Home Organizer: Organized for life!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Your Health and Your Home Connected

6:46 AM Lauren Silveira 1 comment

One of the most important facets of your life is your health. We are constantly reminded through the media, magazine articles and from our doctors to make better lifestyle changes to improve our health. A good diet, exercise and a good night's sleep are the obvious contributing factors to a healthy lifestyle and certainly improve your mental health. When, however, was the last time your doctor asked you if you've organized your home? The last time you took a few hours to de-clutter? Your health and mental well being do go hand in hand with keeping a clutter free environment in your home. Here's some simple tips to get you started ~

Excessive piles of anything in your home are a haven for dust, mold and other allergens. Trapped dust in any home is not good for your respiratory health. Go through the piles of magazines, clothing and even toys where germs can be multiplying and toss or donate what you don't need!
Not having a designated area for your everyday items as simple as your car keys will bring on the stress in the a.m. when trying to get out the door. Start your day the right way and be sure coats, keys and even shoes are always in the same spot.
Losing track of mail due to pile ups all over the home can also bring on the stress if important paperwork goes missing. Use a letter holder or basket to keep mail together. Sort it out the minute you begin to go through it. Check out a past post on ways to control the clutter! http://laurenorganizedforlife.blogspot.com/2011/11/control-that-clutter.html
The kitchen is the most used room in the home, keep it clean and organized! You want to be able to find what you need on a whim, have fresh food in the fridge and have clean counters. The kitchen is also the best spot to utilize a dry erase board and calendar keeping everyone up to date on everyday tasks and appointments. An organized schedule will allow you to feel less stressed. Additional kitchen tips here! http://laurenorganizedforlife.blogspot.com/2011/04/its-all-about-kitchen.html

We all want to walk through the door after a long day and feel as though we can continue to be our best selves in our homes. It's where you begin the day and end the day, so what better place to start than at home? Make it your sanctuary, the most peaceful place you know...

Want more tips and ideas on organizing and creating a clutter free environment? Have anything to share? Follow my blog or find me on Twitter @laugia. Just click on the Twitter link above! Or like this link on Facebook!

What's Really in the Room During the Holidays~Stop Opening the Gifts and Listen

10:03 AM Lauren Silveira No comments

The day after Thanksgiving my mom and I headed out for our annual Black Friday shopping extravaganza, which marks the official start to the holidays. While we don't participate in the wee hours of the a.m. we certainly still find ourselves deals amongst the crowded aisles throughout the stores. I suppose everyone's motives that day are essentially the same. The bottom line is saving money on some great items for the holidays, but my question is at what cost? Two instances that day prompted this blog post.

While we were checking out at the register in Macy's the salesgirl made a small mistake and apologized. She mentioned having to get up at 3 a.m. to come into work and was a bit over tired. While I agree it is her choice to commit to a retail position that requires you to show up the day after Thanksgiving at 4 a.m., it dawned on me she has to because the public expects it. Every holiday season retailers without fail open their doors for the public at unreasonable hours. They advertise their deals and people rush out of their homes to go and catch them. I feel as though the gift giving season the day after Thanksgiving should not begin by pulling people away from their families, only to satisfy the masses and their appetite for deals. Economists will argue that the surge in sales that day can help push our pathetic economy along, but if stores opened at regular hours wouldn't people still show up?

On our last stop before heading home I saw a gift giving tree for the needy in one of the stores. There were hanging ornaments in the shape of Christmas trees that detailed the age of the children and what they wanted from Santa. One of them read- age 4. Size 4T. Socks, underwear and pajamas. I stared at it for a bit and then all I felt was heartbroken for that little girl. Ten minutes earlier I was strolling through the aisles in Toys R Us passing people with shopping carts filled to the brim, and this little girl just needs some socks.

I'm not looking for validation from this blog post, and I don't want to be a holiday Debbi downer. I just ask of these few things-

Say thank you to anyone you encounter who is working this holiday season whether it is a retail store, policeman, doctor, nurse or military. They are giving a gift greater than anything you can unwrap.
Remind your loved ones to be thankful for the amazing blessings the universe sends them, today and everyday.
Remember the holidays are not about deals, gifts and spoiling your loves ones. It's about spending time together and being appreciative.
Keep it simple and be grateful.

Control that Clutter!

6:10 AM Lauren Silveira 2 comments

We've all had those weeks. By Friday our mail is stacked up to the high heavens on our kitchen counters, the kids toys have become unintentional decor in every room and our closets have now become the floor. If you can't seem to catch it before it begins over time the weeks turn into months and the result is a cluttered homestead. One of the first things people will say is "I just can't find the time to keep up with it". That should be your Aha! moment. Can't find the time, so now time has decided to interfere with your day by making you spend most of it cleaning! Not a healthy relationship. Another downside is the toll clutter can take on our mental well being. Not being able to locate items in your home can be exhausting and frustrating, a not so healthy feeling. Where to begin? Read on for some thoughts on how to best manage your everyday items that can cause clutter- paper clutter, clothing clutter and your child's toys.

