While some are blessed with a natural talent for managing their time, others succeed only by practicing introspection and outward awareness. For those who have to put in the extra effort, this article is for you!

Your employer probably expects you to work efficiently as an individual. But there is an additional expectation to be a team player. The term “deadline” alone can be anxiety inducing to anyone who struggles with time management and prioritizing. Fortunately, ClutterTroops can help you identify why you are struggling and offer solutions to help you meet your deadlines with ease.

Prioritizing means that you are putting your energy WHE

Why are you struggling?

RE it is needed most WHEN it is needed most. Time management will be the structure that allows you to effectively distribute your energy through competing priorities. This is a thoughtful process that will ultimately allow you to work efficiently with minimal stress.

If you are interested in improving your time management skills, you must first identify exactly why you are struggling in the first place. As a result, you will be able to make a game plan for the future.

Easily Distracted (including ADD or ADHD)

Distractions are easy to come by these days, especially with the invention of smartphones. It is incredibly common for someone to find themselves lost in a news article, scrolling through Facebook, or chatting with a friend. What seems like minutes quickly turns into a significant loss of time in your work day.

A person with ADD or ADHD is especially susceptible to distractions. This is because they have a brain that is wired for stimulation. They are able to hyper-focus on a problem as it presents itself, but if the task is not urgent (i.e. a future deadline) it will likely be left until the last possible moment.

Unfortunately, the tendency to put-off future projects is often paired with a skewed or poor perception of time. Without factoring in leniency, necessary break times, additional distractions, and other possible bumps along the way, someone who is easily distracted or coping with ADD or ADHD will inevitably find themselves in a very high stress situation in attempts to meet their obligations on time. You can use proper planning, discipline, and tools together to avoid this rush of anxiety in the future.

Procrastination

Procrastination is an issue that we all deal with from time to time. The root of procrastination might be based in dread, disinterest, or lack of motivation. Some people actually thrive on the pressure that comes with procrastination. Working down to the wire can be exhilarating and make you feel triumphant upon project completion. However, it also runs the risk of not complete a project on time.

In addition to running the risk of your own personal consequences, procrastinating as a team member could prevent someone else from effectively doing their job. For example, if you are failing to turn in your time-card, the office manager may fail to get the entire office’s payroll in by their specified deadline. As a result, both you and your co-workers may not get paid on time.

Chronic procrastinators can best be helped by starting the new day with a prioritized to-do list already in place. Your list should break down large projects into individual tasks and have time limits set per project. 

Commitment Phobia

For those that struggle to make commitments, accomplishing a goal can be as fleeting as they tend to be. Some people appreciate spontaneity and feel they would be remiss to make a commitment too early for fear on missing out on something better. Alternatively, others cope with anxiety and self-doubt that make them hesitant to set a clear date for project completion.

Whatever motivations you might have to reject a deadline or commitment, you should know that moving forward is always the best course of action. You can use different organization and planning methods to help you get a realistic idea of what you can accomplish with the time provided for an assignment.

Taking On Too Much

Unlike commitment phobics, it could be possible that your good nature and optimism urges you to take on numerous tasks. Unfortunately, juggling competing priorities becomes impossible when you’ve got more than you can handle.

When you’re eager to please, it will benefit you to know which tasks you should take on yourself and which should be delegated. Clear communication with management and colleagues can help you gain a well-rounded understanding of processes and your place in them.

Staying Disciplined

Now that you have identified why you are struggling with time management, you will need a plan to improve. Use the tips below to help you get organized, learn what to avoid, and stay disciplined.

Create Your To-Do-List

During the last hour of each work day, many people in your office are likely watching the clock and looking forward to heading home. However, in that last hour, you have the opportunity to reflect over your to-do list for the day and tie up any loose ends. Most importantly, you will be able to create a new plan for tomorrow. As a result, you will not only leave the office with a sense of closure, but you will return feeling prepared .

Your To-Do list should be both realistic and prioritized. It will likely benefit you to have a master list of ALL of the projects that need to be done, and pull from that list each day. This will keep your daily list smaller and less daunting.

Use your to-do-list to map out your day from start to finish. Give an estimate of time for each task you intend to complete. As you work, make sure to make a note of the actual time spent on each project. This will either help keep you on pace for completion, or it will provide a helpful understanding of how much time a project realistically takes. Just remember to factor breaks into your schedule and keep your deadlines visible in your office.

Color Coding

Color coding your calendar can also be incredibly helpful. You can use different colors to signify urgency. Or you can simply use them to separate your events by what they mean to you personally. For example, you might choose to put day-to-day work in blue, work with deadlines in red, personal reminders in purple, and financial reminders in green.

Not only does color coding your calendar help keep you organized, it is also visually appealing. For those who are dealing with ADD or ADHD, adding a color code to your calendar adds a new dimension to the task which increases brain stimulation. This can help direct your attention to your calendar rather than away from it.

Practice Clear Communication

When working in a team environment, the best way to accomplish your goals is to practice clear communications. You should regularly check in with supervisors, colleagues, and subordinates. This communication involves being honest with yourself and others about your abilities.

For example, if you know that you are a procrastinator, make sure that you absolve any vagueness about the assignment. This includes instructions, questions, and setting a deadline. Don’t leave yourself with any room for excuses that will further your procrastination.

Clear communication goes both ways in your office. If you rely on others to complete your assignments, you are not out of line in establishing a timeline for them as well. This is best done by asking questions about their needs and clearly stating your own. Ultimately, your conversations should result in streamlining project operations.

It is important to remember that your manager is responsible for guiding you through your workload. If you are struggling with prioritizing your competing tasks, it would benefit you to request a meeting with your supervisor to ask for advice and clarity. A good manager will appreciate that you are both recognizing and resolving an issue in a professional manner and offer you assistance.

Mark the Passing of Time

If you struggle to determine the passing of time naturally, you can easily use an intermittent alarm. This will draw your attention back to the clock and keep you on task. You can set the alarm on your phone, computer, or smart watch. Choose an amount of time that is most reasonable for you. It might be fifteen minutes, an hour, or two.

If you are a person who does have a tendency to get stuck on their phone, you can also download a productivity app. They will set lock times on your phone to avoid using them for longer than intended. In some cases, they can even hide your third party apps so you aren’t tempted to look at them.

Down to the Wire

If at any point you realize that you are no longer able to accomodate a deadline, there are options that can help you to achieve your goal or compromise. The first step is to breathe and reassess your priorities.

