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 "Is your email inbox overflowing with junk? Instead of hitting "delete" each time you get junk mail, take a moment to scroll down to the "unsubscribe" link and stop those annoying letters from appearing in your mailbox ever again. If you have them automatically filtering into a "junk/spam" folder, peruse its current contents today and unsubscribe from each and every one." © 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 "Is your dining room table or kitchen island a mess of papers and projects?
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 "Studies show that 80 percent of what we use comes from 20 percent of what we own. That means that 80 percent of the things in our homes are rarely or never used. Look in your closet, garage, or even your sock drawer to test that theory.
Before you buy, think about the time you'll spend in cleaning, storing, and maintaining that item. If you absolutely must buy, establish a "new item in, old item out" system. For example, if you purchase a new pair of shoes, then send an old pair (or two) to the local donation center." © 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 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 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 According to Harris Interactive, 23% of adults say they pay bills late (and thus incur fees) because they lose them. Ouch! If you're one of these folks, you need a new system to organize, contain, and pay bills on time.
You might consider the "twice a month" payment system. Set aside two 6x9 envelopes. Label one "Due Second Half of the Month: Pay on the 10th" and, as you receive them, place inside all bills due between the 16th and last day of the month. Label one "Due First Half of the Month: Pay on the 25th" and, as you receive them, place inside all bills due between the 1st and 15th day of the month. As soon as a bill arrives, immediately open the envelope, and toss it out (along with any other sales literature that accompanies it). Next, circle the due date. Tuck the bill into the return-mail envelope and stick them into the appropriate 6x9 envelope. For example, if you receive a bill that is due June 20th, you'd put it in the "Due Second Half of the Month: Pay on the 10th" envelope. Then, on the 10th and 25th of each month, take out the 6x9 envelope, and pay your bills. To make this process a little easier, fill a small plastic supply box (or use an empty checkbook box) with office essentials such as pens, checkbook, stamps, stickie notes, envelopes, address labels, mini-stapler, and tape. You’ll never again have an excuse to pay late. After you pay your bills, give thoughtful consideration to the paperwork you decide to keep. If your expenses are business-related, file statements in a “paid bills” folder. If they are non-work related, you can probably get rid of much of your paperwork. Be realistic and ask yourself why you would need to keep them in the first place. (Remember, most statements are available online if you need them later.) If you really want to keep the statements, file them in a “paid bills” folder and empty it out (shred sensitive material) at year’s end, keeping only the past 12 months’ worth of paperwork. If you are computer savvy, you might consider paying some or all of your bills online. This eliminates paper and can save much time. Contact the companies from whom you receive bills and see if they offer online bill paying. You'll receive your statement via email, and payment can be deducted directly from your checking or savings account or charged to your credit card with your approval. You can access your past statements online at any time via your computer, keeping your home clear of paper clutter. © 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 Q: Do you have a number of miscellaneous, small items that need a "home" in your garage or shed?
A: Tension rods placed in-between your garage studs create easily accessible, vertical storage for all of your small tools, gardening and recreational supplies. 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 Magazine file boxes can be found in a variety of price points to match any decor, from utilitarian cardboard to plastic to sophisticated bamboo or metal. These boxes can turn a pile of magazines, trade journals, or any periodicals into a unified collection. They can also corral school supplies like spiral notebooks and folders or be used in a Household Command Center. Use them in the home office, the living room, or even the bedroom to disguise paper clutter. © 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 May is Moving Month! If you are selling your house, start packing seldom-used items right away. Pack heavier items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger boxes. Keep your boxes organized by numbering each box and labeling which room it belongs in. Keep a separate list indicating the box number and its contents.
© 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 Staging — a process of neutralizing, decluttering, organizing, and beautifying — allows potential buyers to picture themselves living in the house by tapping into their emotions. Staging also starts the “letting go” process for the sellers, as they transform their beloved home to a more neutral-looking home.
