To Grandmother's House We Go

The other day I had a group of long-time friends over. As we sat down for a meal one said, “This feels like home.” I loved hearing that. Yes, my house is organized, but the best compliment I get is when people feel at home here.

One of the reasons she said that is because of the familiarity of our house. We’ve been here almost 43 years. For those who have moved multiple times, it can be comforting to go to a place that feels familiar. It feels like home.

As we anticipate hosting Thanksgiving gatherings, what are some ways we can make real the words of the song, “There’s no place like home for the holidays?” Even if you’ve recently moved, here are some Timely Tips to bring the familiar, or even “start the familiar” that will make your house and holidays feel like home.

Timely Tips to make your house feel like home (for the holidays)

Photo by Anna Tukhfatullina Food Photographer/Stylist:(pexels.com)

Traditional Decorations: As I look around, most of my Thanksgiving decorations are from long ago. There are even a couple wooden Mayflower ships my girls made back in…well, let’s just say many years ago. Thanksgiving décor doesn’t tend to be trendy and need not be excessive, so having a few things that come out every fall enhances the familiar feel.

Photo by Element5 Digital: (pexels.com)

Traditional Foods: Some of our Thanksgiving favorites are turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, zweibach (a traditional German dinner roll), olives (for the fingers of the little ones), pumpkin pies, chocolate pies, and freshly whipped cream.

Your favorites and traditions may be different. Maybe trying a new dish each year is a tradition for you. In any case, sharing familiar flavors is a way of connecting with the past and with each other, making it feel like home.

Traditional Activities: Prior to Thanksgiving we like to have our grandchildren for a day of fall activities. I look online for simple crafts and games and prep them ahead of time. I put the titles of each activity on a piece of paper in a basket and the grandkids take turns pulling them out to determine what we do next.

Thanksgiving Eve my daughter, Rachel, and I compete to see whose pie crust doesn’t fall apart during baking. We wear the aprons that my grandmas wore back in the 60s.

Thanksgiving morning the Macy’s parade is on as we make preparations. During or after the feast we share what we’re thankful for and take time to thank the Lord who provided those blessings.

Weather permitting, we play Bocce Ball or take a walk around the neighborhood. And, we play Thanksgiving Bingo.

Maybe your traditions include watching the football game, using grandma’s china, looking through old family photos, doing a craft, watching “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” or reminiscing about loved ones who have passed.

If your family of origin didn’t have traditions, or they were more along the line of arguing about politics, be intentional about choosing a couple activities that build a connection between those you’re celebrating with. As you have opportunity to host again, establish the good ones as traditions.

Traditional Gifts: I love that Thanksgiving is one holiday without the added pressure of gift giving, but here’s a gift idea that can connect generations using traditional décor. As my parents continue to downsize, they’ve come across holiday decorations they’re no longer using. This Thanksgiving, they’re giving each great-granddaughter a corn husk doll from their decorations bin. Maybe it’s time I pass along the Mayflower ships too…nah!

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wise words

"...always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." The Apostle Paul

Good Intentions to Priceless Results

This morning I got word that my husband’s last uncle passed away. Two days ago, we attended the Celebration of Life service for a 59-year-old man we did ministry with. Last month a good friend’s father died. Ecclesiastes 7:2 says, “It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.”

Death stops us in our tracks—literally and figuratively. Literally when it is our turn, we no longer walk with those on earth. Figuratively, when it happens to those around us it causes us pause and, at least for a moment, we take to heart our own mortality.

Why should we take this to heart and what does it have to do with being organized? Sandra Felton of Messies Anonymous said, “Organizing is not nearly as important as many other things in life, but what it delivers is often priceless.”

For the young widow whose husband handled the bills and paperwork, being left with a simple system and organized files is priceless. For the adult children of deceased parents, inheriting a home that does not take hours and hours of sorting, trashing, and donating is priceless.

Taking to heart our own mortality gives rise to an assessment of priorities.When leaving a funeral, we’re not hoping to spend more time watching sitcoms before it’s our time to go. We may be thinking of things we haven’t yet done—bucket list, creating a will/trust, gathering important documents, or purging excess belongings. We may be thinking of relationships to invest in or restore.

What do you want in life? That’s an important question considering we all have an expiration date. In Organizing for the Creative Person authors Dorothy Lehmkuhl and Dolores Cotter Lamping say, “Good time management means doing activities you regard as important to achieving what you want in life.”

Unfortunately, when we consider something important, it doesn’t automagically happen. Here are four Timely Tips to transform your good intentions to priceless reality.

Timely Tips

Photo by RODNAE Productions: (pexels.com)

Identify one thing that is of high importance to you. Create a specific goal based on that value. For instance, maybe preserving memories is of high importance to you. Your goal may be to organize your photos and create a photo book for your child, vacation, or year. Or maybe your goal is creating a video of your grandparents sharing memories.

Break down your goal into steps. In this scenario, if you’re dealing with hard copy photos, your first step would be to gather your photos, then purge and sort in categories based on your end goal. If your goal is a video, your first step may be creating a list of questions for your grandparents to respond to.

Schedule specific time on your calendar to work on each identified step. You may want to schedule two hours every Thursday night, or an hour once a week on your day off. Whatever it is, write it on your calendar and protect it like you would a doctor or repairman appointment. Don’t bounce around to other projects during your scheduled sessions and stay on track with the order of steps you’ve outlined.

Celebrate each step’s completion and designate a special reward for completing the goal.

When extra help is needed
Some goals require additional help. If yours is restoring a relationship, some counseling may be in order. If yours is creating a will or trust, you’ll want to connect with an attorney. If you’re sorting and purging your entire house, a professional organizer can decrease the overwhelm and guide the process.

If yours is preparing for what comes after that final goodbye, I recommend reading the Gospel of John in the Bible. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

wise words

Time is not refundable. Use it with intention. --Madi Parkinson

Bridge the Gap

We’ve all heard that blondes have more fun, but do organized people have more fun? Think about this: what’s more fun, spending $75/month on renting storage space or going out to dinner once a week? What’s more fun, spending a ½ an hour looking for your keys or purse, or reading a good book?

While most would answer going out to dinner and reading, statistics show that many lifestyle choices result in a more stressful existence. That’s not fun.

The National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals survey showed that 65 percent of respondents noted that their household was at least moderately disorganized and 71 percent said their quality of life would improve if they were better organized.

There seems to be a disconnect between believing that being organized is a better way of life and actually doing it. So, how do we bridge that gap?

Boundaries. If you’re visiting the tigers at the zoo, you’re very aware of the benefit of boundaries. Boundaries also enhance your experience in sports, relationships, time management, and finances. At times we perceive boundaries as restrictive or cumbersome, but they spare us from stress, injury, heartache, and loss.

The same is true for boundaries in organization. They minimize anxiety and frustration. Here are a few common boundary pushers and some Timely Tips on how to combat them.

Timely Tips for boundaries

Photo by Ryutaro Tsukata (pexels.com)

Collectibles:
Years ago, a client began collecting Hummel figurines. For each birthday she received more. What was once a joy, became a burden as she struggled to cram them into closets and keep the multitudes on display dust-free.

Setting boundaries for a collection means to:

• Decide how much space you want to allot to it

• Choose your favorites that will comfortably fit in that space

• Release the rest

• Give yourself permission to let people know you have reached your limit and offer some alternative suggestions for gifts like a gift certificate for a massage or dinner out, in other words, something you don’t have to store

Backup Supplies:
One woman emailed asking what to do with all the backup supplies that were spilling out all over her floor. She said she saves money by buying in bulk and stocking up when things are on sale.

Living beyond our means when it comes to our space comes with a cost. She was stressed with the clutter it was causing.

