Organizing to Move Archives - Page 3 of 5

A Cluttered Life – what is hiding in your box?

Has this ever happened to you?

You moved from one home to another.

Prior to the move, you decide to downsize, purge and toss. You have the best of intentions. You start off in one room. Before long you are getting distracted and losing focus. All of a sudden the phone rings with a better offer on the other end. You know what I mean. You decide the better idea would be to just simply pack everything and toss/clear out the clutter when you unpack in your new pad.

Check out this short video on a cluttered life:

Fast forward.

You are in your new living space. Time goes by.

There is a box or two sitting on the sidelines. What are your thoughts each time you pass that box? Maybe you even kick it out of the way. Are you saying “I must empty the box.” “What is in that box anyway?” These thoughts are causing mind clutter.

The other day I was working with a client and such a box appeared. It had been neatly, well actually not so neatly, packed 26 years ago. One of those last-minute tossing in and go boxes. Upon opening the box we discovered unopened greeting cards from her second wedding anniversary. Inside one card was a crisp new 26 year old $20 bill. Bingo!! Let’s open all the cards. Another envelope had a cheque from her grandmother for $75. How come the grandma never questioned her out of balance bank account for 26 years? Conscious or subconscious, this box has been weighing heavy on my clients mind. Thinking about it and worrying about it takes up precious time. Not to mention paying to have it moved and storing it in the garage.

Here are my top 3 tips to helping you with a cluttered life and how to de-clutter it.

Tip #1: Take the 15 minutes to do it right. Instead of tossing things into a box simply take the 15 minutes to deal with the stuff you are about to dump into that box. Book those 15 minutes with yourself like it is a client appointment. Put this appointment right in your calendar. It is a date with yourself and the box.

Tip#2: Set up piles for keep, shred, toss, recycle or donate. Handle each piece of paper once or each item once. Putting it in one of those piles. The key factor here is to stay focused on that one task for 15 minutes. That one box. Turn off the phone, email indicator, close the door, do whatever it takes. Just think how clear your mind will feel once you have emptied that box.

Do you have more than one such box? If so, handle one box at a time in 15 minute increments.

Tip#3: Once you have your piles, you need to deal with them. The toss and recycle piles are the easiest. Donate is easy if you remember to put the items in your car and drop them off at your local charity. Shred is straight forward. Get your kids to do that for you if they are old enough or you can do it while watching TV. The keep pile is where the rubber meets the road. Take each item and deal with that item. Does it need to be filed? Does it need to be put away? Do you need to set up a system for some items?

You will be surprised at how fast you move if you have the 15 minute timer on and stay focused.

We are humans and take the path of least resistance. You do not want to do this when it comes to your boxes. In the long run it will save you so much grief and stress. Kiss a cluttered life goodbye.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:43+00:00September 2nd, 2013|Home Organization, Organizer, Organizing to Move|0 Comments

Do You Need to Hire a Professional Organizer?

Are you suffering from too much stuff in too small a space, too much stuff in a large space or simply too much stuff?

Do you have trouble locating important information in your office?

Can you find what you are looking for without getting stressed out?

Do you lose your keys, phone, eye glasses or kids?

Do you need to hire a professional organizer?

Check out this video to see.

Ask yourself these questions:

Have you ever thought “there has got to be a better way to manage all your papers”?
Is it a challenge for you and your family to get out the door on time each morning?
Are you feeling overwhelmed?
What is your stress level? Would you like it lower?
Are you embarrassed to have friends or family over?
How would you feel if the neighbours dropped in unexpectedly?
Does it take you more than 20 seconds to find what you are looking for?
Would you like systems?
Would you like your kids to be more organized?

If you answered “YES” to any of these questions, it might be time to hire a professional organizer.

I know of a really great one! 😀

I will encourage, support and empower you with moving forward in getting organized and staying clutter free. I will support and encourage you with the purging of stuff. Most importantly I will give you your life back.

Let me know what area in your home is bugging you the most. Leave your bug list in the comment box below. I will give you a tip to get started right away with getting and staying clutter free.

Have you taken advantage of your FREE session yet?

If not then please ease on over HERE and let’s get started today.

