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Value space over stuff

January 1, 2024/0 Comments/in Tip of the Month/by Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®

Our stuff has a value, but so does the space it occupies. Which is more important, space or stuff? I know it will  depend on the item, but as a general rule, I’d recommend placing a higher value on our spaces rather than on our stuff.

  • Let’s value clear kitchen counters that allow us the space to cook with and for our families, verses counters piled up with appliances, gadgets, mail, and groceries?
  • Let’s value a walk in closet that we can actually walk into and maintain with ease, verses a trendy new outfit every week.
  • Let’s value an uncluttered desk that fosters productivity, verses one piled high with papers, mail, office supplies and tech items.
https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/happy-home.jpg 394 590 Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/18-Years-LOGO.jpg Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®2024-01-01 01:47:292024-02-08 20:57:45Value space over stuff
box of books

Donate books

December 1, 2023/0 Comments/in Tip of the Month/by Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®

Books are a great donation and accepted at many resale shops, like Goodwill, Savers, and Salvation Army. Some libraries may take them to resell also, but I recommend calling before loading them into your car.

Depending on what type of books they are you can donate to senior centers, daycare centers, nursing homes, or hospitals, but again, call first to confirm their interest.

Here are three websites to check out:
More Than Words

Operation Paperback

Prison Book Program

One word of caution, no one really wants old text books or encyclopedias. An option is to offer them to theater companies who may like them for props.

https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/books.jpg 467 700 Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/18-Years-LOGO.jpg Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®2023-12-01 01:02:112026-07-28 16:00:27Donate books

Removing the word ‘why’

November 1, 2023/0 Comments/in Tip of the Month/by Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®

Removing the word ‘why’ lets us focus on the solution instead of the problem.

It’s good to acknowledge the problem, but the goal is to find a solution. By asking ‘why we have this problem’ we’re looking at the past and things that can’t be changed. By removing the word why, we’re looking to the future with new ideas and possibilities.

Example:

Why am I not good at organizing?   vs.  How can I develop my organizing skills?

Why did this room get filled up with clutter?  vs.  What can I do about this clutter?

Why does the clutter keep coming back?  vs.  How can I prevent this clutter from coming back?

https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/why.png 720 1280 Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/18-Years-LOGO.jpg Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®2023-11-01 01:15:232025-01-07 17:49:04Removing the word ‘why’
tiny house key

Creating new habits

September 1, 2023/0 Comments/in Tip of the Month/by Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®

Use all your senses when creating new habits. Think about it. Speak about it. Write about it. Do it.

Example: Create new habit of putting things in their assigned spots when returning home from work.

  • Think about it = Where is the best assigned spot for my coat, purse, shoes, keys, sunglasses, work bag, lunch bag, mail, and anything else I brought home with me?
  • Speak about it = Ask for input from family and friends.
  • Write about it = Label where things go to reinforce new habit.
  • Do it = Practice everyday.
https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/DoorKeyW.gif 1187 1618 Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/18-Years-LOGO.jpg Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®2023-09-01 01:27:142023-06-12 18:26:24Creating new habits

Trash don’t stash

August 1, 2023/in Tip of the Month/by Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®

Have you heard this phrase before, “Trash it don’t stash it!”? It’s great organizing advice that can be applied to both paper and stuff. However, please recycle instead of trash.

Here are three blogs that will help you do just that.

  1. Paper, what to keep and for how long
  2. 10 Things you can automatically get rid of
  3. 10 Not scary things to toss

 

https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/recycle-all.jpg 1020 1532 Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/18-Years-LOGO.jpg Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®2023-08-01 01:52:022023-06-12 18:03:03Trash don’t stash
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