• Designate a specific space for backup supplies. It can be even a bedroom closet, or shelf in the garage, as long as it's a designated and defined area

• Honor that boundary and wait to purchase more until there’s room for it

• Find someone to split the large quantity sales and supplies with--win, win!

Left-over Containers: Chances are you have more containers for left-overs than you have left-overs to put in them. They take up valuable kitchen space and cause stress when rummaging through a stuffed cabinet or drawer trying to match a lid to a container.

• Determine how many you actually need and use

• Match that number of lids and containers

• Let go of the rest

• Resist saving every lunchmeat container, just in case

Toys:
It’s easy for a home with young children to become overrun with toys. Just like you have rules about where food is allowed, you can set boundaries for toys.

• Designate specific rooms/areas for play and those that are not for play

• Establish cleanup boundaries-- like placing toys in designated bins every night before bedtime (the more frequent, the smaller the mess)

• For outdoor bikes and scooters, “draw” a parking boundary with colored duct tape in the garage or patio

• Maintain the amount of toys that fit comfortably in the designated storage areas (one in, one out)

wise words

Boundaries are basically about providing structure, and structure is essential in building anything that thrives. --Henry Cloud

Nail the Landing

I was never more thankful for air traffic controllers than when visiting our son and family while they lived near LAX. It’s fun watching the huge airliners make their approach knowing they have an exact spot assigned. Imagine if landing planes was a willy-nilly activity without an intentional system. As the plane descends, the pilot chooses the first flat surface he sees and says, “I’ll just put this here, for now.”

Sound a little familiar? Flat surfaces beg for things to land on them and we, willy-nilly comply thinking it’s “just for now.” While the results may not be a matter of life or death, it’s often a matter of peace or chaos.

The biggest contributors to piles on our counters, tables, etc. are things that need a temporary home. Unfortunately, we don’t have a control tower advising us on where to land what’s in our hand. If the cost of your clutter (stress, wasted time, strained relationships) isn't worth the benefit of randomly landing stuff on the first flat surface you see, then it’s time for an intentional system.

Set aside aspirations of a Pinterest perfect outcome. That, can stop you in your tracks. Let go of the idea that you’re leaving things out so you can see them—you can’t. Follow these simple Timely Tips to nail your landings.

Timely Tips to nail your landings

Papers
As you sort through your piles, you’ll find papers that you didn’t put away because they need action. Get an open topped bin/basket (at least 12”x9”x5”) and label it “ACTION PAPERS.”

This is also where you can process mail, but if at any point the bin is full, then it’s time to get busy and take action!

There are, of course, more complicated systems, but now, you have just ONE PLACE to look for any papers needing action. The rest—shred, recycle, or file in a file cabinet.

Projects
Label another bin “PROJECTS.” Place only the projects from your piles that will fit comfortably in the bin and that you plan to do within the month.

Make a list of too large and overflow projects. Place the list in the bin with a note saying where they are being stored. Relocate the overflow projects to the designated closet or cabinet.

Now, you have a manageable project load and just TWO PLACES to look when searching for a project.

In ‘n Out
The third temporary home is for the items strewn about that come and go with you—purses, wallets, backpacks, keys, etc. Install hooks near the door for the items that can hang.

For other items, use another open topped bin. Be vigilant about using it only for “In ‘n Out” items--sunglasses, library books, dry cleaning, things to return to stores, or take to the office. Place it near the door. Now you have just ONE AREA to look for and store your “In ‘n Out” items.

Shine your flat surfaces and celebrate each time you nail a landing—you’ve earned it.

wise words

Picture your dream home. I bet it’s not filled with clutter.
― Joshua Becker

"Looks like you're working out"

Men don’t know how easy that have it. While curling my hair, this message appeared on my Apple watch, “Looks like you’re working out. Record workout?” Unfortunately, “Curling Hair” isn’t on the list with Walking, Swimming, Running, etc. But thank you Apple for acknowledging the effort.

Along with the physical investment getting ready in the morning, there’s equipment and products that, if left unchecked, can overtake the bathroom cabinets and counter. Without suitable set-up and maintenance, it can be frustrating to find and access things you need amongst those you don’t. Let’s look at three steps to streamline your bathroom space and routine.

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Timely Tips to get your bathroom in shape

Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich (Pexels.com)

Step 1—PURGE
Yes, it’s always step one. There are no-brainers like empty toothpaste tubes, unpackaged cotton balls in hair-lined drawers, broken hair clips, used tissues, etc. Toss them and other obvious trash.

Then, there are the hair, make up, and skin products you purchased two years ago, stopped using, but haven’t tossed because you spent so much money on them. Toss them too. Remember, you’re choosing between having the space they occupy and being reminded of the wasted money each time you bypass those products for the ones you currently use.

Hair equipment tends to cycle in phases—hot rollers, crimpers, curling irons, flat irons, wands, etc. At my house, the hot rollers keep coming back, while a crimper not so much. Let go of the equipment that does things to hair that you don’t want to ever do again. Separate what you’re currently using from things you might want to cycle back to.

Determine a reasonable criterion for keeping beauty gadgets. Does it live up to its promise? Do you use it regularly? If not often, is it earning its keep for the space it’s occupying?

If you discover you have an abundance of backup supplies, consider sharing some with a homeless shelter.

Step 2—CREATE HOMES
Clean the drawers, shelves, counters, under the sink, and organizing containers. Group things you’re keeping into categories—hair, make up, skin, tooth supplies, etc.

If drawer and cabinet space is limited, consider an over-the toilet shelving unit or cabinet. This is a great spot for feminine products and extra toilet paper. Over-the-door organizers can hold frequently used supplies. There are wall mount racks to store clean rolled towels and glass wall shelves that can hold and display perfumes and skincare products. A slim rolling cart can store frequently used items and be rolled to a corner when not in use.

From each category pull the items you use daily or at least multiple times per week. These items deserve prime real estate—top drawers and/or an acrylic organizer that can be used on the counter and then stored in a cabinet when not in use. Use drawer dividers and designate a home for each item.

Store less-used items in lower drawers or add drawers under the sink or in cabinets for easy access. Keep categories defined by separating them in labeled containers.

Assign your back-up supplies a specific place/container so you know where to look before purchasing more.

Photo by Pixabay (Pexels.com)

Step 3—MAINTAIN
Repeat after me, “Don’t put it down, put it away.” This is huge. Once your space is organized, take a mental (or real) picture and decide that when you leave the bathroom each morning, that is how it will look. When everything has a home and you do it daily, it’s only a two-minute job at most.

Organizing is never a one-and-done project. New things will come into the bathroom, others will stop being used, and things will get messy. Whenever you notice your storage areas getting cramped or counters getting cluttered, it’s time for a tune-up. You may not get Apple Watch workout credits, but you will benefit when your bathroom’s in good shape.

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comical words

No job is finished until the paperwork is done.

Happiness Inside

“Happiness inside.” Yesterday I saw this slogan printed on the side of an Amazon truck. As a Prime member, I order my share of “happiness.” Most times though, I pick up the box from the porch struggling to remember what I ordered. Among those boxes there’s a small percentage of things that truly bring happiness.

My husband, being the fun grandpa he is, ordered a zipline for our backyard. It brings happiness to the observing parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents as well as to our granddaughters who swing through the air squealing with delight.

In some cases the shopping experience itself causes more happiness than the items purchased. In the online article, “Why Retail ‘Therapy’ Makes You Feel Happier,” clinical psychologist Scott Bea, PsyD. says, “Research suggests there’s actually a lot of psychological and therapeutic value when you’re shopping — if done in moderation, of course.”

He explains that even just browsing, scrolling online or window shopping, can release dopamine, the neurotransmitter in our brain known as the “happy hormone.” In that case it’s more about the anticipation of the reward than the purchase itself.

