When I go into a client’s home to completely overhaul and organize a closet, the average time is normally around 3-4 hours, and that is with at least two of us working, the client(s) and myself. It is quite understandable that a job like this can become very overwhelming and inevitably a major procrastination issue. How can you tackle this job in 10 minutes a day? You may not achieve perfection, and may need to spend additional time on this project one day this week where you have a little extra time, but 10 minutes a day can be quite surprisingly productive!
Set the timer for 10 minutes and attack as many drawers as you can, using the following system.
Grab 3 bags and label each one the following 3 categories:
- Sell
- Donate/Give Away
- Throw out
Attack one drawer or small section in your closet at a time and toss the items into the appropriate bag. Once you have cleared out the drawer, place the keep items neatly back.
What to Keep?
I have heard all different strategies on how to decide what to keep. My system is quite simple. If I would not buy the item TODAY it does not get kept. Try to not think about how much (or how little) you paid for the item. It’s time to take the emotions out of the things around you! Also, do not keep items that no longer fit you. I clearly remember hanging onto a dream size wardrobe. What I discovered is when I hit my dream size, the clothes were not as spectacular as I had envisioned. If you are trying to fit into a certain dream size, tear out a picture of an outfit from a catalog. When you reach your goal, try the outfit on before you buy it. This is especially true if you are a woman holding onto clothes that fit you before children…5 + years ago!
What to Sell?
Prior to trying to sell your item(s), it is best to research what is the current market price. If you choose to use an online auctions site (such as eBay) it is very easy to find out the current market price by looking at what final prices similar items have successfully sold. Next you need to decide if you want to sell it or donate it. One thing to keep in mind when selling your item(s) on online auction sites is that there are no guaranties your item will sell at the price you would like it to, or will sell at all, even if similar items have sold.
What to Donate/Give Away?
If you plan on donating your items to a non-profit charity make sure you keep a good record of what was donated and have the charitable organization sign your receipt. When you donate to a non-profit organization that is accepted by the federal government as such, you can claim each item for its fair market value. A good rule of thumb to use when trying to come up with a fair market value would be 25% of the retail price. For more information, check out the IRS publication for charitable giving. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p526.pdf
Another suggestion is to give your items to someone, perhaps a friend or family member. My only request is that you contact this person first and ask if they would like your items. You do not want to make your good intentions become their clutter.
Throw Away:
Throw away overly used and damaged undergarments, shoes and clothing. If it is no longer of any use to you, or anyone else, it is garbage.
It’s time to evaluate what areas of your closet and drawers were the most cluttered. If it was your shoes, place a shoe shelf in the bottom of your closet, or an under the bed storage unit. Perhaps it was the shelf above the closet that was overwhelmed with stuff. Measure the area and place bins or baskets and designate each; purses, belts, etc. Before you run right out to your nearest “mart” store to get bins, baskets, etc. make sure that you don’t already have something in your home that would work just fine.
I promise you that it feels amazing to let go of those items that you don’t need, meanwhile gaining more appreciation for the things that are left. As I mentioned last week, if you find great sadness and an inability to attack the clutter yourself, contact someone for help. You owe it to your family, but more importantly yourself, to have a bedroom in which you can rest.
Sweet Dreams!
Betsy
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
How to Achieve Sweet Dreams in a Clutter-Free Master Bedroom - week 1
Want to create a dream bedroom in 10 minutes a day? For the next few weeks we are going to focus on the master bedroom, or as I call it, the new heart of the home. Week 1 will focus on planning and purging in 5 quick and easy steps.
I have often heard that the heart of the home is the kitchen. Instead, I would like to suggest that the Master Bedroom is the true lifeblood of the home, which is why I found it imperative to start the “Around the House Overhaul” in the master bedroom. So often we focus our attention on the rooms in which everyone else sees, and put our own needs last. When your bedroom is clean and organized, you will sleep, love, and live more fulfilled. In turn you will be healthier and happier, which makes everything more manageable in life.
For the next few weeks I am going to give you the steps to create a haven for yourself. This week we are going to focus on planning and general purging. Following are the steps for your clutter busting challenges for this week:
Step 1: Sit down with your spouse and share the frustrations with your current bedroom. Try and listen to each other and not get defensive. Perhaps come up with a reward for your room for when the bedroom de-cluttering project is complete.
Step 2: Create a timetable of when you would like to complete your project. I have 4 additional clutter busting challenges for you throughout the following month, but you may adjust the time-table to your own needs.
