Simply Change - Professional Organizers in Asheville and Surrounding Areas

2017-06-08T18:55:00.001-04:00

In the last blog, I (Laura) mentioned one of my favorite moments: when a client sits down and watches us pack! It usually doesn’t last long: usually the length of a cup of tea maximum! But after working so hard for often months, the day we show up is such a relief for them.

That said, just a few days ago, a client inspired me more by sitting outside and read the paper while we worked inside. When I said I was inspired by him, he said that getting to relax is one of the benefits of getting older, and he was embracing it! What an inspiration, AND a positive way to look at aging, and for me: something to look forward to!

It is really the wisest thing, and a very intelligent use of time: hire us and let us cruise, because we can really move fast. Take the time to go shopping for items you need in your new place or just take it easy! Experience is a great teacher, and we have packed and unpacked thousands of boxes. We are an efficient, well-oiled machine once we start packing, especially; and on the unpacking end, we can either get everything out of boxes for you/us to detail in later, or we can work side-by-side with you and think things through as we go.

The efficiency and speed we can work with has got me considering my own life. Where can I ask for help? Where can I hire a professional to save myself time, energy, stress and often money? When I see how much we can help others, I want to see who can help me with what I need in a similar way.

And with the speed the world is moving at, sometimes it's nice to let that work to our benefit. Sometimes the items that you wondered about for weeks can be discussed and decided about in just a few seconds! Decisions that can swirl around in the brain can be easy once discussed in a logical and clear manner with people who understand the big picture of what's transpiring. And each conversation will likely take care of many of these swirling thoughts! Oh, what a relief!!....

So be easy on yourself, take time to take in the process, and trust it will all get done with ease and grace. That’s why you (hopefully) hired us! We get to take any worry out of the process for you. Just enjoy the process. Take the time to enjoy the items you are seeing and going through. Take the time to connect with out of town family that may be thinking of you at this time. Let the care and love in of the people around you that want to support you. The move itself will be fine.

2017-05-17T13:04:00.001-04:00

Even with the best laid plans, change can happen within those! In your own mind, with your partner and family, and with us, there could be the best made plan ever. And then, one day you decide you just can’t do that closet you said you would go through. Or you just can’t haul that box up the stairs yourself. Or you just need to talk. Or maybe you just need a hug.

We do make changes to make things “better”, but a big part of making a change is that we are letting go of something. As we let go, there can be some pain or sadness. It is important to feel that, actually, as not only does it make us human, but it lets us feel more fully the importance of what we are doing. It allows us to free up something inside ourselves to let something new happen for ourselves.

There is no situation or plan that requires any suffering. One of our favorite moments is when, tired from packing and processing themselves, we arrive to start packing, and the client plops down with a cup of tea to watch us work! It is actually really helpful and important at times, for their well being, and so that they can answer questions we may have for them about items, and also just to connect and maybe tell stories about the items being packed. We really enjoy being with our clients.

Some people like to plan to be present on move day; others go shopping and to lunch then come back to their home at the new place in the late afternoon! There are so many ways to approach a change.

Many people plan big moves months in advance, so they have time to thin out items before a move. Others decide it is time, trust us to do a logical downsizing for them, and move more quickly. Whatever the situation is, change can happen within the situation! Just be sure to communicate what you need and how others can help you.

Most of us have more help available to us than we realize, whether it’s friends to have dinner with when our kitchens are packed or marketing directors who want to help us have that great new color on our new walls. We just need to ask. And what goes around comes around, as later it may be you hosting the friends who’s kitchen is all packed for their move! And of course, we at Simply Change are here, too; so many people don't yet know there is help like our's available, to help with the hundreds of details.

The key is being in touch and letting people know what is going on for you. Most people really want to help and care, and many are so busy taking care of what’s in front of them. Especially when you are going through something big, stay connected to others and ask for anything you need.

2017-04-22T22:37:00.001-04:00

Have a Plan. Well, where am I supposed to get that?! Some may say…. Others may have a plan from the minute they decide to make a change. The more detailed your plan can be, the more it can help make your process smooth and easy.

For many, the plan is simple: get rid of some stuff! The law of nature is that an empty space will become filled. And with houses the size they are these days, many people have closet after closet with items tucked away.

Though it may seem to be no big deal at times, the truth is, it doesn’t serve the world or you in any way to have those items tucked away, unused for years and even forgotten. From what it represents (a part of your history tucked away and actually held onto versus being fully in the present) to the fact that someone else could be using or appreciating it, those items accumulate.

