The Purpose of Sentimental in Your Life→

I've been spending many hours lately supporting clients with the decision and tidying process for their sentimental items.  Part of my role is to set up sustainable storage and organization systems such as this child's memory and art bin.  While the client's role in establishing systems is relatively stress-free, it is still ultimately up to the client to decide what to keep and store in such system. 

This is the hard part: deciding which sentimental items to keep and which to let go. When guiding people through this decision process, the following approaches are helpful:

* The function of a sentimental item is to spark a memory for us.  This memory might be a positive, negative, confusing or ambivalent one. Think about what types of emotions related to your past you would like to relive when keeping items. 

* When processing large amounts of sentimental items such as from a deceased family member, first divide into the 5 categories (clothing, books, papers, miscellaneous, sentimental). Then allow all family members to review categories and decide what items they wish to incorporate into their daily lives or keep to cherish. 

* If identifying how previously stored sentimental items will be incorporated into your own life and home, take a moment to first establish a vision regarding this category.  Would you like many boxes of items stored forever out of sight?  There is nothing wrong with this choice, as long as you store them using preservation methods and periodically (every 3-5 years) review the items.  Maybe you would like most sentimental items incorporated into your daily life or on display?  

* When choosing to incorporate or display items, get creative!  College and sports T-shirts can be made into a patchwork blanket.  Other meaningful clothing items such as wedding attire or family members' clothing can be repurposed into a clothing item for frequent use.  Jewelry and heirlooms can be worn or put on display. Photographs and other sentimental papers should be transferred to acid-free storage or framed and put on display. There is no limit to the imagination involved in incorporating sentimental items into our lives. 

* People often have collections of sentimental items, such as many personal journals or many letters from the same family member. Deciding how many or which ones to keep from such collections can be very difficult. However, even if only one item from each collection is kept, that item is still going to spark the memory which is associated with that part of your life (a person, relationship, career, travel experience, etc). And after all, since the function of sentimental items is to spark the related memory, this can still be accomplished in a meaningful way without saving the entire collection.

I hope you enjoy incorporating sentimental items into your daily life and home!

The Perfect Kitchen

The perfect kitchen is one that works for you!

Wether you are moving into an empty kitchen, remodeling your home, or just need a periodic reorganization, this is what you can do to customize functionality and aesthetics for your household's kitchen needs:

1. Identify who is doing the food preparation in your home and consult with all members (including any kids who cook) for the next step in this process

2. Take post-it notes and a marker, and while standing at your "action center" of the kitchen (usually the stove area or your most used counter space), begin to identify what tools or items you need closest to you and continue writing categories on notes and attaching to drawers and cabinets as you work your way out from the "action center"

3. Measure and research for any organizational items that will be helpful for those labeled spaces (drawer dividers, containers, risers, turntables, etc)

4. When procuring organizational items, this is the time to be mindful about any aesthetic or design goals you have for your overall home, as well as making sure the functionality of products will work for all family members

5. Once any products are obtained, place or reorganize existing kitchen items to match the post-it note decisions and your product infrastructure

6. Prepare a meal to test out the functionality and make any adjustments needed

Home Renovation?

I often work with clients who are remodeling their home. While they're looking forward to the planned improvements, most people are overwhelmed during the process and unsure about how and when to fit in the purging and reorganization of belongings.

Here's the ideal sequence of events:

1. Consult with a professional organizer who can provide expert recommendations for your specific household needs BEFORE renovation plans are drafted. This is such a valuable way to make sure the final result will support functionality and storage needs. Tidy Evolution offers this service!

2. Begin reviewing and purging items in all affected renovation areas with PLENTY of advance time (weeks or months). I often get the following type of inquiry: "Next week we'll be moving out for a temporary 6 month period while our house is remodeled. I need to downsize everything and have the house empty by then." Don't let this be you!!

3. Once renovation is complete, take the time to plan out in DETAIL where all of your kept items will live. Before moving anything back into the remodeled areas or home, assign each area, cabinet, or shelf a category to be stored there. My favorite strategy is to label one Post-It note with each category (plates, mugs, silverware, etc) and then attach and rearrange notes to locations as needed.