Step 3: Locate the closest donation center and get the details on donation criteria and rules. In addition, get the information for the recycling center in your area.
Step 4: Grab a couple garbage bags and set your timer for 5 minutes a day and start purging the trash from your rooms. Trash is something that is no longer of use to you, or anyone else. Now, just because it is trash, there is no need to clutter up the landfills. Make sure to recycle all that you can! We will focus on donating clothing and other items during a future weekly challenge, so for this week simply attack the garbage.
Step 5: Set the timer for 5 minutes a day and put away items that have found themselves in your room, but don’t belong there. Put clothing back into drawers and place shoes away.
Attempt to do these simple 10 minute challenges each day this week. If at the end of the week you find yourself still overwhelmed with clutter, don’t fret. Throughout the following four challenges we will attack every nook and cranny in your master bedroom. If you find great sadness and an inability to attack the clutter yourself, contact someone for help. You owe it to your family, but more importantly yourself, to have a bedroom in which you can rest.
Sweet dreams!
Betsy
I have often heard that the heart of the home is the kitchen. Instead, I would like to suggest that the Master Bedroom is the true lifeblood of the home, which is why I found it imperative to start the “Around the House Overhaul” in the master bedroom. So often we focus our attention on the rooms in which everyone else sees, and put our own needs last. When your bedroom is clean and organized, you will sleep, love, and live more fulfilled. In turn you will be healthier and happier, which makes everything more manageable in life.
For the next few weeks I am going to give you the steps to create a haven for yourself. This week we are going to focus on planning and general purging. Following are the steps for your clutter busting challenges for this week:
Step 1: Sit down with your spouse and share the frustrations with your current bedroom. Try and listen to each other and not get defensive. Perhaps come up with a reward for your room for when the bedroom de-cluttering project is complete.
Step 2: Create a timetable of when you would like to complete your project. I have 4 additional clutter busting challenges for you throughout the following month, but you may adjust the time-table to your own needs.
Step 3: Locate the closest donation center and get the details on donation criteria and rules. In addition, get the information for the recycling center in your area.
Step 4: Grab a couple garbage bags and set your timer for 5 minutes a day and start purging the trash from your rooms. Trash is something that is no longer of use to you, or anyone else. Now, just because it is trash, there is no need to clutter up the landfills. Make sure to recycle all that you can! We will focus on donating clothing and other items during a future weekly challenge, so for this week simply attack the garbage.
Step 5: Set the timer for 5 minutes a day and put away items that have found themselves in your room, but don’t belong there. Put clothing back into drawers and place shoes away.
Attempt to do these simple 10 minute challenges each day this week. If at the end of the week you find yourself still overwhelmed with clutter, don’t fret. Throughout the following four challenges we will attack every nook and cranny in your master bedroom. If you find great sadness and an inability to attack the clutter yourself, contact someone for help. You owe it to your family, but more importantly yourself, to have a bedroom in which you can rest.
Sweet dreams!
Betsy
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
An Apology: Long Time...No Post
It is with great shame that I begin typing this blog as I have not written here in a few months. After my Father-in-law passed away, every time I started writing I found myself unable to write about anything other than loss. Business stopped for about two weeks, and during that time I often tried to write something, but it never seemed worthy of anyone else's eyes. I was not ready to move forward, so I just levitated in a pained state while I nursed my family's fresh wounds.
Once the kids were done with school, I fully expected my normal summer months of leisure. All my previous years in business, the summer months always proved to be very quiet. This year, however, I found myself busier than ever before. My mother-in-law watched the kids on my workdays, and when I wasn't working out of the house, I did the best that I could at being the same mom that I was years before. Not only did I not have the time to wallow in my sadness, but I could literally feel my wounded heart being healed with the work of helping others through their circumstances. Although I was busy from dawn until dusk, it was an incredibly satisfying summer.
Now I find myself at the beginning of the school year. My sweet babies are growing up way too fast. Juliet is in the 7th grade and Dylan is now a First grader. As the kids get into their new routine, I find myself kicking back into my old routine. I promise (okay, "promise" is a pretty strong word)... to try (the word "try" will bail me out of the "promise" word) to be more diligent with the musings of my life that are tucked into this blog. As for now I can assure you that I am happy and hopeful. In the scheme of life, what more can I ask from myself?
