Get Organized in 2017 with the Simplify Challenge!

Happy New Year! This is the time of year that we begin to reflect on the past year and plan for the new year ahead. What are your goals for the upcoming months? Some of the most popular include eating less and exercising more, spending less and saving more … and of course, getting organized!

The truth is that most resolutions are forgotten before January is over. However, this year we want to help you accomplish all of your goals. 

That's why we invite you to join us in the Simplify Challenge, a 40-day detox program to rid your life of excess clutter so that you can spend more time living life to the fullest. As with any challenge, this won't be easy, but we promise to provide you with the tools and support to be successful by providing you with a step-by-step guide to organizing your entire home. We'll send you one email per week, each of which will focus on a different area of your home. Don't worry if you fall behind schedule or become overwhelmed – Simply contact us to get help from one of our professional organizers to guarantee your success.

To kick things off, we're going spend this first week focusing on cleaning up one of the most forgotten areas of your home – The garage. But before you get started on that, make sure to:

• PUT YOUR DECORATIONS AWAY- If you haven't already done so, put away all holiday decorations so that you're ready to start organizing. As you find items you no longer love and enjoy in your decorations, donate them instead of wasting space storing them yet another year.

• PURCHASE SUPPLIES - It's hard to know what you'll need until you get into the project, but it's always helpful to purchase some general organizing containers in a variety of sizes so that you have what you need on hand. Make sure to keep your receipt so you can return what you don't use.

• GET SUPPORT - Follow us on social media to find others following this program. That way, you can give each other encouragement and support! You can post photos and comment on our Facebook page, and on Twitter using the hashtag #SimplifyIn40Days.

Once you've taken care of these preliminary steps, you're ready to start de-cluttering and organizing your garage! Here are a few steps to help you tackle this cumbersome task:

• PURGE - Pull anything you no longer need out onto the driveway. These items can be sold or donated. If they're too large to carry to the donation center, call Salvation Army or a donation center in your area that offers pick up services.

• ORGANIZE - Now that you've pared everything down to the essentials, it's time to organize. It's best to pick up everything off of the floor, so you may want to install some shelves, hooks or other helpful organizing tools. Put items into categories such as sports, tools, auto, etc. Place small items like nails and screws in labeled containers with individual compartments. Holiday decorations can also be stored in plastic tubs that are clearly labeled. As you sort through items, continue purging items you no longer need.

• MAINTAIN - Always make sure items get put back in their designated spot after you use them.

After you've finally met your organizing goals in this difficult area, pull in your car and enjoy your now-spacious garage! Also, as you're working this week, don't forget to take a break. You'll need to keep your energy up for next week's tough to tackle project – The kitchen! And remember, if you feel overwhelmed with any tasks, please contact us to assist you. We're always ready to help.

Don't forget to post photos of your clean garage on Twitter using the hashtag #SimplifyIn40Days, and on our Facebook page.

Until next week, happy organizing!

Alternatives to gift-giving this holiday season

The holidays are upon us again! This season can be one of the best times of the year, offering many opportunities to spend time with loved ones and enjoy special traditions. One of these traditions is gift-giving – and while giving and receiving can be a heartfelt expression of love, it can also lead to lots of unnecessary clutter and expense. This year, consider cutting costs, clutter, and consumerism like one of our Practical Solutions organizers; in fact, her family (pictured below) decided to go without gifts altogether! Here's their heartwarming and inspiring story:

A Present-less Christmas

 

Both our girls now live out-of-state and will be coming home for Christmas.

They gave us an early Christmas gift by asking if we could have "A Present-less Christmas" this year. So, instead of stressing out about getting everyone gifts and spending our time in stores shopping, they just wanted to come home and enjoy being in the company of family and friends; they wanted to spend time doing the simple things that make memories, which will far outlast any material gift we could get from the store.

We are very proud parents to just know that they value our time together more than any gift we could buy them. I think we did something right there.

So, "our Christmas presents" this year is "our presence " with each other

If going completely present-less isn't an option this year, you may also consider giving in ways that are centered around experiences, relationships, and contributing to your local community instead. Here are some ideas to get you started!

Swap traditional gifts with:

• A membership to a local science or nature center, museum, historical site, rock-climbing gym, or regular gym

• Season tickets to a favorite sports team, orchestra, theater group, or dance troupe

• Tickets to a concert

• A year-long pass to a national park, forest, or another favorite camping/hiking spot

• A family vacation

• Gift cards to a favorite restaurant

• A fun class or workshop. Some ideas include yoga, art, music, cooking, or language classes.

• Games that everyone in the family can play

• A charity donation

• An experience volunteering together at a local charity

• An outing to the bowling alley or skating rink

• A relaxing massage or facial

• A memory book or scrapbook of a favorite adventure

• Homemade gifts

• Edible gifts

• Herbs or seeds for gardening or cooking

These are just a few alternatives to traditional gift-giving that will get you started! Share more of your own creative ideas on our Facebook page! 

How to help seniors cope with lifestyle changes

Over the holiday season, it's common for families to notice their senior loved ones experience more physical or cognitive struggles than usual, making it difficult for them to participate in celebrations and traditions. These changes may signify that it's time for them to make the transition to a senior

living community. While this transition can present wonderful new opportunities, such as increased social options and greater support with everyday tasks, preparing for such a move can be overwhelming – Logistically, downsizing and moving present huge challenges, and even after all of these details have been worked out, you'll have to navigate a rough emotional terrain. Your loved one may experience intense stress, which can manifest into symptoms like sleep disturbances, anger, depression and disorientation.

