of business meetings, market analysis and networking. After a while, I adjusted to and even embraced my new role as Mom. I joined the PTO (formerly known as the PTA), volunteered, and met other moms through playdates and park outings. However, for years I held on to all the brochures and marketing materials from my old job as I mourned my former identity. It took 10 years before I was finally ready to let go of the remnants of my old life and embrace my new one.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING LIFE TRANSITIONS

Life transitions are life-changing events. Some examples of common life transitions are having a new baby, moving, taking a new job, retiring, or experiencing the death of a loved one. A life transition can often involve a combination of many smaller changes. We are all experiencing a life transition now due to the pandemic. Here are some important facts about life transitions:

We all experience life transitions
They can be caused by both positive or negative events
They often upend all habits and routines
They cause a temporary increase in anxiety
They cause us to rethink our former selves and our identity

In Bruce Feiler’s book “Life is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age”, he calls major life transitions “life quakes.” Life quakes are often involuntary, but the choices we make to rise above them and to move into the next phase of our lives are the real life transitions.

Feiler identifies 3 stages in a life transition: “the long goodbye,” in which you mourn your pre-transition self; “the messy middle,” in which you transform your habits and routines; and “the new beginning,” in which you emerge from the transition with your new identity.

LIFE TRANSITIONS BRING CLUTTER & CHAOS

Many of my clients reach out to me during a life transition such as a move or the death or a loved one. Here are some things that I have learned from these clients:

Face the “Long Goodbye”

Bruce Feiler characterizes the first stage of a life transition as the “Long Goodbye,” and grieving that change is an important part of a successful transition. Grief is a slow process. It takes time and there is no way to speed up this stage. Listening to clients who are grieving a person or a former way of life is an important part of the organizing process. When encountering objects or spaces that stem from a life transition, I give the client space to describe any feelings or emotions that come up. This is an imperative step the client needs to take before moving forward with reorganizing his or her mental and physical clutter.

Take Advantage of the “Clean Slate”

A life transition is the perfect time to start a new habit. For example, were you frustrated by the mounds of unopened mail piling up in your entryway? A new move is the perfect time to set up the habit of opening your mail the same day it arrives. Or perhaps you found yourself eating unhealthy lunches? Well, you can establish new routines in your new job that will support a healthier meal plan such as frequenting the salad bar down the street or bringing meals from home. When a client is in transition, I often help that person set up new systems and routines that help them take advantage of their new situation.

Go At Your Own Pace

People need to move at their own pace when navigating life transitions. For example, one empty nester might transform their child’s room into an exercise room the day after the child moves out. Another person might need to mourn this life change by leaving their child’s room untouched for a year or two. When working with a grieving client, I am careful not to push the client to make any rash decisions. I might help the client create a pile of “maybe” items and put a date on them. When that date arrives, we revisit the items to see if my client is ready to “let them go.”

Use Rituals to Embrace Change

Rituals help us make sense of life transitions. For example, when a family welcomes a new child, they might schedule a photo session so they will have pictures with their latest addition. In contrast, after a divorce or difficult breakup, a person might purge their space of photos with their former partner. When I am organizing with someone grappling with a life transition, we often utilize rituals. For example, I had a client leaving a 20-year career who had difficulty throwing out multiple items related to their old line of work. I suggested that they choose one or two commemorative items or awards from their old job to frame. After hanging up those items, my client found it much easier to toss all the unnecessary papers, files and binders.

IN CONCLUSION

Life transitions can leave us shell shocked, and it takes time to recover. However, the resulting struggle with disorganization is only temporary and we emerge wiser and more empathetic and resilient.

For more information, contact Jill Katz at jill@onetozenorganizing.com

Quick Closet Organizing for Spring

Jeanne Fox Alston — Mon, 05 Apr 2021 16:39:52 GMT

Janet Schiesl

April 5, 2021

It’s Spring! If you are looking for an organizing project that will get you ready to enjoy the new season, this is a great time to clean out your closet.

Come on, dig out all your winter weather clothing and move the short sleeves, skirts and sundresses to the front. It’s an easy project that will get you ready for the season.

In the world of professional organizing, we call closets “Prime Real Estate”. This is where you should store everything you use regularly. Because it is such an important storage location you need to evaluate what you are keeping there more often and now is a good time to do it.

Here are a few tips on how to start and complete the project in one Spring afternoon.

Step 1 – Set the stage for success.

You will need to make four categories for the decisions you will make about each item: Keep, Donate, Trash and I don’t know. Everything will end up in one of these categories. To complete the project, I want you to be able to make a quick decision about each item. The keep items will end up back in your closet. The donated items will end up in bags to go to charity. The trash items will also end up in bags, so make sure you have clearly separated these two. The “I don’t know” category will help you not get bogged down with making decisions at the beginning of the project.

Step 2 – Evaluate what you have.

I know you don’t want to do it, but take everything out of your closet. I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed by starting this way, (it will get better quickly) but this is the best way to evaluate what you have. This is a great time to pull out the vacuum cleaner and dust cloth and clean those never-seen corners of your closet.

As you pull everything out, you need to sort items into groups, like pants, shirts, skirts, dresses, suits, sweaters, shoes, etc. Now it’s time to evaluate what you have. Look at one type of item at a time. Ask yourself these questions: Do I love it? Have I worn it the last Spring? Does it fit me? Is it in style? Don’t take the time to try things on. It will really slow you down. You should work as quickly as possible making these decisions.

The clothing that you answered “yes” to will go back into your closet. But not quite yet. Just put them aside and keep making decisions until you have evaluated everything.

If you answer “no” to any of the above questions about an item of clothing you need to let it leave your space as a donation or trash. How do you decide which it is? I tell my clients “If it is nice enough to give to a friend then donate it”. But if it is stained, ripped, faded, or ugly, let it go.

What about those items that you hesitate on? This is where the “I don’t know” pile comes in. You’ve hesitated because these items may have more meaning to you. We’ll revisit this pile later.

Step 3 – Time to organize your closet.

Are you saying, “That is what I thought I was doing along?” Well, it is, but now is the time where you will see the benefit of all your hard work. Let’s start with the “keepers”. Hang or fold everything neatly. Keep each category together. Locate where each type of item will live and put it away. Do you like your shoes on the floor, on shoe racks, or in boxes on the shelf? How about sweaters? Since Spring is here, will you relocate your heavy winter sweaters to another area of your home or would you prefer an under-the-bed box? If you have space, by all means, store your sweaters on the closet shelf. If you really want to do a bang-up job you can sort further by separating pants into dress pants, casual pants, jeans and continue doing this with each category.

Step 4 – The final decisions.

Now let’s make some space. It’s time to take out the trash and donations, all the way out of your house. Put the trash bags at the curb and the donations bags in your car so you can drop them off right away.

There is only one pile left. I want you to go back to your “I don’t know” pile and reevaluate each item again. Look to see how much space you have gained in your closet. If the “I don’t know” pile will crowd your closet and negate all the work you have done so far, you need to ask yourself if they are worth keeping. At this point, you may need to try on some things. This is the hardest part for a lot of people, but keep your focus because this is the last step.

Wow. You finished! Take a moment to stand at the door of your closet and look at the great job you did. You should be proud. Now you are ready to celebrate Spring with an organized wardrobe. Are you excited to get dressed tomorrow?

For more information, contact Janet at janet@basicorganization.com

Awesome Tips for Organizing Digital Photos

Jeanne Fox Alston — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 17:22:30 GMT

Janet Schiesl

March 10, 2021

Your digital photos are the same as all your other digital files – they need to be organized to find what you want and know what you have.

Not as easy as it sounds. In a recent post, I suggested that you create an unopened email folder within your email account and drag all your unread emails into this folder as a first step to getting your inbox to zero. Let’s consider doing the same with your digital photos. One of the reasons that people avoid organizing photos is that there are SO MANY! It can be overwhelming. So to start the clean-up process, make up a folder for ‘Uncategorized Photos’ and move all of your photos that you have not sorted into this folder. Instant organization! Yes, kind of. Maybe more like instant calming of chaos.

Start with Folders

Now, decide how you’d like to organize your digital photos. Maybe chronologically, by year and month (that’s how I do mine), or maybe by holiday/event or family member. Start making up folders for your system. Don’t feel obligated to start sorting your photos this minute. Baby steps work well with this kind of project. It’s the next step.

So, here we go. Start sorting your photos. If you are going to organize by date, look up the creation date of each photo by right-clicking on the photo and clicking on properties. This will give you a creation date. Then move that photo into the correct folder. This sounds like it will take a lot of time, but once you get started it goes pretty fast since you will be able to group photos from the same occasion easily. And don’t think that you need to do ALL your photos at one time. This project is workable to complete in small increments.

Here’s another tip from my colleague Seana Turner, of The Seana Method, on deleting photos.

Or you could be like me. Just start today, by creating folders for the system you want to use and start dropping photos in a current folder starting today. Don’t worry about the older photos. They can live in your ‘Uncategorized Photos’ folder for now. I’ll tell you a secret. I started sorting my digital photos in 2011 and have not yet gone back and organized my older photos yet. For me, that’s organized enough.

Remember to Back Up All of Your Work

By the way, you could do the same exercise with a cluttered computer desktop. If you have tons of documents on your desktop, create an “old desktop documents” folder and slide everything in there!

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl at janet@basicorganization.com

The Power of the Pause: Taking Time to Reflect & Learn

Jeanne Fox Alston — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 16:56:12 GMT

Jill Katz

https://addca.com/adhd-coach-training/ADHD-Blog-Details/the_seven_big_benefits_of_pausing_for_people_with_adhd/

March 10, 2021

I grew up in New York City (a Queens girl, born and bred). The culture there taught me to always move. If you stop on the street in Manhattan (“The City”), you will most certainly be overrun by people who will yell at you.

Then I moved to a suburb in Maryland. Life did not move quite as fast but I still carried with me the idea of being a “mover and a shaker.” I continued to believe that being busy is the same as being productive. So if I was not active every moment then I was not using my time wisely.

Yet as I got older, something in me shifted. I had children and one of them had ADHD. I got into yoga. I started working with adults who had ADHD, OCD, and other brain-based conditions associated withchronic disorganization. I learned to stop and breathe. Amidst all these life changes, I realized that in order to create consistent organization and productivity, we need to pause and reflect. We need to stop and consider events happening around us and how they affect us both physically and mentally. We need to question our choices to see what is working or not working. Finally, we need to use this data to plan and strategize new choices . And that is the power of “The Pause.”

CHRONIC DISORGANIZATION & THE PAUSE

The Pause is beneficial to all but particularly vital to those with chronic disorganization. When my daughter was diagnosed with ADHD, I was told that I needed to help her with “executive functioning.” Naturally, I read up on this new term and discovered that my daughter is “neurodiverse” --- her brain thinks differently than the average non-ADHD brain. Her brain has trouble intuitively learning the cognitive processes required to plan, including the ability to organize and to manage time.(Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents, Third Edition: A Practical Guide to Assessment and Intervention By Peg Dawson, Ed.D, and Richard Guare, Ph.D)

One important component of executive functioning is known as Metacognition: The ability to stand back and take a bird’s-eye view of oneself in a situation in order to develop critical thinking, decision making and problem solving skills. This part of executive functioning is difficult for the average person but is particularly challenging for someone with ADHD. When you have ADHD you are concerned with the “right now.” So once an event occurs the ADHD brain is rushing onto the next task (the new “right now”) with no regard for the past or future. Without stopping to reflect on events, the ADHD brain is not exercising metacognition and has trouble changing future outcomes.

Consider this: Theresa is an ADHD woman who has a 10am coffee date with a friend. She goes about her morning and then suddenly realizes that she is running late for her appointment. She hurries as fast as she can and makes it to the coffee shop 30 minutes late. Theresa’s friend is annoyed at having waited and is angry with Theresa. Theresa impatiently waits for her friend to finish her tirade, shrugs it off, and quickly moves on to the task of choosing a delicious cafe concoction. The next time she schedules an appointment, she is likely to be late again.

