Decluttering Storage Areas
By · CommentsI used to think we needed to save the storage areas like the basement, attic and garage for last. But, I have been realizing that it’s helpful to at least get part of that area decluttered, so you have room to store things you find as you declutter. Plus it’s often easier to get rid of things in storage because you know it’s been a long time since you’ve used them.
If you have to get rid of things to make room in your home, things in storage are less valuable and less used than things in your living room or kitchen.
To keep yourself from going up and down the stairs as you declutter, make sure you have boxes for give away, keep, belonging to someone else and a bag for trash.
First, go through things not in boxes. These things have not been stored properly and may not even be useful now. You didn’t care enough about the object to keep it free from dust. Do you really still need it in your home?
Move on to the boxes not labeled. These are boxes you may not have opened for years. They are MISC. Go through them quickly getting rid of the obvious clutter. Consolidate what you can.
Go through seasonal as you put away the decorations each time. You’ll find you may not need 8 boxes of Christmas decorations. Just think what you could store in that space that you may use more than once a year.
Memorabilia is often the hardest. Photograph what you can. Or put them in scrapbooks. Decide how much of your present space you are willing to give to your past. 3 boxes? 5 boxes? Give yourself a limit. Keep a couple baby dresses, but not a whole wardrobe. Other children could be wearing them now if you give them away or sell them. Same with toys. You can hang memorabilia on walls. If it’s important to you, you may want to find a way to display it.
If you are storing your grown children’s stuff, it’s time to pick up the phone and have them get their stuff, if possible.
Don’t buy new storage boxes and shelving until you declutter. You may not need them after all.
Label any boxes you are keeping and keep like together ie gardening, memorabilia, holiday, camping, clothes, and tools.
I love using the basement as overflow storage. Things like cookie cutters, canning equipment and the yogurt maker can be stored there to free up room in the kitchen. Craft supplies stored in the basement can bring room to an office. Out of season clothing can be stored to make room in your closet and dressers.
But you can only do that, if you have purged the storage area of clutter you don’t like, will never use and is not in good shape anymore.
Weekly Simplicity Tips
By · CommentsWelcome to this week’s issue of Weekly Simplicity Tips. I’m very excited – the Declutter Group starts tonight. I have a few more spots open if you want to join. People have already started decluttering from the forum encouragement.
I had someone unsubscribe because they said they couldn’t see the pictures in this email. If you are in gmail what you do is look above the email to the blue text that says "Always display images from". Click that and you’ll be able to see the pictures.
- Get a shredder or empty out your shredder (thanks, reader Bonnie!)
- Clean off your computer desktop.
- How are you doing on the taxes?
- Slow down and have a real, cup of hot cocoa.
- Give your bedroom some romantic touches.
- If those plastic cups get lost in your cabinet. Try putting them in a long basket and place it so it takes up the least amount of room.
- Connect with a friend or family member.
Solutions
Declutter Calendar
I am so excited – the Declutter Calendar is now a real calendar! People have asked to have a calendar they can hang in their kitchen and now it’s here. They will only be available until February.
THE
LOVELY
DECLUTTER
CALENDAR
NOW AVAILABLE FOR ORDERING.
Make 2012 the best year yet and be more organized than ever before
with this day-by-day guide to decluttering your life! Order here: http://www.lalovelyink.com/Lovely_Declutter_Calenda.html
ONLY
$24.00
with FREE SHIPPING!
This calendar is brought to you by My Simpler Life & La Lovely Ink.
***
Are You Wasting Your Time if You Organize?
By · CommentsI was reading this article that claims yes you are wasting your time if you organize. It talks a lot about creating folders in gmail or just using the search feature. The search feature will save time.
I’ve seen pantry organization that looks like it belongs in a museum it’s so pretty. But, if you don’t have much time you might not want that as your goal. When it is you get stuck on, "My pantry just isn’t as lovely as theirs. I decluttered it and organized it and it still looks like a pantry." If it is usable that is the important thing right?
The same goes for complicated time systems. When the upkeep takes so much time, is it worth it?