We can discuss if you need to hire a professional organizer, or if you need some productivity coaching sessions or maybe you need just a little pep talk.

Either way I am here to support, encourage and empower you with moving forward.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:43+00:00August 6th, 2013|Home Organization, Organizer, Organizing to Move, Self Care Organization, Tax Organization, Time Management, Travel Organization|2 Comments

A Stress Free Organized Move

Are you getting ready for a move? Do you dream of a stress free organized move? Would you like support from the experts? How would you like to be really on top of things?

Here are my top 5 tips to a Stress Free Organized Move:

Tip#1: Hire movers. Gone are the days of trying to do everything yourself. Gone are the days of a case of beer and a bunch of your guy friends. They are all too concerned with their backs now. You are busy. Your friends and family are busy. Professional movers have all the right boxes, packing supplies, dollies and manpower. They can get you packed and moved quickly and efficiently. If something breaks they cover it. If it is pouring with rain they get wet. Professional movers are worth every penny. I know of some great ones.

Tip#2: Pack a suitcase. Pretend you are going on a 2 week camping vacation. Prior to the movers arriving, pack a suitcase with clothes, your kid’s favorite toy or doll, towels, exercise attire, toiletries and a good book. This saves you time searching in your boxes for some much needed necessities. Be sure to keep a set of sheets handy along with a place setting for each member of the family. Have a box that is labeled “open me first.” You can arrive at your new home, set up the beds, have something to eat off of and have clean clothes in the morning.

Tip#3: Start early. How long have you lived in the place you are moving from? Clutter does not happen overnight, so therefore it is not cleared overnight. There may be several items to donate, sell or give away before you move. This all takes time. One comment I hear often is “I’ll sort and purge once I move into my new place.” I hate to be the one to burst your bubble but most people NEVER get around to doing that. Do you have any unpacked boxes in your house? People seem to underestimate how long it takes to pack up a house or condo. Start early by packing non seasonal clothing, china, books and any other items that are not needed day to day. Let the movers do the rest.

Tip#4: Pack a cooler. On moving day pack a cooler filled with must have food items. Have snacks for the kids, movers and yourself. Remember some of your favorite drinks as well. Grab a bottle of Champagne. You are going to want to celebrate your stress free organized move. Ask a friend to bring over pizza or a casserole to your new home. I had a friend do this and it was a life saver. It also made me stop and take five. We had a very casual fun dinner. They helped unpack for dessert.

Tip#5: Hire an organizer. This is really the most important part of your move. You will want to do all the sorting and purging long before your moving day. Did you know a professional organizer will support you in a stress free organized move? You will save time, energy and most importantly, money. You will only move items you love, need and use. Unpacking will be a dream.

Call today for a FREE 30 minute phone consultation.

We will discuss more tips on how to have a stress free organized move.

We will also discuss your move and provide the support you might need. Click here.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:43+00:00July 22nd, 2013|Home Organization, Organizer, Organizing to Move|0 Comments

The Benefits of Hiring a Professional Organizer

Have you ever thought about the benefits of hiring a professional organizer?

How many times have you said to yourself “why can I not do this on my own?”

Many clients comment on reduced stress, more time, more energy and more freedom once they have worked with me.

So I thought I would share even more of the benefits of hiring a professional organizer.

Please be sure to take a moment to watch this short video on what are the benefits of hiring a professional organizer.

The benefits of working with me a professional organizer is that I will keep you focused to task.

I will be on time.

I will develop a plan of action for you and your space. If you require a handyman, contractor for renovationss, painter, rubbish removal, disposing of stuff or a piano moved I will provide the people. My endless supply of resources has proven to be priceless. So my clients say.

A huge benefit of working with a professional organizer is being ruthless.

I have a few key questions I ask you as we are sorting, purging and tossing. This makes the decisions a little easier for you. Shall you keep it, toss it, store it, sell it or set up a system for it?

Many clients feel like a weight has been lifted off their shoulders once they start decluttering.

If you would like to hear more benefits of hiring a professional organizer then please take advantage of my FREE session. Simply click HERE.

We will discuss your needs, your questions and how I can be of service to you.

