Usually it is fairly easy to get rid of certain types of clutter:  food storage containers with missing lids, broken items that you don't intend to repair, clothing that has not been worn in years, etc.  

However, when it comes to items that you have inherited, that can be another story.  

The rule of thumb is that you don't need to keep something just because it belonged to a beloved relative.  If it's something you don't like and don't use, and you've stored it in the back of a closet, in your garage, basement, or anywhere else (including a off-site storage unit) for years, it's not serving anyone.  If it is sitting on a shelf, a table or any other flat surface and collecting dust, you are not honoring that possession and it should go elsewhere.   

Are you really honoring the memory of that person if the item is not being used? It's much better to get the item back into use, even if the person using it is not you.  Keep in mind that your relative's intention was not to burden you with their things.  They want you to enjoy the item.

This is similar to what I call "gift guilt".  We believe that if someone gives us something, we have to keep it.  Not true!  If you don't like something that they gave you, either return it to the store where it was purchased or pass it on to someone else who will make use of it.  Perhaps another family member would appreciate having the inherited item.  Perhaps you can sell it and use the money for something you want.  Give that item a whole new life by passing it on to someone else who can make it part of their home.  

If you want to remember the item, take a picture of it before you pass it on.  It will take up a lot less room that way.  

I have worked with numerous clients over the years who were holding onto furniture, jewelry, dishes, handkerchiefs and knick knacks because they were given to them.

My theory is that the point of holding onto items that you have inherited is to remember the person. Having 100 handkerchiefs in a container that you never open and look at is not necessary in order remember them.  I think that keeping a few items or collectibles makes more sense if they are special to you.  If you hold onto all of them, just because, I do not believe you are honoring them in the way you should.     

Sometimes, we are holding onto items that we have inherited from our adult children because they moved out of the home and left them behind or they do not have enough room to store the items where they live.  I have seen this happen time and again and the items end up staying where they are and not being used.  This is another form of inheritance, by default.  

If the items are taking up space that you want for another purpose and you have the items for a long time, you might decide it's time for a change.  Send pictures of the items to that person and let them know you will donating any items they don't specifically tell you they want.  Be sure to include a deadline in the not-too-distant future for responding to you.  Set a deadline for them to pick up the items or when you intend to have them mailed or shipped to them. 

Setting deadlines to accomplish this is vital to your success.  

Remember, your home is not a storage unit for others.  Honor your home by creating an environment that is condusive to your style of living and that brings you joy.  Do not inherit clutter!

If you are overwhelmed and need help deciding what to keep, what to toss and what to donate or sell, contact me.  I am here to help.  

In the meantime, have a great week! 

As we all know, the New Year is a time to renew and refresh.  

Let me ask you something.  How long have you been living in your home?  When was the last time you looked around and "re-evaluated" your real estate"?  

What do I mean by that?  

I find that so many people live in their homes for years, and although their circumstances might change, their home does not reflect those changes.  

For example:  Have your children grown up and their bedroom is stuck in a time warp from when they were little kids?  Have your children gone off to college and left their bedroom unused?  Have you started a home-based business and have not created a home office space to work out of?  Have you been widowed or divorced and the remnants of that person still remain untouched in your home?  Have you wanted to create a gym in your home but instead have an unused space in your basement?

It is very easy to go from day to day, week to week, month to month and year to year without making changes to our home.

I find that to be a waste of real estate.  You are paying a mortgage on a home you are not making the best use of.  That does not make any sense to me.

Last year I moved my home office from an area in the basement to a second floor bedroom that was unoccupied for some time following my divorce.  I now have much more room and have a large window which provides great natural light.  I am so much happier!   I feel I made much better use of my real estate by doing this.

Do yourself a favor.  Re-evaluate your real estate. Take some time to walk around your home (physically, not just mentally) and take a look at all of the rooms in your home and ask yourself whether they are being put to the best use.  What changes could you make to better maximize the space you have?  

If you are not sure, feel free to contact me.  I have helped my clients over the years transform under-utilized spaces into rooms they can make better use of and enjoy at the same time.  By being in a space, I have the ability to visual it's potential and make suggestions for how to best utilize it.  

Make your place A Better Space!

Happy New Year!  Are you ready for 2015?

This is a great time of year to not only eliminate clutter and get organized, but incorporate a little Feng Shui into your life and your home.  I dabble in Feng Shui from time to time and use the basic principals when working with my clients in their homes.  

