Productive & Organized Home

Organizing While You Are There

  Opportunities exist each day to either clear away a small amount of clutter or maintain an existing space. Taking these small opportunities to organize a little at a time reduces the need to spend hours later “getting organized.” I call it organizing “While You Are There.”

The easiest way to see how this works is with files. No one likes to clean out an entire drawer full of files (myself included), but it doesn’t hurt much to clean out one or two. The next time you pull out a file, look through the entire file. Shred or discard any duplicate, outdated, or no longer relevant information. If you have more time, tackle a few of the surrounding files. This should only take five minutes or so.

The idea is to clear out items that are not used, liked, or needed as you naturally come in contact with them. Follow me through the office and house to see how this works:

• office desk drawers – What supplies do you regularly use? Discard or donate what you don’t. Store the rest in a separate box.

• book shelves – Do the titles on the shelf reflect your current interests and lifestyle? Donate a few books (especially those old college textbooks!).

• kitchen drawers and cabinets - Are you holding onto unused cooking and baking items or food? Donate what you can to your favorite charity.

• junk / utility drawer - Can any items be better used in another room or stored with other like items? Put them there.

• family / living room – Old magazines? Outgrown or broken toys or games? Recycle and donate. No one misses what isn’t used.

• linen closet – Mismatched or old towels? Keep the best. Toss, donate, or store a few as rags in the garage.

• bedroom – Items (like paperwork and kids’ toys) that are not conducive to sleep and relaxation should be returned to their proper homes.

• closet – There’s a reason you, your spouse, or your child hasn’t worn X, Y, or Z. Donate it to someone who will.

• bathroom – Do you really use all those toiletries?


Remember, the idea is to clear out unused or unneeded items while you are already there. Does this take a lot of extra time? No, the time is already there. You just haven’t noticed it yet.

You have a few minutes when you are:

o waiting (in the car, in a line, or for _______ to get ready)

o taking a break between tasks

o looking for something

o putting something away (especially a new item)

This week look around. Is there a small area or two that you could organize while you are there? Do you have a few extra moments to look through that drawer or cabinet? You’d be surprised what a difference small steps over time can make in your home and office.

Take some time this month to clear out a few spaces while you are there. You’ll be glad you did.

© Renee Ursem, 2010

Take the Junk out of Junk Mail!

Most of us are overwhelmed by the amount of mail we receive every day.  It’s credit card offers, catalogs, flyer's, magazines, bills, charities asking for donations, and much much more.  It is unbelievable, not just think of the amount of paper is wasted to produce all this junk!  So, think green and help to reduce the amount of mail you receive every day by following these two simple steps outlined below.

Helping Others Get Organized

 People often ask how to get their kids, spouse, friend, roommate, or parent organized. They are often frustrated by others’ clutter and may have given “helpful” advice: “If you would just get organized…”

How to organize your closet

Is your closet overstuffed with clothes but you still can’t find anything to wear?  Or, is your closet being used as storage room and filled with everything but clothes? 

I will share the steps you need to take to take control of you closet and get it organized. You don't want to miss this! 

Do you have too much stuff?

A couple of weeks ago I helped out at my children’s school with the yearly garage sale. At the garage sale we sell stuff that parents and others donated to the school. It’s a great event, but seeing all the donations was overwhelming. Why so much stuff and where does it all coming from?

We accumulate stuff so fast and easily. We don’t take the time to think our purchases through. That’s why we end up with so much stuff in our lives. I will here give you five tips that might help you reduce stuff coming into your life.

Just One New Habit

          Each year brings the possibility of change. Even though we can make changes at any point in the year, each January we start out the year with a list of good intentions.

Yet, months later, most of our well-laid plans for change have been set aside. We try to make too many big changes in a short amount of time. We get a good start, life interrupts, and we throw up our hands: “I give up! I just can’t __________!”

Instead of taking on a huge self-improvement program, develop just one of the following habits to become more organized:

• Deal with mail each day. Whether it’s email or snail mail, at least 50% of it is junk. Open the mail, toss the envelopes and inserts, and move the important information to the appropriate place. Don’t make a shredding pile; shred as you go. With email, delete things you know you won’t read. Better yet, opt out of subscriptions and mailing lists. Mail is a task if you take care of it daily. Don’t make it a project.

