October Clarity
Posted by Sue on Oct 8, 2010
Beautiful clear day- and clear that most of all I want to work with 3rd Agers who want to make space for WHAT COMES NEXT! Yes- this includes me : Clearing out the cob webs and accumulated stuff in our spaces and lives so that we can use the vital time left to give to the world the unique gifts we’ve developed over 60 or 70 years of living. NOW is the time to declutter and streamline – to get the proverbial ducks in an orderly row and make those dreams happen … !
Walking the Talk
Posted by Sue on Sep 28, 2010
Sue here …
I’ve been thinking lately about the messages my life broadcasts and the many ways in which what I SAY and what I DO simply don’t line up. A pretty heavy topic for a Tuesday morning, I realize.
And HOW, might you ask, does this relate to organizing and decluttering?
Without knowing what I do for a living, if you visited my house and happened to open up my linen closet or my “general junk closet” (some folks have a junk drawer, I have a junk closet), there is no way on god’s green earth that you’d guess I am a professional organizer. I admit it: I’m not walking my talk.
With 5 daughters (only one is still at home, but there’s still FIVE of them), a loving partner, an old farmhouse and a business and a half to run, when do I have time to stay on top of the demands of ongoing organization? But this isn’t markedly different than what any of the rest of you are dealing with. The particulars may vary, but the result is the same: We don’t have time to live the lives that we declare are right and good and healthy for ourselves and the planet.
I’m all about baby steps. Realigning one small piece of my life at a time is like a chiropractic adjustment: It allows the energy to once again flow freely to other stuck areas. So when I polish my sink every evening after doing the dishes (check out Flylady.net) or when I hang my coat up in the closet rather than throwing it on the back of the chair, I’m decluttering my space. They may be small steps, but they are steps forward.
So today I’ll polish my sink, put the cap back on the toothpaste and put a vase of fresh flowers in the entryway to welcome any of you who might come to call. Baby steps. But steps forward.
What baby steps are you going to take today?
Quote for the day: Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now. -Johann Wolfgang van Goethe
If you’d like the full text of this inspiring quote, send me an email: Sue@breathing-space.com
Have a de-lightful, de-licious, de-cluttered day!
Sue
Embracing Limits! True Confession
Posted by Sue on Sep 23, 2010
During our last Declutterers call I made both a suggestion and a confession. Those of you who have been getting tips for a long time may recognize both; but they are worth repeating.
Set a LIMIT– It helps!
A helpful strategy for dealing with your STUFF is to set a limit of HOW MUCH SPACE you are going to use for that type of item OR HOW MANY of that item you are going to keep. Use the limit as a friendly preventive measure.
True Story: Once upon a time there was a client whose basement was taken over by empty boxes. Wonderful boxes of all sizes, shapes and colors. When a new box came along she added it to the collection. Hey! It was a great box and she might need it someday.
When she called me, she was working on a new project and desperately needed some more space – What to do? It seemed logical to me to get rid of some of her excess boxes in order to free up the space she needed. Reluctantly and courageously, she agreed to limit her box collection to whatever fit a storage space of about 4’ high8’ wide and 3’ deep. She vowed to keep only as many boxes as fit into that space. PERIOD! No ifs ands or buts.
What’s amazing is that this system has worked for her for YEARS. A great box comes in – Does it fit in the space? No – Something has to go for that new to be added. Nah—I like the ones I have. Or, that’s okay- I’ll get rid of green one and add this one! YAY – The space is maintained!
It’s clear—if there isn’t room for a box in the defined space, either it can’t be added or another one has to go. Voila!
MY CONFESSION …
When dealing with physical STUFF this limit concept is really clear and simple to me. But guess what? I GET how hard limits are for others when I’m dealing with my “STUFF” which is my COMMITMENTS! I’m sure the feelings are similar. The call goes out for help with X and I’m intrigued. Hmmmmm – wow – What a GREAT idea –I would LOVE to do that! I can do that! Ooh boy—it would be great to help make THAT happen. I get those tantalizing warm fuzzies when considering what it would be like!
