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Archive for the ‘Clearing Clutter’ Category

Are You An Opera Singer Too When Clearing Clutter?

Wednesday, June 12th, 2013 by admin

I saw this bumper sticker this morning and I had to chuckle.

“Everyone of us are opera singers…me..me..me..me..”

Does this attitude affect the way you get rid of clutter? Do you have family members that feel it is o.k. to clutter common areas in your home without taking responsibility?

Does the me..me..me attitude help or hinder you in getting rid of clutter in your home?

For instance—It is always left up to ME to clear clutter and I am tired of it so why even try?

My kids only think about themselves and are always creating clutter.

Do you ever say these things and how do you overcome it when it comes to clearing clutter?

Posted in Clearing Clutter, Get Rid Of Clutter, Getting Rid of Clutter | 2 Comments »

Love Affair With Paper Creates Clutter

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013 by admin

“Will This Matter A Year From Now?”

When clearing clutter and sorting papers and going crazy because there is just too much stop and think—will this matter a year from now? Or even 6 months, 3 months, 1 month.

As a professional organizer I have seen women’s lives change for the better because they file their papers so they can find them AND they are willing to let go of paper that really isn’t important!

This may sound simple, but really for so many of us we have a love affair with our paper so we keep it all. As you are organizing think to yourself “Will this matter a year from now?”

I recommend checking out the Freedom Filer system if you need a great filing system that works for you and you can find all paper that comes into your home. I have set this system up for hundreds of women and I highly recommend this method of filing.

Posted in Clearing Clutter, Office/Paper Work, Organize Clutter, Professional Organizer | 2 Comments »

Same-Day Solutions For Clutter Free Pantry

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013 by admin

Show ‘N Share Tuesday:

This is the first in a series of three that shows how we cleared clutter in this pantry. Clearing clutter was actually easy as they wanted to get rid of clutter and make this space more useable. As we were going through things we found containers that could be used elsewhere which made them very happy. They were beautiful pieces of pottery that they hadn’t been using and now they have a purpose instead of just living as clutter.

Emergency supplies were moved to a more convenient location in the home in case they have to evacuate in case of an emergency. This freed up space for drinks that had been scattered in several other places.

Can you see how easy it is to clear clutter by putting likes together and considering what the space is being used for? Getting rid of clutter doesn’t have to be hard so my advice is to not make it hard. Take it one step at a time and clear clutter as you go.

Are all likes together in your pantry or do you find that things are scattered and you have to hunt for items you know you have?

Posted in Clear Clutter, Clearing Clutter, Clutter | 2 Comments »

Refreshing Idea For Clearing Clutter

Wednesday, April 24th, 2013 by admin

“Until you value yourself, you won’t value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.”—-M. Scott Peck (Mr. Peck was an American psychiatrist and is best known for his first book, “The Road Less Traveled”

Did this strike a chord about clearing clutter? Do we feel we are of no value because when we clear clutter it just gets cluttered again so what’s the use of clearing clutter and organizing in the first place?

As you know I preach, oops, I mean teach. We can’t STAY organized, but we can KEEP on being organized. It is a constant process. You know what they say, “nothing is as constant as change”.

Today value yourself, use your time wisely when clearing clutter and rejoice for what you are able to organize in the amount of time you have to do it.

Posted in Clearing Clutter, Clutter Clearing | 2 Comments »

Engage Your Imagination When Clearing Clutter

Wednesday, March 27th, 2013 by admin

“You can’t depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus”.—Mark Twain

Mary Poppins sang, “Just a little bit of sugar makes the medicine go down, the medicine go down….”. A few years ago my daughter told me to look at everything I had in my home and see if there was a different use for it. That takes imagination. The popular name for it today is repurpose.

When it comes to clearing clutter let’s get our imagination in focus. This morning I cleaned out the fridge and freezer. This may sound silly but I had to imagine myself using some of the food that was in the freezer. When I couldn’t I threw it away. I know that is wasteful, but I could not imagine eating the 11 month old (actually older than that) salmon burgers so why should I allow them to continue to clutter my freezer?

Where do you need to to get your imagination in focus?