• At the end of the day, make sure your toys are put away. Don’t start the day with a mess. Your brain (whether consciously or unconsciously) slows down because clutter is overwhelming. It’s okay to make messes during the day (you should see my office!), but things need to be put away by the end of each day.

• Never leave a room empty-handed. Put things away throughout the day. When going to the kitchen for a (healthy!) snack, put that receipt in your office. On the way to the car, drop the used magazines in the recycling bin. Teach your kids to do this. It will make clean-up easier later.

• Don’t put empty milk cartons back in the refrigerator. Like the careless teenager, we come across things we no longer like, need, or use, and we just put them back! This year designate a bag or box for donation. The next time you try on the pants that have never fit right, let them go. You won’t miss them. This principle also works in the kitchen (food and cooking items), office (pens, outdated supplies), and children’s rooms (toys, clothes, craft/sports items). When the bag is full, take it to your favorite charity.

• A few nice things are better than a whole house (or office) full of “just okay.” Quality is always better than quantity. Let go of the décor that doesn’t reflect who you are or the appliances you never use. Donate the books you don’t read (or the video tapes). Surround yourself only with items you truly like (or love) and use.

• Flat surfaces are not for storage. Yes, I know you think you need to leave it out to remember it, but does that really work? Usually people end up piling more things around the item, ignoring it. Leaving items out does not get tasks accomplished. Note the task in your planner, then put the item in a place that makes sense. Flat surfaces are areas for work, places to display a few special items, or simply places to rest your eyes. Stop piling things there.

So, are you ready to be more organized this year? Develop one of these habits for the next few weeks. Once it becomes a habit, add another. Remember, you are learning a new skill, so expect it to take some time. It will get easier. Celebrate your successes, and let me know how things are going. I’d love to cheer you on.

Get organized this year with one new habit. You’ll be glad you did.

© Renee Ursem, 2010

I started getting myself organized, now what do I do with the items I want to let go of? - Part 2

In "I started getting myself organized, now what do I do with the items I want to let go of? - Part 1", I talked about there are three main choices to do with items you want to let go of. They are:

1. Sell them
2. Give away / Donate them
3. Trash them

In "Part 1" I covered "Sell them" and now I will be covering the other two options "Give away / Donate them" and "Trash them". 

I started getting myself organized, now what do I do with the items I want to let go of? - Part 1

I recently received several questions from people about what to do with the items they want to let go of. To answer these questions, I wanted to devote time to provide you with information to help you get rid of the thing you are ready to let go of.

First, congratulations on deciding to let go of some of your processions, great job! Here are your main choices:

1. Sell them
2. Give away / Donate them
3. Trash them

I will go through each one of these and give you some great information on what you can do.

Organize Your Kitchen

Your kitchen is usually the center of your home; that’s where you cook, eat, entertain, have kids do home work and much more. It is important to make sure there is enough room to perform all these activities.

I will share three important tips that will help you take control and get your kitchen organized.

Have You Seen TLC's New Hoarding: Buried Alive Show? Watch with us!

TLC recently began airing a series called "Hoarding: Buried Alive"  and I'd like you to consider watching episode #3 with me.

Hoarding affects millions of people, including individuals with hoarding behavior or tendencies, family members who fear for their loved one’s health and safety, neighbors and public officials. Multiple generations can be impacted by an individual that struggles with hoarding. 

Shows such as this one are creating a greater awareness of hoarding behaviors as well as some of the strategies used to work with people who hoard.

While I have been watching the episodes since the airing began on March 14 of this year (and really like the way they share such a sensitive topic), I'm especially interested in the one coming up.  You see, we were honored that the TLC series selected our very own Ellen Hankes CPO-CD (certified professional organizer in chronic disorganization) as one of their experts.  On Sunday evening, March 28th, TLC television will air a show that was filmed in Omaha, Nebraska. Hoarding: Buried Alive features Mary as she works to address her extreme volume of personal belongings. Ellen served as the consulting Professional Organizer for the show. 