A staged home looks similar to a model home. For examples of how your home should look to get the best price, visit some local model homes during their open house periods. Staging will help you sell your home quickly, at the best possible price. Even if you’re just thinking about moving, it is never too early to start. You’ll have plenty of time to stage your home, and you’ll get to enjoy your improvements for a while, too! And remember: many improvements related to moving can be tax deductible, including the fees for staging your home! Check with your accountant for more details. Stagers also offer an objective view of a home — a fresh eye and perspective. Some stagers own and rent out furnishings if a homeowner needs higher-quality or more neutral decor. These professionals are called “full-service stagers.” Other stagers work with what you already own, making recommendations for purchases of only small-priced items when necessary — perhaps a new shower curtain to brighten a dingy bathroom, a beautiful vase full of fresh flowers to welcome visitors in the entryway, or a sparkling new kitchen faucet to add visual interest. Home stagers can tell you: • what buyers are looking for in a new home • how to give your home curb appeal • which inexpensive improvements will add value to your home • which expensive improvements could be poor investments • room-by-room staging suggestions Hiring a professional stager is a great investment, ensuring a quick and lucrative home sale. © 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 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 As you begin your spring organizing, don't forget to label your containers. It's an important, but often forgotten, step in the process.
Better Homes and Gardens offers some handy (and adorable) label templates in a variety of shapes and sizes. Download them for free at ... www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/organization-basics/free-printable-storage-labels © 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 As you swap out your winter clothing for your spring and summer duds, set a goal to reduce your wardrobe by a set percent depending upon how stuffed your drawers and closet look. Then, sort clothing by type and color, so you can easily see that you own 20 black t-shirts or a dozen pairs of flip flops. If you want to downsize by 25%, then five t-shirts and three pairs of shoes need to go!
© 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 If your entire household or office feels clutter-covered, create some white space. Pick one surface - such as a bedside table, desk, shelf or end table - and remove everything. Toss, donate, recycle, or redistribute to its proper home as necessary. Wipe the surface clean and put just one lovely thing on that space to remind you to kept clear.
-© 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 Happy St. Patrick's Day to you and your loved ones! :-) Spring is around the corner and for many people, time to get organized. Clients frequently inquire about recommendations for multi-purpose, affordable storage containers. Here are a few suggestions for your consideration. Junk Drawer Organizers This helpful product is an organizing super-performer! Drawer organizers are available in a variety of price ranges, sizes, and materials (cardboard, clear acrylic, plastic, and wood). If you need maximum flexibility, look for one with adjustable compartments, so you can create the right sized spaces for anything in your drawer.
Flexible Laundry Baskets Containerizing your stuff is great, but buying all those bins and boxes can get expensive! Laundry baskets can be an affordable option. Watch for them on sale at your local discount store. You’ll also find some pretty wicker ones at craft stores (such as Michael’s and JoAnn Fabrics) for under $5.
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 Make it a goal to make next year’s tax time a breeze by getting organized NOW! Use these tips to set up a simple and effective filing system. You’ll be able to slip in important papers throughout the year and tackle next year’s taxes with ease.
Create categories Use standard file folders or large 9x12 envelopes to create categories. You’ll need several for deductions; depending upon your circumstances, they might include charitable donations, medical expenses, child care credits, education expenses, mortgage interest, etc. You’ll also need a folder for income-related papers, such as pay stubs. Create another folder for investments, so you can track taxable interest you’ve earned on savings accounts or investments. Also, create a general tax file to store W-2 or 1099 forms. If you have a home-based business, consult your tax advisor for additional documents to save. Store them Either place the folders all together in a section of your filing cabinet using hanging file folders, or purchase a plastic file box or expandable wallet to hold all the folders. Keep it conveniently located in your home. Collect the papers Throughout the year, add receipts and documents to the appropriate file folders as soon as you can. You’re set When tax time rolls around, pull out all the folders and use them as you prepare your tax documents. Or, take the whole shebang to your accountant’s office. She will be impressed! Plan ahead Create new files with the same category names so you’re ready to start collecting the next year’s tax papers. © 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 When you can't find something, it's often easier to just buy another. But the original will eventually turn up, leaving you with more than you really need. Take some time to scout out duplicates in the kitchen, garage, bathroom and even your closet. Decide how many your really need and keep your favorites only. Donate the rest.
© 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 Sure, you have a 100-piece tool kit in the garage or basement. But who has time to hunt for a hammer when you need one NOW? Keep one, along with flat-head and Phillips screw drivers, a pliers, a tape measure, and a small container with a variety of nails and screws in a kitchen drawer so you can tackle quickie fixes without a search.
© 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 If you’re lucky enough to have a linen closet, make the most of its space by getting it organized.
