Tag Archive for: clutter

Preventing Paper Clutter

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paper clutterEven the most organized people have some amount of paper clutter. It’s difficult not to, because paper comes into our space on a steady, regular basis. Practically every time we walk into our home, we bring more paper into it, either intentionally or unintentionally. So, how can we prevent that paper from taking over and prevent those piles from happening?

The simplest way to reduce paper clutter is to stop paper from coming into our space in the first place. One way to accomplish this is to go paperless with bank and credit card statements, and don’t print them out. Another suggestion is to not print emails, recipes, or other information from your computer, instead store and organize the information on your computer. A few other suggestions are to remove you name from as many mailing lists as you can, stop mail on all magazines and catalogs you don’t read, read the newspaper on-line, use your phone or another device for coupons and tickets instead of printing them, and have a paper recycle bin in the garage and toss as much paper as you can before entering the house.

Another way to reduce paper clutter is to allow each piece of paper to be in your home for the shortest possible time-frame. One way to accomplish this is to immediately recycle or shred junk mail. Another suggestion is to recycle boxes, wrapping paper, envelopes, and other paper items that we intend to reuse but never do. A few other suggestions are to shred ATM slips after you’ve reconciled your bank account, jot down event details on your calendar and toss the invitation, send the greeting cards that you have on hand, and recycle catalogs and magazines after you receive the next issue.

One more way to reduce paper clutter is to have an exit strategy for paper files and stored information. An exit strategy is a predetermined guideline that you’ve established for particular papers, files or information. One exit strategy may be to recycle or shred your utility bills after you view the confirmed payment on the next bill. Another exit strategy may be to shred pay stubs after you receive your W2. Please keep in mind that the guidelines need to fall within your own personal comfort zone. If you have questions on how long to keep particular papers, files or information, please consult a Certified Public Account or an attorney.

©March 2015 Janine Cavanaugh,CPO® All rights reserved.

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Time to Organize

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Schedule time on your calendar to organize.  Treat it like an appointment that you can’t reschedule without a large rescheduling fee.  Then pick just one target area to work on, and tackle one flat surface in that area.  For example, if you’re working in the kitchen, start with items on the counter.  If you’re working in your closet, start with items on the floor.  If you’re working in your home-office, start with items on the desk.

Clutter Free Gift Ideas

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giftDo you like giving and receiving gifts? It can be fun, meaningful, and heartwarming.  Unfortunately, it can also make our home feel like it’s bursting at the seams with toys, clothes, and electronics.  After the gift giving season is over do you dread having to make room for all that stuff?  Do you detest having to shift things around, box things up, move things to the basement, or get rid of things, just to fit comfortably in your home once again?  Would it be nice if you could avoid all that?  I have 25 organizer friendly gift ideas that concentrate on giving and receiving consumables and experiences, not stuff.  Therefore, you won’t have to struggle with all that stuff, you can just make plans with family and friends and enjoy.

25 Organizer Friendly, Clutter Free Gift Ideas

  1.  A cultural experience to a play, performance, or theater
  2.  An adventure or fun family outing
  3.  Activities, clubs, classes, or lessons
  4. A day pass, membership or special program at a zoo or aquarium
  5.  A useful automobile related gift like car washing or detailing
  6.  A helpful housework booster
  7.  Tickets to a sporting event
  8.  Movie passes or movie night
  9.  Salon treatment or spa day
  10.  Gifts of time or a financial contribution
  11.  Food in one form or another
  12.  Donation to charity in recipient’s name
  13.  Fitness Membership or classes
  14.  Books or music for electronic devices
  15.  Tickets to a concert or musical performance
  16.  Involvement in nature clubs, groups or organizations
  17.  Shopping for charity
  18.  Membership or passes to a museum
  19.  Gifts of your time and memories
  20.  Small acts of kindness
  21.  Volunteering at a local food bank, homeless shelter, hospital, etc.
  22.  A small dose of nature like cut flowers, floral arrangements, or live wreath
  23.  Assistance for necessities to homeless, seniors, or anyone in need
  24.  Count your blessings and share them with friends and family
  25.  Gift certificate for my services

If you have other clutter free gift ideas please share them with me.

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Happy Holidays from the Helpful Organizer, Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®

©December 2014  Janine Cavanaugh, CPO® All Rights Reserved

Mindful De-cluttering

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Practice mindful de-cluttering.
Angry de-cluttering is done without thought, when we’ve reached a point of being overwhelmed and just start pitching stuff.  Mindful de-cluttering is an orderly, systematic approach to making decisions about our belongings.  We allow ourselves the time necessary to make mindful decisions based on our current needs and lifestyle.

Clutter Aerobics

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timerHave you ever heard the term clutter aerobics?  Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?  For some, I’m sure the term evokes two of their least favorite things, clutter and aerobics.  For me, it evokes a desire to crank Katy Perry on iTunes and take action.  Clutter aerobics is when you set the timer for 20 minutes and zoom around and de-clutter.  This is an inventive way to get two benefits from one activity.  As you de-clutter, you’re also getting an aerobic workout by zooming around.  The idea is to work quickly and without interruption for 20 minutes daily or at least 3 times a week.   This schedule will allow you to keep the clutter at bay and get your heart pumping, to Katy Perry, if you so choose.

Your de-clutter activities may include, putting items back where they belong, picking up items from the floor, shredding and recycling as many papers as you can, taking care of dirty and clean dishes, removing items from the kitchen counter and finding a home for them, taking care of dirty and clean clothes, picking up items from the front and back entryway, clearing off the desk, finding a place for everything that has collected on the bathroom counter tops, and clearing the kitchen and dining room tables.

One way to really make progress is to schedule your clutter aerobics on your weekly calendar.  Make a list of the de-cluttering activities you’ll work on each day or week.  The more clutter aerobics you do, the more progress you’ll make, the less cluttered your home will be.  Isn’t that worth pursuing?  Another way to really make progress is to get the whole family involved.  You may have to change your music choice to One Direction, but that’s not so bad.
©  November 2014  Janine Cavanaugh, Certified Professional Organizer®  All Rights Reserved

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