Today I'll tell you a bit more about the show and also where you can get more information on hoarding and chronic disorganization.

Why Does Getting Rid of Clutter Upset Me?

(Guest Post: Amanda Jacobs)

So many households have so much unnecessary stuff and rarely have the time to deal with it. This situation raises stress levels and frustrations and can turn our homes into unhealthy environments. One of the big reasons that people give up organizing and un-cluttering is because of the difficult emotions that can arise when deciding which items to keep and which to dispose of. Read on for some insight into these feelings and tips on how to master them.

5 Simple Steps Towards Discovering True Treasure Hidden Amongst Your Clutter

(Guest Post: Debbie Tremblay)

Looking for a little treasure? I'm not talking about diving in the deep blue sea or climbing up the Himalayas Mountains in search of lost buried treasure.

While that may sound fun, finding true treasures begins at home in the darkest corner of your basement or attic.

Need proof? Let me share with you the treasure my client recently uncovered during one of our de-cluttering expeditions that took place in her basement.

The Six Reasons Why You May Not Declutter

(Guest Post: Cindy Brock)

Decluttering is no fun. As someone who was (and still somewhat is) a former clutter-junkie, it took a long time to figure out exactly why I kept what I did. These are some of the reasons that seemed to fit my particular situation:

How to make Organizing Fun for the whole Family!

Does the thought of organizing make you want to scream? Do you procrastinate when it comes to getting organized because you feel it is too overwhelming?

Organizing does not have to be a chore there are ways to make it into something fun that you and your family actually might enjoy!

Here are some tips.  

To keep, or not to keep: that is the question!

Does this scenario ring any bells???
“Now, I am going to take time to file this stack of papers. Let’s see, this insurance policy is from spring of 2008, should I keep it or toss it? Hmmm….well, better to be on the safe side, I’ll keep it. What about this next paper? I don’t even know what it is, should I toss it? No, let’s just file it in my “Miscellaneous” folder. Oh gosh, how much is left? And, fifteen minutes has already gone by, this is taking way too long! I have to finish this another time. I will just put the pile on the top of the filing cabinet for now….Three weeks later the pile is still there and it has gotten quite a few new friends!!!”

Easy Solutions to Organize the Legos in Your Home

Do your or your children's Legos look like that picture?  Legos can be a bunch of fun, or they can be a royal pain!  The good news is that there are some easy solutions to help you turn a mess into a system that is fun and manageable. 

Recently, the topic of Lego organizing came up on one of the organizing groups I belong to and I learned that organizer moms have their own techniques for keeping the tiny plastic pieces contained and ready for play at any time. I'm sharing their ideas with you today.

Could you live with just 72 things?

I was reading this post today: Living with 72 Things and wanted to share it with you to get your perspective.  Tammy and her husband have eliminated almost everything from their material lives and blog about living a simple life.  About two years ago they began letting go of things.  To date, they have let go of so many items that they have moved to a less expensive, much smaller home.  Read Tammy's post and come back here to tell me what you think!

To your success!

PS -- If you've enjoyed this post and want to see more, why not subscribe to our daily emails (Feedblitz) or through the RSS Feed (click here)?  Or, follow us on Twitter!  Or connect on Facebook!

7 Ideas for Handling an Overabundance of Bathroom Products (lotion, sanitizer, perfume, etc.)

Do you have a plethora of bathroom products?

A Reader Writes:

I'm looking for ideas to help my mother.  She is 65 years old and has a HUGE collection of personal products in her bathroom and linen closet.  Most of them are unopened and expensive (she got them as gifts) so she does not want to throw them out.  But, she will never use all of it and her space is filled to the brim.  Is there any place that would like this kind of stuff?
Thanks!
MaryAnne -- Jacksonville Florida USA

MaryAnne- Yes!  I've listed seven options and I bet my readers will have ideas too.

Order Helps Build Better Readers

I was reading my copy of Working Mother Magazine today and came across an article that I wanted to share with you.  The article was "Family Focus - Order Helps Readers."  The tag line read:
 
How getting organized will help your kid become a stronger student. 
 
