Some Favorite Books & Resources for Organizing and Clearing Clutter

A New Year and a great time to get organized and clear out some of the clutter. Here are a few of my favorite books and resources.

From Donna Smallin
 

Visit my On-Line Bookstore for more books on organizing, clearing clutter, decorating, and more!

Visit my On-Line Store for more home organizing and home decorating products and ideas.

Learning to Let Go

I've been doing a lot of thinking lately about "letting go." Seems to be a loaded topic - and can encompass many different areas of our lives - letting go of old ideas, letting go of former lifestyles, former jobs, former investments, ways of thinking, etc. However, I won't get into that aspect in this particular blog post. My focus today will be more specific - letting go of "stuff" that no longer serves a useful or valuable purpose in our lives.

As many of you know, I'm working on a long term organizing & decluttering project for an elderly aunt in her 80's who lives in CT. The project started several months ago when she needed some help getting through some of her accumulated "stuff" in preparation for a move into a senior living complex.

Let's say that the process has been extremely challenging and has lasted longer than originally planned - primarily because she has accumulated a lifetime's worth of possessions in a large older home that she's lived in for almost 50 years. As a child of the Great Depression, she has a certain mindset -- and has a difficult time letting go of anything. She seems to be coming from a place of fear & want - if she gets rid of something, she may never be able to get it back again. She has many lovely "things" -- but much of it is buried under layers and layers of clutter.

It's taking time to go through 14 rooms and 50+ years of accumulated stuff because she has so much of it and every single item has a story to tell. What is very sad to me is that she continues to identify herself with all of her "stuff" - she seems to define herself as a person by all the things that she has accumulated over the years - whether it be furniture, clothes, shoes, jewelry, books, china, art, antiques, etc. So, each time she agrees to let go of something, she feels like she is losing a part of herself.

Which is often what happens to all of us if we equate who we are with what things we have instead of focusing on our unique talents and gifts that we bring to the world as human beings.

I've been taking part in a "Take 10 Away" Challenge for the past couple of months. Each day, I spend maybe 10-15 minutes getting rid of at least 10 things that are either cluttering up my life, my home, my work, or even my computer! I'm pretty consistent with it -- each morning, I look around for 10 things I no longer need to have. Sometimes the items get donated; sometimes thrown out; sometimes recycled; sometimes repurposed; sometimes deleted, sometimes sold.

• I keep a couple of bags or boxes in my closet for clothing or shoes I no longer wear. Once the box or bag gets filled, the items usually get donated or given away. A few months ago, one of my sisters was the beneficiary of 2 almost brand new pairs of Dansko clogs. A few years back, I "just had to have them;" I wore them maybe once or twice, then they sat in my closet just gathering dust and looking nice. My sister loves Dansko shoes; I asked her if she wanted them - she tried them on, they fit, and she was thrilled. It makes me happy to see her happy.
• Books are another passion of mine. I'm a voracious reader and also have a huge reference library for my business. I read for pleasure, to relax, to learn, to develop new skills, and because I'm a naturally curious person and kind of an "information junkie," too. Needless to say, over the years, I accumulated tons of books (literally). I've gotten into the habit of purging my tomes several times a year. I either donate them to the local library, trade them with friends and family; give them away; and have sold them to a used book dealer or recently, on Amazon.com. Now I keep a box specifically for books to be sold or donated, and I recently listed about 50 books on Amazon.com to sell. And I've actually sold some of them!
• As an interior designer & decorator, I often have an inventory of various home decor items that I've accumulated over a period of time. I don't have a retail shop, so many items were put into storage just in case I'd need them for a client or a project some day. A couple of years ago, I sold several items on ebay. Recently, I've found an area shop that takes things on consignment and doesn't charge an outrageous percentage. I've been making it a habit to bring things to the consignment shop at least 3X per month. Oh, I'm also selling some of my aunt's stuff at some of the same places.
• I also purge files on a regular basis - whether paper files or computer files. I spend a few minutes each morning going through emails and deleting anything that I no longer need or have already responded to.
• Magazines get purged regularly, as well. I subscribe to lots of home decorating magazines. If I don't have time to read them when I get them, they all go into a basket for reading later. Then I keep a highlighter with post-its to tag any articles of interest when I do read the articles. Sometimes, the articles will be torn out and kept in specific folders for reference later. Or, if there are lots of artcles in any given magazine, I'll keep the entire issue and have boxes or binders to keep them organized for future reference.
• General interest magazines will get recycled or donated after a specific period of time - like 4 months. If I haven't had time to read something in 4 months, then I make a decision - do I continue with the subscription? do I save the magazine for future reference? Do I toss/recycle/donate it? Many of my favorite decorating magazines are no longer being published or can be found on line -- so that's another way I've been able to cut back on both clutter and costs.
• Old, unwanted, extra, or dated furniture can be recycled, repurposed, repainted, repaired, sold, or donated, depending on the piece and your individual circumstances. That can be the topic of a whole other blog posting.
• Old bedding or towels can be donated to the local animal shelter. They will often take other pet items as well, as long as clean, sanitary, and in usable condition.

