*** Organizing class are starting in September. You can obtain more details on my website. If you’d like to attend a class please contact the class location directly. Hope to see you in class.
*** Want to know more about Minimalism? Learn from two experts, Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus. *** I’m looking forward to bringing the New England chapter of the National
Association of Professional Organizers to School on Wheels in August to volunteer.
*** Question: What does minimalism mean to you? Please share your answer.
The heat of summer is here. Guess who else is heating up? My inner minimalist is on fire. During the month of June I played the 30-Day Minimalist Game with my husband, and we were both winners.
What Does Minimalism Mean?
To me minimalism is the act of buying less, having less stuff, and getting rid of excess. After bringing the Minimalist Documentary to North Attleboro in May, my husband and I decided to see what it would be like to embrace minimalism. We decided to play the 30-Day Minimalism Game to see if we could get rid of as many things as the game encouraged us to. We also wanted to see how little we could spend in those same 30 days. We learned several things while we embraced minimalism.
First of all, we learned to look closely at all of the things in our space. Knowing that we were going to be getting rid of a lot of stuff, we looked at everything. We made decisions on things we hadn’t touched or used in years. There were several things we would not have thought about getting rid of if it wasn’t for the game. It’s so easy to get comfortable in our surroundings that we don’t realize how much we don’t use. Getting rid of this excess stuff made me happy.
Secondly, the game created some urgency to take action. We needed to fix things or get rid of them. So, things that had been waiting to be fixed for a while were fixed or gotten rid of. We needed to read or recycle. Papers that were waiting to be read needed to be read or recycled. Books that were piling up needed to be read or donated. We needed to mend or donate. Clothing that required some mending, needed to be fixed or donated. Getting rid of this stagnate stuff made me happy.
Finally, not making purchases for a month helped us realize we are lazy cooks. We would succumb to the temptation to eat out or get take out way too much. We’re too tired and there is nothing good in the house were common excuses. We decided to change this. We looked through our recipes and picked a bunch to try. We bought new food and ingredients in the grocery store. We’re still working on this, but I’m happy with our progress so far.
The 30 Day Minimalism Game was very interesting. I’d recommend that everyone give it a try. I’d be happy to talk with you more about our experiences. Here are a few more blog articles I’ve written on the topic.
Finding new ways to recycle, for myself and my clients, makes me happy. Everyone is more motivated to get rid of something when they know it is going to someone who will really use it.
This is why I was especially happy to find a place to donate my unwanted craft items. The Craft Room recycles craft items. They use them in their classroom, sell them in their thrift store, and offer them for use in their workshop space. They accept paper, fabric, yarn, floral supplies, needlework, artist’s medium, and more. What an ingenious idea. Check out their website.
From,
Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®
(508)-699-6652
If you’ve worked with me in any capacity, I’d be grateful for a review. Simply click on this link and answer 3 questions. Thank you and happy organizing!
*** My spring class schedule is available on my website. I’ll be teaching classes on the following topics, Downsizing, Closet Organizing, Steps to Organizing, Controlling Clutter, and Organizing Paper. If you’d like to attend a class please contact the class location directly.
*** Two fun facts are that the New England chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, and the national association is celebrating its 31st.
Thank you for helping me build, grow, and sustain my business. As I celebrate my 8th year as a Professional Organizer (January 2016), I am truly grateful for your support. I feel very fortunate to be entering another year in a profession that allows me to use my expertise to help others.
Winter Organizing Projects
Now that the snow and cold temperatures have arrived it’s a good time to tackle some indoor organizing projects, after all, January is Get Organized (GO) Month. An organizing project that I like to do during the winter is remove clutter. When I remove clutter from my filing system, it’s easier to use. When I remove clutter from my closet, it’s easier to see my clothing options. When I remove clutter from my desk area it’s a happier space in which to work.
One helpful way to remove clutter is to set a size or numerical goal before you begin. For example, a size goal could be to fill a paper bag with files that need to be shredded, or to fill a trash bag with clothes that need to be donated. A numerical goal could be to remove 20 items from your desk area. Setting a goal helps give you focus during your project, and helps you know when you’ve succeeded.
One wonderful benefit of removing clutter is that you’ll spend less time on housework. In fact, it’s been documented that getting rid of excess clutter would eliminate 40% of housework in the average home.
If you’d like a personal helper call me for a complimentary consultation at (508) 699-6652 or email me. I’d be happy to help you.
Recycle Resource
Finding new ways to recycle, for myself and my clients, makes me happy. Everyone is more motivated to get rid of something when they know it is going to someone who is truly in need.
How many pairs of shoes do you own? What about boots? Are you ready to pare down (pun intended)? If you are, you can assist two local organizations at once. Keep North Attleboro Beautiful and Attleboro Enterprises, Inc. have teamed up to recycle used shoes and boots. The donated footwear will benefit those in need, raise money, and provide job training skills. You can read more about the endeavor in this newspaper article.
If you’d like to donate you can drop off your bundle of footwear at North Attleboro public schools, the North Attleboro Town Hall, Northeast Roofing on Route 1, and with me. I’m collecting donations for this worthy cause for the next 3 months. You can call me at 508-699-6652 to schedule a drop off time.
From,
Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®
(508)-699-6652
If you’ve worked with me in any capacity, I’d be grateful for a review. Simply click on this link and answer 3 questions. Thank you and happy organizing!