If it is not critical that you are the person to handle the situation, there is an option to outsource. You might choose to rely on a friend, family member, co-worker, or another company to complete all or part of the task that has been given to you. Just be mindful to show your appreciation and continue to improve your time management skills.

If possible, your project might be easily broken down into parts so that the order of operations is not stalled. For example, if you are writing a book with a deadline that is no longer realistic, you might propose submitting the first ten chapters to an editor while you continue to work. There’s no guarantee that a compromise can be struck, but it is better to try than to give up.

What Not to Do

In pursuit of personal growth, it often seems that you will be doing MORE work. Fortunately, there are plenty of things that you can avoid doing that will still help you achieve your goal of managing your time more efficiently! Here is a list of what NOT to do:

• Put off difficult or boring tasks– Unless you have another priority in front of it, do that task first! Don’t waste energy dreading a project when you can just get it over with instead.
• Use perfectionism as an excuse– It is easy to get stuck in an endless loop of re-thinking and editing. Your projects should be completed in three parts. First, an outline. Second, a draft and editing. Third, your final copy.
• Obsess– Don’t get so caught up in one aspect of a project that you mismanage your time for the rest. Give yourself a reasonable time limit and set a timer if that helps.
• Set only short-term or long-term goals– Your short-term goals should all be leading up to something and your long-term goals require proper preparation and planning. Clearly define your objectives to and use your daily to-do-list to support your goals.
• Take on too much– It’s important for you to be able to identify what you are able to realistically take on and what can be delegated to someone else. Setting those limits with yourself and others will save everyone stress.
• Try to resolve all problems immediately– Prioritizing your tasks will help you to address issues when it is most necessary.

You Might Also Enjoy these articles by ClutterTroops…

Personal Growth Tips For the New Year

9 Ways to Clean Your Home Through the Winter Blues

How To Organize Your E-Mail Account

How De-Cluttering Can Save You Money

The post The Art of Time Management appeared first on ClutterTroops Professional Organizers in Winchester VA.

Imagine a world where your wardrobe consisted only of hand-me-downs that had been patched up over and over again. Your household appliances barely working, but always saved. Always hoping to use parts of one broken item to fix another. And even if you did have enough money to provide meals for your family, the food is scarce.

These are the realities that our grandparents and great-grandparents faced while they lived through The Great Depression and The Dust Bowl. Unemployment rates were incredibly high, families were smaller, and food was vanishing in supply. And it would be ten long years before the economy picked back up again.

It is no surprise that the survival instincts that they learned in these trying times would resonate through the following generations. Despite the rapid influx of jobs and financial security brought on by World War II, the generation that suffered most never fully recovered from their fear of another economic crash. But it did make way for a rapid increase in birth rates, a time and generation best known as the baby boom!

Just In Case

It was a brave new world out there for the Baby Boomers. A place where life-time employment and a retirement pension were the norm in corporate America. Still, they were raised by parents who would teach them to not only accumulate “things”, but also to hold onto these things “just in case.”

“Just in case” is a phrase that professional organizers hear on a daily basis. There are many instances where this phrase is perfectly reasonable. Such as taking an umbrella out with you on a cloudy day. Other times, it could be the equivalent to putting a bandaid over an anxiety issue.

If you take the time to truly examine the phrase “just in case” you quickly notice that is based in fear. And by holding onto an item, you are somehow preparing yourself to deal with that issue. It is our job to determine whether these “just in case” reasons are practical or perhaps unnecessary. In some instances, where the fear and anxiety is great enough, a person who is preparing for “just in case” can quickly become a hoarder. This is an issue that is affecting both baby boomers and their parents.

Hoarding

I imagine that it is nearly impossible for modern day American generations to truly understand the depths of the poverty that existed during the Great Depression. Hoarding items was the best and cheapest solution to a matter of safety. But in today’s society, it could actually be costing you MORE money to store unnecessary items.

The important thing to remember, however, is that hoarding is not simply a tendency. It is a diagnosable mental health disorder that should be approached in a calm and caring way. While this disorder is not exclusive to senior citizens, the combination of life experiences, age, and financial opportunity have created a “perfect storm” to finally bring hoarding tendencies to the forefront of our attention.

The adult children of senior citizens are more spread out from their loved ones than ever. This results in fewer visits and fewer opportunities to catch hoarding before it becomes a hindrance on someone’s life or safety. If you’ve recently discovered that a loved one may be a hoarder, it’s important to learn about the dangers and how to help them.

The Danger of Hoarding

While having a few too many things might seem harmless, hoarding can be very dangerous. It is important to take the time to understand these risks. This will keep you motivated in the face of the long process of helping your loved one heal while de-cluttering their home.

Environmental Risks

With so many items cluttering the home, it becomes difficult to determine everything that is going on underneath. That clutter can hide mold, rot, bug and pest infestations, animal waste, and more. These things can result in issues with asthma, allergies, spread harmful bacteria and disease that contribute to respiratory and cardiac conditions.

Safety Risks

Having piles of clutter towering over you can be a great risk. Even when the items seem to be in a solid position, there are always room for accidents. The piles could be covering important vents which prevent proper airflow. This could cause lack of oxygen or raise carbon dioxide levels. Clutter could also prevent someone having easy access to emergency exits. This could result in an unnecessary and devastating tragedy.

Cleaning Risks

It is a great step forward when someone who is a hoarder is willing to clean the residence. However, it is important to keep in mind that there are risks associated with cleaning as well. If there is evidence of improper airflow and ventilation, the chemicals in the cleaning products can be harmful. Also, if you discover pests, they could possibly react in defense which includes biting. You might even find that there is mold or water damage. These issues could have affected the structural integrity of the home.

For this reason, it is important to consult professionals before starting the job. These professionals might include cleaners, exterminators, or contractors.

How You Can Help

It’s great that you are so willing to dive in and help your loved one. This can be a trying time for any family. And finding this article is a great place to start!

Do your research

Taking the time to learn more about this complex issue will serve you well in helping your loved one towards recovery. Fortunately, there is fantastic information to be found online. Keep in mind that there have been new discoveries about hoarding just over the last couple of years. So make sure that you’re looking for the most updated information available.

Assist in clean up and/or enlist the help of professionals

As we stated above, cleaning has potential hazards. For this reason, it is important to recognize when the job requires the help of professionals. Whether your loved one is going in alone or is willing to hire professional organizers to help get the job done, we encourage you to get involved! This will be an emotional journey.  Your friend or family member can use all of the help they can get.

