Emotional Attachments to our Stuff

One problem we have in staying organized is what to do with our things especially when we have too many to fit in our spaces.  The lasting solution is, of course, to reduce the number of things we have to those that will reasonably fit in the spaces designated for them.  Unfortunately we (yes I am including myself) hesitate to let our things go because we have emotional attachments to them. 

Over the last 2 weeks I have been reminded of these attachments through a sermon (do you own things or do they own you), a facebook posting (letting go of a well used but worn out bookbag was emotional) and an article summarizing a study on how materialism takes a toll on marriages (Daily Press, March 11, 2012).  In my work as a professional organizer, I see clients confront many emotions including fear and sentiment as they struggle with decisions in downsizing crowded closets, drawers, garages, attics, etc. 

Fear often manifests itself as "I am afraid to let it go because I might need it and won't have it", while the facts remain that it has been around for years and never used, and should it be needed in the future the opportunity to buy or borrow it will be there. 

Sentiment may be a much stronger deterent to letting items go because of strong emotional attachments to them.  Pictures of good times together, souveniers of special events, handmade items or gifts from special people, etc. create memories we love.  The struggle remains because we fear getting rid of the items will get rid of the memories.  The reality is those memories are stored in our brains and our feelings for those relationships will never go away.  It is, after all, the relationships that are important in our lives, not the things that represent them.

Another somewhat less emotional excuse for attachment is "I paid good money for it and letting it go is like throwing that money away."  This is valid if the item is not depreciating as you own it but actually gaining in value (very difficult for anything in this economy).  You pay for gas and burn it up, food and eat it up, clothes and wear them out, etc.  You get the picture.  The items are probably not worth now what you paid for them, but they may be important to someone less fortunate.  Passing them on may actually add value to them and a blessing to those that need them.

In the article on materialism, the lead author summarizes that materialism was associated with less emotional maturity in spouses.  In my personal and professional experience, I would not only agree with him but add that being able to let go of our excess and not crave more than we need is an expression of emotional and spiritual maturity.  In the big picture, it is investing time and energy in our relationships and not in accumulating and keeping stuff that adds to our quality of life.  This is a challenge for all of us.

Using Containers Effectively

Using containers is one of the best ways to create and maintain organized spaces.  Items on shelves, in cabinets and even in drawers should be arranged so they do not fall on other items, move around in the space or mix with other items. 

There are some guidelines to remember in choosing containers.

• Use the most attractive containers in places where they are on display or seen. Decorative boxes and baskets are options for containers that will be seen by everyone.  Those containers used in closets, cabinets or drawers need not be as attractive or expensive. 
• Keep like items together in containers.  Do not mix types of items such as pens with paper clips or earrings with bracelets.
• If there is more than one of the same type of item, containerize them together.
• Separate items from each other in a drawer or cabinet with dividers or containers.
• Group small items on a shelf in containers.  Sauce packets in a pantry and rings in a jewelry box are examples of items that could be grouped together and contained.
• Containers should fit the space and hold the designated items in an orderly fashion.  Using the same size, style, etc. creates a more attractive system.
• Measure spaces and items before purchasing any containers.
• Use square or rectangular containers whenever possible as they are more space efficient than round or oval ones.
• Clear plastic containers are the most versatile and functional because you are able to see the contents clearly.  Label containers that are opaque.
• It is preferable to used stacked drawers units rather than stacking more than 3 containers together.  It is too difficult to get to the items in the lowest container.
• Use trays or shallow boxes to contain items on dressers, vanities, counters, etc.  It makes cleaning those surfaces quicker.
• Consider recycling boxes and other containers in the home for a new use rather than purchasing new containers the same size.

In today’s organizing happy world, there are containers available in every size, shape, color, material and price.  There are even stores and outlets opened specifically for selling containers and organizing supplies.  With so many choices, there should be something for everyone.  Make using containers a habit and your organizing and cleaning tasks will be much easier.