Change represents bringing those things into the Light. Perhaps a special story of an item that wants to be told to your grandchildren, or blankets that could be given to the homeless, there is much to be shared in moving items around. And, it just creates space, for newness, for creation, for connection.

When you are really ready for a change, especially one that brings up fear or anxiety or stress, there is help. From talking through why you want to change to where you would like to get to, and processing items one by one with you to helping get items out the door for donation or otherwise, we can help.

Items do have meaning, an energy, and when they are pulled out and looked at, there is a connection that happens with that item. What matters is what feeling they cause in you. Some items do not bring any joy—maybe even pain—and those might be good to let go of. Other items bring so much joy they need to be hanging on the wall to look at regularly. But getting up the energy and desire to go at this alone is not always possible, and that is one reason we are here.

Once you know change needs to happen, you are welcome to get in touch with us and talk through it. Making a plan is our specialty, having walked hundreds of clients through change. As you can see from our testimonials, we have helped a variety of clients with a variety of needs. Our goal is to make change easier for you--and let you have space to actually find joy in the process. Give us a call and let's chat!

Simply Change - Professional Organizers in Asheville and Surrounding Areas: Clarity Making Transitions Easier

2017-04-11T21:52:00.001-04:00

Simply Change - Professional Organizers in Asheville and Surrounding Areas: Clarity Making Transitions Easier

Simply Change - Professional Organizers in Asheville and Surrounding Areas: Getting Ready to Make a Change

2017-04-11T21:51:00.001-04:00

Simply Change - Professional Organizers in Asheville and Surrounding Areas: Getting Ready to Make a Change

Clarity Making Transitions Easier

2017-04-11T21:43:00.002-04:00

Another important quality that can help make transition easier is to BE CLEAR. As you go through the steps of becoming honest with yourself about what is needed, you will gradually become more and more clear of what you want and need.

Of course want and need are often closely entwined, but you can often have both fulfilled! Once you have come to the decision you want change, continue contemplating. Perhaps you want to journal or make a list of pros and cons for the different choices you have to make.

Change is often fueled by a need of some kind, or perhaps you are aware enough to look ahead and plan for the future. No matter the motivation for your change, you can manage to have both your needs and wants fulfilled! Set in place your needs, then put in place your wants. They are usually all possible.

Once you have really decided what is important to you, be sure to be clear in your communication with others. This is of course important first with your husband or wife or partner. You will come to a shared decision; allow this to take as long as it needs to, if you are able. Many decisions are ones that will affect you for years to come, so do allow each other to be on the same page before making big changes.

Thereafter, be sure to be clear with others around you. Family, children, sisters, brothers, etc. They will want to support you however they can.

Then, be sure to be clear with whomever is involved with making your move or change happen, be it marketing directors at a retirement facility or the movers you will be working with.

Simply Change can help you with any part of the actual process of movement or change. From the time you decide you are making a big move, you can meet with us, even a year in advance. If you are ready immediately, please get in touch right away. We offer our free one hour consultation specifically to help people get a clear picture of what they’re moving process can look like.

If you have decided you would like the assistance of Simply Change for downsizing or organization, we have a three hour minimum, and you can contact us to schedule anytime. We usually recommend having a couple of key areas to really get set up during that time, and we can also briefly go over another couple of areas during that time. Most areas of a home can be really set up in form and function in just a couple of days. We tend to not work more than about six hours in a day with one client because you will be making many decisions—so get some rest the night before!

For whatever change it is you are about to make, the more clear you can be the better—and we will start from wherever you are. We are here to make it as easy as possible.

And if you are unclear at this point, we can also start from there!! Like we said, we can help at any point in the process. We can become clear together on what will be most beneficial for you! It is a process, and we are here for that.

Getting Ready to Make a Change

2017-03-13T14:26:00.001-04:00

When it comes to making big changes, like moving or downsizing, there are an infinite number of ways to feel, be, and act when under the pressure to make that change. Most people do it with ease and grace, some become somewhat overwhelmed, but everyone makes it happen.

Our goal is to help everyone have a smooth and easy transition, no matter what. Here are a few qualities we have seen with clients that seems to make the move easier for everyone. We will discuss them over the next few blogs:

1 1) Be Honest

2 2) Be Clear (Including Communication)

3 3) Have a Plan

4 4) Ask for Help When Needed

5 5) Rest When Needed

6 6) Take Time to Have Fun

First of all, be honest—mostly with yourselves first. Why are you making this move or change? What are your strengths and abilities at this point in your life? Where would it be beneficial to get help—even if you “could” do it—to not cause yourself too much physical or mental stress? It may be that you could still do the move yourself, and maybe have dozens of times in your life, but is that the best thing for you now?