Understand that it is a process

While cleaning and organizing the home is a great accomplishment on its own, don’t be surprised if your loved one experiences grief as opposed to pride. It is not unusual for a recovering hoarder to have good and bad days, just as someone who is recovering from any other illness. You should not be discouraged if some days seem more difficult than others. And keep encouraging your loved one to commit to improving his or her mental health.

How ClutterTroops Can Help

De-cluttering can be a daunting process even if you’re not a hoarder. You truly never know how much you have accumulated until you start to make a conscious effort to go through every item. For that reason, ClutterTroops Organizing Solutions decided to offer Senior Move Management services though their subsidiary company, Secure Move Management. These services include extreme de-cluttering and downsizing that will help any senior who wants to get their home organized. 

Plus, Secure Move Management’s services extend well beyond downsizing. They are also able to improve the safety of your loved one’s home, assist in preparing the home for sale, and walk them through every step of their move (if applicable). ClutterTroops services make the daunting process of downsizing and de-cluttering easy!

As members of the National Association of Senior Move Managers (NASMM), ClutterTroops and Secure Move Management have specialized training in working with both senior citizens and hoarding. You can rest assured that as they work with you and your family to resolve the issue of hoarding, that you are working with people who understand and respect the emotional journey that everyone is weathering. The outside support provided by a senior move manager helps make the process efficient and often diffuses tension.

If you are interested in speaking to a Senior Move Manager about your project, you can

The post Hoarding and The Great Depression appeared first on ClutterTroops Professional Organizers in Winchester VA.

With more daylight and warmer weather on the horizon, we can FINALLY start to see the beginning of Spring! Because of this, many of us will experience an almost primal urge to deep clean our homes from top to bottom.

When you envision your home the way you want it to look, what words come to mind? Clean? Bright? Spacious? Sleek? All of these things can be achieved by taking the time to not just clean, but to also de-clutter!

By de-cluttering, you will make way for new organization systems and clean surfaces that are easy to maintain in your home. Because it will not look like your home is “over-stuffed”, rooms will appear to be larger than before. Lastly, having a de-cluttered home is tremendous for both your physical and mental health.

We highly encourage everyone to not only clean this Spring, but also to de-clutter their homes and storage units (if applicable). To make it easy, ClutterTroops has put together a list of items that you can easily recycle or donate from your home this Spring! As an added bonus, we’ve included a list of items that frequently expire and a list of items that should be frequently replaced around the home.

Things to Donate

Your Clothes

If you rotate your wardrobe, taking the extra time to de-clutter is easy! Go through your fall and winter clothes and remove anything that no longer fits or that you didn’t wear for the entire season. If you didn’t wear it this year, you probably won’t wear it next either!

As you bring out your spring and summer wardrobe, try your clothes on to make sure they are in good condition and still fit properly. If they do not, donate them.

Kids Clothes

Kids clothes are always a HUGE undertaking because they grow out of them so quickly! If you do not de-clutter your children’s clothes on a regular basis, you will likely have a huge haul now. For younger children, they are hardly worth saving (unless you’re expecting another!) Your child will long outgrow those clothes by the time Winter rolls around again.

Kids Toys

It’s likely that the Holiday season brought in a huge new inventory of toys that have been making you stir crazy over the past couple of months. Now it’s time for you to take charge and de-clutter! At ClutterTroops, we encourage parents to get their children involved in this process. It is never too early to teach them about the importance of de-cluttering and giving back to the community!

Shoes

If you have shoes in your closet that you have not worn in the last year, but are in otherwise good condition, you could donate them to your local shelter. The same goes for children’s shoes.

If the shoes are in less than ideal condition, you can throw them away knowing that you got your money’s worth out of them.

Mugs

Mugs are a popular collectors’ item for many people. Coincidentally, lack of kitchen cabinet space is also a common complaint. We encourage you to consider how many mugs that you and your family use on a typical day and downsize to that number. Pick out only your favorites and then donate the rest!

Glass Vases/ Jars

Glass vases and jars are often accumulated without much thought. Take this opportunity to keep only the ones that you find exceptionally useful and beautiful and donate the rest.

Books

It hurts me to tell you to cut down on your book collection, but realistically, your books are likely taking up a lot of space in your home simply to collect dust. We encourage you to consider donating your collection (except for your very favorites) to the Literacy Foundation or your local library to help others get use out of them as well!

Craft Supplies

Craft supplies have the potential to take up a lot of space in a person’s home. But if you have not had the time to accomplish any of your projects over the last year, ask yourself if anything in your lifestyle is going to change anytime soon. Keep in mind that paint can, in fact go bad! So instead of continuing to store the items, consider donating them to The Adult Care Center or your local schools!

Magazines

If you have already read your magazines, they are more than likely just taking up space. You might choose to recycle them on your curb, but also consider calling your local schools to see if their art classes might be able to use them!

Old Towels and Sheets

If you have old towels and sheets that you no longer need to store, call your local animal shelter to see if they would accept them as a donation.

Duplicate Items

Whether you have multiple wine openers, vacuums, or silverware sets, we urge you to ask yourself why you need to have more than one. Pick one of the best quality and donate the rest!

Things to Recycle

Wire Hangers

Wire hangers may be cheap, but the damage that they do to your clothes is not. They can distort and snag your fabrics and in some cases, leave rust stains. They now make different types of hangers for specific clothing items. It pays to take care of your clothes! Also, your local dry cleaner will happily take back wire hangers and recycle them.

Bills

After you have paid a bill already, there is really no reason to keep it around. Keep your mail clutter under control by going paperless or setting up reminders in your calendar! For the paper that you are getting rid of, remember to shred personal, financial, or other important documents that have your information in them. If you have a large amount of paper, it may be worth your time to call a professional shredding company that charges by the pound. It will save you a massive amount of time and headache.

Instruction Manuals

After setting up your device, it isn’t likely that you will ever look at the instruction manual again. Instead of storing them in a junk drawer, you can always look up the manual online if you really needed to recall the information in the future.

Take Out Menus

Just like instruction manuals, the menus to your favorite restaurants can nearly always be found online.

Expired Coupons

If you are an avid coupon user, you should be cycling through your expired coupons each week. This can save you both time and space while shopping!

Old Calendars 

New year, New Calendar! If you are saving the calendar for its images, consider what you will do with them. If you have no plans to hang them somewhere, reconsider recycling them!

School Papers

Schools send out A LOT of paper. Take the opportunity now to de-clutter anything you don’t need!

