Basement Breakthrough

I have recently been working with a client on clearing out her basement and making it function more effectively (and frankly to not be scared of spiders lurking in boxes). The basement has been used primarily as a storage space for anything and everything needing a home. Take a look at how the basement looked before we got started:

Boxes and piles of stuff abound

Off-season clothes among other random items

Containers holding a mish-mash of stuff

Cleaning and home improvement supplies stashed away inaccessibly

After some serious work of first vetting all of the basement's contents and then finding appropriate ways to contain those items of importance, we were able to create an amazing transformation. Now, my client knows where different categories of items are stored and is sure that they are protected from dust, dirt and most of all, spiders. See what the basement looks like now:

Floor space is revealed as shelves contain important hobby-related items

Clothes are neatly hung  or boxed in clear bins with easy to read labels

A shelving unit maximizes vertical space and keeps items tidy

Household products are easy to access

Now this is a basement that works!

Time Management for REAL Life

As both a professional organizer and a recovering perfectionist, I, like many others I know, hold myself to some pretty high standards when it comes to managing my time. Having high standards of oneself is great...in theory. But I often find that it can get in the way of real life. If you've spent anytime around me, you probably know that I like to plan my time and be as efficient as possible. Doing so helps me to: 

So I do my best to stick to a well-planned schedule that balances the multitude of my responsibilities. When I follow these general guidelines, I am usually able to show up in the world as my best self - a good friend, a reliable sister and daughter, a caring mom, and a loving wife (who sometimes even makes a decent dinner to boot!).

However, I continue to learn that especially as a mom only 7 months into the job, holding the same high expectations for myself can lead to a lot of disappointment, frustration and honestly, the occasional tear.  Inevitably, the meltdown happens when I have tried to schedule out my day impeccably: a morning workout, followed by play time with my son and then tending to work on the computer while he sleeps. Ideally his nap is followed by a quick meal, running some errands, and then meeting up with a client. After work, it's enjoying a home-cooked meal and a glass of wine with my husband. All in a good day's work, right? That is until my son decides that he doesn't need to nap anymore or my internet goes down unexpectedly or I hit traffic. Poof! There goes my well-laid schedule and oftentimes, my good mood with it. 

Nowadays, rather than trying to create the perfect schedule and holding myself to the expectation of having a productive day everyday, here are a few guidelines that I am trying to focus on instead:

1 - Prioritize: I am looking at my schedule and To Do List and then building my daily schedule around my top 2-3 priorities. (Let's get real - some days, it's only 1 priority that is on the agenda!) Rather than planning every moment of the day, I am working on leaving some time to respond to emergencies or other situations that pop up. Things that don't get completed today can move to the next day or later in the week. 

2 - Adapt: Life can change in an instant. What was a priority yesterday may become obsolete today. Rather than getting stuck in my preconceived notion of the way things are supposed to happen, I am working on being open to new possibilities and directions. This one is hitting close to home right now in a positive way...my son is taking an extra long nap today which is allowing me the time to write this very post. 

3 - Savor each moment: This is perhaps the toughest of these 3 guidelines as it's easy for me to get wrapped up in an event that happened yesterday or my plans for the weekend, effectively taking me out of the present. However, some of the most fulfilling moments are those that happen unexpectedly - a call from a friend, an extra-long snuggle with a child, getting lost in a book for hours. When I am about to get sucked into feeling bad about all that I didn't accomplish today, I am getting better at shifting my attention to what I did do instead. And that sense of accomplishment and acknowledgement is what effective time management is about anyways!

"You're writing the story of your life one moment at a time." ~Doc Childre and Howard Martin

The Spring Switchover

The weather is finally getting warmer and the days are beginning to get longer which of course means that spring is here! Take advantage of the extra energy that comes with the change of seasons by putting it to good use in your spring cleaning efforts. While the To Do list can often seem unreasonably long at this time of year (just ask my husband), I encourage you to focus on three main areas that will give you the biggest return on your efforts and get you ready for the busy summer to come. I have also included the approximate amount of time each project area will take.