  

Control Your Inner Shop-a-Holic - Questions to ask Before You Buy

When you go shopping are you looking at everything with rose colored glasses or do you administer a dose of reality?

Some people are born shoppers.  One of my good friends, Angela, is a FABULOUS shopper.  She can spot a deal from miles away.  The other thing that makes her a good shopper, however, is she can walk away from that deal if it is not what she really needs.

Keep reading for some ideas that can help you be smart with your shopping.

News Headlines & Blog Posts About Organizing Your Home

Don't have time to surf the net for the latest organizing and productivity news?  No problem!  Keep reading to see some of the latest headlines and blog posts on the net.

Oct 14 Teleconference: Part With Your Sentimental Clutter Without Breaking Your Heart-Expert: Rita Emmett

Do you struggle with the clutter in your home? Do your emotions get in the way of being able to simplify?  Do you own items that used to belong to family members or loved ones?  Sentimental clutter can paralize us.  Attend this session live (or via recording) to learn how to free yourself from your emotions and make choices that really work for who you are and your situation. Bonus!  When you register for the LIVE session, you will also receive a copy of Rita's book: The Clutter-Busting Handbook: Clean It Up, Clear It Out, and Keep Your Life Clutter-Free

$25.95

Do you struggle with the clutter in your home? Do your emotions get in the way of being able to simplify?  Do you own items that used to belong to family members or loved ones?  Sentimental clutter can paralize us.  Attend this session live (or via recording) to learn how to free yourself from your emotions and make choices that really work for who you are and your situation. Bonus!  When you register for the LIVE session, you will also receive a copy of Rita's book: The Clutter-Busting Handbook: Clean It Up, Clear It Out, and Keep Your Life Clutter-Free

$25.95

TLC's Jon and Kate Plus 8 Hire a Professional Organizer

Delegate?  Ditch?  Keep?  Donate?  Dust Bunnies?  No?  Maybe?  We're excited to know that Jon and Kate have hired a real-life Professional Organizer!

There are some that love and watch this show and keep track of the children as if Jon and Kate are their family members.  There are equally as many people that are tired of the drama and do everything they can to stay away from this TLC show family.  However, I was reading my colleague, John Trosko's blog today and came across his post announcing the organization focus on the show and had to check in to see what was going on.

An Easy Solution for Paper Clutter on Your Kitchen Counter

Paper.  We get a lot of paper in our homes and some of it we need to keep.  You don't see many homes without a pile of paper somewhere and usually the piles are on the kitchen counter.  An easy and quick solution to get rid of the piles of paper is to have an open file box.

Recycle Your Encyclopedias and Other Reference Books

Carla (a reader from S. Florida) wrote us the following inquiry:

"Back when my kids were young we purchased a set of beautiful encyclopedias.  They really are nice.  Color photos and gold leafing... 

Anyway, our kids are grown and have moved out of the house and these beautiful books take up 4 feet of space in my office.

I have tried to get rid of them in many ways:

Is it Got Sentimental Clutter? Watch this Video and Tell Me What You Think.

Do you have things that you have kept forever because it reminds you of a good time in your life?  If you answered yes, you are not alone! 

Today I share a video from a new YouTube buddy, Rita Emmet.  She shares her perspective on dealing with her mother's belongings and other sentimental items.  I'll share some of my thoughts too! 

Clutter or Collection? Watch this Video and Then Tell Me What You Think

Collections are frequently the hardest thing for people to manage when it comes to their belongings.  I was laughing quite a bit when @unclutterer shared a YouTube video from Marc Sotkin of BOOMERALLEY.

Marc wonders whether he's got a collection or just clutter.  It is an excellent question and the video gives many awesome examples.  Take a look and tell me what you think!

'Disappear' Toys or Ask Your Child to Choose Which Ones to Give Up?

One of my Twitter friends @CarlaYong just posted this question

"A question for the Moms out there: better to 'disappear' toys or ask your child to choose which ones to give up?  A bit more info on my Q: DD just turned 4YO & has previously willingly given up toys to younger friends & does get attached to everything!"