For those feeling down about circumstances beyond their control, choosing something to buy and making a purchase can boost the mood by restoring a sense of control and autonomy.

Retail therapy also provides a distraction from difficulties in life. “The smell of something new, the bright lights and colorful displays combine to create an imaginative, sensory experience that can remove us from our own reality, even for a little while,” says Dr. Bea.

As with many activities, shopping therapy has the capacity to boost happiness, but can also pull you down. Here are 6 Timely Tips to stay in control.

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Timely Tips to stay in control

1. Box build up. Online ordering spiked with the advent of Covid. In addition to items we buy for pleasure or gifts, many of our staples are delivered as well.

• Choose the Amazon delivery option that gets your orders together in fewer boxes. 

• Designate a place for packages waiting to be opened other than the entryway to your home. The laundry room or entry closet keeps them close, but not cluttering your living space. 

• Store a box cutter in the same area and take time to break down the boxes and place them in a recycle bin whenever you open a package.

• Most Amazon returns don’t require the box, but if you need to keep it, store the box broken down and folded in the garage. Apply a sticky note saying what it was for and the date, so you know when to discard it. 

2. No room for more stuff. 

• Ask yourself, “Do I have space for this right now?” If your rooms, cabinets, and closets are already maxed, happiness from your purchase will be short-lived when you have to cram it into an already crowded area. 

• Make space first. That usually means letting go of unused items, not adding on to the house. 

Photo by Pixabay (Pexels.com)

3. No funds to cover it. If it’s going on a credit card that’s not getting paid off each month, the happiness from the purchase only lasts as long as it takes to get the bill.

• Save up for your purchase. You can prolong the joy of anticipation when you wait until you have the money to purchase it. 

4. Monthly subscriptions. These can be fun and useful, but if you have a backlog of makeup, craft supplies, or other monthly subscription items, they easily become clutter and burdensome instead of a blessing.

• Cancel, use up what you have, and evaluate the benefit verses cost ($ and space) before re-subscribing. 

Photo by Karolina Grabowska (Pexels.com)

5. Impulse Buying. With ads continually popping up, it can be hard not to go down the rabbit hole and end up with something you had no intention of buying.

• Leave items in the cart overnight. If, in the morning, you decide not to buy it, you got the dopamine from the search without the stress of paying for and storing it. Win. Win.

Photo by Mikhail Nilov (Pexels.com)

6. Compulsive Buying. For about 5% of shoppers, shopping goes beyond retail therapy and buying what is needed. If you find yourself continually buying multiples and things you don’t need, purchasing items outside your budget, being secretive or feeling guilty about purchases, and neglecting work/family responsibilities to shop needlessly, consider talking with a mental health professional.

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comical words

I wish retail therapy was covered by my health insurance. —Unknown

Timing is Everything

On Mother’s Day I received a journal titled “Daily Kairos.” Not being a Greek scholar, I opened the journal to discover the meaning of kairos-- “The suitable or appropriate time for something to occur or for something to be accomplished.”

Why is timing so important? Think for a moment about what happens when we don’t use the “suitable or appropriate time” for things like sorting the mail, paying the bills, grocery shopping, changing the oil, making a phone call, or completing continuing education units. At the least, consequences include things piling up or cramming tasks together. On the critical side, missing deadlines can cost money, career opportunities, and wreak havoc in relationships. The common theme is more stress.

Kairos is a stress reducer, albeit annoying and inconvenient at times. Just now, I heard the washing machine inform me it’s finished with its load. The suitable time for me to put it into the dryer is now. If I don’t, the next three loads won’t get done today. Of course, that wouldn’t be the end of the world, but today I’m home and putting it off means cramming laundry into a busier day. So, I’m getting up, starting another load, and rewarding myself with a cup of coffee-flavored creamer.

Besides not wanting to get up off a chair, what’s keeping us from using kairos and what can we do to enhance our usage? Let’s look at three common scenarios.

Photo by cottonbro (Pexels.com)

1. We fail to deliberately schedule things for a suitable or appropriate time.

For the first few years of my business, I scheduled clients Monday through Saturday, as needed. However, I failed to schedule specific office time for writing my article, doing my QuickBooks, etc. I wasn’t always booked solid, but not having scheduled time for office work meant it was often pushed aside. Now, Mondays are my office day with few exceptions.

Many people are working from home these days and without the structure of an office environment, it can be easy to push aside work or home tasks. Setting a schedule for each is key to getting things done.

Photo by Pixabay (Pexels.com)

2. We’re not realistic about the time tasks will require.

We put things off because we think they will take forever and get overwhelmed, or because we think we’ll be able to zip through and get it done. It’s important to have an appropriate estimation of the amount of time it will take and that requires some planning.

The COVID shutdown created time for me to stock up on CEUs for my re-certification. Next time around, I’ll need to determine and schedule the number of hours it will take per month to complete the requirement.

Consider tracking the amount of time various tasks take. That will enhance your ability to schedule them for a suitable and appropriate time.

Photo by Miriam Alonso (Pexels.com)

3. We don’t have a routine set up for success.

So many of my clients have experienced transitions that took them from order to disorder. When life changes, we sometimes think we should still be able to do things the same way we used to, but we can’t.

Maybe you always processed your mail right after dinner, but now you have kids and there are baths, homework, and stories to read. The mail gets stacked on the counter until company comes, and then gets bagged and put into a closet. The more suitable time for processing mail may now be right after the kids go down.

Creating a daily routine at the appropriate time reduces stress and disorder. The suitable time may be linked to an already established routine that will be more easily remembered.

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Wise Words

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Hurricanes and Hoarding

Devastate (Merriam-Webster):

1. To bring to ruin or desolation by violent action

2. To reduce to chaos, disorder, helplessness

Hurricanes and hoarding devastate in those terms, in that respective order. 

Similarities:

• Neither is respective of socio-economic status, education, race, ethnicity, culture, or political views.

• A hurricane can render a home unsafe for habitation. Hoarding reduces order to chaos causing health and safety issues. 

• Both experience pain over the loss of treasured belongings.

• Both require supportive teams to rebuild or regain control.

• Structural changes are required in rebuilding after a hurricane to ensure future stability. Behavioral changes are required to promote lasting change in hoarding environments. 

Differences:

• Hurricane forces instantly create piles of rubble. Hoarding takes place over time, creating what appears to be piles of rubbish. 

• A hurricane victim looks desperately for help to fix the situation. A person who hoards may not acknowledge there's a problem at all.

• One of the most unfortunate differences is the response of those around them. The hurricane victim is surrounded by compassionate support. For many who hoard, the response they encounter is disgust, judgement, and criticism. 

Understanding more can benefit those dealing with compulsive hoarding and those who care about them.

Few people with hoarding disorder reach out for help. They find satisfaction and comfort in the process of bringing more into their homes, even when it begins to encroach upon living spaces and render stoves, tubs, toilets, halls, and rooms unusable. Some who want to stop find it nearly impossible no matter how hard they try.

The distress of discarding a piece of string or even a used paper plate can equal that of letting go of a sentimental gift from a loved one. Without recognizing this aspect, it's easy for friends and family to misinterpret reluctance to clean up as laziness or being unappreciative of an offer to help "take out the trash."

David Dudley, in Conquering Clutter Jan/Feb 2007, said of working with his dad, "What I didn't understand until it was much too late was that the objects going out the door were not objects at all. Often the items that had been used the least were the hardest to throw out, symbolizing not fond memory, but never-tapped potential. They were, as my father said while I hauled off a nearly new portable gas grill, 'artifacts of unused life.'"

People with hoarding disorder have a creative gift of seeing potential in everything they collect. Arguing with them about keeping something that appears of no value to you, can solidify their commitment to it as they make their case for keeping it.

The conflict between a person who compulsively hoards and the one concerned for his health and safety can be devastating to the relationship. Creating change by force or threatening a call to the authorities has potential for ending the relationship.

