The Day I Told My Ego to Hit the Road, and My Once a Week Challenge

“It is not a daily increase, but a daily decrease. Hack away at the inessentials.”  Bruce Lee

For a very long time I was truly engaged and committed to the idea that having more defined my self worth and made me appear complete in the eyes of others. Complete in the sense that looking put together in a new outfit, a certain car, the furniture in my home or the bag I was carrying explained who I was internally based upon these silly externals. Running to the mall for every occasion and spending over half of my pay check seemed perfectly plausible. The sole reason I justified my over spending and frivolous purchasing stemmed from the need to feel accepted and the pressures of society to look a certain way. The way of life I embraced of over spending, becoming obsessed with appearance- the bout with consumerism, as I like to call it, followed me around in life for about ten years. My ego was in the drivers seat and was steering clear of the notion that having less really meant having more. More time, more life. As with any unhealthy and toxic relationship typically one of the people involved has an epiphany, an aha moment if you will. That person thankfully was me. At this moment of clarity I told my ego things weren't working out and they needed to take a back seat, or get out of the vehicle all together. Once I was in the driver's seat everything began to change, for the better.

What prompted this aha moment you might ask? Pretty simple, I started asking myself the right questions. For instance am I truly happy in my career? The truth is I was going from one job to the next not seeking meaning in the position or how it would make me a better person, but rather the salary increase involved. I needed to keep up with myself financially and if that meant being unhappy 40 hours a week then so be it. What do I want out of life? For too long I was ignoring my true instincts that were buried under the noise my ego was causing. Working in retail environments drowned out my instincts to want to help people on a meaningful level. I was feeding the wrong giant. What does having "stuff" really accomplish or prove? Nothing. Once I got down to the bare bones of it all and started to live my truth, rather than hide behind it, doors began to open that have completely changed everything. I realized my true potential and mission in life was to help others de-clutter, get rid of the external nonsense we think is making us happy. Give back to those who are in desperate need of a pair shoes or a clean pair of pants, and are happy with just one pair of each.

I am somewhat obsessed with the idea that society has this insatiable appetite for more and it is leading to mental destruction. The bigger the better, the more bells and whistles the happier it will make me. Society is running on empty and every purchase they make is a temporary fix. There are no temporary fixes when it comes to a false sense of self. What I've learned in my own life, by letting go of things or situations that no longer serve me, is the most liberating feeling I've ever had. It is not a temporary fix but a permanent feeling. How could I not want to spread that feeling around and help others find mental clarity through the de-cluttering process? I'm so moved by the sense of accomplishment I feel through my clients once they begin to de-clutter that I have decided to create my own challenge. One day a week for one year I will donate something I have in my home, or throw it away. I will commit myself to having less and see where this takes me. I hope you can join in with me on this adventure as I'd like to call it, or at least contemplate the experiences in your own life that may or may not be due to clutter.

I find it ironic that when I am not living my truth I am working for one of the largest apparel and costume jewelry companies in the world, and my goals there are to increase never decrease. My personal goals however are what defines me, and there will be a day when I can walk away from the corporate world of more and focus solely on the meaningful world of less. Until then I'm taking things day by day, client by client. The best part about my new journey to simplicity is the abundance of things I'm going to have internally once I reach that goal. I can only hope my efforts will allow others to feel the same.

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Organize Your Way to a Picture Perfect Pantry in 5 Steps!

For those that have a pantry large enough to do a cart wheel in consider yourself a great candidate for this blog post! For those who have limited food storage space you can certainty still gain from the tips and ideas, with organizing its ALL in the details!

Purge

If you are taking on the task of getting food in order in your kitchen I highly recommend taking everything out of the pantry or cupboards, sometimes you need to make a mess to make it neat! Start sorting like with likes. Rule of thumb- toss (my favorite de-clutter word) anything that has expired or items that need a new home. 

Designate Shelving to Save Time and Money

Keep your pantry focused! Understand the purpose for each shelf. Once you have removed everything have a plan in place for each shelf before bringing the items back in. A baking needs shelf for instance or a designated snack area. This will always prove to be the best way to see what you are running low on and avoid purchasing duplicates. Remember once items start to live with non like items you will always struggle with not knowing how much of an item you actually have!

