Another Year Over...

As 2014 comes to a close, many of us take stock of the year that's passed and make plans for the year ahead. Resolutions or not, most of us have something we want to change in our lives - more of one thing, less of another.

In the past, I've made one resolution each year that I felt was attainable and reasonable. Clearly, I'm not going to become a world-famous...anything...in one calendar year (at least not for anything I'd be proud of, I'm guessing). I'm not competing in the Olympics this year (or any year) and I'm not going to build a house with my bare hands. It's not reasonable to make these goals for myself.

One year, my resolution was to have better posture. It totally worked. I'm far more aware of how I stand and sit. One year, it was to drink more water. Although I know I still don't drink as much as I should as often as I should, I have a much better idea of how hydrated I am.

They're small things that could make a big enough difference in my life that I wanted to work on them.

For you, it might be to read 15 minutes before bed each night; to turn the TV and phone off while you eat dinner; to spend more time doing something you love with someone you love. In my experience, these are things you can do, as long as you're willing to try.

What isn't likely to take is something like, "I'm going to keep every room so organized it looks like a magazine, and redecorate for the seasons and have magnificent holiday decorations for each holiday." That's not going to happen. Unless, you're willing to hire a household staff. In which case, have at it! But, most of us aren't in that position.

What is reasonable is something like, "Every Wednesday night, I'm going to spend a half hour putting things away around the house." That's taking about a day out of your entire year to keep your home from becoming a headache. That seems reasonable in the amount of time you're committing and the results you're looking for. And, if you happen to surpass it, all the better!

Most importantly, I suggest making a resolution that will move you closer to the life you imagine in an ideal world. How does that world look? How does it feel? What's one thing you can do this year to get you one step closer to that?

Have a wonderful, healthy New Year!

Organized Baking is Better Baking!

I love baking. If I was more confident that I wouldn't eat it all myself, I'd bake something a few times a week. Alas, I am not that confident. I like to think that I'm pretty good at baking, too. I tend to bring goodies to most parties and events, and about this time of year I bake up a storm for holiday gifts. I may not be the tidiest baker, but I am an organized baker (I better be, right?!)


How to Go About Organizing Your Baking Experience

1. Decide what you're going to make before you start making it. Preferably, at least a day ahead of time.

2. Check to see if you have all the ingredients - and the amount needed of each. It's a bummer when you're half way through making dough, only to realize the chocolate chip cookies you're making will only have three tablespoons of chips in the whole recipe, because you thought you had more on hand.

3. Read the recipe. I've learned this the hard way. More than once I've gone to make a recipe for the first time, and not read through it yet, only to realize it will take far longer than I anticipated. Look for things like time to proof, chill, set and so on. Set aside the right amount of time in your schedule.

4. Make sure you have the equipment you'll need: mixers, icing bags, cupcake liners, etc. This year, as part of my holiday baking, I'm borrowing a friend's food processor. My heavy-duty blender will work as a substitute for most things I make, but to make a large enough batch, I'm bringing out the big guns!

5. Do prep before you start mixing. Measure things out if you find it helpful to just dump little bowls into a larger one. If anything needs chopping, peeling or shelling, do that first. If you have a recipe that calls for a preheated oven, turn it on before you start to mix.

6. Bake. And, have fun! 


7. Enjoy your delicious, delicious goodies!

Picture This:

A friend recently asked what to do with the bag of pictures her mother had handed her. Albums? Boxes? How to figure it all out? Some basic guidelines I shared with her:

Depending on how much we're talking about, first thing is to figure out what's worth keeping and how to divvy it up. If there's a couple handfuls, decide how you'd like to store them, put them away and label it "Photos from Mom" and be done with it. But, if you've got more than a single album's worth, it's time to dig in.

Start by sorting into piles (this should sound familiar by now!) in whatever way make sense for you. Maybe it's by event (wedding, birthday, vacation) or by person (my parents, my first kid, my dog) or my preferred method - by date. I prefer the last option simply because that's how I like to look through my photos. However, some people want to see all the photos of so-and-so, not all the photos from 2010. That's totally fine! 


There are likely to be photos that don't fit into your categories, or that overlap into more than one. For example, you're sorting by event and there are pictures from a vacation where someone got married. You were planning on having a vacations album and a weddings album. You've got four options to pick from: put it in vacations, put it in weddings, put the wedding photos in the weddings album and the other vacation photos in the vacation album, or make copies and put them in both. I'm going to suggest the first or second. Copies lead to more photos and possibly more confusion, and splitting up a single trip might be confusing when looking through the albums. As in, "Wait, didn't Ted get married when we were on that trip??"

If you find photos that you can't identify and categorize, set them aside in a pile together. Once your other photos are all sorted out, come back to that last pile. Perhaps, by now you'll be able to recognize that you wore that sweater to Christmas one year. Or, that haircut was also in the pictures from 1999. Whatever remains is kind of a free-for-all. Intersperse where you'd like, toss 'em or make them their own little album.

Now, when I say 'album,' I don't necessarily mean a book of photos, though it certainly can be. Depending on the size and quantity of your photos, a photo box might be a better solution. There are a variety of album sizes, so if you're going this route, have an idea of how large or small a book you'd like (read: where are you storing it?) and look for something with acid-free pages. This helps the photos from aging too quickly.


If you'd rather go the box route, also look for something that's acid-free, meant for photos and/or is of archival quality. You've taken all this time to sort through it all, you may as well preserve your work as long as you can!

As you begin to put the photos away, do a flip through to weed out your collection. Toss doubles or give them to someone else that might be interested in the picture. Anything blurry or dark can be tossed. You may also want to toss photos that have multiple copies that are just barely different. Keep the one with the fewest people blinking.

It's quite possible this will be a longer project than you expect. If that's the case, start your project in an area where you can spread out - and stay spread out - for the duration of the project. No need to spread it all out and put it away multiple times.