If you like this video, click the “like” button and then share it with your friends. And if you’re not in the “Getting it Together” community, enter your name and email address to the right and get on the list. You’ll get instant access to a free ebook that outlines a simple 10-day plan for organizing 10 different areas of your home in 15 minutes or less.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:44+00:00March 17th, 2013|Home Organization, Media Appearances, Organizer, Organizing to Move, Self Care Organization, Tax Organization, Time Management, Travel Organization|2 Comments

Professionals Working Together: Organizers and Junk Haulers

professionals working together

As the world’s largest junk removal company, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? sees a lot of messy spaces. On a daily basis, our teams are helping people regain their space; whether it’s a single couch, leftover yard sale items, old attic junk, or an estate clean-out. Some of our clients simply have too much stuff they don’t need, we haul it away, and they’re happy. Others have junk, but also a great deal of useful items they do need that are cluttering up their living spaces. This is when we seek out the help of professional organizers.

Junk haulers are the experts when it comes to getting the junk out of peoples’ homes, but for people dealing with keeping household clutter in check or chronic disorganization, we call for the expertise of professional organizers. By eliminating unnecessary objects from the home, we set the stage for organizers to come in and help you to better manage and organize the items that you are keeping. It’s the perfect partnership of

professionals working together

The professional organizers we work with have told us they rely on our junk removal service to provide a seamless addition to the service they provide for their clients. When their job is done, we come along and haul away unwanted items. It’s imperative that they can trust the junk hauler to ensure the items their clients are letting go of are responsibly recycled and donated to charity when possible.

At 1-800-GOT-JUNK? we have an average system-wide diversion rate of 61%, which means that we’re doing everything we can to help you feel good about getting rid of your excess clutter. Our truck teams are often asked who their most valuable industry resources are; many say that working with organizers is great because they often go to homes that need serious organization prior to receiving our service. It makes our job easier!

We’ve had many years of success working with professional organizers, both on a local and a national scale, including the ongoing popular A&E docudrama, Hoarders. Due to our strong relationships within the community, we often attend organizing events and award ceremonies to proudly support our friends in the industry.

Any time you or your friends and family are looking to keep clutter under control, find a new home for the unwanted items in your home, or have junk that just needs to be hauled away, when you call a professional organizer, chances are there’s a trusted junk hauler in tandem, and vice versa.

1-800-GOT-JUNK? is a full-service junk removal company whose friendly, uniformed drivers have set a new standard for professional junk hauling and great customer service. The company hauls away items that city garbage collectors do not typically accept, such as old furniture, renovation debris, and backyard mess. 1-800-GOT-JUNK? provides junk removal service for residences, businesses, commercial sites, and government offices. With locations in most major metros, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? can respond to large-scale clear-outs. Whenever possible, items are recycled or donated to charity.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:44+00:00March 2nd, 2013|Home Organization, Organizer, Organizing to Move|0 Comments

Permanently Reduce Clutter

How would you like to spend less but feel like you have more while you

permanently reduce clutter?

Do you wish your bank balance was higher than it is?

Are you surrounded by stuff?

I have always admired people like the late Lady Dianna. She dressed with simple elegance. Oh yeah, she had a huge wardrobe because she was a princess however her style was elegant and simple. I’ll bet if she were not a princess she would have had a modest closet filled with a few key items of clothing. The type of clothing items that mix and match so well together. That is my goal for you as well. As the French would say “you do not need a lot of clothes you just need a great imagination.”

These tips would also work when decorating your home. Simple yet elegant.

Where else do you think these tips would work well in your life?

Please leave a comment in the box below. Your opinion counts.

Read on to get ten simple tips to

permanently reduce clutter

.

Tip 1. Use the 6-12 month rule. If you haven’t worn or used it in 6-12 months, get rid of it. Pass it on with love. The only exception to this rule is that one elegant evening dress in the back of your closet waiting for a fancy dance or cruise. If it is a classic it will not go out of style. If you stay the same size it will fit!

You might even have an item in your home that comes out for the rare occasions. You know the tray that holds deviled eggs.