Food Storage Containers

Just like mugs, we have a tendency to save, collect, and maybe sometimes accidentally steal food storage containers. It’s handy to have plenty of items of all shapes and sizes for leftovers, but when they start to take over your kitchen cupboards, you have a problem. Go through and make sure that your containers all have their lids. If there are containers that are warped, no longer seal, or are just in poor condition, recycle them.

Outdated or Broken Electronics

Outdated and broken electronic devices are a hindrance to keep around. Having a box full of mystery wires, computers that have failed, and especially old tube televisions. Make some time to take these items to an electronic recycling facility.

Check Expiration Dates

Medicine

People often forget to go through their medicine cabinets and clean out the expired medicines. Make sure you replace the medicines that you use on a regular basis!

Sunscreen

Sunscreen typically has a shelf life of three years. This, however, does not mean that it is three years from the date of purchase. Many sunscreen bottles have an expiration date that will indicate when the product will no longer be effective protection from the sun.

Food

You, of course, should be checking your expiration dates on your foods before you use them. But it doesn’t hurt to make a point to go through your refrigerator, pantry, and spices to ensure freshness!

Makeup

Did you know that your make-up can actually expire? Who knew, right? Well, the good news is that when you get rid of the old stuff, you can always buy new in the latest shades and colors.

Car Seats

Just like infants’ clothes, it typically isn’t a bad idea to hold onto children’s car seats if you are planning to have another in the future (I get it, they’re expensive!) However, be mindful about the expiration dates on the car seats themselves.

Things to Throw Out and Replace

Kitchen Sponges

Call me crazy, but a fresh, clean, odor-free sponge in the kitchen is nothing short of exhilarating.

Toothbrush

The American Dental Association recommends changing your toothbrush out every 3-4 months. If you haven’t done so lately, take the opportunity now!

Batteries

Replace batteries in your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and emergency flashlights.

Baking Soda in Refrigerator/Freezer

Used to absorb smell, make sure to replace your baking soda in your refrigerator and freezer every 30 days!

Your Pillows

After one year of use, your pillows are loaded with bacteria and dust mites that are best sent to the trash.

Your Water Filter

Change your water filter yearly for maximum efficiency!

Other Articles that You Might Enjoy by ClutterTroops

5 Ways to Make Your Home a Healthier Environment to Live In

The Art of De-Cluttering Your Kids

How De-Cluttering Can Save You Money

The Ultimate Kitchen Cabinet De-Cluttering Checklist

How To Make the Most of Your Storage Unit Through Organization

The post Spring De-Cluttering Guide appeared first on ClutterTroops Professional Organizers in Winchester VA.

• Have I spent money re-purchasing an item that I couldn’t find in my home?
• Do I avoid inviting friends over because I am embarrassed about the mess in my home?
• Am I frustrated while cleaning because I don’t know where to begin?

If you answered YES to any of those questions, you may need ClutterTroop’s Home De-Clutter and Organization services! When life gets busy, people often push organization and de-cluttering to the bottom of their list. We can show you how prioritizing your home’s organizational systems can save you time, money, and stress!

ClutterTroops Organizing Solutions helps you make important decisions about your belongings. This includes what you will keep, donate, or throw in the trash. After that, we will assist you in distributing your items accordingly.

After your home is de-cluttered, we will install simple organizational systems. As a result, the surfaces will be more clear and your home will look fresh. Most importantly, we will work with you AND your family to learn the organizational system. Because of this, you will be able to maintain your new organizational systems long after we are gone. You will find that you now have more time and less stress in your daily life. This is all due to your newly clutter-free home!

Home De-clutter and Organization

– Kitchen and Pantry 

– Bedrooms and Closets

– Bathroom and Linen Closets

– Playroom and Family Room

– Garage, Workshop, and Shed

– Attic or Basement

– Sewing Room or Craft Room

– Small Spaces

The post Home De-Clutter and Organization appeared first on ClutterTroops Professional Organizers in Winchester VA.

When it comes to organizing your home, decluttering your kitchen can be a total game changer. Have you ever noticed that no matter how much or how little space you have, it never seems to be enough? That’s likely because you are storing seldom used kitchen gadgets, expired foods, and duplicate kitchen tools. Though it may seem impossible to find more space, simply taking the time to remove remove each item from your cabinets can help to put their worth into perspective.

If you’re looking to try your hand at decluttering your kitchen, give this a shot! Our friends at Tri-Star Cabinet & Top Co., Inc. have allowed us to share their Ultimate Kitchen Cabinet Decluttering Checklist!

Checklist courtesy of Tri-Star Cabinet & Top Co., Inc.

Summary

After you find out what you have in your kitchen cabinets, you will have to determine what to do with each item. This means deciding whether you will keep the item, throw it in the trash, or donate it to a local food bank. After that, you can decide where everything will go in your cabinets. You can do this by designating specific work zones in your kitchen. Take steps to avoid clutter by imagining that your shelves should be as clean and accessible as they are in the grocery store. This includes stacking items whenever possible and putting the shorter items in front of larger items. Above all else, you should be storing everything where it needs to go. This will help you to KEEP your kitchen cabinets organized long into the future!

About the Author (Checklist)

Joe Wilda, Jr. is the President at Tri-Star Cabinet and Top Co., Inc. and has over 35 years of experience in the custom cabinetry industry. Joe Jr. demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the business and to the Tri-Star family.

The post The Ultimate Kitchen Cabinet Decluttering Checklist appeared first on ClutterTroops Professional Organizers in Winchester VA.

If you have decided to make a commitment to rent a storage unit, you should be making the most of it! The best way that you can do that is through storage unit organization. You can pack, label, and organize your items. As a result, you will create a finely tuned system for storing and rotating your items with ease.

Choosing What Will Go into Your Storage Unit

Before you decide on the size of your Storage Unit, you should know exactly what you will be storing. For some, most belongings will be put in storage while they travel or make a transition. However, many people simply need the extra storage space to help keep their home clutter-free. By having a clear idea of what you will use your rental unit to store, you will be saving yourself a lot of time and frustration in the future.

Below are some examples of what you might be using your storage unit for, in order to save space in your home.

• Seasonal Clothing
• Seasonal/Holiday Decor
• Trip Supplies and gear (Camping equipment, sleds, snorkeling gear, Kayak, ect.)
• Large Power Tools
• Hobby Supplies
• Office Documents
• Children’s Toys
• Lawn Decor and Equipment

Packing

The experts know that proper packing is both an art and a science. You should always use thoughtfulness and consideration when organizing your boxes. As a result, your items will be easier to access, safely stored, and kept in excellent condition.