Closet Tricks

A couple, fun ideas to help you make some quick sense of your closet:
  1. Hang all your clothes with the hanger facing you (the 'wrong' way). As you wear clothes, wash and put them back, turn the hanger the 'right' way, facing away from you. After a season has passed, donate anything you didn't wear - from that season.
  2. If your shoes are on a flat surface (like a shoe rack or the floor), face shoes toe to heal, like in the picture. It will take up less space and allow for more shoes or more open space, depending on your system.   
  3. Hang something on the back of the door or on the wall. Hooks are our friends! Necklaces, belts, purses, hats, scarves, even strappy things like tank tops can all hang on hooks.
  4. Get rid of boxes. Even if it's a fancy pair of heels, there's no real reason to keep shoes in the cardboard boxes they come in. Same with purses, even designer ones. If it's that nice, it'll come with a protective bag that takes much less space than the bulky boxes.  
  5. Contain and divide. If you have sloppy piles and stacks on shelves in the closet, consider using a shelf divider (shown from Amazon) or clothes container (shown from The Container Store) to create a steadier stack.


What Do I Want to Know About You?

In a recent conversation with some fellow organizers, a colleague asked what questions she should be asking her potential clients when first connecting with them. It made me think about what I want to know about you when we first connect. A few key points are really important to allow me to help guide you through the stress of your stuff and create the space you're longing for.

1) How long have you been struggling with disorganization? How long has the space looked as it does now? This will help me assess what kind of disorganization you're struggling with: situational, life-long or simply related to a certain area of your life (like work or paper).

2)  What have you tried in the past to be more organized? Knowing what has or hasn't worked for you in the past will let me hone in on your thought processes in relation to the space we're working in. It's always helpful to know if labels worked really well in the past, but color coding was annoying.

3) What is your goal? Being functional in a space can be different than feeling calm in it. Knowing where your things are is very different than suddenly sharing a space with someone else.

4) Is there a time frame or budget we should work within? If we're getting the home ready to entertain or there's a fixed income, then I can create a game plan to get you to where you want to be within the constraints that exist.

(Basement) Storage

Today we're tackling those storage areas that no one but you ever sees. Basement. Hidden closet. Storage unit. Attic. These guidelines can work for any of those spaces. Let's get started!

1) Some things are likely to be boxed or binned already. If they're labeled, take a peek inside to see if the contents match the label. If not, relabel. If it's unlabeled, take a look. Without going too deep inside, label the box with what you generally see in there: Memories, Games, Clothes, Photos, Toys, etc. These labels might only be temporary, so sticky notes may do the trick.


2) Start making those categories! Get boxes, bins, bags, and loose items near each other that are like-items. All the bins with clothes and the loose coats laying around get stacked up near each other. Same with toys, electronics, whatever else you're finding in there.

3) Take a break! (Remember: timing and energy level are important things to be aware of!)

4) Time to come back: Tackle one pile at a time. This time around, go through the boxes in depth. Pull everything out so you can see all of the category. Are these items you use (probably not if they're in lost storage areas - or at least not used often)? Are they items you love? Are they enhancing your life in some way? Have some empty bags on hand for trash, recycling and donations.

5) Repack and relabel. This time, you might consider labeling boxes more in depth: Johnny's memories; Toys from Childhood, Photos from Mom's House.

6) Stack or shelve accordingly.

7) Start at step 4) for the next pile. Depending on time and energy, it's fine to take breaks between categories.

Enjoy you're newly organized storage!

I'm Not Taking My Own Advice

If you read back through my posts, there's one thing I always reiterate: sort things out into categories first, then go through each pile to pick out what to keep. Yesterday, I started a new project with a client where I didn't take my own advice.

We were working in a basement that was purely storage and relatively full. There were already some really good systems in place from prior organizing attempts. Shelves had labeled bins on them, mostly containing whatever the label said. I saw clear categories on those shelves: entertaining, memories, gift wrap. The problem was there was a lot more of all those categories throughout the basement. Instead of pulling everything out of everything into those large piles I normally recommend (it would have taken a couple days and made a much bigger mess than we were starting with), we started at one corner and began to work our way around.

As we came across items that already had labeled bins on the shelves, we add to the bin. When we filled a bin, we'd start another, label it and put it geographically close to the first. The downfall to this, as the home owner was fully aware, is that after we've done our first sort, getting things into bins in a piecemeal way, we'll go back through all the categories and start to purge. We'll likely have to rearrange space on the shelves, as well as size and amount of containers. The plus side of doing it this way is that we're making clear, visible progress. An entire corner of the basement was cleared. All that remained were labeled bins on shelves.

This served as a good reminder of two points:
          1) There is no one right way to organize a space
          2) Guidelines are likely to show you the way, but there's no reason you can't step off the path to
              get a different view.


The Good & The Bad of Moving

A quick little list to let you know you're not alone in your trials and tribulations of moving to a new home:

THE GOOD THE BAD
You're moving on to the next chapter in your life You're leaving the last chapter behind you
You get to redesign how you use the space you live in You have to redesign how you use the space you live in
You are able to rid yourself of unneeded items you no longer use You have to pack everything you own
Meeting new neighbors All those change of address forms
Decorating to best accentuate your new life You have to unpack everything you own
Starting fresh Cleaning the old home before handing over the keys
Friends & family who help with all those steps Helping when it's their turn

Well, maybe it's not as bad as that when you've got another set of hands around to help!

Couples Help

In the July 2014 issue of Real Simple Magazine, there's an article entitled "Disorganized Couple
Seeks Professional Assistance." Marjorie Ingall, the author, discusses how working with a professional organizer might help her and her husband find more time and less stress between the two of them.

Over the course of her story, they do in fact find the assistance helpful. (No surprise from me!). They tackle a variety of areas throughout their home and create a more relaxed, open space. I will note that Marjorie also states her and her husband are in couples therapy. I mention this only because I want to stress that the author is well aware that working with an organizer is not a substitution for therapy - unless your organizer happens to also be a therapist.

From time to time, I do work with couples. Usually, one or the other contacts me; rarely are both on board from the start. Fortunately, the other partner tends to come around after we meet or there is a more thorough explanation of what the organizing process will look like. But, every now and then, one partner is just not interested in organizational assistance.

It's not my job to convince someone they need an organizer's help. It is my job to help those who ask for it. When I encounter a couple where one party isn't interested, we simply organize around his/her belongings. For example, if we're tackling a master closet, we'll organize the items belonging to the one I am working with, but not the items belonging to the other.