Now consider a different scenario. Theresa is, again, late for her coffee date. However, after she arrives, instead of shrugging off her tardiness, Theresa pauses and sits in the discomfort of knowing that her actions had a negative result. At the most basic level, Theresa realizes she feels bad and doesn't want a repeat performance of this feeling. Pausing to feel lousy results in metacognition. This self reflection will propel Theresa to strategize and try to change her behavior. Similarly, if she pauses when she feels good, she will be motivated to replicate that positive behavior. Of course, it might take Theresa many times and some experimentation to figure out how to improve, but "The Pause” is the first critical step in creating positive change.

“Science tells us that by taking time to pause and pay attention to the thought or emotion, and then to name it, you diminish its emotional power over you. It gives you the ability to observe it rather than be consumed by it. Name it, and you tame it.”

ANXIETY, OCD & THE PAUSE

Those with Anxiety and OCD can also draw huge benefits by exercising “The Pause”. When a therapist works with a person with OCD or high anxiety, the therapist often recommends Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT. Here’s how it works. A person with OCD or anxiety experiences an event that triggers their anxiety. The person will immediately try to lower their anxiety by either avoiding the trigger or performing a series of compulsions. The premise of CBT is that although a person experiences an initial uptick of anxiety, if the person sits with the anxiety, it will reach its peak and then abate.

For example, Daniel is a man with OCD who is nervous that something bad will happen to his house. When he leaves his house (the trigger), Daniel experiences a high level of anxiety. He normally performs a series of rituals -- tapping his feet 7 times and locking and unlocking the door 3 times -- in order to combat his anxiety. With CBT, Daniel still experiences an uptick of anxiety when he leaves his home. However, instead of turning to his compulsions, he pauses and rides out his anxiety, which will initially increase and then slowly decrease to a manageable level. With a therapist’s guidance, Daniel can learn to live with his OCD and anxiety. However, without “The Pause,” he will never learn to redirect his intrusive or anxious thoughts.

ORGANIZING & THE PAUSE

Pausing has transformed the way I organize for myself and others, and not only those with chronic disorganization.Sometimes I am working with a client and we need to stop for a minute as I consider the next step in our process. I used to worry that the client would think that I was wasting time. Now I recognize the value of taking that moment--doing so. That moment often yields some brilliant ideas (if I do say so myself!). Other times I pause because the client needs time to process something we have done togetherour session. He or she might be giving away an item that belonged to a loved one whothat died. Or perhaps my client is shedding an old identity and needs time to grieve that loss. Conversely, we both take a moment to celebrate a success such as clearing a table, saying goodbye to 5 bags of donations, or finding a lost $1500 check.

IN CONCLUSION

In a society where busyness is praised, it can be scary to stop, reflect, and uncover what we need and feel. We must adjust our thinking and place a value in pausing. The rewards are huge:- a better understanding of ourselves so we can organize and strategize to get what we need. Our neurotypical or neurodiverse brains will thank us.

For more information, contact Jill Katz at jill@onetozenorganizing.com

Leveraging Email to Your Advantage

Jeanne Fox Alston — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 15:10:30 GMT

Janet Schiesl

Leveraging email can be an effective and efficient way to communicate or it can be a nightmare of wasted time.

February 18, 2021

Leveraging email can be an effective and efficient way to communicate or it can be a nightmare of wasted time. Here are some ways to use it to your advantage.

Keep your messages short.

It will save you and your reader time and better communicate your message. Use this tip for long back-and-forth communication.

If you don’t need a response, say so in your message.

Again, this will save you and your reader time. I just like to end this type of email with “Thank you. No need to respond”.

Ask yes-or-no questions and ask for a simple response.

This will make it easier for your reader to process their emails more quickly. Maybe this will mean that you’ll get a response back sooner.

If you are responding to questions in a long email, use a different color with your answers.

Making your emails very visual is helpful to better communicate your message.

Unsubscribe to mass mailings.

You know. all those emails you never open. You can also re-subscribe later if you miss them. If you make any online purchases, you’ll get automatically subscribed to sites, so you’ll have to revisit this exercise occasionally.

Schedule time to process your inbox and enforce a time limit on this task.

I like to set a timer, so if I do “fall down the rabbit hole” I’ll be alerted that my time is up. Timers really help you focus!

Do not open unexpected attachments.

They could be spam. Make it a rule that you don’t open any attachments from anyone you don’t know.

A little frugality and focusing ways of leveraging email can create new-found time in your day.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl at janet@basicorganizationcom

The Paper Trail: An Organizer's View of Paper Clutter

Jeanne Fox Alston — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 14:28:31 GMT

Jill Katz

Anna Novak, Home Transition Pros

February 18, 2021

Most people dread tackling paper clutter. But I love it! Not my own papers, of course. But I enjoy looking at YOUR papers and figuring out how to solve your paper puzzle. I get childishly excited when your eyes register a clarity about paper, and I have successfully communicated the “hows'' and “whys” of paper clutter. And I relish your sigh of relief when you realize you now have control over your piles. Mission accomplished!

I like using the term “Paper Trail” to talk about the process of tracking your papers and the path they take through your house. No, this process has no relation to tax audits (although serious clutter can lead to that) I am talking about how papers enter your house through the mail, your work bag, or your kids backpack. Pages are printed or notes and doodles are created at home. And then where do they go? What happens to them?

As an organizer, I walk into your home with my eagle eye and visually assess all the paper. I make a mental note of the types of paper in your house and then attack each category.

Here is an organizer’s view, my view, of the “Paper Trail,” including the signs you have a problem and the potential solutions.

Mail

Mail is the primary way paper enters the house. I often encounter three mail issues. Some households put off opening their mail. The second thing that trips people up is filing. People are unsure of which papers they need to keep, and so many documents that can be thrown out end up in a pile. Finally, I see many people puzzling over paper that requires follow-up. I like to call them “To Do” items. People don’t have time to deal with an item when opened, so that mail gets tossed in a pile and, ultimately, buried.

The signs: Envelopes all over the place, piles of mail near the door, piles of mail on a kitchen or dining room table

What I do:

First I will follow your mail paper trail to get to the root of the problem. Where do you receive your mail? Where do you open it? What do you do with it once opened?
If receiving and opening your mail isn’t the problem then I will dig deeper. Do you have trouble identifying and recycling “junk mail”? Do you need to shred a huge pile of paper with personal information? Are you getting stuck with filing or “To Do”/follow-up items?
Once I identify the problem, we will establish a good mail routine. We will also choose an area for mail that needs to be filed or stored and will discuss how you make the decision to file something.
FInally, we will establish a system for mail that is a “To Do” and needs follow up. For example, putting a sticky note on a wedding invitation, and writing the next step (“Check Calendar”or “Purchase A Gift”). Finally, the system must also include scheduling time to carry out what the sticky note dictates.

Magazines/Catalogs

Magazines and catalogs are fun! But people only have a limited amount of time to read them. If you receive more than 2 magazine subscriptions a month, consider unsubscribing to some of them. Otherwise, unread magazines pile up along with a sense of guilt. I can’t tell you how often I hear people exclaim “I really should catch up on my magazine reading.” The other issue: keeping magazines forever. Most houses don’t have the space to turn a room into a magazine library, so be prepared to throw out your magazines after a limited amount of time.

The signs: Piles of magazines in the bedroom, in various rooms on the floor, taking up space in a overloaded bookshelf

What I do:

When I see many magazines lying around, I will ask you to list all your subscriptions including how often they are delivered.
I will add up the number of magazines you receive a year so you can understand the entire picture.
We will then come up with a plan for where to place the magazines in the month they are received (by the door, on a coffee table) and what you would like to do with the magazines after a month and/or once they are read.
Solutions might include reducing the number of subscriptions, storing important info from an article by tearing it out and filing it, inputting info in a digital file or binder, or even bookmarking an item on your computer.

Files

People are so different! I run into clients that want to file everything “just in case,” and I have other clients who would prefer to get rid of everything. The biggest issue with filing is that people are unsure what to file and so they throw items in a pile instead of filing or trashing them.

The Signs:

Multiple filing cabinets in one office or in different rooms of the house, overstuffed filing cabinets, papers waiting to be filed

What I do:

First I will give you this list and we will discuss what items are important to file and which papers are unnecessary.
Then I will go through your filing cabinets and we will structure a filing system that makes sense for you. You should be storing only necessary documents, and they should be easy to find and access when needed.
We will also discuss whether some items should be scanned and stored on your computer, accessed through an account, or tracked on a spreadsheet in order to limit paper, with the understanding that each person has a different comfort level with digitizing.

Sentimental items

This could easily be its own blog post (or several). Sentimental items are tricky because they are connected with strong feelings and needs.

The Signs:

Kids artwork, photos and cards taking up space around the house.

What I do:

First, we will put “like with like” - All cards should be put in one box, all artwork together, all photos together
Then we will determine what to keep: I believe that: “If everything is special, then nothing is special.” You must differentiate which cards, photos, or artwork are worth keeping. This is difficult but we organizers have some tricks up our sleeves to make it easier for you.
Finally, we will determine what you would like to do with these items: You could store them or display them, for example, or take a picture of them and upload them to a digital photo frame.
Whatever path you take with each item, by the end of our time you will have a system in place for handling each future card, photo, or kid’s masterpiece .

Information on paper (recipes, trip ideas, craft ideas, movie ideas)

What do you do when you are on your computer and see a great tip, recipe or trip idea? For many people, the answer is to print out the webpage-- If you are in this group, you know who you are. You may also tear out pages from magazines, and keep the instructions and manuals that come with every product you buy. You will also keep information from old courses “in case you need it.”

The Signs: Tons of printed papers, articles torn from magazines, information about products, many binders or files with different categories of information

What I do:

First I establish what categories matter to you (ex. Recipes, Crafts, Professional Info, etc.)
Then we discuss your level of comfort with accessing data online versus in print
Together, we will reduce the amount of items that you print or earmark based on how important it is to you and how comfortable you feel going digital in that category
Finally, we will establish rules to help you decide what information is worth keeping and how you will store it (ex. binders, Evernote, Goodreads.com, Pinterest, online spreadsheet).

Kids Schoolwork

Pre-COVID, kids would come home from school with many pieces of paper including school work, school announcements, forms and artwork. And unless you have a system for handling all this paper, it will end up in various paper piles.

The Signs: Old notebooks, binder and folders filled with classwork stowed in closets or on shelves. A refrigerator that looks like a warzone with old artwork and tests with “100” marks remaining for months.

What I do:

First I put “like with like”: old classwork in 1 bin, artwork in 2nd bin and “to do” items like signatures for a field trip in a third bin.
Then we discuss systems for each category moving forward. For example, every month your older child will review all his/her papers, toss those not needed and place other classwork in a large binder for future reference (midterms/finals). At the end of the year, he/she will need to go through every notebook and toss most of the work keeping a few beloved projects.
Now that we have a plan, we can declutter the bins in front of us according to his new system.

Notes

Are you the type of person that has many ideas throughout the day? Or perhaps you write the details of a phone call on the closest scrap of paper, be it a notepad, napkin or post-it. If so, you might find your space scattered with pieces of information which is very overwhelming.

The signs: Post-its all over the house, Multiple notepads with phone numbers and ideas scribbled on them, pieces of paper on every surface and in drawers with lists, names and phone numbers.

What I do:

First I point out that you need one centralized place to take notes so you can find them
Then we strategize a note taking system where you can use one or 2 planners or large notepads so you can keep track of your daily notes
Finally, we discuss forming habits for transferring the information on those notes. For example, at the end of the day, you can input all names/phone numbers into your phone’s list of contacts or into your list of email contacts. You can also schedule any follow up tasks into your physical or virtual calendar. You can capture an idea by starting a new project page on your computer.

