Decision Making
Top 6 Excuses for Keeping Stuff
Excuse #1: “I might need it someday.” Look at each item as though you were packing it (or not) for a move. Does it still have a purpose in your life today? Ask yourself, “If I were to move this item, where would it live in my home?” Why isn’t it living there in your…
Read More20 Questions to Ask About Your Stuff
Do you struggle with letting go of your stuff? Here are 20 questions you can ask yourself about your stuff that might help you decide to let go: Practical Questions 1. Is it useful or beautiful to you? 2. Is it a duplicate? 3. Is this the best place for it? 4. When’s the last…
Read MoreGarage Organization Demystified
Does the thought of organizing your garage seem too daunting? Do you wonder where to begin when you can’t even walk in there? When was the last time you were able to park your car(s) in your garage? Let me help you get started–because sometimes that’s the hardest part! Here’s how: Preparation Set aside an…
Read MoreD.E.C.I.D.E.
A serious contender for why clutter and disorganization occur is an inability to easily make decisions about where to put things and what things to keep. How do you decide where to put your stuff? What stuff do you not know where to put it away? If this is a challenge for you, try the…
Read Morestuff, stuff, and more stuff
It seems the Portland housing market has picked up because my team and I have been downsizing, packing, and unpacking many clients this spring. I have lost count, but I would estimate that we have eliminated over 200 black garbage bags of “stuff” in the past two months. I have learned over the 11+ years of working as a…
Read MoreAre you a clutterer? Answer these questions to find out.
Do you have more possessions than you can comfortably handle? Are you embarrassed to invite family, friends, health care providers, or maintenance workers into your home because it is not presentable? Do you find it easier to drop something instead of putting it away, or to wedge it into an overcrowded drawer or…
Read MoreA tale from the trenches
With my client’s permission, I’m sharing her organizing story… Last week, as part of my training program client practicum, a team of new professional organizers and I worked with a client of mine to declutter and organize her home office. This was not the first time.Sometimes, it takes repeated work to find what is truly going on with someone’s…
Read MoreWhy is organizing so hard?
Why is organizing so hard? Over the years, I have heard this question from many clients. Until recently I couldn’t think of an illustration to explain why it is hard for them and not for me. I think I now have a personal story that illustrates why we all have something that is exceptionally hard…
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