Sometimes this creates more tension and arguments. To that, I ask both partners:
  • What is this battle worth? 
  • Is it terribly important to your home life and sanity to leave your space untouched and disorganized in the eyes of your partner? Or, is it terribly important that the partner who would like some help feels more comfortable in their own space? 
  • Can you communicate a plan that will allow both parties to meet in the middle?
The object here is not to move you further apart, but rather closer together - in a space that allows you to do so.

Why We Like Pretty Things

Sometimes my work is dirty and dusty. Sometimes I wear gloves and a mask to work to help protect me from whatever elements I'm in that day. Other times, I'm fortunate to work in immaculate spaces that still have a couple corners of disorganization to tackle.

Most of the time I caution my clients from purchasing products before we get started. Chances are we won't need many or any new products. As we reorganize and declutter, we may very well end up with empty containers from how the space was set up before.

Recently, I was helping to better organize a great walk-in pantry. The pantry itself had plenty of room to hold to the food and other kitchen items we hoped it would. Although the home owner had previously used beautiful wood bins to contain some categories on shelves, she was still frustrated that it felt cluttered and messy. This is a great exercise in 1) how we all have different definitions of 'organized,' and 2) why we work better in spaces that are pleasing to the eye.

When I first looked in the pantry during our consultation, I agreed with my client that it looked pretty good. Like items were near each other or in bins, and shelves were labeled. But, as we worked through the house, we realized that it felt a bit haphazard in there to the many sets of hands that reached in on a daily basis. It was time to reassess.

By creating a space that was more streamlined, we created a look that had a lot less going on. Visually, the clutter was cut down. We took most items out of bins and placed them into matching, clear containers. Matching labels would identify contents. One of the few times that taking things out of bins created more room!

Not only did this end up creating more shelf space, but we left the pantry looking almost magazine worthy! The whole family could easily see what items were in stock, what was running low and where to find it. No more bulky bins the kids would find unwieldy. Now, there was a sense of calm - even in the pantry!

What About....the Other Things?

I was asked a great question today: Where do I put all the things that don't have a category? Hmm... I can understand why that can be a challenge for most of us!

As an organizer, I tend to instruct those I'm working with to start their organizing process by sorting like items together into large categories. Today, while in an office, I was asked about all the other things that end up in that space that aren't necessarily office related. We came across batteries, gift cards, change, snacks, memorabilia and more. Mostly things that aren't going to fit in a file.

First, I asked, "If you were trying to look for item 'x,' where would be the first place you'd look for it?" This tends to be a good indicator of where it makes sense to you. It's your space and belongings, so we want the organized system to work for your brain! If my client would have said, "Oh, in this drawer because (insert really clever thought process that makes tons of sense)," we would have put item 'x' there and called it a day. However, it wasn't that easy.

This particular client has a great memory and responded, "I'd look for it here, where it's all piled up, because that's where I remember putting it." Well, kudos on the good memory! Remembering the homes for items is half the upkeep battle (the other half being putting the items back into those homes after using them). However, it posed a challenge for creating homes that made sense for the owner and how he used these items.

We decided that part of the problem was a lack of boundaries. Change was piled up haphazardly, and batteries were rolling under foot. What we needed were boundaries these items couldn't cross - in the form of containers! Batteries were bagged and put in with office supplies. Gift cards were put in an old, empty business card holder and set inside a drawer near a bag that now held the change we found. The memorabilia and keepsakes we came across were also given boundaries. We retrieved a bin that fit well into the space to hold these memories. However, once it gets full, some decisions will need to be made as far as what gets kept and what moves on to another home in another space.

These boundaries are set in order for us move more freely in our space and create a system that works with our thought processes and not against them. Sometimes the problem isn't that we don't know what we have or where it is, it's that we don't have anything to hold it all together and stop it from spilling on to the floor!

*Photo by Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos


House Guests

Many of us feel rushed to make our homes look perfect before a house guest arrives, myself included. But, because we all have lives (read: work, family, friends), that's usually pretty unrealistic. Instead of aiming for 'perfect,' try to aim for 'reasonably clean and organized.' It will not only make you less stressed before your guest arrives, but it allows your guest to feel a little more at home, and less at a museum. Here are a few ways to do so:

1) Don't clean the whole house from top to bottom, if you don't have time. Instead, do wipe down counter tops, clean toilet bowls or showers that are in need of a cleaning, and sweep the floor. It should be clean without taking the time to scrub and sweat.

2) Do have clean linens available for your guest - sheets and towels. If you're short on time, don't make the bed or set up the bathroom area. Leaving a freshly folded set of linens in the bathroom or bedroom the guest will use can suffice.

3) Don't feel the need to have a major spread of snacks and refreshments available at all times. Do take the time to have a couple things on hand though. Store bought will do the trick!

4) Don't make the guest room/space immaculate, if you're pressed for time. Do make sure the space has a cleared floor to move around the room, ample lighting and ventilation. Your guest will want space to move around the bed, dress and possibly unpack a bit for longer stays.

5) Keep in mind that your guest understands that people live in this home! You have your normal routines that will likely still be somewhat intact while your guest stays with you. If it seems something your guest is unfamiliar with or curious about, explain as much as you are comfortable sharing, and even invite them to join in. For example, everyday, come rain or shin, you walk a mile before breakfast. Let your house guest know about this routine. He/She may like the fresh air, too!

Toss it Out!

This week I decided to help you make some space in your home in five easy, painless steps. No hard decisions to make! No rearranging the whole room! Five things you can toss out right now!

1) Expired food. There's an expiration date for a reason. Once you've cleared out the old food, you can see what holes you need to fill in your pantry. Read more on organizing your grocery shopping and kitchen here.

2) Expired beauty products. Many beauty products don't have expiration dates on them. For those that don't, you can find out how long it's safe to keep open beauty products here.

3) Single socks. Searched high and low, but the Sock Monster has made off with some again, huh? If
the sock isn't in the machine, the hamper or where ever you store your socks, it's probably gone. Let the singles go into a fabric donation bag or reuse (cleaning rags or sock puppets come to mind!).

