Are you stuck?

By Jessica Hoelzel

If you are feeling bogged down, frozen, weighted down or stuck, chances are clutter may be to blame. We are connected to everything we own, tied to it with invisible strands of energy. This energy could be light or it might be heavier, depending on our experience and our emotional attachments to it. Like it or not, consciously or not, everything we own and surround ourselves with has an impact on us.

Too many sentimental possessions and general clutter can cause a feeling of oppression, preventing the occupants from moving forward in life.
- Lillian Too, author of 168 Feng Shui Ways to Declutterr Your Home

So if you are feeling stuck, you may want to check out what is going on in the environment around you. Take an inventory of the state of your affairs, feng shui-wise:

What does the environment around you look like?

What does it feel like?

Listen quietly – is it saying anything to you?

What needs your attention?

Once you let go of some things that are no longer serving you, or deal with some things that may have been burdensome, you will feel lighter. You will feel like you can breathe easier, and have the space to move. Clearing clutter gives you the freedom to move again – in whatever direction you’d like to go.

Organizing Kids' Toys After the Holidays

By Jessica Hoelzel

Got kids? Well, then you’ve got stuff. Lots of stuff. Believe me, I know. I have two little sweeties of my own, and even though I am a Professional Organizer AND Feng Shui Consultant that doesn’t mean I don’t struggle with kids’ clutter. The most important thing you can do to get full rein over the clutter? Purge. That’s right. I’m sure your kids got the latest and the greatest as gifts – so what about all that other stuff that they’ve forgotten about? You’ve got to let some go. Think about it this way – by age 10, your child will have been through (the math is easy) 10 holidays. That’s adding stuff into your home 10 times. It sure piles up – especially if you have more than one kid. (And we are not even talking about birthdays, toys as rewards for good behavior, or toys “just because”).

The point is, keep what your kids love (what they DO play with) and store or let go of the rest. If you don’t have a lot of storage, you are going to have to do a lot of the purging.

Use these handy tips to help make the job easier:

1. For every toy that comes in, donate an old one to a thrift store or shelter (when in good shape).

2. Get rid of things your children don’t play with, and toys that are broken, missing parts, or dingy. This will lighten the load incredibly.

3. Have children pick toys to pass on. They will be happy to have a stake in the process. Store them for the next youngest, or share with cousins (but only if they aren’t burdened by clutter!)

4. Store toys for future siblings or generations by age (i.e. 1 year, 2 years…). Keep in sturdy plastic tubs. They’ll be easily retrievable when company comes or when the next child is ready for them.

5. If putting toys in a garage sale, encourage children by letting them keep the money earned, or use it for a fun family outing.

6. If you are getting too many toys as gifts, encourage gift-givers to donate to the child’s college fund or towards an extracurricular activity instead of piling up material goods. The savings will be much more valuable, and it teaches children an important lesson.

And as far as corralling the new stuff – here are some helpful tips to keep things in good condition, and keep the pieces together:
1. Buy clear plastic bins for each “set”. Cut out part of the box it came in to label the outside and identify. Kids love making their own labels.

2. Help kids put things away. Teach them about sorting. A good activity for brain development!

3. Plastic dressers work great for storing dress-up, Barbies, action figures or Little People things. Kids can easily open and close the drawers. (And they fit in kids’ closets because their clothes don’t hang too low.)

4. Put small pieces in plastic storage bags or small food storage containers with lids.

5. Save warranties/instructions for toys in a plastic Velcro wallet. Label the front.

6. By all means, avoid dumping everything together, mixed up into a toy box or bins. You will regret it later!!!

Organizing for the New Year

By Jessica Hoelzel

When the fruitcake is stale, the twinkle has dimmed, and the sound of jingle bells has quieted, this post will be your ticket to new beginnings. Print it and post in a semi-prominent place – not under a pile of cards, wrapping paper, or gift receipts! Refer to it as you clear the remnants of the holidays. Keep the spirit in your heart, of course, as you move into the New Year. Hold closely your gratitude for family, for home. Think of your intentions for the New Year. How do you want to live?

Do you want to view clear surfaces in your kitchen? How about being able to fully open the door to the home office? Do you want to walk with ease on a clear path in your basement? What would it feel like to be able to find what you need in 30 seconds or less?

Organizing can empower you. Clearing out clutter and managing well the things that you have can give you a great boost for the New Year.

Starting a new project may seem like the last thing you want to do after the activity of the holidays. Do give yourself a break. Put your feet up. Sip a steaming cup of tea. Allow yourself to reflect on what your standards are. Not what you will tolerate, but what makes you feel good in your home? When are you most at peace?

Sarah Ban Breathnach wrote, “Creating a comfortable, beautiful, well-run home can be among our most satisfying accomplishments as well as an illuminating spiritual experience.” Take a piece of paper and jot some notes about what an organized home means for you. What does the space look like?

Ponder what rooms need the most attention. Do a little planning on paper for the next year. Get your calendar, if you wish, and schedule some decluttering time. Three-hour sessions are usually about right for bigger projects, before you get burnt out. You can take 15 minutes a day to transform spaces, too. At the end of a week, that’s almost two hours of organizing!