Designated pasta section and snack section below 

All canned goods stored together, like with like

At the Right Height

Items you use on a regular basis should be within your reach. Items that are purchased in bulk can be stored at the very bottom so not as to use up too much shelf space and weigh down shelving. Keep the not so used items at the very top.

Cleaning supplies low enough to reach but high enough to keep out of harms way for children. 

Remove Boxes and Label

Boxes can take up space and if you are taking from an opened package its much harder to see how much you have left. Items such as granola bars, tea, fruit snacks, bottles of water etc that are packaged can be removed from the boxes and stored front to back or within bins. Keep the older items in front (at the top within a bin) and the newer behind them (bottom in a bin). Label every bin with its contents! My favorite labels to use on bin storage in a kitchen are the Avery brown Kraft labels. In deciding what bin storage to use its always best to determine how many items you are going to be storing first. Always measure shelf height and length for the best fit prior to heading out to the store! Clear containers work wonders for cereals, pasta and rice. If you are adding a bit of color be sure to label the contents! 

Oatmeal, cider and tea are stored in baskets

All snack bins labeled

Maintenance!

Once a week, or twice a moth take a minute to be sure items are still in their designated areas and you feel good about the organization within your pantry of cupboards. By taking the time to maintain your food storage you will be well on your way to having an organized pantry!

 Comments, questions? Feel free to post! 

Happy Organizing~

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Just for fun!

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Avoid the Cluttered Closet Trap

I have listed below some must have organizing tips that I implement into my own closet to save space and keep things from becoming cluttered. If you are feeling as though you are digging through clothing and heeps of shoes and accessories I recommend following these simple steps to avoid the cluttered closet trap. Always remove everything to begin with a clean slate then take the time to purge and donate. Once you feel good about what is left here's some ideas to keep things flowing and uncluttered! Don't forget, for more organizing tips follow me on Facebook and Twitter!

Do use felt space saving hangers for denim, pants and tops! They will hang well and clothing will keep its shape. Try to have uniform hangers in your closet for a clean look. 

Use separators for undergarments and socks. This will avoid the pile up in your drawers and also a great indicator as to when it's time for laundry!

Do use bins for t-shirts and always fold sweaters, utilizing shelving for folding!Arrange by color and sleeve length.

Allow your jewelry to be visible! Stack bangles using bottles or even paper towel holders. Hang necklaces using push pins on cork, simple and easy to do!

Utilize trays for bracelets as well and containers for rings, like with like!

 Keep like style shoes together. Peep toe, close toe, sneakers, etc. Use adjustable metal rod shoe holders to fit more and keep them off the floor!

Do store shoes one facing front, one facing back. This helps hold more shoes across your shoe rack and will allow you to see the heel height!

Like styles together, shoes facing front and back, uniform hangers, clothes organized by color and an amazing dress nook to pull it all together. This closet has it all! 

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Back to School Ready in 5 Steps

Those lazy days of summer are slowly beginning to end. If you reside in New England fall will slowly creep in with its chilly mornings, early sunsets and beautifully colored leaves. Just as everything outside begins to adapt to the season change our homes will as well . Shorts are replaced with jeans, flip flops with sneakers and backpacks filled with sunscreen and towels are replaced with books and pencils.

Whether you are inviting in a new season or not being back to school ready is important. I created a quick checklist to be sure your home and your children can transition into the schedule change with ease.

Closet Check- What can stay and what can go? Weed through your child's closet just as you would your own. Create a keep pile, donate pile and toss pile. Once you have a clear picture of what is needed make a list before heading out to the stores.

Backpack- Some schools may have a list of supplies they suggest your child have before heading back to school. Check the school's website for information. Keep the supplies in their backpack once they are purchased so that when they are off to school nothing was missed.  

Routine- Bedtimes will most likely change, as will the rise and shine times. Early to bed and early to rise one week prior to adjust into the new time change is important. It is also important to go over your child's before and after school routine. Whether you carpool or they take the bus go through their daily commute to be sure they understand. If it is something that will change week to week create a schedule that is displayed on your fridge to ensure they have a reference point.

Homework Station- Create a designated homework area preferably in a place where they can concentrate and is the least distracting. For great tips and tools on how to create this space click here http://www.homemadesimple.com/en-US/HomeOrganization/Pages/homework-station-how-to.aspx.

