Clutter....worse than dirt.

Isn't that the truth? Clutter DOES like to breed. Seems that just when we get one area under control, another area has crept in and taken over.  That's why I tell my clients that a maintenance program is so important when it comes to staying ahead of the clutter in your home.  Just like a diet!  Once you lose the weight you gotta embrace the maintenance program or the pounds will creep back on.  Once you have purged that closet or rearranged those cabinets, or set up that new filing system, ya gotta put some boundaries around it to keep the clutter from creeping back in!

Here are a few things that I do to keep clutter under control in my world:

1. Spend 10 minutes every morning/evening putting things back where they belong.

2. Open the mail over the garbage can.

3. Use my shredder to keep paper management under control.

4. Go through my closet every 3 months and pull out what I am NOT EVER wearing.

5. Keep a "donate bag" in your closet or mudroom open and ready to fill at all times.

6. When I buy something new, the "one thing in...one thing out method" is put into action.

7. Clear all work spaces every day (including my desk, dining room table and kitchen counters).

8. Purge old food in my frig weekly to make room for more and to avoid salmonella.

9. Check spaces that are used often to see if they are filling up and need some relief.

10. Buy what I need, not necessarily what I want.  Avoid shopping when I'm hungry, angry, lonely and tired. I ALWAYS buy too much when my world seems hopeless.

Let's breath some new life into our clutter maintenance program and use this summer to get some control of the stuff that is controlling us. Your home deserves the attention, and you will find that you actually have more time on your hands when you are dealing with less clutter. More time to focus on the things that really matter.

Like going to the beach and reading that good book. Yes, that's where you will find me.

Cheers to a clutter free summer y'all!

Happy Organizing!
Kim B.

Container Clutter

While helping my clients purge to pack to move, I've noticed a recurring issue house to house. CONTAINER CLUTTER. Shoe boxes, containers, old cardboard boxes, etc. saved for those "things" you may ONE DAY put in them.  They seem so useful. The right size. Handy. Stackable. The problem is, they pile up quickly, eating up space in our homes, rarely used to their fullest.

Container clutter is one of the biggest space eaters in your home. Once or twice a month schedule a "container/boxes" inventory day to see what can go and what you WILL use. 

Then the next time you tackle an organizing project and think you need to shop for containers to tidy up your space, first reference your inventory to find ALL the containers and shoe boxes that already live there and repurpose your stock.

Containers are great, but only keep what you have room to store and walk in freedom as you donate and toss the rest : )

Clutter Free Gifts

I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for ways to "give" to others without adding more things to the mess of their lives. We all love stuff.  And we all love getting and giving gifts. But do we honestly need one more tchotchke (pronounced & defined: CHOCH-kuh\, noun:(a trinket; a knickknack)?  I think not. 

As we approach Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Mothers Day, and a load of birthdays in between, let's think about some CLUTTER FREE Gift Giving Ideas that will bless the socks off the people we love.

Here are some hot ideas for your gift receivers!

Clutter Free Gifts:

1. Acts of Service:  One of my favorite gifts to give to new moms for Mothers Day (or birthday) is a dinner out and free babysitting.  You could also help a friend with an organizing project that they keep dragging their feet on or don't have the skills to do.
Landscaping is much friendlier with two...give someone a day of yard work help.

2. Charitable donations: Give a gift (money, food or clothing) to your friend or family members favorite charitable organization in their name.

3. Entertainment: Movie passes/theater tickets, or a year's subscription to Netflix or Blockbuster.

4. Spa Treats: Manicures, pedicures, massages and facials are always a big hit for the women AND men in your life!

5. Gift Cards: Who doesn't love to have money burning a hole in their wallet? Gift cards are a great way to get the people on your list exactly what they want.

6. Restaurant Gift Certificates: Do your friends and family members have a favorite restaurant that they frequent? This will save them money and you can be sure if it's a favorite spot, it will be used up.

7. Special Outings - Take the people on your list on a picnic that you prepared or go boating, or skydiving, or to the theater! Do you have entertainment parks in your area? Treat them to a day of fun!

8. Homemade Goodies: If you like to bake, make something yummy along with a homemade card. Every birthday and holiday my daddy says to me..."Ahhh, just make me a card. That's all I really need." Who doesn't love receiving something made with love?

9. Ready Made Items: Gift packages from Harry & David or Honey-Baked Ham or a basket of coffees are wonderful store bought items that are consumable and delicious!

10. The Gift of Organization:  In a world spilling over with clutter, giving the gift of organization to help the people you love find peace and order in their lives. This is the the gift that keeps on giving!  And I think I know a Professional Organizer who can help : )  Gift cards are available.

Let's spend less money this year on things that may never be used or will probably be re-gifted later, and let's find creative ways to give the people we love, gifts that bless and relieve and encourage.

Keep Your Kids from Catching the CLUTTER BUG!