Approach with an attitude of compassion and understanding. Digging Out--Helping Your Loved One Manage Clutter, Hoarding, and Compulsive Acquiring, by Michael A. Tompkins, Ph.D. and Tamara L. Hartl, Ph.D. provides steps for gradual and lasting change. Not saying it's easy, by any means, but it's a good resource.

If you think you're dealing with compulsive hoarding yourself, there is hope. As with any change, the reason to change must outweigh the reason for not changing. Start with a serious look at your values. Is your home supporting what's most important to you?

A helpful resource for personal change is Buried in Treasures--Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding, by David F. Tolin, Ph.D., Randy O. Frost Ph.D., and Gail Steketee Ph.D. The authors also recommend seeking mental health care from a professional. For some, treating comorbidities such as depression, inattention, or anxiety is necessary in the process.

Clutter itself does not equal compulsive hoarding. Many of the people I work with have clutter, but a very small percentage have a hoarding disorder. For clarification on the difference between compulsive hoarding and other clutter issues, visit IOCDF.org.

We don't yet have ways to prevent hurricanes or cure compulsive hoarding, but together we can decrease the devastation.

Wise Words

I already know what giving up feels like. I want to see what happens if I don't. --Neila Rey

Lessons from a Roomba

I admit I was skeptical when I first heard about them. Vacuums that roam around the house on their own? But, when our son upgraded and offered us his original Roomba, I didn’t say no. My husband set it up in my home office, scheduled it on his phone, and voila! I came home to a house freshly vacuumed.

Today as I sat at my desk watching it make its way around the room, I discovered it’s not only valuable for picking up carpet debris, it also teaches some useful organizing lessons. If you have an area that’s begging to be organized, consider these Timely Tips from a Roomba.

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Timely Tips from a Roomba

Lesson 1 – Schedule it. The Roomba’s on a schedule, so we know the vacuuming is going to get done. Similarly, rather than waiting till you feel like it, which may be never, schedule your organizing project for a specific day and time.

Lesson 2 – Work at strategic times. Our Roomba comes on when we’re at work (today being an exception). Figure out when you’re most productive and plan to organize during that time of day.

Lesson 3 – Remove distractions. We’re careful to keep cords and things out of its way so it doesn't become entangled and stop. Before you begin organizing remove distractions—turn off phone notifications, get a babysitter, etc.

Lesson 4 – Program efficiency. It’s fascinating to watch the Roomba strategically cover every area of the room. Similarly, your organizing efficiency will increase when you don’t bounce around the room or house. Start in one spot and work strategically around the room.

Lesson 5 – First things first. The most advanced Roombas vacuum and then mop. When it comes to organizing, always purge first and then containerize.

Lesson 6 – Be persistent and willing to adjust along the way. Our Roomba is amazingly persistent. It continually adjusts until it gets the difficult places done. While organizing you may run into barriers. If things aren’t fitting where you think they should be, consider making adjustments. Try new ways, places, or purge some more, just don’t give up.

Lesson 7 – Know how and when to recharge. This amazing little machine knows when it’s getting low on energy. It makes its way back to the charger, clicks in, and then picks up where it left off when recharged. Plan an organizing break before you’re depleted of energy. Schedule a snack, walk, or power nap—whatever charges your batteries, and then get back to it.

Lesson 8 – Release the debris. Yes, you can even order a Roomba with a self-emptying automatic dirt disposal. Unfortunately, unless you hire me, you have to haul away your own organizing “debris.” Make sure you finish your project--relocate misplaced items, throw out the trash, and put donations into your car right away.

Lesson 9 – If you get stuck, get help. Last week I could tell Roomba had done its job, but it was nowhere to be found. I finally discovered it stuck under our oversized rocker. I picked it up and helped it back to its home. Sometimes when we get stuck it’s okay to ask for help. You can find a list of Professional Organizers at NAPO.net, or visit my website, www.OrganizedByChoice.com, for more information.

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wise words

Like a Roomba, an organized home provides more time for the things you enjoy. —Brenda McElroy

How to win points with your future son/daughter-in-law

If you have a teen who's keeping a tidy room, you have a rare find. Yes, there are some born with the clean gene, but even my neatnik son had a messy room in high school. Kids have a lot on their plates these days, and making time to find their bedroom floor isn't high on the list.

A messy room can contribute to a teen's anxiety and a feeling of not being in control of her environment. It can cause an inability to concentrate on homework or even find it. It's important to provide teens the freedom of expression in their own space while equipping them with the tools they need to maintain a peaceful and productive environment.

So, if you're tempted to close the door and post skull and crossbones, consider these Timely Tips and the benefits for you, your teen, and his or her future spouse.

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TIMELY TIPS for a teen's clean-er room

DECIDE WHAT'S NECESSARY
Before approaching your teen, consider realistic expectations. Model home status isn't the goal, but as one expert put it, the "degree of gross-ness" is a line you can draw.

Picking up laundry and dirty dishes weekly might be your line. You can add some incentive--if the dirty clothes are in the laundry room by Saturday morning, you'll wash them. If not, she's on her own. Or add a negative consequence--if dirty dishes are still in the bedroom on Saturday, no leaving for social events until the task is done.

The standard you expect should not be higher than what you're modeling in your own space, or more than what you're willing to regulate.

Write out your expectations, rewards, and/or consequences. Sit down and talk it over with your teen. Ask and share about the benefits. Explain that it's part of your responsibility to equip him with these life skills. Be open to discussion and make sure there's understanding and agreement on what his responsibilities are going forward.

PROVIDE A STRATEGY AND SUPPORT
If the room is a disaster, the initial clean-up is probably overwhelming you both. Don't say, "get it done" and walk away.

Set a date when you and your teen have several hours to devote to the project. Ask if she would like your help, the help of a friend (who has an affinity toward tidiness), or a Professional Organizer. Even if you're not the one helping, be sure to check in on the progress and provide break times.

SUPPLIES

• labeled trash and recycle bags

• laundry basket for dirty laundry

• hangers for clean laundry

• labeled box or bag for items to donate

• container for dirty dishes and other items to be relocated

• vacuum and cleaning supplies

STEPS

1. Turn on the lights, open the blinds (and window if needed)

2. Make the bed

3. Bag all the trash/recycle

4. Hang/fold clean clothes

5. Put dirty clothes in laundry basket

6. Sort contents from floor and other flat surfaces into categories such as electronics, school supplies, accessories, keepsakes, sports, donations, relocate, etc.

7. Put categories of items where they belong, or create a home if homeless (see below)

8. Vacuum, dust, and clean

CREATE HOMES
In order to have a successful maintenance program, everything needs a home. If needed, add a dresser or wire drawers to the closet. Attach hooks to the closet or bedroom wall for backpacks, purses, hats, jackets, etc. Use under-the-bed containers for keepsakes and rarely used items. Put up shelving for trophies and decorative items. Use over-the-door shoe hangers for sandals, accessories, leggings, etc. Label and use cube storage organizers for electronics, books, and school supplies. Ensure there are adequate sized waste and laundry baskets. Provide a tray or basket for dishes and food items.

MAINTAIN
Remember, we're not talking "white glove" checks, but it's your responsibility to follow through and support your teen in the maintenance agreement. Your future son or daughter-in-law will thank you!

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Wise words

You never know what you have... until you clean your room. --Unkown

Remember What?

One of my most embarrassing moments centers around forgetting something. Years ago, I contacted Clovis Adult School about offering a class on organizing. I scheduled an appointment to present my syllabus. I still have no idea how it happened, but I totally missed the appointment. It wasn’t until the next day that I realized it.

I was so embarrassed! I figured they’d prefer having someone a little more reliable teach a class on organizing, but I called and the woman in charge graciously rescheduled. She even said she’d like to take my class.

