Beacon Hill Window Box
Save some time while you get organized for the holidays and …..
Commission a beautiful hand made SWAG for your front door,
or ARRANGEMENT for window boxes or outside containers.
I’d love to create them especially for you!
To place your order:
Contact me at:
ClutterClearerCoach@comcast.net
SunandShadeGardening.com
Call: 857-919-4735
Happy Holidays!
When I talk to my clients about their disorganization issues, I first ask them what’s not working. Answers vary from ‘I just can’t get started, I’m overwhelmed by my clutter, I can’t find a thing, I’ve no place to put stuff, my files are a mess, I’ve no system for putting away my clothes, I’ve got too much junk mail.’
So…. WHAT is NOT WORKING for YOU?
Fill in the blanks below, or compose your own statements on what isn’t working:
My clutter ……………………………
I am unable to ………………………..
There is nowhere to put………………………………………….
I can’t……………………………….
I feel………………………………..
Then I ask clients what is working for them in their home, office, lives.
Most of my clients are surprised to discover that there are some systems of order they have created that do work for them. One of my clients was proud to say that she’s attached a shoe holder bag on the back of her closet door, and she no longer throws her shoes on the closet floor.
And….WHAT IS WORKING for YOU?………………………………
I’d be interested in hearing what is and isn’t working for you.
If you live in the Boston area, and would like a
FREE 1/2 hour telephone consultation to discuss your
clutter issues, contact Judy at: clutterclearercoach@comcast.net
This person is letting go of lots of stuff!
Are you having trouble letting go and uncluttering?
At some point, I may want or have to move from my present home, and will need to ask myself some questions regarding what to do with all of my possessions. Whether you are moving or staying put, answering the following ten questions honestly will help you decide what to keep and what to let go of:
1. Do I use this item regularly? YES NO
2. If not, do I love the item? YES NO
3. Am I keeping this because I think I should love it? YES NO
4. Do I feel obligated to hold on to it? YES NO
5. If I let go of it, will it really hurt someone else feelings? YES NO
6. Am I holding on to this item because someday I will repair it? YES NO
7. Am I saving this ‘just in case’ I may need or use it some day? YES NO
8. Do I have extras (I never use) of the same thing? YES NO
9. Can I use another item that will work just as well? YES NO
10. Can I store something more useful in this space? YES NO
If, when answering these questions you found that you don’t like, will never use, will never repair, or feel guilty letting go of something, you’ll know that the item doesn’t mean that much to you. And, that it’s time to get rid of it, or give it away.
If you notice that you have a hard time deciding, or saying NO to particular items, put them aside and look at them in a couple of days. Then, ask yourself these same 10 questions, and you may be surprised that you change your answer from NO to YES.
If you live in the Boston area, and would like a FREE 1/2 hour telephone consultation to discuss your clutter issues, contact me at clutterclearercoach@comcast.net
H.M.’s cluttered table four and 1/2 years ago
Yesterday, I received an email from a former organizing client of mine who was quite happy, and proud to have been able to stay organized since our last organizing session four years ago. This client, who I will refer to as H.M., is a wonderful person, very creative, compassionate, and generous. Having ADD though, she found it difficult to get organized, was easily distracted, and was a chronic procrastinator. There were always huge piles of clothing on her bedroom floor, lots of papers and other stuff on her dining room table, too many books on her many shelves, and too much clutter around her home.
For several years from just January through June (for financial reasons), we tackled her untidy home, getting rid of clothes, shoes, books and other things that she no longer loved or needed. Final decisions on what to keep, give away, toss or recycle were left up to H.M. We also worked together to address and resolve her feelings of overwhelm, shame, and anxiety about all of her stuff. Her ADD behavioural habits were put to the test. For her ‘homework’ between organizing sessions, she practiced putting things away after using them (into storage areas we designated for each item’s category), refraining from purchasing unneeded items, and keeping her dining room table clear, etc.. And, she was successful!
H.M. had a vision for herself. She wanted to feel lighter and happier, with a neat and clear home. She especially wanted to hold a dinner party for friends, but was embarrassed to have people over (very typical of people who live with clutter). She wished for a long term relationship, but knew with her home in the state it was, she wasn’t ready to be in one.
Since our organizing sessions came to a closure in 2014, H.M. held her desired dinner party, and met the love of her life. (Letting go of excess clutter opens a door for new changes to occur in your life.) She has continued to keep her home uncluttered and tidy. In reply to her email to me yesterday, I noted that I was quite impressed, and mentioned that a number of people who have ADD tend to backslide (resorting back to old habits).