Here are a few ways you can help support and compassionately ease them into a new life phase:

Be empathetic

This transition happens to almost everyone; it's just part of life. So try to put yourself in their shoes and understand the complex, intense emotions they're feeling. Often, they're dealing with a loss of control and independence, fear of the unknown and change, isolation, and possibly illness or the loss of a spouse. Imagine how you'd feel if you suddenly couldn't drive or perhaps even walk, speak, or think with the same ease as you do now. Recognize these challenges and try to understand if they're occasionally moody, angry, or withdrawn. Understanding how they cope with challenges can also help you support them more effectively.

Listen more than talk

Even though it might feel more comfortable to avoid a difficult conversation and push everything under the rug, let your loved one express how they feel. Don't immediately tell them how wonderful the move will be; allow them to externally process their fear, confusion, distrust, or anger. Simply allowing them to do so will help them feel validated and respected.

Involve them in the decision making process

Similarly, involving them in important decisions about their new life when possible can help them feel validated and respected as well. While many well-intentioned family members may take the burden of decision-making upon themselves, leaving them out of the conversation may make them feel obsolete or unimportant, thereby intensifying their feelings of loss of control. Touring a facility or allowing them to meet the people there before moving may also help them feel like participants in the transition.

Involve friends and family

The need to connect with other people doesn't go away when you age. It's important for your loved one to understand that they have a supportive community behind them, even if it's just a few family members or friends. Make it a habit to check up on them often or send them videos, emails, cards, or letters. Make sure they have plenty of opportunities to socialize in their new home as well, which will minimize their risk of feeling disconnected and sad.

Being conscious of your senior loved one's needs over the holidays and beyond will help ensure their life change is ultimately as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. We hope these tips will help you through this journey; let us know if you have any other suggestions on our Facebook page! We'd love to hear from you.   

How to make minimalism work for you

What is minimalism? You might think of it as a lifestyle for millionaires who own high-rise condos, live in stark white rooms, buy expensive art and eat at fancy restaurants. Or maybe that it's for austere monks who don't own any material possessions at all … Either way, you might think it's just not for you. But you'd be wrong! It's not just for millionaires and monks. Minimalism is actually a simple philosophy and lifestyle that anyone can practice. Leo Babauta from Zen Habits describes minimalist living as:

“... a way to escape the excesses of the world around us — the excesses of consumerism, material possessions, clutter, having too much to do, too much debt, too many distractions, too much noise. But too little meaning. Minimalism is a way of eschewing the non-essential in order to focus on what’s truly important, what gives our lives meaning, what gives us joy and value.”

In other words, that just means uncluttering your space, buying less and doing less. In return, you get more time and less stress. It sounds pretty simple, and it is – but it takes time to develop new habits. Here are some easy ways to get started (no high-rise or fancy restaurant reservations required):

Define your priorities

First, identify why you want to simplify your life. Maybe you never get to see your family because you're too busy trying to keep up with the culture of “too much.” Maybe you don't have time or space to do your favorite hobbies because you have too much stuff. Maybe you want to travel more but you have too much debt. Write down your reasons for wanting to embrace a more minimalist lifestyle, whatever they may be, and keep them in a visible place as a reminder of your priorities and goals.

Purge your possessions

Spend a day (or several days) de-cluttering and downsizing your possessions. Use whatever organizing method works best for you – If you don't have one, try the four box method. Essentially, when you start de-cluttering a room, keep four boxes on hand at all times: trash, donate, keep, and relocate. Every item in the room must be placed in one of the boxes, and nothing gets passed over. As soon as your donate and trash boxes are full, take them to the garbage bin or to your car so you aren't tempted to pick anything out. You can also check out more organizing methods here. Do whatever works best for you!

Discard duplicates

Take your purge one step further by going through your home and making sure you don't have duplicate items – For instance, you might have more than one copy of the same book or DVD, or have too many pairs of scissors or measuring cups in the kitchen. While you might need some of these items, you don't need duplicates of the same thing.

Buy less

The simplest way to stay organized and live a minimalist lifestyle is to not accumulate too much stuff in the first place. Next time you go shopping, remember the priorities you identified – Spending more time with your family, traveling, or paying down debt – and ask yourself if the items in your cart are in alignment with your goals.

Start a capsule wardrobe

Keeping up the whims of the fast fashion industry inevitably means you'll have more clutter and less money. In contrast, a capsule wardrobe is a made up of select, versatile pieces of high-quality clothing that you love to wear. By creating one of these wardrobes, you'll learn you can actually live with a lot fewer clothes and still look put-together. You'll also have a lot more time left over from not stressing over what to wear, and not shopping as often.

Similarly, you could also try Project 333. Invented by minimalist Courtney Carver, Project 333 challenges people to wear only 33 items of clothing for 3 months. Like the capsule wardrobe, this challenge is a great way to learn how to live with less!

Do you have any other strategies that have helped you embrace an everyday type of minimalism? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter! We'd love to hear from you!  

The health benefits of de-cluttering

October might conjure up images of sweaters, pumpkin lattes and Halloween celebrations, but it also happens to be health literacy month! And while piles of leaves add festivity to this autumnal season, piles of clutter and an endless, unfulfilled mission to get organized can actually impact your physical and mental health in the same way a poor diet or lack of exercise does. Here are just a few ways clearing clutter will help you get back on track to being the healthiest version of yourself – Just in time for the start of the holidays.

Reduces stress and depression

According to a study in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin,women who described their homes as “full of unfinished projects” or “cluttered” had higher levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, and also reported feeling more fatigued and depressed than those who said their home were “restful” or “restorative.” Inversely, when you clear the physical stuff, your mental space will feel more clear, relaxed and happy. So do yourself a favor and jump on those de-cluttering projects now. You'll feel so much lighter.