Embarrassment is just one of many consequences linked to forgetting things.Less productivity and more stress and frustration are also on the list. Whether you’re having trouble remembering appointments, to-dos, what you need from the store, when to pay your bills, or the name of the book a friend told you about, there’s an app for that. The Reminders app on the iPhone is truly my most-used and most-favorite.

Photo by Meruyert Gonullu from Pexels

Say good-bye to piles of scribbled notes. No more forgetting what you want to add to your grocery list before you can find it. No more getting to the store, and realizing you forgot your list at home. No more frantically pulling out your trash cans in your jammies as the garbage truck approaches. No more thinking of something you need to do when you get home, but not remembering it once you’re there. The Reminders app has features to help with each one of these—and more!

Anything that reduces clutter, has easy access, and increases efficiency ranks high on my list. David Allen, in his book Getting Things Done, says, “If it’s on your mind, your mind isn’t clear.” He suggests that anything waiting to be done needs to be captured in a trusted system outside your mind. For me, the Reminders app is one of those trusted systems.

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

The app comes standard on the iPhone and other Apple products, but if it was deleted somehow, you can go to the app store and reinstall it. You can find comprehensive instructions on how to use it online at: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205890. There are also instructive videos available on YouTube. Just search “how to use the Reminders app on an iPhone.”

Here are some of my favorite features:

SPEAK REMINDERS: No need to search for pen and paper, or even type. Just tell Siri what you need to remember. Initiate Siri by voice or pushing the side button on your phone and say, “Remind me to call Diane.” Boom—it shows up in your app.

DATE/TIME: If the reminder is time sensitive, add a date, time, and repeat instructions if needed. Say, “Remind me to pull out the trash cans every Sunday at 9:00 p.m.”

You can also add reminders, dates, times, and repeat instructions manually, but using the voice option substantially increases the ease of use.

LOCATION: I use this one ALL THE TIME. While working or running around town, I think of something I need to do when I get home. A simple, “Remind me to send thank-you to Kim when I get home,” is all that’s needed to have a reminder pop up on my phone as I pull into the garage.

You can also request reminders when you arrive at other places that are in your contacts. “Remind me to look for Haley’s lost jacket when I arrive at Lincoln School.”

If you need a reminder as you leave a location, you can do that too. When caring for a friend’s pet while they’re gone, you can say, “Remind me to feed Fluffy every day when leaving work.” Make sure you’ve listed the places you want to use, like “work” and “home,” in your phone as such.

SHOPPING LISTS: I have four shopping lists in my Reminders app—Office Max, Costco, Grocery, and Target. As I think of things, or run out of things, I just say “Add yogurt to my Grocery List.” The shopping lists, like the other reminder lists, have dots to check off items as you make your purchase or complete your reminder.

If you’d prefer checking off a paper list you can print the list from your phone, but this way even if you forget your paper list, you still have it with you on your phone.

You can link your lists to other iPhone users. So, my husband can add to my Costco list from work or stop at the store and pick up the items I’ve added to the grocery list.

OTHER LISTS: A Books to Read or Movies to Watch list can hold suggestions you collect from friends and family. A House Projects list with scheduled tasks can keep you from forgetting to change the AC filter, or smoke alarm batteries. I have a Christmas list that holds gift and activity ideas.

The possibilities are endless and yet all easily accessible in the one thing you have with you the most. The only feature they haven’t perfected is how to do the tasks for you.

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Wise Words

If you really want to do something, you'll find a way. If you don't, you'll find an excuse. -Jim Rohn

Photo by Eli Sommer from Pexels

Wishing you Peace and Productivity in 2022.

Memory Makers & Keepers

Our decorating tradition

Christmas decorations. Those two words activate a wide array of thoughts and feelings. For husbands asked to pull boxes from the attic—dread. For busy moms squeezing in time to decorate—stress. For children walking into Grandma’s house—delight. For families competing in outdoor contests—unleashed. For those who have lost loved ones—sadness. For we, sentimentalists—nostalgia.

Part of our decorating tradition is me adorning the tree while my husband watches football. Seriously, he considers that a tradition. Graciously, he mutes the game and allows Christmas music to accompany my part.

Through the years we’ve collected an assortment of ornaments. The golfing golf ball from the driving range in Sonora. The Hope Angel from my dear friend Devonia. The Coleman Lantern in memory of another dear friend, and more. Each represent meaningful places, events, and relationships. I call them Memory Keepers. I’m reminded of the significance of each one, while hanging them on the tree.

Sometimes decorations double as Memory Makers. One year, our musical angel ornament began randomly playing on its own. We discovered it became home to a colony of ants who were feeding on a nearby candy cane ornament, triggering the music as they moved about inside. We rescued the angel, but not the music.

One of the risks of collecting Memory Keepers is that over time, you may end up with an overwhelming number. This year, just when I thought I was done decorating, I realized I hadn’t yet hung our picture ornaments. If you, like me, still have ornaments left in the bin when you’re finished decorating, it’s time to make some choices.

I’ve decided to put picture ornaments on a separate, smaller tree next year. But there were others left in the bin as well. A few Memory Keepers I want to see, if only once a year when I look into the bin. The rest will find their way to other people’s homes through a donation.

My favorite Memory Maker is the Advent Wreath we began using when our youngest was a toddler. This tradition helps us pause and focus on the true meaning of Christmas each week in December.

Not all Advent memories are quiet times of reflection around the candlelight. For several years the challenge was simply to keep our son away from the burning candles. One year, in an attempt to instill charity for those with less in the hearts of our children, we had to practically pry some Miss Piggies from our girls’ hands to donate. Memories we can laugh about now.

There is value and pleasure in decorations that are beautiful without being linked to a memory. But, I encourage you to include in your Christmas décor, that which brings to mind the memories of people, places, and experiences you treasure and the best gift of all--Jesus.

Wise Words

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. -The Apostle John

15 Years of Gratitude

As I was contemplating a Gratitude theme this month, I was thinking about how grateful I am for 15 years in the organizing business. I recall talking to a seasoned organizer prior to starting my business. She said, “It’s the greatest job—you get to do what you love doing. When you’re done, your client thanks you, gives you a big hug, and writes you a check!” I am blessed enough without the checks, but since we’re not independently wealthy, I’m grateful for the checks as well.

Through the years over 450 people have invited me into their homes and offices. I understand it’s never easy to reveal what you’re challenged or embarrassed by, especially to a stranger. I’m grateful for my clients’ trust and hold that in high regard.

I’m thankful for the many wonderful clients who have become friends as well. It’s a gift to enter people’s lives, hear their stories, and journey with them to a more peaceful and productive environment.

Organizing also promotes gratitude in the hearts of clients. Today I received this note:

“Dear Brenda, I can’t thank you enough for all of your help. I’m feeling the good effects of your skill and involvement every day. I’m not overwhelmed by a cluttered home anymore…even when company’s coming! You’ve been a life-changer for me. Thank you! Thank you!” She went on to say how grateful she is that change is always possible when it comes to our habits and tendencies. New skills can be learned. Amen!

One couple’s eight-year-old grandson had never been inside their home due to clutter. We worked for weeks to uncover a beautiful living room, dining room, and kitchen. Clutter was a wall blocking out those they loved. How grateful they were when they could welcome him in.

“Oh, that’s where that was!” is a phrase I often hear. People are grateful as they discover treasures they had searched for—cash, vital documents, jewelry, and just some really useful stuff. It’s always a pleasure to rejoice with them.

After rehoming bins of paper to a user-friendly file system, a client told me what a difference it made for him, knowing right where to put things.

Sometimes it’s uncovering and giving an honored home to treasures from the past like I’ve done with my veteran client. And sometimes it’s releasing things from the past to make space for current priorities.