4) Old newspapers, magazines & catalogs. How long have they been sitting there? When's the last time you actually looked at them? Let me rephrase: When's the last time you actually had time to look at them? If there's something in that stack that's really important, clip the single article. Otherwise, you can always get the information online and/or at the local library.

5) Broken toys. Tiny pieces and parts seem to fall off on a regular basis. Unless it's a super special toy, and easily repairable, I suggest chucking it. Replacements can be purchases if it's important, but beyond repair. Otherwise, chances are there are still other toys around.


*Photo courtesy of Gualberto107/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Small Ways to Save Time

Sometimes I have long days. I'm sure, some times your days are even longer than mine! Here are a couple quick, small things I do from time to time to help me relax a couple more minutes longer throughout the day.

  • If I know I want to do laundry in the evening, and I find that I have 5 minutes before I need to leave the house, I'll sort it into baskets. They're ready and waiting for me when I get home.
  • The day before I want to stop at the grocery store, I plan out what recipes I'd like to make in the coming week. I list the items I'll need to buy, and stick the list, and any coupons, in my reusable bags and hang it on the door knob. It's an easy grab on my way out the door the next day.
  • If I'm taking a lunch to work, I set out my water bottle and lunch bag on the counter the night before. I'm reminded to pack something when I make breakfast.
  •  When I travel, I tend to use the same piece of luggage. In that bag, I always stow my headphones for the plane, my lap top bag and a laundry bag for dirty clothes to return home. A couple less steps in packing!
  • While working at my desk, I work through all my "to-dos" first. Things that need filing, mailing or need to otherwise be placed elsewhere are set  aside until I'm done for the day. Then I get up and put everything away in one swoop. No up and down and getting side tracked.
What do you do to save a couple minutes through the day?

On Being Nervous

Inviting a professional organizer into your space can be an incredibly nerve-racking thing. I understand that. It makes sense. I'm probably a stranger to you - at least at the start! It's absolutely okay to be nervous.

Most are nervous because they are afraid they'll be judged. Others, perhaps, are wary that I'm going to run out the door, that the project is too big and all hope is lost! Well, I can tell you I've honestly never run out of a client's space. And, the only reason I care how your space got to look and feel the way it does, is so that I can help prevent it from happening again. Things happen. People get busy. There are other priorities. Life happens. I get it. That's why my job even exists.

These are all healthy, totally expected types of nervousness that I encounter.

Sometimes, there's the less-motivating type of nerves, too. Perhaps, you haven't begun your organizing project because you feel you can't complete it perfectly. If it can't be done just so, you start to feel anxiety over even attempting to start. I promise that taking a step in the "this project is closer to done than not done" direction is just that - closer to done than where ever you were before. You have that much less on your plate, and that's a good thing!

Other times, nerves show up in the form of fear of making a "bad" decision. I say "bad" because it probably really isn't a bad decision. Recently, while helping purge some papers from many, old boxes, a client confessed that she had been paralyzed from progressing in her project because she was afraid of throwing out the wrong papers. I asked her, "What's the worst thing that will happen if you get rid of a receipt or statement that you need again down the road?" She answered she would have to call the bank to get another copy. If that's the worst thing that can happen, then we're not doing so bad. Don't get me wrong, there are certainly some things that need to be held on to. But again, that's why my job exists: to get you to where you want to be.

It's okay to be nervous. Just don't let it stop you from creating the space you want to live in.

Something Silly

After sitting at my desk for awhile, I realized I just don't have much to write about this week! [read: tell me what you want to read more about!] I decided that, since it's officially summer, I'd share something just for fun.

You may very well know that I love all things soft and fluffy, specifically dogs. As you could guess, I'm in my car a lot, traveling from client to client. Sometimes...on a good day...the boredom of the commute collides with the wonderful, silly world of dogs.



 Other times, I see things that are less fluffy, but still pretty fun!


                                                            Like the Flinstone's car!
 Or, the Ghostbuster's car!

Even the WeinerMobile!

I Don't Wanna!

I don't want to.

Some things I just don't like doing. For me, it's laundry. And, washing dishes. But, they have to get done. So, I do them. Thankfully, I have a dishwasher that makes dish-washing much easier. And, at least I don't have to wash my clothes by hand. I don't like these tasks. But, I like having clean dishes to eat off and clean clothes to wear everyday. So, I do it.

I'd like to think that those who don't like organizing (gasp!) would still complete their projects because they understand that having an organized space is a necessity. It makes life easier.

Don't get me wrong - I don't expect people's homes to look like museums or magazine photos. I would hope that people would strive to make their homes function best for them. That might mean the mail stays on the dining room table. It might mean that toys stay in the family room at all times. If that's what works best for you, then that's how it should be.

Sometimes I work with someone who has all the skills to create a more organized space. They even have the time to tackle it.....if they wanted to. Therein lies the rub. Want to. We schedule some time together to power through the problem area and make life better. It's okay that they don't want to do these tasks alone. I'm absolutely here to make the process easier and quicker. The fact that they've reached out says that they care enough to get it done, but realize if left to their own devises, it won't happen. They do understand that life is better with a streamlined space. They just don't want to do it alone.

It's like exercising. It's much easier to get it done when someone else is telling me how many lunges to do and encouraging me along the way.

I promise if we work together I won't make you do any lunges.


Baubles, Bangles and Beads

I don't consider myself too much of a girly-girl. But, I do enjoy sparkly things! This week I had a great time organizing a jewelry collection for a client.

She had a somewhat organized jewelry chest already. It was only in minor disarray. But, there was also a box of jewelry that had been stored away that we wanted to include in her collection. This included heirloom items, as well as things her kids had made for her over the years and even some from her own childhood.

First thing's first: We emptied the jewelry chest and box into piles. Rings together, bracelets, necklaces, and so on. As we sorted items into these categories, we started to recognize some items were sets. We separated the sets out of the regular piles.

Beadaholique 3 by 4-Inch 500 Poly Bag Clear Resealable Zipper Shipping BagsTo make storage easiest, the client preferred keeping individual pieces and sets in small, plastic jewelry bags, available at craft stores. These are available on Amazon:

The next part was the most laborious part: we bagged each item of jewelry. Each necklace, ring, pin and set of earrings were sealed into their own plastic bag! It took a while, but boy did it make the next part quick and painless.