Until I blog again, (I promise to try to make it sooner than later)
Betsy
Once the kids were done with school, I fully expected my normal summer months of leisure. All my previous years in business, the summer months always proved to be very quiet. This year, however, I found myself busier than ever before. My mother-in-law watched the kids on my workdays, and when I wasn't working out of the house, I did the best that I could at being the same mom that I was years before. Not only did I not have the time to wallow in my sadness, but I could literally feel my wounded heart being healed with the work of helping others through their circumstances. Although I was busy from dawn until dusk, it was an incredibly satisfying summer.
Now I find myself at the beginning of the school year. My sweet babies are growing up way too fast. Juliet is in the 7th grade and Dylan is now a First grader. As the kids get into their new routine, I find myself kicking back into my old routine. I promise (okay, "promise" is a pretty strong word)... to try (the word "try" will bail me out of the "promise" word) to be more diligent with the musings of my life that are tucked into this blog. As for now I can assure you that I am happy and hopeful. In the scheme of life, what more can I ask from myself?
Until I blog again, (I promise to try to make it sooner than later)
Betsy
Monday, June 7, 2010
Not all change feels good
I did not expect the inevitable to happen so soon...
On May 22nd 2010 my beloved father-in-law passed away.
Passed away...
Passed away...
Dead?
How can this be?
He received the devastating diagnosis just this past fall. Stage 4 esophogeal cancer. I am a google info hog, but when I started reading the prognosis I stopped googling. The information was so bad, so lacking of true hope. Even the good stories contained such horrendous information.
I am not terrified of death. I have great faith in the promise of a wonderful afterlife. I am, however, saddened to the core about losing those around me. Its a shame we can't get an occasional visit, phone call, or even a postcard from those who have passed before us.
Over the past month the inevitability of the situation became more and more apparant. I tried to ignore the signs my brain was trying to signal to my heart. Instead I told myself, "Please no... just shut up... I don't want to hear this!" But then something happened, I started seeing what life would look like if we kept him around for our comfort, despite his deteriorating health. He was not getting better... each day he was suffering more and more. I changed my pleading prayers for healing to pleading prayers for peace.
"He just went to sleep," this is what I told my children when they asked if I was with him when he passed. It is a much glorified version of what happened in that hospital room his final hours, but it is what I am going to change as my reality. He fell asleep here painlessly, and woke up healed in heaven. I can accept that.
Now what? How do I make sense of this all? How do I take what happened and turn it good? Is it possible?
For now I will just try to turn his legacy into learning lessons for my children. I have been confronted with the frailty of life, but as a result it just seems all that more precious. I apologize to my children that death seems to have cruely stripped away their beloved Pappy far too soon for their comfort. His absence will be an open sore on all the happy times ahead for them for quite some time.
Until we meet again...
On May 22nd 2010 my beloved father-in-law passed away.
Passed away...
Passed away...
Dead?
How can this be?
He received the devastating diagnosis just this past fall. Stage 4 esophogeal cancer. I am a google info hog, but when I started reading the prognosis I stopped googling. The information was so bad, so lacking of true hope. Even the good stories contained such horrendous information.
I am not terrified of death. I have great faith in the promise of a wonderful afterlife. I am, however, saddened to the core about losing those around me. Its a shame we can't get an occasional visit, phone call, or even a postcard from those who have passed before us.
Over the past month the inevitability of the situation became more and more apparant. I tried to ignore the signs my brain was trying to signal to my heart. Instead I told myself, "Please no... just shut up... I don't want to hear this!" But then something happened, I started seeing what life would look like if we kept him around for our comfort, despite his deteriorating health. He was not getting better... each day he was suffering more and more. I changed my pleading prayers for healing to pleading prayers for peace.
"He just went to sleep," this is what I told my children when they asked if I was with him when he passed. It is a much glorified version of what happened in that hospital room his final hours, but it is what I am going to change as my reality. He fell asleep here painlessly, and woke up healed in heaven. I can accept that.
Now what? How do I make sense of this all? How do I take what happened and turn it good? Is it possible?
For now I will just try to turn his legacy into learning lessons for my children. I have been confronted with the frailty of life, but as a result it just seems all that more precious. I apologize to my children that death seems to have cruely stripped away their beloved Pappy far too soon for their comfort. His absence will be an open sore on all the happy times ahead for them for quite some time.
Until we meet again...
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
"Slipping Through My Fingers"
This morning was like many other mornings at my house. I woke up at the same time, wandered around the house, made my hot tea, and then went upstairs to wake up my 11 year old daughter Juliet. Through our sleepy eyes we did our morning exercises together. We laughed when we bumped arms into each other and giggled at our awkwardness. This girl is such a joy!
