Letting Go is Hard to Do….

Sung to the tune of Breaking Up is Hard to Do….

Some items can be more challenging than others.  I have found with a lot of my women it is clothing. (I include myself in that statement!)

“When I lose those last ten pounds” or “But I might need that outfit for lunch with the governor some day” or “Get rid of the sweater that I was wearing when I was asked out on by my future husband?”  My favorite professional organizer Peter Walsh offers some good suggestions:

1. Those clothes that don’t fit you now are just taunting you every time you open the door! Why would you want clothing that doesn’t fit you or flatter you to take up your space? When you get to the weight you want to be, reward yourself with clothing that you love and makes you feel attractive!

2. When you hold onto items because you are worried you might need them someday you are not living in the present. You are looking to the future. Don’t most of us have dreams and wishes for the future? Do you really want to hold onto something shabby or ill suited to represent your hopes and dreams? Is the money, space and energy you are using to keep everything the best way to try and create your future?

3. Holding on to the sweater is an emotional reason for not wanting to pitch it. But the memories are never going to go away. If you value an item, then you need to show it the honor and respect it deserves. If you aren’t doing that now what makes you think you will start?

By clearing your clutter you are able to open space and open your life to possibilities. You want to change your life? Change your clutter!

Letting go of stuff doesn’t mean it has to end up in the landfill–  freecycle & Craigs List are two popular options.  For more, check out green resources on my web page!

What are you ready to clear or let go of today?  What new possibilities do you want to bring into your life?

Perfection and Organizing

People often ask me if I am organized. I say I am, but I am not perfect. One, it’s impossible! Secondly, it’s no fun. If a client is looking for Martha Stewart, I tell them I am not their woman!  If there was a fire in my home I could get my important papers and be out of the house in a second. If a client calls I can get their file immediately. I know what’s in my closet so I don’t make duplicate purchases. When I come home I feel at peace because my everything is orderly and I can enjoy things that I truly cherish, such as paintings. Here is my mission & vision for myself & clients:

Mission: to compassionately transform lives through education & customized plans that create productive & sustainable environments.

Vision: a more sustainable world created through peaceful, joyful, inspirational, organized spaces for living and work.

Remember that organizing isn’t about perfection. It’s about being able to find what you need and saving time and money and enjoying life!

Easy Organization Goals!

If you are feeling overwhelmed at the thought of getting organized, do one thing to make a change.  Here are some suggestions I have made to clients in taking that first step!  Remember to donate, give away and/or recycle!

• Have less “stuff” coming into your space.  If you bring something in, something goes out.
• A place for everything. Have a place for keys, sunglasses, bills, permission slips, etc.
• Say no to: other people’s stuff; people who don’t support and nourish you; things you no longer use or love.
• Donate.  Get rid of everything that doesn’t represent you because you want to live in the present.
• Use what you have. Do you use all 5 serving platters, 8 shampoos, and 6 sets of sheets?

What step can you take today?

Need more time, joy & money with less stress?

GET ORGANIZED!

The average American has between $2,500 and 5 K worth of perfectly usable stuff they aren’t using while carrying 10K+ in credit card debt!

Over 85% of couples say they argue about clutter and disorganization!

Depression can cause clutter in your house and clutter in your house can cause depression.

The average person loses 1-2 hours weekly from not being organized (trying to find car keys, permission slips, etc.)

Being disorganized can cause stress:

Having guests over becomes an embarrassment, or an event that takes all-day preparation.

Using your home for activities you enjoy becomes difficult  without taking significant time to clear the space.

According to the principles of Feng Shui, clutter drains you of your positive energy. You can actually feel it.

If  it is too much to do on your own, consider hiring a professional organizer to help you!

Organizing Your Mind

I take a holistic approach with organizing and suggest people start with their mind. This means living in the present and not spending time in fear and anxiety. I consider this an important step in getting inside and outside organized. These questions by Geneen Roth are written on a whiteboard in my office and when making a decision I reflect on these questions.

1. Does it lead me toward a fuller life or confine me?
2. Does it bring me closer to my heart or take me further away?
3. Does it open me or close me?
4. Does it allow me to trust myself further or does it make me frightened of myself?
5. Does it enlarge my life or does it make my life smaller?

What are your priorities for the year?

What do you need to say no to or change?