In order to compare like-items, we categorized the now-bagged pieces into new piles: Pearls, rhinestones, silver, gold, beaded, etc. I lined up each category on the bed, so she could easily see how much was in each category. After that, she could make decisions as to what she wanted to keep, donate or sell. Whatever was left over, we stored back in her jewelry chest. What made the most sense for her (how she wears her pieces), was to store them in the categories we sorted in to - pearls, gold, silver, etc. Now, she can wear what she loves and pass along the items she won't wear again!


Post-Conference De-Briefing

Last week I attended the NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) annual conference. This was the seventh conference I've attended as a member of this association. Each year there is a theme to conference. This year was 'Shine Ever Brighter.'

Although conference is only three days long, it is packed with classes, networking, brainstorming, inspiration and fun. Okay, and lots of dessert...

After I attend conference each year, I take a day or two to go through the notes of not only the classes I attended while there, but all the classes offered. The notes give me a peak into the content and help me decide if I want to borrow the recording from our chapter's library. I also use these notes to help create a list of goals for my coming year. Goals for my business, on topics to explore more in depth, products to try, techniques to implement with clients. I keep it posted next to my desk until all the line items are highlighted as done.

I don't know if I immediately walked out of the conference center shining any brighter than when I walked in. (Definitely a little more sun-kissed, though). I do feel confident however, that I learned enough to help my clients shine brighter in the year to come. I've learned more about their challenges and how to help them break through to achieve their goals. And, in doing so, I will allow myself to 'Shine Ever Brighter' right along side them.


Business Trips

Every year I take at least one business trip. For the most part, when it comes to packing, it's not all that different than getting ready for a vacation. But, there are a couple subtle differences.

First thing to do is take care of the basics: clothes, shoes, bathroom sundries and so on. Pack these as you would for any trip. See my other posts about traveling. The only thing you might want to augment is the type of clothes you're packing. If your trip is to attend business meetings and courses, you'll want to pack the appropriate amount of professional wear. If you're traveling to do some hands-on work (in my case: organizing, sorting and unpacking), you might want to pack some more utilitarian outfits.

After the basics are taken care of, tackle the specifics. If you're attending classes, do you need to bring your own notepad and pen or tablet/laptop for note taking? Business cards? Resumes? If you're doing hands-on work, will you be able to bring whatever supplies you normally have at the ready at your place of work? For instance, my work bag includes rubber bands, markers, sticky notes and a measuring tape. I need to decide if I'm able to pack and bring these items or access them at my temporary location. Perhaps that warrants a phone call to the destination or even sending a package ahead of time.

Will I be staying at a hotel or with colleagues elsewhere? If a colleague has offered their home to me, I should ask what items I'm expected to bring (towels, for example) and what will be in the guest room.

Lastly, don't forget any documentation you might need for this business trip. Contracts, correspondences, informational sheets, examples for the clients to peruse. The last thing you want on a work trip is to forget that it's not vacation, but work after all!

Little Changes Make a Big Difference in the Closet


Over that past couple of weeks, I've worked in some closets and noticed a handful of changes that seem to come up often - and make a huge difference! Let's explore:

- Move the shelves! If you have shelving in your closet, and the shelves are adjustable, you'll likely want to do so. When built-in systems are installed, shelves are usually set at standard spacing. But, if you're using the shelves for things of differing sizes, standard spacing will hinder you. Tall purses, short shoe boxes, differing stacks of shirts and pants. They all are different heights. Why would your shelves stay where they are? Some systems will also allow for hanging bars to be adjusted.

- Hangers. When it comes to suit coats, blazers and heavier tops, many of us tend to use hangers like this one:
But, those take up tons of space! If you're tight on hanging space, look for thinner hangers. There are plenty of options available: fuzzy-lined ones so clothes don't slip off, kid-friendly plastic ones in bright colors, utilitarian metal. Anything that will allow more of your clothes to hang on the bar.

- Specialty hangers. I often come across specialty hangers for scarves, ties, belts, usually accessories of some kind. Only sometimes are these helpful. Sometimes they won't hold your entire collection, which is a bummer, and sometimes they just end up getting in the way. Consider folding scarves or rolling ties and belts. Store them in a drawer or bin. Depending on what space you have available, this might make a world of difference.

- Bins. Every now and then we need some kind of container in the closet. I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Measure your space before you buy any containers! That said, consider what you'd like to store and where it will go. On top of the highest shelf? Get something with a lid to prevent dust accumulation on the contents. On the floor, under hanging clothes? Get a short bin so hanging clothes aren't bunched up on top of it. On a shelf? Get something without a lid so you can easily slide it on and off the shelf. Storing fabric (clothes) in it? Get a container that won't snag. Stay away from wicker and straw baskets.
 
 Of course there are other ways to improve closets, too. But, that will depend on your physical space and what you want to fit in there. Hopefully, this will give you a good head start!

Is This the Worst You've Seen?

Almost every single person I've worked with has asked me if their space is the worst I've seen. The answer is no, usually it isn't. Never the less, most people want to know where they stack up. The short answer is I'm not going to compare clients. Everyone has a different situation with different belongings, in a different space. The one thing I will do is share a scale to let you decide where you land, compared to yourself only.

There is an educational group called the ICD, the Institute for Challenging Disorganization. They help to educate both professionals and the public about the challenges that chronically disorganized people face, as well as struggles those with particular challenges come across (learning disabilities or brain injuries, for example).