This list was created by Kathryn Weber, Feng Shui Entrepreneur & Nationally Syndicated Columnist.  

Notice that de-cluttering is at the top of the list!  

OUT WITH THE OLD

1. De-clutter
Grab a laundry basket. Next, set a timer and take it with you from room to room. Set it for five minutes. Now, start throwing out old papers, magazines, empty bottles of shampoo from the bathroom, old clothes you know you’ll never wear again! Do it.

Got CDs you never listen to? Throw those out or donate them to charity. Have some old coffee mugs that don’t match or odd drinking glasses still hanging around in your cabinets? Pitch ‘em.

When in doubt, throw it out. Don’t forget to look under the bed, too! And toss that lipstick you haven’t worn in two years! Remember to clean out the pantry, too, and toss that half-empty box of Rice Krispies that’s gone stale.

2. Sweep or vacuum
Get the old energy out by making the floors clean.

3. Do the laundry
Don’t have dirty clothes hanging around. You can throw in a load or two while you declutter. Be sure to fold and put the clean clothes away.

4. Clean the bathroom
Make it sparkle. You don’t want a nasty mess to greet the next year of your life!

5. Empty all trashcans
Don’t want last years’ trash hanging around, do you? Toss, toss, toss.

6. Clean out the refrigerator
Got a half-empty jar of apple butter? Get rid of it. You don’t want to go into the New Year with old food or a moldy science project lurking in the fridge.

7. Clear out visual clutter
Too much stuff everywhere? Clear off the counters in the bathrooms and kitchen. Clear off your desk and dust it. Pitch the sticky notes and papers and things taped everywhere! You can do it. Don’t forget the refrigerator! Make it a blank slate.

Make as much space as possible. You cannot bring in new things if there is no room for it and we want a fantastic year, right? Then make your space “open” for the abundance of the New Year!

8. Yard work
Make sure the yard is picked up and the front door step is swept and clear.

9. Change the sheets and towels
Put clean sheets on all the beds on New Year’s Eve and clean towels in the bathroom and kitchen. New sheets are even better.

10. Clean the car
This is what gets you around during the year. Drive through a car wash, take out the trash and do a quick cleaning.

All done? Wow, doesn’t that feel good! Now you’re ready for the next step.

 

IN WITH THE NEW!

1. Fill your pantry and kitchen
Stock the refrigerator with food and make sure the pantry is also stocked. It is bad feng shui to have an empty refrigerator and pantry. If you have canisters in the pantry or on the countertops, be sure to fill these.

2. Got citrus?
Oranges are excellent symbols for the New Year and the Chinese often celebrate the New Year by rolling oranges (symbols of gold) into the house. Place a big bowl of 8, 9, or 10 (the numbers of prosperity!) oranges in the living room or central location in the house next to dishes of nuts or candies to symbolize an abundant, fruitful home.

3. Buy a new plant
Put a beautiful new plant in the East (health & family relationships) sector of your house or office to symbolize a healthy beginning. You can also display some beautiful flowers here to symbolize your good health in the coming year.

4. Welcome good news
Place a golden bell in the NW corner of your home, office, or bedroom to bring good tidings from helpful people. Like old school bells? If so, place one of these in the NW corner of your yard for good news from helpful people.

5. Hang up new calendars
What better way to greet the New Year than by throwing out the old one? Take down all of last years’ calendars.

6. Fill your wallet
You don’t want to go into the New Year with an empty wallet. Put some money in your wallet — or better yet — go and buy a new wallet (red is the best!) or purse and start your financial off with new energy!

7. Invite a toad to your house
Place an old, broken clay pot upside down next to a water spout so a toad can make its home here. Toads are believed to invite money into the household; they’re especially nice by the door. You can also place figurines of toads by the door.

8. Feed the birds
Birds are excellent feng shui and believed to bring good news. Fill your feeders or put out a feeder for the New Year.

9. Have fun and celebrate
Fun is good feng shui. A happy vibrant home or space is a good space, so plan a party of some kind of happy gathering. Remember, a home or office with good feng shui is easy to spot it’s the one where everyone goes and doesn’t want to leave! Make your space that kind of place!

OR, as I say "Make your place A Better Space!

So, what do you think?  I am not sure about inviting a toad into my house.  I think I will go ceramic, thank you, but a little Feng Shui never hurt anyone!  Go through this list and do the best that you can.  Do one thing at a time to help stay focused and soon, you too will have A Better Space.  