So, think about it. Letting go of "stuff" we no longer need or that no longer serves a valid purpose in our lives can be a very freeing and uplifting experience. Especially if some of the stuff we're getting rid of can be used by someone else or if we can actually sell some of our unwanted items and get some needed cash.

When we clear clutter from our lives and our homes, we're making room for new opportunities to come in. And do like I do - I have an iron clad "1-IN & 2-OUT" rule at my house - for every new "something" I bring in, I have to get rid of at least two "somethings" to keep things from getting too cluttered. It works most of the time!

Time for a Change!

My New Logo!

It's been awhile since I've had a chance to add any new blog posts. The past couple of months have been crammed with new projects, new ideas, and potentially new opportunities. My blogs have taken a back seat to other, more pressing issues.

I recently had a new logo designed for The House Therapist to give it a somewhat separate identity from my interior design & decorating business, Ceil Petrucelli Interiors. I'm launching a new website for The House Therapist in early March! That's one of the reasons for the new logo. The logo was designed by my good friend, Sandy Burr, who lives and works in Nashville, TN. In addition to graphic design, Sandy is also a great photogrpaher, and does custom framing and photo restorations through her business, Sandy Burr Photographic Arts.

Until the new website is launched, you can still find all the information on my main website. I'm also offering several Special Offers for home organizing, home staging, and interior decorating services which run through the end of February. However, I may extend the offers through March 20th, the first day of spring. Click here for more information.

I've been working on a long term project in CT for the past couple of months. It's one day a week, every week, and involves clearing & organizing the home of an 83-year old aunt who is planning to move into senior housing by this summer if all goes as planned. I wrote about this in a previous post several months back and had no idea at that point how challenging this project would be. And how long it would actually take to feel like I was making some headway! I've been fortunate that I have other family members assisting when they can (3 sisters, 1 brother, 1 nephew) -- but it's been a real test for all of us! The house was built in 1895 and is one of those Victorian Georgian Revival style homes - 14 rooms on three floors. The house used to belong to my grandparents and my aunt has been living there for more than 45 years. Anyway - the house also has a lot of memories which sometimes makes it a little emotional for some of us as we're going through things. If anything, I'm learning many valuable lessons - the main one is patience at this point. Patience and staying focused on getting the project completed. The house is literally crammed to the rafters with an accumulation of stuff that my aunt has collected for most of her life. Lots of good stuff buried under piles and piles of other stuff.

Two books that have been a huge help to me are When Organizing Isn't Enough, SHED Your Suff, Change Your Life, by Julie Morgenstern and One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer, Ph.D. Both have some invaluable tips, information, and insights and I've had a few "aha!" moments as I read through both books. Links to both books can be found elsewhere on this blog.

I'll be posting more information and tips to help people who are going through similar situations - helping parents and/or elderly relatives who are downsizing and/or moving into assisted living. In the meantime, there are lots of good articles posted on my website which cover organizing, clearing clutter, the emotional attachments we have to our "stuff," and ways to help loved ones let go of stuff that is no longer relevant.

I'm also planning to add some new on-line services to my business this summer. It's a new concept, but some designers and home organizers are doing it and I'm looking into it. Stay tuned!

Until next time!

Small Changes That Yield Big Results Part 2

In yesterday's post, I focused on clearing clutter to open up space with a few tips and suggestions to get the process started. Here are 10 more quick tips to help you control clutter and stay more organized:

1. Put things away as soon as possible after using them. If you have kids, husband, and other family members sharing your home, enlist their help as well. Get into the habit of picking up and putting away books, magazines, toys, laundry, etc. Have a few baskets handy and put things into baskets if you don't have time to put things away in their proper storage areas.


2. Clean up as you go along when cooking or preparing meals. Put things back into cabinets or storage areas. Keep cabinet doors closed. Wipe down counters, cooktops, appliances, etc. regularly to clean up spills, etc.


3. Go through your incoming mail on a daily basis if possible. Have a basket or bin for any incoming mail. Sort through and have a specific place to put bills, documents, or anything that requires immediate attention. Junk mail can be tossed/recycled. Holiday catalogs, magazines, etc. can be put into a basket to be reviewed when you have time.


4. Have a spot near your main family entrance for keys, incoming and outgoing mail, etc. Keep a basket or a bag near the door for anything that needs to be put into the car. Then leave that basket or bag in the car and fill it with things that need to be taken into the house afterward.


5. Keep a donation box or bag in each closet and your laundry room. That way, as you are clearing things out, you can have a container readily available. As each box or bag fills up, you can sort through and determine to which organization you want to donate to.