Here's to happy and successful renovations!

Back to School Tips

Is it back to school for your family?

Aside from my work with Tidy Evolution, I'm also a parent and educator.  Which means this time of year is "back to school" for our household.  If the shift to the school year is also an occurrence in your life, here are some tips to get back on track and stick to a smooth routine!

1. Take a few days before the start of school to assess each person's needs for items such as backpacks, lunch bags, water bottles, and school supplies.  Make a list of any missing items and set about acquiring them.

2. Have a household meeting to review what the school day schedule will be for each person and make sure everyone is informed regarding transportation to and from school, any after school activities, and important/emergency contact numbers.

3. If needed, establish or revise your home's in/out entry area.  Does every person have an appointed place for bags, keys, sports equipment, etc?  This may also be a good location for a school or public library book basket, to collect library books once read and therefore facilitate efficient returns.

4. Finally, dedicate a day(s) prior to school start for practicing the new schedule.  Follow the school day wake times, morning routing, and evening routine.  Make sure to include plenty of buffer time during transitions for any moments needed to locate a last minute item or other mini emergency.

Travel Plans? Here's how to pack!

It's all good once you're on the plane, right?

I feel truly privileged and grateful to have travel experiences in my life. But to be honest, I don't love the packing. Can you relate?

Travel packing can often feel overwhelming, especially when limited time or unforeseen last minute responsibilities are involved. Here's a refresher guide for reducing the overwhelm factor:

1. Yes, make a list
It might seem nerdy but an itemized list will help you stay focused. Make your list at least 2 weeks in advance of travel to allow time for acquiring any missing items. Include travel day outfits in the list, making sure to have appropriate layers for any climate change. The 2 travel day outfits can often be the same outfit or variation worn twice.
Your list may be formatted by type of item and quantity:
T-shirts (4)
- or by type of outfit and quantity -
Beach outfits (2)
Dinner outfits (3)

2. Account for trip circumstances
Factors such as climate, length of stay, option to wash laundry, cultural norms for dressing, and availability to purchase goods will influence the quantity and types of items on your list. For specialized trips involving specific activities and gear, do a deeper level of research to locate packing recommendations from relevant experts. 

3. Start packing 2 days before travel date
By now you should have purchased or borrowed any missing items from your packing list. Gather all list items in one location where they can stay in progress for the next 2 days, such as a table, extra bed, or floor space.

4. "Backwards" plan by setting out your travel day outfit 
Set aside every single item you will wear on travel day, including shoes and accessories.

5. Pack up your personal/ carry-on bag 
First pack up travel day essentials in the backpack or personal bag you plan to use. Make sure items are adhering to airline or other mode of transportation guidelines. Include travel documents such as passports and enough snacks, medication, or other essentials to get you through the entire time of your travel day.

6. Finally, categorize and pack up remaining gathered items
Utilize space saving and organizational strategies such as travel size toiletry containers, packing cubes, shoe bags, and rolling or file folding clothing items. As you pack, make any edits needed to ensure that everything fits. Try reducing items a bit first before choosing to add in an additional suitcase or bag!

Decluttering Versus Cleaning

Public Service Announcement!

Successful deep cleaning can only happen AFTER thorough decluttering. No exceptions.

If you're inspired this spring to carry out a deep cleaning and reset for your home space, chances are your desired result will take more pre-planning and clutter purging than a one-weekend "have at it" approach. 

That's because no matter how efficient and detailed you or your housecleaning professionals are at the scrubbing and polishing, deep cleaning can only happen if there are actually available surfaces to clean!

This symbiotic declutter-clean relationship spotlights an entire group of benefits gained from maintaining a clutter-free and cleanable home:

reduction of dust, pollen, and other airborne allergens

prevention of mold and mildew buildup

increased visibility for the detection of pipe leaks or appliance malfunctions

consistent access and ability to clean furnishings and important belongings increases their life span

Happy Decluttering, then Happy Cleaning :)

KonMari for Transitions

Change Happens!

