Clutter Hacks
Living Simply
8 Reasons To Keep A "To Do" List
By
Try it; When you're done reading this, make a list of everything you want to do tomorrow and see how relieved you are going to feel and how relaxed your mind is going to be.
When we are constantly thinking ahead of everything that we have to do and hoping that we don't forget anything, our mind becomes clogged and this causes stress.
Making a To-Do List will:
Read the rest of this post »
Home Organizing on a Budget: Easier Than You Think
By
Why is it that when someone thinks about organizing their home they think that they have to stick a lot of money into it in order to do it the right way?
When it comes to storage, there isn't any right or wrong way of doing things or choosing the things you want to use. Sometimes a cardboard box works better than a plastic storage container, especially if the amount that is stored in that box changes frequently.
Here's an idea of what I mean:
Read the rest of this post »
Small Space Organizing: Converting A Closet
By
I currently live in a newer house, and it most definitely has its benefits. But I do miss my days of living in an older, arts and crafts period home with all of its lovely woodwork and creative built-ins.
One wall in our living room had built-in bookcases straddling a closet with French glass doors lined with lace curtains which we used as a beautiful hide-away for our entertainment center.
HGTV has a great article on remaking your closet space into something else altogether, and some of their ideas are reminiscent of the arts and crafts style.
Read the rest of this post »
Do You Feed Your Clutter?
By
There is a story about an old Cherokee who was teaching his grandchildren about life.
He said to them: "A battle is raging inside me…it is a terrible fight between two wolves.
"One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego.
"The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
Read the rest of this post »
Effective To Do Lists
Please welcome my friends Sarah Welch & Alicia Rockmore from Buttoned Up - enjoy their post!
No matter the format, what you write down gets done. According to Dave Kohl, a professor emeritus at Virginia Tech., people who regularly write down their goals earn nine times as much over their lifetimes as people who don’t. Think about that for a moment. No matter how lofty or simple your goals may be, reaching them requires a systematic approach. And that begins by writing your to do list down; don’t just think it, ink it!
Read the rest of this post »
S.I.M.P.L.I.F.Y.
By
It's something which we all aspire to do. But it's one of those things that is often easier said than done, especially in today's fast-paced world.
Not only do we have to deal with the outside factors that the world throws at us, we also have to deal with inside factors as well — namely, ourselves.
Read the rest of this post »
My #1 Productivity Tip (And It Takes Less Than 2 Minutes!)
By
As a professional organizer, I always get asked: How can I be more productive? How can I get more stuff done everyday?
These are both great questions, and the answer lies not in what you do but how you think. Let me give you an example.
One of my #1 suggestions for being more productive is: make your bed.
Read the rest of this post »
Is Your Life Unbalanced?
By
Often times, we tend to think of clutter as “stuff” in our space: piles of paper on the desk, clusters of toys on the rug, mounds of mail on the kitchen counter, stacks of magazines on the sofa, and heaps of laundry on the bed. And while this is true, there are other types of clutter that can creep into your life.
For example:
•Do you over-commit to people, organizations, or causes? Then you have something that clutters your schedule.
•Do you have someone in your life that bleeds your energy and patience, so much so that the very mention of their name causes you great stress? Then you have something that clutters your spirit.
Read the rest of this post »
A Weekend of Contrasts: How Organizing Can Help Your Mood
By
Saturday morning, 7:15 am:
Hubby’s up. Dogs are up. That means I’m up. Waahhh. Get up. Fix coffee. Kitchen’s dirty. Dishes stacked up on the counter from last night and the stove is greasy. Yuck. Sit down on my sofa among the jackets and backpacks for a few quiet moment of coffee-savoring. Feeling crowded by the stuff.
Oldest Son calls to remind me that he needs a ride to his friend’s wedding soon,
Read the rest of this post »
Top 10 Tips on Managing and Organizing My Family Life
By
By far, my family is my crowning accomplishment in life. But of course, this is easier said now that my children are leaving home than when they were in diapers. When you’re up to your elbows in spilled juice and spit-up, it’s a little hard to see your efforts as anything successful. Through years of trial and error as a busy mom of three, I did manage to pick up a few helpful tips to keep the chaos at bay and make all our live a bit simpler. Here are my top 10 tips I’ve gleaned over the years for organizing our family’s busy lives:
1: Check the weather forecast each night and plan my kid’s (and my) clothes for the next day accordingly.