H.M. wrote back: “As to ADD, that’s a helpful insight. What helps is having systems: a drop file box AT MY FEET for all expenses, tax-related house receipts, etc.., and making decisions immediately (rather than putting them off, procrastinating) on what notices I get in the mail that I want to act on. Of course — the portable file used to be a foot away, in a closet, and I would build up a ‘to be filed’ pile ON THAT gorgeous, cherry wood dining table, and would put off filing for too long, after the pile sloshed around, and then some — now, I open the mail daily, and drop it into its relevant file folder, a joy!”
1/20/17 – H.M wrote: “My dining table TEN days after a gathering
I had here for my writing group women!!!”
If you live in the Boston area, and would like a FREE 1/2 hour telephone consultation to discuss your clutter issues, contact me at clutterclearercoach@comcast.net
Here’s another couple of tips to help you to get organized in this New Year.
Are your product manuals stored in various places around your home, thus making it time consuming and difficult to find one if you need it?
Here are TWO TIPS on what to do with all those manuals:
TIP # 1 – I used to keep manuals in drawers in the kitchen, in my office, and in the attic. If I had a problem with an appliance or an electronic gadget, I wasted time trying to find the correct manual. It’s a good idea to keep all your manuals in one place (in a binder or file drawer). To find them easily, file your manuals in categories such as appliances, electronics, computers or furniture. Every time you add a new manual, go through and recycle the outdated ones. If you move, be sure to leave the manuals for any kitchen appliances, washer/dryer, garage doors, and anything else you don’t take with you.
TIP # 2 – Take all of your manuals, and get rid of them by recycling them. You can access all the information online! If you’re in the need of information about major home appliances, log on to http://www.Appliance411.com/ They have gathered the most frequently requested information on home appliances and designed their web site around it. Or, you can go directly to the manufacturer’s website. Create a spreadsheet of all of your appliances and electronic items; including make, model, purchase date and serial number.
Where are all of your manuals and user guides? If, not together, try one of these tips to get them in order.
If you live in the Boston area, and would like a FREE 1/2 hour telephone consultation to discuss your clutter issues, contact me at clutterclearercoach@comcast.net
‘FREE YOURSELF from PAPER CLUTTER’
February 6, 2017 TIME: 7:00 – 8:30 pm FEE: $28.00
Brookline High School
115 Greenough Street, Brookline
bacep@brookline.k12.ma.us 617-730-2700
http://www.campusce.net/brookline/course/course.aspx?catId=64
From junk mail to important documents, we all have paper clutter in our homes and offices. If we don’t spend time getting rid of it, it will completely take over. Organizing the pile can be an overwhelming task, and this class will explore the causes of clutter, systems to organize it, and habits to maintain organization. Through a focused presentation and discussion, you will explore with a professional coach how to overcome the roadblocks to clear your paper clutter. You’ll soon be on your way to prepare your paperwork for tax season.
Presenter: Judy Eisenberg, Professional Organizer – Clutter Clearer Coach
If you live in the Boston area, and would like a FREE 1/2 hour telephone consultation to discuss your clutter issues, contact me at clutterclearercoach@comcast.net
‘TIME’ to get organized in the NEW YEAR
I was just reminded by a fellow blogger that January is ‘National Get Organized Month’.
As, January is the beginning of a new year, many people like to make resolutions such as going on a diet to lose weight, joining a gym to get in shape, or going on an on-line dating service to find a partner. And, many people attempt to achieve their goals, but don’t.
Last week, I published a blog post on ‘Make Getting Organized one of Your New Year’s Resolutions’. I mentioned a number of areas of one’s household to tackle; such as your home office, bedroom, pantry, hallways, etc.
On a more serious note, I think the most important thing for you to do before you begin the de-cluttering process, is to figure out why you have so much clutter and disorganization in your home or office. Is it because you are so busy that you haven’t the time, or you are so overwhelmed that you don’t know where to begin, or you recently experienced an emotionally traumatic incident in your life? There are a number of reasons in addition to these possibilities why you might hold on to stuff.
Some other reasons you hesitate to let go might include:
If you have identified with one or more of these reasons, you are not alone. Even I, a professional organizer, keep more than my share of sentimental items, sometimes buy extras things, and get so busy that my clothes pile up on the chair.
Just know that conquering them is doable. By taking the necessary steps to let go on your own, or with the right help from a supportive friend or family member, a therapist or a professional organizer you can begin to let go of your clutter. Letting go will give you peace of mind, more control over your life, and easy access to the things you truly need and use.
I’d love to know what some of your reasons for holding on to stuff are, and what steps you’ll take to let go in this ‘New Year’.
If you live in the Boston area, and would like a FREE 1/2 hour telephone consultation to discuss your clutter issues, contact me at clutterclearercoach@comcast.net