Whether it's a planned and anticipated life accomplishment, or an unexpected change that presents a challenge, one thing remains the same:

There's a Transition
Changes and transition periods can be major events (graduating, relocating, getting married/divorced, having a child, launching a career, retirement, losing a loved one)

Or subtle differences (change of job position, home remodel, loss or gain of physical weight or health status, new hobbies, mindset shifts)

Either way, a transition period is an important time to be aware of our personal needs and self care.  It may be helpful to consider some of the following extra support during a transition period:

- professional mental health 

- exercise/ physical health/ body care

- meals

- childcare

- personal assistant

- housework

- professional organizing 

Transition + KonMari

When a transition includes the relocation, restructuring, or redefinition of our relationship with personal belongings, the KonMari Method® offers the perfect framework of categorization and joy checking to complete the process with mindful, efficient, and lasting results!

Does it Stay or Does it Go?

When using the KonMari method to process and tidy up our belongings, one consistent action is essential to all items in each of the 5 categories: The decision to keep or let go.

This decision will be an easy one to make for many items, however there are likely to be a number of belongings which present harder decisions for us to make.

Remember, when using the KonMari method the “litmus test” or “rule” for deciding on an item is not defined by a set instruction such as “get rid of all items you have not used for the past 2 years”. Instead, we use the feeling of “spark joy” as a guideline to help make our decision.  So what does the question: “Does it spark joy?” really mean?

“Spark joy” refers to the feeling or identification of joy that you will notice when using or considering an item.  These feelings may include happiness, nostalgia, comfort, security, purposefulness, necessity.  An item can spark joy because it is aesthetically pleasing, fun to use, or sentimental for you.  But an item can also spark joy in a utilitarian sense, such as a soup spoon that fits in your hand perfectly or your raincoat which does such a good job at keeping you dry. 

When faced with a difficult decision regarding one of your belongings, use the following questions and prompts as guidelines to help you identify if the item sparks joy for you and continues to support your ideal lifestyle:

1. Is this an item that I continue to use in my life (either on a regular, occasional, or seasonal basis)?  If not, your decision will be: a) let go or b) incorporate the activity or action into your life again so that the item may be used in a desired context.

2. If the belonging is a clothing item or personalized utilitarian item and your answer from question #1 is b, then you will additionally need to examine if the item will still fit and be functional once you re-incorporate the context into your life. For example, if your item is a pair of soccer cleats and you plan on returning to play soccer, try them on now and make sure they fit comfortably and are functional.  If they are not, let them go and add a replacement pair to your shopping list. 

3. Is this an item that sparks joy for me in the sensory classification?  Do I like the color, aesthetic, sound or noise it makes, the smell of it, or the feel of the material or fabric? If yes to any or all of these, then you might choose to keep. If no, your options are: a) let go or b) keep even if it really doesn't spark joy for your senses but if it does spark joy in a utilitarian way as a specific item that is useful either frequently or occasionally.

4. Is this an item that is very special to me in a sentimental, memorabilia, or other meaningful way? If yes, you have two options: a) let it go even if it is meaningful to you, as you may feel the desire to do this if you are ready to move past whatever experience, relationship, or situation that is represented by the item, and in this case you may thank the item for holding a special place in your life and say goodbye or b) keep the item and make an effort to incorporate it into your daily life so that you may interact with it on a regular basis, therefore sparking more joy for you, such as displaying, framing, or repurposing photographs, artwork, letters, momentos, family heirlooms, special clothing.

Get Creative With Labels

Here’s the fun part of organization: Making stuff look pretty! Labeling can range from basic handwriting to creative solutions for unique container types. Check out these examples for inspiration.

Preserving Family Photos

When your family photos are in yellowed and sticky albums, here is a plan for saving and preserving sentimental images:

1. If the photos can be removed without sticky residue remaining on the back, you will have both options of either transferring to a new album or moving directly to digitization.

2. If choosing new album, remove photos gently and temporarily place in a container.

3. If they cannot be removed or if you have already decided on going digital, you can move directly to “digitizing” the images by the following ways:

   • with your phone, simply take the best photo you can of each image and then store in “the cloud” or your computer hard drive

   • use a portable hand held scanner to capture each image

   • find a photo digitization service, this is often offered at photo labs and data management companies

If your photos were removed easily and you choose not to go digital at this time, re-organize the photos in an acid free album.