The first step is to pull everything out of the closet, sorting into categories (such as towels, sheets, blankets, and pillows) as you go. You might also find bathroom necessities, such as cleaning supplies, paper products, and medications. That’s okay, but remember that the linen closet should not be a catch-all! Once you can see your categories, consider the quantities you own, and begin to downsize. See if you can narrow down your sheet sets to two per bed (one on the bed, and one in the closet). Donate old, ratty towels to your local animal shelter. Get rid of extra blankets and pillows that you no longer use. Next, begin returning items to the closet. Placement is key! Store bulky items that you use infrequently (such as beach towels or heavy blankets) on the very top shelf. Place items that you use most often at eye level so you can easily reach them. Fold towels neatly and store either by size or set. Or, roll the towels for an eye-pleasing, easy-to-grab storage method. Sheets sets can be slipped into their coordinating pillowcases for easy retrieval, stacking similar sizes in the same row. If you’re storing bathroom supplies in the linen closet, be sure to contain them in pretty boxes or baskets, rather than leaving them to fall over. Stash bathroom cleaning products in a handled tote so you can “grab and go” on cleaning day. Finally, be sure to label the shelves and containers so that items return to their correct “homes,” ensuring an organized linen closet for years to come. © 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 Think you’re out of space? Even if you live in a tiny apartment or house, you can take advantage of these spaces and maximize your storage capabilities.
Under: Don’t neglect the space under your bed! It’s great for off-season clothing storage or hand-me-down kids’ clothes, extra blankets, and memory-box/sentimental items. If your bed is low, purchase some inexpensive bed risers (about $10 per set) at your bed and bath store. This will raise the bed about six inches, allowing under-bed plastic or cardboard storage boxes to slide in easily. Inside: When shopping for end tables, coffee tables, or benches, be sure to look for those that have storage inside. That way, you utilize not only the space on top, but also the space inside or underneath. In your closets, maximize space by installing a double-hang closet rod. Inside cupboard doors, hang a cork board to post phone numbers and shopping lists. Or hang hooks (3M Command Hooks work well) to hold just about anything! Finally, use the height of your cabinets wisely by adjusting shelves to suit the items they hold. Up: There are all sorts of great organizing products available to help you maximize wall space. Pegs and hooks can be used in the entry way to hold jackets and backpacks; in the bathroom they hold robes or hair dryers; or add to a closet to store the next day’s outfit. Hang a net hammock in a kid’s room to store stuffed animals up and out of the way. You can even use the ceiling to hang pots and pans from a ceiling-mounted rack. Install floor-to-ceiling shelves or cubbies, and you won’t waste an inch of wall space. Keep frequently used items at eye level or below, saving the top space for seldom-used things or decorative items. © 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 Are your cookbooks a recipe for disaster? Take control with these simple tips. Evaluate and pare down. Gather all your cookbooks in one spot. You’ll recognize your favorites, so set those aside. Then, consider donating any books unfamiliar or unused for the past year. Find a central location. Keep all cookbooks and recipes in one area for easy access and awareness. Organize in a way that makes sense to you, such as by author, culinary region, or type of food (vegetarian, soups, breakfast, etc.) Create a recipe binder. Set up a three-ring binder for your recipe clippings. Create sections (such as main course, veggies, salads, desserts) with tab dividers. Glue recipes on both sides of heavy 8-1/2 x 11 paper, and then slip the papers into clear plastic page protector sleeves. Organize clippings. It’s tempting to clip every great recipe you see in magazines. If you do, create a “holding” envelope where recipes must past your taste test before being added to your recipe binder. Remember the “in/out” rule: Each time you add a recipe to your book, remove an old one (or two) that is no longer a favorite. Go paper-free. If you're ready to go digital, there are many apps that can help you make the transition. In addition to being able to peruse and virtually "clip" new recipes, you can often scan (or take photos) of your cherished family recipes to upload into virtual collections. Or simply start a Pinterest board to collect your new favorites! © 2017 Articles on Demand™ On Wednesday I had the pleasure of meeting Sarah Gwynn, graphic artist and owner of PenGwynn Prints. We got to talking about sharing cherished recipes and the fine art of note writing. Sarah noted, "In an age of instant texts, tweets, and emails, we believe the handwritten note is a special and personal gift!" Designed and printed on Cape Cod, PenGwynn Prints Recipe Note Cards are unique and beautifully illustrated seafood and fruit calligram note cards featuring images created by words of a recipe. The note cards have a design on the front, are blank inside and have the recipe printed on the back. Be sure to visit PenGwynn Prints and enjoy sharing the lovely recipe note cards with your family and friends! 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! Is it beautiful?
Is it useful?
Is it loved?
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.
Think before you buy.
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 |
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