Archive | February, 2010

Your Main Entrance

Posted on February 26, 2010 by in Home Organizing

There are places in our homes that can become what I call “dumping  grounds”.   Things get put there. It can be anything; keys, papers, toys,  books, it doesn’t really matter.  If there is room, the item gets placed there.

An entryway, can become a dumping ground very easily.  They can become piled with mail, brochures left on the door, coats, shoes, you name it and it  could be there.

 

This is what “Clear Your Clutter” by Karen Kingston says about  the entryway:

“In Feng Shui, the main entrance to your home represents your approach to the world as you look out, and your approach to your own life as you look in.  Just as people enter and leave through this doorway, so too does energy.  If the area is cluttered in any way it can restrict the flow of opportunities coming to you and hinder your progress in the world.  This is a very important area to keep clear. Clutter near the main entrance creates unnecessary struggle in your life.”

Now this gives your clutter at the entryway a lot of deeper meaning than just clutter.  I agree with the importance of keeping it clear.  The entryway is the first impression of your home to your visitors.  But more importantly it is how you are welcomed everyday into your home.  Coming home to a space which is not cluttered is more relaxing than not.  It can set the tone of how the rest of your evening is going to go.

Here are simple ways on keeping the area clear:

1)  Evaluate your space. What do you like about it, what troubles you?  Ask yourself what first impression are you giving off to guests?  When you enter, do you feel welcomed?  If not, then what changes can you make?  Maybe adding a table by the front door or a picture on the wall that you enjoy.

2)  If you have a table by the front door, make sure to designate it’s purpose.  Do not allow things that do not belong there.  If it’s purpose is to hold keys and wallets, then place a small decorative bowl or basket on the table.

3) Place a large vase with flowers or decorative pieces on the table to prevent piles from getting stacked.  If something is already there that is suppose to be, the likelihood of the other stuff staying is not as good.

4)  If you have a lot of coats and shoes, decide what the right amount is in the space to eliminate it from getting too crowded.  Only put in the space the items you wear on a daily basis, everything else should be put somewhere else.

Happy Organizing!

Letting Go!

Posted on February 24, 2010 by in Getting Started

“The process of clearing clutter is all about letting go.  Not just letting go of your belongings-that is only the end result.  The most important thing is learning to let go of the fear that keeps you holding on to them after it is time to move them on their way.” Clearing Your Clutter With Feng Shui”, by Karen Kingston

Letting go.  This is difficult for many of us.  Our belongings can take a life of their own.  How many of you have kept something just in case you may need it someday?  Or you kept something because it was a gift from your mother in law?  I bet there are some nodding heads right now.. Because it’s true.  We have many excuses of why we keep what we keep.

In the chapter of Letting Go, there are two key points I want to share, they include Just Passing Through, and Let go of Fear.

Just Passing Through- “Just because you own something, it doesn’t mean that you have to keep it forever.” This is so true.  In our lives, I believe we go through different chapters.  Life is always changing and it does not look the same from chapter to chapter.  If something does not fit you, you no longer like it, you never did like it, then give yourself permission to let it go.

Let Go Of Fear- The book states people hold on to clutter because they are afraid to let it go.  They are afraid there may be consequences or regret later on.  It can be very emotional to let items go.  What I love most about this section is this: “Love and Fear cannot exist in the same space, so everything you are holding on to through fear is blocking you having more love in your life; clearing it allows more love to start pouring in.  Fear stops you from being who you truly are and doing what you came here to do; clutter clearing brings you greater clarity about your life purpose.” She goes on to say it gives you freedom and this is the best gift you can yourself.  I love this!  This is really something to think about. Looking at this process as a gift to yourself and to your family is truly a great way to see it.  This attitude can be the motivator that keeps you going!

Why do you keep what you do?  Have you ever gotten rid of something and then regretted it later?

Next Post:  Your Entranceway – the importance this one space has in your home!

Happy Organizing!

What is Clutter?

Posted on February 22, 2010 by in Getting Started

 

The book I will be talking about this week is called, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui, by Karen Kingston.  For the next 3 posts, I will be discussing certain aspects of the book.  I will share what is written and then you give some of my own insight.