Our bodies all get older: it’s the law of human existence. How we age is up to us. The fact that you are considering your options by considering having Simply Change help you is kudos to your openness to what you may need now in your life.

You may be busy, such as working parents with two young children. If you make this work, kudos to you. And, your entire life may operate more smoothly with a few organizational systems in place, such as childrens’ closets being organized and accessible to them. As children age, new systems are needed to allow their independence and learning, and you may or may not have time, energy, or experience for that. In fact, would you rather be doing that, or spending one on one time with your children?

One of the best examples of honesty I have seen is a charming woman who has dementia. She has the most wonderful smile and happy spirit, and she just says quite early in most conversations that she has dementia and just wanted to let us know that. Her husband patiently processed their house to prepare for a big move, and was also honest that in many ways he needed help because it was too much to take on himself. They both touched our hearts with their earnestness and honesty as they made the transition from a large single family home where they had lived for years to a smaller home in a retirement community.

Whatever change you want in your life, being honest with yourself and others is a good first step. From there, the accurate plan can begin to be made.

Know someone suffering from A.D.H.D?

2010-07-25T19:38:00.000-04:00

The following article was published in the NY Times on July 19, 2010 and forwarded to me by Coach Rudy in Asheville, NC who specializes in helping people with ADHD. The toll of ADHD on marriage and relationships can be overwhelming. Does this sound familiar? Another reason to have a professional organizer who understand ADHD help you in the home and office!

Attention Disorders Can Take a Toll on Marriage
by Tara Parker-Pope
Does your husband or wife constantly forget chores and lose track of the calendar? Do you sometimes feel that instead of living with a spouse, you’re raising another child?
Your marriage may be suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
An A.D.H.D. marriage? It may sound like a punch line, but the idea that attention problems can take a toll on adult relationships is getting more attention from mental health experts. In a marriage, the common symptoms of the disorder — distraction, disorganization, forgetfulness — can easily be misinterpreted as laziness, selfishness, and a lack of love and concern.
Experts suggest that at least 4 percent of adults have the disorder, that as many as half of all children with A.D.H.D. do not fully outgrow it and continue to struggle with symptoms as adults, and that many adults with the disorder never received the diagnosis as children.
Adults with attention disorders often learn coping skills to help them stay organized and focused at work, but experts say many of them struggle at home, where their tendency to become distracted is a constant source of conflict. Some research suggests that these adults are twice as likely to be divorced; another study found high levels of distress in 60 percent of marriages where one spouse had the disorder.

The main thing to remember is there is help available. There are many ways to address ADHD and improve your situation.

How Cool is That?

2010-05-05T14:35:00.001-04:00

Between her husband and herself they had 8 children. Every child had been part of the packing, hauling, tossing, and moving process to get their parents out of the three-bedroom house into the two-bedroom apartment. And still there was a whole garage full of stuff to get rid of.

That’s where we came in. We took a look at the garage and said “sure”. The truth is we never know what we are saying “sure” to. Robert and I arrived wearing our I-don’t-care-if-they-get-trashed-clothes expecting lumber and paint. There was plenty of that. But underneath that there was the box of Victorian paintings, the beautiful art books, the “Hitler Invades Poland” newspaper, the old license plates, the silver spoons, many nice tools, and the beautiful old dresser.

We sat knee-to-knee eating our lunchtime sandwiches surveying the lumber and treasures and talked about finding the best outlet for all we had uncovered. After lunch we made a series of calls.

By ten o’clock the next morning the garage was spick and span. The auctioneer had arrived and taken half the items, an old buddy of the owner took all the wood and all the paint. Habitat had come and gone; we made three visits to the dump and a final stop at Goodwill.

Everyone was happy. The friend was grateful. Habitat wrote a receipt with a smile. The auctioneer shook our hands vigorously. We felt pride in our job. The owners were relieved and it is likely they will make enough from the auction to pay our fee. How cool is that?

Mother's Day

2010-04-26T13:10:00.000-04:00

Great gift for Mother's Day is a Gift Certificate for a closet, kitchen, garage or home makeover!

