This is hard! That’s what my client repeatedly stated as she sorted out a bin. I’m not going to deny this. Making decisions and dealing with stuff is hard. She didn’t quit though. I held space for her and oozed support. I listened without interrupting. Bit by bit, the decisions were made and she…
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I wanted to give up.
I barely made it to our destination on this hike. A cirque on a Colorado mountainside. Did you spot me in the lower righthand corner of the photo surrounded by expansive mountains? It felt incredible to get to this spot, sit down, breathe normally, refuel and take some time to enjoy nature while scanning the…
You don’t have to live like this
The boxes haven’t been unpacked even though you moved a million years ago. Or, you moved last month, and the remaining boxes feel so hard. This I understand; you’re overwhelmed.? ? It’s easy to avoid unpacking boxes, especially when you’re able to hide them in the basement, garage, or closet. But they are still there……taking…
Is it just me who needs more space?
You aren’t the only one with too much stuff and too little space. Here’s a solution to regaining control. If you can’t shut the closet or cabinet door, then remove some items until it all fits and the door closes. Look for things you don’t use or don’t like. Do the same when a drawer…
SHOULD isn’t a good reason for keeping things
Let’s talk about NOT “shoulding” on yourself. I’ll share some examples. * I should keep this because I spent $$ on it. This is a sunk cost. We buy things to use and enjoy and then pass them along if they no longer serve us. * I should save this awful piece of art my…
Nifty Gifty Ideas for any Holiday
I stink at choosing gifts because I agonize over each gift, buy it, return it and cross my fingers they like it. Then I wised up and decided to stop buying stuff for the sake of buying stuff. It didn’t feel aligned with who I am (the Queen of decluttering). I wanted to be more…
Are you hanging onto things because you don’t want to get rid of them?
Common Reasons We Hang On To Things I don’t want to let it go! I can’t just give it away. It’s worth something. Who would want it? This is hard! Are you hanging onto things because you’re telling yourself that you CAN’T give them up? There’s no shame in this. It’s emotional. No one likes…
This shovel was more than a shovel
My husband decided to re-organize our garage. An area I like to think of as my husband’s responsibility. He is the main user of the stuff as well as a SAVER with a capital “S.” Me, I’m a tosser. For example, I don’t save short bits of rope, just in case. Nor do I…
My client’s bed wasn’t sleeping in her bed
Her bed was completely buried beneath clutter. My client was dealing with physical and emotional challenges besides an overwhelming amount of bedroom clutter. She couldn’t sleep in her bedroom because clutter had completely taken over the room (I’ve seen this situation countless times; I couldn’t wait to help). It had become an area to stash…
Who hasn’t decluttered by accident?
Those moments of unplanned, spontaneous decluttering can be very productive. You had no intention of decluttering but there you are sorting and discarding by happenstance (I’ve always wanted to use that word). I’ve had this happen in my garden when I spot a weed while admiring a bloom. Thirty minutes later I’ll notice I…
My grief story. Tips for downsizing after a loss.
I felt anxious and apprehensive about picking up my dad’s cremains. Would I be sad and cry once they placed his container in my arms? Should I accept my husband’s offer to pick them up or have him accompany me? In the end, I decided I’d do it after a client appointment since she lived…
Regain control with virtual organizing assistance
Before March 2020, I worked with 1:1 with clients in their homes. That’s not possible at the time of this post (spring 2020) BUT you can still get my nonjudgmental support and learn how to organize when you’re overwhelmed and don’t know where to begin. It’s a fantastic opportunity to get your paper piles in…
Try this if you need to get rid of items quickly
Sometimes a move to a different home is planned, other times it’s due to a crisis. My parents experienced both situations and moved 3 times in the last 9 years. Each move required downsizing because of space constraints. Fortunately, they’d downsized for decades and didn’t hang onto things that no longer served them. They continued…
