Can You Really Enjoy Life With Less Stuff?

According to professional organizer Peter Walsh in his new book, It's All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff, accumulating too much stuff can actually interfere with our quality of life. As a professional organizer myself, I completely buy into his philosophy. Peter has a great understanding and explains to his audience just why people accumulate stuff - for psychological as much as material needs. I see it all the time.. Who doesn’t have family heirlooms that they don’t especially like but have always been around, or what about putting things in rooms that aren’t even related to the purpose of the room just because there's free shelf or space in the closet space?

This book is inspiring, well written and amusing and while it will not solve every problem- it really doesn't deal much with paper (a VERY common problem I see everyday) it does give hope to those who face a house full of piles and stuffed closets. A great read and help to those of us who are professional organizers and those who want and need to get organized! We really CAN enjoy life with less stuff.

Reinvigorate Your Wardrobe

Whenever I work with personal shopping clients who want to make a big change to their wardrobe, I always talk to them about taking their time. Whether they want to add some new pieces or pare down what already exists, the key to honing your look, is to take it slow. You can’t go from wearing H&M to suddenly wearing Versace--it will look too drastic and jarring.

Most people only wear about 20% of what is in their closet. So, I always begin by editing a client’s closet. While it may seem a bit traumatic to purge that jacket from freshman year of college, a clean slate is necessary. You need to figure out what still works for you and what does not, and you shouldn’t be afraid to throw out clothes that you haven’t worn for a while. If you haven’t worn it the entire season, then let it go.

The next step is to stock up on classic pieces that are less likely to go out of style and can be turned to in a pinch. This is where I come in as the personal shopper and can help decide what the client needs and we set a budget.

Finally, I always tell people that their size does not matter. I repeat..size does not matter. Even the best-cut clothes won’t look right if the wearer hasn’t owned up to his/her true size. Concerning yourself with the size is self defeating. It’s all about the way something looks.

The payoff? Feeling good in your clothing. I’ve seen it happen with so many clients. A woman I worked with the other day said her husband was going to think she was cheating on him because her entire look was such a major improvement. That’s the power a great wardrobe can have!

One Area At A Time

So, we are now officially closer to February than January and I am sure that resolution to get organized has you hard at work. Doesn’t it? If not, I am sure even the thought of organizing now that life is back in full swing has you feeling a bit overwhelmed. Please know you are NOT alone.

We all lead frantic lives. We want to do it all, to get the most out of life. But it isn't working. There are folks whose ability to organize is impeded by varying levels of physical, mental or emotional disability. What we need to do is simplify our lives in order to manage them and enjoy them more.

I want to let you all know that the ability to organize is attainable! Think baby steps, people. You have heard the saying that slow and steady wins the race and that is exactly how it works when it comes to organizing. Clients always want to do the whole house all at once, but that's not realistic. You need to define goals so that you have a light at the end of the tunnel when you start and it then makes it more realistic. If you are trying to get organized and put a system in place or maintaining a system already in place, doing a little bit on a regular basis is what gets the job done.

Contact me and learn how to take your own baby steps to declutter and organize a kitchen junk drawer, a bathroom vanity drawer and a workbench -- three problem areas found in most busy households. Get ready to simplify your life!

Get Organized Month is in FULL Swing!!

Struggling to keep your New Year’s resolution? Get Organized Month, sponsored by the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), is in full swing. I spoke about this at the beginning of the month but wanted to keep the momentum going! NAPO just recently sent out their own home & office organizing tips to share:

Customize Your Kitchen:
- Things that work together should be stored together, such as baking pans, electrical appliances, plastic containers (with lids), pots and pans, and large platters and bowls.
- Drawer dividers are a good way to keep utensils in order.
- Rotate food staples out of your pantry. Create menus to use up dated canned goods.
- Feel the flow of activity in your kitchen. Place glasses near the sink or the refrigerator. Put snacks in a convenient drawer or cupboard.

Conquer Your Filing:
- Create a filing system for your electronic documents that mirrors the one you have for paper. Sort, file, and purge electronic information regularly.
- Keep a file index (a master list of file names). Check the index before creating a new file to avoid making duplicates. Also use it when deciding where to put new documents.
- Refer to your company’s records retention plan for guidance on how long to keep documents.
- Keep the most recent papers in the front of the file. Whenever you open it, the current information will be on top.

Rubbermaid Wants You To Be Organized

As a professional organizer, I often receive special discounts on organizational products to use for clients. This time, Rubbermaid, wants me to pass along my great discount to friends and family (and my LOYAL blog/website readers). For a 20% discount on products at checkout, go to Rubbermaid and use my promotional code CL3466. Happy organized shopping!

Need help on what to purchase? Call to set up an appointment.

ORGANIZED Does NOT = Neat!

Whenever I first speak to clients, many of them tell me that all they want me to do is make them “neat and organized.” However, I tell them that organized does not necessarily mean neat!

Organized means being able to grab what you want when you want it consistently and effortlessly. Neatness is always about the FORM. Organization is about the FUNCTION.

I also always tell clients that there is not a right or wrong way to be organized. Only your chosen way will work. Organization is a learned skill (even though some types embrace it more than others). Organization is a process just like our lives which constantly change. Sometimes our needs evolve and so must our linen closets and filing systems.

Ready to begin your own organization process? Contact ROSEY’S today!

Remove Items From Your Closets With A Purpose

There are always those certain items for clients that they don't want to part with because it seems "to nice to just give away" (even though they never wear it) it "used to look good" on them or "it seems to hard to trash or recycle."

I want you to know there are ways to move out your excess stuff AND get the peaceful high that comes with well-ordered closets and drawers.

Shoes: The organization Soles4Souls gives you a way to part with gently warn shoes that don't earn their keep on your shelf. The nonprofit brings shoes to those in need like relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina and the Asian tsunami. It is as easy as throwing them in a box and mailing them! Even just a couple pairs will make a difference.

Clothing: The Salvation Army has always been known for picking up large donations (like a couch). But it turns out a truck will stop for just five bags of clothes. Can't meet the minimum? Invite friends and neighbors to leave their surplus with you before pickup day. No more schlepping heavy loads out to the drop-off spot! 1.800.958.7825

Media: If you've loaded all your CDs onto your iPod, take advantage of Eco Encore, a nonprofit that will sell your old music-plus DVDs, books and current software-on Amazon or eBay for an environmental cause. More than 70% of the price goes to your earth-saving group of choice; the rest covers operating expenses. Items that remain unbought are delivered to literacy organizations or recycled. They even may reimburse you for part of the shipping costs!