~ A Place for Everything, Everything in its Place ~

Mail, Magazines and Documents

Your mail needs a home, and the counter isn't one of them. The minute you retrieve your mail toss it if you don't need it and designate a place for the remaining. Strongly suggested is a mail file. A slot for bills, a slot for invites, etc. Purge this file on a regular basis. Magazines can be placed in a basket. When one goes in send last months issue to the recycle bin. Any important documents should be filed away in a filing cabinet, accordion file or in folders. Immediately. Label each compartment for quick filing. Take a moment once every couple of months to shred anything that you may not need.Taking a systematic approach to mail is probably one of the most important tools you can utilize because it will allow you to stay on top of what's coming in and what's going out. Important documents will not be lost and counter tops and coffee tables will be free of paper pile-ups. To reduce your mail simply opt for paperless statements if possible. Receiving billing statements or even magazines electronically reduces clutter and helps the environment.

Closet and Clothing Clutter

Closets and bureau drawers are the most common place for items to be stored away and hidden. Before you know it your closet needs its own hiding place. Utilize every closet and bedroom drawer space in your home for a specific purpose and decide where to place each item. Removing all items and categorizing them is your first step. Create piles as you begin to sort. Donate anything that is causing the space to be cluttered. Utilizing bins within your closet to store specific items such as bags, belts and scarves will keep them from becoming disorganized. If space is an issue store seasonal items separately to relieve space. As with your mail having a system in place for your clothing can help to avoid the pile-ups. Clue in everyone in your household as to where the designated areas are. Check out this link for more information on how to best utilize closet space http://laurenorganizedforlife.blogspot.com/2010/11/closet-transformed.html

Toys

If you are racing to remove your children's toys from the floor anytime guests are arriving minimize that mess by having a designated area for your child's toys. If it happens to be in your living room no worries. Investing in shelving with bins is a great way to design the area to look inviting. Implementing a plan however to put away the toys is the most efficient way to keep the clutter under control. Once the children are off to bed your living room should have regained its identity as a place where you can relax. Clutter free. A link to more ways to keep your child's play area organized http://laurenorganizedforlife.blogspot.com/2011/04/great-toy-challenge.html

Allowing yourself and others within your home to consistently make an effort to avoid the clutter trails will help to keep your home clutter free. Think simple, think inviting. Every time you walk into your home it will prove to be your favorite refuge.

Thoughts on a Society Fueled by Consumerism. Deciding When Enough is Enough

10:31 AM Lauren Silveira 2 comments

~ In a consumer society there are inevitably two kinds of slaves: the prisoners of addiction and the prisoners of envy ~ Ivan Illich

In 1998 I went out and bought my first cell phone. There was nothing fancy about it and I recall not being overly thrilled about the idea. I just concluded that it would be a good idea in case of an emergency. Imagine that, a cell for emergency purposes only. Fast forward 13 years later as thousands across the country are racing to stores to purchase the new iPhone, and more than half of the recipients are more than likely under the age of 18. I can't say entirely that I blame society for their endless need for bigger and better, and I also can't say the blame falls completely on the companies that produce the bigger and better. I believe they go hand in hand, and 13 years later society....well society just expects more. The question is where does it end?

Over the last few years we have all witnessed the United State's falling dollar and the international debt that seems to be insurmountable. Suddenly Americans are faced with foreclosure, lay offs and thoughts of financial insecurity. They are beginning to rethink their financial plans when it comes to home ownership and retirement plans. They have begun on some level to learn to live more simply and doing what they can to adopt a new way of thinking in terms of finances. Naturally the spending habits of an individual will always vary based on income and upbringing but whether you have the means to purchase the bigger and better is it really necessary?

As a consumer we have so many choices when it comes to where you shop, where to eat, what car to buy. With so many choices its no wonder we sometimes feel overwhelmed in our decision making. One of the steps we can take as consumers is to really identify with what we need as opposed to what we want. To ask ourselves the question of whether or not it is necessary. We also have to dig a little deeper. Eventually our clothes will begin to wear, our vehicles will become older and will need to be replaced. However by realizing you are not defined by what you own you will tend to be a bit more selective with your purchases. What you do with what you have determines your worth. There is always a rush with a new purchase that you thought you just had to have. Within a week you are satisfied and within a one month you are over it. Alas you move on to the next thing and the process repeats itself. The lesson learned is that things will never create a true happiness. They in essence create a false sense of what real happiness is.