Wishing you a very Happy (and organized) New Year!

It's the most wonderful time of the year, or so it is said.  

Granted, we get together with family and friends, donate our time or make monetary contributions to help others and think about all that we have and take time to appreciate those around us.

However, I have to wonder whether it is "the most wonderful time of the year". 

I personally think it is the most stressful time of the year.  

Right around Thanksgiving, a frenzy begins.  We begin to plan holiday meals, go to or have parties, make lists of people to buy gifts for and then go shopping for them, decorate our homes, send out holiday cards, cook large meals, bake cookies, cakes and bread, invite friends and family into our homes.  It can be downright exhausting!

Some of us plan ahead.  We create a plan and meet our deadlines well in advance.  Others, well....not so much.  Many of us wait until the last minute and then run around like chickens without heads, trying to get everything done in time.  

We are only days away from Christmas and so many of us are just getting started.  We are out at the malls and stores trying to figure out what to get everyone and dealing with crowded parking lots and long lines and perhaps picked over merchandise.  I always wonder why people put themselves through all of this. Talk about stress!

Can you truly enjoy the holidays when you are exhausted and frazzled?  It doesn't sound like fun, does it?

Although it certainly is a magical time of year for kids and adults alike, there is something to be said about the commercialized portion of the holidays.  We feel obligated at times to purchase gifts for people that simply just add to their clutter.

Think about how many times you might have received a gift from someone that you bring home, put away and never look at again.  You feel you can't get rid of it because someone gave it to you.

For me, personally, it is more about spending time with those I love and slowing down to appreciate them. Granted, I like gifts as much as the next person, but if you ask me what I really want this holiday season, it's the opportunity to hang out with friends and family and tell them how much I appreciate them being in my life.  It's about giving joy to others.  That, to me, is what the holidays are for.  

So, perhaps next time around, we can all make it a point to plan in advance, purchase less and have more time to spend with those we love.  Less clutter, less stress and more joy will make this the most happiest time of the year.  

I wish all of you a Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!  See you again in 2015.  

Earlier this week I had the privilege of being interviewed by Teresa Mears, a reporter for U.S. News and World Report which is currently an online publication.  

I was asked to provide tools that would help those individuals who are thinking about creating new resolutions for 2015, one of which made by many year after year is to get organized, once and for all.  

Here is the article.  I hope you enjoy it and find value in its content:

http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2014/12/05/8-tools-to-organize-your-life-in-2015  

If you need assistance in organizing your life in 2015, don't hesitate to contact me.  I am here to help.

I am curious.  What are your shopping habits?  

Are you the type of person who goes to the grocery store or the department store with a list of things to purchase and sticks with it? Or, are you the type of person who goes without a list and has no idea what you are going to purchase and just "sees what happens"?Did you know that the latter choice is one of the contributors to clutter?  

Interestingly enough, I have found that most men are the type that go to the store, get what they need and leave.  They tend not to be the brousing type.  I know there are exceptions.  Not to stereo-type but when it comes to sports equipment, cars, motorcycles tools or other hobby-related items, you might just catch them brousing in a store and coming home with more than they intended.

Women, on the other hand, are generally "shoppers" in the true sense of the word.  For the most part, they are the ones that come home with items they had no intention of purchasing when they first entered the store.  Whether its food, clothing, decorative items, they fall victim to the enticement of those "bright, shiny objects".

Remember, a deal is only a deal if it is going to save you money on an item you use.  Don't use a coupon on an item you don't use just because you have a coupon.   

These days, it is especially easy to shop "without intent", thanks to the internet.  We are bombarded with pop-up ads and can easy brouse a site of interest.  Before we know it, UPS is at our door with items we chose simply by clicking a few buttons.  Painless, right? It might not be painless at first, but over time, these purchases can become clutter.

I cannot tell you how many times my clients complain about having "too much stuff" and the feeling of overwhelm.  A lot of times, it has to do with purchasing items without intent.  

I coach my clients to set healthy boundaries for the items they possess and how to make smart, intentional choices so that clutter can be eliminated and balance can return to the home.

With the holidays quickly approaching, we will all be doing more shopping.  Do yourself a favor.  Shop with intent and keep the clutter at bey.  

If you are feeling overwhelmed with your clutter and don't know where to begin, I can help.  I will bring balance back to your home so you can enjoy what you do have and what makes sense to keep.

In the meantime, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!   

