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     Declutter the inside to remove old and unused food. Work shelf by shelf. Remove the contents and decide whether each item is still good and/or wanted. Get rid of the old stuff and replace the keepers.  (Click on Read More ...)

Most people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) struggle with chronic disorganization in their day to day lives. Do these challenges sound familiar? Inability to: find things when they are needed, make decisions about what to throw/give away, start and/or finish a decluttering project, sort/organize belongings. Fear not – there is hope. Organizing solutions for people with ADHD must be simple, creative and deliberate. Try the tips below that speak to you – it’s worth taking the time now in order to save time later. Your future self (and your loved ones) will thank you.

We focus on the topic of ADHD this month since October is ADHD Awareness Month. Many of our clients have been diagnosed with ADHD, a frustrating brain disorder that impacts the ability to be organized. People with ADHD experience significant problems getting started on organizing tasks, following through on these tasks, and maintaining organizational systems. They struggle with organizing things or with managing time. In many cases they struggle with both. What exactly is ADHD and how does it affect organization?

Embarking on self-improvement? Organization will follow!
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In this month of Self-Improvement, we encourage you to think about self-improvement as the foundation for getting organized. Work on these common self-improvement goals: exercise, eat better, change habits, set goals, be mindful, be thankful, learn new skill, stop wasting time, and accept change. Then you will find that organization naturally follows. That’s because disorganization is often rooted in poor time management, lack of goals, living mindlessly and, yes, lack of exercise and poor eating habits. Once the mind is trained and properly nourished then it can function effortlessly to clear the environment. Why not work on self-improvement this month and reap the added benefit of organization?
 
See the previous post for self-improvement ideas.

Have you already decluttered your car but it still looks a bit messy? Try these time-tested organizing strategies.
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1.   Organize like items into containers. You might have a car supply bin, a first aid kit, or a conveniences box. Bins keep individual items tidy and easily found.
 
2.   Always label bins and boxes for easy identification.
 
3.  Make use of your vehicle’s built in holders and cubbies. Vehicle manual and registration belong in the glove box. Paper maps go in the door pocket or back of the seat pocket. Convenience items like tissues, sunglasses, and hand wipes go in the center console. Keep gift cards and loyalty cards in the glove box or a storage cubby. Flashlight, notepad and pen in the glove box.
 

​If you’re tired of driving around in a messy car then clean it up! Decluttering a car is infinitely easier than decluttering a whole house and there are many benefits. You will feel happier and more energetic once the useless stuff is cleared out. If a friend needs a lift you won’t feel embarrassed to offer one. Lost items will be found and fewer things will be lost in the future. As a bonus, decluttering your car will give you practice to move on to house decluttering (if you need to do that too!)

​Sooner or later, with just about every client, we come across a box of old car stuff in the garage. You know what this looks like: a dusty, neglected, cardboard box full of things that came out of an old car. Maybe it resulted from cleaning out a current car. This stuff languishes sometimes for years. As a result, people go without sunglasses, snow brushes, coupons and other favorite items because they forget that the box exists. Eventually these necessities are replaced out of desperation.
 
It’s only one box! Hopefully! Don’t be afraid of it! Sort it out right now. You’ll feel better knowing it’s done. You might even find those favorite sunglasses or a missing check! Begin by sorting things into two piles: 1) RELOCATE elsewhere and 2) REPLACE in the car.

​June is a popular month for families to move. Kids are out of school and parents have time to settle the family in a new place before fall. The weather is fine – no considerations for snow and ice. It is also a good time of year to take stock of your life and consider a possible future move. This month’s posts focus on planning, packing and moving. Today we describe on how to plan ahead to avoid stress! 

Does mental illness cause you clutter stress? Here are nine tips to help overcome inertia and achieve your decluttering dreams.
 
BECOME AWARE OF YOUR SITUATION – How did this happen? When did it begin? What is the cause? What’s going on? What are you feeling? Are there other things that need to be fixed before decluttering begins?
 
COMMIT TO GET STARTED – decide today, now, you will begin on your journey to improve your living space.
 
SET GOALS – if you don’t know where you’re going, it’s hard to know whether you’ve arrived.
 
START SMALL – expecting large results is a recipe for disappointment, stress, negative feelings. Plan bite sized tasks on your calendar and stick to them.
 
STAY POSITIVE – celebrate little accomplishments to keep motivated and maintain momentum. A journey begins with just one step. Baby steps ARE progress.
 
GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK – when you backslide. Every day is a new beginning, don’t give up.
 
SHARE YOUR JOURNEY WITH SOMEONE – a friend or relative who will listen to your successes and struggles. You will feel supported and accountable.
 
GET HELP WITH PHYSICAL LABOR – if you are challenged with energy or strength. Another person can work under your direction to do the heavy lifting.
 
SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP – in a therapist and/or professional organizer. A professional will hold you accountable and motivate you in the initial steps at the very least.
 

 In the previous post we saw that depression and anxiety can contribute to clutter in the home. Further, clutter can make depression and anxiety feel much worse. Here, we describe how you can begin to take action to reduce clutter. As the clutter decreases you will feel better – less stress, more confidence to handle things, happier with your  environment and more calm.
 
What’s the first step? ​The first step is to become aware that there is a problem. The next step is to reach out for help. Neither is easy but both are necessary. If you feel comfortable, talk to a therapist, friend or relative about your desire to declutter. If this is not possible or if you have already tried without success, you should contact a professional organizer.