Awhile back, the ICD developed a Clutter Hoarding Scale to help professionals determine how many resources might be needed on a particular project. The scale rates spaces in five levels, from low to severe, in five categories: structure and zoning, animals and pests, household functions, health and safety and personal protective equipment. The scale itself can be rather in depth, and is available for free download on the ICD's website. But, here's a general basis to get you started:

Level 1: Low
  • All ways in and out of the home are accessible, plumbing/electrical/HVAC working
  • Appropriate animal control and no evidence of pests
  • No excessive clutter, consistent household maintenance
  • Maintained sanitation, no odors
Level 2: Guarded
  • One major exit blocked, some systems non-functioning
  • Inappropriate animal control, light evidence of pests
  • Clutter obstructs some functions of rooms, inconsistent household maintenance
  • Non-maintained sanitation, some odors detected
Level 3: Elevated
  • Items normally stored inside are outside, slight structural damage to home
  • Inadequate sanitation, evidence of pests
  • At least one room not used for intended purpose, substandard housekeeping
  • Obvious odors, accumulated trash, debris, dust
Level 4: High
  • HVAC disabled for one year or more, structural damage for more than six months
  •  Audible and visible pest infestations
  • Several rooms not being used for intended purpose, improper use of appliances, moving from room to room inhibited
  • Dishes, linens unusable; mold/mildew obvious; rotting food
Level 5: Severe
  • Inadequate.non-existent ventilation, irreparable damage to structure
  • Heavy infestations
  • All rooms not used for intended purpose, exits/halls blocked, appliances and plumbing not usable
  • Waste and rot present, bed not accessible, pervasive mold
If any of the later three stages reminds you of your home or someone you love, please contact a professional such as an organizer, mental health professional or counselor. The ICD can also provide information on how to best approach someone in need.

Can You Believe It??

As a professional organizer, I subscribe to an industry magazine, Getting Organized Magazine. It's quarterly, and usually has some interesting new products to showcase or a new technique or two to try with clients. In the Winter 2014 issue, there were some surprising statistics provided, that I thought were worth sharing with all of you!
-  The average cost to declutter a home before sale is $402; the average benefit in sales total is $2,024 (a 403% ROI).
Forty-two percent of homeowners experience more anxiety when their homes are unorganized.
-  A study at Princeton University found that in cluttered environments "the chaos restricts your ability to focus. The clutter also limits your brain's ability to process information."
-  Getting rid of clutter can eliminate up to 40% of household work.
Sixteen percent of moms with at least three kids won't let them invite friends over due to clutter.
-  Only 25% of garages are used to park a car.
Twenty-three percent of American adults have paid bills late because they couldn't find them.

How does your home stack up? It's certainly not a competition, but sometimes it's nice to know where you are on the journey!

Organizing Puppies!!

Okay, I didn't really get the chance to organize a bunch of puppies.....though that does sound like my dream job!

But, having a pet means having pet supplies. Food, treats, medicine, shampoos, collars, bowls, toys...you get the picture. I've been in lots of homes with many types of pets. Sometimes, their supplies end up all over the house, without a rhyme or reason.

1) Keep food supplies all in one place, preferably close to where the pet eats/is fed. Most of the time, that will be in or near the kitchen or laundry areas of the home. However, if your pet lives in a cage or tank (think hamsters and fish), then feeding is wherever the pet lives. Food, dishes and treats should be kept together near by.

2) Toys are probably scattered throughout the house at any given time. If your pet is anything like my Nuppy (Niece Puppy!), Ruthie, toys are constantly being played with, fetched and swapped out for something better. At the very least, have a place that toys can be corralled when it's time to clean up. Keep the basket or bin accessible to whomever is likely to help with clean up.

  3) Wearables are anything that goes on the body of the pet. Collars, leashes, coats, booties all qualify. Keep them together where you'd 'dress' your pet. If leashes and collars only go on on the way out the door, keep a small basket or hook on the wall for the items. Easy to grab on the way out, and easy to put away on the way back inside. Pick-up bags can be stored here, too.

4) And, of course, there's personal items. Yes, even pets have personal items! Shampoo, toothpaste, medicine, vitamins are all personal items for your pet. Hopefully, these are items that aren't needed on a daily basis, but might get some semi-regular use. Where and how often these things are used will help you determine the best storage place. Sometimes it makes sense to keep them in a kitchen cabinet, clearly separated from human goods. Other times, it's best to keep pet personal items with leashes and coats in the laundry room. Or, if you're bathing your cat in the bath tub, maybe storing the shampoo and cat medicine in the bathroom, also clearly separated from human medicine, is the most convenient place.

Keep the items together and keep them labeled so they stay separate from humans' things. Also, be sure to let all the pet's caregivers know where to find these things. Most importantly, give your pet a good, long hug! Well...unless you have fish.  In which case, just wave hello.


My Afternoon Plans

Later this weekend, I'll be hosting a clothing swap. I've done this for a few years, a few times a year. Here's essentially how it works:

I invite over a group of ladies, who are also encouraged to invite other ladies that might be interested. They are invited to bring over any clothing items, jewelry, accessories, bags or shoes that they no longer wear or want in their wardrobe. It doesn't matter what size or style. As long as the items are clean and in wearable condition, they are welcome. When everyone arrives, we dump out our belongings into piles throughout my home. A pile for coats, a pile for pants, one for dresses and one for shoes....you get the picture. Then, it's a free-for-all! Everyone is invited to sift through the piles for whatever items they might like to take home with them. There are mirrors available for those trying on things. Whatever is left after everyone has taken what they want, goes into bags taken to charity.

We all clear out some space in our closets, and we all take home some new pieces...all for free!

So, today, I've got some time open in my schedule. Since there's a swap this weekend, I'm going to take some time to look through my closet. I'll pull out a couple things that I know I didn't wear this winter, because I probably wouldn't wear them next winter. There might be a handful of things I'm not sure of the fit anymore; I'll try those things on to make a decision. I'll look through my shoes, my winter accessories, etc. Chances are, I'll have a medium sized bag ready to go.

Not only do I look forward to finding some great items my friends no longer wear, but I'm glad to help a local charity with our unneeded items. Just look how much we took in from one of our past swaps!


Making Drawers Where There are None

Sometimes what we need are drawers. Sometimes all we have are shelves and hanging rods for our clothes.

Aside from demolishing a space and building drawers or buying a dresser, there are a couple ways to create the effect of drawers without them.

Of course, you can purchase items that are individual drawers, like these, available at The Container Store:
But not every space will fit such an item. Walls tend to get in the way. And, small items could get lost in something this size. True, many sizes, colors and materials available in similar products. However, creativity comes in handy, too!

In this closet, we needed to store a lady's undergarments - tops and bottoms. This was our only place to store her clothes, with no option for a dresser drawer elsewhere. Because I try not to purchase new items for my clients, we sorted through emptied and unused organizing products from elsewhere in the house. Fortunately, we found a couple baskets that could fit her collection well. The challenge was to make them move like drawers. Under a bathroom sink, we located an unused cupboard shelf that fit into the closet! Eureka! We could now place one basket under the shelf, one above, creating another level. Because of the smooth surface of the shelf, the metal cabinet shelf and the smooth baskets, they could slide back and forth to get at the items more easily.