1.) Bedroom closet - (2-3 hours) Even in Colorado where the weather can be unpredictable, the change in weather means a change in wardrobe as well. (You really only need to keep a few select winter staples available for layering during this time of the year.) Take the time to move your turtlenecks and heavy wool slacks to a different location in your house. If you don't have a spare closet, invest in underbed storage containers like these from The Container Store.

Underbed storage tote with wheels

Before packing these clothing items away though, honestly evaluate whether they are worth storing for next year. If you didn't wear an item at all this fall/winter or if it is stained, torn or no longer fits, it can probably be donated to your charity of choice. Toss it in a "donate" bag and drop it off at the end of your closet update session. Not only will you have freed up space in your closets, you will feel great knowing that you are helping others through your donations.

After you have stored all seasonal clothing items, pull out any spring/summer clothes that have been banished to the back of the closet or the bottom of a drawer. As you hang all the items up, hang them backwards on hangers. Once you wear the item, it can be rehung facing the usual direction of your clothes. When you go to switch over your wardrobe again this fall, any items that are still facing backwards should be donated as you'll get an honest look at which clothes didn't get worn. No hemming and hawing over what to keep and what to toss! Now get outside and enjoy all those shorts, skirts and tanks!

2.) Pantry and refrigerator - (2-3 hours) These two areas of the house should ideally be cleaned out at least every 3-4 months and spring is a good time to revisit them. The warmer weather means an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables is just around the corner. Make some room for them by first doing a sweep of your pantry and discarding (or composting if available) any items that are opened and stale or have succumbed to freezer burn. Look at your canned and boxed food and evaluate whether you will really be using these ingredients. For items that do not get used on a regular basis (creamed corn, anyone?), give yourself one week to use up these long forgotten items. Be sure to evaluate your spice collection as well. Here's a link to general guidelines on how long to keep spices.

If you need some inspiration on how to use up some of the food in your pantry and fridge, check out Recipe Key where you can search for recipes that match the ingredients you have on hand. Brilliant! Any unopened, non-perishable items that did not get used within that week can be donated to a food pantry in your neighborhood. Feeding America will help you identify a food bank near you. 

After wiping down shelves and washing refrigerator surfaces, group remaining foods following the rule "like with like". For example, store all breakfast foods together on a shelf or in bins. Do the same for snack foods, pastas, canned goods, etc. Label the shelves or bins with the contents and place foods for little ones within easy reach. To really take your pantry to the next level, invest in reusable, clear containers for foods like cereals, pretzels, pastas, and baking goods. They keep foods fresh, stack for easy storage and let you see the contents easily.

Modular canisters

3.)  Garage - (4-8 hours) Spring is a great time to put away winter items like snow shovels, holiday decorations, sleds and the like to make room for the gear that comes with outdoor activities. Store unneeded house supplies on higher shelves or in bins that can be tucked out of the way. Pull out any sporting equipment or gardening supplies and place it on shelves or on hooks where it is the most easily accessed. Group each type of gear or supplies by category and label for maximum impact. Think about designating at least one bin or shelf to each activity. No one will be left searching for their bike helmets ever again!

The winter weather brings with it lots of dirt and grime that gets tracked right into your garage. By this point in the year, it's likely that you have a layer an inch thick of road debris, oil, and chemicals like mag chloride. After decluttering your garage and storing seasonal items, get your garage floor professionally cleaned. I highly recommend Academy Services for their wonderful customer service and their ability to clean up even the toughest messes. A garage that is organized and cleaned is one that will promote lots of summer fun.

Academy Services hard at work 

Good luck with these three spring switchovers! I am confident that tackling just these three areas of your home will help you clear out the winter blahs and be ready for a wonderful spring!

In The Service Of Others

I had the privilege of being a part of a pro-bono organizing job last week which was coordinated through the National Association of Professional Organizers' (NAPO) Colorado chapter. As a part of NAPO's Get Organized or "GO" Month, the Colorado chapter partnered with the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to educate patients and their families on the health benefits of staying organized, especially during treatment of serious illness. In addition to two presentations for their meeting on January 17th, two lucky winners were selected to receive four hours of organizing with four organizers! If you couldn't guess, that's a lot of bubbling, energetic organizing "juju" in one place - enough to send many people running in the other direction.

