The easiest and quickest way to wave goodbye to clutter is by donating to Goodwill or Salvation Army, by scheduling a pick-up online. The next option is to have a yard sale or giving to friends and family. Every now and then you may come across some items that may hold value. More often than not, your clutter won’t have the value you think it might. It takes time and knowledge to know what sells and who will buy. From antiques to scrap metal some things will deliver the cash and others are not worth the time.

Recently iOrganize has been working with Court Ebeling of Carter’s Home Downsizing and Resale Specialists, LLC www.cartershd.com. Court has many years’ experience buying, selling and evaluating everything from what some people consider junk through fine antiques. Through a consultation he can tell you if you are wasting your time with items that should be donated, discarded or recycled or if you may be sitting on a gold mine of valuable antiques and collectibles. Court’s “want list” of items for potential resale may be found on his Facebook page

February was named after the Latin term februum, which means purification. According to Ovid, Februare as a Latin word which refers to means of purification (particularly with washing or water) derives from an earlier Etruscan word referring to purging.

Purification: the act of cleaning by getting rid of impurities

Purging: purge – rid of impurities; “purge the water”; “purge your mind”

Purge

Removing or relocating any items that do not belong in that space.

Sort

Putting like items together.

Analyze

Ask yourself questions about the piles that you have sorted in order to decide where they should be located in accordance with how often they are used.

Organize

Decide what type of container or space each category should live.

Maintain

Create rules around your new space in order to keep it that way!

Versatility is an object capable of many uses. Also, as a versatile person, you are capable of or can turn easily from one to another of various tasks. Versatility is very important when you want to get organized and live simply. So many of us have specific gadgets or items that serve only one specific task or purpose. Start to recognize the areas of you life that you can be more versatile.
Organizing Tools

Be cautious of committing to very specific or large organizing tools such as drawer sets or racks. If your space changes you will lack flexibility to shift with it. Instead of a set of drawers, go with stackable drawers that you can break down and move around.
Furniture

Classic examples are: storage ottomans, bench’s with a shoe storage compartment underneath, the pull-out sofa or futon, and don’t forget the dog crate end table! Although, I have yet to meet anyone who has one.
Shelving

Adjustable, adjustable, adjustable! Nothing is worse then all of your belongings fitting so beautifully onto a shelf and then, bam, that ONE object that won’t fit. Organizers nightmare!
Gadgets

Of course there are absolutely wonderful products that are perfect for the one purpose they serve. Just make sure that you weed out the rest. Which kitchen gadget do you value the most?
Time

It can be a challenge to schedule your life, but it can always be a challenge to constantly fly by the seat of your pants. Find balance in between the two. Everyday you run into unexpected challenges. Be sure to schedule, open time, into your routine. Time set aside for nothing. When that time comes you have versatility and flexibility to choose what needs your attention most. When your time is filled, everything starts to pile up.

There are multiple organizing tips to help you with any space. I wanted to share with you some of my personal favorites that have made a big difference in my life. I hope these help you to ring in the new year!

Problem: Always losing your keys or your phone?
Solution: Make a conscious effort to only place them down in select areas. You have to become more aware. Allow yourself one or two “homes” for keys, cell phones such as open baskets or little shelves in the areas you constantly lose these personal items. Ask friends and family to help you make a conscious effort to remember not to place them down unconsciously. Create a new habit and spare yourself the frustration!

Problem: T-shirts or pants stacked on top of each other inside of dresser drawers. You can’t see your options unless you go digging.
Solution: When folding, fold the article of clothing once more than you usually would and lay it on its side. Your clothes will then lay like papers would in a filing cabinet. When you open your drawer, you can see everything!

Problem: Deep shelves and lost items.
Solution: Small lazy susans or turn tables bring your items to you from the depths of a deep cabinet.

Problem:Putting away laundry and hanging up clothes.
Solution:Place all empty hangers together when not in use. When it’s time to hang your clean laundry all the empty hangers are ready to go!

Feng shui is the art of creating an environment around you in line with positive energy, nature, and flow. It supports good health, wealth, relationships, creativity and more. Basically, it’s how you feel when you walk into a space. Find some peace around the holiday madness from the tips below.

• Your home is an outward representation of what is going on inside of you.
• Valuable real estate is any space waist to eye level.
• Keep clothes that you fit into NOW. You should feel beautiful NOW!
• Attics with clutter are heavy energy looming over your head.
• Clear the front door entrance to house. It represents your approach to the world.
• Clear the back door area. Don’t constipate your house.
• Clear anything behind doors and passageways. Smooth transitioning from room to room and energy flow.

The latest organizing tidbit at the top of my mind has been, “You don’t need to organize a space that is simple.” When we have too much clutter in our living spaces, we have to continually reorganize and shift. The best solution to any organizing project is, size down what you have so it fits like a glove!
It takes time to get to the highest level of living simply, a.k.a living within the space provided to you. There is a journey involved and it usually takes baby steps. See below, to determine your level.

1.High Level
Living simple. Living within the space provided.
No piles, everything fits easily in it’s place.
You are surrounded only by the things you absolutely love.
You have an even balance of memorabilia, current deco. and future inspired items in your home.
You use everything you have. Before bringing more items into the home, you ask yourself the right questions. Do I have space for it? Will I use it? Do I love it?

2.Mid Level
Living in between. You have raised the bar on your organizing standards in certain areas and are now trying to match the rest of your house to that level.
Starting to cut out areas in your life that are not priority and realizing what is important and worth your time.
Aware of time management issues. Letting go of unnecessary clutter your holding onto and things that you realize you will never get to.
Piles may exist but are no longer miscellaneous items bundled together.
You have purged areas in your home but need to continue to revisit them before they pile up.
You are beginning to limit what new items come into the household.