GREEN SPRING CLEANING

2010-03-22T14:49:00.000-04:00

GOOD Instructions: How to Spring Clean With Nontoxic Home-made Products

Tackling spring-cleaning this month? Us too. But there's no sense in doing it if you're going to create a big mess for the planet (and your body) in the process. Cleaning up your act isn't as straightforward as running to the pharmacy and picking out a bottle covered in claims of eco-friendliness and biodegradability, however. When it comes to home cleaning products a lot of eco claims are unverified and—worse—unverifiable, with rare exceptions like Seventh Generation.

Instead of wondering what kinds of toxic chemicals you're flushing down the toilet or dumping down the drain every time you decide your apartment's gotten a little grungy, stock up on a few things listed below, and keep these easy recipes handy. You'll probably notice you already have a lot of these ingredients in your house, and the ones you don't are way cheaper than any pre-made, environmentally unsound cleaner you can buy at the store.

What you'll need: White vinegar (kills most mold, bacteria, and germs); baking soda (deodorizes, scours surfaces, and is a natural cleaning agent); lemon juice (it has antibacterial and antiseptic qualities, is a natural bleach, and it controls odors); olive oil (polishes); salt (scours, cleans, and deodorizes); tea tree oil (kills germs); hydrogen peroxide (kills bacteria and mold); pure castile soap, such as Dr. Bronner’s (cleanses); empty spray bottles and reusable rags; essential oils you like the smell of.

• All-purpose cleaner. Equal parts vinegar and water. The vinegar smell dissipates as soon as it dries, but if it bothers you add a few drops of lemon juice. Put into a spray bottle and use for almost all of your cleaning.

• Windows and mirror cleaner. Pour a quarter of a cup of vinegar in a spray bottle, and fill the rest with with warm water. A bit of Eucalyptus oil rubbed on the mirrors will prevent them from fogging up.

• Floor soap. Fill a bucket with warm or hot water, add a quarter of a cup of vinegar and a dash of castile soap. Dunk your rag in the bucket, ring out, and wipe down the floors.

• Carpet deodorizer. For general cleaning on light colored rugs, sprinkle baking soda before you vacuum. For stains, mix equal parts borax or baking soda, salt, and white vinegar. Apply the paste to the stain and let dry, then vacuum.

• Tubs, countertops, and sink scrub. Mix baking soda with a bit of castile soap. You can add an essential oil for fragrance if you’d like. Scrub and rinse.

• Oven cleaner. Combone three parts baking soda, one part salt, and one part water. Spread the mixture across the oven surface and let sit for eight hours. Scrape and wipe clean.

• Natural drain cleaner. Take a half a cup of baking soda and pour it down the drain, followed by half a cup of vinegar. Let it fizz, then flush with hot water.

• Wood cleaner. Mix two parts olive oil with one part lemon juice. Rub the mixture into the furniture with a soft cloth and wipe away excess.

• Moldy grout remover. Mix a half a cup of hydrogen peroxide with one cup of water. Spray it on the moldy area, let it sit for 1 hour, and rinse.

• Shower spray. Fill a spray bottle with water and five to 10 drops of tea tree oil. Keep this in your shower. Shake up and spray after each shower. This will keep mold and mildew at bay. Replace it biweekly.

• Toilet. Mix a quarter of a cup of baking soda with one cup of vinegar. Pour the liquid into the basin and let sit for a few minutes. Scrub and flush.

• Stainless steel polish. Rub a little olive oil on the surface to remove streaks and prints.

• Marble, granite, or stone countertop cleaner. These materials require a different cleanser because the acidity of vinegar can etch the surface. Instead, substitute rubbing alcohol or vodka for vinegar in your all-purpose cleaner.

• Air freshener. Simmer a pot of water with cinnamon sticks and cloves or and a few drops of an essential oil you like on the stove.

• Read more: http://www.good.is/post/good-instructions-how-to-spring-clean-with-nontoxic-home-made-products/#ixzz0ivtsgRNv

credit: Millissa Skoro http://www.nrdc.org/

A four-step guide for organizing any room, plus strategies to prevent procrastination.

2010-01-16T10:53:00.000-05:00

Are you overwhelmed thinking about how to get your entire house in order? First, put away the notion that it will happen overnight, or even in a week. And keep in mind the goal isn't to end up with a sparkling space where everything is always in its place. The key to a more organized home isn't just about tossing most of your stuff and stashing the rest in cute containers (although they do help when the time is right) – it's more about recognizing and replacing bad practices with better habits that'll help you dig out from the mess on a daily basis.

The best part about the organizing process is that no matter what room you're wanting to straighten up, the rules are essentially the same — here's a four-step guide to get started, which also includes 13 strategies to prevent you from procrastinating along the way.