However, if upon removing the photos you are undecided about next steps, don’t worry! Place them temporarily into a clean shoebox but do not store them away. Add a note in your calendar (no more than one week out) to revisit the process and make a decision for the final plan.

Once you have chosen to digitize photos but want to actually enjoy them, there are many online services and local photo stores that can turn your images into photo books!

Holding Space for Sentimental

Holding Space for Sentimental

When you carry out the KonMari process with your belongings, it is typical to encounter sentimental items as you process the Clothing, Books, Papers, and Komono categories. Common examples of sentimental and memorabilia include t-shirts from college, wedding gowns, childhood books, love letters and greeting cards, photos, and “heirloom” household items or artwork.

As you encounter each item, you may be overcome with memories and emotions and temped to pause the process in order to reminisce. However, the KonMari method advises to set aside every sentimental item you come across, to be addressed as it’s own and very last category and given your full attention with sharpened “joy checking” skills. In this way, you are faced with the opportunity to really take time and hold space for your decisions and emotions with each sentimental item.

Here are some possible outcomes for you to keep in mind when considering the future of your sentimental belongings:

1. You feel ready to let go of the item, and therefore dispose of it accordingly (trash, recycle, donate, sell, gift)

2. You wish to keep the item but need to preserve it better (acid free photo album, photo or art digitization, climate controlled storage, etc)

3. You have a small amount of sentimental items to keep that don’t need special preservation (these can be kept in a keepsake box or container and stored in your closet or other location)

4. You identify items that you would like to keep because they bring you so much joy to experience them and therefore make a plan to incorporate them into your daily life (display on wall or in a case, use as household object, etc)

5. You identify items that you love and want to keep, but don’t serve a purpose in their original form (consider repurposing projects - such as making a quilt out of t-shirts, sewing a new clothing item out of special fabric, using a chipped coffee mug as a pen holder, etc)

How to Tame the "Komono" Monster

Clutter that consists of a jumbled mix of items can be very stressful and overwhelming. Whether you are drowning in miscellaneous (referred to as the “Komono” category), or just need to refine your cabinet organization, subcategorization is your friend! Here are some guidelines to remember when tackling your Komono:

1. Sort your Komono clutter into subcategories

2. Process each subcategory - keep, donate, trash/recycle

3. Discard - immediately remove the discard items to be donated or otherwise disposed

4. Store - find appropriate homes for each subcategory of items while keeping the following in mind:
   * store priority items closest to activity center and reach level
   * store similarly sized objects grouped together
   * ensure visibility by using clear containers, labels, and vertical placement of objects in drawers

Make sure to focus on only one subcategory at a time!

Papers, Papers, Everywhere!

Are you ready to tackle your papers in your home or office? Follow this guide for a structured process!

Pile your papers - start by gathering files and piles of older papers first and work your way towards more current documents as you sort

Sort into categories - keep, shred, trash/recycle

Discard - immediately remove the discard papers to be shredded, tossed, or recycled

Subcategorize - separate your “keep” documents into “inbox”, “temporary keep”, and “permanent keep” categories

Order - arrange your “temporary keep” and “permanent keep” chronologically or by any other order that applies

Store vertically - store your “temporary keep” and “permanent keep” categories vertically in files or upright containers, and create an inbox that is either vertical or horizontal

KonMari paper “keep” categories and document examples:

Got Books?

How to Organize Books the KonMari Way 

Collect: 

Gather your books from all locations into one pile.  Check bookshelves, office, desk, nightstand, etc. If you keep cookbooks in the kitchen, create this individual pile in the kitchen and complete the organizing process separately for this category.  Do not include library books in the process, as those should be stored in a separate location from the books you own, such as a shelf, cubby or basket near your home entrance to facilitate library book return/check out.

Subcategorize: 

Separate books into categories based on what types of texts are represented.  It may make sense to only have two broad categories such as fiction and non-fiction.  Especially with large quantities of books, you will need to subdivide into many categories of fiction (historical fiction, sci-fi, novels, etc) and non-fiction (memoirs, scientific texts, instructional books, etc) so that you can take precise inventory of each text type.  If your book collection contains texts written in multiple languages, you may choose to integrate all languages into genre/text subcategories or you may group different languages separately and subcategorized within each language collection. 

