I liked this quote from Tony Robbins:

“You can find experiences to back up almost any belief. The key is to make sure you’re consciously aware of the beliefs you’re creating. If they don’t empower you, change them”.

I love this idea as it relates to getting rid of clutter. So many of us hold on to things with the belief that “we may need it someday” and if we get rid of it it will be the end of the world.

Now really—what is the worst thing that can happen if we do get rid of it and we do need it later? My guess is we will do without, we can buy or borrow another one, we will find something better and more up to date.

What does your belief system tell you? That you need to hold on to the past because you were raised by parents from the depression era and they never threw away anything? If so, does that work for you?

What other reasons do you have for not getting rid of clutter? And are you o.k. with it?

“We see them come,

We see them go.

Some are fast,

And some are slow.

Some are high. And some are low.

Not one of them

is like another.

Don’t ask us why,

Go ask your mother.”

—Dr. Seuss

I thought this cute thought from “One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish” fit us all.

We all have different clutter and different clutter problems. That is why I wrote my second book. “The Easy Organizer”. I had the thought one day that most of my clients ask the same type of questions and wouldn’t it be nice if they had a handbook when I wasn’t with them to refer to to answer their organizing questions.

Of course nothing can replace me but it is a great resource. Some of us organize fast, some slow—either way is A-O.K.

Not one of us is like the other but we all are of one mind, we want to be organized and get rid of clutter.

Don’tchathink? Or what do you think?

Email or call today to get your copy today!

801-898-7616

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Show “N Share Tuesday

This is the second in the series of three on a pantry. By the way—pantry doesn’t mean only food is stored here. A pantry can be used as overflow for things that are used in the kitchen but there isn’t room in the cupboards.

This very long room was cluttered to the point that it was barely useable. It was easy to get rid of clutter and organize once we had a goal in mind. As you know that is the second thing to do when organizing—establish some goals.

There were canning supplies everywhere and we enlisted her husband to put all canning supplies in short term storage which was on the very top shelf. Since these items are only used once a year the top shelf is the ideal storage space.

Getting rid of clutter also meant putting things in other places in their home that didn’t belong here. Boxes of good things went to a thrift store as they hadn’t used them in years or they had duplicates and didn’t need them.

Getting rid of clutter became easier and easier as progress was made and the energy shifted in the room.  The energy at first was stifled and low. As we shifted things around and put likes together the energy was lighter and happier.

Space was made for items used on a regular basis and the shelves will be labeled so when something is used up the space will be “saved” for new things that belong there.

How big is your pantry? Do you need to get rid of clutter in yours? How long has it been since you revisited this space after it was organized—or has it never been organized like you like it?

Monday’s Get Rid of Clutter Focus:

What has been bugging you? Is there some place you need to get rid of clutter and it has been on your mind to do but just haven’t done it?

This week I suggest you focus on doing than one area. Maybe it is one pile of paper, a closet shelf or the bathroom. The first step to getting rid of clutter is to chose a place and then make a goal to organize it and then get going.

What place are you choosing to get rid of clutter—share with us so we too can be inspired. I have some fabric that needs to be put away from projects I did over the weekend so that is my focus.

What Works For You?

The following comes directly from The Container Store web site. I have to say something before you read what they have to say—

This is such a cute set that even if you aren’t hopping a plane this is a cute organizer for a weekend trip. I love these kind of bags. I own several and I was just saying I wish I would have bought 10 more when Crate and Barrel had them a few years ago.

Now from their web site:

Not following the 3-1-1 Rule when it comes to packing toiletries in your carry-on luggage can result in everything from delays going through security to having to dump your favorite products in the trash! Follow these easy tips when packing carry-on bags and you’ll breeze through security checks.

1. 3.4 ounces or less

Remember, liquids and gels must be in 3.4 ounce (100 ml) or smaller containers. Fortunately, these travel-sized containers come with a variety of lid options. Flip-top lids are ideal for your shampoo, conditioner and body wash, while those with pump tops are perfect for things like hair spray.

2. One clear, 1-quart zip-top bag

It doesn’t matter how many 3.4 ounce or smaller containers you have as long as they fit in your clear, 1-quart zip-top bag. Regular food-storage bags work, or for a sturdier option, look for a reusable bag designed especially for travel.