Ah, the winds of change.  Today, as I sit in my office, I hear the wind blowing and see the trees swaying.  We have just turned our clocks back which ends Day Light Savings Time.  November is now upon us and it is perhaps time for a change.  

The holiday season is fast approaching and with it brings thoughts of eliminating clutter and getting organized.  My full schedule for November reflects that.  My clients are ready to move forward and get organized.  

Have you ever given thought to what your clutter might be saying about you?  

There are some interesting theories based upon the correlation between clutter and state of mind.  

The most obvious one is depression.  When someone is depressed, they tend to become unmotivated.  They might leave their clothes on the floor, food on the coffee table, stack papers on the desk or all over the floor in their home offices, bills left unpaid, deadlines missed.  A depressed person tends to no longer care.  If you are struggling with depression and unable to do get organized, reach out for help.   

Interestingly enough, there was a study about is how eliminating clutter can result in a healthier lifestyle and behaviors.  Researchers at the University of Minnesota suspected that an orderly lifestyle could result in healthier behaviors.  To find out, they assigned 34 students to work in either a neat or untidy space.  After ten minutes, the students were asked whether they wanted an apple or a piece of chocolate.  Those who spent time in an organized room were more than three times likelier to pick the apple.  So, if your desk reflects a sense of discipline, you may be more apt to show restraint in other areas of your life.  Louise Hay, in her book "Heal Your Life" says that the likely cause of being overweight ranges from being fearful and needing protection to being resistent to forgiving and that overweight people are ultiminatey seeking fullfillment.  Do you agree?  Something to think about!  

People who have ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) have difficulty staying focused and completing tasks.  They tend to listen but don't absorb what is being said.  They are focusing on other things.  They are easily distracted.  Piles tend to be their favorite method of organizing.  Once a task is complete, papers realted to it are placed in a pile where they will stay.  People with ADD have to be careful to not become hoarders.  They have trouble keeping things in order because their brain doesn't function in an orderly manner.  As a result, they tend to avoid tasks because making decisions and completing tasks on time is a struggle.  They tend to be over-thinkers. Their minds are full ofoptions and possibilities which can be counter-productive.   

Hoarders are people who have lost control of reality.  They no longer see life as it truly is, but rather, cling to a stubborn idea or emotion about having things taken away from them or losing control of a situation.     

When you are in a state of overwhelm, whether from ADD or simply living a chaotic life, it can cause you to feel stuck, freeze and do nothing. You are being dragged down by negative energy in your home or negative self-talk in your head and have trouble letting go.

When we hold onto our possessions that we've brought in from the past, our home is telling us so with cramped drawers, closet rods, and rooms filled with junk.  We sometimes see no hope for the future.  What is your mind telling you and what is your house showing you? Your clutter tells you that you do not believe you can fix the future.  Have you faced up to your insecurities - whether they are financial, emotional or relationship oriented?  

Are we seeking fullfillment by filling our homes?  What is your house showing you with the clutter it contains?     

If you are overwhelmed by your clutter, don't hesitate to reach out.  Contact me.  I am here to help.   

Now that we are well into Fall with Halloween just around the corner, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Chanukah will quickly follow.   Before you know it, we will be participating in the hustle and bustle of holiday shopping.  

I would like you to keep something very important in mind.  

I recently spoke to a Moms Club at their monthly meeting and my topic was about organizing the kids.  One of the points that I made, which is so relevant at this time of year, is that when it comes to gift giving, you need to remember the concept of "presents vs. presence".   

Did you know that the United States has about 3 percent of the world's children, yet U.S. families annually purchase more than 40 percent of the total toys consumed globally.  This tends to happen because there are so many working parents.  They now have less time to spend with their kids so they tend to shower them with toys to compenstion for that perceived "loss of quality time".  Other relatives, such as grandparents, aunts and uncles can also contribute to this statistic.  

There is a difference between "presents" and "presence".  

Presents are great, but in excess, can cause clutter.  

Don't spoil your child by providing too many presents.  There are other alternatives.  Have you considered asking grandparents or other family member to purchase movie tickets, tickets for live events or a favorite restaurant instead of a toy?  Try to come up with creative solutions that do not involve a lot of toys, clothing or other items that are in excess of what is reasonable.

Relatives and friends tend to want to give "things" to your children to show them how much they love them.  However, they need to understand that, although it is appreciated, their time is more precious than possessions.  Too many possessions tend to lead to clutter.