After breakfast, and after she and her 6 year old brother Dylan were ready for school, I loaded them up in the car and took them to the bus stop. After a tight hug and sloppy kiss, Dylan ran to the bus with the same burst of energy that drives him every day. He stomped all over the worms that were scattered out on the road due to the early morning spring rain. Juliet took a bit more time to walk to the bus. Her long curly golden blonde hair drifted over her face as she looked back and me and smiled.
I let out a long sigh of relief and gratitude that she looked back. It does not happen that often anymore. Her life does not revolve around mine anymore. Her absolute adoration for me has now been replaced with friends, boy crushes, and dreams for her future. Oh, I know that she still loves me, but it is not the same.
My love for Juliet has never changed. With each step she takes, I know she needs me less and less, but that does not mean that my love has wavered. In some ways I think I appreciate her even more. These days are quickly slipping through my fingers. I am trying to hold tight, but I cannot stop the hands of time no matter how hard I try. As each chapter ends a new one begins. This chapter is full of fun things: girl movies, make-up, and shopping. But I can’t help to flip back through the pages of the last chapter and feel a sense of longing and regret. Did I realize how special each day was? Did I hold her enough? Read to her enough? Did I stop housework to listen to her special little stories enough? Did I do enough to place her on the path to the person she is supposed to be?
I hope she and I can continue to grow a bond that time cannot take away. May my life weave through her, so that long after I’m gone – she and I will still be a special pair, and may she look back at these days with even a fraction of the fondness that I have for them. Yes, I see her slipping through my fingers. I feel her emotionally growing away from us, and looking forward to the person she is going to become. I have full faith that person will take good care of her. Until that time, I hope that I can continue to focus on the grains of her childhood remaining in my hands, rather than focusing on the ones slipping through my fingers and blowing gently away, forever gone, in the wind.
Betsy
After breakfast, and after she and her 6 year old brother Dylan were ready for school, I loaded them up in the car and took them to the bus stop. After a tight hug and sloppy kiss, Dylan ran to the bus with the same burst of energy that drives him every day. He stomped all over the worms that were scattered out on the road due to the early morning spring rain. Juliet took a bit more time to walk to the bus. Her long curly golden blonde hair drifted over her face as she looked back and me and smiled.
I let out a long sigh of relief and gratitude that she looked back. It does not happen that often anymore. Her life does not revolve around mine anymore. Her absolute adoration for me has now been replaced with friends, boy crushes, and dreams for her future. Oh, I know that she still loves me, but it is not the same.
My love for Juliet has never changed. With each step she takes, I know she needs me less and less, but that does not mean that my love has wavered. In some ways I think I appreciate her even more. These days are quickly slipping through my fingers. I am trying to hold tight, but I cannot stop the hands of time no matter how hard I try. As each chapter ends a new one begins. This chapter is full of fun things: girl movies, make-up, and shopping. But I can’t help to flip back through the pages of the last chapter and feel a sense of longing and regret. Did I realize how special each day was? Did I hold her enough? Read to her enough? Did I stop housework to listen to her special little stories enough? Did I do enough to place her on the path to the person she is supposed to be?
I hope she and I can continue to grow a bond that time cannot take away. May my life weave through her, so that long after I’m gone – she and I will still be a special pair, and may she look back at these days with even a fraction of the fondness that I have for them. Yes, I see her slipping through my fingers. I feel her emotionally growing away from us, and looking forward to the person she is going to become. I have full faith that person will take good care of her. Until that time, I hope that I can continue to focus on the grains of her childhood remaining in my hands, rather than focusing on the ones slipping through my fingers and blowing gently away, forever gone, in the wind.
Betsy
Friday, March 19, 2010
Training Wheels
The time has arrived that one of the last toddler items in our home will soon be cast away. My 6 year old son Dylan is ready to ride his bike without his training wheels. He has become quite the bike rider with his training wheels; whizzing up and down our driveway like an expert biker. It is going to be an adjustment when he realizes that those little noisemakers were really giving him extra balance. But, without taking off his training wheels, he will never learn to truly balance and trust himself.
This poses a question for you, what training wheels do you still have firmly attached in life? Are you using something as a security blanket? Is there something or someone that you are leaning a bit too hard on, so that you don't need to trust and balance within?
Many of my clients have found themselves immersed in clutter as a result of bad habits. They often do things, collect things, save things, shop for things, and even sometimes hoard things because it is what they have always done. Those things seem to prop them up, give them security as they ride through life.
