Energize and Organize: Envisioning and Creating Harmony and Balance in Your Life and Surroundings1/8/2018
Remember if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ...
Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Energize and Organize: Have Fun Preparing for Next Year's Holiday Season and Happy 2018 New Year!1/1/2018
There is still work to do after the holidays are over. Keep everything organized after the holiday season and you’ll ensure that next year’s events are merrier than ever.
• Have an un-decorating party with family and friends. Take time to donate or throw out holiday ornaments and decorations that you no longer love. Play your favorite music, serve treats, and enjoy time with your guests. • Invest in sturdy organizing containers to neatly separate and store tree trimmings and lights. Or to save money, use large cardboard boxes and cut handle holds in opposite sides. (Be sure to store in a dry area of your home.) Keep all decorations in one area of your home. Try to limit your decorations to one or two containers. • As you un-decorate, make a list of decorations you want to purchase for next year. Buy them at post-holiday sales — along with holiday cards and gift wrap — but avoid purchasing items not on your list. You’ll be all set to write your cards over the Thanksgiving holiday weekend next year, beating the rush! • Update your holiday card list so you’ll be ready for next year. Add, modify, or delete as needed so your list will be ready to use next year. Or consider keying names and addresses into your computer and printing labels each year instead of hand writing envelopes. © 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Remember if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ...
Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com If your mornings feel crazy, then prep in the evenings. For example, before you hit the hay, set the table for breakfast, get backpacks and bags packed and ready to go by the door, put all non-perishable food items into the lunch boxes, set up the coffee maker, and select and lay out tomorrow’s outfits. -Easy ETips
The holiday season is filled with special moments and memories. Make your mornings easier during this festive time so you will have more time to enjoy the season with your loved ones. Remember if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ...
Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Holiday gift-giving doesn’t have to be a pain! Follow these tips to save time and money.
• Shop early and record gifts in your planner or a small notebook so you don’t forget what you purchased. Store those gifts in a central location so they’re not scattered throughout your home. If you want to keep track of your holiday budget, write down the amount spent on each gift. Actually knowing what you have spent will keep you within your budget. • Shop alone. Research shows that you’ll spend more if you shop with friends, children, or your spouse. And shop with a purpose. Avoid aimlessly wandering the mall by preparing a list of appropriate gift ideas. Leave your credit cards at home and pay with cash instead. • If you find a great gift, buy it for multiple people on your list. And buy a few general presents — scented candles, restaurant gift certificates, stationery sets — to give to those unexpected guests who come bearing gifts. • Avoid lines by shopping on weekdays, preferably early in the day. Or avoid all lines by purchasing online or from catalogs. Avoid the post office on Saturdays and during lunch hours. Purchase stamps online at www.usps.com. Then, help your family and friends stay organized. This year, give gifts that don’t add clutter to your loved ones’ homes. Here are some ideas to fit a variety of budgets. • Bird feeder and seed • An assortment of stamps, note cards, and pens • Movie passes or museum membership • Romantic meal-in-a-basket: a jar of pasta sauce, a box of pasta, a bottle of wine, and a classical CD • Gift certificate for session with a professional organizer, personal coach or Feng Shui consultant • Tickets to the local chamber orchestra or upcoming play • Gift certificate for a movie rental, plus popcorn and candy • Coupon good for babysitting or a homemade dinner • Cooking lessons at a local cooking school • Homemade jams, salsas, or soups in pretty Mason jars • Homemade compilation CDs burned from your favorite tunes • Memories: make a memory book containing your thoughts on a special person in your life. Or tell your life’s story and lessons. (This is great for grandparents to give the kids.) © 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Do you look forward to the holidays, or do you panic with the thought of all you have to do? Getting organized is the key to managing a fantastic, stress-free season. Thoughtful planning, deliberate delegation, focusing on simplicity, and slowing down to enjoy family and friends will help you survive — and actually enjoy — the upcoming weeks.