When I was asked about participating in this event, I jumped at the chance. For me, working my organizational magic is a joy, and to do it for someone who has dealt with health issues and therefore can benefit so greatly from these services is a no-brainer. This served as another great opportunity for me to demonstrate my commitment to being in service of others.

Linen closet BEFORE

Oodles of stuff!

The client with whom we worked was as sweet as could be and was excited for this kick-start to getting her house decluttered. And the team with whom I got to work were top notch: Dawn McCloskey, Charee McDonald and Julie Kessler. Amazingly, with four organizers pulling her in many different directions, she did a beautiful job of staying focused and making decisions about what stays and what goes making it a fun and productive afternoon. 

In the middle of the big "Sort and Purge"

I focused on the linen closet while the other organizers tackled bedroom closets and a desk that was being devoured by papers. You'll see from the pictures that it was transformed from a closet bursting at the seams to one where each type of item, be it medicine, hair supplies, linens or lotions, had its proper place and was easily accessed. Her morning routine will now take less time and be a peaceful process...and who couldn't use a little more peace in their lives?

Linen closet AFTER

Everything labeled and in its proper place

De-cluttering: Creating a Path to Peace

Happy New Year! Today, the new year opens out before us as a clean slate waiting for us to write our future. The magic of this time of year is that we are reminded of the fact that we can choose how to live each day, that we can create the path that lies before us. 

With the beginning of a new year, many people are inspired to create resolutions. You've heard them (or maybe even made some of them) before:

• I resolve to lose 10 pounds.
• I resolve to quit smoking.
• I resolve to eat healthier or exercise daily. 

All of these resolutions are made with the best of intentions but unfortunately are often forgotten by the time the page of the calendar turns to February. Why does this inevitably seem to happen? Perhaps it is the incredible pressure we put upon ourselves to drastically change our habitual behaviors (learned over a great deal of time and reinforced regularly). When we first miss the mark in trying out a new way of being, it seems as though all is lost, and discouraged, we give up until a new year is upon us once again. For this reason, while I love the new beginning that this special day creates, I am not a big believer in resolutions. 

And so rather than thinking about setting forth any resolutions, I am choosing to simply raise my awareness on one particular topic. This year, I will be mindful of clutter in my life. Without the burden of having to overhaul everything because of a strict and specific resolution, I choose to be aware of the clutter in my life and find ways to minimize it because for me, de-cluttering is a path to peace.

There are so many ways in which I hope to rid myself of clutter this year. Some of them will likely be physical manifestations of clutter. For example, I always find it cathartic to clean out my closet and expunge it of ill-fitting clothes, shoes that are worn out, and handbags that are no longer in style. It makes getting dressed every morning a much more enjoyable process knowing that everything I see before me helps me feel like my best self. Even as an organized person, there are always new spaces where I can let go of items and find new order. Rather than setting out to overhaul my house, I will just be aware of any areas that seem particularly cluttered and when necessary, focus on letting some of the items go. 

But beyond tackling the physical spaces around me, I also think about de-cluttering other things that no longer serve me. I intend to let go of those grievances or criticisms that get in the way of me moving forward in my life. I will accept the lessons to be learned from such situations and bid any negative emotions attached to them goodbye. Rather than taking up precious space in my mind and soul, I will wish these memories well and be on my way. 

The same is true of relationships that no longer bring me joy or fulfillment. As a new mom, wife, friend, daughter and sister, there is certainly no abundance of free time. And so I must choose wisely about where to direct my time and attentions. I choose to focus my energy on those relationships with people that fill me up - people with whom I find pleasure in their company and always leave wanting to spend just a few minutes more. Those relationships with people who leave me feeling frustrated or like my energy reserves have been drained are ones that I will choose to prune back - not with any ill will or mal-intent, simply with a recognition that as we go through life, people and relationships change and sometimes no longer bring out the best in either party. Again, I will be thankful for their presence in my life and for the memories I will cherish, but then I will allow us both to move on.