2: Set out a choice of two weather appropriate outfits for each child. This gives them a say in what they wear while still giving you ultimate control over it.
Read the rest of this post »
Crystallize Your Goals with a Vision Board
By
A friend recently told me that his goal has been to get a car better than his old beat-up clunker that needs new brakes.
Last week, his brother gave him a car FOR FREE. It is one year newer than the clunker, has working brakes, but looks like a rust-bucket.
Instead of feeling happy, my friend is cranky. I asked him what kind of car was his goal? He said, "Anything but this one."
When your goal is "anything" that's what you get.
Read the rest of this post »
Lesson Learned From a Broken Washer
By
My washing machine broke. The spinney part barely moves and the effort makes it sound like a barking seal. We have to use the laundry facility in our park until we can get a new one.
I needed a couple things cleaned yesterday and didn’t feel like walking in the rain to do it, so I hand washed them in the bathtub. Turns out that’s no small thing! It was only ten items, but the effort left me a little breathless and sore-armed from wringing.
That got me thinking about this age of convenience we live in, and the resulting clutter it brings to our lives.
Read the rest of this post »
5 Things That Should Not Be in Your Closet
By
You didn't know it when you woke up this morning, but today is your day of reckoning. Yep, that's right! It's time to open up your closet doors and face your wardrobe head-on.
There are many considerations when it comes to editing your clothing and accessories, and here are the top 5 "wardrobe violations" that should not be in your closet — EVER.
(1) Stains
This seems like a no-brainer, but you would be surprised how many sweat stains and ketchup stains I run across in my line of work. Staining is a constant threat to any article of clothing! And it can happen anywhere, so clothes should be checked all over. The biggest problem spots tend to be the edges of long-sleeve shirts or jackets, around the inside of collars, and underarm areas.
(2) Outdated Style
What happened in the 80s, fashion-wise, should stay there and not your closet. (Unless it’s for a “totally rad” costume, of course!)
Read the rest of this post »
Ten Tips for Packing Light
By
With most of the airlines charging baggage fees now, it's getting more and more expensive to travel. I'll be flying in a few months and wanted some tips on traveling with only one carry-on suitcase. I found an article by Diana Pemberton Sikes career-intelligence.com. She has some GREAT tips for packing light! Here's an excerpt from the article:
At the height of my clothing consumption days in my late teens, we were invited to the wedding of a family friend in Austin, Texas. It was a two day drive from our home in Colorado Springs, and my mother, in the interest of managing her limited trunk space, gave me an ultimatum: I could only take as many clothes as I needed for the trip. No more.
Read the rest of this post »
When Lists Don't Work
By
Generally speaking, a list is a good thing because…
When you write a list, it helps you focus. When you follow a list, it keeps you on track and moving toward list completion. And when you cross off list items, you feel productive. And yet, despite proven results and positive qualities, lists don't always work for everyone, every time because…
When you have to make a list, it means you have lots to accomplish. When you have lots to accomplish, you suddenly don't want to do anything but sit on your couch, watch TV, and eat ice cream.
Read the rest of this post »
5 Tips On Organizing For Tax Season
By
That's right, it's almost tax time again. That time of year when all the folks who use the EZ forms and have a few little tax deductions running around rejoice over the inevitable refund they will recieve. But for a lot of us, it's more complicated than that. Here is a post I came across by cjpilgrim on eHow.com for organizing at tax time:
Let's face it we all are not as organized in our life as we would like to be. Just as soon as the holidays are over, we are faced with instant dread. Tax time is upon us
Read the rest of this post »
The Key to Finding Balance and Getting Organized
By
When you are responsible for taking care of others — whether it be at work, at home, or both ― then taking care of YOU can become a low, maybe even non-existent, priority.
Women, in particular, feel incredibly off-kilter when this occurs, but men are also not immune to self-neglect and its repercussions.
Here's what I mean…
- You're working more hours, so that's less time for exercise. You gain a few pounds, and your pants are fitting tightly…and you feel blah.
Read the rest of this post »
A Story of Organization in Pictures
By
I received an email with these pictures in it a few days ago and just had to share them with you. This "house" is the epitome of organization and efficiency. Not to mention it's just pretty darn creative! This place is a converted garbage truck, if you can believe that one!