Tip 2. Align values with spending. I value good/organic food, my health and travel to name a few. So, I know that planning and paying for a vacation, getting a massage, or going shopping at one of my favorite specialty shops is aligned with my values. Knowing what you value makes it much easier to make or not to make spending decisions.

Tip 3. Stick to a shopping list. This will help you with not getting side tracked. Take a shopping list with you when you go to buy groceries or clothes. When you know what you are looking for you will save time and money. The most organized people do not just aimlessly wonder around shops. They have a mission and stick to it. Now that does not mean you do not go window shopping with a friend once in awhile. Hey we all need that fix with one of our BF”s

Tip 4. The 24-hour rule. We have all heard this one before. I think Oprah even uses this rule. Imagine with all of her money. Think about your purchase for 24 hours. If you still feel you need/want it after 24 hours go back and make the purchase. If you feel you can live without that item after 24 hours you have just saved yourself some money. This eliminates the spontaneous purchases. I also like to shop at places that have a no fuss return policy. For example an item of clothing might look great in the store lighting. You get it home and the colour is not at all what you thought.

Tip 5. Create a do-not-spend day. Are you old enough to remember when stores were not open on Sundays? Or when late night shopping was only on Friday nights. Ah, the good old days. I use to work in the mall when this was my reality. (Okay, I know I am dating myself now) however one day without spending can add up. Choose a day each week and make that your do-not-spend day. Instead, get creative with all the fun free things you can do. Pack your own lunch or snacks and take a thermos with your hot drink in it. Your mind, body and bank account will thank you!

Tip 6. Stop keeping up with the Jones. Why is it that humans have the need to keep up with the Jones? Who started this anyway? The Jones do not care what you have or how you spend your money so why should we care with keeping up with them? I know it is a saying however imagine if we all lived simple so others may simple live? The only person you need to impress is yourself. Think of how great you will feel if you only bought what you really needed, used and loved. You bank account will love you too.

Tip 7. Analyze your spending for a week. Keep track of each item you buy. At the end of the week ask yourself if it was something you really needed, will be using and love. If not then ask yourself this question “what was the purpose of buying this item” If you cannot come up with a strong answer it might be time to return it. I’ll bet you will not have many if any of these purchases if you follow the above tips especially the 24 hour rule.

Tip 8. The This/That Question. Unless you have an endless supply of money and even if you do I’ll bet you do not want clutter. Ask yourself this question. “If I buy this I cannot have that” “If I go on a fancy vacation I cannot have a new living room set.” Keeping in mind that this style of living will eliminate debt. Once again your bank account will love you for this. Credit card debt or overdraft debt can cause so much stress. You might not think that it is but it is!

Tip 9. Have gratitude. My life has always run smoother when I have kept a gratitude journal. I would highly recommend keeping one. Each day write down 5 things you are grateful for. It might be that you can see or that you can buy a new purse for Fall or that your family’s health is good. You’ll be hard pressed to stop at 5 things each day.

One of the best books I read was called “Simple Abundance” by Sarah Ban Breathnach. I first read this book back in 1998 and re read it every year for three years. It is time I did that again. Do not get me wrong. I did not do all the activities Sarah suggested. I feel you would need to be superwoman to do that and none of us are. However the best part was all about gratitude. It is a one page read each day and well worth it.

Let me know if you have read it. Leave your comments in the box below.

Tip 10. Be kind to yourself. My Birthday gift to myself this year was that I would be kind to myself. That means being kind to my body, mind and spirit. It means watching my self talk. It means giving myself permission to be human. Hey we all make purchasing mistakes however if we are aware of these ten tips we will make fewer of them.

Feeling like a 20 minute FREE session? Contact me to arrange for your time. We can chat about your most burning clutter questions including how to have more money in your pocket.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:45+00:00November 26th, 2012|Home Organization, Organizer, Organizing to Move, Self Care Organization, Time Management|2 Comments

Getting It Together’s FAQ’s – Part 4

Thank you to all of my amazing readers for sending in your questions! It is really fun getting them and then answering them for everyone. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions that I have received:

Q: What can I do with empty chocolate box inserts? You know the kind with all the little compartments.

