Organizing

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December 8 2021

Declutter now for your health

Decluttering is often a huge challenge because it is so emotionally challenging. Letting go is never easy. Declutter now to feel better. One can become so burdened by “stuff”.

Recently I had a call from a client who is an artist and lives in a 4,000 SF home. We have worked with her in the past on two art studio rooms. This call was different. She came to the epiphany that her stuff is really getting in the way and causing her stress. Instead of just organizing everything which was the goal in the past, she wants to let go and feel lighter. Downsizing or letting go, in this case, is liberating. Sometimes one needs to reach that tipping point which leads to being motivated.

In the short one-week timespan between her call and our work session, she accomplished a lot on her own. She had reviewed clothes in her closet and sent us a wonderful picture of a heap of them on the floor which she gave to some friends in need. She reviewed and tagged items in her attic that she no longer wanted so by the time we arrived much of the decision-making process had started.

Set a deadline

This is an advantage of having a deadline. By scheduling an organizer to come in, you will find that you are motivated before the session and even more motivated after the working session because you see the instant gratification and the reward. We tell all our clients to also schedule a donation pick-up so it gives you a timeframe and goal to work towards.

Here are 10 quotes from our clients after decluttering:

I could never imagine living with less “stuff” but I actually love it now.
I used to open a drawer and let out a sigh. Now I open a drawer and say ah….
Not missing anything I donated.
It was a gift to myself, which I knew, but realize now it is also a gift to my children so they aren’t left to do it later in life.
The items I did keep bring me so much joy and I do love being surrounded by them now that all the other stuff is gone.
Letting go was challenging because of guilt. It was not easy saying good by to some of the things I received after my mother passed, but I now realize I was holding on to them for the wrong reasons. They may have been possessions she loved, but I didn’t.
I’m losing things less often because everything has a place now.
Keep purging. I thought I had purged so much, but now that I have moved, I realize it wasn’t enough (from client who moved to a 2 bedroom apartment in a retirement community) and I am still feeling overwhelmed.
I never thought I could do it and feel so proud of myself.
Being bogged down by my things meant I wasn’t living my life. Now I truly feel less burdened, and less overwhelmed. The clutter was intruding on my home and work life.

We often say, “do you own your stuff or does your stuff own you”. Declutter for your health!

October 22 2020

Being Organized

Organizing

Being organized. Take your first step now.

Being organized is not minimalism. Our team of organizers knows where everything in their house is and one will not find clutter on counters and workspaces, or in drawers or behind closet doors. Zones in our kitchens are practical, such as coffee mugs are above the coffee maker. Similar glasses are organized and lined up together. All mixing bowls are nested and grouped. The simple pleasures of being organized are not only having clear countertops but knowing items behind doors will be tidy.

We are organized.

We do not want to throw everything you have away. Organizing allows you to:

1) find things easily

2) have less stress and enjoy a sense of peace

3) have items that are useful and/or that you love

Benefits of being organized.

Many friends and family members make comments such as, “you’d be so proud of me, I took 3 bags to the donation center yesterday.” My reply is always, how do you feel after doing that? The resounding response is ”I can’t believe I didn’t do it years ago. Those clothes have been out of date and have not fit me for a very long time. I always thought I would consign them.” Right now, with covid, consignment stores are being more picky than ever. Many of the ones we use are not taking formal wear such as dresses, mens blazers etc. because that’s now what people are wearing in the midst of this pandemic. Letting go is a positive step forward to becoming organized.

Donation Centers.

Closing for several months, donation centers are now open. However, some are not sending trucks for home delivery pick-ups; others have limited the items they are taking. We love donation centers because our items are going to someone who will love and use them. This not only benefits the new owner, but allows us to let go more easily because we are not filling a landfill and there is someone on the other end of the donation who will appreciate the item. NOW is the time to start because who knows what the future will be for donation centers. If they close again, you will find us crying in a corner somewhere! Today is a very good time to load up some bags or boxes. Get rid of items you don’t love or use. Enjoy that sense of peace that accompanies the “letting-go” process. And, find things easily! The clock is ticking….