Hooray! Who needs real drawers, anyway?

Lights, Camera, Action!

Earlier this week, I appeared on the local WGN morning news broadcast. (Check it out!) A colleague and I were representing our local chapter of the professional association we belong to, NAPO-Chicago. If you're in the organizing industry, hopefully at some point, doing segments like this will be part of your job. As such, I thought some might find it helpful or interesting having a better understanding of what that process is like.

First Contact: This particular segment began with a call from the segment producer. She introduced herself and her role, asking if I would be interested/available to appear in the segment on the given date. I checked that I could, and we chatted for a few minutes discussing possible topics or tips to share in the piece. Now, it's on the calendar!

Prepping: Because a colleague and I were appearing together to promote our chapter, we worked with the chapter's PR company to refine our tips, practice a couple times and make sure everything we wanted to say would make sense and fit in the time allotted. However, in the past, I've worked on this part alone. It's important to know how long the producers intend the segment to be so you can make sure the information you want to share fits, without rushing. It's also important to know if they'd like you to bring your own props or photos; and if so, how many. Practice a couple times at home. Get comfortable with what you're conveying, and get to a point where you don't need note cards. If you already have the props, know which order they will be laid out or shown, and use this as a tool to help remember what you want to say. Oh, and pick out what you'll wear at least the day before! Try it on to make sure it fits how you want it to.

Day Of: The producer will let you know when and where you need to be that day. Show up on time and in the right place! Have whatever supplies you'll need with you, or ready to be unloaded in their docking bay. Hopefully, they've scheduled enough time for you to come in, set up and relax for a few minutes before going on air. Earlier this week, we had enough time to place our props on set, go back to the green room and sit for about 15 minutes and touch up our hair and make-up. It was nice to just sit for a minute before nerves and excitement kick in! This was a live segment; in the past I've also participated in taped segments, which run on a bit of a different type of schedule. We went down to the set, the anchor and cameras came over to our set, and the lights went on!

It was over in about six minutes. It was fun and it went smoothly. We were able to promote a great group and chapter, and provide some interesting organizing ideas. In the past, when alone, I've felt that the tips given and the back-and-forth with the interviewers has always been helpful in promoting organization, myself and my industry.

And, for those of you who might remember WGN's broadcasting from years ago..... this was still around!



Clean-Up is Key

Last time, I wrote about reasons why a space might need to be tackled more than once. Yesterday, as  I worked with a client in her office, I was reminded of another important organizing lesson. Having time specifically for clean-up is key to staying organized.

If you have children, or even have ever taken care of a child for any extended period of time, I'm sure you can remember a time when play was over, and it was time to clean-up. Some may have made it into a game. My toddler nephew even has a clean-up song! This tells me we're trying to instill the idea of putting things away when we're done at a very early age. Mom and Dad don't want to trip over toys after Baby's gone to bed. Why then would we want to sift through piles of paper tomorrow when there's still time to file things today?

Probably, because we're busier than when we were at two or three. We also don't have parents looking over us to make sure we do it right away. But, we do have bosses or co-workers or a place to live where we share space with another person. And, these people care what their space looks like, just as you do. More importantly, they care about what their space feels like.
 

I suggest a simple practice to help overcome the "I'll leave it for later" attitude. When the clock is getting closer to quitting time, on whatever it is you're working on - actual work for a job, playing a game, trying to get to bed in the evening - reach for a timer. Anything you can set to warn you that you have 15 minutes or 10 or 20. When the timer goes off, finish your thought to finish what you were working on. Take these last 15 minutes of the work day to put away the files you're done with. Stack up or sort out tomorrow's tasks. Clear your desk so the first thing you see tomorrow isn't a pile of disheveled papers. Take this idea to any area of your life. Before going to bed, set that timer again for 15 minutes. Use these last few minutes to get dishes in the sink or dishwasher, put clothes into hampers and toys back into baskets. Tomorrow morning you'll be greeted with cleared surfaces and less on your to-do plate.

And, yes, 15 minutes is enough. It makes a difference, and it makes a dent. You can even sing a song while you do it!

Sometimes It Comes Back....

Dun Dun Dunnnn!!!

Earlier this week, I was asked why there is a need to tackle the same space over again, and over again. I think the conversation even ended on a "won't it ever stop!?" kind of note. There are a couple reasons that spaces may need occasional reorganization.

First and foremost, if the items in the area are consumable, then chances are as inventory is used up and replaced, the area may need some touch-ups. Think of a kitchen pantry. As jars, cans and boxes of food are used, they are replaced with other items. Sometimes with more boxes of the same product. But, other times we realize we don't want the same groceries in the house. We didn't like that brand or flavor. Our diets change, and so do our menus. Therefore, the amount and shape of items stored in the kitchen pantry tend to change. It might mean adding a bin or moving a shelf. It could mean simply needing more space for the bottles of juice or boxes of cereal. This is totally normal and is to no fault of anyone. Well, maybe your stomach....

Another major reason spaces need reorganization is frequency of use. If I reach in to my coat closet every single day to grab my coat, shoes and bag, chances are I'm going to move some things around. Probably, I'm going to throw something else in there from time to time, too. A lunch box or book that I was going to toss in my bag, but forgot. Simply because I visit the space so often and regularly means that the odds of things getting less-organized are much higher than, say, my china cabinet.

What I try to work most on with my clients is, lastly, habits. If for three years I have been stacking my mail on the dining room table, it's going to be a bit of a challenge for me to get in the habit of putting the mail in a paper sorter in the office on a daily basis. Maybe the system should be adjusted if this is an unrealistic goal. But, if in all honesty, sorting my paperwork in the office is not only realistic, but more logical to how and when I use the papers, I should be trying my best to create this new habit. And, if other people use the same office or bring mail in from the box, they should be helping to support this new habit. Hopefully, we've both discussed where items will go now and how often. It will be awkward and maybe even a pain at first. But, after awhile it will become habit. Habits are just as hard to make as they are to break.