Don't get me wrong...relationships are perhaps the most difficult thing of all to de-clutter but they also allow some of the most space to allow new relationships to form. 

I will also be mindful of the clutter I take into my body - things like eating too much or consuming too much sugar, fat, sodium and preservatives - and the marks they leave in the form of extra weight, sluggishness, and a lack of feeling healthy and vibrant. When I focus my awareness on ridding myself of clutter in this way, I recognize that I can make continuous choices about the things I consume without being paralyzed by having eaten a slice of pumpkin pie. 

Clearing the clutter isn't a one time thing. It starts first as an awareness and then becomes a process that we must revisit time and time again to reaffirm the type of life we choose to live. And each time we identify a piece of clutter to discard, we are renewed by the sense of lightness and openness to what lies ahead. 

Wishing you peace, lightness and a clutter-free year!

Wrapping Up the Holidays

It's hard to believe that the holidays are coming to a close. It's one of my favorite times of year as I get to spend quality time with family and friends and am reminded that it is time with loved ones that truly fills my life with joy. While I am reluctant to accept that this special time of year is winding down, I am looking forward to having a simple plan for how to wrap everything up so that getting ready for the holidays next year will be a breeze. I have come up with a list of things that can help you do the same. Check it out:

1.  When starting to repack your holiday decorations and wares, discard any items that are broken, worn out or otherwise in bad shape. There is no sense in hanging on to strands of lights that no longer shine or ornaments that are cracked. Ruthlessly declutter! It will help you feel better instantaneously. 

2.  Before packing up your ornaments and decorations, edit the stash of items that did not get used this year. If you did not choose to put out an old Christmas platter or a wreath that's lost its' shape this year, you won't change your mind when it comes time to decorate next year. Things in really bad shape should be tossed or recycled (if possible). And items that are still in good condition but no longer suit your taste or the theme of your decorations can be donated to friends or places like Goodwill or ARC Thrift Stores. Bonus: You'll brighten someone else's holiday spirit when they discover a new treasure. 

3.  Next, while putting everything away, create an inventory of your decorations and include it on the very top of the storage boxes. I recommend listing all items either by category (e.g. wreaths (2); table linens (3 rectangular table cloths: gold, red, green); lights (4 strands), etc.) and/or by location in your house (e.g. front entry way, living room mantle, etc.). Not only will this allow you to quickly identify what items you have on hand and where they can be placed in the future, you will also be able to identify any new items you'd like to add to your holiday decor for next year. Right now is a great time to purchase holiday items at a steep discount!

4.  One of the most important tasks is to store everything in appropriate storage containers. You want to contain your items in boxes or bins that will maximize storage space. While I typically prefer clear storage containers so that the contents can be easily seen, I choose to use red and green containers for my holiday decorations so that I can immediately differentiate those tubs from ones housing non-holiday items. But be sure to label the outside of containers with a list of what it is inside for easy retrieval. Click on the links below for a variety of storage options for typical holiday items:

• Ornaments
• Wreaths 
• Christmas lights

5.  Holiday lights can easily become a tangled mess making it almost easier to buy a new set every year. Rather than waste money, check out one of the options in the link above AND be sure to label each strand  of lights with the location where it was used this year. This will prevent you from getting halfway through wrapping your railing before running out of lights. 

6.  Use a Christmas tree disposal bag from Amazon to get rid of your trees without leaving pine needles throughout your house. And check out this link to find out where to recycle your Christmas tree. 

7.  Consolidate all of your wrapping supplies and integrate them into your wrapping station. Toss all small scraps of wrapping paper, torn tissue paper or bags that are beat up. Tattered wrapping takes away some of the joy of opening up an otherwise beautiful gift. If you are looking for a way to house all of the remaining wrapping supplies, check out these options from The Container Store:

• Gift Wrap Work Station
• Customized Gift Wrap Center
• Hanging Gift Wrap Organizer

8.  Review all of the holiday cards you received this year and use that to build or modify your holiday card list for next year. Be sure to update any new addresses in your address book or Christmas card list and labels. They'll be ready to go come next December!