What will happen if they kick off those training wheels? Much like my son, they will probably fall flat on their face a couple times. But the real strength comes as they hop back on the bike. Soon, they will begin to trust in themselves and not the annoying noise-makers that used to slow them down and hold them back.
My dear friends, I ask you to give a thought to what is holding you back today. Let me assure you, that you don't need the clutter in your life that seems to give you the comfort. You will be stronger without it. The more you let go, the more you will learn that you are so much more capable than you have given yourself credit.
Take off those training wheels and ride like you have never rode before...
Betsy
This poses a question for you, what training wheels do you still have firmly attached in life? Are you using something as a security blanket? Is there something or someone that you are leaning a bit too hard on, so that you don't need to trust and balance within?
Many of my clients have found themselves immersed in clutter as a result of bad habits. They often do things, collect things, save things, shop for things, and even sometimes hoard things because it is what they have always done. Those things seem to prop them up, give them security as they ride through life.
What will happen if they kick off those training wheels? Much like my son, they will probably fall flat on their face a couple times. But the real strength comes as they hop back on the bike. Soon, they will begin to trust in themselves and not the annoying noise-makers that used to slow them down and hold them back.
My dear friends, I ask you to give a thought to what is holding you back today. Let me assure you, that you don't need the clutter in your life that seems to give you the comfort. You will be stronger without it. The more you let go, the more you will learn that you are so much more capable than you have given yourself credit.
Take off those training wheels and ride like you have never rode before...
Betsy
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Wonderful Signs of Spring
I can't say this has been the worst winter I remember. We had a mild November with a few days that did not even require a jacket. Not bad for Pennsylvania! My family had a wonderful vacation in December followed by a perfect Christmas. A nice start to the 2009-2010 winter season.
It seems the evil tide turned sometime after the New Year. We seemed plagued with days upon days of nothing but frigid temperatures, dreary skies, and icy weather. The snow in February was fun... The mess the snow left behind was ugly. After awhile even my kids started to get annoyed with going outside in the snow. We all started acting like caged in animals, desperate for some roaming room!
This past weekend the warm-up began. My friends and family were all rejoicing over 50 degree weather. Scott and I took the kids for a bike ride and it just felt good to breathe in non-stale air. There were piles of snow everywhere, but the hope of spring was under it - and the reality of that was incredible!
I can't say that spring was always my favorite month. I actually found it quite boring as a child - no sledding, no swimming, but now... (((gasp))) it is so much more than that. It is life; it is new beginnings, a rebirth of everything around me that had hid itself from the crippling grasp of winter. Even the springtime air smells different - new, fresh, and alive.
Oh the wonderful awakenings that I am so anxious to see in the upcoming days. I have heard (have yet to see it for myself) that the flowers are starting to come out of the ground. I would love to chat longer, but I am going to open up the windows, grab a sweater (it is only 50 degrees mind you) and go sit outside and soak up some good old Vitamin D!
Make sure you take a moment in your crazy lives to go outside, tip your chin upwards, and allow that beautiful sunshine to spread all of your face.
Keep it simple,
Betsy
It seems the evil tide turned sometime after the New Year. We seemed plagued with days upon days of nothing but frigid temperatures, dreary skies, and icy weather. The snow in February was fun... The mess the snow left behind was ugly. After awhile even my kids started to get annoyed with going outside in the snow. We all started acting like caged in animals, desperate for some roaming room!
This past weekend the warm-up began. My friends and family were all rejoicing over 50 degree weather. Scott and I took the kids for a bike ride and it just felt good to breathe in non-stale air. There were piles of snow everywhere, but the hope of spring was under it - and the reality of that was incredible!
I can't say that spring was always my favorite month. I actually found it quite boring as a child - no sledding, no swimming, but now... (((gasp))) it is so much more than that. It is life; it is new beginnings, a rebirth of everything around me that had hid itself from the crippling grasp of winter. Even the springtime air smells different - new, fresh, and alive.
Oh the wonderful awakenings that I am so anxious to see in the upcoming days. I have heard (have yet to see it for myself) that the flowers are starting to come out of the ground. I would love to chat longer, but I am going to open up the windows, grab a sweater (it is only 50 degrees mind you) and go sit outside and soak up some good old Vitamin D!
Make sure you take a moment in your crazy lives to go outside, tip your chin upwards, and allow that beautiful sunshine to spread all of your face.
Keep it simple,
Betsy
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