A: Hope you enjoyed all the chocolates guilt free! Those inserts are so handy in office desk drawers for paper clips, tacks, and any other small items. They are also great in your bedroom drawer for housing earrings, rings and small jewelry items. If your kids are old enough put them in their playroom for all the really small Lego pieces.

Q: Rowena, do you have a handy use for the plastic clips that come on my loaves of bread?

A: You will love this one. Check out the photo. Use one clip per electrical cord. They make great labels. What do you think?

Q: I live in a 2 story home. What is your best tip for helping me keep organized?

A: Have a basket at the bottom of the stairs. Put any items in the basket that need to go upstairs. Never go up stairs empty handed. Take the basket with you. Put the items away and return the basket to the bottom step. Get your family involved in this action as well.

Q: I love cutting out decorating ideas. What should I do with all the magazine cutouts?

A: Are you decorating right now or will you be decorating in the next 3-6 months? If so keep decorating ideas in a file. Store the file in your desk or file cabinet. If you are not decorating right now but “one day” would like to, then wait until closer to that time to start cutting out and saving ideas. I know what you are thinking. Ya but I like this idea right now. I know, but taste and style change with seasons and each year.

Q: What should I do with all my empty CD cases?

A: Where are the CD’s? I am going to assume they are in a CD binder. Donate the cases.

Q: I recycle, compost and I am very mindful of packaging however I still seem to have lots of garbage. How can I cut back on my garbage?

A: Great question, as I know we are all trying very hard to cut back on our garbage. Metro Vancouver produces nearly a million tons of garbage a year! Garbage from homes, condos and apartments makes up nearly a third of the regions waste.

When possible, buy in bulk. This will reduce the amount of packaging.

Use your cloth shopping bags even if you are going clothes shopping. Use a stainless steel water bottle and fill it up from the tap. I like to keep one on my desk, one in my car and a couple for the gym. Reduce the amount of things you print off your computer. Use both sides of the paper. Take your own coffee cup to business meetings, social meetings and coffee shops. Shop at consignment stores. Especially for kids toys. This will really cut back on packaging. Together we can all make a difference.

Q: My kids played every sport known to man. They have grown out of most of the sporting equipment. What can I do with it all? Some of the soccer shoes are still in great shape. The hockey sticks are like new and we seem to have an overflow of bikes, rackets and balls.

A: By now most of you know my theory. “Nothing takes on value unless it is being used”. Please pass things on as soon as you are done with them so someone else can take pleasure in those items.

You can sell some of these items on CraigsList or Kijiji. Check for a local used sports store. Vancouver has a great one called “Sports Junkie.” Go to your local baseball/soccer field and speak to the moms on the sideline. Donate to your local school or church.

Q: I am getting ready to downsize. HELP!! I have my late parent’s photo albums. What should I do with all these photos? I do not know who is in the pictures and I am not sure where the pictures were taken. Many of them are of their vacations.

A: Most of us have a hard enough time keeping track of our own photos let alone our parents. In the end, these photos were your parent’s memories and treasures. It is time for them to go. You might want to do a quick check and see if there are one or two very special family photos that you would like to keep.

Q: I’ve been wearing prescription glasses for over ten years. Each year or two I get a new pair. What can I do with all my outdated eyeglasses?

A: I drop all my glasses off at Bonsor recreation centre in Burnaby. They send all prescription glasses to third world countries. Check with your local optical store. I’ll bet they have the same program.

Q: I have all my old calendars/datebooks. I’ve been saving them for years. What shall I do with them?

A: TOSS! Unless there is a purpose for keeping them than toss. Ask yourself “what is the reason for keeping these?” Do you ever look back on these calendars to see what you did five years ago? Most people do not have that kind of time or interest. They are busy with TODAY.

Have you taken advantage of your FREE phone consultation? If not, be sure to contact me TODAY. We will discuss your personal needs, questions and concerns. I’ll give you tips on downsizing and how to move forward with clearing the clutter.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:45+00:00September 25th, 2012|Home Organization, Organizer, Organizing to Move, Self Care Organization, Time Management|0 Comments

Storing Greeting Cards by Rowena List Professional Organizer and Speaker

How many greeting cards do you get in a month, a year?