I know people that are so particular in their filing that some files only have 1 or 2 pieces of paper in them. Broad categories are usually more efficient.
Where in your life has the quest for organization gotten out of hand? What is a simpler solution?
A Freer Year
By · CommentsAt the beginning of the year it feels like people are tight. This is the year they will be disciplined, focused and reach all there goals. Above all the regular activities of the day now they want to exercise an hour a day, do home cooked meals every night and stay productive 100% of the time during work.
The breathing is shallower. The jaw is clenched. The neck and shoulders are tense. You are popping more stomach calmers. Pressure is stifling.
And the sad part is, most of the pressure is put on by yourself.
What if we started with one small goal broken down in little parts. What one small action could you take towards one small goal?
Or you can even throw the goal out the window. Live in the present. When you make the present the better, than the future becomes better as well.
Freedom
(Me letting milkweed fluff go. Taken by Brea Dargis)
My word of the year last year was freedom. It helped tremendously in my decision making.
As I was looking at my options, I was asking, "Do I feel lighter, freer, looser?" "Or do I feel tighter, constricted and trapped?"
The freer choice is usually the one that is better for you, the option that comes from the soul. It’s based more on who you are and what is important to you.
The tighter choice usually means you are choosing based on ego, how people will think of you, on other’s expectations. And sometimes we do need to go that way, say on a work project. But, you can also ask further questions – how can I make this situation feel freer to me. Often it is the mindset. Saying "I am choosing to do this work project because I made a commitment to get it done" feels freer than, "I have to get this done and I’d rather be out playing."
Sometimes the freer option feels more open, but also scarier. Fear doesn’t make the option wrong. Often it means you are going in the right direction.
You can chose the freer option more than you think. Ask yourself if you are wavering, tilting towards the tighter choice, "Why am I holding back? What am I afraid of?"
I am wishing for you a freer year.
Wishland
By · CommentsI woke up this morning with a migraine. Again. I work with many clients with health issues that make it more difficult to simplify and organize. I empathize since I am down for the count about 4 times a month. And I know for many it’s a daily challenge.
I see people get caught up in wishland.
They remember when they were healthy and think, "If only I were well, than I could get things done." They concentrate on that thought so often that they lose energy before they even start on something. When you fight with reality you are the one that suffers.
It doesn’t have to be health either. I remember someone who kept saying, "If only Extreme Home Makeover would come to my home, than my problems would be over." That wish dominated her world and she did little to help herself.
Parents of young children can get caught up in how much more time they had before kids and now it’s "impossible" to get things done.
Life changes. Life can be difficult. But, living in wishland makes things worse by making you feel helpless.
Driving out of Wishland
So how do you get out of wishland?
The first thing to do is watch your thoughts. As soon as you start thinking about how much easier it was in the past or wishing it were better now, stop yourself. (It may help to have an alarm go off every 1/2 hour so you can check in with your thoughts until it becomes more habitual.)
Ask yourself:
- What is my body telling me right now? This morning my body told me to take Excedrin Migraine and go back to bed. I’m behind on my work now, but I can function. If I hadn’t listened I would have plowed through work, ending up with a bigger headache. And out of commission longer.
- What is my current situation – right now? Are my expectations realistic or based on a different time in my life? If you have fybro and it’s a bad day, don’t make your list impossible to do. Be gentle with yourself. If lots of time is taken with caring for an elderly parent, don’t cram more projects into your life.
- What one small step can I take to move forward? People keep emailing me saying how great the declutter calendar is because it breaks things down into such small steps they can declutter without a lot of time or energy. Most things can be broken down. Even five minutes a day can accomplish more than you think.
Make plans based on your current situation.
Work with your challenges instead of pretending they don’t exist or wishing things were different. If you know at 4pm every day you crash, plan for this as recovery time. If you know you only have 5 minutes max to do something because you have young kids, have a list of 5 min tasks on the fridge. If you have good days and bad days health wise see how many bad days you average a week and make your plans accordingly. Don’t plan your day based on an ideal day. Base it on an average day in your current life.
You may think you "need" to do more. You don’t like the limits placed on you.