I’ve always liked the idea of New Year’s Resolutions. Starting a new year with an intention to better my life in some way, is very appealing to me. Many people include an organizing project or habit as part of their new year’s resolution. As a Professional Organizer, I fully support this. However, I’d like to offer another option that can help you help others, as well as, help you get organized. This year, my new year’s resolution is to perform at least one small acts of kindness each week. This idea was sparked by a newsletter I received last year with a list of 60 small acts of kindness. Many of the listed acts encourage you to perform organizing actions as well. Maybe this list will inspire you to help others and get organized.
60 Small Acts of Kindness
Hold the door open for the person behind you.
Introduce yourself. Make new colleagues, classmates, etc. feel welcome.
Clean out all your old clothes and donate them to someone in need. Your old is another person’s new.
Write a positive Yelp reviewabout a local business you like.
Listen intently to people’s stories without trying to fix everything.
Shop at your local charity thrift store. The money you spend there helps others.
Help someone get active. There’s a coworker or acquaintance in your life who wants to get healthy, but needs a helping hand. Offer to go walking or running together or join a gym together.
Check out FreeRice.com – a site that gives to those in need when you playing a game.
If someone you love really likes something (a meal, a favor, etc.) give it to them when they least expect it.
Redirect gifts. Instead of having people give you birthday and holiday gifts, ask them to donate gifts or money to a good cause.
The next time you see someone pulled over with a flat tire, or in need of assistance, stop and ask how you can help. Read How to Be an Everyday Philanthropist.
Become a mentor or tutor to someone in need.
Help the weary shopper in front of you who needs that extra two or three cents to avoid breaking a 20-dollar bill.
Come to the rescue. If you realize someone is sick, bring them some hot tea, soup, etc.
Be a courteous driver. Let people merge in front of you.
Borrow and lend things in your neighborhood by using Neighborgoods.net.
Send a nice email or handwritten card to someone you know, unexpectedly.
Leave encouraging post-it notes in library books and other random places.
If you see a couple taking a self-pic, offer to take the picture for them.
Setup a donation box at your school, work or place of worship and ask others to make canned/dried food contributions. Then deliver the donations accordingly.
Donate cat and dog food to an animal shelter. Call and ask what is needed.
Compliment someone who deserves it.
If there’s been an accident or a potentially hazardous situation presents itself on the road, report it to the local authorities. Your phone call could save a life.
Collect and donate prom dresses for underprivileged youth. Check out the Princess Project.
When you’re getting fast food, buy an extra meal for a homeless person.
Stand up for someone. Lend your voice. Often the powerless, the homeless, the neglected in our world need someone to speak up for them.
Use color to help maintain order by having a color distinguish an individuals belongings. Have each person in the household pick a color she would like for her sheets, towels, lunch bag, hats, gloves, book bag, etc. This way each individual can easily see what belongs to her, and then be held accountable for keeping those things in order.
https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/colored-towels.jpeg193261Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®https://helpfulorganizer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/15-Years-LOGO.jpgJanine Cavanaugh, CPO®2015-12-01 01:04:002017-10-23 19:15:31Organize with Color
Is fall your favorite season? It’s mine. I enjoy the beautiful colors of the season, the cool weather, and the desire to make a steaming pot of soup. Fall is also a time when I prepare for the cold winter months ahead. Two organizing projects that help me do that are my seasonal wardrobe swap and my garage clean out.
Fall Organizing Projects
My seasonal wardrobe swap happens four times a year, because I have a tiny closet, and my entire wardrobe can’t be available all at once. Swapping out the lightweight summer tops, pants, dresses, sweaters, and skirts with the warmer versions happens in mid-September when the temperatures start dipping. A second swap happens at the end of October when I pull out winter footwear, pajamas, coats, and accessories. This two step approach helps me to be prepared for the yo-yo temperature changes that are typical in New England. The reverse process happens in the springtime.
Ask yourself these questions when doing your seasonal wardrobe swap. Evaluating the clothing that is being taken out and put away is a great way to stay organized.
A second fall organizing project is preparing the garage for the winter so the vehicles can fit inside. For me, the garage clean out doesn’t take as long as the closet, but that may not be the case for you. Here are some helpful guidelines when tackling the garage.
If you’d like more assistance or a personal helper call me for a complimentary consultation at (508) 699-6652 or email me. I’d be happy to help you.
Recycle Resource
Finding new ways to recycle, for myself and my clients, makes me happy. Everyone is more motivated to get rid of something when they know it is going to someone who is truly in need.
Currently, I’m in the market for a new pair of eye glasses, and was happy to find out that Lens Crafters recycles eye glasses to individuals in need, world wide. They accept eye-ware that is in good condition, and do their best to match the prescription to someone in need through their OneSight program. They even provide you with a donation receipt.
If you have eye-ware that you’d like to recycle, Lens Crafters has two locations in North Attleboro:
1. LensCrafters
Emerald Square Mall
999 South Washington St., #321
North Attleboro, MA 02760
2. LensCrafters
Fashion Crossing
1250 South Washington St.
North Attleboro,
MA 02760
From,
Janine Cavanaugh, CPO®
(508)-699-6652
If you’d like to share this email message with someone, please click on the Forward email button below. Thank you and happy organizing this fall!
*** I’m looking forward to bringing the New England chapter of the National
Use color to help maintain order by having a color distinguish an individuals belongings. Have each person in the household pick a color she would like for her sheets, towels, lunch bag, hats, gloves, book bag, etc. This way each individual can easily see what belongs to her, and then be held accountable for keeping those things in order.
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