Serving Eastern Pennsylvania, Central and Southern New Jersey, and Delaware
Serving Eastern Pennsylvania, Central and Southern New Jersey, and Delaware
Why is organizing so much easier when you start with someone else’s belongings?
Clients often call looking for help with several projects within their home. As I ask questions to determine their priorities and a starting point, occasionally the client will volunteer a child’s room or their husband’s “man cave.” I agree that we can start wherever she prefers; however, my experience tells me these choices are, um, typically the least productive.
Here’s why:
1) It’s natural to choose another person’s area because the client (the person who called to hire me) has fewer emotional attachments to the other family member’s belongings. Deciding to let someone else’s things go is so much quicker and easier. Isn’t it? Trust me when I tell you this surprise won’t be received well.
2) Next, other members of the family may not have called in the Organizer and may not yet buy into the idea of purging and organizing. If the client starts with his or her own belongings and shows tangible results (a beautiful, organized room or two), trust is established, and volunteers start to line up.
I’ve been welcomed into many homes and, sometimes, I can actually feel the trepidation of the innocent by-standers (husbands, life partners, and children.) These are the people who nodded “yes” to the theory of getting organized, and a few days later, find themselves, slack-jawed, being introduced to a genuine Professional Organizer standing in their living room armed with bags for “lettings things go,” “donations,” and a box for things to “to sell.”
The by-standers may openly admit to a fear that their possessions will be the first to go (good instincts). Some ask if I’ll put their belongings on the front lawn “like they do on TV.” Once they learn that public humiliation isn’t part of my process, the handwringing often stops, but they still follow me around keeping a watchful eye. And, that’s okay. In all honesty, if the tables were turned, I would need some assurances, too.
In every home, belongings get co-mingled. Therefore, as we move through a room, methodically organizing each area, anything that doesn’t belong to the client, and seems out of place, we put in an “ask” pile. Later, the owner of the “ask” pile decides to keep, donate, or toss those items. All “keepers” need to be assigned home. The best way to select a home for each item is to store it where you use it.
You might be thinking, “Building trust is great, but where should I start?” Excellent question! Here’s the short answer.
The way to decide where to start is to choose the area that gives you the most “pain.” Let’s say the person making the call is a woman. Her “pain” might refer to the discomfort of getting dressed and going out in the morning. Is her closet full of things that don’t fit anymore? Is the floor littered with stray shoes? Does the space feel claustrophobic? Are there more pieces of clothing that don’t fit than do fit? That’s enough to make anyone feel depressed before reaching the breakfast table in the morning. If so, this is the place to start.
If everyone is late getting off to school and work because the kitchen isn’t efficient or meal planning doesn’t work, planning is needed in this area.
If you’re disorganization costs you time and money in the office, this is where organization will change your life from day one.
If you choose the space that causes you the most “pain,” organization will provide the most relief. Once you learn some tricks of the trade, you’ll be inspired to make every facet of your life work like a well-oiled machine.
Without a doubt, the biggest clutter problem that faces people these days is paper. It comes in through snail mail every day, from the kids bringing forms home, from items we print from our computer, notes that we make to ourselves in our car or while sitting in the doctor’s office, and just about everywhere we go.
Out of frustration, sometimes people just put it in a pile on the counter or desk and then the next day add more and then the next day more, etc. until the pile can’t stand on its own anymore. The “tipping point” is when the pile starts falling over.
When it gets to this point, most people start going through the paper and files from the bottom up worrying that the papers on the bottom would be the most urgent. Sounds logical enough until you realize that if there’s anything on the bottom that needed attention, you mostly likely would have had a call or crisis to bring it to your attention. Nine times out of ten, most things take care of themselves by just becoming obsolete.
The more efficient way to sort when you have larges piles of paper is to start at the top and by handling the most recent and to include each new day’s papers with the process. That way when you do get to the bottom, most of which probably just needs to be filed or tossed, you’ll be on top of everything. Starting at the bottom and continuing to pile new incoming papers on top just adds to the feeling that you’re never quite caught up.
To stay in control of paper, set up a system where you make decisions each day for 5 minutes. It doesn’t matter what time of day as long as it becomes part of every day. Paper can be divided into just a few categories: Toss / shred / file / needs action.