What if you used those limits to narrow down what is most important to you? Recognizing those limits are opportunities to say, "Reading my child a story is more important than finishing the laundry." "This creative idea I have is more important than playing on Facebook." Wishing for a better day has you wanting to do everything even when you can’t. Then you feel badly about yourself and your life.
But consciously choosing what you have the time and energy for gives you an even more fulfilling life.
So at the end of the day, don’t look at what you could of, should of, would of done. Look at the loving moments. The fulfilling times. What you were able to do.
Where are you stuck in wishland? How can you create a more realistic and fulfilling plan for your life?
***
Photo by Alice Popkorn
Weekly Simplicity Tips
By · CommentsWelcome to this week’s issue of Weekly Simplicity Tips. If you are just getting started with the Declutter Calendar, don’t forget to see the short video I have here on how to use it. And take a look at the helpful comments from other people that are using the calendar.
http://www.mysimplerlife.com/blog/how-to-use-the-declutter-calendar-2
It was actually warm enough this week here in Michigan to walk around the wetlands (actually frozen lands right now).
Before it snowed a foot.
(My backyard. Both pictures from Brea Dargis.)
If you don’t know how old your spices are, a reader sent me this helpful website:
http://mccormick.com/spices101/howoldspices.aspx
- Create or update your home inventory.
- Schedule any doctor, vet or other appointments. The sooner you schedule, the better time slot you can get.
- Have a tote bag for library books to keep them together.
- Scrapbook or organize holiday photos.
- Review your insurance policies.
- Archive or get rid of old files from this year.
- Make one step towards one of your goals.
Solutions
Declutter Calendar
I am so excited – the Declutter Calendar is now a real calendar! People have asked to have a calendar they can hang in their kitchen and now it’s here:
THE
LOVELY
DECLUTTER
CALENDAR
NOW AVAILABLE FOR ORDERING.
Make 2012 the best year yet and be more organized than ever before
with this day-by-day guide to decluttering your life! Order here: http://www.lalovelyink.com/Lovely_Declutter_Calenda.html
ONLY
$24.00
with FREE SHIPPING!
This calendar is brought to you by My Simpler Life & La Lovely Ink.
***
Interview with WBCL.org
By · CommentsI was on the problem solving section of the Mid-Morning Show at WBCL.org in Fort Wayne, IN
You can take a listen here:
"Interviewhttp://www.mysimplerlife.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/interviewwithwbcl.mp3
Decluttering a Loved One’s Possessions
By · CommentsI am updating this post. When I first wrote this post, I only had ideas from what other family members had done and research I did. After the loss of my 18 year old son last year, this subject has become more personal. So I have added what I have learned.
Mary said, "I am so bogged down with stuff. I need help deciding what to keep and what to purge. I have 14 boxes of photos and things from my parents house and am having a hard time deciding how to get rid of things and what things are important to keep."
First of all, no one, not decluttering gurus, best friends or anyone else can tell you what to get rid of and what is important to keep. Only you know the stories behind your possessions and how they affect you.
There is no "should." You don’t have to get rid of anything.
But, if you feel you need more space for your current life, you’ll feel better if you can let go of things.
Here are some guidelines you can use:
- There is no timeline for decluttering a loved one’s possessions. It took us 9 months to go through my son’s room. Declutter in bite sized chunks since it can be emotionally draining.
- It is helpful to go through the objects with someone else – another family member or close friend. You will need support.
- Think about what you will do with the space. Knowing that we were going to create a hang out space for my daughter and her friends made it easier to get the energy to declutter.
- If you have things you’ve deemed important, but they are getting scrunched in boxes somewhere it may be time to do something about them. Put the pictures in archival photo albums or have them scanned into a digital format so they won’t fade away. Or put some on the wall. Other family members may cherish having some of the pictures. Display a china plate you love.
- We were worried about a fire ruining memorabilia so we had some of the pictures and documents copied to put on the wall and put the originals in a fire proof safe.
- Pictures that are duplicates, out of focus, of something you don’t even recognize or don’t bring up any fond memories you may consider letting go of.