Helps you eat healthier and lose weight

Speaking of lighter, did you know that you're more likely to choose unhealthier foods in a cluttered environment? Since clutter is stressful for the brain, you'll crave comfort foods and tend to overeat, leading to weight gain over time and a myriad of closely connected health problems. In fact, those who live in super cluttered home are 77 percent more likely to be overweight or obese. Moreover, people who work in a tidy environment are two times more likely to choose an apple to eat rather than a chocolate bar, according to a study from Psychological Science. So if you don't want to snack all day at your desk, simply organize it – and keep it that way.

Improves relationships

An organized life can lead to better relationships. In partnerships like marriage or roommate situations, clutter can cause tension, strain and conflict. The time you spend arguing about cleaning habits or looking for missing things around the house could be better spent on bonding activities. Likewise, a messy house could lead to shame and embarrassment, making you less likely to invite friends over – And it's been proven that maintaining strong relationships can help ward off stress and depression.

Boosts productivity

Clutter is distracting – Literally. In fact, it can interfere with your ability to process information by overstimulating your visual cortex, according to the Journal of Neuroscience. That means getting organized will help streamline your thought process, making you a more productive and efficient worker – And as an added bonus, if you're more efficient as your job, you'll have more free time to spend with people you love and hobbies you enjoy.

Helps you sleep

Clutter equals stress (even if you don't realize it), and stress typically does not lead to a good night's sleep. More specifically, even something as simple as making your bed impacts your ability to catch zzz's. So do yourself a favor and create a restful, clutter-free environment in your bedroom.

Decreases your risk of a heart attack

Last but definitely not least, organizing and cleaning can lower your risk of having a cardiovascular incident, according to Reader's Digest. They reported that in a Swedish study, participants who did the most yard work, DIY projects and organizing had a 30 percent lower risk of suffering from a heart attack. One more reason to roll up your sleeves and get to work around the house!

These are just a few science-backed ways clutter impacts your sense of well-being's bottom line. Are there any other positive results on your health you've noticed from going clutter-free? Let us know your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter!

Get organized with a method that works for you

Living an organized, minimalist lifestyle that's not centered around stuff is a goal for many people. After all, being organized comes with a whole host of benefits, including less stress, improved health,

more time, more money and an overall enhanced sense of wellbeing. But sometimes, that goal remains just that: an elusive dream always on the horizon, just out of reach. Oftentimes, that's because no one-size-fits-all approach to organizing exists, and many people simply haven't found a method that works for their personality and lifestyle. If you're one of these people, check out a few of these practical methods, strategies, and challenges that just may help you finally overcome your organizational plateau:

Four Box

The technique and principle behind this method is pretty straightforward. Essentially, when you start de-cluttering a room, you have four boxes on hand at all times: trash, donate, keep, and relocate. Every item in the room must be placed in one of the boxes, and nothing gets passed over. As soon as your donate and trash boxes are full, take them to the garbage bin or to your car so you aren't tempted to pick anything out.

Box and Banish

This method is a variation on the Four Box method, except a bit more drastic; simply gather all the clutter in a room – including items on countertops, desk surfaces and drawers – until the space is clutter free. Next, you have the option of sorting through each item and organizing the clutter into piles, as the Four Box method calls for, or simply getting rid of it all. The downside to this method is that it doesn't treat the underlying problem, while other de-cluttering methods force you to re-think your habits and routines and mindfully process each item you've accumulated. However, the benefit is that it creates instant results and may energize you to take on more de-cluttering projects, jumpstarting your efforts.

KonMari

Wildly popular, the KonMari method was created by Japanese organizing consultant and author Marie Kondo. This organizing method forces you to address the root cause of your clutter through seven main steps or principles. These include:

• Organizing all at once, before things have a chance to get messy again

• Visualizing your end result in concrete terms, such as “I want to create a feeling of peace in my home.”

• Identifying why you want to live in a clutter-free way. So if you want to be able to invite friends over more often, ask yourself why that is. At the root of this questioning is the motivation you need to get organized.

• Finding out if items spark joy. This requires sorting through each item, like the Four Box method. If something doesn't spark joy when you touch it, you must throw it away or donate it.

• Organizing by category, not space. So if your shoes are located in multiple areas, for instance, you must gather them together and sort through them all at once.

• Organizing in a specific order. According to Kondo, that order is “Clothes, books, papers, and then miscellaneous items.

• Discarding everything you want to get rid of before putting any items back.

Oprah Winfrey Closet Hanger Experiment

If you need to pair down your closet, try this method popularized by Oprah. Hang all your clothes with hangars in reverse order. After you wear an item, hang it up in the correct direction. After six months to a year, you'll have a clear indication of which clothes you no longer need. You can also apply this method to other areas in your home.

If you don't enjoy methodical approaches but love challenging yourself for a cause or campaign, you may want to try out some of these ideas instead:

12-12-12 challenge

This super simple challenge can easily be turned into a fun, friendly household competition. All you need to do is find 12 things to donate, 12 things to throw away, and 12 things that need to be returned to their proper spot. This challenge is a quick way to de-clutter and simplify your home.

Project 333

Invented by minimalist Courtney Carver, Project 333 challenges people to wear only 33 items of clothing for 3 months. This challenge is a great way to learn how to live with less. Get your friends and family to participate so you can share your challenges and triumphs.

365 Less Things

Blogger Colleen Madsen came up with this easy strategy to get rid of clutter – All you have to do is give one item away every day. You'll simplify your life and enjoy the gift of giving on a daily basis. Check out Colleen's blog for more information.

Which of these approaches do you identify with the most? Do you have any other methods, strategies, or challenges that aren't on this list? We'd love to hear your thoughts – Reach out to us on Facebook or Twitter and let us know!  