My life is enriched with each organizing encounter, but one stands out above the rest. In 2011, I stood on DeVonia’s doorstep, thinking I had something to offer her. And indeed, given the fact she was a widow with Multiple Sclerosis and bound to a wheelchair, her need was great. However, what she taught me about “being grateful in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) is a lesson that will last my lifetime.

Almost daily as I rise out of bed on my own and carry on my daily activities, I’m grateful for legs that work. I am grateful for DeVonia’s example of faith—waiting on God to provide her daily needs and always remembering to give thanks.

No matter her pain or challenge of the day, she greeted me with “God is good, and I am blessed.” The Lord graciously released her from her earthly pain in 2019. The last gift she gave me was a beautiful framed design with the word “Grateful” in the center.

As we celebrate this Thanksgiving, it’s my prayer that we will be mindful of our blessings and express gratitude to the Giver of all good things.

So grateful for my friend, DeVonia.

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Wise Words

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Psalm 107:1

Smartphone Tips to Try

A few of my clients think I’m a tech wizard. My kids would say that’s hyperbole. In many cases our tech savviness is linked to our age, or connection to people with skills. I’m blessed with a son who’s a software engineer. He’s helpful when I have questions and every so often drops a tidbit of info that boosts my skills and productivity.

This newsletter is for those who aren’t of the tech savvy generation, or simply haven’t taken time to discover how smart their phone really is. It’s also specific to iPhones since my son generously shares his Apple hand-me-downs. I’m sure Androids have similar features but the set up may be different.

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Timely Tips for Smartphone Use

Magnifying Glass: So handy for us “older folk” when there’s fine print--like expiration dates, receipts, etc. Go to Settings > Accessibility. Tap Magnifier, then turn it on. You’re able to adjust the light, zoom, and even snap a picture, if needed. Now nothing is hidden from view. To add it to your Control Center, go to Settings > Control Center, then tap Customize Controls. Tap the add button (+) next to Magnifier.

Zoom In on a Website: For magnification while using Safari, tap on the AA icon on the top left corner of your screen. Directly below you’ll see a small A on the left and a larger A on the right with a percentage block in between. Click on the large A until the website font or image is the size you need.

Save Website Pages for Later: When you want to save a website in Safari, tap the box with the up-arrow icon at the bottom of your screen. Then, tap “Add to Reading List.” To view, click on the book icon at the bottom of your Safari screen. You can even save it to iCloud for offline reading when you’re not connected to the internet. Go to Settings > Safari, then turn on “Automatically Save Offline” (below Reading List).

Close Safari Tabs (all at once): Years ago, before I learned to close my websites, I remember my son’s friend grabbing my phone and X-ing out website after website for what seemed like five minutes. Now, you can easily close them all at once. While in Safari hold the tab button (two squares icon) on the bottom right-hand corner and select “close all tabs.”

Kodak Moments: To quickly access your camera, engage Siri. Simply command “take a selfie,” “take a photo,” or “take a video” and your camera will appear ready in the correct mode.

Expand Your Photo Skills: Swipe up (if vertical) or left (if horizontal) from the basic photo controls to find a row of hidden camera modes including a timer, night mode, exposure, etc.

Give Your Photos a Caption: Launch the Photos app and tap a photo you want to add a caption to. Swipe up on the pic to access the caption field. Tap “Add a Caption.” Write your caption, press return, and done. You can easily search for a photo using the caption you’ve created.

Calculator Tip: If you mistype a digit while using your calculator, rather than starting over with the C or AC button, swipe to the left or right at the top of the screen. The motion will act as a backspace and remove the number you entered last.

Texting Tips: Double click the space bar to add a period. Hold down the space bar to move the cursor. Rather than scrolling through texts to find the one you want, start on the "Messages" page, swipe down, and type the name in "Search."

Flash for Notifications: If you have a hard time hearing, you can set your phone to blink the flashlight in addition to, or instead of ringing. Go to Settings > Audio/Visual and look for “LED Flash for Alerts.”

Sing-along: To see the lyrics of songs you have downloaded on your phone, tap the three dots of the “Now Playing” screen. A menu will come up with “See full lyrics” as an option. Beware of singing along while using your earbuds—like in a plane.

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Wise Words

If your kids complain about helping you with technology, remind them that you once taught them how to use a spoon. --Unknown

Imagine That

My granddaughters are master pretenders. Last time I babysat we were all dragons with detailed descriptions. Pretending isn’t my forte, but I hang in there until we move on to coloring—that’s where my strengths lie.

Today as I was cleaning my guest room window blinds, I was thinking about how we get ourselves to do things we don’t like to do. Often there are special people, specific circumstances or a deadline that prompts action. Company coming for the weekend did it for me this time—special people, specific circumstances, and a deadline. I know they would be gracious had the blinds not been freshly cleaned, but it made me feel good.

I’d much rather reorganize a closet than clean baseboards and blinds. You might be the opposite. Cleaning may be your forte but organizing, not-so-much. Maybe the last time you decluttered a closet was when you remodeled or moved. The longer you wait, the bigger the project. The bigger the project, the easier it is to procrastinate. So, what do you do when there are no special people, circumstances, or deadlines prompting you to action?

You can pretend. Here are some Timely Tips to help you imagine your way to getting organized.

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Timely Tips for pretending—to get organized for real

Photo by Pexels

Pretend that you’re preparing to put your house on the market. Set a date for your “open house” to provide yourself a deadline. Start decluttering the common areas. Get rid of old magazines, mail, and other items that have been strewn about.

To borrow from my granddaughters’ imaginations, pretend the floor is “hot lava.” Clear it of all unnecessary items before they burn. Provide “orphans,” another favorite pretending theme, a home alongside a family of items they belong with. Send home things that belong to other people or in other places. Send things you no longer need on an adventure to another home through a donation center.

Continue this process throughout your rooms and closets. On “open house” day, buy yourself some flowers, bake some chocolate chip cookies, and enjoy your accomplishment. Far too many people wait to create a home environment they enjoy, until they’re about to leave it.

Photo by Thirdman from Pexels

For more creative folk, imagine your organizing goal as a baking, sewing, crafting, or building project. Write out your organizing steps, like you would see on a recipe, sewing pattern, or project instruction sheet. “Trim the excess from the hall closet.” “Combine like items.” “Strain old paperwork and set some aside for shredding.”

Make a list of “ingredients/supplies” like bags for trash, recycle, donations, and containers for organizing similar things. Envision your goal like you would your favorite project. Then, follow your steps till complete.

Photo by RODNAE Productions from Pexels

If you’re of the left-brained variety, you may prefer a more concrete plan. Generate your own circumstances and deadline by scheduling a dinner or game night with friends or family at your place. Make sure to give yourself a realistic period of time to complete your project.

Take “before” pics and attach them to a calendar to designate specific start dates for each room. As soon as you’re finished with an area take an “after” pic. Create a little photo album for your “before and afters” and admire your accomplishment. Enjoy opening your home to the special people in your life.

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Wise Words

Clutter is not just the stuff on your floor--it's anything that stands in between you and the life you want to be living. --Peter Walsh

Creating Order for the New School Year

In my sixties I still have dreams of frantically trying to remember my school schedule, classroom, or locker number. I don’t recall that happened in real life, but it speaks to an element of stress relating to school. Add to the basic challenges the pandemic issues, and it can be a recipe for stressed out kids and parents. Being intentional about preparation goes a long way as you gear up to send your little-ones and teens off to school. Here are some Timely Tips for a peaceful and productive new year.

Timely Tips for the new school year

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

SCHOOL CLOTHES: Don’t wait until the first day your child needs to wear long pants to discover he’s grown three inches over the summer. Pull out his clothing and have him try on several items to determine his current size. Remove the outgrown clothes and place them in a bin for a younger sibling or donate. Take inventory of what’s left and create a shopping list for what’s lacking.