• Make a list: Start a running list of “to do’s” that need to be completed before the holidays. If you break your large projects into smaller tasks, it will make things seem more manageable. • Delegate: Stop trying to do everything yourself. Assign each task from the list you created to a specific family member. Then, ask yourself, “Where is it important that I spend my time? How do I want to spend my time?” Delete or delegate everything else. For example, get someone else to clean the house or let the deli do the cooking. This doesn’t have to be expensive; instead of a fancy turkey dinner, plan an affordable sandwich buffet or make-your-own pizza party. Or, invite guests to each bring their favorite dishes for a potluck. • Say “no” sometimes: It’s okay to say “no.” Company parties, family get-togethers, all-day shopping excursions, cookie bakes — they’ll zap your energy fast! Is it time for a reality check on your priorities? Let your involvement in activities be aligned with your goals, not by the open slots of your schedule. • Schedule time for you: Book personal time first. If you fail to schedule the time initially, it won't be there later! Block off an afternoon, an hour, or even ten minutes to enjoy what energizes you and lifts your spirits this holiday season. © 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Is "guilt" keeping you from creating the life and surroundings you envision for yourself and loved ones? If you have unwanted/unused/unloved items in your home and/or office that are creating visual and mental clutter in your life, let them go!
Take a look in your basement, attic, garage, cupboards and closets. Are you finding all kinds of items that you simply don't want/need any longer. Give thanks for the service of that item and donate it to an organization that supports people in need who would truly benefit from your generosity. Remember if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com "Take Back Your Time Day is October 24. How many hours each day do you spend on your phone, tablet, computer, and television? Commit to unplugging today. You'll be amazed at your productivity, and you stress-level will decrease. Or perhaps you'll get to spend some time doing what you truly love. If you can't pull the plug all day, set aside at least an hour or two." © 2017 Post on Demand™
Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com "Sick of receipts cluttering up your purse, car, or counters? Download the handy app called "Shoeboxed." You'll be able to snap photos of receipts with your cell phone and then ditch the paper receipts. The digitized receipts are archived and searchable in a single, secure location, accessible via web or phone whenever you need them. Visit www.shoeboxed.com or search for "shoeboxes" on the App Store."
© 2017 Post on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Did you know that you can donate hearing aids and share the gift of hearing with others? Place old hearing aids in a crush-proof box, old pill bottle, or other secure package and mail to Starkey Hearing Foundation, ATTN: Hearing Aid Recycling, 6700 Washington Avenue South, Eden Prarie, MN 55344. For more information, email recycling@starkeyfoundation.org
© 2017 Post on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Every day there is extensive new coverage about human suffering and property damage caused by hurricanes, floods, fires, earthquakes and other natural disasters occurring around the country and the world. What can you and are you doing to help?
September is National Preparedness Month. You are invited to visit and share the following informative websites for important information about how you and your loved ones, neighbors, colleagues, community members and others can get and stay prepared for disasters should they occur in your geographic location.
Here in Falmouth, you can get up to the minute emergency preparedness information at...
Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com “Back to School” season can be overwhelming if you aren’t prepared. The key is intentionality about where, when and how you track and complete the various tasks that creep back onto the calendar each September. School already started in your area? These tips can help you dig out of the disorganization and bring order to your home and life.
1. Establish calendar central.
2. Create a homework space.
3. Run to the in-zone.
4. Establish a bedtime routine and stick to it.
5. Prep for Tomorrow Tonight
Note: I used the Time Timer clock in my classroom for years and found it to be an outstanding teaching and learning tools for students! Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Recycling is an on-going part of the eco-organizing process. You can do your part by starting with small steps to make an important difference!
Stash small recycling bins in locations where you handle papers and you'll see how easy it is to recycle papers and cardboard rather than tossing them in a garbage can. You can even keep a small recycling bin in the bathroom to catch all the recyclable paper, cardboard and plastics you use there. Everything from toilet paper tubes to shampoo bottles can be recycled! Be sure that everyone who lives with you is well-versed on your new system. © 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com August 15th is National Relaxation Day. Even if you can't dedicate the entire day to yourself, try to set aside at least an hour or two. Schedule a mani-pedi, take yourself out to a ballgame, see a movie, soak in a relaxing bath, play Pickle Ball with friends, read a magazine, have lunch with a pal, take a walk or do whatever else brings you joy. You're worth it!
© 2017 Posts on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Are you a wine aficionado? If you've collected an abundance of corks, they can be recycled at ReCORK.