Top excuses for not getting organized (and how to overcome them)

Excuses, excuses, excuses. We all have them, and sometimes we can't seem to hurdle past them. But when it comes to organizing and clearing clutter, every excuse can be overcome with determination and a strategy. Recognizing which excuses are preventing you from enjoying a simpler, clutter-free lifestyle is the first step to conquering them. So here are some of the most common excuses for not getting or staying organized – Which ones do you repeat on a regular basis?

I don't have time

If your schedule is packed all day every day with work, volunteer, and family activities, it's easy to let your surroundings get as chaotic as your life. But the truth is, by staying organized you'll actually spend far less time looking for things around the house, tracking down important pieces of mail, and catching up on missed appointments and bill payments. So stop thinking of organizing as a time waster and start thinking of it as an investment that gains interest – The more you put in, the more you get out.

I don't have space

If you have a small house, you might get frustrated by the lack of space and throw your hands up altogether. Maybe you're waiting until you make more money and can move into a bigger house or apartment. But why not start now? Organizing and de-cluttering will actually create more space you can enjoy on a daily basis. Consider implenting vertical storage options or other creative strategies to reclaim your home.

I don't know where to start

If you're feeling overwhelmed at the sheer amount of things you have or how messy everything has become, you might be tempted to procrastinate. But the best way to get over this feeling is to begin de-cluttering in increments. Breaking a large project into small tasks will make it feel more manageable. And as you slowly chip away, you'll start to see progress – Which will motivate you to keep going. Also consider writing a to-do list to help you stay on task.

I don't have the money

You don't need fancy storage products to get organized. Simply start by re-purposing what you already have – Baskets, jars, boxes, and chests can all function as alternative containers. Better yet, de-clutter as much as possible and donate it to a local charity. Or sell it online or through a garage sale and earn some cash. Either way, the less stuff you own, the less you'll have to keep track of – and the less time you'll spend dealing with missed payments and late fees because you couldn't find or keep up with your bills, as well as duplicate purchases for things you forgot you had. That means more time, and of course, more money.

It doesn't work for me

If you're distracted and have trouble sticking to organizational systems, you probably just haven't found the right one that works for you yet. Take your unique personality and lifestyle into account to develop habits and systems that are intuitive for you. Finding a system and developing habits doesn't mean organizing won't take any effort anymore, but it does mean it will make more sense to you than other methods and habits. You can discover what works for you through trial and error, or with the help of a professional organizer.

I'm a perfectionist

Maybe you don't want to begin organizing until you know you can complete something 100 percent, or until you have a full week off so you can devote all your energy to the task. But life tends to keep moving fast, and getting something 100 percent completed with 100 percent of your energy and zero interruptions often just isn't realistic. That's why it helps to view organization as a constant, ongoing process. Instead of spending an entire week on a project, find time to tackle small tasks each day. Make a list of your priorities, focus on what you can do, and stop stressing about all the things you can't.

I have kids who don't cooperate

If your kids don't respect your efforts to keep the house clean and clutter-free, set some clear expectations and boundaries. If they're old enough, give them a 10-15 minute task to complete every day, so they feel like they're working together with you toward the goal. These tasks will also help them develop good habits and life skills in the long run.

I don't want to let go of things

Maybe you have anxieties about wasting money by getting rid of something you'll need later, or you're saving something for a craft project. But if you haven't used the item in a year or longer, you're better off letting it go and freeing up space. Likewise, if you feel guilty about throwing away something you received as a gift, but it's been collecting dust bunnies, let it go. A gift is meant to be a blessing, not a burden.

Do you any other excuses that aren't on this list? How do you overcome them? Share your tips on Facebook and Twitter!

How technology can help you get organized

Life tends to get chaotic quickly. Juggling family schedules, doing chores, and working all vie for your limited time. Fortunately, technology can help. Even if you generally find computers and other modern day appliances to be more confusing (or frustrating) than beneficial, it doesn't have to be that way! There are many easy-to-use tech tools that will help manage, simplify, and organize your space and schedule. Here are just a few we'd recommend, organized by top clutter concerns:

Assorted paper piles

Do you have paper piles that you've been meaning to tackle for weeks (or longer)? Once you finally organize them, a scanner can help you digitize the papers you have left. Then, once they've been imported onto your computer, use Dropbox or Google Drive to safely store them. You can conveniently access and share the files anytime and anywhere you have an Internet connection. To file budget-related items, check out digital bookkeeping tools like Quicken and Mint.

Bills

If you're drowning in paper piles, it's easy to miss a bill. Enrolling in online automatic bill pay can simplify your schedule by saving you the hassle of physically paying it every month, helping you avoid unnecessary late fees, and shrinking your paper piles. You can make the transition easier by signing up for email or text alerts that let you know the bill is due, and can easily check your bank account online as well to make sure you have enough money in your account to cover it.

To-do lists and schedules

If you're on the go more often than not, technology can help you manage your time and eliminate your need for a physical to-do list. Google Calendar is one such tool that not only allows you to easily create and customize events throughout the day or week, but also gives you scheduling reminders. Cozi is another useful app designed specifically to manage and simplify family schedules.

Note-taking

If you have lots of notebooks and post-it notes scattered around your home or office, you may want to consider using Evernote to reduce clutter. Evernote is a cloud storage service that allows you to access information you've created – from Word documents to presentations to bookmarked websites – anywhere. If you want to jot down notes while you're in a meeting or just watching TV, you can simply and easily create a new folder and save it for later. As long as you have an Internet connection, you have your consolidated and organized notes at your fingertips.

