Posts Tagged ‘Organizing Tools’

Here is a recap of my interview with Fanny Kiefer on Studio 4, discussing all the ways in which clearing physical and mental clutter can open us up for new opportunities, better health, and happier lives!

Do you enjoy travel?

How would you like to travel minus the stress?

Would you like some tips on stress free travel? You’ll arrive refreshed, energized and ready to go!

Below are 5 simple tips to get you on your “merry” way and leave the stress behind:

Tip#1: Time. If you want stress free travel you need to allow enough time for any unforeseen mishaps. Like running out of gas. Do you know how long it takes you to get to your local airport? Add on an extra 30 minutes. If traffic is heavy or there is an accident slowing traffic you won’t get stressed out.  If check in is an hour add on an extra 30 minutes. This will allow for any long line ups or packing issues (overweight baggage, for example).

Tip#2: Documents. I love this saying. “A place for everything and everything in its place.” Do you have a handy document file folder or a pouch in your travel bag?  When your passport is handed back, you immediately put it back in the file folder or pouch. None of this “I’ll do it later.” Then toss it in your bag. This is how important documents get misplaced.

My Aunt was traveling to England. She had her passport in her hand. When she got to customs she could not find it. Long story short she had tossed her passport out with her coffee cup! Good thing she had ample time to go back and retrieve it out of the garbage can.

Tip#3: Clothing. Wear the most comfortable clothing you have. I love watching people at the customs line up as they start to get undressed. Belts, boots, layers of clothing.  This can cause stress for those who are running late. Wear easy to remove shoes. Wear items that won’t set the x-ray machines off. Be mindful of your carry-on bag.

There was a lady at the Paris airport that had about 6 paper shopping bags that would not fit in the machine. She was shoving and pushing trying to get them through the x-ray. She was late for her plane. Talk about STRESS.

Pack one day of bare essentials in your carry-on. Toothbrush, clean panties, prescription medication, and a good book.

Tip#4: Snacks. Low blood sugar makes people grumpy and stressed. I carry protein bars, dried nuts and fruit and some hard candies. Once past all the restricted areas grab a bottle of water. I know most airlines give you water but it is never enough. One of the best ways to arrive at your destination refreshed, energized and ready to go is to be well hydrated.

Tip#5: Pack early. Are you so excited about your trip that you park early or do you leave it to the last minute? Make a master list of must have items. Pull your suitcase out. Place it in an out of the way location in your home. As you think of items to take toss them into the case. 2 days prior to travel get your master list in hand. Pull everything out and systematically put each item back in the suitcase as you check it off your master list. Good rule of thumb is that each piece of clothing should go with at least 3 other items in your case.

If you are already at your travel destination pack the night before. Check your room for items that might be under the bed, electrical cords, and things in drawers or closets.

Here is to fun, safe, stress free travels. Hope to run into you on the slopes!

Do you wish you were more organized?

Do you wish you could get organized on your own?

Have you ever wondered why you cannot get organized on your own?

Well some people have the natural talent of getting and staying organized and some people do not have that natural talent.

The great news is that you can learn the skills it takes to get and stay organized.  It might mean working with a professional organizer for a period of  time. Below I am going to share with you the top 5 tips to getting and staying organized.

What area of your home is bugging you the most? Start with this area to de-clutter, purge and sort. Take 15 minutes and use these tips below to finally get organized and keep it that way!

Tip  #1: Purpose. Pick up one item and ask yourself this question ”what is the purpose of keeping this?”  If it is a teapot and you make and drink tea everyday then you know the purpose of keeping it.

If for example it is a T-shirt from high school all torn and the wrong size then what is the purpose of keeping it? I know what you are saying “well I loved high school, I had so much fun in high school…” Keep the memory and toss the T. (Take a photo of you wearing the T- shirt if you really must).

Tip #2: Value. What is the value of keeping that particular item?  Storage lockers are one of the fastest growing businesses in North America.

Do you have items in a storage locker?

Are the items taking on any value by being in there? Most people do not even know what is in their lockers. Yet they continue to pay the monthly bill.

Maybe it is time to sort through these items and ask yourself “what is the purpose and value of keeping them.” Once your locker is empty you could put that extra money towards a trip or home renovations.

Tip #3: Ruthless. It is so important to be ruthless while clearing the clutter and getting organized.

This is where lots of people get stuck, because everything you touch has a story attached to it. You have emotional attachment to your things. As a Professional Organizer I do not have the same attachment to your things. I have an attachment to the outcome. This is why I can support you in moving forward.

I know how much better you will feel once your home is organized. I know how much more time you will have. You’ll have less stress too!

Tip #4: Stop. This is where a new habit will be formed. You will need to stop bringing items into your home. Don’t buy items unless you really need them. Don’t buy because it is on sale. Or because you think you might need it “one day”.

Ask family and friends to please stop buying you things unless it is something you really need and will use.  The best gifts are consumable. Fancy teas, coffee, candles, spa packages, dinner gift certificates and so on. I made a deal with all of my friends and family members. We create memories together instead of buying things. It sure makes the Holiday season a lot less stressful.

Tip #5: Faith. Have faith in yourself. Have faith knowing that the things you need will always be around you when you need them. Have faith that if you pass something on you will not need it “someday”. Someday is not a day of the week.

It is so disempowering to think that you might need it, “what if I need it, maybe I will need it.” When you are clear on your future direction you will not want to live in the past.

Getting and staying organized takes time. The first time you start you might not be as ruthless as the second and third time. Remember, it took many years to get disorganized. It will not get organized overnight. It is like peeling back the layers of an onion. Each time you de-clutter you peel back another layer.

Please let me know how these tips worked for you below!