Clutter. It’s a very common term in the organizing world.  We talk about clearing clutter, conquering clutter, cut the clutter and so on.  If you have ever studied Feng Shui, you will see the word clutter come up many times.  What is clutter?  What does this term mean to you?

In the dictionary clutter is defined:

clutter |ˈklətər| noun a collection of things lying about in an untidy mass : the attic is full of clutter.• [in sing. ] an untidy state : the room was in a clutter of smelly untidiness. verb [ trans. ]crowd (something) untidily; fill with clutter : his apartment was cluttered with paintings and antiques | luggage cluttered up the hallway. ORIGIN late Middle English (as a verb): variant of dialect clotter [to clot,] influenced by cluster and clatter .

In Clear Your Clutter, there are four categories of clutter:

1) Things you do not use or love

2) Things that are untidy or disorganized

3) Too many things in too small a place

4) Anything unfinished

I really like how she has defined these categories.  They make sense to me.  These categories can be a great guide for you when deciding if something should stay or go.  Do your things belong in one of these categories?

I am a true believer that for everything there is a place.  I believe we should only keep what we love. You can have too many items in a small space, and your home is much easier to organize and stay organized if you have less stuff.

I have said this before and is worth repeating, organization is not about perfection.  It looks different for everyone.  What I might think is clutter is not for someone else.  They love what they have and have a place for it, then it works.

“Clutter” is not a word I use often.  I never want to give the impression the items you own are of no value and should be thrown away.  Sometimes the word can feel that way.  When we are always talking about getting rid of it, clearing it, what have you.  If the items are something you love and bring joy into your life then it’s not about getting rid of it, as much as it is finding a home for it that works.

My goal for clients is to help them make tough decisions.  To help them build systems to maintain their organization and ultimately live in a happy and peaceful space.

With using these 4 categories, what can you do to “clear your clutter”?  Do you relate to one of the 4 categories more than the others?  How do you define clutter?

Next Post:  How To Let Go!

Happy Organizing!

Don’t Be Late..

Posted on February 19, 2010 by in Productivity, Time Management, Travel

Do you find yourself running out the door usually about 5 minutes late?  Or realize you didn’t give yourself enough time in between appointments to get from location A to location C?  It happens, and with kids it happens to me more now.  It’s stressful if you know you need to be somewhere and the clock keeps ticking away!

So is there anything we can do to change this bad habit? Sure!

We often confuse the amount of time things should take to the amount they actually take. The best thing we can do is figure out the gap.  How long do I really need to get the family ready in the morning?  How long is my commute to work?  Not what I think it should be.

For one week, make up a journal and carry it around with you. And write out your day.  Write down how long it took you get ready for the day.  Write down your commute time from home to the office.  And if you are late, write it down, how late you were, why were you late, who did it effect?  Just by seeing it on paper can really make a difference. Then you can start working on the solutions.

When planning your day or week, block out commute times, this will really help make sure you have enough time to get from A to C without overlap.  For example if you have to be at a meeting at 9AM, and it takes 30 minutes to get there, block in your calendar that you are out from 8:15AM on.  This gives you time for the unexpected.  Because as we all know the unexpected can  happen frequently.

In summary, the best prevention to being late is planning ahead and being as prepared as you can be. And expect the unexpected!  Take little steps to see if you can make a difference.  By just setting your alarm 15 minutes earlier, or laying out clothes and making lunches the night before.  Think about what small changes you can make to stop feeling so rushed and the stress that being late causes, not only to you but to the people waiting for you!

Happy Organizing!

Guest Post at The Confident Mom!

Posted on February 17, 2010 by in Home Organizing

This month as a guest blogger for The Confident Mom, I wrote about different ways to store board games and puzzles.  This can be an area in all of our homes that can really become out of control.  Nothing is more frustrating than putting a puzzle together, and not have the last piece to finish!  Or having box after box with tape on the corners, and the pieces still manage to fall out.

I have provided different solutions and I would love to hear your ideas and thoughts.  As we know there are many ways to do one thing!

The last sentence in the post, I encourage you to turn the TV off and make it a game night!  It really is so much fun and a great way to bond with your family.

Happy Organizing!