If you want to spread it around more, you can also have a stack for someone else to review and handle (read as husband or significant other). There’s no reason why all the paper in the house is exclusively your responsibility. If your children are old enough, they might even be able to take responsibility for some of it. With a little investment of your time, you could assign older children these tasks, helping take some stress from you and teaching them responsibility that will serve them well as they begin to deal with the same issue.
Don’t surrender to the battle that paper presents every day. Divide and conquer!
Home is where you hang your hat. – Proverb
(That is, if you can find your hat and if there’s room for it on the hat rack.)
You’re walking through your local home goods store and you see the most attractive fabric storage totes that would be just perfect for finally organizing your bulging linen closet and you just have to buy them. When you go to set them up the next day, you realize that not only are they too small to hold the contents of your closet but they are also too tall to fit on your shelves!
It can be so frustrating to spend time picking out a lovely basket or interesting storage piece only to bring it home and find that it is barely big enough to store half of what you had in mind. It could be baskets to organize your pantry or plastic bins for sports equipment in the garage. Whatever the intent, there are a few things worth considering prior to running out to buy organizing supplies.
Size: It’s hard to choose the right sized storage piece(s) when you don’t know how much you have to store! Before picking out the container
Function: The type of items and frequency of their usage should be taken into account when deciding what type of container to choose
Placement: Decide whether or not your container will be in public view
Cost: Your need for function or fashion will have some affect on the amount you will spend on storage.
Now that you have considered size, function, placement and cost, you can stroll confidently among aisles of home organizing tools, sizing up all the latest, greatest products with an eye for just the right one that fits your need.
I may have adopted my minimalist mentality from Aunt Evelyn. She was the self proclaimed “first career girl” in the family. (“Career girl” was progressive language for someone born in 1918.) Working in Manhattan all her adult life, she had a great sense of style, built an impressive wardrobe, and had all the right accessories.
You couldn’t throw compliments around too freely in Aunt Ev’s presence. One day I said, “Oh what a beautiful pin! It matches that outfit perfectly.” She asked if I really liked it, took the pin off, and handed it to me.
Seeing that I was mortified, Aunt Ev reasoned, “The first half of life you accumulate things, the next half of life you give them away.” In one gesture she demonstrated her generosity and her practicality. She was simply finished with the pin and gave it to someone who would appreciated it.
As we mature, build our homes, and climb the professional ladder, we accumulate clothing, furnishings, and decorative objects to fill our needs. Our friends remember our preferences via birthday and holiday gifts. Before we know it, our homes are filled with collections comparable to those at the Smithsonian.
After your needs are met, for every one thing coming in to your home one thing needs to leave, or clutter will accumulate. Professional Organizers often ask clients if an item is useful, beautiful in their eyes, or if they love the object. If a negative response is received to all of the above, the item may have outgrown its usefulness.
If you’re trying to organize a room, ask yourself these questions:
Everything that comes into your possession requires care. Once you bring something home from the store you will be caring for it indefinitely. So, make sure it’s really worth the investment.
The lifecycle of your new item goes something like this: You spend hard earned money on it, possibly make payments on it, make room for it, wash it, dust it, polish it, fold it, maintain it, and eventually decide how to get rid of it. Some people even hide it from their spouses.
Clients often tell me they feel a surprising sense of abundance after purging. That’s because they are surrounded only by the things they love, clothing that fits and feels good, and rid of the burden of disorganization.
I believe the best way to stay organized, recycle, or save the planet is at the cash register. If you set out to the mall to replace an often-used pair of shoes and see something irresistible on the way to the cash register, refer to these questions before you ring up that spontaneous purchase:
Lastly, think about it overnight. If you still need it, go for it.
I once read that Ghandi owned only a few possessions at the time he died: simple clothing, a pair of sandals, a pocket watch, and a pair of eye glasses. While I believe minimalism makes for a simplified life, we don’t need to be as successful with it as Ghandi to reap the rewards. I won’t be parting with my anti-wrinkle cream, anti-frizz hair products, or make-up any time soon. But, I set reasonable limits that save space and money.
Listen to the thousands of advertising messages inundating you daily with a skeptical ear. Only you know what you need. Be aware that space is finite. If you want an uncluttered space be discerning about what you put in it.