Maybe the laundry room is your biggest pain right now. Do that first. Maybe the garage needs work, but that would be better scheduled for warm weather. How about weeding out your closet, to make room for the new clothes you got? The playroom could possibly use some sorting and purging, with all the kids’ new toys. Keep in mind the amount of new things coming into your home. A good rule of thumb is: One new thing comes in, one old thing goes out! And including your family will make the effort lighter and teach valuable lessons for the future.

Get started! Beginning is sometimes the most challenging part, but take to heart the words of wisdom woven in my mother’s cross stitch, “Begun is half done”. Start small and reward yourself along the way. You will gain momentum as you go. As Tom Petty sings, “It’s time to move on; it’s time to get going. What lies ahead I have no way of knowing…”

Make it an organized new year!

Decluttering After the Holidays

9 PRACTICAL TIPS FOR DECLUTTERING AFTER THE HOLIDAYS

1. Buy uniform (same size, color) boxes/bins for decoration storage – they’ll neatly stack and you’ll know what they store. Keep this number of boxes as your limit.
2. Store ornaments in shoeboxes, with tissue paper. Place the shoeboxes in a larger bin. And buy a special wreath box to keep wreaths protected.
3. Purchase a special gift wrap container. Limit the wrap you buy to what fits in it. Save space by unwrapping paper, and re-rolling it to fit inside the tube (it should fit more than one type). Cut a small piece and tape to the outside to identify. OR if you purchase only gift bags (a more eco-friendly choice), store them and new and reusable tissue paper in a long shallow bin, which should accommodate many different sizes.
4. Break gift boxes down so they store flat and take up less space. You can also store smaller boxes in larger ones.
5. Pack any extra supplies like cards, festive napkins, etc. with the rest of the holiday things.
6. Wrap lights around empty cardboard tubes to keep from getting tangled.
7. Throw old lights or tattered decorations. Keep only the decorations you love, that bring you joy. Donate the rest to a shelter or sell in a garage sale. (Less is more, and having only what is very special around you is good feng shui!)
8. Make taking the tree/other decorations down as much of an occasion as putting them up – get the family involved, listen to music, have a special treat.
9. Get one or more plastic document wallets with Velcro to keep toy and electronic instructions/warranties handy. Label the outside and either store with important papers or in an entertainment center.

Stay tuned for:
Organizing New Beginnings for the New Year

Clutter-Free Holidays

By Jessica Hoelzel

The holidays are a time of gathering. Whether you take a minimalistic point of view during this season, or an all-out consumption attitude, you will acquire some clutter this time of year. However, it is possible to have a lighter impact on the environment. When I say “environment” I am speaking of two environments, really. The more immediate environments is your home, your dwelling space. And the greater environment is that of this lovely green earth we inhabit. Either place deserves the gifts of care and protection that we have the power to bestow upon them.

Be conscious of the precious environment of the place we dwell and the greater world this season with these ways to simplify:

1. Don’t buy wrapping paper or disposable bows.Ultimately all that wrapping is going to go in the trash, then the landfill. It is not recyclable. It clutters up rooms and fills the trash. Plus, a significant amount of energy goes into producing the paper, and transporting it.

Gift bags are reusable and you can even get ones made with recycled paper. Or look to other alternatives like using paper grocery bags – you can cut them to wrap and stamp to decorate, or let the kids have at it with markers. Tie them up with natural or reusable ribbons. If you feel gift wrap is the most practical way to present your gifts, use recycled paper like those from www.greenpaperstudio.com.

For large items, keep them in the plastic bag they came in, tied with a bow at the top for presentation. You can reuse that bag to gather trash from packaging later.

Another alternative is to not wrap things at all. Hide them until right before you want to present them. And certain things like hostess gifts or general exchange items can simply be placed under the tree as is. If you order a lot of gifts online, keep them in the box they were shipped in. Use a reusable bow or stickers to cover the shipping labels. Break down those boxes later, to store easier and reuse next year.

2. Corral the cards.Gather all holiday greeting cards in one area. Place a large ceramic bowl on the counter or the dining room table to display them. Or if you prefer to see each one in its full splendor, hang together in one place; possibly on a magnetic board or bulletin board.

Another green solution to cut down on waste is to send an electronic greeting card this time of year. You could send it in a simple email with an image, or send a letter as an attachment. Or look online for an electronic greeting – some are even free! Check out www.bluemountain.com.

3. Use real dishes, silverware and glassware.
Please don’t hurt the environment outside by using non-biodegradable disposable serving ware! Imagine millions of people using millions of plastic utensils, plates and cups – and how that adds up to clutter up our world with trash that doesn’t break down.

Instead, make the environmentally responsible choice. You can create a beautiful and special environment inside by using your own dishes. Plus, let’s face it, it is more enjoyable to eat off of a real plate with real silverware. The food just tastes better and seems more sacred.

If you are having a large gathering and won’t have enough, consider borrowing from a friend or relative. Many dollar and discount store have dishes for an inexpensive price, including festive ones. Or look to an antique store to reuse something from the past. You could end up with a very fun and creative table by mixing and matching.