May 8 2020

De-cluttering & Letting Go

Declutter

After speaking with several friends and clients during this “stay at home order”, many have said they are taking the time to focus on their home and de-cluttering. I cringe to think of the long lines at the donation centers when they open up!

We typically help clients with the sorting, de-cluttering & downsizing process. A client who is moving at the end of May is facing this challenge on her own, as we suspect many are. The question of what to keep and what to let go is not an easy one, because many of our belongings have a story which triggers a memory whether it be someone we love who gave it to us, or a souvenir from a special trip or celebration. It is very difficult to separate the memory from the item.

There are lots of reasons that block us from de-cluttering & letting go, from guilt to monetary value and a host of other reason.

Here are 11 questions you can ask yourself to ease the process:

For starters, do I own my stuff or does it own me? If you are feeling like it takes so much time to organize your belongings, maybe it is time to really evaluate what you have. Having too much can cause stress. Believe me, we’ve seen it!

Taking a line from Marie Kondo: does the item bring me joy? In sorting through war memorabilia with a client recently, he said he didn’t want to review some of the items. Clearly, they did not bring him joy and there were painful memories. He wasn’t willing to part with the items but he was willing to put them in a specific box appropriately labelled & note to himself: no need to look at (deep storage).

When was the last time I used this item? If it is useful and practical, then that easily goes in the “keep” category.

Had I forgotten about this item until just now? If you had forgotten about it, you clearly weren’t looking for it and give yourself permission to let go.

Would I buy this item again today? Evaluate what your lifestyle is today. Do you pull out grandmother’s fine china every year or not? Do you even like the pattern?

Is it really worth taking this item with me? If you are in the midst of a move, remember that the more boxes you have the more the move costs. Would a picture be something I could substitute for the item?

If I lost this item would I be upset?

Is this item something that I could easily replace if I decided at a later point that I wish I had kept it. For example, think of a paperback book that if you do decide to read it again could you get it from the library?

What do I gain or lose by keeping this item? Measure the pros and cons.

What is the worst thing that will happen if I let go of the item? Keep a box in an area of your house and keep adding to it. You can let it stay there for awhile, and my guess is you’ll be absolutely fine with what you put in it for donation. The decision making process gets easier as you go along.

Is this item worth money? Many clients equate value to how much an item cost. If it was purposeful and useful to you, don’t you think you would be using it. Just because it cost a lot is not a reason to keep it.

It is one thing to downsize & let go because you have to due to an upcoming move. However, it is also worth considering purging so your loved ones don’t have to! It’s not a gift to leave it to them. If you need help with this process, contact us and we can offer some encouragement or hands on help.

March 25 2020

10 Tips for staying healthy at home

Organizing, Seniors, Tips for staying healthy at home, Uncategorized

We are all facing new challenges and a new way of life for the next few weeks and months. I had my 91 year old Dad and 85 year old Mom here for 3 days as they were traveling home from the South to their permanent residence in Maine. I was vigilant as I wanted to protect their health and stay healthy at home in case any of us were asymptomatic. They were not as aware of what they touched, so I was constantly wiping down kitchen knobs, faucet handles, and the counters. And, I work with seniors, so it is important that I protect my own health.

Many of us have had children coming home from college or city apartments and while we know where we have been and what precautions we have been taking, we wonder did they use the Purell after leaving the store, did they touch their elevator button and then wipe their eye, and our minds may wander to places that we have no control over. So, with that said, what do we have control over? They are home and as far as we know and pray, have not been exposed. Here is what I am doing in my own home (just to be clear these are non-scientifically proven and just things I have come up with) to gain a little bit of control in what seems like a world spiraling out of control with the COVID-19 pandemic.