Right Joanna! And just WHEN will you do that? – What are you going to remove from your schedule in order to add that in? OUCH – I get sad. I don’t WANT to say no to that wonderful opportunity. Can’t I do just ONE more thing?
This is an ongoing challenge for me – just as a limit to physical STUFF may be for you. I KNOW the consequences of not setting clear limits on my commitments all too well – The overwhelm; having to call back and say I can’t –Choosing between disappointing people and my own exhaustion. Darn! Double darn!
Solution- LIMITS! What I already have on my plate needs to be clearly marked in my calendar (my storage space) and the CALENDAR will tell me whether I can take on something more. I will have to admit that there isn’t room unless I remove something. Reality.
SO dear reader – let’s give it a go … One box for saving wonderful cards. Only 3 bookcases for ALL the books you are keeping…whatever it is – embrace the limit!
Wishing you a decluttered Fall 2010,
Joanna (and Sue)
p.s. If you’re ready for weekly encouragement on your decluttering efforts check out Declutterers at www.breathing-space.com.
Change the Number! Don’t cancel the card.
Posted by Sue on Sep 22, 2010
I just saw a new twist to a long time recommendation: As has always been true, you should have a paper copy of your license and all credit cards etc. (back and front) stored in a safe place – not with your wallet! Here’s the new part: If your wallet does disappear – immediately call your credit card companies to report what has happened but don’t cancel the cards! Instead, request an “account number change” as cancelling your account can hurt your credit score, especially if you have an outstanding balance. A new number will mean that you have to make sure any automatic payments are changed to the new account number but it won’t affect your credit rating.
Managing Those Paper Piles
Posted by Sue on Sep 22, 2010
Dear Breathing Space Readers,
At a recent workshop the issue of PAPER PILES came up – as it always does! With Fall underway and daily life shifting from outdoors to in, paper and mail handling can become particularly annoying.
If the avalanche of paper is something you have conquered… bravo! Give yourself a gold star and skip the rest of this message.
Still here? Okay … The good news is that I’ve once again just seen our paper sorting method work for a client who had struggled with mail forever!
Here are the basics:
Assign ONE surface in your home for the mail. It needs to be at standing height and as close as possible to the door where you come in with the mail.
Clear this surface. If you have old piles there – put them in a box to handle as though they too are incoming mail. But, handle them AFTER you clear the surface.
This is now your one and only mail handling center. ALL incoming mail is placed here. Your goal is to clear this space every day. It REALLY is possible and gets faster and faster as you work the system.
Place recycling & trash bins right there so that while you stand sorting the mail you can TOSS EVERYTHING that isn’t absolutely something you intend to ACT ON. ACT ON = Read, pay, answer or save (either because it is a treasure or because you HAVE TO save it – tax documents, etc.) Tear or cut credit card offers into several pieces so they can’t be used, or even better, have a shredder right at hand.
Assign a clear location for each of these ACT ON categories. This is where you plan to DEAL with them – Not on your counter. So, bills could go in an “Unpaid Bills” file on your desk; pieces that need a response could live in a basket near your comfy chair in the living room.
If more than one person in your household gets mail – then have an assigned place (basket/cubby) for their mail – in the same locale but not ON the clear surface.
Sort and deliver the mail daily.
This practice can become as habitual as brushing your teeth!
Try it and call or email us about where you get stuck. And let us hear about your victories too!
Wishing you a great month,
Joanna & Sue
802-258-4800
P.S. One of our weekly “Declutterers” writes, “I liked the format. It was ‘user-friendly’ all the way: warm and flexible, informative and helpful. I really felt right at home, and inspired to take on a couple of tasks tonight, as I said I would. I mean to make max use of this wonderful opportunity to receive and share ideas and plans.” If you’re interested in trying out our weekly decluttering call – - RISK FREE – let us know and we’ll sign you up for a trial session. For more information, visit http://breathing-space.com/membership/
The Road Goes Ever On
Posted by Sue on Aug 18, 2010
The Road goes ever on and on
Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
And whither then? I cannot say.
~JRR Tolkien
I’ve always envied people who put away everything from their vacations the evening they arrive home. The contents of my suitcase, the piles of CD’s and souvenirs I acquired while on vacation were still scattered on the living room floor a week after I returned. Do I need a vacation to unpack from my vacation?
