Tag: Spring

Organizing Projects Don’t Stay Done (sorry)

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This may be difficult to read, but our organizing efforts do not always stay done. (I know, sorry about that). It’s true, though. We can do the work, work the organizing process, and LOVE the outcomes. However …

Sometimes… things slowly creep back out from their storage spaces and don’t get put back away. Or we acquire a new item but don’t dedicate a new home for that item so it lingers on the counter or in the middle of the bedroom floor, etc.

This time last year- well, we all know what we were doing this time last year. Here in Chicago, this was our last non-shelter-in-place week (not EVEN going to call it normal) before things closed down for a bit. I was agonizing over how to properly but safely celebrate my husband’s birthday, my son’s college campus was closing up until August, and trying to figure out how to pivot my business if I couldn’t actually see people in person. Well, you remember. We all have our stories.

The point, though, is that many of us responded to Shelter In Place with a flurry of organizing projects. And I LOVE THAT, of course!

However… Organizing Projects don’t stay done.  It may be time to tweak the areas you organized in a flurry a year ago.

This week, I challenge you to check in on the organizational status of areas in your home, and add some maintenance to your project list for Spring. For Example:

Kitchen:

I offered my “An Organized Kitchen” presentation last week which inspired me to take a look in my own cabinets.

Pretty, right?

I checked the dish cabinets and made sure things still made sense in there.

I checked the food cabinets, looked at expiration dates, tossed out a few stale items, made my menu for the week with what we have already and assembled a bag of food for a local food drive.

I ordered a new tea pot and a replacement blade for my blender, too.

Maintenance is quicker and easier than organizing, AND it is essential.

Clothing closets:

I know MANY of us organized clothes and closets for ourselves and our family members last Spring. I always feel the itch to review my clothes this time of year as the season changes. But if you do not always get the organizing itch, let this be your reminder – time to check in on your closets. Try things on, swap out heavy Winter items for Spring, look critically at things too old / stained / big / small and purge the things that don’t make the cut.

Be objective, friends – those lounge pants and hoodies you or your kids have been wearing for a year now? Umm, just saying, it might be time to let them go…

Linen Closets / Hall Closets / other small storage spaces :

I am lumping these storage spaces together as only YOU know how you use your storage spaces. When we attacked the linen closet or coat closet last March, we were reacting, getting by, making do. Look more critically at your small storage spaces this week and make sure they’re still doing their jobs. The process remains the same –

  • sort what is there,
  • purge what can go,
  • assign a home and containerize what you’re keeping, and
  • maintain the work as you live in your home
  • (process per Julie Morgenstern, Organizing from the Inside Out)

The good news? You may have done this project in the last 12 months, so you just need to catch up instead of starting all over.

Clearing clutter in these spaces: I offered this tip last year and here it is again – linen closets or bathroom storage? Corral your toiletries and use up all the partial bottles or travel sizes for the next few weeks, then recycle!

And cleaning supplies? OK, if you were a clorox wipe, bleach or paper towel collector (no judgement here), you may still have a stockpile of such items cluttering up your spaces. Take a couple of deep breaths and start using some of your stock to clear clutter and make room for more living.

Outdoor Spaces:

Last summer was definitely the summer of the backyard oasis.

Many of us worked on gardening, our garages and our outdoor spaces since we couldn’t really go too many places or do too many things!

Now is the time to sweep out that garage again, put the things away that have wandered out of storage over the winter and start dreaming again of warmer and sunnier days in our outdoor spaces. And maybe, just maybe, we get to include more friends this year!

Sooo, what areas made it onto your project list this week? As I wrote this, I also thought to share my resources page with everyone again, if you have recycling or hauling or selling questions as you clear clutter, https://peaceofmindpo.com/2019/06/26/organizing-resources-to-reduce-repurpose-and-recycle/.

It’s The “Grab Your Clipboard” Time of Year Again!

Last week, I presented to a lovely group of women and made them laugh by expressing my love for clipboards.

I do love clipboards.

