NAPO WDC Blog

by Heather Nickerson

Artifcts

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.

by Heather Nickerson

Artifcts

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 ​‘​​s​​tuff’ 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.

For more information, contact Heather Nickerson.

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.

by Chris Lancette

Orion's Attic

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

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.

by C. Lee Cawley

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.

by Janet Schiesl

Basic Organization

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.

by Janet Schiesl

Basic Organization

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.

by Chris Lancette

Orion's Attic

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.

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.

For more information, contact Chris Lancette.

by Janet Schiesl

Basic Organization

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.

by Heather Nickerson

Artifcts

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:

1. Grab a pen and paper or open up a blank note on your phone.  
2. Go room by room.  
3. Do you see any pain points, constantly cluttered areas, things that are broken or damaged? Note it all down. 
4. 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.