It Was a Gift!
Here we are on excuse #2 – “It was a Gift” 
This is a common dilemma we all have when we are sorting through our things. There is this guilt we feel when someone gives us a gift. We feel we need to keep it forever. Even if it’s something we don’t really like or would use. It’s worse when it comes from a dear friend or family member. There is no doubt this can be a sticky situation.
This is my theory….If the gift is being stored in a box, not being displayed, and not being used… Then give yourself permission to give it to someone who may actually really enjoy it or use it. Just because it was given to you does not mean you have to keep it forever. This is your home and your space, and it should only represent who you are, what you love and what brings joy into your life.
I’m curious… Have you ever had a family member or friend notice a gift was not being displayed or being used? How did you handle the situation? Share your stories.. How do you relieve yourself of the guilt you may feel?
Oregon- Prescription Drug Turn In Event!
This announcement is for anyone who lives in Oregon. There is going to be an event on Saturday, March 13th at various locations ( For full list of locations, Click Here ) where you can safely dispose your old medications.
These could be expired medications or ones you no longer use. Now is a great time to go through your cabinets and know you are disposing of the medications in the right way. Flushing them down the toilet is no longer the right way.
To protect your family, community and environment, make this a priority this weekend!
Thank you!
Nikki Kinzer
Excuses, Excuses!
Part of getting organized is going through your belongings and making decisions on what is staying and what is going. Some people find this process relevantly easy. They have no problems getting rid of something they have not used in the last year. Others, well not so easy. I have heard many excuses of why something is important. Sometimes those reasons are valid. Other times, well not so much! 
This week, we are going to explore the Top Three Excuses, of why you are not letting something go!
#1 Excuse: ”I might need it someday”
Oh I have heard this so many times, and honestly I have said it myself for my own stuff… If you are a planner, like me, you want to be prepared for what the future may bring. With in reason, this theory makes sense.
However, if you are really trying to make a decision on how much “stuff” you have, you have to be realistic. What do you really need? What do you need right now? Being prepared is not a bad thing, but having too many things you might need or projects you may finish someday can be a bad thing. It can slow you down from your present life. It can actually bring more stress and chaos just by sitting in a closet.
When I start to feel like I have too much, I start to feel suffocated. If this is how you feel, you need to make some hard decisions. What brings you joy? Don’t keep something because you feel you have too. Don’t keep something if your heart does not desire to finish it.
All we know for sure is where we are today. Live in the present. Many items can be borrowed, many items can be replaced if need be. Create the space you want to live in.
This is a difficult process, no doubt, but remember what your goals are, remember where you want to go, and the life you want to live.
“Happiness is not an accident. Nor is it something you wish for. Happiness is something you design.” -Jim Rohn
Happy Organizing!
The Habit of Organization!
I recently read an excellent article, ” The One Deadly Sin of Changing Habits” by Zen Habits. This is a great article and I highly recommend it to anyone trying to change something in their life.
Change is hard. There is nothing about change that is easy. Even if you know it’s in your best interest, it’s still very difficult to get in the habit of doing something you have done forever in a new way! 
I read this article and couldn’t help but think about organizing. Organizing is something we all are looking to get better at. Even some of the most organized people I know, still have to work at keeping the organization a reality.
They have to do it.
Zen Habits explains this is the one deadly sin in changing your habits… you don’t do it. If you don’t do it, the bad habit never goes away and the new habit is never formed.
How many of you have started an organizing project and then never finished? What was the reason? No accountability? No timeline? No motivation? Life just happened.
The article goes on to give you different tips on how to avoid this deadly sin and avoid the trap of never getting started. Many of the tips I have personally shared with my clients.
To add, I would suggest:
1) Schedule your organizing sessions on your calendar- make it a priority by writing it down. Make the commitment to be there just like any other appointment you would make.
2) Start Small and Easy- Pick the tasks that are easy to do and can be finished quickly. You will see the results and often times, this is the motivator you need to keep going.
3) If you get stuck - review your motivation of why you wanted to change this habit. Make yourself accountable – hire a professional, work together with your family, make it happen.
4) Don’t give up – like we learned in the Olympics in the last 2 weeks, obstacles happen, life happens, it’s how you deal with those obstacles which will be the key to your success.
5) Just do it!
Click her to read the full article, “The One Deadly Sin of Changing Habits”, By Zen Habits.
Celebrate the Small Successes!
My last post was about creating change in our lives. It was about what can we do differently to make a difference in our lives, and the lives around us.
Many of you reading this blog may be on a journey to become more organized. Wanting to live a life of less stress with more order and control. Maybe there is something else in your life you are trying to do or be better at.
But you do not have to win a gold medal in the Olympics or in our case, organize your whole home in a day. No. What I think you should do is celebrate! Celebrate every success. Large or small.
Taking the first steps, the small steps to better ourselves. Sometimes just making the phone call to a Professional Organizer is the hardest step. You did it. Celebrate! You are reading this blog to get tips and ideas on how to better your home. Celebrate! You spent 15 minutes going through a cluttered closet. Celebrate!
Whatever your goal may be whether it’s to become more organized, stop smoking, whatever, it doesn’t matter.. Just don’t forget to celebrate the small successes!
“You have achieved success if you have lived well, laughed often and loved much.” - Anonymous
Happy Organizing!