FOLLOW UP:

So now you know how a Professional Organizer like me dives into your paper clutter.

And after I am done, I will always write up our new system so you can review, practice and evaluate how it is working. If the piles go away, then success! If you experience paper creep then we tweak your system so it works for you.

For more information, contact Jill Katz at Jill@onetozenorganizing.com

Organizing Sentimental Items

Jeanne Fox Alston — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 16:10:52 GMT

Anna Novak

Home Transition Pros

February 3, 2021

As a professional organizer, I know that emotions are tied to many types of personal belongings. The most challenging items, though, are typically those with true sentimental value. When organizing sentimental items or heirlooms with my clients, I always try to save them for last. With my eagle eye, I can spot the box of photos, letters or memorabilia from across the room. I quickly make a beeline for those bins and move them out of the way so my client won’t see it. Why do I do this? Because sentimental items can halt the flow of decluttering and downsizing. It can trip up even the most decisive person.

Ultimately, we do reach those bottom bins. That is when I utilize these organizing tips to help my client pare down their sentimental items:

1. Be Realistic.
When we label all things as “special” then nothing is special. That is why I have my clients rate sentimentals on a sliding scale from one to five. Ultimately, we keep the 4s and 5s, donate or toss the 1s and 2s. The 3s are put in a “maybe pile” and revisited later. The goal is to organize your sentimental items by reducing them to a realistic amount that you can admire, showcase, and treasure.

2. Take photos and create a photo book.
Do you have a piece of furniture in your home that doesn’t fit into your decor or isn’t your style? You can’t use it but you keep it because it belonged to your father and it was his favorite chair. Take a photo of it. In fact, create a photo book filled with pictures of sentimental pieces with a description of the stories behind them. The memory of the object is preserved while decluttering your space.

3. Create a t-shirt quilt.
Most people have a pile of T-shirts in a drawer or closet that they don’t wear anymore but that they can’t bear to give away. Those camp t-shirts, Vacation T-shirts, or College T-shirts can be made into a quilt that is both functional and memorable. Arlington T-Shirt Quilts & AcrossCountryQuilts are two resources to use.

4. Give it one last spin.
Do you have a fancy set of china that you inherited from a loved one but that isn’t really your style? Or maybe it was yours but you are downsizing and don’t need tableware for 16 anymore. Throw one last party and use the china or dinnerware. Take photos of everyone using the item. Keep the photos and give away the china. This can apply to many items besides china such as music, clothing, or holiday decorations.

5. Donate or sell functional items.
A major motivator to downsize or organize sentimental items is to give them to someone who can use them. If you have objects that are sitting around gathering dust, consider those in need that would benefit from those items. Or if those items have held their value, consider selling the object and donating the proceeds to a charity you or your loved one cares about.

7. Think about your legacy.
This is a big mental challenge but an important one. Who are you and what makes up your identity? Are you a Writer, A Parent or Grandparent? The items you keep should remind you of who you are and what you might want to pass down. For example, a box of recipes might be an important representation of your role as a nurturer to your family. Or a newspaper article that describes an important contribution you made to your community could be a great reminder of your identity. If you worked for 30 years as a lawyer and your company gave you a memento when you retired, that gift could be a keepsake you would like to display.

I hope these techniques help you on your downsizing journey and into the next step of your life. Remember- sometimes you need to clear the clutter in order to create the mental and physical space to treasure the items that are truly important to you.

Jill Katz is a mindful Professional Organizer and the Owner of One to Zen Organizing. She specializes in clearing the mental and physical clutter for those with anxiety, ADHD or Chronic Disorganization brought on by major life transitions.

For more information, contact Anna Novak at anna@hometransitionpros.com

How Do You Downsize: Your Home Inventory

Jeanne Fox Alston — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 21:02:15 GMT

Anna Novak

Home Transition Pros

December 30, 2020

As you prepare to review, assess and sort all of the belongings you’ve acquired over the past 30 or 40 years, one thing becomes clear: You’ll need a way to manage all of the information. A home inventory of your belongings is a critical tool for a successful home transition.

Whether you’re a pen-and-paper type of person, or if you’re ready to try an all-digital version of a traditional inventory, a written or photographic list of your belongings will make downsizing, moving, and unpacking much easier for everyone involved.

A system for keeping track of your belongings is a must-have! Your home inventory of your belongings will help you:

Keep track of all of your belongings and where they need to go.
Determine the types of help you’ll need to process everything.
Remember the reasons you made the decisions you’ve made.
Provide a written record of your intentions that you can share with others.

We recommend that you think ahead about the way you will organize the information you’ll need to gather and set out an inventory management strategy before you really get going on anything else. Then, stick with your system throughout the process.

Start Making Your Own Lists

Are you a list person? If you are, you’ve probably already started thinking about your lists and how you will keep yourself organized during the downsizing process. Whatever works for you is great! If making lists doesn’t come naturally to you, there are options for already-made workbooks or printable inventory sheets that will get you going. The Home Transition Pros Planning Guide for Downsizers includes handy tools that we invite you to print off.

Lean on the Pros

Whether you are managing a planned downsizing move, a short-notice move, or an estate closeout, the moving company you choose should have its own foolproof way of keeping track of your items (if they don’t, then don’t choose them!). Be sure to ask about their system and how much detail will be provided. Also, ask for help determining what items you’ll be responsible for tracking yourself. These general guidelines will help you start the conversation.

Embrace New Technology Tools for Home Inventories

For some, a trusty yellow pad or pre-made workbook will do the trick. While pen and paper may be a comfortable method for you, we’d like you to consider these benefits of an online system:

You can see, sort, and distribute all of your belongings, all from your computer or tablet.
You can go back and add more details or notes as you go along, and find them easily.
Your measurements and notes can be easily shared with people who are helping you downsize your belongings.
Move managers, packers, and movers can quickly determine where each of your items should go (your next home, a family member, charity, etc.)
Your inventory becomes a permanent record of valuable items, including where they are stored or where they were sent.

Online home inventory and move management tools are a development that will greatly increase the efficiency and accuracy of your note-taking. Get in touch today to learn more about our preferred online systems and recommendations for qualified help in your area.

For more information, contact:

How to Organize Your Sensory Clutter

Jeanne Fox Alston — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 20:02:02 GMT

Jill Katz

For most people, decluttering and organizing are social activities.

December 30, 2020

Why does the Holiday Season bring smiles to our faces? For many it’s the lights decorating the houses or the familiar sight of our children’s holiday decorations. For others it’s the sound of holiday tunes. Some folks sigh contentedly at the smell of gingerbread cookies or latkes sizzling in a frying pan. And let’s not forget the crinkle of gift-wrap beneath our fingers. What do these have in common? They are all pleasant sensory experiences.

Sensory experiences have the power to “make or break” us in our daily lives. Clients overwhelmed by visual clutter from piles of papers or a kitchen mess is what keeps me -- a Professional Organizer -- in business. When I reduce the visual clutter and tame it into an organized system, my clients feel calm in their space. But what most people don’t consider is the power of our other senses to also create clutter or calm in our lives.

Smell

We don’t often think about it, but smell has a big impact on our mood. Have you ever entered a space with an offending odor? It’s impossible to focus on anything but that smell. The problem is that as time goes on, the smell fades to the background even as it’s still affecting our health and productivity. So be sure to regularly go through your living and working spaces to take stock of any negative scents. Once the negative scents are remediated, consider what uplifting scents you might want to add to your space. For example, I love the fresh smell of lavender! I work with a diffuser in the background that I fill with natural oils; I can choose different ones to clear my sinuses, destress me, or energize me. On the other hand, a friend of mine gets headaches from any scents and prefers a neutral-scent environment.

Sound

The sounds that enter our space can also cause us to feel chaos or focus. For those of us who need complete quiet in order to reach peak productivity, noise-cancelling headphones might be helpful. Others, particularly those with ADHD, need a steady flow of background noise or music to get work done. In her latest book, “How to Do It Now Because It’s Not Going Away,” Leslie Josel recommends that students make a “Homework Playlist” that will both “drown out distracting sounds around you” and “get your adrenaline going to get motivated.” I know that my environment feels less overwhelming when I have Carole King on in the background.

Touch

Touch is omnipresent. Our body is bombarded by so many tactile sensations that we tend to block out most of them. That doesn’t mean they are not affecting us. A 2013 article in Psychology Today cites several studies that reveal how textures and tactile experiences affect our emotions and judgements. According to interior decorator Samara Goodman of Samara Interiors, “touch is an important sense to consider when decorating, and thoughtfully layering the textures in home décor can induce calm. Using a variety of complementary textures will add balance to a room. Consider the contrast between a smooth (yet soft) sofa, plush velvet pillows, faux fur blanket, and an open-weave metal coffee table.”

Proprioception: The Sixth Sense

Proprioception, often referred to as the “sixth sense,” refers to body awareness and is closely related to position, pressure, and balance. Too much input and we are overstimulated; too little input and we lose touch with our environment and lose focus. I became aware of this “sixth sense” when one of my daughters was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder and ultimately ADHD. When she was little, we would roll her up in a blanket like a burrito to give her more stimulation. We would set up a little tent in the basement where she could retreat when she was overstimulated. Now she uses hand fidgets or chews gum for more stimulation. If you feel like you are fading away or losing focus, you can stimulate your proprioceptive sense by applying pressure to your body. The same deep pressure can also recalibrate your input level, thereby creating a sense of calm with your environment.

Personal Preferences

We each have our own relationships with sensory clutter. Creative types often require more sensory stimuli -- this helps their neurons fire and gives them the “juice to produce.” Others get jittery if they have even one item out on the counter; they need less sensory input to feel calm. Most organizers have to balance the needs of different people when organizing a shared space. We need to be respectful of other people’s preferences. My husband enjoys surrounding himself with his reading material. He has piles of books, articles and newspapers next to his bed. And I leave them there because it is his space. When I see "book creep" in other areas, however,r I mention it to him and he respectfully removes what to me is "visual clutter."

In Sensory Conclusion

When people think of decluttering, they often resort to removing only negative visual stimuli. Don’t fall into that trap. Be sure to take stock of other sensory clutter when conducting a walk-through of your space. What you decide to add or remove could be the difference between clutter and calm.

Jill Katz

For more information, contact: jill@onetozenorganizing.com

Can You Make Decluttering a Party?

Jeanne Fox Alston — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 03:22:11 GMT

Janet Schiesl, Basic Organization

December 16, 2020

Can you make decluttering your home into a party? Why yes, of course.

So many of my clients will say to me, “I could do this myself, but I don’t. I’ll do it when you are here though.” For most people, decluttering and organizing are social activities. They like having someone around to talk through their thoughts as they go.

Why is this?

I think it has a lot to do with the emotional attachment that people have with their items. They need to replace that attachment with the items with an attachment (all though temporary) to a human being. I think it makes the “declutterer” strong enough at the moment to move forward.

If you have tried to get organized, but have failed, maybe it’s because you didn’t have the support you needed while doing the work. This is one way a professional organizer supports clients through their projects.

Make it a little bit fun.

Making light of things, joking around, playing music and just generally chatting can make the process seem so much easier. I worked with a client who turned the music up loud and sang to her favorite tunes while working. (She had a great voice by the way.) Once she got started, she worked like gang-busters while the music was playing. It was great!

This can get out of hand.

A professional organizer will make sure that you stay focused on the task at hand, by discussing the goals for the day and making sure that the work moves along so you meet those goals.