Simply save up at least 15 pounds (you might have to recruit corks from family and friends) and request a pre-paid shipping label. Visit www.recork.org for details. Many Whole Foods Markets accept corks for recycling, too. Here on Cape Cod you may drop off your cork collection at the the White Cedar Swamp Redemption and Recycling Center, 209 Upper County Road, South Dennis, MA . Call 207.608.1459 to confirm drop-off hours. Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com You can save time, money, and natural resources by choosing environmentally friendly cleaning methods for your home. A microfiber cloth (available at any discount or grocery store) will do a swell job of removing dust from all hard surfaces, eliminating a need for those pricey dusting sprays and non-recyclable paper towels. Let your clothes dryer take a rest, and opt instead for line-drying when the weather is nice, saving electricity and giving your clothes a shot of fresh-smelling, deodorizing sunshine. Instead of buying air fresheners, open some windows and add plants which absorb chemicals and odors. And clear out clutter — it just gathers dust and makes cleaning more time-consuming.
Most cleaning products that you purchase at the store are toxic. Look at the labels on bottles such as toilet bowl cleaner, bathroom disinfectant, and furniture polish. You’ll see words like Poison, Danger, Warning, and Caution. If you’d rather not bring those chemicals into your home, it’s easy and inexpensive to create your own homemade, non-toxic cleaning products. Simple combinations of baking soda, vinegar, borax, and essential oils make a variety of cleaners, which can be used on mirrors, windows, toilets, sinks, floors, and more, are effective, cheap, and safe. Toilet Cleaner: Sprinkle 1/4 cup borax (available in a box in the cleaning aisle of your grocery store) or baking soda and a few drops of essential oil (eucalyptus or tea tree oil are antiseptic) into the toilet, scrub, let sit for a few minutes, scrub again, and flush. Floor Cleaner: In a squirt bottle, create a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water, add a few drops of essential oil (peppermint or lavender are nice), squirt cleaner onto floor, and mop up. Glass Cleaner: Club soda in a squirt bottle works well, as does an equal mixture of water and vinegar. Wipe down with a lint-free cloth or crumpled newspapers. Tub and Sink Cleaner: Shake some baking soda mixed with a a few drops of essential oil (orange or lime smell fresh) into sink or tub, wipe with damp sponge, rinse. Wood furniture polish: Add some olive oil and a few drops of vinegar on a cloth and rub in. By creating your own cleaning products, you’ll keep your home, family, and environment safe. (Use common sense caution — even though these cleaning products are gentle, it’s best to keep borax and essential oils out of young children’s reach.) You’ll never have to worry about harmful fumes or chemicals with these great cleaners. And you’ll save lots of cupboard space, money, and time by simplifying your cleaning routine. A good resource for more non-toxic, inexpensive household cleaning recipes is the book Clean House, Clean Planet by Karen Logan. © 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com If your to-do list is ten pages long (or worse yet, not written down but cluttering your brain), it's hard to figure out where to start. When the finish line is nowhere in sight, it's often hard to find the beginning. As you're writing your to-do list, make sure to break tasks down into realistic-sized chunks. Completion dates are important, so assign specific tasks to specific days.
© 2017 Posts on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com July is Purposeful Parenting Month. Make organizing a part of each day. Let kids know that the need to be responsible for their own possessions. Teach children how to pick up after themselves. It's important to show kids that every item they own has a "home" where it needs to return when they're done using it. Be consistent.
© 2017 Posts on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Hitting the road this month? Whether for business or pleasure, any road trip requires fueling up - both your car and your stomach! A handy, free app called iExit tracks your current location and tells you all the restaurants, gas stations, and rest stops that are coming up at the next few exits. It can also find the nearest hospital, pharmacy, and vet office in case an emergency has unfortunate timing while you're on the road.
© 2017 Posts on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com What exactly is clutter? Clutter is anything unnecessary and extraneous. It can be more than the physical clutter most of us think of. Getting organized means clearing out the clutter in your mind, heart, and life. As for the physical clutter, ask yourself the following three questions about each item in your home. If you can’t answer yes to at least one, it’s probably clutter!