With your child, sort the clothes into categories and designate specific drawers or cubbies for each. Assign a place for dirty laundry and make sure he knows where it’s expected to land. Delegate laundry cleaning, folding, and/or putting away duties based on age appropriateness.

Photo by Kindel Media from Pexels

SUPPLIES: Print a grade level supply list from the school’s website and check your inventory before you buy. Add to your supply list items needed for your homework station. If your child has an assigned desk at school or home, use open-topped containers to divide and store pencils, markers, glue, and other supplies. If your kitchen table is the homework station, use a caddy for supplies and store it in a nearby cabinet. Label school supplies with your child’s name. If purchasing back-up supplies remove them from the bag and designate a “school supplies” place in a cabinet or closet.

In ‘n Out Storage

IN 'N OUT: Label and assign hooks or cubbies to store your children’s backpacks, lunch bags, sports gear, etc. Create an arriving home routine to ensure they land in the right spot. Assign a tray or file for papers parents must see or sign. Daily walk with your child through the process of getting things where they go until the habit is formed. It may be faster to do it yourself but resist the temptation and build responsibility in your child.

Simple Chart

SCHEDULES: Establish a schedule for study time, snack time, free time, dinnertime, prep for the next day, and bedtime. Keep in mind extracurricular activities and homework loads. Set boundaries for screen time. Include your kids in developing the routines. Kids will push against limits but asking for their input will help. A predictable schedule builds security and self-discipline. Create and post a simple outline of the schedule. Feel free to add incentives and/or consequences as needed.

Create a master family calendar on the wall or phone app where everyone can access it. Establish a family meeting (15-20 minutes) each Sunday night to review the upcoming week’s schedule and activities. There will still be unexpected events, but far fewer. Use this time to review the daily schedule and make adjustments as needed. As opportunities arise for new activities and commitments (for parents and students), assess together how they will fit into the schedule and your family’s priorities.

Photo by Pavel Danilyuk from Pexels

COMMUNICATION: Link your family meeting to a quick online check of the school portal for messages from the school or teacher. Look for ways to support your child’s teacher with a donation of supplies, volunteering, and sending encouraging notes or emails. School success is a team effort—students, parents, teachers, support staff, and administration all play an essential role. Build into your family an attitude of gratitude for each one and intentionally communicate your thanks throughout the school year.

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Wise Words

What's the difference between school and life? In school, you're taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you're given a test that teaches you a lesson. --Tom Bodett

Silent Messages

My oldest is a busy mom with twin seven-year-olds and a five-year-old. She’s not a clutter-bug, but family life gets messy. The other day she texted, “My room is almost clean! It’s been two months since it felt orderly in here… now I don’t even mind my bedding as much. Isn’t that funny? I kept thinking ‘if only I got new bedding, I’d enjoy my room more.’ But really it just needed tidying!”

In Fumio Sasaki’s book, Goodbye, Things: The New Japanese Minimalism he says that every item in our house is sending out a silent message. Starting out as a “maximalist” he was never able to keep his apartment tidy. In his journey to minimalism, he discovered that “each material thing has the usefulness of having it around and the inconvenience of having to maintain it.”

“If you weigh them both,” says Sasaki, “and find that the inconvenience is winning…it’s time to start giving decluttering a serious thought.”

Look around your home. Listen. What silent messages do hear from your rooms and belongings? Is your stack of magazines guilting you because you haven't read them? Are the clothes you can’t fit into taunting you? Is the pile of decorative pillows on the floor calling out to be arranged on the bed? Is your clutter saying you need to remodel, when the real message is you need to declutter?

To achieve peace and productivity, reduce the negative messaging. Consider Sasaki’s approach, listening to and weighing the value of your belongings, as you review these Timely Tips.

Timely Tips from Silent Messaging

Gadgets: “Fixes almost anything in 4 seconds!” “Lasts hours without power!” “Instant pain relief!” “The must-have gift of 2021!” Gadgets make great claims. Electronic, kitchen, yard, therapy, personal care, pet care, travel, recreational… and the list goes on. I remember when my Salad Spinner lost the usefulness verses inconvenience challenge. It took a lot of space, I washed it by hand, and it didn’t always work well. If your gadget’s usefulness doesn’t live up to its promise—let it go.

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels

Entertainment: DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes, and cassettes (yes, some of you have those). If they’re telling you they’re useful, but you never use them, they’re lying. Many households are streaming movies and music. Maintaining space for the old formats is costly. Let them go.

Home movies, however, send a unique message. “I’m irreplaceable.” Transfer old home movie formats, to DVDs and/or flash drives. The sooner the better to maintain their quality. Costco, Walgreens, Legacybox.com, and Southtree.com are a few companies that do that.

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood from Pexels

Consumables: Cleaning products, make-up, hair products, etc. How many half-full, unused bottles and cans are clogging up your cabinets and countertops? What are they saying? “You might use me someday.” “I was expensive.” Ask yourself, “Is the inconvenience of having them outweighing their usefulness?” If you’re not using them, the answer is most likely, yes—even if they were expensive.

Photo by Skylar Kang from Pexels

Collections: Whether it’s a collection of magazines, salt and pepper shakers, Barbies, or movie memorabilia, it all consumes space. What are your collections saying? “You treasure me.” “I might become valuable someday.” “You’ll regret letting me go.” Rather than considering your collection’s usefulness vs. inconvenience, weigh whether or not you enjoy it, or it’s become just one more thing to store and dust. If you do love it, but it’s taking up space you don’t have to spare, consider keeping a small sampling and selling or donating the rest. If you don’t love it, don’t let it take up space based on its value claims. Do your homework. Check with experts online or in stores that carry similar items. Let it prove its value with dollars in your hand.

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Wise Words

“When you’re aware of all the things that you own, you’re not only certain of where they are, you’re also sure about whether you have them or not.” --Fumio Sasaki

Time to Travel!

In March of 2020, two days before our twin granddaughters’ birthday trip to Disneyland, it closed. This month, having passed another birthday, they finally got to celebrate with Mickey (from a distance). Fortunately, they can't remember their pre-COVID Disney experience, so they left all the complaining to the adults and had a great time.

If you’re venturing out of town this summer, here are some Timely Tips for packing up and "packing out" (unpacking) as my granddaughter says.

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Timely Tips for Trips

PREPARE

Store Info: Use a large plastic envelope to store your trip information and resources—reservation confirmations, tickets, packing checklist, list of your prescriptions, etc. You can also use the folder to collect brochures and memorabilia while away.

Tripit.com

Download Apps: Most airlines, hotels, and amusement parks have apps and features to streamline and enhance your experience. Tripit automagically compiles your itinerary when you forward your confirmation emails so they’re all in one place. Hotel Tonight helps if you need to make a last-minute booking. This saved us one time when the place where we had reservations was spraying for bed bugs! Sit or Squat has the location of over 100,000 restrooms across the country that have been rated “sit” (good) or “squat” (bad) by users.

Photo by Noelle Otto from Pexels

Prepare Your Home: Put a hold on your mail by visiting www.usps.com or fill out the form at the post office. Arrange care for pets and plants. Put house lights on a timer and secure valuables. Give a trusted neighbor or friend your itinerary and contact info.

Pay Bills: Ensure that any bills coming due while you’re gone are taken care of.

Photo by Skitterphoto

Family Travel: Check out these websites for ideas to make your road trip memorable in a good way—www.momsminivan.com and www.roadsideamerica.com. If traveling by air, download cartoons and kids’ games and relax your rules on screen time.

Bimnoot Packing Cubes

PACKING

Checklist: Download or create a packing checklist and keep multiple copies in a folder where you store your suitcases. Be sure to include a list of your current medications. Create themed checklists as needed—camping, beach trip, Grandma’s house, etc. Check things off as you pack.