Magazines, books, newspapers

If you're overwhelmed by piles of reading materials all over the house, consider switching to digital formats. Ipads, computers, and kindles allow you to access breaking news, a digital library of fiction and non-fiction books, and almost every magazine you can think of with a simple Google search. As an added bonus, you'll never have to slip on another magazine on your way to the bathroom again.

Movies

Whether you're a film buff, or just enjoy an occasional Friday night movie night, you can minimize cords, empty boxes, and loose discs by swapping your DVD collection with Netflix or Hulu. You'll also cut down on clutter, and save on storage space and money spent on movies you'd probably only watch once or twice. Additionally, you'll have more variety to choose from than just your own home collection!

Photos

Do you have scrapbooking paper, crafts, and photos that you've been saying you'll get around to for months or years? Minimize clutter by storing your photos digitally, then uploading them to a photo-sharing service like Shutterfly. Or, sign up for Animoto to easily create fun videos, slideshows, and other multi-media presentations. You'll save time and storage space, while still sharing your experiences in a creative way!

We hope this list will help you streamline and simplify your space and schedule, giving you more time and energy for what matters most in your life! Let us know what you think – or if you have any other helpful tech tools you'd recommend – on Facebook and Twitter!   

How to stop procrastinating and get organized

“The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” ~ Lao Tzu

Procrastination begins where a sense of control ends. A task or challenge seems utterly

overwhelming, and we watch it grow bigger and more urgent like an impending tidal wave headed for the shoreline. Simultaneously, a cascade of negative emotions – shame, self-doubt, guilt, anxiety, frustration – paralyzes us, impeding our ability to take action.

However, if we step back, we can see objectively that the growing wave is fed largely by these negative emotions. We can dissipate the wave completely simply by taking one step forward, and then another, and another. The hardest part is beginning the process.

If you've been procrastinating on an organization project, this process is likely familiar to you. As you watch your clutter grow more and more out of control, you might be tempted to put it off even longer. However, there are a few simple strategies you can take to stop procrastinating now – And shrinking those piles around the house for good! Here they are:

Do the worst part first

If you hate organizing paperwork, but don't mind folding laundry, start by tackling the paper pile. The faster you can get dreaded tasks out of the way, the more motivated you'll be to keep going. Mentally, you'll know that you've made it over the toughest part, and the rest is downhill from there. Before you know it, your clutter piles will be banished!

Break up the process

If you get overwhelmed thinking about everything you need to organize, break up projects into a list of micro-tasks. Then, manage your time accordingly. If you only have an hour to de-clutter every day, simply start your way at the top of the list and work your way down over the next few weeks until you've finished. This process will help recalibrate your perspective by turning an abstract, overwhelming problem into a concrete, manageable one. Also, try to turn your organization sessions into habits, so in the future you avoid feeling overwhelmed.

Stop worrying about perfection

If you've been letting clutter pile up for months or even years, your house won't be spotless in a day, regardless of how much effort you exert. Moreover, aiming for unattainable perfection will only make you feel more overwhelmed. In the same way, comparing your home to a magazine cover, or your organization habits to those of your friends and relatives, will only create more negative emotions like shame, self-doubt, guilt, anxiety, and frustration, thereby fueling your procrastination further. Let perfection go, and begin taking action at your own pace.

Give yourself rewards

Psychologically, reward is a more effective motivator than punishment. So work with this impulse, not against it; give yourself a small treat each time you finish a task on your to-do list. It could be something as small as a cup of coffee, a half-hour of reading a book you enjoy, or a nice meal out.

Get help

Sometimes having a professional aid you in de-cluttering your home can expedite the process of getting organized. They can help you stay focused on the task at hand, hold you accountable to your goals, and implement strategies to help you stay organized. If you need a little extra help, we have a compassionate, non-judgmental staff who can help you meet your goals. Contact us for a free consultation!

Do you have any other strategies that help you beat procrastination? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter! We'd love to hear from you!  

Six habits that will keep you organized when you're busy

These days, we're all busy juggling projects, deadlines, and work demands with family life and personal time. When the chaos of a hectic lifestyle looms, getting and staying organized seems like just another never-ending task to cross off an already long list. But what you might not know is that keeping your physical space tidy could actually make your life simpler in the long run by decreasing your stress and anxiety, and impacting your health, well-being, and relationships in a myriad of positive ways. And keeping that tidy environment doesn't have to be hard. Here are a few habits to cultivate that will make organization automatic and easy – so you can devote more time and energy to the things that matter most.

Create a to-do list

Trying to keep track of things in your head will likely leave you feeling distracted and disorganized, a mental perspective that has a tendency to spill over into your physical surroundings as well. As David W. Ballard, the assistant executive director for the American Psychological Association, said in an article for the Huffington Post, "We spend a lot of mental energy trying to keep track of all the things we need to remember." So don't waste time and energy trying; every day, write down a list of items you need to accomplish, and keep a notepad close by so you can jot things down throughout the day. This strategy will help increase your productivity by keeping your mind free to focus on one task at a time.

Don't let things pile up

Think twice before you throw another file on your desk at work, or relegate some old pens to the junk drawer at home. Small things have a tendency to pile up over time. If you spend two minutes or less organizing at the end of each task, or ten minutes at the end of the day, staying tidy will seem far more manageable.

Give everything a home

Attempting to organize without containers is like trying to live in a house without closets or cabinets. To avoid chaos, develop an organizing system that includes containers, drawers, baskets, and bins. Then hold yourself and your family accountable to put items back in their proper places each and every time you use them. This strategy will significantly decrease the amount of time you have to spend organizing later.