1. Define Your Space
For each room you want to organize, organizing expert Charlotte Steill says to take a notebook and sit down in each space, making notes on the following questions:

* How will the room be used by your family? A shared family space for games, toys and movies? An office for one or all? Be sure to account for all of the various activities because it will dictate what stays and what will get the boot when it comes time to sort the room's contents.
* What storage is available in the room? Built-in shelves, drawers, cabinets, a closet, baskets and bins? An ottoman with storage? A coffee table with drawers?
* What needs to be stored in the room to support its use? Toys, video games? Books, magazines? Computer equipment?
* What is your goal for the room?
* Does the furniture suit the room, or should it be rearranged or cleared out?

2. Sort Your Stuff
Once you have a plan, tackle only one room at a time and if you're still overwhelmed, narrow it down to one corner at a time. Then, says organizing expert Liz Witts, begin the organizing process by sorting the items into the following categories:

Keep: Items used on a regular basis.

Donate/Sell: Items that are no longer used or are duplicates — things that you can do without and would rather give it to someone else for them to benefit from.

Store: These are sentimental things that you want to hold on to but don't need to have cluttering up your daily living space.

Trash/Recyle: Things that are no longer usable. Worried about how to decide what gets tossed? Follow Liz's suggestion, "If you need to spend more than 15 seconds thinking about what something is, or when you last used it, or why you even have it, then you probably don't need it."

One caveat before you rid yourself of excess: Consider a secondary use for things you're thinking of pitching. Plastic ware can be turned into storage in drawers and cabinets and even old towels can be used for cushioning in a dog bed.

3. Set Up Storage Systems
Now that you're left with only the items you intend to keep, it's essential to set up "homes" or "zones" to maintain organization. "If you are forever misplacing your car keys, create a home for them," says organizing expert Pam Socolow. "Hang hooks near the door, or put an attractive box in a convenient place — whatever works for you. Try to establish a routine of always placing the keys in the designated spot."

Use well-labeled containers to create a storage system, and let your family know where things are located. If space is at a premium, add shelves inside closets to make use of the vertical wall space, says Liz Witts. If you have small children, attach hooks at lower heights so they can hang up their jackets and bags. Adjustable shelving, such as a closet system, is ideal because it can be moved to accommodate various storage needs. Use plastic shoeboxes — or again, even extra plastic ware normally used for food storage — to create kits for things such as sewing items, shoe repair and extension cords.

4. Stay Focused
Procrastination can have a snowball effect — the little things you put off each day can pile up to the point where you're at a loss as to how you'll ever whittle down your perpetually growing to-do list. To help you avoid the inevitable moment when your organizing efforts begin to slide, take note of these 13 strategies from organizing expert Monica Ricci:

Mental Strategies
1. Vividly imagine the way you'll feel inside after the task or project is complete.
2. Focus on your desired result, not your fear or inaction.
3. Imagine yourself completing the task or project easily, quickly and with no setbacks.
4. Tune into your procrastination language in your head and derail it with positive thoughts of "I want to," "I can," and "I enjoy" instead.
5. Let go of perfectionism. Many things aren't worth doing perfectly, so just start and do your best.

Physical Strategies
1. Get an accountability buddy to keep you on task along the way.
2. Work out the steps to the project on paper in advance to clarify your thoughts and eliminate all the emotional whirlwind around why you don't want to begin the task or project.
3. Master the art of starting. Over and over again.
4. Do the hard parts first. Or...
5. Do the easy parts first. Whichever motivates you more is the one you should choose.
6. Keep a progress log so you don't lose sight of how much you've accomplished.
7. Break your project into small, manageable chunks and create interim deadlines for yourself along the way.
8. Build in rewards for yourself as you finish each step or as you complete the project.

Source: HGTV.com

A list of 10 ways excessive clutter can affect you and control your life:

2009-08-27T11:52:00.000-04:00

1. Emotionally
Excessive clutter often causes feelings of guilt, anger, shame and embarrassment that create an inner feeling of burden and heaviness.
Clutter can drain your energy - and you may not even notice it until the clutter is gone. Every item in your home has an energy to it. When items go a long time unused, unloved and uncared for, they become stuck, stagnant energy that actually physically drains you of your energy. Energetically too many items in a house can cause a sense of overwhelm or disturbance.