For more information, contact:

Janet Schiesl, Basic Organization

Janet@basicorganization.com

12 Tips for Downsizing over the Holidays

Jeanne Fox Alston — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 21:56:44 GMT

Anna Novak Home Transition Pros

December 1, 2020

2 Tips for Downsizing over the Holidays

Are you an empty nester, senior, or retiree who is thinking about downsizing? Preparing for the holidays presents a perfect opportunity to identify the items you love the most, share your abundance with others, and clear a path to a fresh start in January. Here are 12 Downsizing tips that can help you get started on your downsizing over the holidays:

1) Reduce Holiday Decorations

Decorate indoors and outdoors with your favorite decorations, using the items you love the most with time and energy you have. Donate the remainders early in the season, when your unneeded decorations will be happily used by others.

2) Re-Gift

Many schools, churches and charities sponsor Holiday Markets that make use of gently-used housewares, costume jewelry, coats and other donated items. Take full advantage of these opportunities to put your unneeded items into the hands of people who can use them right away.

3) Spruce Up

Addressing loose door or cabinet knobs, burned-out lightbulbs, and other minor maintenance repairs will help get your home in shape for the holidays and beyond. Downsizing tip: Be sure to use the supplies you have on hand before you make a trip to the hardware store.

4) Use Your Gift Wrap

Set a goal to use all of the wrapping paper, ribbon and tags you have accumulated over the years. If you have supplies you haven’t used in many seasons, you probably just don’t like them enough to use them on a gift.

5) Freshen Up Your Food

Remove all outdated or unwanted foods from the pantry, freezer and refrigerator in preparation for holiday gatherings. Resist the urge to “stock up” on pantry items during seasonal sales.

6) Let the Liquor Go

They say liquor never goes bad, but if you have spirits you haven’t served or enjoyed for several years, it may be time to move it out. Can’t bring yourself to toss perfectly good liquor? Look for cocktail recipes that use the spirits in question. Here’s a handy website that offers a “Top 100 Classic Cocktail Recipes” with helpful search features.

7) Trim Down Tableware

Set your nicest holiday table or buffet, and identify the service pieces you chose not to use this year or no longer need. There will probably be more than you think! Really make the effort to set aside the ones that don’t make the cut.

8) Lighten Up On Linens and Towels

Get rid of frayed towels, unappealing blankets, and any quantities of linens beyond what you would need for a house full of guests.

9) Scale Down the Gadgets

Some of the year’s most elaborate meals are prepared around the holidays. Take note of duplicate or unneeded items in the kitchen, and set them aside for donation.

10) Pitch the Plastic

How do these mountains of plastic food containers accumulate? Use them to send holiday treats or care packages, and then keep only what you would typically use for 3 days of leftovers.

11) Pass Things Down

Offer relevant belongings to visiting family members or friends (but don’t take it personally if you don’t get any takers! Allow that to be your permission to donate those items instead).

12) Enjoy What Really Matters

The best part of downsizing: the freedom to enjoy activities and spend time with loved ones with fewer responsibilities and less stuff weighing you down.

For more information, contact:

Anna Novak, Home Transition Pros

The Art of Making a Decision: What They Never Told You About Decisions & Clutter: Part 1

Jeanne Fox Alston — Mon, 07 Dec 2020 21:39:17 GMT

Jill Katz, One to Zen Organizing

December 1, 2020

Decisions and Adulthood

When I was a kid I couldn’t wait to become an adult. I would have dessert for breakfast and stay up until midnight and watch all the TV shows I wanted. I had it all planned out. Oh, and of course I figured I would know all the answers to all the important questions because adults know everything. Of course!

OK, so being an adult was not exactly how I thought it would be. But the most startling revelation was the sheer number of decisions I needed to make every day. What should I cook for dinner? Should I say “Yes” to this thing or that thing? Which type of cell phone should I purchase? Can we afford X? The decisions were endless. Why did they never mention this in school?

As an organizer, I see the results of decision fatigue--Clutter. Yes, let’s repeat that: Clutter is the result of unmade decisions.

Clutter is the result of unmade decisions.

Tips for Making Decisions

Here are my first four tips to help you stave off decision fatigue so you can get control of your physical and mental clutter:

1. Decision making is maintenance

We make daily decisions to keep up with our clutter. Michelle Vig, a fellow Professional Organizer, and owner of Neat Little Nest, identifies three types of clutter in her book,"The Holistic Guide to Decluttering: Organize and Transform Your Space, Time and Mind. Space clutter is physical clutter such as clothes on the floor. Time clutter is the result of stuffing too many appointments in a day. Mind clutter is an overabundance of thoughts rushing through our brain, many of them negative. These 3 types of clutter will build up if we do not make daily decisions about what we store in our space, time, and mind. Allowing all items into your home, saying “Yes” to every invitation, and holding on to every thought will lead to an onslaught of clutter. It’s up to you to make decisions that reduce this clutter before you become buried in it.

2. Making a decision is the equivalent of working a muscle

You don’t start your exercise routine by picking up 20 lb weights. You start with a warm-up, some light weights and then ease your way into the heavier ones. Use the same technique for making decisions. Start with a decision that is easy for you and work your way up to the more difficult ones. For me, an easy decision is choosing what to wear for the day or settling on a menu for dinner. A more difficult decision might be what color to paint my bedroom. Your notions of “easy” or “difficult” might differ from mine.

3. Routines

Setting routines is the ultimate strategy for preventing decision fatigue. For example, if I wake up every morning at the same time, carry out the same workout routine, and eat the same breakfast every day then I save myself from making 3 decisions every day. Think about what positive routines you can build into your day or week and practice them until they become a habit.

4. Mantras

Mantras are a great way to throw out mind clutter (negative or unhelpful thoughts) so you can apply your renewed energy toward making good decisions. I love mantras so much that I wrote a wholeblog post about them! The next time you feel anxious about attacking any sort of clutter, think of a good mantra (“I can do this,” “I am strong,” “I am safe”), sit down for a few minutes, close your eyes and say the mantra over and over while practicing slow, deep breathing. When you open your eyes, you will be ready to face your clutter with a feeling of clarity and calm. It really works!

To Be Continued...

Stay tuned for my next blog post featuring 5 more tips for making decisions and preventing clutter.

For more information contact:

Jill Katz One to Zen Organizing

Moving? Start on Your Basement or Garage Now

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 19:15:36 GMT

Jeanne Fox Alston Your Space Made To Order

November 10, 2020

Thinking about moving in the next year or so? If so, don't wait to declutter the two areas that most homeowners ignore until the end, namely basements and garages.

The pictures shown here are typical of what I often see. This basement storage room was in the house of someone whose job required him to move a number of times and my first impression was, "Whoa! Where to start??" In fact, just about everything in that room had been there since he moved in 10 years ago and a closer look revealed that many boxes had been moved - unopened - more than once!

Look, I know that basements and garages hold everything that we don't want to deal with. And it's tedious to even THINK about going through all that stuff, let alone actually getting started. But professional organizers, like me, can help keep you on point and get the job done. We'll even get rid of anything you don't want anymore! In this case, once my client and I dove it, it was clear that the vast majority of what was stored could be donated, recycled, shredded or trashed. So the room was cleared relatively quickly. The irony was that we tackled the basement only because he was preparing to move again and this time he was paying for it, instead of an employer.

Preparing to move often takes months. My advice? Don't make the process more difficult by doing the hardest job last.

For more information contact:

Jeanne Fox Alston Your Space Made To Order

Email: jeanne@spacetoorder.com

6 Secret Steps to Going Paperless

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 19:05:52 GMT

Janet Schiesl, Basic Organization

November 10, 2020

A paperless life is a myth. But you can achieve a “less paper” life by making a few simple changes. Follow these suggestions to leave those paper piles behind and closer to a paperless life.

Do one To-Do each month, for the next 6 months.

Sign up for online bill paying. You can go through your bank or through each service (like utility companies) to pay each month. If you finances are secure, consider setting up automatic payments.
Sign up to receive your bills and statements by email. This task will take some time, since you will have to go to each organizations website to sign up. You will receive email notices that your bills are due and your statements are available, so it’s easy to stay current.
Set up folders on your computer for your statements. This will eliminate having to store paper in a file cabinet.
Back up regularly or automatically – Now that you are keeping electronic copies you need to make sure that you are backing up your computer or using a cloud service to save your documents.
Scan old documents. Now that you have gone electronic with your current paperwork, move to scanning your important, older documents and move more closely to a paperless life
Slow incoming paper. Register to stop receiving junk mail and catalogs and get into the habit of recycling any junk that slips through the cracks by not even bringing it into your home.

A paperless life is a myth. But you can achieve a “less paper” life by making a few simple changes.

Check out these additional posts on reducing paper:

Conquer Your Paper Piles

5 Steps to Super Simple Paper Management

Organizing Paperwork in the Kitchen

How to Live With Less Paper by JotForm

More information:

Janet Schiesl, Basic Organization

How to Help "Chase the Chill"

Tue, 10 Nov 2020 18:55:24 GMT

Jeanne Fox Alston, Your Space Made to Order LLC

November 10, 2020

What energizes me as an organizer is being of service to my clients AND the recipients of the items they donate. One of my clients is a knitter. and she’s been setting aside yarn to donate while organizing all of her knitting supplies and books. When I asked fellow organizers for suggestions on where to donate the yarn, one pointed me to a local chapter of “Chase the Chill."

The Facebook page for one chapter reads: “Our mission is to celebrate the art and beauty of hand knitting and crocheting, building community…and sharing with others. Chase the Chill is an annual event that distributes handmade scarves in public places so that those in need—regardless of income and without any qualifiers—can help themselves."

The yarn we donated went to the Mount Vernon, VA, chapter. They usually do their “scarf storming” in December. They hang the scarves from trees and on bus stops in areas where low income and homeless people may congregate.

They have a Facebook page, as does the Chase the Chill DC chapter, should you want to donate yarn or knit or crochet scarves. There are also Facebook pages for other chapters scattered around the country, from Easton, PA to Redwood City, CA to Winnipeg, Canada.

For more information contact: Jeanne Fox Alston

YOUR SPACE MADE TO ORDER LLC

Email: jeanne@spacetoorder.com

Timely Time Management for Students

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 15:16:12 GMT

Janet Schiesl, Basic Organization

September 25, 2020

Students have been back to school for a while. How are you managing?

One of the keys to successful study habits is the ability to concentrate with all of the distractions around you. Here are some time management principles that apply to schoolwork.

Have a purpose when studying.

Know the objective of each class and each chapter in the textbook. This allows your student to use active listening and focused read actively. If they know the purpose of the class to start with, it is easier to recognize the information and get it into their notes.

Study in chunks.

Whether a student’s attention span is two hours or forty-five minutes, don’t push them further than their limit. Take a brief five or ten-minute break and resume refreshed.

Take advantage of prime time.

What ever period of the day that is your student is at peak mentally is their best study hour. Concentration is easier and energy is higher during this time. Schedule their more difficult tasks to coincide with their peak performance time.

Plan students study time.

By structuring students study time, it will be easier for then to concentrate on the task at hand. Without a plan, distractions come easy.

Develop the power of concentration.

Success depends on a lot of hard work and self-discipline makes it easier. Even the smartest student, with no discipline will fail.

Get your students organized.

Keeping your study space organized is important to helping students concentrate, think clearly and finish tasks quickly.

One of the keys to successful study habits is the ability to concentrate with all of the distractions around you.

CLICK TO TWEET

For more information contact:

Janet Schiesl, Basic Organization

Tel.: 571-265-1303 Email: info@basicorganization.com

Don’t Become A Storage Unit Sucker

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 13:54:07 GMT

Christopher Lancette, Orion's Attic

September 21, 2020

If the road to hell is paved with good intentions, the steamrollers almost certainly go through storage units. There is no more costly or easier mistake for a homeowner or estate executor to make than falling for the trap of renting a storage unit.

Storage units are like credit card debt.

We see it all the time in our work with Orion’s Attic: People with the very best of intentions choose to put heaps of stuff in storage units instead of dealing with the problem beforehand. Our advice to you? Don’t let yourself become a storage unit sucker. If you’re already stuck in a unit, or two or three, contact us today to help get you out of the ever-increasing monthly fees for storage unit rent. You can also read more about all of our services.