Be a ruthless purger

If anything is better than organizing, it's purging. After all, the less stuff you own, the less time you have to spend on cleaning and organizing it. Minimizing the things you own can also make you feel less anxious and stressed. So start on one area or room at a time, and get rid of everything you don't want or need. If it works for you, use Marie Kondo's popular KonMari organizing method of holding each item and asking yourself if you truly need it or if it brings you joy. If you don't or it doesn't, throw it out and enjoy the freedom of having more space and time.

Keep it paperless

Nothing has the power to make you feel overwhelmed like stacks of bills, paperwork, receipts, and junk mail. Reduce this stress by spending a few minutes each day sorting through your paper piles – Better yet, sign up for paperless billing on each of your accounts online, or download an app like Genuis Scan to digitize each piece of paper with the touch of a button. The fewer piles you have to contend with, the more in control you'll feel on a daily basis.

Break up tasks

If you've already let clutter get the best of you, don't get discouraged or overwhelmed. Simply tackle one task at a time, one day at a time. If you prioritize organizing one thing a day, whether it's the corner of a desk or an entire room, soon you'll be back on track!

Good habits make a big difference, and they can make keeping your home and office tidy much easier over time. In all likelihood, you'll also feel more productive, healthy, and empowered, and even have more energy and time. Let us know on Facebook and Twitter if you have any other organizing habits that make your life easier or simpler. We'd love to hear from you!  

A show you don't want to miss: Practical Solutions is on Hoarders this weekend!

In November, we announced that Practical Solutions' owner Cathy Bates and professional organizer Hoarders, a popular TV show that helps people who chronically struggle with disorganization.

Patti Eickhoff were featured on a taping of

We have some exciting news: The taping will air as episode 15 of season 8 on Sunday, April 3, at 8/7c on A&E! The episode can also be streamed online at http://www.aetv.com/shows/hoarders.

Cathy and Patti with the show's ServiceMaster crew

On the show, Bates and Eickhoff assist show host Matt Paxton in clearing clutter for a family who struggled with hoarding for years. The matriarch of the family, Vivian, was at risk of losing custody of her grandsons because of the home's disarray. Faced with high stakes, she confronts her hoarding disorder head on in front of the cameras.

“Vivian was an amazing woman and was motivated to make some very tough decisions quickly for the sake of her family,” Bates said. “Her grandson was also an amazing young man, considering all he has been through – Be sure to watch for the big surprise he gets at the end of the show.”

Although the show was filmed in just three days, Bates said in reality helping hoarders get organized often takes months or even years. Typically, clients are encouraged to work at a pace that's comfortable for them, and adopt small habit and lifestyle changes.

Ultimately, she said the biggest reward to both the Hoarders taping and the everyday organizing jobs she and her team tackle is the same – That is, witnessing the impact that letting go of unneeded possessions has on a client's life.

“Lives are changed when clients finally let go of the clutter, whether it takes three days or three years, and make room for important relationships and experiences that last a lifetime,” she said. “I encourage those who struggle with hoarding issues to get help and get their life back like Vivian did.”

Mark your calendars to watch Practical Solutions in action this Sunday, April 3, at 8/7c on A&E, or online at http://www.aetv.com/shows/hoarders. Also, let us know what you think on Facebook and Twitter!

Spring cleaning: Your clutter can make the world a better place

Spring is finally here! If you live in California like us, birds are probably already singing in the trees outside your window, heralding the hot weather ahead. Colorful blossoms are bursting forth, and fragrant citrus fruit hangs heavy on the trees. As the outward world takes a deep breath toward new growth, it's also a great time to focus on new growth inwardly. This process doesn't have to be intimidating, though; it can begin with a simple spring cleaning. Begin by noticing how much stuff you have around the house that could be eliminated, saving you time, space and energy on a daily basis. Wouldn't it be freeing to just let it go?

If cultivating a simpler life with less clutter and fewer distractions isn't motivation enough to purge unneeded items, know that donating them to charities could also benefit other peoples' lives in huge ways – By choosing to give your clutter away, you'll bring joy into someone else's life, fulfill their needs, and support the environment by not unnecessarily filling landfills. That's why we've compiled a list of places to donate your discards. Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive. If you know of a local charity that will take your donations, feel free to let us know on Facebook or Twitter.

Here's that list – Simply click on the link to find out more about how to make a donation:

Where to donate clothes, shoes and accessories

Dress for success

Dress for Success provides professional attire and development tools to low-income women. Donate women's professional clothes, shoes, and accessories.

CareerGear

CareerGear provides professional attire and mentoring services to men seeking employment. Donate men's business clothes, as well as briefcases, portfolios, watches and cufflinks, and coats.

Clothes4Soles and Soles4Souls

Clothes4Soles and Soles4Souls provide clothes and shoes for people in need around the world. Donate all types and styles of new or gently used clothes and shoes.

Where to donate toys and children's items:

Project Night Night

Project Night Night delivers packages to homeless children that include children's books, stuffed animals, and blankets.

S.A.F.E., Inc. –Stuffed Animals For Emergencies

Stuffed Animals For Emergencies donates children's items such as stuffed animals, books, coloring books, crayons, blankets, children's clothes, and baby-related items to benefit children during emergency situations such as fires, illness, accidents, neglect, abuse, homelessness and weather emergencies.

Where to donate electronics:

HopeLine

HopeLine from Verizon provides refurbished cell phones to victims of domestic abuse and violence so they can stay connected to support networks and achieve a fresh start at life. They accept all functional cell phones.

Lifecell Project

Lifecell Project recycles old cell phones in bulk at environmentally-friendly centers, and uses the funds to purchase water filtration systems for those in developing countries. Just fill out a donation form and they'll send you a postage-paid envelope in which you can mail your old phone.