Aunt Ev passed away last month, but she left me a wonderful gift and a life changing lesson. You can give the perfect gift without spending a dime – a gift to a loved one, a perfect stranger via donation, and a gift to yourself – the gift of organization.
Need ideas for those hard to shop for people on your list? Want to give something that won’t just sit around unused or add to anyone’s already full home? Here are ten ideas for useful gifts to delight your friends and loved ones for the holidays:
1. Collapsible fabric totes
These totes are the best! They can be used in the top or bottom of a closet for a multitude of essentials: winter accessories, pet supplies, extra slippers, spare toiletries… just about anything! And, when they’re not in use, they fold flat and store easily. You can give a set of two or three, collapsed, or open each one up and fill them with snacks and treats to use as gift “baskets!”
2. Slim non-slip hangers
Know someone with lots of clothes and not enough closet space? These work great and take up less than half the bar space as the plastic ones. Dress the gift up with a silk scarf (that will be sure not to slip off these hangers!)
3. Craft Storage Case
Is there a knitter or crafter in the family? So many craft stores now carry quite an array of craft supply organizers – from bead sorters to long knitting needle cases – thoughtful and practical gifts for anyone who loves to be creative.
4. Under-bed Shoe Storage
Those zippered cloth shoe storage bags that can hold 10-14 pairs of shoes and slide right under the bed can be a perfect gift for someone who’s always wearing something different on their feet. It keeps shoes out of the way, easy to reach and dust/pet hair free! Want to add some pizzazz? Top it with a pair of slippers or all-weather crocs.
5. Lap Desk
Lap desks are perfect for almost anyone these days. They offer a firm work surface while providing cushion for your legs. They’re great for students sitting on a bed using a laptop or for grandma sitting on a couch doing a crossword puzzle. And they store easily beside whichever seat you choose.
6. Car Organizer
There are several different types of car and trunk organizers. Some hang over the back of a seat and some sit upright on the floor or in the trunk. Great for busy parents who are always on the go!
7. Photo Storage Box
Although many stores carry photo organizers, my favorite type is the Power Sort Box sold by Creative Memories. It holds and safely stores over a thousand photos and makes sorting them a snap!
If you know someone who has a lot of paper, numbers 8 or 9 might be the perfect gifts:
8. Paper shredder
In this day and age of identity theft, there is nothing more necessary (or fun!) than having a paper shredder on hand. It’s a wonderful gift of peace of mind.
9. File Cabinet
If you’ve ever tried to battle with old file drawers that no longer slide easily, you can appreciate how much of a treat having a new, easy-gliding file cabinet would be!
10. Gift Certificate
Make sure that any gift certificates you give can be used online or locally: Spa, Grocery Store, Movie Theatre, Babysitter… or time with a Professional Organizer!
Here’s wishing you and yours a happy, healthy and clutter-free holiday!
Dazzle your friends, family and maybe even yourself! No more last minute holiday chaos for you. Follow some of these tips and reap the rewards of a sane and organized holiday season!
Tip #1
If you use a lot of services, make sure you get them scheduled NOW.
• Window cleaners
• Carpet cleaners
• Landscapers
• Whoever installs your lights
Tip #2
Decide what date you will be decorating, set that time aside now. Many people do it Thanksgiving weekend. (Hopefully the weather will be good.)
Tip #3 Check & Order your wrapping supplies:
• Personalized Wrapping Supplies
• Eco Friendly
• Bulk Wrapping Supplies
If you are having a party…
Tip #4 Choose your date (get it on the calendar and it will happen)
Tip #5 Create your guest list (you can always add and cut later)
Tip #6 Call your favorite caterer NOW
If you are doing a card…
Tip #7 Choose your photo now or, book your photographer holiday.
Tip #8 Review your mailing list
Tip #9 Choose how you are going to send your holiday cards:
Regular Card, Photo frame, or the greenest of all Paperless Post
Tip #10 Create a holiday notebook (it can be digital, or paper). Create sections for your party, your cards, your gift lists, entertaining, travel, decorating. This is a great resource for the various components: List Plan-It
Now you have some tools that will help you approach the holidays with a smile on your face! Once you have these accomplished you will have a framework to sanity and organization. You will DAZZLE those around you, and maybe even yourself!