2. Mental Health
Clutter decreases your ability to enjoy life causing stress, confusion, inability to focus, and often leads to depression. Sometimes clutter is initially caused by depression, but clutter also makes it nearly impossible to recover from depression. Most often once people start releasing their clutter, their energy comes back and their depression gets better, sometimes it may go away for good. There are some people who are extremely sensitive to their environments and just never realized what a difference it could make.
Even in people who don't have ADD, clutter causes ADD like symptoms.

3. Relationships
Clutter and chaos causes conflicts in relationships often due to chronic lateness and disorganization.
Cutter can keep you from socializing because you don't have the energy or can't find clothes to go out. It can keep you from getting close to people because you don't entertain or want to have people visit you in your home. Again, bringing up shame or embarrassment.

4. Time
Every thing you own requires some amount of care and organization. Simply having too much stuff eats up your time like crazy. If you have too much stuff, it's much more difficult, time consuming, and expensive to get organized.
Having too much stuff often leads to procrastination and lateness which wastes yours and other people's time and causes a whole host of other problems.
Not being able to find things is a huge time cost of clutter. In extreme it can waste several hours every day.

5. Loss of Self-Esteem
Clutter can cause you to feel like you aren't capable or are missing some basic skill that everyone else "seems" to have so you feel bad about yourself - the truth is you are not alone, many people have issues dealing with clutter. It is actually way more common than one thinks.

6. Physical Health & Stress
The stress caused by clutter is enormous. Every time you can't find something, or an argument flares up with a loved one, or you can't relax because you worry about all the things you need to do, but can't till you get the clutter cleared, your stress levels increase. Stress will then lower your immunity and resistance and so you may have frequent, persistent colds or other physical symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, sinus problems and allergies and more. It also results in not eating healthy meals.

7. Family
Clutter causes irritability, resentment and stress that leads to temper tantrums, outbursts, and overall disharmony (especially, if people are having to deal with "other people's clutter". You may start to feel like you aren't a good parent or aren't a good example for your kids
Excessive clutter can cause depression, acting out, bad behavior in children due to their inability to focus caused by the clutter. Self-judgments are a source for many forms of separation and disturbance within a family. Then of course, judgments on others create the same.

8. Financial
All things need a place to be – a home. Whether that home is an extra room, a piece of furniture, or a container, you continue to pay for things long after you initially acquire them. Clutter directly costs money in the following ways:
o Credit card debt - often for unused stuff
o Late fees for bills paid late
o Renting storage facilities
o Duplicates purchased because you can't find things – this happens a lot!
o Some people move to larger home to accomodate the stuff
Clutter affects people's careers. Studies have shown that people with cluttered desks and offices are less likely to be promoted. This of course affects how much money you can make. And if you own your own business –then productivity directly affects your bottom-line.

9. Safety & Hygiene
In extreme clutter, people have a hard time walking without tripping or bumping into things. Often there are things hidden in the clutter that are very unsafe for children. There are cases where a young child is pretty much confined to a playpen all the time because it just isn't safe to be out of the playpen.
Inability to clean cluttered areas can lead to extreme dust and even mold and mildew that can create even more potential health problems in yourself and your children.

10. Your Future
Holding on to clutter often grounds you in the past at the cost of your present life and your future.
Clutter distracts you from being able to think about your goals, projects, hobbies and get things done.
Learning to let go of items is a way of learning to let go of the past so that you can move on. This is often seen after divorce, death of a loved one or even with inheritance of items people actually don’t want or have space for but feel obligated to keep.

Most of us experience some of these areas. Some of us may experience many of these. If you are, it may be too difficult to dig out alone. Please seriously consider getting help.
There are people and companies such as SIMPLY CHANGE in your community that specialize in helping people improve the quality of their life and the lives of their families.
There is no stigma about this - most everyone can use some help in these areas.
Please reach out if needed. Your life is just too precious and too short to live in a manner that doesn’t support all the areas of your life. Help is available and change can happen quickly!

Making Money from Your Closet

2009-07-03T11:09:00.000-04:00

Making money while cleaning out your closets.

Most people have hundreds of unclaimed dollars hanging in their closets just taking up space? How about you?
Do you have last year’s purchases that you may still have not worn yet?
Do you have expensive clothing that no longer fits your fit body?
How about clothes that no longer fit your ever-changing personality.
Clothes you wish you never would have bought but did.
Clothes you don’t even remember how they got in your closet!
Sound familiar? We all make shopping mistakes or out grow our style of clothing, but why live with them the rest of your life? Turn past year's bargains into cold hard cash right now by putting them on consignment or selling them in a garage sale. Or exchange them in a local clothing swap. (These are becoming very popular these days in many cities.)

