Your Main Entrance
There are places in our homes that can become what I call “dumping grounds”. Things get put there. It can be anything; keys, papers, toys, books, it doesn’t really matter. If there is room, the item gets placed there.
An entryway, can become a dumping ground very easily. They can become piled with mail, brochures left on the door, coats, shoes, you name it and it could be there.
This is what “Clear Your Clutter” by Karen Kingston says about the entryway:
“In Feng Shui, the main entrance to your home represents your approach to the world as you look out, and your approach to your own life as you look in. Just as people enter and leave through this doorway, so too does energy. If the area is cluttered in any way it can restrict the flow of opportunities coming to you and hinder your progress in the world. This is a very important area to keep clear. Clutter near the main entrance creates unnecessary struggle in your life.”
Now this gives your clutter at the entryway a lot of deeper meaning than just clutter. I agree with the importance of keeping it clear. The entryway is the first impression of your home to your visitors. But more importantly it is how you are welcomed everyday into your home. Coming home to a space which is not cluttered is more relaxing than not. It can set the tone of how the rest of your evening is going to go.
Here are simple ways on keeping the area clear:
1) Evaluate your space. What do you like about it, what troubles you? Ask yourself what first impression are you giving off to guests? When you enter, do you feel welcomed? If not, then what changes can you make? Maybe adding a table by the front door or a picture on the wall that you enjoy.
2) If you have a table by the front door, make sure to designate it’s purpose. Do not allow things that do not belong there. If it’s purpose is to hold keys and wallets, then place a small decorative bowl or basket on the table.
3) Place a large vase with flowers or decorative pieces on the table to prevent piles from getting stacked. If something is already there that is suppose to be, the likelihood of the other stuff staying is not as good.
4) If you have a lot of coats and shoes, decide what the right amount is in the space to eliminate it from getting too crowded. Only put in the space the items you wear on a daily basis, everything else should be put somewhere else.
Happy Organizing!
Letting Go!
“The process of clearing clutter is all about letting go. Not just letting go of your belongings-that is only the end result. The most important thing is learning to let go of the fear that keeps you holding on to them after it is time to move them on their way.” Clearing Your Clutter With Feng Shui”, by Karen Kingston
Letting go. This is difficult for many of us. Our belongings can take a life of their own. How many of you have kept something just in case you may need it someday? Or you kept something because it was a gift from your mother in law? I bet there are some nodding heads right now.. Because it’s true. We have many excuses of why we keep what we keep. 
In the chapter of Letting Go, there are two key points I want to share, they include Just Passing Through, and Let go of Fear.
Just Passing Through- “Just because you own something, it doesn’t mean that you have to keep it forever.” This is so true. In our lives, I believe we go through different chapters. Life is always changing and it does not look the same from chapter to chapter. If something does not fit you, you no longer like it, you never did like it, then give yourself permission to let it go.
Let Go Of Fear- The book states people hold on to clutter because they are afraid to let it go. They are afraid there may be consequences or regret later on. It can be very emotional to let items go. What I love most about this section is this: “Love and Fear cannot exist in the same space, so everything you are holding on to through fear is blocking you having more love in your life; clearing it allows more love to start pouring in. Fear stops you from being who you truly are and doing what you came here to do; clutter clearing brings you greater clarity about your life purpose.” She goes on to say it gives you freedom and this is the best gift you can yourself. I love this! This is really something to think about. Looking at this process as a gift to yourself and to your family is truly a great way to see it. This attitude can be the motivator that keeps you going!
Why do you keep what you do? Have you ever gotten rid of something and then regretted it later?
Next Post: Your Entranceway – the importance this one space has in your home!
Happy Organizing!
What is Clutter?
The book I will be talking about this week is called, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui, by Karen Kingston. For the next 3 posts, I will be discussing certain aspects of the book. I will share what is written and then you give some of my own insight.
Clutter. It’s a very common term in the organizing world. We talk about clearing clutter, conquering clutter, cut the clutter and so on. If you have ever studied Feng Shui, you will see the word clutter come up many times. What is clutter? What does this term mean to you?
In the dictionary clutter is defined:
clutter |ˈklətər| noun a collection of things lying about in an untidy mass : the attic is full of clutter.• [in sing. ] an untidy state : the room was in a clutter of smelly untidiness. verb [ trans. ]crowd (something) untidily; fill with clutter : his apartment was cluttered with paintings and antiques | luggage cluttered up the hallway. ORIGIN late Middle English (as a verb): variant of dialect clotter [to clot,] influenced by cluster and clatter .
In Clear Your Clutter, there are four categories of clutter:
1) Things you do not use or love
2) Things that are untidy or disorganized
3) Too many things in too small a place
4) Anything unfinished
I really like how she has defined these categories. They make sense to me. These categories can be a great guide for you when deciding if something should stay or go. Do your things belong in one of these categories?
I am a true believer that for everything there is a place. I believe we should only keep what we love. You can have too many items in a small space, and your home is much easier to organize and stay organized if you have less stuff.
