September 26, 2018

5 Tips to Say Goodbye to Clothes From Your Past

Closets are a place that reveal who we are and who we were.

I’m always fascinated by the stories my clients share with me when we are clearing the closet clutter. Clothes can bring back memories, some good and some bad.

Two questions I’m often asked are, “what if they come back in style and what if I lose weight”.

I’ve thought about the reasoning behind these questions. Yes, things do go in and out of style through the years, but even if it comes back it won’t be the same style, fabric or color. If you haven’t worn it since it was originally popular let it go.

Weight also plays a big role on why people keep clothes that don’t fit anymore. Looking in your closet everyday staring at clothes you can no longer wear can affect your self esteem. Keep one thing that you love as inspiration, but let the rest go.

What is the reason you just can’t let go of those never worn clothes? Is it regret? Guilt? These emotions keep you from moving forward, even in your closet.

Are you finally ready to say goodbye to the never worn clothes that are taking up valuable space in your closet?

These are five tips to purge the past and bring your wardrobe into the present.

1. Make your fashion choices about who you are now and where you are in your life.

2. Do not keep anything in your closet that makes you feel bad when you put it on.

3. Just because it cost a lot of money does not mean you should keep it.

4. If it’s uncomfortable get rid of it because you won’t wear it.

5. Give yourself a few minutes to grieve over the mini skirt you use to wear or the four inch stillettos and then let them go.

It may be difficult to begin but when you have cleared the past from your closet it will leave you with only the things you love in the present.

Remember, even if your size hasn’t changed through the years, you maybe at a different time in your life and ready for a change.

The new you is just waiting to be discovered!

 

September 18, 2018

5 Tips To Simplify Your Linen Closet

The linen closet is a great way to start the clutter clearing process. People are generally not emotionally attached to items in a linen closet and it doesn’t take a lot of time to achieve amazing results.

Follow these five tips to simplify and organize your linen closet.

Remove Everything

The only way to tackle any organizing project is to start from scratch. If you organize around your items you are just shuffling clutter. You hear me say it often but you really do have to remove everything if you want to get the job done.

Purge

Now that everything is out of the space get rid of old linens that are ripped or torn, mismatched towels, old blankets and pillows that are never used and items that don’t belong in a linen closet. The Humane Society, your groomer and veterinarian would love to take your old towels and by donating them it will make you feel better about letting go.

Group Like Things Together

I say this all the time but it’s something that I know works. Group first aid, sheets, towels, travel, hair care and any other like items you want to keep in the linen closet. Grouping like items will save you time and money. No more searching for items or spending money on things you already own.

Invest in Baskets or Containers 

Once you have purged measure the area and find containers that work for your space. Baskets or lidded containers work well in linen closets but whatever you choose don’t forget to label. If you can’t see it you don’t know you own it.

Keep It Simple

When you are clearing the clutter and organizing always remember to keep it simple. Keep only what you need, use and love let the rest go.

You don’t need to tackle an entire house in order to begin getting organized. Every time you purge a space and enjoy your hard work it will motivate you to move on to another area in your home.

Start small but start somewhere!

 

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September 6, 2018

8 Ways Clutter Affects You and Your Family

As an organizer I have seen first hand how a disorganized environment can wreak havoc on a family. Many people minimize how clutter not only affects you but the people around you.

My mission is to motivate and inspire people to clear the clutter and help them enjoy a simpler life.

These are eight ways clutter can affect your life. Do any of these sound familiar?

Marriage

Has your bedroom become a storage area for items that don’t have a place anywhere else in the home? It is difficult to have a romantic relationship when your bedroom is full of clutter? Remove toys, unused exercise equipment, school projects, pictures that were never hung and piles of paperwork.

In my opinion your bedroom should be a place that you look forward to coming home to at the end of a busy day. A place for peace, solitude and romance. Clutter breeds the exact opposite and the master bedroom should be one of the first areas in your home where serenity begins. Once you have purged and you are enjoying your new space it will encourage you to move on to others areas in your home.

Children

Kids learn by example. Once the environment is free of clutter you will be surprised the positive affects it will have on your family. Children actually enjoy knowing that everything has a place and being organized teaches them skills they will need in their adult life.

Time for Yourself

This is one that people don’t realize until I point it out. When you elevate clutter it gives you time to do the things you enjoy without feeling guilty. Making time for yourself needs to be scheduled like anything else on your calendar to ensure it will be done.

Depression

Clutter causes depression! When you clear the clutter and simplify your life you feel motivated and inspired. No one can honestly say they enjoy a cluttered house. Start with one area in your home and you will feel the difference every time you pass by what was once a cluttered room.

Overwhelmed

When clutter is out of control people feel overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin. If you have reached  this stage and you are feeling overwhelmed don’t hesitate to enlist the help of a professional organizer. Sometimes all you need is a little help to get the process started.

Feeling Defeated

When you live in a house full of clutter one of the feelings that always surfaces is the feeling of failure. I should be able to do this myself, what is wrong with me? My answer is NOTHING! People start out with the best intentions and then life, work, kids and school take over. Make purging a priority and keep your surroundings simple!

Over Buying

How often do you hear yourself say “I was looking for that”.  How much money do you spend on buying more of what you already own because you couldn’t find something or see it? Simplifying, keeping like things together and having a place for everything will prevent clutter and over buying.

Health Issues

Living in a house with clutter can affect a persons health and most people don’t realize it until the clutter is gone. It can create dust, mites, bugs, mildew, trigger asthma and cause sinus problems and allergies. When you clean around clutter you are not really cleaning. The things you own should never be more important than the surroundings you are living in.

Clearing the clutter and getting organized will eliminate stress for you and your family and the results will be life changing!