How many times do you or your kids put down a glass of water and then come back and wonder if that is yours? Avoid the problem by each family member having a certain size/shape glass for the next few weeks. So, the tall glasses from Crate & Barrel are only used by x.
This, of course, applies to wine glasses as well! Most people have multiple patterns. Or, use those charms that many of you have. If not, think outside the box – pipe cleaners or colored duct tape will do just fine. My husband is having a zoom cocktail party with his golf friends tonight. Guess he doesn’t need to worry about what glass he uses!
Everyone touching the refrigerator handle? They say that the virus can live on metal for up to 3 days. I have put duck tape on mine so we each have different “grab zones” when opening the refrigerator. Early on, I found myself wiping it down constantly and this puts my mind at ease a little. Whether there is any validity to doing this, I am not sure but it’s worth a try.
We are fortunate to have lots of bathrooms in our house and guess what? Everyone has their own bathroom – again another way that I feel I can limit possible germ exposure.
We are practicing other tips we have all heard such as leaving our mail on the porch for the night, wiping down groceries and cardboard boxes.
Sharing that toothpaste tube? Why? Why not give everyone their own toothpaste.
I spoke to every single sibling (5 of them) and my parents yesterday. Reach out to friends and family as many are sheltering in place.
I sent my parents a video of my beach walk showing them the waves and sending a message of love.
Keep a calendar of outings to the store, a bike ride with a friend or social distancing walk. This will be knowledge that hopefully won’t be needed, but may come in helpful.
Keep your Saturday night, your Saturday night. Start a fire, do something special because otherwise the weekdays and weekends will start blending together and it gives you something to look forward to. I will always remember my Mom telling me she had “Friday nights on Foster Street” and they were special – and oftentimes she would set up a card table with a white tablecloth and place settings for 2 in front of the fire after putting the kids to bed. In this day and age, I have heard many friends that say Friday night is pizza night. Whatever it is, keep those fun nights.

I personally have kept structure to my day, stayed positive, enjoyed seeing the creativity emerge and have taken the extra time for long walks, writing notes, and reaching out to friends and family. Be safe, stay well, and protect our family and seniors.

April 22 2019

Decluttering Increases Home Value

Declutter, Moving

Is your house filled with “stuff”?

There are lots of words for it, some good and some not….belongings, possessions, paraphernalia, tchotchkes, and as one of my clients said “C” “R” “A” “P” – I was not expecting to hear that out of a very polite woman’s mouth! However, she is on to something and decluttering increases your home value.

Imagine what your entryway closet looks like today. Is it filled with your coats, hats, mittens, some cleaning supplies, lightbulbs (because you can’t find anywhere else to put them), dog items and a few other odds and ends that just get dumped there? Now, imagine your entryway closet with the coats you actually love and wear, a nice basket with your winter gloves, a matching basket for hats, and a shoe shelf underneath using what used to be wasted space. Everything hung neatly, and maybe I will go so far as jackets are zipped and hanging in the same direction. The two closets leave very different impressions.

Declutter is one of those words you may dread hearing.

Yet, realtors often advise their clients to do just that. Overwhelmed? Don’t know where to start? Too big of a task? Yes maybe, but by changing your mindset you will see there is an upside of decluttering. And, if you can sell your house for more, then that really changes things!

“Clutter Eats Cash”

Clutter, personal belongings, photos, and tchotchkes that decorate your home and make it feel special to you get in the way when a prospective buyer is looking. They may view it as that lovely word my polite woman client uttered.

Potential buyers feel entitled, and will often open every kitchen cabinet, closet, laundry area, and any built-in. Stuffed closets scream lack of storage. You want these areas to be decluttered so they look spacious and organized and your house has a calm, orderly feel to it.

Clutter is distracting and makes a negative impression.

Why pay to move items you may no longer want or need.

The time to review your belongings is now, and you will save money on the move, as well as the stress of finding a home for everything you may not need in your new place.

Don’t think of decluttering because someone told you to, but do it as a gift to yourself!

After even tackling a small area, you will feel lighter and less stressed. Clutter causes stress and the less we have of it the better. Oftentimes, I receive emails from people after I have worked with them for a morning, and they tell me that they kept going because they were so motivated, and it provided such a sense of instant gratification. Yes, it feels like a daunting task preparing your home for sale, but it actually can be quite cathartic. The decision making process becomes so much easier as you go along. I promise!