Joy Check and Sort: 

Sort through subcategories one at a time.  Hold each book individually and decide if it goes in the keep or discard pile.  As you build your discard pile, these can all be grouped together with the exception of any texts already destined for a friend or family member.  For the keep piles, maintain the same subcategories as the groups they came from.  In general, non-reference books that you have been “meaning” to read for a long time will likely remain unread and therefore are good candidates for letting go.  Reference books on specific or obscure topics that cannot be easily researched on-line are better to keep as it may be difficult to re-acquire the information.  Keep an eye out for duplicates, placing any duplicate titles in the discard pile unless you have a very good reason for owning more than one copy of the text.  If you encounter memorabilia books and/or photo albums, these should be set aside and processed with other sentimental items or joy-checked and displayed once you are storing the “keep” books.

Dispose: 

You will now have “keep” books in subcategorized groups, and “discard” books in one large pile.  The most efficient way to discard the entire group of books is to donate at a center such as Goodwill.  If you have time and are interested in specific books going to specific organizations and needs, you may separate the discard pile into different destinations. For example, newer/better quality books can be donated to the public library, children’s books might go to preschools or family support organizations, all or specific books can be posted in Facebook groups such as The Buy Nothing Project,   and any book can be placed in a neighborhood “little library”.  

Store and Display: 

Before putting any books back, take stock of your keep subcategories and the amount of texts in each group.  Now either visually or by drawing a model, estimate the best storage section of your bookcase or other book area for each category.  Your books can be “stored” back into various locations of the house if this is appropriate, such as bookshelves, office, coffee table, night stand, etc.  In general, when storing many books on a typical multi-shelf bookcase, place physically larger books on the bottom shelf and work towards the top in descending size. This will create a visually pleasing aesthetic without a “top-heavy” image.  Get creative with storage and display!  Books can be arranged by category, genre, size, color, or any other grouping you can think of.  Also, many non-traditional storage spaces can be utilized for books, such as baskets, wall displays, drawers, and cabinets.

KonMari Closet Reset

After identifying your lifestyle vision, the first category of the KonMari process is clothing. Follow these 6 steps for your closet reset!

Pile Up: Remove all contents from closet and pile onto bed or open space. Remove items that are not clothing, shoes, or accessories. Next gather all clothing items from elsewhere in the home or car and add to the pile. Finally clean closet space for a fresh start.

Subcategorize: Separate the entire pile into subcategories (pants, shirts, socks, scarves, etc) and group these in their own stack or container for clear visual boundaries. This division will be especially good for cataloguing how many/what color of each type of item you have.

Joy Check: Specific to Marie Kondo’s method, this step is the most transformative and deserves your full attention. Start with clothing and move through shoes, all worn accessories (including handbags), then jewelry. As you hold each item, register it’s joy factor for you. Does it make you smile? Protect you from the elements? Provide comfort? Set “keepsake” items aside for the sentimental category.

Keep and Discard: As you joy check each item, place “keep” subcategories in one area. “Discard” items should be thanked for their service (verbally or mentally) and placed together in boxes or bags. Decide what destinations the discard items will go to (local donations, gifted to someone, sold), and label accordingly. Place all discard items by your front door and commit to letting them go ASAP.

Take Stock: You will now have a defined amount of “keep” items for each category. Review these groups and make a list of anything essential that is missing. Did all of your pants go to “discard” because your style, job, or the climate you live in changed? Next assess and measure your closet space and add any needed shelving, hangers, or bin items to the list.

Put it Together: First replace the hung clothing items. If items have previously become misshapen on hangers, consider folding or rolling. Next store folded items in drawers or bins/baskets on shelves. Vertical folding is an excellent choice for space maximization, visibility, and rotation. Finally put shoes and all accessories away. Use racks and containers for each category. If jewelry is included, display in a way that sparks joy and is easily accessible!