Unnecessary Mind Clutter: Letting Go

With 2012 around the corner, take time to examine what you need to declutter in your mind: old loves, people who don’t treat you well, stress over things you cannot control, a job you hate, a mate that doesn’t treat you well….

After you come up with a list, start to take concrete actions that you can do to declutter these people/situations/items from your life.  Ask yourself what it is costing you to keep these people/items around.  When I finally realized how miserable I was in my last job, I started planning my business.  The job still sucked, but everyday I did something for my business which made the job more tolerable: I knew there was an end in sight and I was building my future.  Letting go helped lift my depression and make space in my mind for all the new, wonderful events coming my way.

I had also held on to some mementos from a relationship that I would hope was leading to marriage.  In my heart I knew it wasn’t, but somehow by keeping some stuff I was holding onto hope that maybe it could work. By clearing the stuff, I also decluttered my heart, allowing me to open up to someone new.

Wishing you and yours a wonderful, prosperous, filled with love & happiness year for 2012!

What changes do you need to make?  What can you do today to start letting go of unnecessary clutter?

Tidy Files = Tidy Finances

In the March 2010 issue of O magazine, Suzy Orman talked about being organized in your finances as a “surefire way to build wealth.”  She suggests cleaning up finances by getting rid of (make sure you shred!) old paperwork, and develop a system that keeps your important documents organized.

She writes, “A pile of bills and statements–whether paid or not–is a sign that someone is clueless about what’s coming in and what is going out.  When you consciously open, read, and file away your bills and statements, you are connecting with your money and taking control of your life.”

How is your financial health?  What one thing could you do today to organize your finances?  What is your plan for wealth in 2012 and are you organized for it?

Organzing Your Wrapping/Green Ideas

Here are some suggestions:

Instead of getting all different kinds of wrapping paper for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, birthdays, etc. consider getting just butcher block paper that you can dress up with bows, artworks, etc. ; create your  signature color (purple should stand out at every event!): or simply choose three colors such as silver, white and red that you can mix and match for the occasion.

When wrapping gifts consider assigning one color for each group of people to make mix ups less likely and easier for you to organize.  Immediate family could be white; co-workers could be red; cousins silver, etc.

Some eco-friendly options instead of wrapping paper include: using newspaper (foreign & comics are good choices); old maps; reusing paper from last year (simply set an iron on low and smooth); leftover fabric; old calendars, catalogs, magazines; jars and other resusable items such as a cake pan.  Have fun getting creative!

Look for non-paper  (http://www.islandnet.com/~ecodette/ecosource.htm)  and high post consumer content ( http://www.endoprint.com/wrapping-paper-s/3.htm&click=16 and   http://www.greenraising.com/Recycled-Gift-Wrap-C12.aspx ) as this closes the loop. Also check out reusable wrapsacks:  http://wrapsacks.com/

Remember to reuse bows; my mother has been doing this since I was a child and they last several gifts.  I also like to reuse the clear containers curtains come in to keep ribbons.

Organizing your holiday feasts!

When I lived in Los Angeles I had an annual holiday dessert party where I would make about 15 desserts from scratch.  I learned the hard way that I needed to be organized to save me time, money and stress!  Trust me, there is nothing worse than being in the middle of a baking marathon and discover you don’t have an ingredient!

Spending some time now will save multiple trips to the grocery store later.  First, plan all your menus for your parties, dinners, any baking you are doing, etc.  Go through every recipe and create a master list of all ingredients you will need with the amount.  If this is something you do annually create a master ingredient list on your computer (also a good idea for grocery list).

Remember to shop when the stores are least likely to be busy when you won’t feel rushed.  Figure out what can be prepared ahead of an event.

The ingredients for the average U.S. meal have traveled 1,200 miles by the time they reach the plate. This travel requires oil for transport and refrigeration. Buying locally grown food tastes better, too. Choosing food that is in season and isn’t flown in saves energy. When you shop at farmers’ markets, you support small farms and organic food reduces toxic pesticides. Raleigh has many great places to choose from: Whole Foods, Harmony Farms, Earth Fare, and the State Farmers Market.

Give an Experience

Most environmental damage is done in manufacturing stage; the less consumerism, the better it is for the environment.  The EPA estimated Americans produced 254.1 million tons of household trash in 2007.  In 2008 when the economy tanked landfills reported a 30% decline in waste. What is an experience or event or class that you have always wanted to take?

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