World Computer Exchange

World Computer Exchange gives used but functional technology to schools, libraries, community centers & universities in developing countries

Where to donate school and office supplies:

Develop Africa

Develop Africa provides children in Africa with school and teaching supplies, as well as scholarships, small business training, computer training, school uniforms, and mosquito nets.

The GrayMatters Foundation

The GrayMatters Foundation supports and empowers people impacted by brain tumors through outreach, awareness and assistance programs. They make supportive cards to encourage brain tumor patients and survivors, as well as their loved ones.

Where to donate books:

A.K. Smiley Public Library

The A.K. Smiley Public Library in Redlands sells donated books through the Friends Bookstore, located in the lower level of the building, in order to raise funds for the library's collections, services, and programs.  

Books for Africa

Books For Africa's mission is to end the book famine in Africa by creating a culture of literacy and providing the tools of empowerment to the next generation of parents, teachers, and leaders in Africa.

Global Literacy Project

Global Literacy Project donates books and literacy support materials, and conducts educational programs aimed at improving knowledge, enhancing global awareness, and developing skills in the U.S. and abroad.

Books Through Bars

Books Through Bars sends reading and educational materials to prisoners.

Where to donate musical instruments:

Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation

Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation keeps music alive in schools by providing durable, high-quality musical instruments to deserving, under-funded music programs nationwide.

Marching Mountains

Marching Mountains supplies public school band programs in distressed counties in Appalachia with donated new and used musical instruments

Where to donate eyeglasses:

Lions Clubs International

Lions club members and community volunteers ship prescription glasses to people in need in developing countries.

  

Unite for Sight

Unite for Sight provides eye care for people in developing countries. They only accept new, unused glasses and sunglasses.

New Eyes for the Needy

New Eyes for the Needy distributes used glasses around the world to those in need.

Where to donate (almost) anything else:

Goodwill

Goodwill provides opportunities to build skills for people with barriers to employment, including single mothers, veterans, and those with physical and mental disabilities.

Salvation Army

Salvation Army provides a host of services and community programs to those in need, including children, single parents, veterans, and those who are homeless, displaced, or in prison.

Vietnam Veterans of America

Vietnam Veterans of America provides support for Vietnam veterans and their families.

We hope you've learned how much good you can do for others by de-cluttering! Again, please let us know on Facebook and/or Twitter if you have any other favorite charities we missed that you'd recommend. Until next month, happy organizing!   

Simple Ways to Take Control of Your Laundry and Linens

Happy Valentine's Day!

We're kicking off the Simplify Challenge's final week by helping you organize two areas that often go hand-in-hand – Your laundry room and linen closet. Although doing laundry might not be the most romantic of tasks, it is nonetheless a necessary one we often do for those we love. This utilitarian chore is much easier if your space is organized and de-cluttered. You'll maximize your efficiency and also save time, meaning you'll have more of it to spend with your loved ones this Valentine's day and beyond!

As always, if you need help at any point during this process, feel free to contact us. We have a team of awesome professional organizers who are always happy to help!

Organize Your Laundry Room

Is your laundry room cluttered with things that don't belong there? Clutter simply creates added stress to an often dreaded task, causing us to procrastinate while piles of dirty laundry build. This space should instead be functional and minimalistic, making it easier to focus on decreasing those dirty piles. Let's get to work!

PURGE – Get out a trash bag and boxes in which you can place items that don't belong in the laundry room. Sort through each item in the room individually, placing items you want to donate, or those that belong in another part of the house, in the boxes. Next, put items that belong in another part of the house away in their proper places. Get rid of anything you know you won't use. Old cleaning supplies can be dropped off at a hazardous waste collection site; Call your city to find out where the closest site is located.

ORGANIZE - Organize cleaning supplies by category on shelves or in cabinets. Keep those you use more often in easy to reach spots, and those you use less often in harder to reach areas. Also, keep cleaning supplies used for laundry close to where they'll be used – so detergent, softeners, and bleach should go above the washer, and dryer sheets above the dryer, etc. If you store mops and brooms in this room, save space by hanging them on the wall and off of the ground.

MAINTAIN - Each time you use an item, put it back in its proper space. It'll be easier to find and help ensure the room stays clutter-free!

Read about how to organize your linen closet next

Organize Your Linen Closet

Do you have more linens than you'll ever use? Many of us have this same problem, causing our linen storage areas to get cluttered and disorganized. Finding what you need becomes an impossible chore, generating frustrating and wasting time. Let's banish these everyday woes and make changing the sheets a more bearable task again!

PURGE - Grab a large garbage bag or two in which you can put sheets you want to donate. Then pull out all of your linens, and separate them one by one into two piles – Those you'll use and those you won't use. Any sheets and linens can be thrown into the donation pile, no matter what their condition is like. Items that are too worn or old for donation centers are often sent to animal shelters and used for animal bedding.

ORGANIZE - Place similar items together – For instance, place towels on one shelf, sheets on another, and blankets on another. Organize each type of linen by size as well. Neatly fold each item in order to maximize space. You may even consider labeling the shelves so you don't forget where to put an item each time you do laundry.

MAINTAIN - Each time you do laundry, make sure each item is neatly folded and put away in its proper place. Never let baskets of clean linens sit for too long; Instead, take the next step and put them away immediately.

We hope we've helped you de-clutter and organize your laundry and linen areas this week! Don't forget to post photos of your newly organized spaces on Twitter using the hashtag #SimplifyIn40Days, and on our Facebook page.

Happy organizing!

Simple Ways to Organize Your Bathroom

Whether you have several luxuriously large bathrooms, or just a single, small one, these spaces are often less than the tranquil places they should be. Too often, our bathrooms instead hold cluttered jumbles of makeup and medicines well past their expiration dates, an excess of hair products, and stacks of towels crammed into limited storage space. That's why for week five of our Simplify Challenge, we're going to help you de-clutter and streamline your bathrooms, transforming them into tranquil, inspiring places to begin and end your day.