I have said this before and is worth repeating, organization is not about perfection. It looks different for everyone. What I might think is clutter is not for someone else. They love what they have and have a place for it, then it works.
“Clutter” is not a word I use often. I never want to give the impression the items you own are of no value and should be thrown away. Sometimes the word can feel that way. When we are always talking about getting rid of it, clearing it, what have you. If the items are something you love and bring joy into your life then it’s not about getting rid of it, as much as it is finding a home for it that works.
My goal for clients is to help them make tough decisions. To help them build systems to maintain their organization and ultimately live in a happy and peaceful space.
With using these 4 categories, what can you do to “clear your clutter”? Do you relate to one of the 4 categories more than the others? How do you define clutter?
Next Post: How To Let Go!
Happy Organizing!
Don’t Be Late..
Do you find yourself running out the door usually about 5 minutes late? Or realize you didn’t give yourself enough time in between appointments to get from location A to location C? It happens, and with kids it happens to me more now. It’s stressful if you know you need to be somewhere and the clock keeps ticking away! 
So is there anything we can do to change this bad habit? Sure!
We often confuse the amount of time things should take to the amount they actually take. The best thing we can do is figure out the gap. How long do I really need to get the family ready in the morning? How long is my commute to work? Not what I think it should be.
For one week, make up a journal and carry it around with you. And write out your day. Write down how long it took you get ready for the day. Write down your commute time from home to the office. And if you are late, write it down, how late you were, why were you late, who did it effect? Just by seeing it on paper can really make a difference. Then you can start working on the solutions.
When planning your day or week, block out commute times, this will really help make sure you have enough time to get from A to C without overlap. For example if you have to be at a meeting at 9AM, and it takes 30 minutes to get there, block in your calendar that you are out from 8:15AM on. This gives you time for the unexpected. Because as we all know the unexpected can happen frequently.
In summary, the best prevention to being late is planning ahead and being as prepared as you can be. And expect the unexpected! Take little steps to see if you can make a difference. By just setting your alarm 15 minutes earlier, or laying out clothes and making lunches the night before. Think about what small changes you can make to stop feeling so rushed and the stress that being late causes, not only to you but to the people waiting for you!
Happy Organizing!
Guest Post at The Confident Mom!
This month as a guest blogger for The Confident Mom, I wrote about different ways to store board games and puzzles. This can be an area in all of our homes that can really become out of control. Nothing is more frustrating than putting a puzzle together, and not have the last piece to finish! Or having box after box with tape on the corners, and the pieces still manage to fall out.
I have provided different solutions and I would love to hear your ideas and thoughts. As we know there are many ways to do one thing! 
The last sentence in the post, I encourage you to turn the TV off and make it a game night! It really is so much fun and a great way to bond with your family.
Happy Organizing!
Teaching Children To Be Organized
Recently I was interviewed for a blog post at “Organize This Life”!
One of the questions they asked was: “How can parents teach their children to be organized?
My answer.. “You teach your kids to be organized by being organized yourself. By setting the example that organization is an important part of life. Setting up daily routines and structure in your home. Teaching them to be organized is teaching them to value their belongings and space. Taking pride and being grateful for what they have.”
I wanted to share this answer with you mainly for a couple of reasons, one I believe organization is a life long skill that we can teach our children. And a very important one. Our lives are less stressful and less chaotic when there is some sense of order. When we plan we are often more organized. When we find what we need, when we need it, we are more organized. Our children see what we do, they see how we live, and often times end up living the same way.
However, this does not mean everything is perfect. In fact it never is. Your house is not always going to be clean and closets do get messy. Having children means stepping on a lego or two! Life happens.
Organization is not perfection and it’s not the same for everyone. Finding the right balance for you and your family is what we are striving for!
Happy Organizing!
(To read the entire interview, click here)
A Few of My Favorite Things!
To keep with the theme of the kitchen, I have compiled a few of my favorite kitchen organizing products. All of these items can be found at the Container Store. There a lot of great products out there and this is only a sample… What are some of your favorite things? 
1. Junk Drawer Organizer – A must for keeping your junk drawer contained. It’s a great way to find what you need when you need it!
2. Plastic Wrap / Tin Foil Organizer - If you have the space in a pantry or cupboard, this is a great tool in keeping those long wraps under wrap!
3. Lazy Susan- This is a great organizing tool pretty much anywhere in your home but it is particullary helpful in the kitchen. By keeping all like items 
together it’s easy to turn and go right to what you need!
4. Freezer Containers – This is a product I have used for clients in the past. It helps contain like items together in your freezer. It keeps it all together but because it’s wire like, you can easily see everything too. 
5. Baking Pan Divider – This is a great way to organize the muffin pans, baking sheets etc. Sometimes it can become a real mess and difficult to pull things out when you need them. Not with this system, it keeps them organized and easy to get! 
There are so many great products out there and it’s very easy to get ahead of yourself and buy before you know what you need. Remember to take measurements of the space and only buy it if you will use it!
Happy Organizing!
Meal Planning!