Organizing Checklist for December

We are approaching the end of the year but this is a busy month for everyone. Some organizing strategies for this season have already been covered in the previous months. Here are some final reminders and tips to help you through the holidays and the end of the year.

• Children and adults should take time to donate any items that are no longer useful. Many families will be forced to shop at thrift stores for holiday gifts and donating toys and clothing can be a blessing you will never see.
• If you have not done so already, immediately send cards, packages, newsletters and email messages.
• Begin traditions with your family if you have not already begun them. For young children, simple activities such as baking cookies or decorating packages are best. Older children can help with community or church events. The family can purchase gifts for an "Angel Tree", read the Christmas story together, watch a favorite Christmas movie, etc. Keep it simple.
• Take pictures of family and friends and the decorations you chose as a keepsake and reminder for next year.
• Be flexible on the big day and welcome any help offered. Don't sweat the small stuff and keep the mood light and happy.
• Avoid the after Christmas sale unless you absolutely immediately need the items. Avoid the long lines, parking problems and traffic jams. Items that need to be returned can usually wait for a few days.
• Resist the urge to buy more holiday decorations just because they are on sale.
• Keep a journal of what worked and what didn't, the gifts you gave and any changes you would make in the future. Keep a list of clutter free gifts you can give next year. (A list can be found in my book on pages 103-105.)
• Keep the collection of all the lists, ideas, recipes, pictures, evaluations, etc. related to the holiday in a manila folder or create a folder for them on your computer.
• Plan the holiday clean up when others are there to help you. Make it as much a part of the traditions as decorating.
• As you take down the decorations, consider purging what you can. Eliminate as much permanent storage as possible. Make sure all items are clean and in good repair. Try to maintain only those things with special significance or that cannot be replaced. Donate or pass on the others.
• Consider color coding holiday containers and label with the contents.
• If you have space, hang bows in bags on hooks to maintain their shape.
• Set a family goal to make the holidays even more meaningful next year. Adopt a charity, volunteer in the community, participate in your church holiday program, etc. Write down your decision and make plans for it next year.

Organizing Fabrics

The goal in any fabric organizing system is to have the fabrics available to see without moving them around, to have the fabrics contained so they don’t fall all over the place when securing what you need, and to have the space be reasonably attractive.
It appears that regardless of how you get them, most fabrics will need to be refolded to be organized efficiently. Even fat quarters are folded in a plethora of ways depending on the store that sells them. While you can purchase plastic templates for doing this, I suggest you create templates that are suitable for your particular spaces.

Pieces larger than on yard can effectively be stacked on shelves. Most shelving in closets or bookcases is 10” to 12” deep, making it perfect for one fourth of your fabric width. I would make a template for it 1” less than its depth, about 6”-9”wide for smaller yardage and 12-15”” wide for larger yardage. This width can be adjusted to the width of your shelves so you can maximize the number of stacks in the space. Be sure to allow room for the fabric itself and “breathing” room between stacks. If you buy it on the bolt, you can leave it on that and save a shelf or space just for bolts.

For maximum visibility on the shelf, leave the fabric folded with the selvages together so it is about 20”-22” wide and wrap it around the width of the template. Place the selvage edges on the bottom edge of the template so only the selvage half of the fabric will actually be on the template as you wrap. Using a flat surface makes the process easier as you can keep the fabric straight while you are wrapping.

When the fabric is completely wrapped, fold the half of the fabric not on the template over the fabric that is on the template bringing the edges even. Place the fabric on the shelf with the selvage end against the back or wall. You will have a nice round, folded edge on the front that allows you to identify and see more of the fabric. You can leave the template in place or pull it out and use it for the next fabric.

Similar templates can be made for containers that hold fabric pieces smaller than one yard. Measure the height and width of the container leaving space for the fabric around it. Wrap the fabric so that you have one last fold for the edge you will see. This may take some trial and error at first but allows you to see more of each fabric placed in the container.

No doubt many of you out there have huge fabric “collections” and this strategy may be too time consuming to consider. Depending on your satisfaction level with your system, you may not want to try this, you may want to begin this system with new pieces or you can start with one area and gradually do more. We each have systems and preferences that work best for us.