You want potential buyers to envision themselves living in your home, not as an intruder in yours. Showcasing your home in it’s best light will have great rewards in the end, from a lucrative and personal perspective.

January 13 2019

What may you have in common with Al Roker, Marie Kondo and ShipShape Organize?

Declutter, Organizing

…and at times, what seems like ½ of America! If you are looking to declutter and organize, you are not the only one.

The New Year is abuzz with organizing resolutions and Marie Kondo’s Netflix series. Al Roker committed to declutter as his New Year’s resolution, and Kondo is making her way into homes and giving us a glimpse of the clutter her clients face.

Everyone’s talking. I overheard a woman mentioning the Kondo episodes to a friend; facebook friends are commenting that they are inspired; and I received an e-mail from a client saying “I’m in one of those moods again.” When I opened the email, she says “a mood where I want to throw everything in my house OUT! Tchotchkes are bugging, too many things blah blah blah!”

Marie Kondo has obviously generated a big buzz and is bringing light upon a very old issue. Too much clutter. I have watched half her series and will probably watch them all by this weekend. What is it that makes us so intrigued about other people’s clutter?

Here are 10 take-aways from Marie Kondo’s Netflix series.

Best to commit. Organizing is a long process, takes a lot of energy and you need to set aside time to tackle the organizing projects. There is instant gratification, but there is no quick fix. Kondo’s shows go into days and weeks and present the reality of decluttering. Yesterday, we were on Day One with a client who wants to organize her kitchen to 3rd floor. Her husband happened to walk in mid-day to grab some lunch. He could barely make his way from the front door to the refrigerator because we had so many boxes and piles around. I hear my business partner say “it always gets worse before it gets better” While that was probably some comfort, I’m sure his initial reaction was not one of “joy”! Hopefully at 7:00 last night when he returned, he was amazed at the transformation because the kitchen counters were completely cleared off, the dining room table was no longer buried under “stuff”, and his wife was ecstatic with the progress she had made. When we left, the dining room table had two candles and a decorative table runner and went from chaos to an actual table where they could eat dinner. It was a lot of hard work on her part. Did we get to the second and third floor that same day? A complete house transformation? Definitely not. It takes time.
Vision. Every single client of ours has home decorating magazines and most look at those magazines and say “that is what I want”. When a client starts to melt down through the process after hours of work, I always tell them to remember the end goal for the space. Know why you are embarking on the organizing challenge. Do you want to be able to enjoy family more, relax in your own home, find your belongings so you aren’t always late for an appointment or bill to be paid? Keep the vision and you’ll be encouraged to keep going. Kondo asks her clients “why they want to start this organizing journey” at her first consultation which is very important. You have to want to take the challenge and be all in.
Sort by Categories? Marie Kondo’s first session is always facing the clothes. She tells clients to gather every single piece of clothing and put it on the bed. My guess is she hopes they will be shocked by what they find that they haven’t seen in a long while and by the sheer volume. This in turn hopefully inspires them to let go. Kondo asks them to say thank you to clothing that does not spark joy and begin a donate pile. We do the same with our clients specifically when it comes to clothes. We often go a step further by pulling out pants first. It is helpful to see how many pairs of black pants one has in order to make an educated decision on what to donate – too short, too long, too wide in the hips, too tight in the hips. All these factors help the decision making process and when you see 20 pairs of similar pants in front of you it is easier to pick the ones that fit you well and that you feel good in.
Blessing the home. This is a first which I have not seen yet, nor practiced. Afterall, I do live in New England! However, I do understand the home should be appreciated and why closing your eyes and having a peaceful moment at the beginning of a session can give you the courage and focus needed. When our clients get overwhelmed, and trust me this happens a lot, it is beneficial to take a break and walk away for a while, or just close your eyes and take a deep breath. Think how relaxing and centering yoga can be. It’s the same concept.
Folding Clothes? Yes, in certain drawers it is beneficial to have your t-shirts all standing up so you can see the different colors and the favorite pink one is not buried at the bottom. Is it sustainable during busy lives? I am not so sure. Confession of an organizer, I throw my socks into a basket. They are not neatly in a row in a drawer. After all, it needs to be easy at times. However, with t-shirts the Kondo method works.
Containers. Kondo uses boxes as sectionals in drawers which is great, especially when it comes to sorting small items from batteries to hair accessories. We use them all the time and an iphone box often finds a new life when we organize.
Celebrate the accomplishments. Encouragement goes a long way, and it helps to have someone tell you that your progress is fantastic. Kondo is constantly returning to clients’ homes to see their progress and praising the hard work that it takes. Congratulate yourself at the end of an organizing session!
Permission to let go. It is clear in every episode that Kondo asks her clients to see what sparks joy and thank the items that no longer do. In a nutshell, she gives them permission to let go and expects them to do so! It’s ok and actually rewarding to let go of items you no longer use or need.
Teaching. Marie Kondo teaches her clients how to organize on their own. If you don’t get involved in organizing your home, it doesn’t accomplish the real goal which is to have you take ownership of the organizing process now and in the future.
Team Effort. When it comes to organizing a family home, everyone must be involved for it to be successful. Kondo does a good job of bringing the family into the process, even if it is a child trying to fold a piece of clothing.