Life is short. The idea isn't to keep running in a race against society or yourself to have the best, there will be no finish line. The idea is to spend it on the moments. Take in the world around you everyday and be consumed by the little things in life that are filled with true happiness. The intangible good are the things that fill up your insides with enough satisfaction to feel that you have enough. Right now look around at everything you have and ask yourself is it enough? I can't preach to you that over consumption can manifest itself into a monster that will eventually leave you unfilled. I can only ask that next time you are looking to purchase the bigger and better take a moment to look around and ask yourself is it necessary? Contentment is natural wealth; luxury, artificial poverty ~ Socrates

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Making a List and Checking it Twice...Or Not? My "To Do List" Experiment

7:16 AM Lauren Silveira No comments

We wake up every morning and begin with thousands of thoughts running around in our heads of what needs to get accomplished that day, that week, or even that month. On a personal note my life has become so consumed by to do's that I felt as though I was just living off lists with my sanity linked to the pen that crossed off the tasks. I have blogged in the past about life balance and the importance of creating lists but recently the idea that lists were beginning to consume me seemed a little pathetic. I decided to do a small experiment. For one week I did not write a single list. I didn't take a moment at my desk each day to whip out an over sized post it and start listing away. I just went day by day. At first I felt like something was wrong. It didn't feel right to me that I didn't have something to reference whatever it was I needed to accomplish. Surprisingly not the end of the world! I just did what I thought needed to get done. By day three I actually enjoyed not having to list everything on a daily basis that my week will consist of and went with the flow of things. Going with the flow. I hear it all the time but never really understood it, and now I do. In the end life balance, focus and enjoying the moment leaves you feeling less stressed and overwhelmed. Treat your to do list as a small way to keep yourself in check, rather than living by them.

My 5 revelations about lists are below-

Your memory is sharper than you think
Create lists as you need them but don't live by them.
Going with the flow is tied to living in the moment, and is so much more important than living off of to dos.
Creating a list once at the beginning of your week which highlights what needs to get accomplished gives you the room to go with the flow and not be thrown off course.
Your everyday to do lists will never cease to exist, not for now anyway, so taking things day by day is the best way to stay on track.

Staying organized in your home will allow you to feel more at ease about what needs to get done. For example have your monthly bills in one spot, your doctor's appointments or children's appointments in a designated area. Just seeing them everyday is a reminder. What works for me may not work for you, however if you try your best to stay focused your to do list may only be needed twice a week, once a month...or not at all.

Feel free to comment with thoughts and ideas! Don't forget to like this page on Facebook or follow me on Twitter. Thanks for visiting!

Getting Back to School Ready! There's Something About Autumn...

9:39 AM Lauren Silveira No comments

I've always wondered if seasons can sense our excitement, anticipation or reluctance as they begin to creep up on us. For New Englanders we welcome summer with open arms. After bitter cold winters and a spring that only seems to last about a month summer is that breath of fresh air that makes its way into our homes with welcoming smiles. There is however something about Autumn. Maybe its the slight chill in the air at night, or the warm and vibrant colors that begin to line our streets as the trees respond to the changing season. Warm apple pie and carved pumpkins on door steps, all the signals of Autumn's arrival. Another sure sign is our childrens return to school. Time for backpacks, lunch boxes and new shoes. As we begin a new season we should be sure we are ready for our new routines. Mother Nature eases into Fall effortlessly so taking her cue here are a few tips to make your household embrace the new season and be Fall ready and organized!

Organizing Your Schedule Change

Have a morning routine before your kids head back to school to help them out with the new wake up call. The better prepared they are in advance to start the school day the more smooth the morning routine will go. Less tears and more smiles!
Pack lunches at night if you can and leave backpacks by the door. Always a time saver in the a.m.

Back to School To Do's

Kids are growing faster than the season change! Toss the items they won't be wearing, donate or re-sell, and make your list of the clothing items they will need before hitting the stores. Don't forget to research sales and print out coupons before heading out. Teachers sometimes have additional school supplies that they will require your kids to have, but always grab the basics. Pack them right away in your child's backpack so that they don't leave home without them!

Calendar Central

New school year means new after school activities, play dates and sports. Create a designated area in your home to display a calendar that lists daily activities for the month. The kitchen seems to get the most foot traffic so a dry erase board on your fridge is a great spot. Get your kids involved by having them go over the calendar with you, maybe adding different stickers for certain activities.

Check out this link to some fabulous back to school organizing supplies for ages k-8 via organize.com http://www.organize.com/back-to-school-k-8.html.

Comments? Questions? Feel free to post! Don't forget to follow me on twitter for more organizing essentials, or like this on facebook! As always thanks for visiting!

Jewelry Revamp!

5:20 AM Lauren Silveira No comments

This jewelry armoire was beginning to look like a bunch of junk drawers, and was clearly defeating the purpose! Our hanging jewelry organizer was an easy fix. I was able to organize the armoire to just hold bangles, the many many bangles I might add! Earrings, hard to find earring backs, rings and smaller bangles are conveniently stored and hanging in the closet. Had to spread the love I have for this jewelry revamp!