When using boxes to pack your items, it is important to keep the sizing consistent. We recommend using no more than two different sized boxes for your storage unit organization. This way, you will be able to create sturdy columns with ease and make the most of your space. Choose boxes that are sturdy enough to withstand the weight of boxes being stacked on top of them.

Your boxes should be full but balanced weight-wise. Place heavier items at the bottom of the box and add lighter items to fill it. Use packing paper generously as it will help keep items firmly in their place.

Labeling

While labeling your boxes might sound tedious, in the future, you will be happy you did it. The more detailed your labels, the better they are. This will help you to keep like items together and find exactly what you are looking for without confusion. Make sure to label the top of the box and at least one side.

We also recommend numbering your boxes. This way, you will be sure that all of your belongings have made the transfer to your storage unit and back again. Record the box numbers and labels on a spreadsheet, either physically or virtually so that you can refer back to it later.

For example, when it comes time to decorate for the holidays, you might refer to your sheet to learn that box numbers 1-4 contain your Halloween decorations, whereas boxes 5-12 contain your Christmas decorations. This could save you hours of searching in the cold just by taking the time to implement storage unit organization now.

Additionally, if you plan on insuring the items that you are keeping in storage (particularly for electronics, antiques, jewelry, etc.) it would be wise to not only label the box with the item name, but also an appraised value of the item either on the outside of the box, or you can write it on the inside of the lid it that makes you more comfortable. Be sure to keep record of those estimates should you ever need to recall them. And of course, If a box contains items that are easily breakable, make sure that you label them as fragile in bright, bold colors.

Choosing a Layout

Now that you have an idea of how many boxes and items will be going into your storage unit, it should be easy to pick a size that will comfortably fit all of your storage items. Also consider that if you will be requiring regular access to your storage unit, you could leave room for a walkway that gives you easy access to the back wall.

It will benefit you to group “like” items close together. Of course, you will want to stack the heavier boxes at the bottom and face the labels on the box outward and easy to see. Depending on the type of storage unit, and especially if they are located outside, you could stack your boxes on pallets to protect them from potential water damage and pests.

If there are shelving units installed into the storage facility, make use of them. You can even install temporary shelves yourself, as long as the facility allows it.

Also make sure to place mothballs and moisture absorbents in appropriate areas along with spraying insecticide and/or rodent repellent to prevent infestations to your belongings.

Additional Tips

Depending on the types of items that you’re storing, you might run into some additional conundrums. Below we’ve collected some valuable tips for storing furniture, clothing, and equipment.

Furniture

• You can save space by taking apart furniture, such as tables. Just be sure to keep the hardware together and label it.
• Alternatively, you can use open space in furniture that does not come apart as additional storage. This includes wardrobes, washer and dryer, and dressers.
• Store Mirrors and frames standing on end and never flat to prevent breaking.
• Choose a climate controlled unit to keep your wooden furniture safe.
• Treat your furniture properly as you prepare it for storage.
• Use a protective cover for dust and consider storing it on an elevated surface.

Clothing

• Before packing away your clothing, make sure that you wash and thoroughly dry all of it. However, do not use any starch on your clothing as it could attract pests.
• While it is tempting, because it can save space, you should not use vacuum seals to store clothing that you will be keeping in storage for more than a couple of weeks.
• Ideally, store clothing in clear, dry plastic containers that allow your clothes to breathe when closed. You can line it with a cotton sheet for some extra protection.
•  Insert silica packets or silica gel into the containers to prevent moisture. Use cedar blocks as a natural way to keep away moths and other insects.
• Try to keep “like” clothing items stored together and label them with great detail so that you can always find the item that you are looking for.
• Check on the condition of your clothing every 6-10 months to make sure there is no damage.
• The ideal storage situation for your clothing is dark, cool, and dry.
• For special items of clothing (such as a wedding dress or expensive vintage items), you should invest in acid free boxes lined with tissue paper. Then you can store them gently in plastic containers or garment bags.

Appliances

• Refrigerators and freezers should be stored with the doors slightly open to prevent mold and mildew.
• Make sure items are properly cleaned and turned off appropriately before storing them.
• Remove the power supply and any additional cords and store them safely with the appliance.
• Safely secure the doors to your appliances when transferring them to the storage unit.
• Wrap your appliances with blankets to protect the finish of the appliance.

Tools

• When storing power tools, make sure that you first drain them of fuel completely.
• It would benefit you to clean your tools before storing them, especially removing dirt from lawn equipment.
• Coat your metal tools with something appropriate to prevent rusting while in storage.

Art Work

• Framed artwork should be wrapped tightly with packing blankets or bubble wrap and sealed with packing tape. Pad the front and back of the painting with hardwood and hold them together with packing tape.
• For unframed artwork, you should use a sheet of silicone release paper to cover the front of the canvas and then wrap using glassine paper. After that point you can pad the front and back of the painting with hardwood and tape them together, just as you would if it were framed.
• Make sure that you store artwork in a climate controlled environment at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit and about 55% humidity to avoid damage and mold.
• If you’re storing paintings for a long period of time, make sure to air them out once in a while.
•  Keep paintings out of direct sunlight, heat, and off of concrete floors or walls.
• Lay paintings flat on acid-free boards. If stacking them, use a rack and padding between each.

Books

• Books can be very heavy when lumped together! For this reason, you should store them in smaller, sturdy boxes.
• Place books flat in the box to avoid damage to their spines.
• Wrap older books in acid-free, UV-resistant plastic book covers
• The ideal storage for books is dark, dry, and about 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

Electronics

• It is crucial to have a climate controlled storage unit when storing electronic items. The temperature should range between 50 and 80 degrees. This prevents cracking and corrosion from damaging electrical components.
• Choose a unit that uses or allows you to use a dehumidifier to help keep items dry and safe. Avoid ground-level or subterranean units.
• Cover your electronic equipment with a cotton sheet to prevent damage from dust buildup while allowing for proper air circulation.
• Protect your monitors, screens, scanner glass and additional fragile parts with cardboard or pieces of bubble wrap. Mark all glass parts as fragile to avoid leaning heavy objects against them.
• Make sure your equipment is raised off of the ground. Use shelving units, pallets, or a table to keep electronic equipment safe.

The post How to Make the Most of Your Storage Unit Through Organization appeared first on ClutterTroops Professional Organizers in Winchester VA.

With the chaos and fun of the holiday season over, we finally have some time to breathe again. For most of us, the holiday decorations have come down and are put away until November. However, for those who are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD or the winter blues), it may be the time of year that your home begins to suffer from neglect.