We have seen people rack up many thousands of dollars in storage fees before they even know what hit them. Putting stuff in storage units is like going into credit card debt: It’s incredibly easy to get in and monstrously difficult to get out. The comparison between storage units and credit cards is apt in many ways. Both offer wonderful deals to get you to try one for the first time. Many storage unit companies even offer a first month for “free.”

There is no such thing as “free.”

Storage unit companies know that you may start a rental agreement intending to get out before the first month is over but that almost all people get hooked and end up paying for storage for many months and, sadly, often years. By the time you’re done, assuming you get out before you decide to default and let the storage unit company auction off your belongings, you have spent thousands more dollars in storage than the value of the stuff you’re saving.

Let’s share some examples of the storage unit nightmares we’ve seen and show you the math. Hopefully this will inspire you to use Orion’s Attic for your storage unit buyout and/or storage unit clean-out needs:

Half-empty storage units are worse than packed units: You’re paying for twice what you need.

We helped a Northern Virginia client who called us a few years ago hoping to make a mint on the sale of his mother’s antique furniture he had kept in storage. By the time he called us, he had spent $250 a month for four years — a total of $12,000. The second-hand, antique shop value of all of it? About $3,000 after the expenses of us taking it to an antiques store for him. The man had been blinded by the emotional attachment he had with his mom. As we have to tell people all the time, sentimental value does not equal real-world financial value.

We got a call from a Washington D.C. client who had a pair of storage units costing him about $500 a month. They were packed floor-to-ceiling with furniture, art, home decor and collectibles long out of style and that aren’t coming back any time soon. He had already paid $22,000 in storage. He told us that he was ready to let the stuff go and stop paying storage fees. When we showed up to take it all away and sell it for him, he changed his mind. We asked him why he couldn’t go through with it, how he could live with that kind of expense. He told us that he got anxious each month as the due date approached, then chose to pay the bill and not think about it again for several more weeks. We suspect he’s still there now and that he has now made more than $40,000 in payments … money he has zero chance to recover.

One of the most painful cases we experienced came with a dear, sweet woman in Maryland who over time became a friend of ours. We first met her years ago when she was grieving for her husband, a man who happened to have a storage unit full of a certain kind of collectibles for which demand and value had fallen to the floor over the past 20 years. They were hot once but not now. We made her a generous offer to buy it all or take it on consignment just to get her out of paying $300 a month. The dear, sweet woman told us that she thought the items had more value so she just couldn’t let them go for that. Naturally, our friend called us years later and we emptied the unit, the collection now worth even less than it was years ago. She ended up getting back a fraction of what she had paid in storage.

The best way to avoid becoming a storage unit sucker is to confront the problem head-on when it occurs. Deal with the financial, psychological and emotional issues and items BEFORE you even think about moving them into storage.

If you’re thinking you’re going to play the junk stock market and put furniture in storage because “the value will come back” and that you’ll make a profit in the end, the odds of that working out for you are slim to none. The value of most items is not going to go back up in our lifetimes. The only furniture people go nuts for today is Mid-Century Modern furniture. Signed limited edition prints by most artists draw maybe $5 to 10 at auction — and sit forever in retail stores. No one cares about them anymore. (We’ve got stacks of such prints in our eBay store right now and can’t sell them for even $2 each.)

The key to avoiding storage units? Make tough decisions not driven by emotion.

People are just as often driven to storage units by bad, emotion-based decisions. Estate executors put their parents’ stuff in storage after they die because they think their parents would be horrified if they knew they didn’t keep it. We can’t imagine any parent wanting their kids to ring up thousands of dollars in charges holding onto Singer sewing machines with cast iron bases, Hummel figurines, china cabinets and upholstered couches.

Many storage unit companies, by the way, charge you a lower monthly rate for the first several months and then begin jacking up the fees by as much as 33 percent by the fourth or fifth month.

If you’re currently considering renting a storage unit, don’t do it. Whether your sell or donate the items, you’re still going to come out better financially than paying for storage indefinitely.

If you’re already in a storage unit facility, get out of it today. Orion’s Attic can help. If you have the kinds of hot items that would be profitable for us to re-sell directly, we can buy-out the unit and haul it all away. If it’s filled with a combination of things including not-as-hot items, trash and charitable donations that don’t make financial sense for us to buy, we can provide a storage unit clean-out service that sells your antiques, collectibles, jewelry and more through direct cash offers, auction houses and other means, transports your charitable donations and clears the trash.

We recently helped a husband-and-wife that was paying $400 a month in storage fees for a large unit stuffed from floor to ceiling with many objects of great sentimental value and but a few of actual financial value. The couple hired us to provide a combination of services. We pulled down and opened every box so that they could review the contents and decide what they wanted to take home. We made an offer to buy a collection of sterling silver flatware, some rare books, and a other items. We delivered two truckloads of furniture and household items to charity (we love A Wider Circle in Silver Spring, Habitat for Humanity Restore and others) and provided them with tax receipts, and we hauled a truckload of broken items and other trash to a Montgomery County transfer station. The initial labor charge for two days of hard work with a crew of four and our truck was not cheap — but — after we purchased some items — the final bill fell to about $500. They closed out the unit and saved the $400 rent payment for the next month, not to mention who knows how many more after that.

Even if you end up paying to clean out a storage unit, the rent savings pays for the work quickly.

The only thing worse than becoming a storage unit sucker in the first place is remaining one when you’ve already paid way more in storage fees than you will ever get back from liquidating the unit’s contents. STOP throwing your money away in storage unit fees. Contact Orion’s Attic today to find out more about our storage unit buyout and storage unit cleanout services.

For more information:

Christopher Lancette, Orion's Attic

Book Notes from Debbie Smith

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 13:43:24 GMT

Debbie Smith, Keep Your Stuff Simple

I had something kind of cool happen to me book wise; a journalist, Jennifer Howard in DC, who was writing a book about clutter and organizing contacted me last spring to interview me for her book. Heather Cocozza had referred her to me and had also spoken with her. I happily met with her and didn't really know what to expect. (As a woman I'm always happy to chat with another woman and help them with their questions)

As an only child she was left to clean up after her mother who had been put in a facility for memory care with dementia and it took her 2 years to clean up her hoarding situation in the home. Her emotional journey through this endeavor led her to researching and writing a book.

About 2 weeks ago she sent me an email that she'd had the book published and wanted to send me a copy. She did, along with a very nice note. It's called, 'Clutter, An Untidy History'.

https://www.jenniferhoward.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Clutter-cover.jpg

I was surprised to find myself listed in the back under her acknowledgements and then a whole chapter about the business of organizing, mentioning NAPO, NAPO-WDC, me and Heather Cocozza, quoting us and giving Heather a great shout out for her business. I came into the kitchen to have my Mom read the chapter since it mentions my mom 'in her 90's' having been a Navy wife and teaching me all about being organized in our many moves. There on the front page of today's (Sept 15^th, 2020) Washington Post Style section was a huge write up about her book. Surreal.

The WP write up did say she came across as a bit bitter and resentful in her book, but I would say the person that said that has never had to clean up after a parent ~ it took this woman 2 years to get her mom's house sorted out, all the while raising 2 kids and working. Her mom had, obviously, emotional and brain based issues for a while or she would have never been a hoarder, which also tainted their relationship over their lifetime.

I've not finished the book yet, but Jennifer really did a great job on getting to the history of why there's so much clutter, where it all started in the consumerism/commercialism and need for more, more, more and how we got to realizing we needed less. Much less! Good for us and for the environment. Check out the book, it's not a huge read and NAPO-WDC/organizers got a good shout out!

The author also quoted material from Susan Kousek's September 2019 NAPO-WDC chapter presentation and mentioned the NAPO Washington, DC Chapter by name and references one of our wildly successful chapter meetings.

Congratulations to the NAPO-WDC Board to have the operations of a NAPO chapter meeting highlighted in a published book. Jennifer mentions my invitation to the meeting, the number of attendees (80 people), the catered dinner, networking, Susan Kousek's time management presentation, and talking with various professional organizers at the end of the meeting. You never know who will be in the audience during one of our amazing chapter meetings!

Great job NAPO-WDC!!

Debbie Smith, Keep Your Stuff Simple for more information.

How to Obtain Quality Art and Antique Appraisals

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 13:35:36 GMT

From Home Transition Pros

Guest Blogger: Sarah Reeder, Artifactual History® Appraisal

September 21, 2020

_{Obtaining art and antique appraisals can be a critical early step when you’re ready to move. We’ve noticed that lovers of art, antiques and collections can find it very difficult to downsize. In addition to the challenges of deciding what stays and what goes, there are additional concerns about gifting, selling, preserving or donating excess items. How does one know the true value of art, fine furniture and collections?}

_{Sarah Reeder provides art and antique appraisals as the owner of Artifactual History® Appraisal in Northern Virginia. In this exclusive article, Sarah generously shares everything we need to know about art appraisals.}

_{What Is an Appraisal?}

_{An appraisal is an opinion of value prepared by an appraiser. Appraisers are qualified professionals with expert knowledge about the types of items they appraise and they prepare written appraisal reports to assist their clients for a wide range of purposes.}

_{An appraisal is a legal document and appraisers like me who work in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) are governed by an extensive series of regulations to protect their clients and maintain the public trust in appraising.}

_{When Do You Need An Appraisal?}

_{Art and antique appraisals are written for a wide variety of intended uses. Two major purposes of appraisal reports are for insurance coverage and equitable distribution.}

_{Appraisals for Insurance Purposes}

_{Appraisal reports are needed to protect valuable items with insurance coverage. Depending on your specific insurance policy, you may not be covered in the event of damage or loss if you don’t have an insurance appraisal report already on file. I recommend reviewing your insurance policy and confirming its details with your agent, and then having the valuables that currently are vulnerable and unprotected appraised by a professional USPAP-compliant appraiser.}

_{The vocabulary used in insurance policies can be quite complicated to understand so I’ve written an entire article explaining them here. If you are planning on moving, this is a great time to have an insurance appraisal report prepared so you will be well-protected with established appraised values before cherished items possibly may be damaged or lost during the move.}

_{Appraisals for Equitable Distribution Purposes}

_{Appraisals are also often written for equitable distribution purposes to divide inherited belongings among siblings and children. An equitable distribution appraisal report allows family members to receive specific belongings from an estate in an orderly, objective way that quantifies each object with an appraised value so that everyone can receive an equal value, or family members who don’t want items can be compensated with the corresponding amount in liquid assets from the estate. Tensions among survivors are often very high in estate situations and bringing in an appraiser who is independent, objective, and impartial can help reduce and prevent additional conflicts among heirs and help ease the stress of a challenging time.}

_{Legal Considerations}

_{While equitable distribution appraisals can be useful in many estate situations, certain estates are legally required to have an appraisal report prepared for probate or federal income tax purposes. It’s always a good idea to consult with the attorney handling the estate to confirm what is needed for that particular estate. Estate appraisal reports for probate and federal purposes can also often be used for equitable distribution among the family members}

_{Values and Levels}

_{It’s also important to understand that in addition to the many types of appraisals, there are many different types of values that can be used in art and antique appraisals. These values are sourced from various levels of the market and correspond to different intended uses.}

_{Insurance appraisal reports are typically written using retail replacement value (the highest level of value) and estate and equitable distribution appraisal reports are typically written using fair market value (a lower level, often sourced from auction sales). There are many different levels of value, and I discuss them in more detail in this article.}

_{Appraisals are also needed to document non-cash charitable contributions when the fair market value will exceed $5,000.}

_{Having an appraisal report prepared to assess the market when considering a planned future sale can be very helpful in guiding your planning.}