Get to Know Your Child's School - Whether your child is entering into a new school or the same one having a clear understanding of the operational aspects is important. Their after school activities available, they way they will handle communication in case of an emergency and getting to know the staff is important.

Here's to another great year for all of your children and happy organizing!

Comments or questions? Please feel free to share!

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Permanent Top Ten List- Daily Life Assignments

To do lists. They are ever changing and on going. They are written or typed up almost as if we have an automatic "list it" button that goes off daily. There are the weekly grocery lists, 
always the least or most popular, depending on how you feel about them. I am certain to carefully plan them out days prior to my food shopping extravaganzas. You may even prefer to plan your food menu list for the week, which could include your children's lunches.The appointment lists run a close second behind the food to dos. The appointment times and locations are always in plain sight on my fridge's magnetic dry erase board. Then of course the lists of gifts to purchase around the holidays or the decorations needed. Every occasion needs a list! I can safely assume these to dos have morphed into daily life assignments for all of us. As an organizer I recommend lists and praise them. They do offer a moment of clarity as you write down your tasks. In what could be a jumbled mess swirling around in our heads, somehow seeing them on paper offers us a brief sense of accomplishment as we cross begin to cross things off.

Two years ago I created a permanent to do list. One that is not defined by how busy I am or how I ran out of soy milk and eggs. It doesn't list all of the appointments my husband and I have, or the bills that need to be paid. The only change it does require is from within. It encompasses the broader aspects of our lives that we sometimes can miss out on because we are too busy making other plans. A midst the daily tasks of life it does help to put things into perspective.  I'm going to share with you my top ten to do list, or as I refer to it my "permanent top ten". 

1. Once per week part with one item in my home and donate it. 
2. Take time everyday to be a good listener.
3. Be grateful for what I have, it is enough.
4. See everyday challenges as a learning opportunity rather than an obstacle.
5. Call friends and family every week to say hi.
6. Go through one area of my home monthly that I feel needs some organization inspiration.
7. Face fears and hesitations with confidence, never losing sight of my dreams.
8. Replace I wish with I will.
9. Do not let comparison steal my joy.
10. Everyday be myself.

If you found this post to be helpful or have comments you'd like to share please feel free!

For everyday organizing tips follow me on Twitter or Facebook, and happy organizing!

     

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Bathroom Closet Organization Tips

Just as any closet in your home can become cluttered up quickly your bathroom closets can certainly do the same. My organizing mantra is to always take stock on what you have and purge any items you no longer need. That goes for the bathroom too! You'd be surprised on what you can find in your linen closets that you can rid yourself of. Old blankets and sheets that could be donated. Expired medications and beauty products. Even older hair brushes. Take some time to sort through what can stay and what can go to create a bathroom closet that is functional and organized!

Once you have decided the keepers here are some tips on keeping it organized so that the sorting chore is a chore you will only have to do once! 

• Place all like items together in groups. Hair products, lotions, medicine, etc. Always be certain expired medications have hit the road, as well as an older make-up or hair products. Great article here on how to determine the shelf life of your beauty products. 
• Place each category in bins and label. No more searching through a sea of items to find whats needed.
• Be sure your bins are within reach on the shelf and items you need daily are within arms length. Anything you may not want easily accessible to your children should be stored higher. 
• Re-fold linens to create more space and place sheet sets within pillowcases. This keeps like sets together and opens up room in the closet. Great tutorial here on towel folds!
• Utilize baskets for larger items, or even to hold any of your children's bath time toys. Make a trip to the dollar store to find colorful and inexpensive ways to organize. 

This bin, stored in a child's bathroom, contains first aid items and medicine for the little ones. Have some fun with labels and encourage your children to place items back in their designated spots!

Diapers, baby wash and teeth care stored in bins and labeled

Sorted and labeled by medicine type

Dollar store bins for items bought in bulk or even toys for the tub! 

For even more bathroom organizing tips check out the link below! 

http://www.marthastewart.com/275280/bathroom-organization-tips/@center/277006/bedroom-and-bathroom-decorating#/273297

Comments and questions are always welcome! 

For everyday organization ideas follow don't forget to follow me on Facebook and Twitter, or follow my blog and be part of the organization fun! In the Rhode Island area? I'd love to help you de-clutter, check out Organized for Life!

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