Consignment stores are popping up everywhere because people know that they can find great bargains on quality used clothing for themselves and their families. Selling on consignment is a great way to clean out your closet, make a little money and create space for new clothes that would better suit who you are today – not who you were 5-10 years ago!

So how do you start? You do it by pulling each item from your closet (don't forget your dressers too) one at a time, and separate into piles based on the following criteria:
• You love it and wear it faithfully, and you like how you feel when you wear it.
• You like it and you wear it fairly often, or it works well with a few of your outfits.
• You hate it and never wear it. In fact you wonder what you were thinking when you bought it, it doesn't fit, or you bought it because it was a bargain.
• This pile is for undecided items--those that don't really fit into the other piles.

Many people like to have someone with them in this process to have another set of eyes. The same way you should never buy eyeglasses without someone you respect giving you their opinion. This is why our business of Professional Facilitators of Change is becoming so popular. People desire and need the help of another – it saves money, time and frustration.

Here are five easy steps to complete the job:
1. Once you closet is empty, put all the items from the "Love it" pile back into the closet. This is a great time to sort them by color and type of clothing. Shirts got here, pants go here, and scarves go here…..

2. Then put the items in the "fairly often" pile back into the closet. You should be left with two piles of clothing--the "hate it" pile and the "undecided" pile. (This is where the fun begins!)

3. Neatly fold everything in the "hate it" pile and wish it well, for it will be taking a little trip out of your home and your life.

4. Go through the "undecided" pile piece by piece, and ask yourself what value each piece currently gives you.

Warning: Avoid sentimentality - such as, “this was given to me by my mom or sister I can’t let it go.” “The last time I wore this I had such a great time in the Bahamas.” These are not reasons to keep your closet cluttered with items that do not suit you Now!
And do not get sucked in by the clothing trying to convince you of its value and reminding you how good you used to look wearing it. Clothing is sly and it will say anything to get you to keep it around. It will remind you of how expensive it was, or that it was a gift from your mother-in-law, but do not fall for these sneaky tricks! You must be strong and objective. Clothes that aren't serving you need to be purged to make room for valuable, well-suited clothing. Note that the fact that you are undecided on this pile indicates that you don't love it, which means you should be able to get rid of more than half of it if you're fierce in your decision-making process. Once you've culled the pile, you should have a whole bunch of clothes that didn't make the cut back into the closet. This is where your secret cash stash is hiding.

5. Call a local consignment store and find out what their guidelines are for consigning clothing. Determine if you need to make an appointment or if you can just drop in. Ask how the proceeds are split between you (the consignor) and the store, and you should be able to get at least 50 percent. Ask what happens to your clothes if they don't sell, most consignment stores will donate anything that doesn't sell within a certain period of time to a shelter or another nonprofit organization. You don’t want the clothes showing back up on our doorstep.

7. It’s clear with some clothes that they are not suited for consignment. They will either be boxed up to go to a shelter or non-profit or, if they are torn or in any other way in bad shape, through them away.

8. Last step is a trip to the consignment store of your choice. When back at home let yourself feel the difference of a cleaned out closet, what it represent to you in creating new space for a new you and generating money from what was just hanging around.

Simply Change
Professional Facilitators of Change.

Be Happy - Do Something

2009-06-05T09:29:00.000-04:00

Time Saving Tips - Just minutes a day can make a difference

2009-03-02T16:46:00.000-05:00

Time-Saving Tips to Get Organized

What can you do in the time it takes popcorn to pop? In short: a lot. Learn how to reclaim the time you spend waiting, whether at home or on the go.

Let's face it: we all put off organizing our homes, purses, cars and lives because we don't think we have time. "Once you start looking at all the time you spend waiting for this or that, the minutes really add up," says Donna Smallin, the author of The One-Minute Organizer. Put those wasted minutes to work, she says; even just five minutes a day adds up to seven hours a month — plenty of time for organization.

While you're playing the waiting game, try out these quick and practical organizing tips:

While popcorn is popping
3 minutes in the kitchen

* Organize the day's mail — toss the outer envelopes and inserts in bill statements along with junk mail.

* Organize a drawer; if there's not a lid for a container, toss it.

* Be brave as you open the fridge to play "leftover roulette," popping open mystery containers to see what's still edible, suggests Donna. Also, check out the expiration dates on condiments and half-full jars of spaghetti sauce.

* Rifle through that overflowing coupon box and toss the expired ones. Then file new ones by category and date.