The symptoms of SAD in the winter include depression, low energy, difficulty concentrating, agitation, oversleeping, and overeating. These mood shifts can be unforgiving, leaving you with little or no motivation to care for your home or even yourself in more extreme cases. But because you are more than likely spending the majority of your time in your home, it’s state of disarray might actually be feeding a vicious cycle of depression and motivational issues.

While a tidy house is certainly not a replacement for being seen by a qualified medical professional or medication (if a case calls for them), it can potentially spark feelings of accomplishment and positivity and boost your overall mood. So we’ve compiled a list of things that you can do to push through the winter blues and keep your home running!

Make Your Bed

This one is a fun trick I like to play on my brain! Making your bed is an easy task that typically takes less than ten minutes to accomplish. In most modern bedrooms, the bed itself takes up the largest amount of space. So by making your bed, you are actually making your room look 50% better in just minutes.

After that, reassess how you feel. You might just feel motivated enough to start picking up the rest of your room. With your bed made, it is a great workspace for folding clothes to put away. Just make sure you push through to finishing the job. That way, you won’t have laundry waiting for you at the end of the day.

Make Use of Your Hamper

I’m willing to bet that aside from an unmade bed, the next thing that is keeping your room looking messy is laundry. The bad habit of leaving dirty clothes lay around is NOT exclusive to you, in fact it is fairly common. That being said, we could all benefit from applying more discipline on this matter.

You can start by collecting your dirty laundry from the floor and other surfaces that you may have left them and placing them into your hamper or laundry basket. Make sure that you place your hamper in a place where you will make liberal use of it from now on.

Set Races With Yourself

You can do anything for ten minutes, right? So give yourself a task that will pay off BIG in the end. One example would be cleaning up the trash from the living areas. Maybe you won’t be able to finish this task in ten minutes, or maybe you will finish it early. The important thing is that for this specified amount of time, you are choosing action instead of procrastination.

When the timer goes off, you will at the very least see an improvement to be proud of. You might even be inspired to finish the job or set a new task with your timer!

Break Up the Time Consuming Chores

It can be difficult to get motivated when a task looks particularly daunting. If your dishes are stacked to the ceiling, it may seem impossible that they will ever get finished! So instead of standing at your sink for an hour or more, make a commitment to wash your dishes five at a time.

The best way to do this is to make sure you revolve that time around another form of movement. For instance, every time you get up to get a drink or go to the bathroom, you should do five dishes. If your movement is motivated by a need you are more likely to take the hardest part of your journey right off the bat- getting up! Once the dishes are finished, make sure to wash them as you go from now on to avoid the build-up. Now that you’re used to doing five dishes at a time, it should be a breeze!

Clear a Surface

When you’re in bed and feeling down, looking around at a sea of clutter can be even more de-motiving. Clutter has the ability to make your belongings and living situation seem less valuable than they actually are. This is why it is important to de-clutter as much and as often as possible. But for now, you can just focus on one surface and commit to cleaning it up.

Whether it is your dresser, vanity, or even just your bedside table, taking a few minutes to de-clutter and clean off a surface will give you one accomplishment to focus on the next time you find yourself lying in bed. It may even motivate you to cleaning off another when you feel ready again.

Get Your Heart-rate Up

You probably hear it all the time, and you can roll your eyes if you want. But even if it is the last thing that you feel like doing, exercise can be an excellent motivator once you get started. Fortunately, there are a lot of options.

• Get your steps in- If you use a Fitbit or any other type of activity tracker, make sure it is charged up and get some steps in. If the weather is decent, you can go for a walk or run. But if you are stuck inside, there is no shame in pacing down a hallway or wherever is available! Make the goal for 1,000 steps and then keep pushing the goal forward.
• Dance- Who doesn’t love dancing? The good news is that you are already in the comfort of your home so you really can dance like nobody’s watching. Turn on a high energy jam and let loose.
• Cardio and strength training- Get in some quality exercise from the comfort of your living room.

Supplement

In the winter, the dark truly can seem endless. But you would be amazed at the results that you can see from taking a Vitamin D3 supplement or using a “Happy” light daily. Many people have reported that using one or both of these has helped to boost their mood and energy levels during the long winter days. Just make sure to consult your doctor to make sure you are using light therapy safely.

Enlist Help from Friends

True friends and family members will be supportive of your efforts to make improvements in your life. Hopefully, they will even be willing to help you out. If you feel comfortable enough, consider opening up about your winter blues and asking for company as you attempt to clean up your home.

Whether your guest lends a hand with the cleaning is completely up to the two of you. But even just having someone to chat with as you do dishes can make an arduous task seem fun. Chip away at the tasks on your to-do list while enjoying the company of someone that you care about. The difference it can make for your confidence can be astronomical!

Be Kind To Yourself

The important thing to remember is that “this, too, shall pass“. The cold will thaw and the sun will stay with us longer soon. And for people who deal with SAD, the change back to warmer weather is often like flipping a switch. You’ll likely find yourself refreshed, motivated, and ready to take on the world, leaving the winter behind as if it were all a fugue state.

However, if your symptoms worsen or last beyond the winter, make sure that you are consulting with your doctor. Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally.

For additional ways to deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder, click here.

For additional support you can contact these helplines:

• Depression and Bipolar Support– 1-800-273-8255
• National Hopeline– 1-800-784-2433
• National Alliance on Mental Illness– 800-950-6264

The post Nine Ways to Clean Your Home Through the Winter Blues appeared first on ClutterTroops Professional Organizers in Winchester VA.

Are you familiar with the pain of stepping on a Lego? It’s just flagrant. Every one of us can sometimes forget to clean up after ourselves, but if that situation becomes a pattern, that is a problem. The truth is that we don’t miraculously learn to be responsible and organized; it is something that we acquire as we are growing up. And it is certainly something that you want to instill in your kids, unless you want to find yourself in the situation where your teenager hijacks your car without asking, scratches it and fails to see what they did wrong. Here are some tips that can help you help them grow up to be responsible individuals.

Practice what you preach

Children learn by observing, and especially by observing their parents, since they are the people they spend most of their time with and look up to. Ask yourself; is there anything in your behavior you should change, anything that isn’t setting a good example to your kids? Maybe those piles of laundry stacked up on a chair? Or always being late to parent-teacher meetings and other events? This relationship goes both ways: as you are encouraging your children to be more responsible, they are motivating you to do the same.

Offer alternatives to bad behaviors

If children see your guidelines as orders, they will not be so keen to adopt them. For example, if you want them to stop jumping up and down on the back seat of the car, you shouldn’t order them to be quiet and still, you should suggest them to play a game instead (count as many dogs as you can on the road, for example). Do the same in other similar situations.