Read the rest of this post »
Kitchen Organizing Tips from a Personal Chef
~Guest post from Pamela Nevarez-Fisher~
Being a chef for the last thirty years, (OMG!…has it been THAT long??) has taught me alot about being organized! I have worked in small kitchnens, large kitchens, clean kitchens, dirty kitchens….you name it! But, the absolute best kitchen is, no doubt, an organized one.
While there is alot to be said about working in a small space, it's certainly not any good unless you know where to find things. I always preferred small kitchens, because things could be done within an arm's reach.
Read the rest of this post »
Seasonal Closet Switch
By
The cold months are upon us! From coast to coast, even in sunny California, it’s time to make the seasonal closet switch!
Since we are switching from warm weather to cool weather, that means it’s really time to get organized. Why? Because, quite simply, summer clothes are smaller than winter clothes.
Here are some tips on getting through the transition smoothly:
Read the rest of this post »
The Truth About Multitasking
By 
As a result of growing safety concerns about people texting on their cell phones while driving (there is mounting evidence that texting creates a greater risk of crashing than even drunken driving), the NY Times has recently published a flurry of articles and editorials on the subject. The conclusion reached by many automakers, cell phone manufacturers/service providers, Internet companies, computer science and communications professors, The National Safety Council, the Governors Highway Safety Association, lawmakers and President Obama is that texting while driving is dangerous and should be outlawed.
Read the rest of this post »
Charity Profile: Books for Soldiers
By
If you love to read, I bet you've got a pretty nice stockpile of books. I'll go even further and say that I bet you only read 2-5 of those books on a regular basis, and the rest are just "dust collectors."
Am I right or am I right?
I just came across a wonderful charity that can help you downsize your library, opening up a little more space for something else! It's called Books for Soldiers.
Read the rest of this post »
SPACE TREAT: Embrace your laziness?
By
All this hot and humid weather is making me feel lazy. How about you?
You may be relieved to hear that when it comes to getting organized, laziness can be your biggest ally. The trick is to design your system around your "laziest common denominator", meaning, doing things with the least number of steps.
Read the rest of this post »
Recycling Beauty Products
By
Are you really going to use that lotion that you got at the office gift-swap party 2 Christmases ago? Ummm…no.
Chances are, you've got some beauty products that are — but really shouldn't be — taking up some valuable real estate in your bathroom.
This week, I encourage you to go through your bathroom storage, tossing anything you no longer need, want, or use.
But don't just put the bottles and boxes into the trash! Opt to be environmentally responsible.
Read the rest of this post »
4 Keys to Reducing Stress in Your Life
By
True, there are some types of stress in our lives that we can't avoid and some days seem to be worse than others, but there are ways that we can see to it that stress doesn't control our lives.
Our physical and mental health and well-being are important reasons for us to take a good look at ways to help us to cope with stress.
Read the rest of this post »
Space Treat: Prune Away Your Clutter
By
What do pruning a tree and clearing out your clutter have in common?
Pruning is one of the healthiest things you can do for a tree:
· It prevents diseased branches from further destruction.
· It supports healing when you remove a damaged limb.
· It encourages a tree to develop a strong structure and restores it's vitality.
This is exactly what happens during the "pruning" phase of organizing.
Read the rest of this post »
Getting Kids Organized IS Possible!
By
Kids will be kids, as the saying goes. Which means it may seem like organizing kids - whether tyke or teen - requires a super-sized miracle!
Here are 3 major factors for parents to consider when trying to help kids get organized:
(1) Set the example.
Read the rest of this post »
Organize All Your Savings Cards!
By
Is your wallet overflowing with club cards, savings cards and discount cards? Mine is!
Seems everyone has a card for their business and I find myself digging for the right one at the checkout counter with irritated folks behind me. Or just skipping the discount because I don't want to bother. (Why don't they just lower their prices?)
You can punch a hole in each of them and string them all on a key chain, but if you have more than a few, this really isn't the answer. I came across this site this morning: Keyringthing.com
Read the rest of this post »
Product of the Week: Mario Batali Lunch Totes
By
“Dear Mario, Your Lunch Bags Make Me Swoon!”
I used to carry my lunch in one of the many plastic grocery bags cluttering the cabinet under my sink, but ever since I started using reusable grocery bags, I ran into a little problem – no more lunch bags!
I may have outgrown my cutesie lunchbox, but I’m definitely not too old for a chic and class lunch tote.
Read the rest of this post »
Quote for the Week: Keeping it Simple
By
"Any fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction."
~ Albert Einstein
Keep life simple.
Have a Happy Easter!