I am asked this question frequently, so I thank Carla for the blog post inspiration!  Keep reading for my reply.

Clean Out Your Closets Month!

January is Clean Out Your Closet Month so I thought it would be helpful for you to get some ideas on how you can get started.  Closets can be really overwhelming for many people.  If you have an overwhelmed closet, start by sorting through what you have and placing your items into three categories:  yes, maybe and no.

Get Rid of those Unused T-Shirts!

Do you have a pile (or piles) of old T-Shirts that you don't want anymore, but that are are taking up space in your home?  Today I have the solution for you!

ReTees is a company that takes your old unwanted t-shirts and recycles them into great green products.  Why T Shirts? In today's age of disposable clothing, the T Shirt reigns supreme. They are cheap, cheerful and "fast food fashion". In fact, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, an estimated 11.8 million tons of textiles were generated in 2006, or 5 percent of total municipal solid waste.  The company has other great facts out on their site about why they are focused on t-shirts.  https://www.reteez.com/facts.php

Organize Home Office Space In Six Super Easy Steps

It can take a lot to keep your home office in a productive state.  I have personal experience with this!  Sometimes family members want to make the space their own.  Sometimes, it is easy to put off taking care of things because of other pressing issues. What ever your challenge, today I'm sharing an article by a colleague that will help you get on your way to a home office more organized.

In her article, Organize Home Office Space Six Super Easy Steps to a Productive and Organized Home Office, Samantha Buck shares a common sense approach to how to handle your stuff.  Enjoy! http://searchwarp.com/swa395040.htm

Letting Go - The Rest of the Wedding Dress Story

You are Not Alone! Professional Organizers Can Get Emotional with Their De-cluttering Too-- The Process Used by One Organizer to Part with her Wedding Dress & Help Breast Cancer Research

Clutter- Anything that you own, possess, or do which does not enhance your life on a regular basis.

I provide this definition in almost every presentation and workshop that I do.  It is logical and I apply de-cluttering tips on a consistent basis in my own home. . . with one exception . . . my wedding dress! The dress I wore to marry the love of my life.

Did You Know FAT is GOOD?

My husband's cardiologist would strongly disagree with how I started this article, but hang in there with me and you will see where I am going.  Organize your files week is an April holiday, but you don't need a holiday to get your files in order!  Before you create an organizing plan for your space, evaluate the necessity of removing the backlog. If you have a disaster of an office, you have to get it cleared out and start fresh before you can really make a difference.

Wannabe Clutter

I love to hear my grandchildren talk about what they want to be when they grow up. While some children stay with their chosen career path from preschool through adulthood, most children find new interests that lead to other kinds of life work.

Adults frequently identify new interest areas throughout their lives. For example, my husband started golfing in his 50's. My sister started quilting in her 60's. They were both able to identify something they wanted to do, acquired the necessary equipment and skills, and carried it through the action phase.

New interests are sometimes the source of clutter, and I call this Wannabe Clutter. My definition of Wannabe Clutter is the material that accumulates as a result of start and stop interests.

36 Tips for Productivity in the Home

Do you ever feel like this guy?  So many things to do that you can't even see what is right in front of your face??

Well, Simple Mom posted a great article that is a fast read and includes 36 Tips for Productivity in the Home.

I enjoyed a number of them, but I especially liked point number 28.

Success Stories!!

"Prepare yourself for something wonderful to happen. When you do, it always will."
— Shad Helmstetter

Every once in a while we like to share success stories from our readers, workshop participants or clients.  Recently we received a letter from R.M. from Morton Illinois.  R.M. was struggling with the belongings of her daughters and a basement space that was not functioning as she would like. 

Organize your drawers in the office and kitchen

What does your kitchen "junk drawer" look like?  What about your office desk?  Rubbermaid has a great blog that talks about how to organize different spaces in your home and office.  Recently, there was a post on using a silverware sorter to organize things other than silverware.

That reminded me of a personal project I had done a while back. . .

Could you find what you wanted in the drawer to the right? 