3.Low Level
Living in clutter.
Over committed.
Unrealistic with time management and physical clutter your holding onto.
There are piles of miscellaneous items in and around your living space.
You are surrounded by the things you love, which are covered by things that simply blend into the room.
You have boxes of memorabilia that you never look through that take up functional storage spaces.
There are items that you purchased that you never used.

To shift from each level takes time. It takes several rounds of purging for the average person to realize what items are truly worth holding onto. Your standards continue to rise as you purge. When you revisit that area, you are ready to simplify even more.

A person who is determined to make big changes in their life will be the one to jump from level to level quickly.

Often, we don’t realize how much time we really have to take care of tasks, tackle projects, spend time with family or have alone time. We try to squeeze too much into our days and end up unsatisfied, with an ongoing checklist sitting on the counter. The purpose of this exercise is to aid you in setting up an ideal schedule for your life. First you want to write down your realistic schedule.

1.Get out a blank sheet of paper.
2. Across the top write down Monday through Sunday with enough space under each day.
3. Think of all of the commitments you MUST do and all the hats you wear, fill them in under the appropriate day. Ex: Work 9am-5pm Mon-Fri. PTA every Wed. night 7pm to 8pm. .
4. Don’t forget self maintenance. Ex: Getting up and getting yourself ready for the day. Getting the kids up and getting ready. How long does it take? What is the guaranteed time you are always awake and ready? Block out that time for those morning routines.
5. Remember to include cleaning, eating, cooking, and grocery shopping. Add all the routines you have every day, week, month that you don’t account for.
6. Leave open time! Don’t cram your schedule. Leave time to relax, exercise, eat, think, breath, read, spend time with family or nothing! This creates balance, versatility and flexibility in your life. If there isn’t any open space, what happens when something unexpected pops up? Everything gets postponed and pushed to the side, only to pile up waiting for you later. If nothing pops up, you have some extra time to choose what to fill it with.

After you block out the things you must do, you have a visual of all the remaining time that you actually have to take care of the to-do list your making each day. No time left?! Day is jam packed?! It’s time to prioritize what is important in your life and let go a little. Less is more. Somethings gotta give.

Time yourself!
Not sure how long the morning routine takes? How long does it really take to do your weekly cleaning tasks? Challenge yourself by watching the clock. You might surprise yourself. Guess first then try! This is a good way to practice time management. Recommended for children also.

Ideal vs. Realistic
There are two different types of schedules. Your ideal schedule and your realistic schedule. I would do this exercise twice and write down what you would consider ideal and what realistically happens now. Compare the two and consider how to begin easing your way into an ideal schedule.

Life should be fun! It’s up to you to make it happen!

Everyone procrastinates on different levels and the solution is to become more decisive. If you feel unorganized, it’s because you have trouble making decisions. This carries over into mental and physical clutter.

This article was inspired by “The Power Of Focus”

1.You’re bored.

Find what your passionate about. What makes you excited and motivated?

2.You’re overwhelmed and everything is piling up.

Recognize the downward spiral, and focus on how to motivate yourself. What is really important to you? Let everything else go.
3.Your confidence has slipped and you have doubtful, fear based thoughts stealing your energy.

Stop wasting your energy worrying. It’s easier to get the tasks done. Create positive and rewarding thoughts.
4.You have low self worth.

You are sabotaging yourself with old negative thoughts, habits and excuses. This involves some soul searching and the first step is becoming more aware.

5.You are doing work you don’t really enjoy.

Successful people do the work that unsuccessful people don’t like to do, even though they may not want to. Look for opportunity to expand your talents wherever you may find yourself. Step out of your comfort zone because that’s where the greatest rewards can be found.

6.You are easily distracted or just downright lazy!

Success takes effort and consistent focused activity. How long will it be before you decide to take action?

Keeping Up With Electronics

Do you have piles of old electronics laying in an attic or basement, outdated or broken? Not sure what to do with them?
Cell Phones:

Sell it on the websites that specializes in selling your old phones.
Donate it to “Cell phones for soldiers”.
Give it back to the company you purchased it from to be recycled or reused.
Computers:

Get any information off of it that you may need from a computer pro.
Look up a local computer drop off location in your area.
Staples offers a great recycling program for FREE and some small fees may apply.
Wires:

Scrap metal yards will pay you for per lb for the copper inside.
General electronics or batteries:

Donate to charities or non-profits if in working order.
Recycle at local drop off locations such as recycling centers, scrap metal yards and or electronic stores.
Earth911.com and Craigslists are great hubs for recycling and donating.

Everyone has “stuff”, right? Did you know, you have emotions, decisions or responsibilities attached to all the “stuff” you have.

1. Emotion – This item makes you feel inspired, happy, sad, etc…
2. Decision – This item needs you to decide if you are keeping it, fixing it, selling it, or storing it until it collects so much dust you decide to throw it away.
3. Responsibility – This item is something that requires your attention and your energy. You acquire another pet, technology or clothing. At some point these items need cleaning, fixing and maintenance.

Now think about all the stuff that is stealing your energy away through the emotions, decisions and responsibilities that are related. This is why it is so important to simplify.

The word “stuff” represents not only physical stuff, but also mental “stuff”. The thousands of thoughts you have daily, consciously and unconsciously are also stealing your energy. How often does the same thought repeat in your mind in order not to forget to pick up the kids or call your friend. This is why it is important to simplify your mind.

Could you imagine how simple life would be if you lived in one of these? Tiny Home

Give the gift of simplicity with aniOrganize gift certificate!

1. Cash, check or credit card through paypal accepted.
2. Contact iOrganize at 772-240-5102 or christen@iOrganizeEverything.com