As always, if you need help at any point during this process, feel free to contact us. We have a team of awesome professional organizers who are always happy to help!

Organize Your Master Bathroom

The master bathroom is likely where you spend most of your time getting ready for the day ahead.

Clutter and disorganization have a tendency to become overwhelming here, making your routine longer and more frustrating. Let's de-clutter and organize to add functionality to this space and save you time and energy for whatever your day holds!

PURGE - We all purchase items we think are going to solve all of our beauty dilemmas. However, these products are often worthless. We hold on to them because they were too expensive to just throw away, even if they don't work. But if you haven't used these products in months or years, it's time to let them go and use that valuable space for products you do use on a daily basis. Get out your trash bag and go through every item individually, being honest with yourself about what you use and don't use. Check for expired medicines and get rid of those, too.

ORGANIZE – Maximize your space by using size-appropriate containers to organize, store, and separate the goods you've decided to keep. Group items by category (for instance, hair products go with other hair products), or by when you or your spouse uses them. Use baskets or bins you already have around your house to organize items, and drawer dividers for smaller items like makeup, nail polish, and whatever else you need at your fingerprints while getting ready. You may also want install a shelf to store larger items like towels. In addition to organizing, the main goal here is to clear surfaces so that the bathroom is easy to clean and use daily.

MAINTAIN – Keeping items in storage bins and baskets will make it easier for you to maintain order in your bathroom. As always, the key is putting items back after you use them. Taking the extra step to put items in their proper places rather than setting them on the counter top will keep your area functional and clean, ultimately saving you time and energy.

Organize Your Guest Bathroom

If you only have one bathroom, lucky you! You have one less place to organize. But if you have kids or are used to entertaining guests, that extra bathroom is a necessity. Keeping it de-cluttered will help keep it clean and fresh for whoever is using it.

PURGE - Go through each item in every cabinet and drawer, and get rid of any out of date medicines

and products you won't use. Don't forget surface areas as well! If your kids or spouse use the bathroom regularly, have them go through items with you.

ORGANIZE - Think of this bathroom's function and purpose. Is it for your kids, guests, or your spouse? Clarifying its purpose will dictate how this bathroom is organized. Use baskets or bins you already have around your house to organize items, and drawer dividers for smaller items. Store your containers of choice out of sight below the sink. If guests are mainly using this space, only keep items they'll find useful on hand, like soap, clean towels, and extra toiletries. Try to keep some empty space for their items as well.

MAINTAIN – As always, putting items back in their proper areas after each use is key to maintaining the order you've created. If this bathroom is for your child or children, you'll need to give them frequent reminders to keep this area de-cluttered. Not only will these reminders lessen your workload, they'll also help them form important, lifelong organizational habits.

Bathroom Storage Ideas

If your bathroom is small, storage space can be a huge challenge. Finding creative ways to store items you need can not only maximize your space and minimize your clutter, but also add some

personality. Here are a few quick DIY ideas:

• Use a wine rack as a towel holder

• Wrap a rustic brown rope or twine around old coffee tins to store hand soap and lotion bottles

• Keep small items like toothbrushes and nail polish in clear vases or jars

• Use (cleaned) vintage planters from the garden to hold soap bars and sponges

• Repurpose a clear umbrella stand to store toilet paper rolls

Do you have more organizing and storage ideas? Let us know and post photos of your organized bathroom on Twitter using the hashtag #SimplifyIn40Days, and on our Facebook page.

Until next week, happy organizing!

A Step-by-Step Guide to Organizing your Bedroom

Clothes all over the floor, magazines sliding out of their tidy stacks and into slippery piles, unused gifts from the holidays still in boxes littering the perimeter of the room ... Does this sound like your bedroom right now? Maybe this week (or month, or year) has just been way too crazy to give much attention to the clutter that's slowly building around you. But your bedroom should be a retreat of sorts, a place of rest and respite that somehow squeezes itself between the margins of your crammed schedule. That's why for week four of our Simplify Challenge, we want to help you reclaim this sacred space in just a few simple steps.

As always, if you need help at any point during this process, feel free to contact us. We have a team of awesome professional organizers who are always happy to help!

Organize Your Floor Space and Furniture Surfaces

Maybe your floor is littered with so much clutter you can't even remember what color the carpet is. Maybe you're just tired of tripping over the books that constantly find their way off the bookshelf. Whatever the case may be, we're going to tackle the clutter that won't stop hanging out on your floor in three simple strategies: PURGE, ORGANIZE, and MAINTAIN.

PURGE – Get two boxes in which you can put things you want to donate or sell, as well as two trash bags for things you need to throw away or recycle. Next, go through each item in your room individually, beginning at the doorway. Ask yourself – Do you really need this item? Does it make you happy? Is it something you want to look at every day? If you answer no to more than one of these, consider getting rid of it.


ORGANIZE – Now that you've downsized, it's time to organize and repurpose the items that will enrich your life and make your bedroom a happier and healthier place. Put back only your favorite decorative pieces and functional items. To get an even more streamlined, de-cluttered look, you should also re-think your storage space. Try installing under-the-bed storage organizers, for example. This under-utilized space could be perfect for things you need but don't necessarily use every day, like extra linens, blankets, or workout gear. You could also try replacing a side table with an attractive vintage trunk, which will both look unique and create additional storage space.


MAINTAIN – Having a place for every item in the bedroom, and putting each item back in its designated space daily, is key to keeping a stress-free atmosphere. Also consider investing in organizational tools like drawer dividers so you're not tempted to dump everything from your pockets into the nightstand at the end of the day.