1. Is it beautiful? A stunning piece of artwork enriches your life because it brings joy each time you see it. A gorgeous vase full of fresh flowers reduces stress and energizes your spirit. 2. Is it useful? You use your 12-cup coffee maker every day. You couldn’t make it through the week without it. (Don’t confuse this question with, “Will it be useful someday?”) 3. Is it loved? The antique pocket watch from your grandfather is a precious reminder of him. Your favorite cashmere sweater makes you feel fabulous. You’ll find that as you inventory your possessions, you may be able to answer “yes” to two or even three of the questions above. Those are the things that are most valuable to you. Remember, the goal of decluttering is not to get rid of everything. It’s simply to keep only things that you truly appreciate and use. To stop clutter, prevent it from accumulating in the first place. Don't give clutter a chance to form. As you've probably experienced, once clutter occupies a space, it has a way of multiplying. Always remember to place your emphasis on quality over quantity. In other words, it's not important to have a lot of things, many of which you never use. It's more beneficial to have fewer things, all of which you use and/or enjoy. Think before you buy. Try to look beyond the initial “thrill of the purchase” and see what provides deeper moments of meaning. Before you buy, think about the time you’ll spend in cleaning, storing, and maintaining that item after you bring it home. If you must buy, establish a “new item in, old item out” system where some purging takes place before shopping. Once you rid yourself of clutter and make space only for what's special, you'll find it's easier to get — and stay — organized! You’ll soon reap the benefits of a clutter-free life: more energy, happier relationships, a well-organized home or office, new opportunities, and a better outlook on life. © 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com "A simple life is a beautiful life."
"Simplicity is complexity resolved." "No matter how hard you can always begin again." "Go easy on yourself. What you do today, let it be enough." "Begin each day with optimism and end each day with forgiveness. Happiness in life begins and ends with your heart." Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com No matter if you purchase an expensive custom garage storage system or just hang a few hooks for your bikes, investing in your garage is a good idea. Hey, you might even fit your car in there once it’s organized!
• Think of your garage in terms of zones: automotive, gardening, sports, tools, toys, etc. Consolidate items for easy retrieval, placing items as close as possible to where they will be used. For example, keep gardening accoutrements in a large basket by the outside door. Set recycling bins right next to the interior door. Put tools near the workbench. • Install pegboard on one wall. Use hooks to hold tools and gardening equipment. Pop in brackets and you can install shelving as well. Then use labeled jars or a multi-drawer storage system to separate small pieces of hardware. • Get things off the floor and onto the walls and ceiling. Install inexpensive hooks to hold bikes, rakes, brooms, sleds, ladders, and hoses. Install cabinets and shelving along the back or side walls. • Make it easy for kids to access and put away their own stuff. A tall can will neatly hold hockey sticks, baseball bats, and other long items. Corral balls in a large bin. • Finally, keep a fire extinguisher handy, mounted on the wall. © 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Tomorrow, April 22, is Earth Day! Perhaps you'd enjoy taking a moment to explore Earth Day resources available on the Web including ... www.earthday.org and https://www.epa.gov (key word search: Earth Day). As you and your loved ones raise your awareness and do your part to sustain our precious planet, remember that Every Day is Earth Day!
One of the great benefits to living an organized life is the positive impact you can have on our environment. When you’re organized, you can buy less stuff (reduce), you can think of creative ways to reinvent old items (reuse), and you can thoughtfully dispose of your discards (recycle). Follow these tips to tackle the first “R.” You’ll earn key benefits like saving money, time, and natural resources, as well as feeling less cluttered and stressed at home and work.
Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com The word “clutter” derives from the Middle English word “clotter,” which means coagulate. Think stagnant, accumulated... stuck! When clutter invades our homes and offices, it can make us disorganized. We lose things, forget to pay bills, procrastinate, and waste time. So stop contemplating your clutter and dedicate some time to conquering it!
• Define “clutter.” Clutter is anything unnecessary and extraneous. It can be more than the physical clutter most of us think of. Getting organized means clearing out the clutter in your mind, heart, and life. • Start the process of decluttering. Start small. Divide your desk or room into sections. Pick one section (like one drawer or cupboard) and begin decluttering. Try to touch things only once while going through this process — quickly make a decision to keep or toss! • Ask yourself if you consider each item beautiful, useful, or loved. If not, you can probably get rid of it! If you’re still not sure if you should get rid of an item, ask yourself, “What’s the worst thing that could happen if I toss this?” The answer may help give you the power to discard the clutter. • To stop clutter, prevent it from accumulating in the first place. Don't give clutter a chance to form. As you've probably experienced, once clutter occupies a space, it has a way of multiplying. Always remember to place your emphasis on quality over quantity. In other words, it's not important to have a lot of things, many of which you never use. It's more beneficial to have fewer things, all of which you use and/or enjoy. • Think before you buy. Try to look beyond the initial “thrill of the purchase” and see what provides deeper moments of meaning. Once you rid yourself of clutter and make space only for what's special, you'll find it's easier to get — and stay — organized! © 2017 Articles on Demand™ Remember if you need professional organizing assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, Metro West and Eastern Massachusetts Contact 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com |
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