I thank Marie Kondo for bringing light to our profession, but most importantly, for inspiring so many to make a change. Yes, it is a TV show with an edited glimpse into families lives, but my guess is everyone who watches the show can find some aspect that resonates with them. It is hard to walk away without evaluating our own lifestyle. Her clients inspire viewers to make a similar change and give them a sense that there can be an end to what may be causing them so much stress. At the end of every show, the message is clear. Kondo’s clients are happier with less and maybe you will be as well. If you need help, check out our organizing services. We’d love to hear how you are inspired by decluttering.

January 2 2019

13 Tips to Keep Your New Years Resolution to Declutter

Declutter, Organizing

We all know New Years is a time to evaluate our goals and of course, set a resolution. There are a large number of people who have made it their resolution to declutter but don’t know how to start and achieve lasting success.

Life is fast paced these days, and many feel so overwhelmed when their house is out of control. When I have my initial consultation with a client, the first words with an apologetic note are typically “I didn’t have time to clean up for your visit” and that is followed by:

“I don’t know where to start”

“I am just so overwhelmed”

“My house is out of control”

“My life is out of control”

“I can’t find anything”

“Clutter is taking over”

So, we know there is a desire to get organized. Here are 10 steps to help you de-clutter and organize and reduce stress.

Recognize and remember throughout the process, the why behind the desire to de-clutter. It is because the clutter is causing you stress.
Be realistic about what you want to achieve and set yourself up for success. This is critical so you don’t get discouraged.
Start small with one certain area. I typically tell clients to start in an area they use the most so they can feel that wonderful sense of instant gratification. If you see and feel the benefits of de-cluttering you will want to keep going. I cleaned out my pantry yesterday and discarded old canned goods, expired vitamins, and dried cranberries that were a little too dried. It felt great!
Carve out a designated time and be sure it is a sufficient amount of time. There is no quick fix. If you decide to start in your pantry, be sure you have enough time to pull everything (yes, everything) out, group like with like, clean the shelves and then put everything back. You don’t want to come home to chip bags and tomato sauce overtaking your floor! That is a recipe for disaster.
Maybe it would be helpful to ask a friend or family member for help. Or, there is professional help. Check out our services.
Ask yourself if you have used the item, love the item, and what purpose it serves.
Sometimes you need to be ruthless. Be sure the reason you are keeping an item is not because someone gave it to you, you may use it some day, or you are storing it for someone else.
Keep a donation box handy so you can fill it up throughout a period of time.
Shop for solutions only after you know what is going to live in a specific area. For example, if your entryway is bothering you because coats and shoes are everywhere. Look for a solution that not only solves the shoe/coat issue but also ask yourself where does your incoming mail live; what about backpacks and pocketbooks; umbrellas; dog leashes etc.
Educate your family members about the new expectations and how they can help keep the area organized.
Now that everything has a home, be sure you take the few minutes every day to put things away.
Set up a monthly maintenance plan.
Celebrate the small successes along the way and congratulate yourself for a job well done.