No. What I need is a PLAN.
First, SCOOP: Put everything vacation-related in a box. Now, everything is together in one place, and the house no longer looks like a souvenir shop gone haywire. Instant relief.
As soon as possible sort the contents of the box into distinct categories:
Urgent: Anything that is time-restricted such as refunds, returns, thank you notes and photos.
Put Away: Including things that already have a home, such as presents meant for later and the hand knit sweater purchased for next winter; and things that need a home, such as the wood carving that you want to hang on the wall.
Fun Memory Stuff: How to keep on relishing the vacation long after it’s over? The beautiful shell from the beach and the coaster from a favorite brew pub remind us of the relationships we made, the sights that moved our hearts and the music that touched our souls. Joanna’s suggestion, “Create a place for vacation treasures that you can see every day.” I have a just the place – a shelf near my office desk. The treasures from my trip will remain there until they no longer sing to me, or until other treasures come along to replace them. Perfect.
Toss: Even though that brochure looked inviting when I picked it up, is it REALLY something that I’ll ever refer to again? And what about all those receipts? I don’t need them! Travel is meant to free us up and give us a new perspective, not drag us down.
Once you have the contents of the scoop box in categories, work on processing one pile at a time. If that feels too overwhelming, try working for just 10 minutes a day until everything is put away. Start with the most urgent items. If you find that you’re still struggling to get to the bottom of the piles after a couple weeks, invite a buddy in for coffee and clearing. You’ll have the fun of sharing some of your vacation stories.
Happy travels … and, happy returns!
Packing: Clear and Simple
Posted by Sue on Jul 6, 2010
“Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” ~ Jack Kerouac
With a week to go before take off for my long anticipated trip to Italy and Macedonia, I confided in Joanna, “I’d be looking forward to this trip if I could only figure out what to pack!” I was embarrassed. It seems to me that a professional organizer shouldn’t be cowed by the simple task of packing for a vacation; but I didn’t have a clue where to start!
Happy New Year! No Joke!
Posted by Sue on Apr 1, 2010
“Sometimes one likes foolish people for their folly, better than wise people for their wisdom.” Elizabeth Gaskell, novelist and short story writer
When I think of April Fool’s Day, I’m reminded of the pranks my siblings and I played on our parents: Salt in the sugar bowl, the plastic snake hidden in the Captain Crunch … Knowing a tip would be going out on April 1st, my curiosity kicked in. I decided to do a little research to see how this odd celebration got started.
Getting Stuff OUT!
Posted by Sue on Mar 22, 2010
“I’ve been getting rid of some clutter – anything that doesn’t serve a positive purpose in my life – and making room for things that feel happy to me. Because I get to make my life whatever I want it to be. I get to make the room feel however I want it to feel. I get to make the closet as full or as spacious as I want it. And, if I have more clutter to get rid of after Christmas, I’m not going to wait a year, or two or three to do it.”
~ Jan Denise, American Author, Columnist and Speaker
At the end of this tip, I’ve reprinted a wonderful letter from May, my virtual friend, colleague and client, who lives in Scotland (visit her at: www.delicioushealing.com). We did all our work over the internet, using photos and SKYPE. It was an exciting adventure for us both. [To find out more about "virtual consultations," check our website.] In her letter, May mentions tips that have really WORKED for her and then issues us a huge challenge!
First off, BRAVO May! It is great hearing about your successes! It’s your challenge that I want to address here: Getting Stuff OUT after you’ve sorted it!
Turtling Through Your Taxes – Feb 18, 2010
Posted by Sue on Feb 20, 2010
We must care for each other more and tax each other less. ~ Bill Archer
So here we are, nearing the end of February; April 15th is still a misty apparition on the horizon. And when you’re busy managing the
rest of your life, it’s easy to forget that taxes are due in only 8 weeks.
What would it be like not to make a mad dash to the 4/15 finish line? Can you imagine yourself mailing that envelope on April 1st – and NOT as an April Fool’s joke.
At Breathing Space we care most about making space for what really matters to you. At the same time there are some mundane basics that have to be in place. For most people that includes TAXES.
