Keeping Memories

Much of what I come across when working with clients is a memory. A report card, a piece of artwork, a gift, a prom dress, Mom's old cookbook. It comes in a variety of forms. It comes with a variety of feelings.

There are also memories associated with loss. Pictures from a wedding of a couple that is now divorced. Toys from a child who has passed away. Correspondence from a roommate that left on unhappy terms. Work from a job you were fired from.

Stacking memories into boxes and bins seems to be a very human thing to do. We want the memories. We want to remember who we are, who we were and where we came from. And, that makes sense. And, though I don't necessarily think we should try to edit or alter those things, we can also make the process easier on ourselves.

Why keep a gift from an aunt who was always mean to you? Why keep photos of a past partner that was less than nice? Why keep things that when we see them, make us feel sad or angry? We shouldn't.

Keep the memories that remind you of people and places that make you feel happy. Circumstances that make you laugh. Photos that make you feel good about who you are and where you come from.

Deep breath. Let that item go. Some of those memories can even be donated. Maybe the music box from your crazy ex-boyfriend will be just what someone was looking for. It can make them smile instead of making you frown.

It's in the Bag

Today, I thought we'd talk about organizing our everyday bags - whether that be a purse, carry-all or satchel. Really, it's all the same. It holds the things we need on a daily or almost daily basis. It usually goes with us wherever we may travel - work, gym, store and back home again. And, it can really get messy in there!

First thing's first, let's empty out that bag! Dump it completely out. Shake out the crumbs; wipe down the outsides or any sticky or smudged parts.

Take a look at what was in there. Items that make sense in this kind of bag: wallet, phone, keys, anything else you'd need daily - like a calendar or notebook. Set those aside. 

Then, let's look at all those little papers and receipts. Do you need them for any reason still? Toss it, if not. If you do put it in one of two places: the proper file or in a place where you'd need to access it. For example, if you need the receipt for a return, stick it (literally) to the item and get it in the car. Or, if you're not sure if you'll return it yet, keep a small ouch or envelope for those slips of paper. Keeping it in your bag or the car door might be a good place to store the pouch. Just remember to weed through it from time to time!

Lastly, take a gander at what's left. Make-up, toys, tissues, all those things. Whatever simply needs to be put away elsewhere should do just that. From whatever's left decide if it should live in this bag. Maybe carrying snacks and lip gloss makes sense for your daily or weekly routine. Maybe a map doesn't need to be in there now that you're home from vacation.

Finally, don't just toss it all in there! Most bags have compartments and zippered pockets. Use these! Keep like items with like - just like organizing any other area. If you really have a cavernous bag, consider getting an insert for separating things. There are purse organizers available, as well as good ol' fashioned zippered vanity bags. Now you'll have a reason for keeping all those free make-up bags from the department store counters!

Swapping Out Seasonal Wardrobes

Now that it's finally not so sweaty outside, it might actually turn to fall. School has started officially, and most likely we're starting to reach for pants, not shorts. For those of us who don't have ample closet space to keep our entire wardrobe in one spot all year, it's about time to swap out our summer things for our - dare I say it! - winter things. Let's make it as easy as possible.

1) Pull out any and all items that you know you wouldn't wear in colder months/that you will no longer reach for this season.

2) As you're doing this, pay attention to what you're grabbing. Did you wear it this summer at all? Yes? Pack it up. No? Toss it into a donation bag. Exceptions: drastic weight change you intend will not be permanent (due to pregnancy, medical condition, etc.), special occasion items (formal dress, etc.).

3) Start unpacking the cold weather items. Do so a category at a time, if possible. Sweaters, pants, dresses. As you're hanging and folding these items in your dresser and closet, ask yourself the following:
- Will this fit me comfortably this season? If you're not sure, try it on.
- Is it a style I will still want to wear? (Fashions change; jobs change, making work wear different sometimes)
No to these questions? Donation bag! 

When packing up your now out-of-season clothing for next summer, pack folded and clean, so unpacking next year is all the easier. If you have a lot to pack up, use plastic bins and label what's inside. Toss in a couple fabric softener sheets for a little freshness.

If you still don't have room for your season's worth of clothing, try assessing everything with these questions. Take a look at your year-round items like t-shirts, jeans and exercise clothes.

A Peak Inside an Organizer's Home

At one point or another, most of my clients ask me something about how my home looks. I usually say something along the lines of 'It's pretty organized, but I'm still human, so it's not perfect.' Well, I figured it would be even better to show you what my home looks like. Let's take a look at my closet/wardrobe.

I live in an urban apartment with two small closets, both about 2' wide x 3' deep. One is a utility closet in the hall with a cabinet in it; the other is in the bedroom. As you can expect, I cannot fit my entire wardrobe in a closet that size. So, I have two free-standing wardrobes in the bedroom. Let's take a look:

 The first wardrobe consists of all my hanging, short items. On the bottom rung, you'll find my sleeveless tops, long sleeved tops and cardigans/jackets. Above that are my 3/4 length sleeved tops, short sleeved tops and skirts. The top shelf has a couple different bins: out of season shoes, bags and mementos. Stacked above is my swimwear. Note that each category of clothing is color coded.

The second wardrobe has a little more going on. Below you'll see my hamper, seasonal and year-round shoes. The bottom shelf has stacks of exercise clothes, pajamas, shorts and t-shirts. Above is a bin with socks in it, another hiding behind with tights. Next to that my pants, all folded. Some folded toward, and some away from the viewer. I'm a pretty short girl, and thus have two different length pants - flat shoes and heels. Keeping
them folded in opposite directions is an easy way for me to differentiate pants when I'm looking for a certain style in a rush. I don't have to flip through them all or try a bunch on to figure out which is which. Next to the pants are a couple baskets above and below a stacking shelf. The bottom basket has underwear, the top has bras. Hanging above on an extra rod are fashion, not winter, scarves. The upper most shelf has linens of all kinds - beach towels, sheets, blankets. There is no other linen closet in the apartment!

And, finally the only real closet in the apartment. Here I have my dresses and winter coats (when out of season). Above are winter accessories and an umbrella (there's also no other coat closet in the apartment). The black bin are my past years' taxes and the handful of files next to the bin are the only papers I have left to keep from transitioning to a paperless office years ago. There's a hook on the wall where I hang belts. Below are two bags of clothes that I've been adding to that will go to donation or a clothes swap. If something doesn't fit quite right when I try it on, into the bags it goes!

(Okay, I admit it, I cleaned up a little bit before taking the pictures...but it usually looks pretty close to this on a daily basis, anyway! Human, not perfect!)

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