Have you ever thought of storing greeting cards?

Do you just toss them or do you keep them all?

Take a minute to watch this short video on storing greeting cards.

I have heard of people who have every greeting card they ever received. Can you imagine the amount of space dedicated to them? Think how much storage real estate is given up to storing greeting cards! I even worked with a lady who had them all bundled by year. The elastic bands were so old they fell apart on us.

What is the purpose of storing greeting cards? You need to ask yourself this question until you get a firm solid answer. In the end my client decided to toss all of the cards. She did not have room for “storing greeting cards” she just couldn’t keep them all anymore. They were all dusty. She had even paid to have them shipped from England to Canada. Now that is an expensive greeting card.Do you have a greeting card story to share? Please leave it in the comment box below.

Some people think they will re-read them later on in life. Have you ever done that?

Why not keep the very very special ones in your momento box?

If you like this video, click the “like” button and then share it with your friends. And if you’re not in the “Getting it Together” community, head on over to gettingittogether.ca and get on the list. You’ll get instant access to a free ebook that outlines a simple 10-day plan for organizing 10 different areas of your homein 15 minutes or less.

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By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:46+00:00August 14th, 2012|Home Organization, Organizer, Organizing to Move|0 Comments

Storing Chargers-How to Keep Track of Yours by Rowena List, Professioanl Organizer

How many phone chargers do you have? Phone chargers for your phone, your spouse, your kids, the phone you owned three years back?

Do you have a way of storing chargers?

Do you have chargers but no phone? I see this a lot in homes. Bags and boxes of electronic chargers. None of them labeled so we do not know what they belong to.

If you have not needed the charger in the last week my guess is you will not need it. Open that drawer of chargers and think about it. Are you storing chargers you haven’t used in weeks, months, will you really use them again?

photo via dave patten

Please take a moment to watch this short video on storing chargers-

Now take a moment to label all of your chargers. I like to use the small plastic bread bag clips. You can write on them and attach to the cord of the chargers

Did you know that the number one item people leave behind in a hotel room is their phone charger? You can go to any front desk and ask for one as they have boxes of them. Some what like your local swimming pool with swim goggles.

Do you have a great story about “storing chargers?” Please leave it in the comment box below.

If you like this video, click the “like” button and then share it with your friends. And if you’re not in the “Getting it Together” community, head on over to gettingittogether.ca and get on the list. You’ll get instant access to a free ebook that outlines a simple 10-day plan for organizing 10 different areas of your home in 15 minutes or less.
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By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:46+00:00July 24th, 2012|Home Organization, Organizer, Organizing to Move, Travel Organization|0 Comments

Create an Organized Garage by Rowena List, Professional Organizer

When is the best time to get an organized garage?

Most people select the summer so they can have the door open and put unwanted items in the driveway.Keep in mind that it might take more than one day to get an organized garage.There are lots of hiding spaces in your garage. You might find items you had forgotten you had.You might even come across the odd spider or 2!

photo Les Chatfield

Can you get your car in your garage? Would you like to park in your garage?

Has your garage become a catch all? This is very common.Not sure where to store item X ? It usually ends up in the garage. And that clutter is the enemy of an organized garage!

Would you like to have a system?

Would you like an organized garage?

Watch this short video to get some tips on how to have “zones” in your garage. You’ll see the gardening zone, tool zone,sports equipment zone and so on. Zones are key to an organized garage.

What are your great tips for organizing a garage ?
Please leave them in the comment box below. We can all learn from each other.

Keep in mind that your garage did not get cluttered overnight so it will not get cleared overnight. It will take time. You will need a plan of action. Let me help you with that.

If you like this video, click the “like” button and then share it with your friends. And if you’re not in the “Getting it Together” community, head on over to gettingittogether.ca and get on the list. You’ll get instant access to a free ebook that outlines a simple 10-day plan for organizing 10 different areas of your home in 15 minutes or less.

By Rowena List|2020-06-07T20:52:46+00:00June 25th, 2012|Home Organization, Organizer, Organizing to Move|0 Comments