_{Another crucial reason to have an appraisal prepared is to document your collection to reduce stress later for your children or heirs so they will be able to clearly identify everything and know which pieces are valuable.}

_{Why Should You Get An Appraisal?}

_{You should consider getting art and antique appraisals because it is a tool to protect yourself. USPAP-compliant appraisers are required to be objective and independent, which will ensure that you can’t be taken advantage of. Appraisals protect your treasured valuables in the event of damage or loss, help you create the most effective estate plan, make informed decisions about future sales of certain items in your collection, and bring you peace of mind that you have prevented infighting and stress among your heirs in the future.}

_{There are a number of excellent times to consider getting an appraisal:}

_{One is when you are planning to move and wish to protect your items from potential damage in transit.}
_{Another is if it has been several years since your last insurance appraisal update, or if your items have never been appraised for insurance at all.}
_{A great time to get an appraisal is when you are beginning your estate planning process because an appraiser’s findings can help your estate attorney structure your paperwork most effectively for your specific situation. An estate planning appraisal can also help you designate certain items for later equitable distribution and give you the peace of mind that your children won’t throw out anything valuable by accident.}
_{An appraisal can be invaluable in emotionally charged times, such as equitable distribution during a divorce or if there are fighting heirs in an estate settlement.}
_{If you are considering a future sale of certain items in your collection, an appraisal is a useful planning tool to assess the current market for similar items and help guide your identification of the best venues.}

_{How Should You Get an Appraisal?}

_{If you want to get an appraisal, I strongly recommend hiring an appraiser who works in compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) like I do. This will protect you as a consumer because USPAP-compliant appraisers must obey the rigorous ethical and professional standards specified within USPAP. One of the most critical details is that USPAP-compliant appraisers are prohibited from charging based on a percentage of appraised value (which used to be a common practice). There are also strict rules in place to avoid other situations where an appraiser could have a potential conflict of interest.}

_{Appraiser Credentials}

_{I encourage consumers to look for appraisers who are a member of one of the major professional organizations for appraisers as this also distinguishes them given the continuing education and ethical codes required for membership. I belong to both the Appraisers Association of America and the International Society of Appraisers.}

_{The three major professional organizations for appraisers in the United States are:}

_{Appraisers Association of America: https://www.appraisersassociation.org/}

_{International Society of Appraisers: https://www.isa-appraisers.org/}

_{American Society of Appraisers: https://www.appraisers.org/}

_{All three organizations have member databases that allow you to search for appraisers based on your local geographic region and the specialization you are looking for (such as an appraiser of art, or an appraiser of antiquities).}

_{Levels and Specialties}

_{Another useful thing to pay attention to is what level of membership within the organization has the appraiser you are considering hiring achieved? Each higher level of membership indicates the appraiser has met an additional set of rigorous requirements. For example, I am a Certified Member of the International Society of Appraisers (the highest level of membership possible) and I have also achieved the Private Client Services Designation for working with high-net-worth individuals. I am currently an Accredited Member of the Appraisers Association of America and am working towards achieving Certified Membership in the future.}

_{Next, you want to make sure the specialty of the appraiser you are considering matches the type of objects you have. For example, if you have art to appraise, you will want to be hiring an appraiser of art rather than a jewelry appraiser. The professional organization databases have filters for specializations in certain object types to make this easy for you.}

_{Personality Matters}

_{Finally, I always encourage consumers to select an appraiser with whom they have good chemistry. Is your appraiser responsive to your questions? Do they provide a written contract for you to review and sign and give an estimate in advance of total project size?}

_{Appraising is a very intimate activity where appraisers are evaluating some of your most cherished heirlooms. I take the responsibilities of my professional role very seriously in my appraising work and endeavor to always be thoughtful and sensitive to the feelings of vulnerability these projects can elicit in clients. I strongly recommend that everyone considering hiring an appraiser choose someone they feel very comfortable working with.}

_{Common Mistakes You Can Avoid When Downsizing Art and Valuables}

_{Not identifying what you have before you get rid of it. Appraisers are an amazing resource to assist with this!}
_{Not considering the appropriate market for each specific item. Certain things sell for much more money in particular venues.}
_{Not clearly evaluating where the most valuable assets are and how to maximize profit based on those factors. I’ve witnessed situations where people feel overwhelmed and bogged down about trying to achieve the best prices possible for household items that have relatively modest values and delay taking action that would maximize profits with the real estate, which often is worth exponentially more.}
_{Not leaving enough time for a sale for higher-value items. Some types of items can bring much higher prices if there is enough time to market them effectively, while sales that are rushed with a tight deadline typically have steep discounting impacting the final sold prices.}

_{It pays to involve experts.}

_{We know professionals in your area who can help you identify and evaluate items of value when you are downsizing. . We’ll also help you get the most possible money for your stuff, and clear out your home completely. We do it all with the help of vetted, trustworthy and local professionals.}

_{We'll take it from here. Get in touch today for a free consultation.}

Contact Home Transition Pros for more information.

What’s it Worth? Royal Crown Derby Imari China

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 21:31:12 GMT

Written by: Home Transition Pros

August 05, 2020

What’s it Worth?

Royal Crown Derby Imari Porcelain China

Generally speaking, the value of china is not what most downsizers would want it to be. It’s always difficult to let people know that the treasured place settings of so many family meals have very little resale value. Like many similar collections, there is currently a glut in the market and not many people want to buy fine china today.

However, the gorgeous black and gold pattern we noticed at a client’s home recently really caught our eye. We asked Chris Lancette of Orion’s Attic to weigh in on what it could be worth.

A Notable Exception

“I usually preface any response to questions about the value of china with one of the great many polite strings of words I use to convey that china isn’t worth much today, says Lancette. “There are some exceptions to the rule, though. The Royal Crown Derby china Anna showed me today is one of the exceptions to the rule!”

Royal Crown Derby Porcelain China

Chris explains that this colorful china has several things going for it. The general style of it is known as Imari – which takes its name from a Japanese port that started shipping porcelain to the West in the late 1600s. While these pieces are not that old, it was made by the Royal Crown Derby Porcelain Company of Derby, England. The company is considered either the oldest or second oldest porcelain company still operating in the United Kingdom.

Chris estimates that the china in these photos likely dates back to the 1920s to 1930s. “The dinner plate with a pattern featuring what I loosely call double diamonds is particularly popular today. People still want it.”

So, What’s it Worth?

Chris notes that if he had been hired as an appraiser to put a replacement value or insurance value on this pattern, he would assign each dinner plate a value of $100 to $125. “If an owner asked me to make an offer on it as a dealer, I would explain that we typically sell plates like this in our eBay store at fixed (not auction) prices of about $60 to $80 – winding up with about $52 to $68 after eBay and other fees. To make it worth my time and effort to buy, sell, pack and ship, I could offer approximately $30 to $40.” A cup and saucer set, meanwhile, can often net about $40 or more.

Authentic Royal Crown Derby China

Someone fortunate enough to own an entire set of Royal Crown Derby Imari china with place settings for four to eight people could be dining on a collection worth a few thousand dollars!

Ask the right questions.

We recommend consulting with an individual or company with experience evaluating art, furniture and collections at the beginning of any downsizing project. While it may be harder to find a market for many household goods these days, there are always exceptions to the rule.

Call us first.

We can introduce you to qualified and vetted local professionals who are skilled at recognizing and evaluating valuable items in your collections.

Get in touch today to find out how we can help you get the most value out of your stuff, clear your home completely, and make a move with minimum stress.

Contact Home Transition Pros for more information.

The Secret to Finding Your Nook

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 21:25:46 GMT

Janet Schiesl, Basic Organization

August 05, 2020

Finding your nook when you think about organizing. What does that mean? There no secret to it. Let me explain.

Organizing doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. Actually, it’s probably better in small bundles. A little here and a little there and you will see a difference in no time.

Look for your ‘Hygge” when organizing your space. Have you heard of hygge? I started learning about hygge a few years ago and look at it as a way to find a comfortable level of organization in my life. Meaning, doing just enough organizing in my home, but not letting it overwhelm me. Would that work for you? By focusing on a nook (or one small space) that doesn’t work and changing it in a way that makes you feel calmer and happy. That’s how I use hygge in my life. Here’s a definition of hygge I like from hyggehouse.com.

Hygge (pronounced hue-guh) is a danish word used to acknowledge a special feeling or moment. It can be alone or with friends, or home or out, ordinary or extraordinary, but it is always cozy, charming or special. – from…CLICK TO TWEET

Where to start?

There are lots of small places that collect odds and ends that clutter up your home, your car, your office and your life. Here is a list of some of those nooks and crannies where you can make a difference in a short amount of time.

Closets – clothes, linen, front hall/coat, gift wrap, storage, craft, toy, pantry
Drawers – junk, kitchen, pencil, desk, dresser, end tables, bathroom, glove compartment, file
Cabinets – medicine, media, kitchen, file, craft, china, pantry, storage, bathroom, toy, office supply
Shelves – book, knickknacks, storage, closet, shoe, media
Chests – toy, tool, jewelry, car trunk

I have learned a lot about how to practice hygge (which is very personal) from joining a couple of facebook groups. My favorite is The Hygge Nook. Check them or other out. See how people everywhere incorporate hygge and organization into their lives. Find your nook and get started!

Contact: Janet Schiesl, Basic Organization

Do I Need Professional Help?

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 18:27:56 GMT

Jessica Williams, Clutter Doctor

August 5, 2020

Wondering if you actually need to hire a Professional Organizer? Well, does this sound familiar?

You have a closet that you won’t even open because the contents are too overwhelming to deal with … truth is, you don’t even know what’s in there anymore!

Your garage has no room for the car.

Your filing “system” is non-existent and you can never find the latest soccer schedule, birthday party invite or dental appointment reminder in all of your piles.

You’re always tripping over stacks of unread magazines, books and catalogs.

Your kids think being organized means still being able to find their bed at night.

Your family photos from the past 20 years are gathering dust in a bunch of old cardboard boxes.

Your inability to find anything means that you are often late for appointments and that you buy triplicates of everything because you don’t know where the original item is anymore!

Your friends call you a “pack rat” and you’re too embarrassed to have anyone over.

You try to fix these problems, but you just too get overwhelmed to make progress.

So many people today feel that they are drowning in things. They've unknowingly become clutter bugs because it happens slowly over time as we naturally accumulate bigger houses and more stuff. This is especially true for those of us who have children.

Others begin to collect things after experiencing a major move, a change in lifestyle, or after a tragic loss. Holding onto items is something most of us have struggled with at one time or another because we often associate life’s moments, or even certain people, with items that serve as tangible reminders of loved ones.

Clutter overstimulates the brain and makes you less productive. Left untreated, clutter can cause long-term stress and perhaps even other health problems. Professional Organizers can help you regain control, allowing you to create physical and emotional balance in your home and life!

For many people, the hardest part about getting organized is knowing how to get started. Maybe you don’t have time, or the skills or maybe the idea of organization simply scares you. Whatever has kept you from managing the clutter, a Professional Organizer can help. Professional Organizers understand that organization is not about simply throwing everything out. It's about keeping only what we love or need and making those things accessible so that we can feel less stressed and enjoy life’s activities. Furthermore, Professional Organizers don't have emotional ties to your things and can keep you anchored to a task while being judgement-free.

Don't you deserve that peace of mind of getting organized? Then contact me today or do a search for a Professional Organizer at www.napo.net

Contact Clutter Doctor

10 Tips to Save Big Money on Your Food Budget

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 23:20:52 GMT

June 24, 2020

Here’s the story about how I learned to save big money on my food budget.

When I was a young adult (and not so organized) I used to go grocery shopping about once a week. I’d spend a reasonable amount of money, but many times those shopping trips ended with me going home, putting everything away and then going out to dinner. I was a little crazy to shop without a plan and then come home with nothing to eat for dinner. I soon learned that by planning meals before grocery shopping can save you BIG MONEY!