They are so useful!  They keep our important papers corralled and are easy to find in a crowded briefcase.  They provide a sturdy surface for writing, are inexpensive and are available in lots of snazzy colors.

I love more than just their physical attributes, though.  People feel empowered when holding a clipboard, and that power shows on the outside.  Imagine –  a crowded room with people milling about and one is carrying a clipboard.  If you need direction or information, you will go and ask the clipboard carrier.

What’s not to love?

In my Clear the Clutter presentations, I suggest that folks grab a clipboard to start their organizing plan.  With Spring here and lots of projects to tackle, it’s the “Grab Your Clipboard” time of year again!

Here’s what you do:

(Updated, Spring 2022:  You can achieve the benefits of the “Clipboard” by using technology, as well, or even just an extra notepad! Most of my “clipboard” notes go into Evernote and then into my Master To-Do list, but the thought process and the results are the same!)

Grab your clipboard, paper and a pen.  Walk from room to room in your home and note the projects, organizing and otherwise, that you would like to accomplish in each space. For example:

  • Master Bathroom:  clean out under sink, find new wall art, buy new shower curtain
  • Dining Room: clean out coat closet, paint trim, wash windows
  • Hall closet: talk to electrician about updating the light fixture
  • Home Office: organize book cases, clean out bottom file cabinet drawer, recycle old printer

You may find that some of your rooms are just fine as is.  If so, congratulations!   Pat yourself on the back, and move on to the next room!  Keep this process up, taking notes but not action, until you’ve addressed all the areas of your home, inside and out.

Review the room-by-room list on your clipboard.  You may realize that the solution to a couple of projects may be the same step.  For example,  “update light fixture” in the closet and “add security light to garage” would require just one call to your electrician.  Or if you want to get rid of an old family room couch and bedroom dresser, you might arrange one charitable donation pick-up to take care of both.

Glancing at the list,  you may also notice recurring themes.  Let’s say “Move the pile of books” is on the list for every room.  It seems a house-wide book review and purge may be in order!

Right now, this clipboard activity generated a wish list instead of an Action Plan. So now you need an ACTION PLAN!

Pick one project to start.  Just one, not all of them at once!  Pick one.

  • Your #1 Priority may be clear.  For example, a client who is having surgery needs the main floor bedroom organized before her surgery date.  Obviously, she knows where to start! However, if you’re not sure…
  • Start with the hardest project, since that may take the longest overall;
  • Line up an assistant for the project requiring heavy lifting or two people;
  • Start with the project that will help you right away and every day, like the kitchen cabinets or your closet; or
  • Just pick the one that seems like the most fun, to boost your motivation!
  • The most important step is to JUST START!

Pick your project, set aside some time on the calendar to get it done (either a big block of time on a weekend or evening, or in a handful of shorter sessions), and get going!

Keep your clipboard and list handy, and once the first project is complete, refer back to the clipboard list and tackle the next most important project.  Happy Organizing and Happy Spring!

To:

Receive more ideas and suggestions like these;
Book time with me in person or virtually;
Arrange a presentation for your upcoming event; or
Discover the benefits of Organizational Coaching;

Please contact me.

Call / text 708.790.1940
Online at  http://peaceofmindpo.com
www.Facebook.com/MColleenKlimczakCPO
Via Twitter, @ColleenCPO

It’s May! Is Your Head Spinning, Too?

Hooooo boy, it’s May!

May seems like the busiest month of the year for us. Until a few years ago, I thought this was only my opinion, until a wise mom whose children are a little older than mine made the same observation to me.

May brings school picnics and field trips, weddings, graduations, concerts and end-of-the-school-year award events.  The school year is wrapping up, but we still have finals!  And as some activities wind down, others are gaining speed!
We have family members gearing up for house sales and moving.  We’re looking at camps and activities, and making summer travel plans with a college reunion, work conference, house guests, and weekends away.

And all this on top of – Oh Right! – the activities of daily living.

So, if you feel like your head is spinning this month, too – and it’s only the first week! – take a few moments today or tomorrow to make some plans, take care of business and set yourself up to have a great and busy May!