I once worked with a hoarder who used to purchase toys and clothes for her grandchildren and ship them out three times a week.  Can you imagine what that house looked like with all of those "presents" arriving at their door?  I was able to get her to understand that her time with the grandkids meant so much more to them that the gifts they were receiving.  She ended up taking a trip to visit them and spent about 10 days of quality time with them instead.  Now that, in my opinion, is a "gift".  

Before the holiday season gets under way, why not take some time to contact those relatives and friends and express this concept in a tactful way so as not to upset the gift giver.  Having alternative ideas in mind ahead of time will guide them in the right direction and help you reduce the clutter of too many possessions in your home.  Consider doing the same for those you love.  Give your time instead. 

Remember when gift giving this year - "presents" vs. "presence".  Why not choose "presence".

If you are overwhelmed with the toys, clothes and other items that have accumulated in your home, don't hesitate to contact me.  I will help you bring balance back into your home so you can enjoy time spent with your family instead of stressing over the clutter.  

In the meantime, have a great day!

Wow, it's been quite a month here at A BETTER SPACE.  I have had the pleasure of working with some new clients and continuing projects with existing clients as well as doing a vendor event at a Senior Activity Center and an interview that will air on You Tube next month where I discuss time management tools.  (Stay tuned for details coming soon!) 

My latest project was to work with a client who is relocating out of state and needed to declutter her basement.  She had lived in her home for the past 8 years.  We spent two days going through her basement and determining what to keep for herself, what to give to family members, what to sell at an upcoming garage sale and what was trash.  

The basement had not had much attention in the past and some of the boxes we identified had not been opened the entire time she had lived in this house.  They came with her 8 years ago and were never looked at again, until now.  (This is more common than you think.)  The basement was filled with cobwebs and dead bugs as can be common in many unfinished basements.  

I am happy to report that after two days, the basement is now decluttered, the trash is ready for pick-up and my client feels so much better after getting through a project that was too overwhelming for her to tackle on her own.  She has now identified what she can sell at her upcoming garage sale and looks forward to making some money to put towards her moving expenses.  She is now able to sleep better at night knowing that her basement went from "Spooky" to "Spooktacular" in just a matter of two days.  

Fall is a great time of year to eliminate the clutter in your home.  Think about how much better you would feel if you were able to eliminate what you no longer need or want, whether it is by throwing things away, donating them to a local charity, passing items onto family members who would enjoy them or selling them at a garage sale or perhaps online.    

Imagine how good you will feel when you turn your home from "Spooky" to "Spooktacular" before Halloween!  Pick a room in your home to work on and get started now!  

If you need any assistance in getting past your feeling of overwhelm and want to get that project done once and for all, don't hesitate to contact me.  As always, I am here to help and I would love nothing more than to help you make your home "Spooktacular"! 

Tonight I am being interviewed as part of a series called "Clearing The Clutter Inside & Out".  I will be speaking about time management.  (The interview will go viral in November on You Tube so stay tuned for more details in the coming month on where you will be able to view the interview.)

One of the key points that I will be making during this interview is about a tiny little word that has so much power behind it.  It is so fundamental that when children first learn how to talk, it is one of the first words they learn how to say (and once they learn it, they use it often!).  The word I am speaking about is the word "No".  

I sometimes think that as we get older we forget to use it and are told, perhaps, not to use it. I, however, strongly believe that using the word "no" when appropriate, is a great time management tool.  It provides balance.

We have a tendency to overbook ourselves, take on too many tasks and say "yes" to everything.  We forget that it is okay to say "no" when it is something that is going to over-extend ourselves.   A lot of times, we feel guilty about turning down something, whether it is a social engagement, a large project or other commitment that will stretch our time too far.  

When you are thinking "Yes, bring it on!", step back and consider your decision before actually saying "Yes".    Examine your schedule and see if you have the time, the energy or even want to do what is being asked of you.  Contrary to popular belief, you have more control over your time that you think.  

Learning to say "no" without guilt when you need to is perfectly fine.  In turn, asking for help when you need it is perfectly fine. Admitting to yourself that you do need some help does not make you a lesser person.  We all need help from time to time.  

I guarantee that when you learn to incorporate this tiny, yet powerful word into your life, you will gain a sense of freedom and joy in knowing that you are making the right decisions to stay in balance.  

If you are feeling overwhelmed with responsibilities, clutter in your home, your head, or your life in general, don't hesitate to give me a call.  I am here to help.

In the meantime, have a great week!