Encourage independence

Your kids will hardly become responsible if you keep running after them collecting their clothes and toys and doing everything instead of them. Show a little faith in your little ones, and depending on their age assign them tasks in their room. Start from collecting the toys and move on to more complicated tasks. If you get a floor rug that is easy to clean, they can do the vacuum cleaning and even consider it a fun activity. As soon as they feel responsible for something they own, they will be able to build on that accomplishment.

Help them form habits

“We cleaned our room yesterday, why do we have to do it today?” Sounds familiar? Don’t worry, you’ll be hearing that for a couple of days, maybe a week, and then cleaning up will become a routine for them. Just know that the goal here is to give your kids guidance and the right structure, but they should be the ones in charge of developing those habits. You are just providing the groundwork for their success.

Ask for their help

Don’t mope and grumble when it is time to do some house chores. Ask your children to help you. If you do that with a smile and pride, they will be happy they can be a part of the grownup world. They will feel valued for being able to spend time with their role model. That way, your kids will learn to feel pride and joy in maintaining their home.

Commend a job well done

What you see as just a little task is a huge milestone for your children, and they like to hear that they did something well. If they stored their toys in a box, tell them you’re proud of them. Thank them for helping you with the dishes. These seemingly small gestures encourage them to take initiative in other similar situations. However, you should avoid giving them rewards like increasing their allowance or buying them a toy. This can create a wrong image about the reasons why we should act responsibly.

Finally, you should know that young children may find it hard to wrap their head around cleaning their room being their responsibility. Don’t worry about that. For a start, create a healthy structure and provide them with a routine that will later grow to be their habits.

About the author:

Tracey Clayton is a full time mom of three girls. She’s passionate about fashion, home décor and healthy living. Her motto is: “Live the life you love, love the life you live.”

The post Raising Responsible Children appeared first on ClutterTroops Professional Organizers in Winchester VA.

If you ask us at ClutterTroops, there are dozens of great reasons to de-clutter your home. None, however, are quite as enticing as the prospect of saving (and maybe even making) some extra money. While it might seem to be only a minor inconvenience that you have to re-purchase items that you have misplaced every now and again, those purchases can add up quickly. And replacement purchases aren’t the only way you’re losing money in all of the clutter! Learn how de-cluttering can save you money

You’ll be able to resist impulse purchases

If you have de-cluttered properly, I can almost guarantee you that your next shopping trip will be an interesting experience. Impulse purchasing is a habit that exists in our society for many reasons.

• We just really love the thrill of purchasing something new- even if there is no other reason than the rush that it gives us.
• Some may just be more susceptible to retail marketing. Advertising tricks have trained us to believe that we would be “missing out” on something if we don’t purchase immediately or that we “need” an item that we have no practical use for.
• Still, there are some that believe that the value of themselves relies heavily on the amount of the objects they surround themselves with. (Lots of belongings = success)

After de-cluttering your home, those items that you would normally impulse buy start to seem more like effort than fun. The odds are good that many of the items you just got rid of were the result of these spontaneous purchases. These are items that are “wants” not “needs” and by now, you’ve come to understand that.

It is perfectly fine to have items that you want in your home as long as you have a designated space for them. Without a home for the new item or the item that you are replacing, clutter is reborn. Understanding that cycle will help you to prevent impulsive purchases far into the future!

Less wastefulness

There’s no better way to save money in your kitchen quite like keeping a de-cluttered refrigerator! Often times, the refrigerator can be so messy that you lose track of what is actually in there. As a result, dairy, meat, and vegetable items are going to waste. Not only is it unpleasant to smell and clean, you are losing money!

To prevent this, you should be organizing your refrigerator in a way that will maximize freshness. With just a glance, you should be able to see any meats you have set out to defrost. With your fruits and vegetables all in one place (and not accidentally buried) you can easily avoid spoiling and the messy clean up that follows. And it is important to place these items in your refrigerator not just where they fit, but where they will stay fresh. This includes using the drawer and door storage appropriately.

Each food item that you throw out due to expiration equals money wasted. De-cluttering your refrigerator will have you wasting less and enjoying more of the fresh food you’re purchasing for your home!

No more duplicate purchases

It starts small. You might be replacing a package of batteries or a pair of scissors. You know you have them! But after you’ve searched high and low, sometimes it’s easier to go out and buy a new one.

Without order in your home, things tend to go missing. As a result, you are probably making emergency runs to the store for items that you KNOW you have… somewhere. And if you’re also graced with an endless amount of irony, there are great odds that you will find it as soon as you’ve gone out and purchased a replacement.

This process can be infuriating to say the least, but it’s also a financial drain. Once you’ve given each item in your home a designated spot, all you have to do is make sure that the family is working together to put items back where they found them. While that may not be an easy task to keep up with, just imagine putting your saved money towards something on your wish list.

No more late fees

If you’re one of the few people who are still braving the use of paper billing, this tip is important. When most of the mail that you get is junk, it is easy for envelopes and ads to pile up in your home. It is even easier for an important bill to get lost in a junk pile or stuck in a catalog un-noticed. As a result, your bill is recycled and it probably slips your mind. By the time you remember that your bill hasn’t been paid you have probably accumulated a late fee.

Businesses don’t joke around when you owe them money and they let you know it. These exorbitant late fees have the potential to throw off your monthly budget entirely.

You might decide to go paperless or at least commit to an effective organizing solution for your mail. You’ll know that your new system is working when your records are organized and you are saving on your monthly bills again!

Increase appeal for home sale

When deciding to put a home on the market, the seller typically considers cleaning, staging, and repairing cosmetic damages to the home that might help them get the full asking price. One critical step that sellers tend to forget about is de-cluttering.

As prospective buyers walk through your home, your clutter sends them a very clear message. “This home isn’t big enough.” Fearing that their items also will not fit into the home, they will likely make a lower offer or just move on entirely.

By de-cluttering in addition to cleaning and staging, you will be highlighting all that your home has to offer and increase your chances of multiple offers at or above asking price!

Make Money off of unwanted items

Though people typically imagine clutter as being “junk”, that’s not always the case. Clutter comes in many forms. This includes clothes that might even be brand new, but have not been worn in years. It could be a collection of china that is too large to display. It could even be a collection of coffee cups given as gifts. While the items may not have a place in your home any longer, it doesn’t mean that someone else wouldn’t find value in them. And that value could create new income for you!