Here are a few ways to succeed:

  • Maintain your healthy habits.  When we are the busiest and want to skip our daily exercise,good night’s sleep or healthy eating is just when we need most to keep up!
  • Grab your calendar, pull up a seat and make a plan. Make sure all your events and responsibilities are listed.  Look ahead and take care of scheduling snags now instead of waiting until later!  (For example, 3 cars for 4 drivers and the teenager has job training this Thursday.  Time to get creative, now instead of Thursday!)
  • Pare Down. Review your To-Do list, and move everything that doesn’t absolutely have to be done right now to a different day, week or month .  Make notes for next month, when the schedule loosens up.
  • Review your upcoming events or responsibilities, and note the details and the other follow-up steps!  Jot down place and time of course, but the other steps, too!  For example, we received an invitation to a graduation party out of town and we will be unable to attend.  You and I know our job is not done when we RSVP – there is a card and gift to purchase and mail.  Add those shopping items and errands-to-run to the Master To-Do List so we don’t forget!
  • Run through the wardrobe options with EVERYONE!  Graduation? First Communion?  End of Year Concert?  Make sure NOW that the dress shoes still fit, the suit jacket isn’t stained, the favorite tie is back from the cleaner, etc.
  • “Hooray, You Did It!” x 10!  Remember Christmas?  And how you have a few extra hostess gifts stashed, or generic greeting cards and gift cards?  Same idea, stock up on some gender neutral “Hooray, You Did It!” cards, gift cards, and bottles of wine for Just In Case.
  • Be Grateful, too.    In addition to the congratulations cards, grab a handful of Thank You Notes for teachers, car-pool buddies, coaches, etc.
  • Reach Out and Touch Someone.  Go ahead and make your appointments:  hair cuts, carpet cleaning, cholesterol screening, camp physical, summer dentist appointments – the list is endless.  Make the calls this week (before everyone else does), and note the events on your calendar.
  • Enjoy! The whole point of this super busy month is to celebrate all of life’s events!  Celebrate!

Spring Stirs My Soul! 9 Actions to Organize Your Spring This Week!

It has been a long and cold winter, friends, I know.  We’ve spent so much of the last few months inside, perhaps feeling closed in and cluttered.  And yet, I feel the stirrings of Spring in my Soul, regardless of what the thermometer says outside!

This week, I am energized to act!  To move forward, to lighten up, to re-fresh!  If you are feeling the same, here are 9 Things You Can Do This Week, to look back and wrap up winter while looking ahead and embracing this new season!

  1. Get outside.  Breathe deep and see the sun.
  2. Clean out your car.  Throw out the trash, drop off the bags of stuff destined for somewhere or someone else.  Then go to the car wash, and wash away the months of salt and dirt.
  3. Take down the outdoor Christmas decorations.  Come on, people.  It’s time.  If you need help, I can rent you a teenager.  But you can probably do it yourself.  Just do it.
  4. Put stuff AWAY! Christmas decorations, suitcases from travels, sports gear from last season, cardboard boxes from puchases – PUT THEM AWAY!!  If I had to choose an overall theme to most of my client hours last week, it would be “Just finish!”.  You’ll be so happy you did!
  5. Put away the really heavy sweaters and scarves – you know you’re tired of them!  I am, too.
  6. Open the windows.  Just for 30 minutes.   Exchange your old house air for some new fresh air!
  7. Spend the week Pantry shopping. Use up the food you have in the fridge, freezer and cabinets before you hit the grocery again.  Clear space and save money!
  8. Make your maintenance appointments now for April and May.  Need work done this Spring?  Get on the painter or plumber’s busy schedule now.  Carpet cleaners, yard guys, the air conditioner check?  I know there’s still snow on the ground, but you can schedule these now for the months to come.
  9. Clear the decks.  I just spent 9 minutes (yes, I set a timer) and cleaned out random things from my garage.  I now have two bags of donations to drop off, plus a bag of things for the E-Waste recycling drop off and a full recycling bin.  It looks and feels so much better in there now!

What are the breaths of fresh air stirring you to do this week?  Go Do It!