Let's Talk Trash
It's wintertime, and you're feeling overwhelmed again. Here's a tip: The first place to look is at all your stuff.
You're settling into the New Year and already you're overwhelmed. So much for clean slates and resolutions! You made it through the holidays, put up with the whole goal thing, and now you are giving yourself permission to just not care. That's when things start to build up.
You feel the cabin fever coming. It's time to TALK TRASH! One of the most therapeutic things in life (in my opinion) is decluttering your life. Before you go off the deep end and say that I am asking you to throw everything away, let me clarify.
When you feel overwhelmed, it is usually due to an overloaded plate. The best solution is to empty that plate. If you have a hard time letting go, you have to realize that you can't keep it all and have the stress-free life that you seek. That doesn't mean that you have to pitch everything, but you can bag it up and give it to charity, sell it, or hand it to someone you know who would really appreciate it.
If you take a serious look at your life, you'll see a lot of items that you no longer use. Since you're going to be cooped up in your home most of the winter anyway, why not make good use of your time by getting some seriously large trash bags to begin the process? Trash bags are not only for trash. Assign one for donations, items for sale, clothes for your family, holiday storage, and any other category that requires a convenient carrier to get rid of these items.
Not sure where to start? Pick an area that has been bothering you for quite some time. Start small and stay focused on one spot until you have completed the sorting process. If this doesn't work, take a trash bag and set the timer for 30 minutes. Go around your house or office and seek out the items that are trash for those 30 minutes. It's like a reverse treasure hunt. Before long, it will be full and you'll be able to see some progress.
Letting go is tough. That is why you must grant yourself permission to do so. Think of it as getting back to a simpler life by letting go of the things that you've held on to for dear life out of guilt, duty, or obligation. Your reward will be a healthier, happier, and less stressful life. This sounds like good enough incentive to me!
So when you are sitting around with nothing to do this winter, let's talk trash!
Here is a TOP 10 LIST of how to Organize and Simplify your life...once and for all!
TIME TO ORGANIZE YOUR LIFE?
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TOP 10 LIST ON HOW TO ORGANIZE AND SIMPLIFY YOUR LIFE!
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As you work, do not leave the area in which you are working. You will be distracted by things in other areas and lose valuable time. Put items that belong somewhere else by the door and deliver them later.
9. SET TIME LIMITS...
Knowing how long you can work is crucial. Be realistic--if you only have the energy to work 2 hours, then stop after 2 hours. Make sure that you don't overdo it because this will discourage you from future organizing.
8. USE A TIMER...
This may sound silly, but it works. Whatever amount of time you schedule to organize, use the first 1/2 to sort and the second 1/2 to put away. You know what normally happens, you sort for the whole time and before you know it, you have 70 piles and it's time to stop. SET THE TIMER for 1/2 the time, stop sorting when it rings, and start putting away.
7. HAVE A CLUTTER BUDDY...
Having someone to help you is very motivating and can alleviate any boredom that may set in. Or you could hire a Professional Organizer to come in and guide you through the steps necessary to install systems with long-term results.
6. REWARD YOURSELF...
This is so important! If you know there is something waiting for you at the end of an organizing session, it can be very motivating. It can be something like a bubble bath, 9 holes of golf, ½-hour reading a novel; a ½-hour walk...whatever makes YOU happy.
5. LEARN TO LET GO...
By asking yourself a few quick questions, you can rid your life of a lot of clutter. Do I REALLY need this? When was the last time I used this? Could someone else benefit from this more than me? Why am I keeping this? Be honest with yourself and you'll see that letting go is not so hard.
4. DECIDE TO MAKE DECISIONS...
Clutter is nothing more than unmade decisions so know that as you organize, you will be making a series of decisions. You have to be in a decisive mood or you'll never get anywhere. Instead, you'll be pondering over old stuff, moving it from one place to another. A great tool for decisions with you papers is the PaperConnect™ Tickler File, available at ByeByeClutter.com.
3. GET THE URGE TO PURGE...
If you normally keep everything, make sure you are in the frame of mind to declutter your life. If you are not ready to purge and let go, don't even waste your time. You have to admit to yourself that you are unhappy with the clutter in order to have a motivating factor. Until then, you probably won't throw much away. A Professional Organizer is great help for this type of problem.
2. ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS...
While you are organizing, try not to: answer the phone, make any calls, check your email, write any emails, have anyone around that you are responsible for (plan around children's schedules, etc.). Let people know that you are not available for the time that you are going to organize.
1. And the #1 tip on How to get organized and simplify your life! ...MAKE IT FUN!
If you look at organizing as a boring or grueling chore, you'll hate every minute of it. Envision the end results...No more stress, no more piles, setting a good example for others, being able to find things when you need them, not by accident 3 days later. Say Bye Bye Clutter and Hello Simplicity!
Products
But I Might Need It Someday!
You keep it because…YOU MIGHT NEED IT SOMEDAY and you've been miserable with the clutter for years. Imagine being able to find things when you need them…not 3 weeks later. If you've been miserable because clutter and chaos are ruling your life, Patty Kreamer, CPO® has written the book for you. In her book, But I Might Need It Someday, Ms. Kreamer offers simple, practical solutions on how to organize your life and WIN the clutter battle once and for all!
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The Power of Simplicity
Did you ever wonder what it might be like:
- To have some time to do what you want to do and not what you have to do?
- To sit down and relax for an hour without feeling guilty because you should be doing something else?
- To arrive fresh and early for an appointment instead of the usual 15-20 minutes late, spewing out apologies and excuses for your tardiness?
- To be able to find something the minute you need it and not weeks later after you've already gone out and bought a replacement?
- To welcome unexpected company any time of the day without being embarrassed?
- To enjoy the activities that you have planned because they stand out rather than blend in with the fast pace of the day?
Finally, here is a book that spells out how to achieve what you have been seeking for years-happy, stress-free, simple living.
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The Clutter Rescue Course™
I'm so excited, because after years of development, I'm finally ready to release the world's simplest, easiest and most thorough organizing e-course. It's called The Clutter Rescue Course™, and it's the most complete, automated way to cut clutter, get control over your life, and enjoy your living and working spaces again. And all you need is an email address and about a half-hour a week. Really. And for a price that's hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars less than hiring a professional organizer to come to your home or office.
I bet you're committed to making your own and your family's lives much less frantic. I also bet that you'd like to make better decisions with your stuff and your time.
The Clutter Rescue Course™ will not only help you clear out your unneeded, unwanted physical stuff, but it will also help you overcome a lot of the mental stuff, too! During the course, you'll discover that it's not about doing a lot of things. In fact, there's not a whole heck of a lot for you to do, Instead, I'm going to train you how to develop a state of mind that produces results, not upset. Peace, not craziness. And power, not powerlessness. Pretty soon, you'll find that the clutter will actually begin to take care of itself.
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Check out these and all of Patty's other products at www.ByeByeClutter.com/online_store.html.
Bio
Patty Kreamer is a Certified Professional Organizer®, professional speaker, author, and coach. She is the President of Kreamer Connect, Inc., a Pittsburgh-based company that works with individual and corporate clients to become more productive and perform better while at the same time simplifying their work and lives.
Contact Information
Website: www.ByeByeClutter.com
E-mail: patty@ByeByeClutter.com
Phone: 412-344-3252
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