There are vast resources for selling your belongings both locally and online. These include Craigslist, eBay, hosting a garage sale, consignment shops, Facebook groups and marketplace, and Etsy for antiques! There are a lot of other up and coming apps to use as well.

If you’re not interested in taking the time to sell your items, you should definitely consider making a donation to a local non-profit charity. Make sure that you request a receipt for your donation. You can use that document when filing your taxes! That way, even if you don’t see immediate financial benefits from de-cluttering, you’ll know you can count on it.

Additional Savings Tips

If you like the idea of putting more money in your savings account, give de-cluttering a try! You’ll also enjoy additional benefits such as having more time to enjoy your home, improved mental health, and lower levels of stress.

As I conclude I will leave you with a couple of additional money saving tips to help as you go forth on your project of de-cluttering your home and keeping it that way! Happy saving!

• When putting an item in your shopping cart, consider why you are purchasing any item. This is especially useful to use on non-perishable items and will help you identify your “impulsive purchases”.
• Once you have identified an impulsive purchase you can put it back on the shelf. Then you can transfer the money you would have spent into your savings account. This act of saving money can give you a similar rush as spending it, without the buyers remorse later!
• Learn the ins and outs of storing your food for its longest life-span and then plan your shopping trips accordingly.
• When putting your home on the market, you might consider using professional organizers and/or move managers. They can help you sort through your belongings quickly and effectively. Between selling, donations, and money saved on the mover, the services often can pay for themselves!
• Set reminders in your phone or day planner for your bills. That way, if you haven’t received a copy, you will know to go looking for it.

The post How de-cluttering can save you money appeared first on ClutterTroops Professional Organizers in Winchester VA.

As we prepare to bring in the New Year with a celebration, we often take this opportunity to reflect on our last 365 days. We have had triumphs and failures. We have welcomed new life and new friends and mourned losses. And hopefully, we have all learned something new about ourselves.

Each New Year, people all over the globe choose this marking of time to make resolutions to reach a goal, break a bad habit, or implement a new and positive change in their life. And it’s no wonder why! Personal growth has a profound impact on every aspect of our lives. By striving to improve ourselves we are nurturing our physical, emotional, and intellectual health.

Choosing to practice personal growth can inspire passion, excitement, new motivation, and a general lust for life! So what will you choose to do during your next lap around the sun?

New Years Resolutions

The concept of making commitments to personal growth at the beginning of each year is not a new one. In the past, religions and cultures have used this mark of time to make promises to pay back debts, re-affirm their vows, repent for wrong-doing, and make promises to change and improve themselves.

While it is easy to say that you have a goal that you would like to reach in the coming year, most resolutions are forgotten before the end of February. This is often due to poor planning and unrealistic or unclear goal setting. For this reason, it is critical that you discover what is important to you and why it is important to you. When you have those answers, you will be able to create a clear plan for follow through.

Discover what is Important

It is said that we are our own worst critic. I believe that for most people, this becomes a negative voice that they prefer to drown out and ignore. We, however, are ever evolving creatures who are given endless opportunities to grow and improve. To understand what you would like to change in your life, all you have to do is listen to your inner critic. While you might not like what you hear, it is important to remember that what is true right now can change. And addressing the issue is the first step towards self-improvement.

Ask yourself these questions (honestly) and see what you come up with at the end.

• Five words I would use to describe how I felt this year:
  • Which are positive and which are negative?
  • Why did I feel the negative things?
• Which traits do I admire about myself?
• What are some traits that I admire about people that I know?
• What would make me happier?

You might choose to practice patience, lose weight, pay off your debt, or make a career change. No matter what your goal is, it should reflect your desire to improve your life. In addition to your personal drive, setting realistic expectations and a solid plan will get you to the finish line!

Planning

Too often, our New Years Resolutions are very general. Therefore, we don’t take the time to analyze or properly address the flaw we would like to correct in ourselves. For example, you might make a general resolution to get your home de-cluttered and keep it that way. This is a noble goal to have, but it is a simplified statement.

De-Cluttering your home is a process that requires a lot of time and mental (and sometimes physical) energy. Success relies heavily on your ability to look inward to examine the cause of your clutter and create a game-plan to avoid it in the future. This often involves changing one or more of your day to day habits! All of this is perfectly do-able, however, the amount of planning that goes into this commitment cannot be understated.

Because of this, you might choose to set very specific goals that support your ultimate resolution. Continuing with de-cluttering as the example, you might say that in 2018 you will make a point to get rid of 15 items per week or that you will carefully consider all purchases that are non-perishable. These are very specific goals that you can measure and feel good about on a weekly basis. As a result, you’ll be feeling that sense of accomplishment all year long!

Great habits to start implementing this year

At the very least, we should all be striving to live a healthy life-style, strengthen our personal relationships, and practicing altruism. There is always room for improvement!

If you’re unsure of how to get started, I’ve compiled a list of personal growth tips for the new year. You can choose one or more of these to implement into your routine for a fail-proof boost of positive energy this year!

• Call up a friend or family member once a week just to chat and let them know that you’re thinking about them.
• Bring new life into your home. You might consider adopting a pet from your local animal shelter, planting a garden, or just bring in some potted plants.
• Make a helpful local donation! Before going shopping for the day, call up a local charity to see what they might need and add an item to your list. Drop off the item on your way home.
• Participate in random acts of kindness (and make sure to include your kids as well!). This might be as simple as taking a cart back into the grocery store for someone when it’s cold outside or offering a roll of quarters to someone at the Laundromat.
• Set a “mindfulness” alarm on your cell phone to go off throughout the day. When you hear the bell, stop what you are doing and take 3 deep breaths.
• Make a point to schedule one on one time with loved ones and give each other your undivided attention (read: no checking your phone!)
• Make a short stretching session a part of your morning routine.
• Before making impulse purchases, consider if the item will have a purpose in your home and life. If not, put the item back on the shelf and transfer the cost of the item to your savings account instead. It will then feel like you “made” that money all over again.
• Choose water instead of Soda when going out to eat. (It saves money, calories, and it’s great for your skin!)
• Go out of your way to clean up a neglected area of your home (the junk drawer, linen closet, etc.)

Ready, Set, Grow!

Even if January first has come and gone, it is never too early or too late to get started! Your new-found positivity will only contribute to more good things in your life and inspire excitement in the people that you surround yourself with.

Let’s welcome 2018 with open arms. New Year, new you. Ready, set, grow!

The post Personal Growth Tips for the New Year appeared first on ClutterTroops Professional Organizers in Winchester VA.