I couldn't either!  So here is what I did about it.

Going GREEN - Reducing Paper Piles

Just about every client we talk with says that paper is one of their biggest challenges.  Is it one of yours?

One way you can eliminate paper from your home office (or kitchen counter, entry hall table, etc.) is to

Organizing WGCY Radio Recording

Last March I had the pleasure of spending some time with Jim Killian, News Director for WGCY radio.  He was fabulous.  It was really easy to talk with him and he made me feel at ease. (Thanks Jim!)  To make things even better, Jim provided the recording of our conversation for me to share.

Audio - Clutter: Signs of Postponed Decisions

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Clutter- Signs of Postponed Decisions (4 minutes, 15 seconds)

Lighten Up! Free Yourself from Clutter

Lighten Up!

Lighten Up! Free Yourself from Clutter is the first book of its kind to view cleaning clutter not as a burdensome chore but as a transformational experience. If those piles of stuff are draining you of energy, if they're not supporting and nurturing you, then get out from under them! Lighten Up! Free Yourself from Clutter is a practical yet inspirational guide that encourages you to approach clutter cleaning as a fun, creative, soul-enriching endeavor.

Have you read this book?  What do you think about it?  Let us know!

Cluttered houses are dangerous and risk lives

There are frequently stories on homes that have gone up in flames and the fire fighters struggled to put out the fire.  When you look at your home, do you see an easy way for emergency personnel to come in and help you, or would emergency staff struggle to find you?  Take a look at a recent story in Oregon.

Cluttered house ignites, makes firefighting difficult | KATU.com - Portland, Oregon | News

Love it or Lose It!

Love It or Lose It

Love It Or Loose It Love It Or Lose It introduces the 5-step Clutter Campaign that helps you finally and forever combat the Clutter Trap. Features the LILI Inventory to help you assess the impact of clutter on enjoying your life and work. This book helps you: Reduce stress and distractions Claim the freedom and focus you deserve Create and sustain an environment you love

Have you read this book?  How has it helped you?  What did you think of it?

Got (or want) Books? Have Some to Get Rid Of?

Got (or want) Books?  Here's a great web site for you....
Want to increase your business library?  Or like to curl up with a good book to relax and unwind from the day?  Do this for next to nothing, while also being environmentally friendly, with www.paperbackswap.com.   It is easy to use and there's no subscription fees for the service.  Here is how it works:

DeCluttering Success Story!

Every once in a while we like to share success stories from our readers, workshop participants or clients.  We received an email from Dava.  She attended a workshop that we presented and had asked some great questions during the session. 

EBay the Easy Way

One of my long-time readers asked me if I knew of a resource to learn more about e-bay.  He wants to "unload all of this stuff" and he is also considering the possibility of a home-based business using e-bay.

Clutter's Last Stand

Clutter's Last Stand

Clutter's Last Stand Don Aslett, America's #1 Cleaning Expert, is the founder of one of the country's largest cleaning firms, Varsity Contractors. His home care books have sold more than three million copies-and counting. His private label brand of cleaners, Don Aslett's Time Savers, are perennial favorites on QVC.

Have You read this book?  Let us know what you think!

Clutter is Postponed Decisions

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

De-Cluttering
Clutter- Signs of Postponed Decisions (4 minutes, 15 seconds)
Clutter- Disorganization Equals Stress (4 minutes, 53 seconds)
New Ways To Turn that Clutter into CASH! (4 minutes, 1 second)

 
 

Clutter Awareness Week and My Personal Learning

Clutter!  Clutter Awareness week is this month, so we thought it was timely to focus on those areas of our life that we normally avoid. 

Clutter accumulates in various areas of life because you have decisions you are avoiding for one reason or another.  De-cluttering is often difficult, because we are forced to face those decision points.

De-clutter Those User's Manuals!

How many of you have a big pile (either all together or spread out throughout your home or office) of different sized booklets that give you informaiton about something you purchased?  How many of them have you ever referenced? 

Next question, if something broke down, could you find it when you needed it?  I now know about a great resource that will help you get rid of your obscure ones with no problem!