Snacks: Pack kids' snacks that take a while to eat, such as Goldfish crackers which kids can also pretend with, and lollipops which can help with ear pain if flying or driving in high elevations. Pack spill-proof cups, even for the older kids.

Luggage Identifier: Tie a brightly colored ribbon to the handle and wheel so you can identify your luggage no matter which way it lands on the baggage carousel.

Packing Cubes: I’m a huge fan. Pack each person’s clothes in their own packing cube or extra-large Ziplock bag. Do the same with undies, swimwear, and pajamas. Label each bag with the person’s name and category of items. This makes finding things and packing up for your next stop a breeze.

Jewelry: To protect necklaces from tangling, thread them through straws and place them in resealable bags or toothbrush holders. Store rings and earrings in seven-day plastic pill holders or in snack-size resealable bags pinned to the corresponding outfit.

Shoes: Bag your shoes and place them on the wheel end of your rolling suitcase so they don’t crush your clothes when the suitcase is upright. Maximize space by filling shoes with small bags of charging cords, belts, etc.

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

"PACKING OUT"

Unpack: Unpacking isn't fun, and unfortunately it doesn't get more fun by putting it off. Give yourself a deadline. You’re finished when travel items and empty suitcases are returned to their storage area and your clean laundry is folded and put away. Believe me, you’ll be glad you did!

Containerize: If you didn't already have a bin labeled "Travel" for items such as travel size toiletries, packing cubes, neck pillows, etc., create one and place it near the suitcases.

Update Checklist: Make adjustments to your checklist for next time, based on what you were missing on your trip, or didn’t need to bring.

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wise words

People forget years and remember moments. —Ann Beattie

One Person's Junk is another Person's Treasure

While sorting papers with a client, I came across an expired coupon. I was tempted to toss it but, as is my practice, I asked first.

“Oh no,” she replied, “I’m saving that as a template for a coupon I want to make for my business.” I’ve learned to never make assumptions because what is one person’s junk is another person’s treasure.

Could a friend come into your home and easily identify your “treasures?” Treasures are disguised as junk when hidden in piles of clutter. They don’t beg for our attention like bills to pay or pets to feed. They sit quietly collecting dust in the back of a closet, catch-all room, garage, or storage unit. Sometimes they encroach on our living space covering the floor or flat surfaces because we mean to do something with them.

We hope that keeping them in our vision will inspire action, but when the next thing lands, we’ve lost sight of the treasure and the inspiration. When treasures convert to triggers causing stress and anxiety, it’s time for action.

As you sort through your “treasures” it’s unlikely you’ll identify any of them as junk. Most likely, they're not. Many belongings are donatable and truly become someone else’s treasure. There is great value in passing along things that others can’t afford to buy new.

If everything’s precious, then nothing’s precious, so choices must be made. Here are some Timely Tips to assist you.

Timely Tips to discover your treasures

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

Is it something you need?

• Clients often say, “Now that I know where it is, I’ll use it!” Think realistically about how it landed there. If it wasn’t searched for, it probably wasn’t treasured.

• If you’re convinced you’ll use it, place it in a box with a date six months from now. Put a reminder on your calendar or phone to donate anything you haven't dug out to use.

• Create permanent homes for things you remove. After six months, donate the rest.

OK, so I kept a tray or two.

Does it add value to your current lifestyle and interests?

• When I ask clients about their priorities I often hear, “I’d like to (insert hobby/activity), but I don’t have the space for it.” Sound like you?

• Give yourself permission to move on and let go of former passions and interests to make space for your current ones.

• Just because I collected cows and did folk art painting in my 30s, doesn’t mean I have to consider them treasures in my 60s.

Photo by Jordan Benton from Pexels

Can I make money if I hang onto it long enough?

• A better question is, what are these "treasures" costing me to keep? In addition to space, cluttered areas can affect relationships, collect dust, and cause stress and health issues.

• Renting storage space for things you plan to sell is seldom lucrative.

• Sadly, there are few things increasing in value these days, because fewer people are buying collectibles and antiques.

• Rather than hang on to things "just in case," send photos or make a call to a collectible/antique dealer and determine if it's costing you more to keep than to let go of.

• If you have true treasures you're not using or displaying, ask the dealer how to go about selling.

• If your items don't have monetary value, they may still be valuable to someone shopping at a local thrift store.

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Wise Words

Don’t let possibility enthusiasm crowd you out of your home. Share the wealth. -Brenda McElroy

Make Your Closet a Happy Place

Showing up for a root canal. Meeting with an auditor. Being summoned by your boss during layoffs. These situations naturally stir up negative emotions. But if getting dressed in the morning stresses you out, you may be experiencing:

• Overwhelm from too many choices

• Frustration from not enough choices

• Shame of not fitting into what you want to wear

• Stress of not finding what you want to wear

• Disgust with piles of dirty laundry

• Exasperation from piles of clean laundry

Can an organized closet really combat this negativity? If organized means—having what you need, use, and love in designated spaces where they fit comfortably and maintaining those spaces with supporting routines, then yes! You can make your closet a happy place. Here are some Timely Tips to do just that.

Timely Tips for a happy closet

Photo by Kayla Renee from Pexels

WHAT DO YOU NEED?
You need clothes that fit well and look good on you—regardless of your shape or size. Things you don't need:

• clothes that shame you for not being the size you want to be

• clothes that shame you for having spent money on something you don’t wear

• clothes you’re not wearing (professional, maternity, bridesmaid dresses, prom dresses, etc.)

ACTION:

• Pull out the clothes that don’t fit, don’t look good on you, and those you don't like or wear.

• If desired, hang onto 3-5 outfits that you love from a size you hope to be again. Place them in an under-bed bin or a plastic tote. Label it.

• Donate or sell the items you pull out.

Photo by Sam Lion from Pexels

WHAT DO YOU USE?
You have categories of clothes: staying home, going out, work, formal, etc. The quantity of clothes you have for each category should align with how often you use them. Granted, COVID has decreased our need for professional, going out, and formal wear, but let’s not give up on the return of those activities.

ACTION:

• Pull out one category at a time. Lay the items on the bed. Determine the appropriate number of items you need based on use. Choose your favorites. Let go of the excess.

• If you discover a category is lacking, create a shopping list of items you need.

• Return each category of clothes to your closet and assign it a section.

• If clothes are still crammed together, store off-season items in a bin or another closet. If it's still too tight, purge some more!

• Organize by colors as desired.

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

WHAT DO YOU LOVE?
This can be tricky. Ask yourself:

• Do you love how it looks on the hanger, but not on you?

• Do you love the good deal you got, but not so much the item?

• Do you love the person who gave it to you, but you never wear it?

None of those are valid reasons for keeping something, except the third if it’s going to impair the relationship. Even though you’ll feel a twinge of guilt giving them up, your closet will be a happier place.

ACTION: Let them go.

MAINTAIN WITH SUPPORTING ROUTINES.
Keep your closet a happy place with supporting routines.

ACTION:

• Don’t put it down, put it away. Hang clean clothes. Place dirty clothes in the laundry bin. Every time.

• Hang a white kitchen trash bag for donations in your closet. When you try on something and decide not to wear it, consider placing it in the donation bag. Donate and replace when full.

• Maintain your clothes inventory with the one in, one out rule.

• Hang your hangers backwards until you wear the item, then hang it correctly. Whichever items are still hanging backwards at the end of the season, go.

Now you can confidently walk into your happy place and choose from clothes you want to wear.

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Wise Words

Opening up your closet should be like arriving at a really good party where everyone you see is someone you like. -Amy Fine Collins

This is a pic from my most recent closet purge. It really does feel great to eliminate things I don't want to wear. Happy organizing!