- You can ask yourself if something fits into your current lifestyle and goals. People can hang onto only so much of their past before it impedes on their present.
- If there are collections you enjoy, they can be in a curio cabinet instead of in a box. Or on shelves on the walls. See what of your parents or loved ones can be incorporated into what you already have.
- Things you won’t use, don’t like, or bring up bad memories are good candidates for being decluttered.
- Work on not feeling guilty about letting go of someone else’s possessions. They bought them because they like them. That doesn’t mean you have to like them as well.
- Junk is junk whether it’s yours or their’s. My son had so many little metal pieces, parts to I don’t know what, and broken toys. I didn’t need to keep any of that.
- Old magazines are usually archived so you might want to sell or let go of them.
- Is the stuff bringing you closer to the life you want or further from it?
You don’t have to let go of clutter all at once. Be gentle with yourself. You may start by making one pass through of things that don’t have much emotional attachment. Maybe put them in self storage. Then the next time through you realize you don’t need or want a few more things. Each time you declutter, you let go of more because you enjoy the freeing affect of having more space to live your life.
You find throughout your life and different transitions you will want to declutter. It isn’t a one time event. You continue to bring in and let go as you grow and create a life you want.
Vintage photo posted by ozfan
Weekly Simplicity Tips
By · CommentsWelcome to this week’s issue of Weekly Simplicity Tips. I am so excited – the Declutter Calendar is now a real calendar! People have asked to have a calendar they can hang in their kitchen and now it’s here:
THE
LOVELY
DECLUTTER
CALENDAR
NOW AVAILABLE FOR ORDERING.
Make 2012 the best year yet and be more organized than ever before
with this day-by-day guide to decluttering your life! Order here: http://www.lalovelyink.com/Lovely_Declutter_Calenda.html
ONLY
$24.00
with FREE SHIPPING!
This calendar is brought to you by My Simpler Life & La Lovely Ink.
- Check your credit report.
- Set up your 2012 files.
- What are your financial goals this year?
- Start setting up for taxes in 15 min chunks.
- Go through any paper actions [To write, to do, to pay] this week as you watch TV.
- Review your current routines. Find one to tweak.
- Organize one closet this weekend.
Solutions
New Year’s Special
My friend and accountability partner, Marcia, is having a special buy one, get one free sale. You will buy one item and in the notes to the seller, put the name of the second product you want for free and Marcia will send it to you:
http://takechargesolutions.org/products
The sale will run from Monday through to Friday 12 midnight EST
***
Frugal Fatigue
By · CommentsOn the news the other day, I heard them talk about consumer spending not being up because the economy is getting better, but because of "frugal fatigue." People were just tired of scrimping. Saving is going back down, credit card debt is going back up.
So how can you counter frugal fatigue before you get into financial trouble?
Get your endorphins a different way
Exercise. Play some great music. Call a friend. When a shopping craving hits, ask yourself, "What do I really need and want?" Most likely it’s something that can’t be purchased.
Splurge. A little.
What makes you feel decadent without a lot of money? I love a good Ghiradelli chocolate square. Perhaps a good cup of coffee is yours. Or a jasmine smelling lotion. Sometimes you need to loosen the belt. Do it consciously and without too much spending, then you can get back on track.
Reframe rich
If you are reading this, you are most likely rich according to the world standards. Find out How Rich Are You. Start looking at all the things you already have. Take a look at your clutter BEFORE you go shopping.
Wait
Set up a list for things that aren’t necessities, but you want. Those cool earrings you spotted at the mall. The cute blouse at Target. The book that could change your life you saw at Barnes and Noble. Don’t buy them now. Instead write them down then wait a week, a couple weeks, or a month. Whatever you personally think is good for your impulse control. If you still think they are good buys, go for it.
Enlist a friend
If you have a frugal friend, share your success about saying no, paying down debt, and living within your means. Get a cheering section. Celebrate each debt paid off. If you do’t know any, google frugal groups. Getting involved with people who think shopping with coupons is a fun game can help motivate you.
Do you have frugal fatigue?