6. At the start of each new season, spend some time going through each room of your house and make a list of things that you'd like to do in each room over the next 3 months. Then set a few goals and schedule time to accomplish them. If you have a running list, it's fun to cross things off as you get the projects completed. Enlist a friend or family member who may be able to "see" things that you don't. You could also take some pictures of each room to have a visual reference.


7. Focus on one area at a time. Don't try to do a major overhaul in one shot. (I keep a running "to do" list which helps me to focus. As I complete a project, it gets crossed off.)


8. Use organizing tools and aids that work for you and your family. What may work for one person or family may not work for someone else.


9. If you live in a small space or home, find furniture that serves multi purposes and has a lot of storage potential. An ottoman or bench with a lift up top is a perfect example of a piece that can be used for seating and storage.


10. Utilize any storage areas you have more effectively. When you clear out a closet or any storage area, take an inventory of what you plan to store there. Then find various storage options that will help you to organize your things better, and keep them organized.

• Click Here for more tips on organizing and clearing clutter.
• Click Here for more information on how "The House Therapist" can assist you with any organizing projects.
• Click Here for some great resources, books, and information on Organizing, Clearing Clutter, and More!

Small Changes Can Yield Big Results

View from Royalton Hill courtesy of Ceil Petrucelli Designs

Life is all about change. Big changes, small changes. Some changes that are very evident, others so small that sometimes they are hardly noticed at all - yet make a big impact over the long run. Fall is a season of change - especially here in Vermont where the changing colors seem to be Mother Nature's way of giving us that one last blast of warm color before blanketing us in snowy whites and cooler shades of blues and greys.

I recently read an article that talked about "the power of one." How one person can sometimes make a difference in the community and even the world; how one idea could take hold and change our perception; how one small invention could change technology; how one change in your daily habits could have a major impact on your life; how one small change can have a ripple effect that could lead to bigger transformations.

That article got me to thinking about making small changes that could yield bigger results, especially when it comes to decorating, organizing, and saving money, and at the same time be able to give something back and be conscious of our impact on our community as well as the Earth.

I'm an interior designer and decorator, and my business also includes home organizing services, color consultations, shopping services, and more. I'm always involved in some sort of "change" in the lives of my clients - sometimes major changes (building a new home, renovating an existing home, adding a new addition); sometimes smaller changes (bathroom renovations, kitchen renovations, redecorating or redesigning a bedroom or a living room); and sometimes just helping someone to get started on the whole process - to be the "go to" person if they need a hand with color selections, furniture placement, figuring out storage options, finding specific types of materials or products that will work best for their lifestyle. Sometimes the choices available are overwhelming to some clients and that's where I can help them to narrow things down, focus, and ultimately make decisions - hopefully ones that they will be happy with when all is said and done.

So, here are a few "small & relatively inexpensive" things you can do around your home which can ultimately lead to some results that could have a much bigger impact.

• Clear clutter. Seriously - pare down, simplify, get rid of stuff that no longer has a useful value to you or your family. By clearing clutter you'll open up your space and your life to new opportunities. Use the "one in, one out" rule. For every new thing you bring in, you have to get rid of something "old."

• Take it one step at a time. Even if you clean out your "junk drawer" (everyone has one, right?) or a dresser drawer to start. Set a timer. Give yourself a limit - say 15 minutes to start. See how much you can accomplish in a specific amount of time.

• Then reward yourself after - a cup of tea, a 15-minute walk (with your dogs if you have them); pick some fresh flowers from your garden and put them in that pretty vase you just discovered buried in the back of a cabinet. The point is - take it one step at a time and don't try to accomplish too much at one time. Then reward yourself with something that will make you feel happy and positive (and not feel guilty later).

Sometimes, when you're clearing stuff out, you find things that can be useful to others.

• I have a "donation box" or two that I keep for just that type of thing. Books, CD's, DVD's, and possibly some magazines can be donated to the library, or possibly a nursing home, a senior center, etc. Clothing and household items in good condition can be donated to Salvation Army or Goodwill. Habitat for Humanity will often accept donations of various household goods. Old towels, sheets, blankets, etc. can be donated to the local animal shelter. This is a rewarding experience - giving stuff away that you no longer need but that could make a huge difference to someone who does.

The economic climate is a little shaky right now, and many of us might want to try to sell some of those items instead of donating them.

• There are lots of places to sell your unwanted items and make a little extra money. You can try local consignment and second hand stores, used book stores, Ebay, Craigs List, have a tag or garage sale, place ads in the classifieds, etc. Some people are having home parties -- a group of friends get together, bring their unwanted items to the party, and things get traded. Or - to add a nice twist - various items are bid on and some of the proceeds go to a designated non-profit. A great way to get together, have some fun, and do some good for others, too.

This is my first installment on the topic of "Small Changes Can Yield Big Results." Stay tuned for the next installment!

In the meantime, check out my Special Promotion for November and December which will benefit some non-profits that are near and dear to my heart!