10 Tips to Save Big Money on Your Food Budget

Cook at home. This will be your biggest savings. Americans spend some 50% of their food dollars on restaurant meals. Cooking at home is always cheaper. Planning a week of meals at one time can make it easier to follow your plan.
Stretch your budget by making a meal out of left-overs. Omelets, quesadillas, stir-fries, soups or pastas can incorporate many different ingredients.
Eat left-overs for lunch or freeze for another meal.
Know what’s in your freezer. Have a running inventory of what you have stored and plan when you will use it. Make sure you use each meal within a year.
Use less meat. Make a meal once a week that focuses on beans, tofu or eggs.
Incorporated frozen vegetables into recipes. They are healthy and inexpensive.
Grow your own garden. If you have a yard use some of it to plan some herbs and seasonal vegetable. It’s healthy and a great project for the kids.
Buy some items in bulk. Check prices, but sometimes buying in bulk and freezing for later can save lots of money.
Stock up on staples like beans, rice, canned tomatoes, oil, pasta and frozen veggies. Having basic items will help you throw something together for dinner in a flash. You can do this with an organized pantry.
Buy when it’s on sale and use coupons when able.

You can save big with a little organization.

Contact: Janet Schiesl, Basic Organization

CHUNKING: ORGANIZING SMALL TO CREATE BIG CHANGE

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 23:07:18 GMT

Jill Katz, One To Zen Organizing

June 24, 2020

Would you like to organize your space but can’t seem to get started? You are not alone. Many people view organizing as a daunting task. It’s simply more than they can handle. Here is where chunking comes in handy.

THE HISTORY

I first learned about chunking when speaking with my daughter’s therapist many years ago. My daughter has ADHD and her therapist was trying to help her with executive functioning, skills related to planning and organizing. At the time, my daughter was entering sixth grade and she was having trouble sitting down to do her more complex homework.

CHUNKING

The therapist suggested breaking up her work into smaller steps. For example, she broke down my daughter’s essay assignment into 5 steps:

Brainstorm ideas
Write outline
Write two paragraph essay body
Write Intro & Conclusion
Edit entire essay

Writing an essay seemed like a huge deal to my daughter, but doing each of these steps across a school week seemed attainable. And that, my friends, is chunking.

A great read!

"The only consistent sustainable way to grow big is to start small.”

-BJ Fogg, author of Tiny Habits

HOW CAN YOU APPLY CHUNKING TO YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE?

Here are some of examples of how you can apply chunking to organizing and productivity in your everyday life:

1. Understand that small steps can add up to a BIG IMPACT on your life.

Behavioral psychologist, BJ Fogg, author of Tiny Habits, relates why small steps make a big difference: “Tiny allows you to get real with yourself and your life. Tiny allows you to start right now.” He adds “The only consistent sustainable way to grow big is to start small.”

2. Create a sense of Accomplishment:

Celebrate small things like putting “Get Dressed” on your daily to-do list so you can check it off. It feels great, right?

You get a thumbs up

3. Plan a task that is Possible:

The next time you have a task, plan only the next step instead of the entire series of steps. For example, when you receive an invitation in the mail, attach a sticky note that says, “Check calendar.” Calendar clear? Write the next step, “Buy a gift” and move forward with that. You can do this!

4. Make organizing Less Overwhelming:

Choose a small space (closet, bookshelf or desk) and write out each step in increments you can handle. Move forward with each step at a calm pace. Are you breathing? If not, you might want to learn the strategy of mantras.

What project are you avoiding right now? Chunk it and start making progress...one small step at a time.

Jill Katz, One To Zen Organizing

Silver Spring, MD 301-799-8112

7 Relaxation Techniques for Work-from-Home Moms

Sun, 31 May 2020 21:03:45 GMT

https://youtu.be/f4WF4wIkVA4

May 31, 2020

This is for all the Work-from-Home Moms.

If you want one of the most stressful jobs on the planet, be a mother for a day. To kick it up a notch, as famous chef Emeril Lagasse says, then mompreneurs know that a hectic schedule and being pressed for deadlines is the way most days go.

Mompreneurs need to be reminded that being overworked and stressed will not make them more productive.

What is needed is a handful of relaxation methods that can be your stress relief in the course of a day. Working at home doesn’t have to be the most stressful venture that so many mothers working at home find it to be.

Here are 7 Ways to Relax for Mompreneurs and Work at Home Moms (WAHMs)

Find a happy retreat

This can be done mentally or physically, and some may find that this retreat time will have to be used sparingly with little ones running amok. Nonetheless, finding a place to retreat from the chaos where you can just “be” for a few minutes will help gather your thoughts.

Can’t get away? Then try one of many “guided imagery” techniques you can find online. This is a way to mentally retreat by using tranquil images you can conjure up anywhere.

Take regular vacations

Perhaps this is not possible at the outset, but make it a goal to take a regular vacation. These need to be planned well in advance for financial as well as business reasons, but having a regular down time will work wonders.

Take a breather

Literally. Learn some breathing techniques to slow your breathing and take deeper breaths when you need the relief. This will combat the urge to pant, which is usually a sign of stress or even anger. 3-5 long, slow, deep breaths will help combat stress and help you relax.

Laugh

“Laughter is the best medicine” sometimes. It might help you to watch a funny video online that is only a few minutes long, or to keep a bookmarked website where you can flip through a few short laughs when needed.

Mood music

Walk to the beat of a different drummer by changing the sound in your environment. Set the mood with the music you listen to, and consider surround sound with your favorite relaxing tunes.

Take the kids for a little stroll

This works great if you have a house dog, where you know your dog will want to get out to use the bathroom or get some exercise. Take your kids if you can for a stroll around your block, to a park, etc.

Making sure you do this regularly will help decompress your stressful situation.

Make a pot of Chamomile tea

Chamomile, or lavender-infused teas, will help you to relax a bit. Take a few minutes to boil the water and have a calming ritual of enjoying a cup. The tea itself soothes, but the entire ritual can be quite relaxing.

Whether work-from-home moms and mompreneurs have it “all figured out” or not when they begin their home-based businesses, one thing is guaranteed: workplace stress is reality. Having your kids around and the housekeeping that piles up, it’s stressful.

Mompreneurs need to be reminded that being overworked and stressed will not make them more productive.CLICK TO TWEET

Don’t let stress get the better of you! Work-from-Home Moms can burn out much easier than typical entrepreneurs because the stress comes at you from so many angles simultaneously – but hang in there: you can do this.

If you need more ideas on how to avoid work at home mom blues & burnout, be sure to check out this invaluable article by clicking HERE.

I hope you have enjoyed today’s blog post, written by my special guest, Christina Martin, of YouRelaunched. For more information about Christina, please visit her website.

Virtual Organizing: Bringing Different Organizing Needs To Different People

Sun, 31 May 2020 20:41:30 GMT

Jill Katz, One To Zen

May 31, 2020

In this new COVID-19 climate, we have all had to adapt. One way that I have adapted, along with many of my fellow professional organizers, is to shift my sessions from hands-on, in-person organizing to virtual organizing. And anytime we do something different, we learn something new.

Virtual Organizing

Virtual organizing is organizing from a remote location. I am in my home while you, the client, are in your home. The biggest challenge with virtual organizing is that I am not able to physically help. My body is ready to spring into action, by moving, sorting, and organizing. Yet because we are virtual I am forced to slow down, listen more, and use words to encourage you and direct you through the organizing process.

The Four Organizing Needs

The slower pace of virtual organizing has allowed me to identify 4 different needs people have that must be addressed (by themselves or by their organizer) in order to reach their goals: Organizing Techniques, Strategy & Planning, Coaching, and Accountability. Most people have a blend of these needs and don't fit into any one category.

I. Organizing Techniques: Sort, Divide, and Conquer

The Need: An organizer that will provide you with techniques and tips while guiding you through the organizing process.

You need organizing techniques if you:

Aren’t sure how to get started
Have tried to declutter or organize before but keep getting stuck
Would like someone to walk you through each step of organizing so you can understand the process

The Example: My experience with Stephanie Frumkin from Silver Spring, MD is a great illustration of the need for organizing techniques. Stephanie wanted to get her kitchen in order and wasn’t sure where or how to begin. After a brief discussion, we decided to start with her utensils. I then guided Stephanie through the process of removing all her utensils, sorting and categorizing them. When Stephanie seemed confused, I would give her a tip or ask her a question. Stephanie explained how this process felt to her: “When I got stuck, [Jill] calmly guided me and never made me feel embarrassed or pressured in any aspect of the process.” About 15 minutes into the session, Stephanie declared, “Oh, I get it now!” The next day, Stephanie sent me a quick note about our session: “It is inspiring me to create more of a system in terms of what I do.”

II. Strategy & Planning: Who, What, When, & Why

Give me a roadmap!

The Need: An organizer that can provide you

The Need: An organizer that can provide you with a framework. With this framework you might even be able to organize on your own.

You need strategy if you:

Don’t have systems in place for many routines such as mail, laundry, donations
Try to clean up a room but don’t have “homes” for many of the items
Need a road-map to transform the function of a particular space

The Example: Amy Stolls of Washington, DC was frustrated by her clutter. We had been working on various rooms in her house since the spring of 2019 and making steady progress. But with current events, I couldn’t be present with her in her home. This had happened once before when Amy was busy with work. She couldn’t find 4 consecutive hours to schedule an in-person session so we filled in the 2-month gap by scheduling virtual 1-hour sessions. During those sessions, Amy discussed what was bothering her and I organized her thoughts and created a list of items for her to work on until our next virtual session along with tips where appropriate. When we met again, Amy would update me on any developments and I would create a new “to do” list. This month, Amy is stoked because she needs some organizing in her vacation cabin. It doesn't matter that the cabin is far away since we will be continuing to organize virtually.

III. Coaching: Bringing Out the Best In You

The Need: An organizer that can support you

The Need: An organizer that can support you in making your own decisions and give you the confidence to know you can achieve success.

You need coaching if you:

Feel overwhelmed or anxious at the thought of organizing
Recently experienced a life change or transition (divorce, new baby, pandemic)
Are comforted by the idea of having someone alongside you while organizing

The Example: Wanda Seays from King George, VA needed help with her home office. She told me that every time she walked into her home office she was overwhelmed with anxiety. This anxiety was so strong that she couldn’t even begin to make a dent in her paper clutter. We spent an hour clearing Wanda’s desk with the help of her sister. Because I wasn’t in Wanda’s home, she was in control of her space. I only saw the papers that Wanda wanted me to see. Wanda described this process: “The biggest difference for me between virtual organizing and in-person organizing was that I felt less anxious being video coached.” When Wanda needed to make a decision, I would support her with clarifying questions and assure her that there was no wrong answer and that she was doing great. Wanda told me: “I can still hear your voice when the clutter tries to ease back into my office space. Thanks for your patience and compassion.” In this case, the coaching support during our virtual organizing session helped her conquer her clutter even after our Zoom session concluded.

IV. Accountability: Sustaining Momentum

"The only way we succeed as a group is not simply following directions, but in keeping each other accountable for our actions."

― A.J. Darkholme

The Need: An organizer that can track your progress from week to week so you don’t backslide.

You need Accountability if you:

Want someone to track your progress
Work well with deadlines and a clear goal
Know that having someone present during organizing will ensure that you actually organize

The Example: Every single person needs accountability in order to progress on their organizing journey― it is the most important need. When I work alongside you, my presence ensures that you will sort through those annoying papers. You are not able to say that you will sort through that box and then go take a nap. I can see you! And after that hour of organizing, you have a few homework assignments to complete. On your own, they might get done - who knows? However, if you know that you are meeting with me in a week or two, then you are far more likely to tackle that homework list.