Doing dishes after a good meal doesn’t have to feel like a hassle – besides the fact that you’ll feel good about your earth-friendly choice, you can make happy memories when clearing up after the meal. Encourage a culture of pitching in at your gathering. Some of my favorite holiday memories aren’t the gifts I got or what we ate, but working together in the kitchen, telling stories and jokes.

Blessings for a Clutter-Free Environment!

Stay tuned for:
10 Tips for Decluttering After the Holidays
Organizing New Beginnings for the New Year

More Tips for Dealing With Clutter

By Jessica Hoelzel

Are you crazed and frazzled – not thinking it’s possible to stop for one minute and reflect upon your clutter situation and how to deal with it? Are there hardly even the briefest of moments free in your hectic day?

If so, here two methods to make a dent in the clutter chaos, without having to set aside too much time or attention. Keep in mind that these are only quick fixes, and if you are very serious about turning your clutter situation around, it will take reflection, time, effort and commitment. Click on my earlier post Dealing With Clutter http://day2dayfengshui.blogspot.com/2009_10_01_archive.html for a more comprehensive plan of action.

1. Nine things a day
I learned this method from my teacher, international Feng Shui expert Carole Hyder. http://www.carolehyder.com/. The number nine is considered a lucky and mathematically magical number in Chinese culture – so consider luck on your side when practicing this, and added fuel to achieve results and attract good fortune. And it’s so easy! You will probably far surpass the expectations you have at first.

Begin by setting your intention – also very important in Feng Shui. (Nothing in Feng Shui should be done willy-nilly or you will get willy-nilly results!) Your intention could be, for example, to clear off your desk so you don’t feel so overwhelmed, like you are never making progress, and instead feel in control and effective at your work.

After setting your intention, remove nine things from your desk (or wherever) per day. Other places this could work well are for the kitchen counter, the mud room, your bedroom closet or your car.

These nine things are going to go to one of three places:
The garbage/recycling
Put away elsewhere
To donate

Remember, nine is your magic number – you can incorporate the numeral in other ways for added success too, such as doing this for nine days, nine weeks, etc.

2. Set a bag or box out
This one is so easy it’s almost effortless! Simply set a large, sturdy bag (like a shopping bag) or a box out in an area. This bag/box will be your donate receptacle. Good places for this could be the kitchen or your bedroom closet. Every time you touch or see something that you do not use or love, just place it in the bag/box. In the kitchen it might be gadgets, cups or plastic containers. In your closet it might be things that are out of style, worn or don’t fit.

Things not suitable for donating should go in the garbage. If you find you have a considerable amount for the trash, you can place an additional receptacle in the area. If you aren’t able to make a decision right away about whether it is trash or donate, just put it in the donate box and decide later. The point is to make quick decisions and purge what you don’t want in your space.

This can also work in the office, for paper. But, of course you wouldn’t be donating any paper – who the heck would want that? (Well, maybe identity thieves.) Make sure to shred anything that has your confidential information on it, such as account numbers. With everything else, set out your recycling container in a prominent place and when you see or touch something that is outdated and/or no longer relevant to you, pitch it!

Rule: Once it is in the bag or box, it is not allowed back in your space! Don’t try to “save” things later. You’ll need to trust your gut on this one, and if you had any inclination at all about not liking or needing it, it’s probably right.

Remind yourself that you are doing this to gain freedom and peace, and you should have your area rejuvenated in little time at all!

Stay tuned for:
Clutter-Free Holidays
10 Tips for Decluttering After the Holidays
Organizing New Beginnings for the New Year

Your Place of Peace

By Jessica Hoelzel
 
Clear bedroom clutter and create a personal sanctuary
Would you benefit from a better night’s sleep? Do you need a place in your home to de-stress after a challenging day? With so much stimulation, disturbing information and demands for our attention coming at us in this world, we all need a place to retreat and restore our energy

Your bedroom can be this place. It is the place to renew our minds and bodies. This is where we sleep, heal and begin our days. Therefore, it is possibly the most important place in the home to keep clutter-free. When we set up our bedrooms so that they are peaceful, we have a greater chance of maintaining serenity.

Follow the guidelines below to ensure that your bedroom provides you with calm and rejuvenates your spirit.

Remove Sleep Disrupters:
Electronics – TVs, radios, ipods, computers, etc. cause electromagnetic stress and can weaken the immune system
Paperwork, bills, books, magazines and misc clutter have various types of energy associated with them; it can be hard to tune them out and rest peacefully
Lively or harsh artwork does not belong in the bedroom; it is not conducive to feelings of tranquility, but rather may have wild, upbeat, or negative qualities
Bright colors and active patterns make you alert and can cause agitation

Simplify & Beautify:
Choose a flesh-tone or pastel color for the walls – the softest, most soothing tones are restful and can lull us into sleep
Accessorize with soft colors and subdued patterns, think romantic and gentle
Add inviting touches like a cozy comforter or relaxing chair to call you into the space
Bring in fresh flowers for good, healthy chi and the whimsy that comes with gazing at a thing of beauty


Stay tuned for:More tips on Dealing with Clutter
Top 5 Things to do to Reduce Clutter