* Take out the trash, and make sure the recyclables are in order.

* Empty or load the dishwasher; wipe down a shelf while you're at it.

While cookies are baking
12 minutes in the kitchen

* Plan dinners for the week and write a grocery shopping list.

* Organize your junk drawer. Toss the stuff that's really garbage, like toys from fast-food restaurants, dusty plastic silverware and wrappers from used packs of batteries. Then use a compartmentalized plastic tray to separate loose stamps, paper clips, coins and things that aren't really junk.

* Organize your pantry: throw out expired cans, stale bread and cereal boxes with only crumbs left.

* Spruce up your spice drawer or cabinet: put the spices you use most toward the front, and throw out "mystery" spices without labels.

* "Chop up some fruit and make a fruit salad for tomorrow," suggests organizing expert Maria Gracia.

While the tub fills up
3 minutes in the bathroom

* Toss used towels in the laundry bin and hang up some clean ones.

* Organize your make-up drawer. A study from the College of Optometrists warns that mascara, lipstick and eye shadow more than three to six months old can be a hotbed for bacteria. Check the expiration dates in tiny print, or just toss whatever looks gunky.

* Organize the space under the vanity: toss crusty bottles of hair product, face wash/cream you haven't used in months, stray cotton balls and cotton swabs.

* Straighten your linen closet, and make a pile of threadbare washcloths and hand towels you can convert to dust rags.

* Toss expired prescriptions and over-the-counter medications; wipe down a shelf in the medicine cabinet.

* Clean the toilet. Pour in a quick-acting cleaner, then brush and flush.

* Gracia suggests organizing your hair accessories in an over-the-door shoe organizer. The pockets will help you sort everything beautifully, so you can easily find what you need.

During TV commercials
4 minutes in the family room

* Organize a DVD shelf or book shelf, and make a donation pile of movies your kids have outgrown and books you won't read again.

* Venture under the couch to hunt dust bunnies.

* Put all toys (including the dog's) in a toy box or basket in the corner of the room.

* Recycle old magazines, and put those you intend to read in the magazine rack.

* Do some quick calisthenics so you don't feel like such a couch potato.

While your kids brush their teeth before bedtime
5 minutes in their room
(You may want to wait to do these things with your kids.)

* Organize the sock and underwear drawer, tossing anything that no longer fits or just doesn't look wearable anymore.

* Put all stray stuffed animals into baskets.

* Turn down the bed, pull down the shade and turn on a lamp. You're all ready for bedtime stories.

* Put all stray tapes and CDs into their cases. To get your child involved, buy a colorful plastic carrying case for him to store his lullaby and playtime music in.

* Donna suggests laying out an outfit for the next day, ready for your child's approval or a quick switch. This will save time during the morning rush.

Waiting to pick up your child from school
5 minutes in the car

* Bring a trash bag and pick up all cups, napkins and litter in the car.

* Pay bills: store statements, envelopes, checkbook, register, envelopes and stamps in an accordion file with handle.

* Schedule dental and doctor appointments, order prescription refills, confirm appointments.

* Donna suggests organizing the interior of your car, including the glove compartment and the catch-all netting on the seat backs.

Waiting in line at the post office or grocery store
3 minutes on your feet

* Write a to-do list for the next day.

* Make a quick phone call to schedule an appointment you've been putting off.

* "Look at the supermarket magazines and see if you can find any organizing tips," says organizing expert Maria.

* Organize your purse — put stray coupons in the side pocket, check hand lotion bottles to see if they're empty, throw out candy wrappers and old store receipts.

Waiting at the doctor's office
10 minutes in a comfy chair

* Organize your social life: make a lunch date with a friend you haven't seen in a while.

* Tackle your "should-do" list: write a thank-you note or a card to a friend; call your mother.

* Close your eyes, practice deep breathing and organize your thoughts.

* Check out the health magazines that are mainstays of a doctor's office. Learn something new about your kidneys, or some great exercise tips.

* Bring a tote bag with a couple of sewing repair projects.

On the phone, on hold
1-3 minutes (we wish!) in your home office

* Organize your e-mail: create file folders that make sense and delete spam.

* Go through paper file folders one a time, looking for outdated papers to toss or shred. Mark where you left off for next time.

* Send a virtual greeting card from your computer to let someone know you care.

* Run the virus scan or disk defragmenter on your computer to keep it healthy.

* Go through your file of tax deduction receipts and paper-clip those in the same category to simplify the process next April.

Tips credited to HGTV.com under organizing.