Grocery shopping and Meal planning! Two things that sometimes I enjoy doing and other times I dread. When I dread it the most is when I have not planned ahead. I hate the feeling of it’s 5:00pm and I have no idea what to make for dinner. Asking my children is not a good idea, they will say McDonald’s! Asking my husband is often no help, because he never cares what we have for dinner! So what to do?
Ideas to relieve the dreadful 5PM hour:
- Make a list of everything you like to cook. This gives you a list to refer back to when you are planning your weekly meals.
- When planning your meals, take into consideration everyone’s schedule. The weeknights can get busy in our house, between sport practices, meetings etc. On busy days, decide on take out, or an easy meal to put together.
- Plan your meals has a family, if everyone gets to pick out a meal within reason, you will eliminate some of the “I don’t like this”, however in my house it never eliminates it completely, but it’s something!
- Plan your meals for the week and then go grocery shopping. This saves you time and money. You will not buy anything extra you do not need.
- Keep your weekly planner of meals and reuse it for a different week. You don’t have to recreate the wheel each time.
- There are many resources and websites geared to helping you plan your menu. Check them out and see if it’s a good fit for your family. Also consider places like Dinners Done Right, where you can go and prepare the meal, freeze it and then eat it later. I know a lot of families who find this helpful during busy sport seasons, surgeries, new babies, etc. ( TCO can also help you with meal planning as part of our service! )
- Most important – schedule meals together with your family. Use this time to reconnect and talk about your day. Turn off the TV and don’t answer the phone. Just focus on each other.
Happy Organizing!
What can you do in 15 minutes?
What can you do in 15 minutes to organize your kitchen? Many things! Just spending a little time each day can and will make a big difference!
What can you do today in 15 minutes? 
Clear out one cupboard - the other day, while I was watching Oprah, I decided to clear out our cup cupboard. This cupboard had been bothering me for some time. We had a bunch of old sippy cups and “to go” coffee mugs with no lids! It literally took less than 15 minutes to clear out. Even my husband noticed how organized it was! Get rid of the dishes you are no longing using, the dishes that are missing partners or are broken.
Purge the Junk Drawer - You don’t need to organize it all at one time, just take a few minutes to throw away anything you no longer need. Old menus, old notes, check for pens that no longer work.
Clear out the Utensil Drawer- I am so guilty of buying the latest and greatest utensil thinking I may use it. I have not once used my lemon zester! Time to take inventory, donate, and keep what you love and what you use!
Do One Large Sweep- Set the timer for 15 minutes and go through as many cupboards and drawers as you can and donate all of the old appliances you no longer need, want, or are broken.
Clean the surfaces of your refrigerator- Having a clean refrigerator makes a difference. I suggest taking out old food right before your trash day. Take a damp washcloth with a little soap and clean the spills.
Pantry- I hate to admit this, but sometimes food is wasted at our house. And it is always a good idea to check the pantry for stale potato chips and moldy bread. You can do this very quickly, and then take note of what did not get eaten and don’t buy it again! Or at least make sure the bread is eaten quicker!
Spices- Take a few minutes to do a little spice inventory, what do you have, what are you low on. Re-organize them. Sometimes depending on who is cleaning up the meal, the spices sometimes get put back in the wrong spot, now is the time, to make sure they are all together.
What are you going to do today?
Happy Organizing!
Organizing Products For The Utility Room!
We have a schedule. We know how and what to delegate to family members. The next step is to talk about organizing products for the utility room. I have seen a lot of utility rooms in my business. I have seen large rooms, small rooms, closets, and garage walls being used.
No matter how big or how small your area is there are some essentials in every utiltiy area. If you have anything to add to the list, please share!
Trash can – For the tags, dryer lint, and the misc. trash you may find in pockets. I was surprised how convenient it is to have a trash can in your utility area. I believe it is a must have! 
Bins to contain laundry supplies- Depending on your space, these can come in all shapes and forms. The point is to keep all like items together in one spot. For example one bin may contain all stain removers, one bin may be all laundry detergents. 
Lazy Susan – Can be very useful in utility rooms for items used frequently. It is an alternative from using a bin.
Think up- If you are working in a small space, look up, adding a couple of shelves can really make a difference in your storage space.
Think thin- The portable stacking shelves to the right can easily fit in between the washer and dryer. It doesn’t take much space, however you can fit all of the essentials.
Sorting Hampers – If you have the room, sorting hampers can contain your laundry. Rather than having a bunch of clothes on the floor, you can sort and put them in the hampers. If you are not able to finish all of the laundry like planned, it looks more contained and tidy.
Hanging Rack – You can buy inexpensive hanging racks for your utility room and then when you are done they fold easily in between the washer & dryer. 
Iron Organizer - You can find these that go on the back of the door or on the wall. Very handy to keep the iron and board together, without taking up a lot of space.
There are many great products available. The most important thing before buying product is to assess your needs and your space. Measure and know what is going into the product then buy.
All of the products shown can be found at The Container Store.
Happy Organizing!
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