Prepping for Tax Time

I realize it's a bit early for most people when it comes to preparing for tax time. However, when your paperwork is organized, it can be done in a snap!

Since 2013 is done, it's a great time to cull your files and purge what you won't need for taxes and 2014. Go through each file, one at a time to assess it's contents. First pull out any information you'll need to complete your 2013 taxes. Ask your accountant/lawyer/tax preparer what exactly you'll need (These ideas are all examples and your situation may be different. Believe it or not, my word is not law!). But, a good rule of thumb is that if you were audited, what would you need to prove your income, deductions and expenses? Set these items aside in your 2013 Taxes folder or file.


Once tax items are pulled out, assess the file for anything you can now get rid of simply because enough time has passed. Anything no longer relevant or expired should be recycled or shredded. If you have files for utility bills and financial accounts, most of these papers can be shredded, as well. For example, unless there is a dispute with your service provider, you don't really need copies of the past year's utility bills. Unless the statements prove something you need for tax purposes, banking statements from checking, savings and credit/debit cards might also be eligible for shredding at the end of the year. Investment accounts should be sending a year-end statement. Some will even provide 1099s. These year end documents should likely be saved with your tax papers. Once you have those, and there are no disputes to it's contents, the monthly or quarterly statements you received during the year might also be added to the shred pile.

Now that you've pulled out anything no longer useful (think about it - when was the last time you really needed to check an electric bill from 12 months ago?) your files should be nice and empty - ready to take on 2014. Thankfully, as a side benefit, you've also managed to collect (hopefully) most of the paperwork you'll need for taxes this year. Hooray! Fingers crossed for a nice, big refund!

Getting Out The Door

I have a confession to make. I sometimes have a hard time getting out the door on time. Fortunately, I have figured out why.

I don't hit 'snooze.' I don't get too distracted by email or Facebook. What does happen is I try to get more things done than I have time to do before I should be putting on my coat and grabbing my bag. I'm not really dilly-dallying. I'm trying to be productive, but end up being unrealistic about how long things might take to accomplish.
For example, I might think responding to an email will take only a minute or two, but it really takes five. That doesn't seem like much until I sit down determined to write five emails. Twenty-five minutes is much different than five! That's the difference between being right on time and almost a half hour late.

What I've started to do is pay attention to how long these tasks take me. Personally, I'm not going so far as to chart my time to see where and how long I'm spending it. But, for some, that is helpful. Now I'll have a better idea of what I can get accomplished before heading to the car, instead of running out the door in a mad dash. Maybe I take the garbage out, and save the emails for later.

Organize This....Again??

I am often asked if I have repeat clients. Yes. Absolutely yes.

Doesn't that mean I'm not doing my job? If I have to come back? Well, no. Not necessarily.

Sometimes, we are adjusting a lot at one time. Over time, it can be a challenge to change all those details at once. We do what we can and may have a small refresher session later. There are also many things that can change over time that can, and will, effect a person's organizational systems. When those things change, we may have to revisit the space.

What could possibly change that much? Tons!

A birth, a death, a marriage, a divorce. Someone goes to college. Someone comes home from college. A new pet. Getting a new job. Losing an old job. Starting a new hobby. Getting injured or sick. Finally feeling better. Moving. Buying new furniture. Getting gifts. Giving things away.

You get the picture.

All of these are things that can physically effect your space. You are bringing new things in to your space or removing things from that area that may very well change the make up of that system. Maybe it can be a lot easier now. Or, maybe we have to accommodate a few more steps. Either way, we can change it to make it work.

Emotions and mental well-being might also change the space. Perhaps you are going through a tough time, and this system is too much to work on right now. Or, maybe you've moved past the difficult times and are ready to start new again. Perhaps if you were ill before, there was only so much you could do in a sitting, but now you can dedicate more time to your desk...your craft....your cooking...whatever it might be.

So, should the time come that a system or room needs to be tackled again, don't worry about it. Things change. The important thing is to recognize that things have changed, and it's time to rework your systems.


Big Tall Rolls and Small Pretty Bows


 




After the holidays are over, most of us have scraps of wrapping paper, bows and tissue strewn about. Sometimes, they have easy storage solutions: everything in a bin in the closet. Sometimes, it's not that easy - especially if you're tight on storage space to begin with.

The key is to 1) keep all wrapping supplies together and 2) keep it in a place that is convenient to where you'd do the wrapping.

First, let's talk wrapping paper: For flat wrap, there are a ton of options. Bins, baskets, drawers and even hanging file folders can hold flat wrap neatly. When it comes to tubes, or small scraps left from using most of a roll, you might have to be more creative on storage space. Use empty paper towel and toilet paper tubes to wrap paper in and around when the pieces are small. Secure with rubber bands. Storing long rolls can be a challenge. Some may not fit in your standard wrapping paper bin, even. Stand tubes upright in unused garbage cans or pails. If there just a few, a small space between a dresser and the wall could hide them sufficiently. I've even hung large, paper shopping bags on sturdy hangers to hold wrapping paper rolls in closets. If you've got more horizontal storage than vertical, hide rolls under a bed or couch. The fabric tote pictured from The Container Store might be a good solution for storage under furniture.


Jokari Gift Wrap OrganizerBags and Tissue: These are pretty common since they're so easy to use. The best is to store these items upright or flat. If it makes more sense for your space to store them upright, file the bags in a shopping bag, narrow rectangular trash can or bin. Depending on amount, tissue can go in front of the bags or in it's own container. If your space requires the items to be horizontal, try to keep them in the same container as the rolls of wrap. Otherwise, any short, wide container will work. The Jokari Gift Wrap Organizer to the left has room to store bags, wrap and more, even.

Bows and Ribbons: My favorite part of wrapping! Depending on how much you have, these items need some room. No one wants to top off a gift with a squished bow or scraggly ribbon. Roll ribbon around itself and secure with a paper clip. Store all ribbon in a box or small tub. To keep bows that are already constructed in shape, give them a container that has room. I like to reuse old popcorn tubs for this. They're sturdy and small enough to stow away. It's very similar to Recycle-Eh!'s way of storing bows and ribbon, as shown from her blog.


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