9.  Construct a tentative gift list for next year based on whom you exchanged gifts with this year. Jot down any preliminary gift ideas that you have for each person on your list and carry it with you in your purse, phone or planner. Now when you are out shopping throughout the year, you can start to purchase gifts and avoid the holiday stress that comes with the tick-tock countdown of shopping days till Christmas!

10.  If you did a lot of entertaining this season, review all of the holiday recipes you used. Discard any that you didn't like or would not make again. On recipes you do plan to use again, make any notes about changes  you made or would do in the future and then place them in a special "Holiday" section of your recipe box or binder. When preparing your menu for next year's festivities, you will have a sample menu ready to go!

11.  Download all digital photos onto your computer and label them as Holiday or Christmas 2012 - whatever label that will be easy for you to remember when looking for these pictures in the future. Immediately delete any photos that are blurry, unattractive or poorly framed. Share or print any special photos now before the new year begins and this falls to the bottom of your To Do list. Websites like Shutterfly and Snapfish make sharing and ordering photos easy and efficient. I highly recommend backing up all photos on a flash drive, CD or external hard drive to prevent loss. 

12.  I think perhaps the most important thing to do in wrapping up the holidays is to spend some time reflecting on the most memorable parts of your festivities this year. Jot down what you consider to be the top moments of the holidays, for example, seeing The Nutcracker, ice-skating on Evergreen Lake with family or baking Christmas cookies with friends. When the holidays are approaching next year, refer to this list of memorable activities and be sure to schedule them in your calendar. Focus on setting aside time for these items and be willing to say no to other activities that crop up but won't be as enjoyable. By prioritizing your time, you will be sure to have another great holiday season.

Season's greetings from my family to yours!

The Gift of Order

During the holiday season, attention often turns to giving gifts to our friends and loved ones. But this fun task can turn into anything but if your wrapping supplies aren't well organized. Such was the case with this gift wrapping closet. It had turned into a big mess which made even the thought of wrapping presents in colorful papers and ribbons an absolute nightmare. In just a couple of hours, this seemingly unwieldy pile of all things paper became a manageable wrapping station. See below for the 3 simple steps to create this transformation!

Wrapping closet - BEFORE

1.) SORT - The first step in conquering the chaos was to remove everything from the closet and sort it into like piles. Ribbons and embellishments were grouped together as were other items such as tissue paper, gift bags, packing material, gift boxes and wrapping paper. This really helped in getting a sense of just how much stuff there was and then led to the next step of deciding what to keep and what to get rid of. The bonus was that we discovered many cute bags and papers that had long been hidden from view!

2.)  EDIT - The next step was to pare down the collection of wrapping supplies to only what was in good condition and may actually be needed for future use. In this case, there was an overabundance of boxes that were just taking up space and cluttering the closet. We really had to be very honest about actually how many boxes one needs at any given time. (Hint: Not as many as you think! Keep just one box in 3-5 different sizes. That's plenty!) The rest went straight to the recycle bin. 

3.) CONTAIN - After paring down the collection to a reasonable number and variety of gift boxes, we used the bigger boxes as containers to hold the ones we wanted to keep. We did the same with the gift bags. Due to limited space in the closet, the remaining shipping boxes were condensed into larger boxes and moved to storage in the basement since they are not used as often.

Tissue paper was folded neatly and corralled by the use of large binder clips.

Ribbons were sorted and then held together by paperclips. We repurposed a gift bag to hold them all in one place.

The end result is a gift wrapping closet that is not only much prettier to look at but also much more functional.    Rather than digging through an avalanche of bags and bows, we can immediately locate a suitable gift bag or box, tissue paper and tie it up with a bow which saves time and stress. How's that for a present this holiday season?!

Wrapping closet - AFTER

***This project was completed entirely with existing supplies. Keep an eye out for my next blog though where I will profile some great products that can create wonderful wrapping stations in any corner of your house!