From Vision to Reality

From Vision to Reality

During this January month, will you be reviewing goals or establishing new resolutions? If so, try approaching the process of annual renewal through the creative framework of lifestyle vision. As the first step to Marie Kondo’s organizing method, your vision is the guiding foundation that redefines your relationship to stuff. How can practicing KonMari with your belongings lead to fulfilling your lifestyle vision?

Let’s break it down with some options and examples:

1. Identify Your Vision By…
   * Writing a narrative of your ideal day, including what you eat, wear, and do
   * Drawing a picture of your favorite surroundings and how you fit into the setting
   * Making a collage of images that represent your interests and desires
   * Visualizing the experiences or sensory states that make you feel happy and at peace

Take Action By…
* Narrative includes gardening:
Gather all gardening clothes, tools, and equipment. Keep what is comfortable and functional. What is missing? Maybe a stool or kneeling pad to allow for extended time at plant level.
* Drawing depicts you hosting a dinner party:
Take stock of the dining area in your home and declutter the room if needed. Do you have enough chairs, dinnerware, napkins? Too many? Discard or obtain what you need, then draft a guest list.
* Collage has a fancy car image:
First do some research by test driving a bunch of cars. Comfortable seat? Fit everything when doing errands? If so, evaluate your budget to determine if the expense will also spark joy. If not, treat yourself to a fancy car rental every month!
* Visualization appears as the color purple:
Is this color represented in your home and belongings? If not, paint a wall, collect throw pillows, or add this color to your wardrobe and accessories so that you may gaze upon it more frequently.

December Organization

Are you ready for 2021? If you are enjoying a staycation this December, you might take some time to catch up on paperwork and make sure your personal administration is in order. The following reminders will make your new year transition smoother!

Review your paper filing system
If your system works for you, then just catch up on filing, shredding, and recycling. To set up a new and simplified system, start by gathering ALL papers and discard first then keep inbox, short term, and permanent categories.

Email management
Take a moment to delete, unsubscribe, and categorize. If the sheer volume is too much or your system is no longer serving your needs, consider trying some of the free or paid organizing tools for integrating and managing email accounts.

ID documents
Check the renewal dates for your driver’s license, passport, and any other state/federal identification. If your driver’s license expires soon, take the time now to check the Real ID requirements and consider that option.

Check your insurance coverage
Review home, auto, health and any other insurance policy to make sure you are getting the coverage you need.

Personal accounting and financial planning
Catch up on your personal accounting and review all accounts. If you are new to financial planning, it’s never too early to start and valuable information can be gained from an intro meeting with a professional financial planner.

Dare I say it… TAXES!!!
No surprise here, with every new year comes tax season. This month, plan the timeline for preparing your own taxes or check in with your CPA or tax professional for scheduling an appointment or providing your documents.

Clutter Free Gifting

During the holiday season, many of us are dependent on the habit of gifting “things”. If you’d like to encourage clutter free gifting amongst your family and friends, here are some ideas for gifting or adding to your own personal wish list.

YOUR TIME

Often overlooked, our time is the most valuable gift we can give to loved ones. This holiday season, schedule some shared time (in person or virtual) for an outing, activity, meal, or supportive conversation. Make it special by sending a fancy "invite" card!

A SERVICE

People often welcome a little professional support in their busy lives. Ask your loved one what they really need and take it upon yourself to make it happen. Services such as housecleaning, home or yard maintenance, meal delivery, or childcare tend to be appreciated. Many businesses offer gift certificates!

AN EXPERIENCE

Identify a new experience for your giftee and secure their availability. Remember, just because you are dying to try something, it doesn't mean everyone is! Make sure your gift is desired by either running it by the person in advance or relying on dependable information if your gift will be a surprise.

SUPPORT A CAUSE

Donating money, time, or resources on behalf of your loved one is still a wonderful gift with a wide ripple effect. Either ask them outright what they would like to support, or learn more about the person's values, priorities, and passions. Then do some research for a fitting cause such as an educational scholarship or non-profit.

EXPERT ADVICE

People often have long term goals for personal or professional growth that may be hindered by lack of funds. For example, your loved one may benefit from a gift of education or consultation in areas such as physical or mental health, home improvement, financial literacy, or professional development.