Posted in Clearing Clutter | 1 Comment »

3 ‘Humble’ Organizing Tips To Clearing Clutter

Monday, March 11th, 2013 by admin

Monday Clearing Clutter Focus:

Yesterday it rained much of the day. I loved it. First of all I love the rain and second of all it helped to melt our snow. Oh, we still have a lot of snow, no grass can be seen yet but I am sure it is down there. (This is coming from someone who loves the snow and winter).

Actually I love each season. We have had such a great winter I am now ready for spring to arrive. It must have gotten me in the mood to clear clutter as that is what I did all day Saturday—well a good chunk of the day that is. (I’ll show you tomorrow what I did).

I think a good focus right now as we are transitioning from one season to another is to just do some thinking about clearing clutter in your home. Make a plan to clear clutter:

Chose one area that has been bugging you
Set a time frame—when to start and a target date to finish
Enjoy the “journey”

Once you have your plan you will be chomping at the bit to clear clutter and make yourself feel lighter as winter gives way to spring. The saying about March, “In like a lamb, out like a lion” means we will have more harsh weather to come. But that just gives us another good reason to clear clutter.

What area in your home has been bugging you?

Posted in Clear Clutter, Clearing Clutter, Monday Focus | 1 Comment »

Does Clutter Clearing End At A Certain Age?

Monday, February 11th, 2013 by admin

Monday Clutter Clearing Focus:

When I told an acquaintance years ago that I was starting an organizing business and I was going to become a professional organizer she said to me, “Well at my age if I’m not organized I never will be.” She was 62 at the time.

That is so not true!! Clearing clutter and getting rid of clutter doesn’t magically happen at a certain age. (If that was the case we might all wish to be older).

Also….Life happens and circumstances change. We can have things just as we want them to be with no clutter in sight and then life happens; such as a wedding, a death, visitors, the need to take care of family or friends either in or out of our homes. And I am sure there are many other things that derail our clutter free life.

I want you to know that is o.k. and your o.k.!! When things settle down or circumstances change then you can focus again on clutter control. This week do you have time to focus on clutter or have you had a life event that has derailed you temporarily?

Posted in Clear Clutter, Clearing Clutter | 2 Comments »

You Don’t Have To Be An Expert To Get Rid Of Clutter

Wednesday, December 5th, 2012 by admin

“Every Good Deed Is Returned Tenfold”

I don’t know who said this but it makes me want to run right out and do a good deed. Every day I look for opportunities to bless someone’s life. That is one reason I love being a professional organizer and I keep writing my blogs. I feel I am blessing lives by sharing my ideas and expertise on getting rid of clutter and clearing clutter.

What do you think about this thought?

Posted in Clearing Clutter, Getting Rid of Clutter, Professional Organizer | 3 Comments »

I Am A Reformed Clutter Clear-er

Thursday, November 29th, 2012 by admin

How are you handling the upcoming holiday so far? Did you shop on Black Friday or Cyber Monday? I am not into pushy crowds so I wasn’t out and about on Friday but I did shop from my own home on Monday.

A friend whose daughter works at Target said everything went fine with one glitch. A man wanted to get to the front of the line so he just grabbed a hold of the back of people’s hoodies and “threw” them aside. She said the biggest security guard came and grabbed a hold of him, escorted him out the door and told him not to come back. Doesn’t it make you wonder what goes on in people’s minds?

Are you clearing clutter before the holidays are actually here? I have been doing a little at a time. It started with the decorating. My daughter put on the tree lights in the family room and then a few days later I put on the ornaments. Every day I did just a little decorating so it wasn’t stressful at all. All the decorations are up.

As I got out the ornaments and other decorations I was clearing clutter. I found a couple of things broken and I took the time to fix them correctly. (I have been known to cut corners).

I also have a basket of things to take to our local thrift shop—things I have hung on to but they don’t light me up. Clearing clutter a little at a time makes it a snap and I don’t even realize I am doing it.

How about you? Have you been clearing clutter as you prepare for the holidays? What have you done in the past that is successful for you?

Posted in Clearing Clutter | 2 Comments »