If you can’t see the floor of your childs room or you’re afraid to open the door, then it’s time for a new plan. Help your kids ORGANIZE their rooms so that their space is fun to play in and easy to pick up. And let them know that putting their rooms in order does not mean they have to throw away all their treasures.

ORGANIZING YOUR KIDS WORLD!

1. Set a good example. Keep your own rooms organized. Make it a household rule that beds are made every morning and floors picked up every evening. Your children will learn your habits (good or bad) and carry them out into the world as they grow up. Order begins with you. Set a good example.

2. Include your children in the order of their room. This gives them ownership of the process and teaches them why it’s important and how to do it. Try to see your child’s room from his/her perspective. Hang shelves and hooks where they can reach their things.

3. Teach your kids to group similar items together (example: books, balls, cars, dolls, etc.). This will help them know where to put things. Every item in their room should have a home where it resides when not in use.

4. Use open storage bins, or baskets or containers so children can see what’s inside. If it’s out of sight in a large toy box, it’s usually out of mind. LABEL liberally - use a label maker for their storage bins or photographs for children that cannot read.

5. Under the bed boxes are great for storing artwork, puzzles and off-season clothes.

6. Rotate toys and games, and leave out only a reasonable number at any given time. When your child outgrows a toy or game, give it away. Then pull from your hidden stash and call it your “TOY LIBRARY”.

7. Put a laundry basket on the floor or their closet to keep their dirty clothes off the floor. Begin now teaching your children how to wash and fold laundry. It takes a village to raise them and to launder them. Why not pool from your own village.

8. Have a few “clean sweep” baskets around the house designated for toys and clothes/shoes that need to be returned to their specific rooms. Set the timer for 10-15 minutes each night for a quick pick up.

9. Using a “ 5-days of the week” closet- hanging organizer. This will help your child know what to wear each day. It saves time and stress getting ready in the morning if you plan ahead.

10. Consistency is a key factor is keeping kids organized. Keep telling yourself… It’s WORTH THE TIME YOU PUT IN IT!

11. Have a yard sale or “DONATE DAY” once a quarter to teach your children the importance of letting go and helping someone less fortunate. This will create more space for you!

12. Create your child’s space to be relaxing, fun to play in and easy for them to pick up.

Are YOU The Biggest Loser?

Have you ever watched NBC's show THE BIGGEST LOSER?
Somehow, I have gotten sucked in to watching this crazy show where really obese men and women, some with very powerful testimonies, compete to lose the most weight in a certain time frame to win the tittle of The Biggest Loser.  How in the world did I get sucked in?  Because the drama alone is often too painful to watch. Secretly, I think it makes me feel thinner just watching the show and it motivates me to MOVE my own body. I find myself saying..." If THEY can do it, surely I can do it!"  There are two teams each season competing for the title and they are each driven and coached by Juliane and Bob, two of the toughest motivating trainers on the planet. Not sure I would want to run into either of them at the gym.

Of course, if you and I had a  personal trainer on a mission to help us lose a bunch of weight in a short window of time, because money and title were the driving force, we could be The Biggest Losers too!
Losing weight is an awesome accomplishment!  And it's an ongoing challenge for most of us! Especially if you are living in the 40-60's age range where metabolism begins to take on it's own personality and pace.

Do you often  feel like the "STUFF" in your house has taken on it's own personality, formed it's own Community and made getting around a bit difficult?  If so, your home could be a likely candidate for the show The Biggest Loser. Your closets are busting at the seams, you waist time finding things because  STUFF has choked the life out of your common areas (and your uncommon areas too). And you feel like a big fat loser because all this extra weight keeps you from living the abundant life you and your family were meant to live AT HOME.

It doesn't take long to fall into the category of The Biggest Loser Candidate. 
We are busy people.  We procrastinate, we say YES to things we don't have time for, we are too tired to manage our stuff, and we begin to do just that...STUFF...stuff things here, stuff things there, stuff things everywhere!  And before we know it...we ARE The Biggest Loser Candidate.


So, you have a choice. 
You can keep on living like the candidate you are becoming...The Biggest Loser.
OR, you could be a WINNER as The Biggest Loser (HOME EDITION) by starting TODAY to break down the strongholds in your life that are causing all the weight gain in your homes. 
You don't need a TV show to motivate you, OR a personal trainer to scream at you....your stuff is already screaming at you!  LET ME GO!! LET ME GO!!

Here are a few suggestions to light your fire...

1.Open those cabinets!
2. Open those closets!
3. Say "NO" to incoming invitations to Do More.
4. Shred the Junk Mail before you Pile It.
5. Purge and Donate....meet someone elses needs.
6. Take inventory before you shop.
7. Take a nap. You will need your energy to claim your New Title.
8. Find the car.  It's there somewhere in the garage.
9. Enjoy the process, because it's freeing and you are losing weight!
10.Include the whole family. You are ALL managers of your stuff. Work as a Team!

Congratulations!  YOU are now offically....THE BIGGEST LOSERS!  (Home Edition)

Now don't you feel GOOD?