3. One per traveler

Each traveler is allowed one of these clear, 1-quart zip-top bags. Be sure to have your 1-quart bag out and ready to be placed in the screening bin in order to move through security as quickly as possible.

4. Exceptions

Breast milk, baby formula and medicines are exceptions to the 3.4 ounce or less rule. Be sure to only carry what you need for your flight and declare it to the TSA agent before passing through security.

I just had to share this beautiful hooked rug my daughter made. This is the time of year that vacations are being planned and we are looking forward to hot summers. (I’m not looking forward to the heat but I know it is coming).

This rug was inspired by a trip we took to Squim Washington to the lavender festival a few years ago. The festival is always held in July.

The lavender fields are beautiful. Many of the places have little gift shops selling things with lavender. We tried the lavender ice cream and it was actually yummy. That reminds me I bought some lavender sugar and I still have it. I think it would be perfect sprinkled on some sugar cookies.

(By the way she is selling it—I can’t believe she is but she is. That isn’t why I posted this but I thought I would share.)

This has been a break today from thinking about clutter and how to get rid of clutter—I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know if you did would ya?

“I learned there are troubles

Of more than one kind.

Some come from ahead

And some come from behind.”

Just tell yourself, Duckie,

You’re really quite lucky!

Some people are much more…

Oh, ever so much more…

Oh, muchly much-much more unlucky than you!”

—–Dr Seuss

Do you have days that you just can’t face the clutter and you complain that you have too much stuff? Guess what? You are not in the minority. As a professional most of the women I organize with feel this way.

The beautiful thing is you can see that you are lucky because you actually have stuff. It is when we realize that we have too much (myself included here girl friend) that we can start to get rid of clutter.

How about that? Just like Dr Seuss says—“some people are much more unlucky than you!”

Do you think you are lucky or unlucky because you have clutter? Or does it depend on the day how you feel? In fact what does it depend on?

Show ‘N Share Tuesday:

This is the first in a series of three that shows how we cleared clutter in this pantry. Clearing clutter was actually easy as they wanted to get rid of clutter and make this space more useable. As we were going through things we found containers that could be used elsewhere which made them very happy. They were beautiful pieces of pottery that they hadn’t been using and now they have a purpose instead of just living as clutter.

Emergency supplies were moved to a more convenient location in the home in case they have to evacuate in case of an emergency. This freed up space for drinks that had been scattered in several other places.

Can you see how easy it is to clear clutter by putting likes together and considering what the space is being used for? Getting rid of clutter doesn’t have to be hard so my advice is to not make it hard. Take it one step at a time and clear clutter as you go.

Are all likes together in your pantry or do you find that things are scattered and you have to hunt for items you know you have?

I’m back—now for you who have been able to read my blogs these past few weeks by using Chrome or Firefox you don’t know what I mean—but you who use Internet Explorer and have not been able to read my blogs know I have been missing. All’s well that ends well—I am happily  here once again.

Yesterday morning I walked in the cool morning air before anyone else was awake and out on the streets. The spring flowers were beautiful, the sound of the birds chirping and the woodpecker pecking away was a real treat.

As I passed a house that is now vacant I was struck by the condition of the yard. This is a house whose owner always took pride in his yard. There was never a weed allowed to grow and brown spots in the yard were unheard of.

Today it was a different yard all together. Without water the weeds are allowed to overtake the tulips and the lilac tree that is in boom had lost its bright color of lilac. I was sad to see the condition this yard was reduced to because of lack of care.

I thought this is how it is with clutter in our homes. When we neglect certain “rules” about clutter our homes can soon be over taken with clutter in just a short period of time.  All it takes is a bit of neglect in:

• Putting things away after we use them
• Not having specific homes where items live so they don’t become piles of clutter
• Having a plan for reducing clutter and keeping organized

Do you have a plan for avoiding clutter so your home isn’t overtaken with clutter through neglect?

This is something I hadn’t seen before. If you store your DVD’s in a drawer this looks like a great solution to keeping them organized.

Arrange videos and games in the Expandable DVD Drawer Organizer.

Turn a drawer into a neatly organized media storage center. No more routing around in the drawer to find the disc you want. Spring-loaded dividers hold up to 30 cases. They are on sale right right now for $15.00 for two.What a great way to organize clutter if you don’t have a system now for your DVD’s.

How do you store your DVD’s? I use cases to store mine in after I take them out of the cases they came in.