Virtual Organizing & The Four Needs

So, there you have it― the 4 organizing needs. And you don't need an organizer to be physically present in order to address those needs. Virtual organizing through Zoom can be even more effective for clients that have anxiety, need a more affordable solution, have small blocks of time, or would like to work at a slower pace.

What is your organizing need? Let me know…

Interested in virtual organizing? Set up a free 20-minute call with me or schedule a session.

Tips for Parents Working from Home

Sun, 31 May 2020 20:26:50 GMT

Cynthia Fischer, Ph.D. https://cocozzaorgdesign.com

Authors: Missy Crawford, Dr. Cynthia Fischer and Heather Cocozza, PMP, CPO

May 31, 2020

The other night my husband innocently said to me, “You know, if this lock-down really goes on into next school year, we’re going to have to get more serious about homeschooling.” I don’t remember if I said anything right away, but I do remember a twitchy sensation in my left eyelid and a feeling that my head might actually explode in that moment.

Reading the news on your phone for too long causes stress, fear, and anxiety. You can’t watch the news on your TV because you don’t want your kid to start feeling that same anxiety. Emails from your child’s school about distance learning are long and overwhelming. And every time you open your Facebook or Instagram feed, you see someone who has perfected the art of looking perfect as they laugh and do an educational project with their kid, in their perfectly clean and organized home. And, of course, they’re remembering to eat healthy and exercise all the while. Or maybe it’s the posts by your childless friends that get to you. The ones where they’re complaining about the luxury of having so much time that they don’t know what to do with it (a luxury you haven’t known for many years). It’s enough to make anyone more than a little on edge.

Working parents have always had a full plate in front of them. With no clear end to the COVID-19 pandemic in sight, now it’s more like a heaping mountain covering a whole table and, yeah, maybe there used to be a plate under there somewhere but that seems sort of beside the point at this stage. But this doesn’t mean that there’s no hope. These times are unprecedented, but in an odd sort of way, I feel like I’ve been here before. In a funny sort of way, the feelings I’ve had during this lockdown period bear a lot of similarities to the period of time when we brought a newborn baby home several years ago. Everything was different. My old ways of doing things and my clever workarounds didn’t work anymore. As a family, we had to learn new ways of doing things. And we sometimes had to rely on each other more than we were used to, rather than just barreling through and doing everything individually. We learned each other’s strengths and weaknesses, capitalizing on the strengths and allowing those to fill the gaps where the weaknesses were. God knows it wasn’t easy. The good news? We survived those times and came out on the other side. Hell, some of us parents did more than survive, we thrived. Crazily enough, we went back for more and did it a few more times!

I’m not saying that anybody wants this pandemic to go on even one second longer than it has to, of course. But I want to remind parents that they’ve been in tough spots before—every parent has. Remember how that felt, and tap into that version of yourself that got through the hard days and nights. Remember all those wise friends and relatives who said, “No one knows your baby better than you do,” and “As a parent you’ll make mistakes, but you can always course-correct.” These are the adages to keep close to your heart now.

Remember this when you’re stressed about homeschooling because you’ve had no training whatsoever as a teacher. Remember this when you and your spouse both have urgent work projects that are overdue and you child just isn’t in the mood to sit quietly and play with toys or watch a movie. And most of all, remember those things that people told you when you were a new parent. Things like “What works for one family will not necessarily work for another,” and “Every kid is different.” In a way, we’re all new parents again, finding our way, learning new ways of living all over again. Yes, it’s daunting, but we’ve been through this before.

Bearing all this in mind, here are some tips and strategies for dealing with the present crisis. Everyone’s circumstances are unique, so find what’s useful and ignore the rest. Only you know what is right for you and your family.

1. Chose what works best in your home: a routine or a schedule. In COVID-19 either can work. As much we may hate to admit it, just about everybody needs to have some kind of routine or schedule to their daily lives. Otherwise it’s just complete chaos (life with kids leans toward the chaotic on a good day anyway).

Sample Routine for those who value flexibility:

Morning:

Wake up time (varies)

Get dressed sometime before lunch, when convenient

2-3 hours school time sometime before lunch (broken into shorter chunks if needed)

1-2 hours screen-time before lunch

1-2 hours exercise/outdoor time as needed

1-2 snacks as needed

Midday (roughly between 11am and 1pm):

Lunch time (depends when hungry) and non-screen free time

Afternoon:

1-2 hours chore time

1-2 hours exercise/outdoor time as needed

1-2 hours screen time/free time

1-2 snacks as needed

Evening (roughly between 4:00pm-7:30pm):

Dinner time (includes helping w/prep and cleanup)

1-2 hours screen time/free time/non-screen time

Roughly 1 hour bed time routine (bath or wash-up, and books)

Lights out approximately 7:30pm

Sample Schedule for those who thrive on strict timelines:

7:00am-8:30am wake-up time, breakfast time, screen time, get dressed

8:30am-10:00 school time part 1

10:00am-10:30am snack time and mini outdoor/exercise time

10:30am-11:45am school time part 2

11:45-1:00pm lunch time and non-screen free time

1:00pm-2:15pm screen time/free time

2:15pm-3:00pm chore time

3:00pm-3:15pm snack time

3:15pm-4:30pm outdoor/exercise time

4:30pm-6:30pm dinner time (includes helping w/prep and cleanup) and screen time/free time

6:30pm-7:30pm bed time routine (bath or wash-up, and books) and lights out at 7:30pm

*Remember that parents need to adjust their expectations when it comes to screen time during COVID-19. Experts suggest offsetting the increase in screen time with increases in “healthy” activities to keep things in balance for kids.

2. Split the day. Both you and your spouse need to work for several hours undisturbed? Give each other that time. While one works (in a locked room if necessary!) the other surrenders to the kids and the mess (or whatever is going on that day). Kids generally get up early but go to bed relatively early too. So, plan your day around your child’s waking hours. Say your child gets up at 6am and falls asleep at 8pm. That’s 14 hours, or 6.5 hours uninterrupted per parent. Adjust the split as needed, prioritizing the most urgent work for you and your spouse.

3. Toss out or delegate the homeschooling tasks that fill you with dread. I’m talking about the ones you feel you are “supposed” to do or that you “should be” doing. Have a friend or relative who is good with numbers? Set up a zoom meeting where your child can get some facetime with someone other than their immediate family. Keep it fun and light. Sometimes our best learning experiences (with or without a pandemic) happen outside the classroom, with a special person we don’t get to see every day.

4. Create a chart with some flexible options for your child to use for homeschooling like the sample below. They can fit in other activities like screen-time, exercise, or chores between their school items. Checking items off themselves each day and deciding what to do when will empower them and make them more proactive. Make each day a different color as a way of distinguishing one from the next. Lastly, place the chart inside a plastic sheet protector, so you can check off with a dry erase marker and wipe it clean at the end of each week for re-use.

Sample School Check-in Chart Dates:_____________________

M Tu W Th F

Reading Lesson/ Activity
Writing Lesson/ Activity
Math Workbook/ Activity sheets
Typing 20 Min
Flash Cards 15 Min
Spelling 20 Min
Handwriting book 15 min
Reading 25 min Neil Armstrong

5. Take the time to mark the weekend as different and break the routine. Weekends may seem meaningless now that most of us are home full-time, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Have a movie marathon, wear pajamas all day, eat lots of junk food, have a sleepover in the living room, swap bedrooms for a weekend, whatever you can think of to break the monotony. Kids get a kick out of seeing a different side of their parents, you know, the “fun you” that existed before you had children.

Randy Kulman, Ph.D., “5 Tips to Manage Screen Time During Quarantine,” Psychology Today, April 15, 2020: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/screen-play/202004/5-tips-manage-screen-time-during-quarantine.

Cynthia Fischer, Ph.D. https://cocozzaorgdesign.com

703-253-9447

Congratulations to Chapter Awardees!

Tue, 05 May 2020 21:43:17 GMT

We are pleased to announce the 2020 Chapter Awardees!

Organizer of the Year

For the chapter member who best promoted the organizing industry or chapter and made a difference in the community.

Janet Schiesl, Basic Organization

Business Partner of the Year

Kevin Wheeler, 123Junk

Volunteer of the Year
For the chapter member whose volunteer work had the most impact on the chapter.

Diane Greenhalgh, Homelife Decluttered

Mantras: An Important Organizing Tool

Tue, 05 May 2020 21:33:04 GMT

Jill Katz, One To Zen Organizing

May 5, 2020

“What is your mantra?” I ask my new client.

Let me back up a minute.

Mantras: An Important Organizing Tool

Namaste

As a mindful organizer, I recognize that I am meeting my clients for the first time when they are anxious. Many of my clients are overwhelmed by clutter and are going through some sort of life transition (new baby, new job, divorce, a death). In addition, I am a stranger coming into their home, their space. So when we first sit down to talk before we officially “begin” our session, I like to offer a breathing exercise to center them in preparation for our time together.

Mantras Are Personal

Before we take a relaxed seat and begin our breathing, I ask my client, “What is your mantra? What will ground you in times of stress and overwhelm.” And they tell me:

“I am going to take it one step at a time”

“I will get through this”

“I am doing the best that I can”

“Omna’ma Shiva’ya” (“I bow to the inner self”)

“I am bigger than this moment”

“This is just a season”

Rachel Henry, my wise yoga instructor at Blue Heron Wellness, shares her take on mantras.

"I believe one of the best ways we can focus our mind and calm our overall state of being is by noticing our breath and it’s unique rhythm...If we add a mantra to the natural, repetitive rhythm of our breath, the experience can be liberating, empowering and soothing."

My Mantra History

As a child, I went through a period when I would faint any time a doctor drew blood or gave me a shot. I became very anxious that I would faint on a daily basis. I would get up too quickly, feel a little dizzy, and have a panic attack thinking “Oh no, I’m going to pass out.”

My Mother taught me to breathe and recite a mantra to calm myself down. I would make a fist and say “I am strong” and the word would translate into a reality. I am strong. I will not faint.

I Am Strong!

A New Session

Fast forward to today. I ask my client to come up with a mantra, or a word or phrase to use when they get anxious.

Then I sit with my client and we practice visualization and breathing for a few minutes as my client recites a mantra to him or herself. We open our eyes, look at one another with a sense of recognition and I say, “OK, now let’s begin…”

What Is Your Mantra?

Do you have a phrase or word that you utter in times of stress? I would love to hear your mantra and your mantra experiences.

For more information about Jill Katz and One To Zen:

Jill Katz, One To Zen Organizing

10 Ways to Work Smarter

Mon, 27 Apr 2020 22:12:54 GMT

April 20, 2020

We all need to find ways to work smarter these days. So much going on. The need to do more with less time. Being connected 24/7. We are all there. You can find so many Tips and Tools to help you work smarter, and not harder.

Here are a 10 tips on how to work smarter:

Try a reality check -- Track everything you do in detail for 2 or 3 days. Journal tasks in 15 minute increments. You will get a reality check on how you really spend your time.
Assess your tracking -- Now that you’ve done the journaling, what trends show up? Where are you wasting time? What’s your most productive time of day?
Drop the drains -- Your time drains offer you the least pay-off of your time. How can you change, lessen or completely drop these?
Stop multitasking -- Trying to do two things at once actually slows productivity and drives up your stress level. Focus on one thing at a time.
Batch your tasks -- Opposite of multitasking is batching. Stop switching from one type of task to another. Instead focus on doing one kind of thing at a time.
Streamline repetitive tasks -- You can use templates or apps to automate your regular tasks to save time.
Filter emails -- Don’t waste time on unproductive emails by filtering them to skip your inbox and automatically land in another folder.
Find your productive time -- Focus on the important stuff at your most productive time of day to get more done.
Work with a timer -- You’d be surprised at how well this works. Set a timer for 20 minutes, then assign yourself a task to complete in that amount of time.
Outsource -- Delegate the tasks you don’t enjoy, are bad at or would be cheaper for someone else to do. You won’t have it nagging you any more.

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