I can’t tell you how many times I leave a client’s home and they later send me a note saying how motivated they were to keep going because they saw the benefit of what we had accomplished together.

Now is the time.

2019 is a great year to de-clutter and organize and you can do it! While it may be difficult, it is so worth it in the end.

January 17 2018

To-Do Lists

Organizing

I love to-do lists! They are a way to organize priorities, stay focused and on task, remember everything and hold yourself accountable to get things done.

We all have our strengths, and we all have our weaknesses. The challenge is to acknowledge both and come up with strategies to deal with the weaknesses. For me personally, I hate (maybe that’s a little too strong of a word) networking events. To walk into a room of 50 plus people and not know anyone, and we are supposed to garner the courage to go and meet these people? It’s not even a cocktail event so you don’t get the benefit of a glass of wine to calm the nerves!

Way back in the day when educators weren’t as PC, my report cards would come in the mail and under the comments section would be something like “Debbie is a wonderful student, diligent, conscientious and on and on and then came the but….she’s shy and I’d love to see her participate more in class.” As if I didn’t know that was one of my weaknesses and that raising my hand in class caused my heart to race. So, 35 years that same feeling of the heart racing, and the palms sweating comes back to me when it comes to networking. It is so much easier to say no to that BNI or Chamber of Commerce Event.

My New Year’s resolution for work is to “pound the pavement” and network more than I have in the past, whether face-to-face or reaching out through social media. How? By setting goals. ShipShape is holding our team accountable for certain tasks: we have developed a call log sheet and each of us is required to reach out to 5 new people a week. We’ll document our calls and then be able to follow-up on a consistent basis.

I personally am keeping a sheet front and center on my desk with my marketing goals. To-do lists let us remember, prioritize and hold us accountable. Blog once every week (check thanks to this one); Send a thank you note to all new clients from the past month (check); drop off brochures at realtors offices, independent living communities and apartment buildings every month (will be a check tomorrow); Reach out to 5 people on LinkedIn every week (hmm…gotta get to that one); and here’s the hard one….research what’s going on and walk into a networking meeting once a month (soon to be a check). In summary, we are trying to live the Nike motto of “Just Do It’ and I admit it is not easy.

Many of our clients struggle with being overwhelmed by clutter: whether paper or household items. Dealing with paperwork or organizing a bedroom is not top of their to-do list, but recognizing that it is one of those tasks that they don’t like to tackle, we advise them to set realistic goals – maybe mix a little oomph in – and set up a way be held accountable. Sometimes, it is just having someone that comes to your home on a regular scheduled basis and helps keep you on task. We all need help in one way or another whether it be someone to clean our house, mow our lawn, help us with our exercise goals, or “ a professional organizer who supports evaluation, decision-making, and action around objects, and space; helping clients achieve desired outcomes regarding function, order, and clarity.” Together, we can just get it done!

January 4 2018

As seen on NBC!

Kitchen Organization, Organizing

We enjoyed filming this segment with NBC and want to share these simple tips with you. Lazy Susans for hard to reach corners or smaller items such as condiments; risers for canned goods or bottles; expandable drawer dividers for your junk drawer; and elevated spice drawer organizers. A few simple devices can create order out of chaos and give you a place for everything.

February 15 2017

Children’s Study Area

Child's Room, Children's study area, Organizing for Teens

Homework – Ugh! Helping your child become organized and handle their homework independently is a challenge for most parents. Let’s get down to basics.

First of all, providing an area that is conducive to studying is one of the essential steps. Consider a modular unit that can grow with the child like the elfa desk area offered at The Container Store. We like this as a solution because the desk and chair height can be raised and you can have this mounted to the wall or as a stand-alone unit that you can take with you when you move. It’s easy to add more shelves, and the elfa utility board can provide lots of options for storing smaller items. You can create your own personalized desk area.