AN INVESTMENT

What could be more meaningful than investing in someone's future? Although this may seem like the least exciting gift to exchange, consider this idea for loved ones who are in need of a financially structured plan. Investment accounts for education, health expenses, or retirement are options for you to establish or contribute to.

Clearing COVID Clutter

As we continue to focus on safety within our families and communities, some of us may be overwhelmed by the stay-at-home clutter and wondering where to start.

CLOSET CLEAN UP

Start with your wardrobe! Whether your attire has evolved along with the changing nature of your professional responsibilities or there are children in your household shedding outgrown clothing, chances are the closets are overdue for a cleaning. In addition to donation centers reopening, there are many online community groups that could help. For example, look up your local chapter of the The Buy Nothing Project on Facebook.

RETURN THOSE BOOKS

Do you have a corner full of library books? A stack of good reads to return to friends? If your public library isn’t open yet, they are likely to be accepting drop off returns and in many cases are setting appointments for book pick up. After that’s taken care of, inquire with friends if they are comfortable with a porch drop off.

DEAL WITH YOUR DESK

For most of us, these past months have required the incorporation of office and/or school into our homes. If this has resulted in domestic chaos, you are not alone! If possible, each working or schooling individual
should have their own space. One desk or table can serve multiple people with the use of a divider or curtain. Focus on sorting and organizing your own work space first before helping family members.

FACE THE CATCH-ALL

Your home might have a spare room that contains a growing pile of stuff. If you have the time and enthusiasm for organizing the entire space, start by separating items into categories and then sort out the disposal items before storing each category in its own box, basket, cabinet, or shelf. If you need a quick way to open up the space, remove the largest item in the room and find a permanent place for it in your home or donate it.

TRASH TO TREASURE

You can transform the ordinary treasures from household clutter into cherished and useful items using a little creativity. With the holidays approaching, consult Pinterest or crafting books for projects such as a T-shirt quilt or a framed jewelry organizer. This one was made from wedding dress fabric and an antique embroidery hoop. For gift wrapping, use kids’ artwork or the comics section from old newspapers.

INBOX DETOX

With increased remote work and school, email accounts are working overtime! Can’t find that important Zoom invite? Bombarded by distance learning protocol updates? Take a moment to delete, unsubscribe, and categorize. If the sheer volume is too much, or if your personal system is no longer serving your needs, consider trying some of the free or paid organizing tools for integrating and managing email accounts.

Staying Sane While Staying Home

Still stuck at home a lot? Many of us continue to spend the majority of time at home as we work and school remotely. Follow these reminders to preserve your sanity!

UNPACK YOUR BAGS

Leaving the house less these days? Unpacking your bags upon return is still essential, especially if you want to avoid “misplacing” an item between outings. Use a horizontal surface (table, bench, shelf, chair, even the floor!) close to your front door as a bag unpacking/sorting station.

COMFY AND CLASSY

When it comes to stay at home attire, there can be a psychological benefit from changing out of your pajamas for the day. Identify 4-6 outfits that fulfill both comfort and professional standards and use these as a wardrobe base.

KEEP YOUR MIND ACTIVE

Make sure you continue participating in at least one type of mental activity that you have enjoyed in the past (reading, conversation, games, listening to news/podcasts/debates). This can be a good way to connect with others and stay engaged with the world around you.

GIVE YOUR WORK A SPACE

If there are members of your household working from home or distance schooling, set up workstations that are separate from sleeping areas. In homes with limited space, this can be achieved affordably by using a curtain, folding screen, or even existing furniture such as a bookshelf as a divider.

KITCHEN KINDNESS

When it comes to stay-at-home high usage areas such as the kitchen, be kind to yourself regarding cooking and cleaning expectations. If appropriate, create more structure for kitchen chores. If your budget allows, consider incorporating take out meals from local restaurants that are struggling to stay in business.

SIGHT FOR SORE EYES

If your home is accumulating more clutter than you can manage, you may notice feeling overwhelmed visually as you go through your day. Identify one spot in your home that you are near regularly and commit to keeping it visually joyful for you. This could be as detailed as an altar or collection display that you keep, or as simple as a beautiful plant or vase of flowers.