Motivation to Organize

In education we were told if we kept doing the same old things, we would get the same old results. In other words, we needed to try something new to get different results. I think the same thing applies in organizing.

To get yourself motivated, begin stimulating your brain with new activities in other areas first. Instead of watching the same television shows, watch something different. Even if you don’t like it, your mind will be stimulated in critical thinking.

You can try a new food product or recipe, go to a different grocery store or in reverse down the isles of your favorite store and drive a new route to work. Then start thinking about what needs organizing in your home. You may have some fresh ideas that will get you moving.

You may be surprised at the motivation you have once your brain is engaged in new patterns of thinking. Carol Miller, a quilter, gave me the inspiration for this and I must say it works. Give it a try for at least a week and let me know what happens.

Organizing vs. Cleaning

It is true that organized and decluttered spaces that are not really clean appear to be cleaner and more attractive than spaces that are sanitized but cluttered.

This doesn’t imply that you should not keep up the cleaning schedule but rather that to have your spaces looking clean, they should be organized.
When clutter is removed from spaces, it allows you to make cleaning easier and quicker. Think about it. Do you have to move stacks of books, magazines, toys, dishes or papers around before you dust, polish, vacuum floors or wipe down counters?  Doing those extra activities makes it more difficult to get the cleaning jobs done.

Both are important. But if you keep your spaces organized, you will save time and energy cleaning them.

Organizing a Message Center

A great paper organizing strategy is to create an area in your home where frequently used and current information is stored.  This area can be as small as the corner of a kitchen counter or as large as a desk with drawers and wall shelving or cabinets.  Most importantly, it should be in the most convenient area of the house.

This is the grand central location for the family calendar, a phone, the incoming paper box and the household notebook that were described in the previous blog posts.  In it is kept the schedules, current mail, phone messages, and important contact information. Other inportant documents that are used often or needed in case of emergency should be included.  Once established, everyone will know where the information they need is kept.

Organizing with Household Notebooks

In addition to having an incoming paper box for sorting as described in the last post, having a household notebook for frequently used information is a good idea.  A 3 ring binder with subject tabs and clear protector pages is a great tool for keeping papers that need to be close at hand because of vital or frequently used information.

Some items that can be placed in it are frequently used addresses and phone numbers, school menus, sports calendars and schedules, field trip information, favorite recipes, birthday information, etc.  Each notebook would be filled with items specifc to each family.

Ideally this notebook should be located in a central message area but because it is portable, it can be taken anywhere it is needed.

Organizing Incoming Papers

In our last posting, I stressed the importance of reducing the amount of paper you currently have in your home. 

The papers that you must or want to keep should be sorted as soon as you come into the home with it.  If it is mail, papers from a conference, notes from your child's school, the weekly church bulletin or notes you took from a phone conversation, you should give it a home where it can be located again quickly.

My favorite sorting tool for incoming papers is a hanging folder box with folders labeled with the categories that describe the papers that you normally keep.  Most homes can have folders for bills, receipts, permanent items to be filed (such as insurance policies), items that need you to respond or do (invitations, reminders)  coupons if you save them, items you want to read later such as newsletters. You may also need a folder for school, church, garden club, soccer team, etc.   A sample picture of one is found in my book with more details on using it.

There are many very attractive boxes in several sizes available now that can be used for these folders.  Of all the organizing strategies I have taught or used with my clients, this incoming box for sorting papers vertically is the one from which I get the most positive feedback.  It can be a life changing tool.

Organizing Holiday Clean-up

Some tips to make holiday clean-up orderly:

• Only save what you love, use and have room to store.  Pass on, sell or donate the rest.
• Make sure all items are clean and in good repair before storing.
• Use specialty containers to protect breakable items or those difficult to store. 
• Label all containers so they can be easily located next year.
• Consider color coding containers for holiday and seasonal items. 
• Hang bows in bags on hooks rather than stacked in boxes to preserve their shape.
• Plan a clean-up time when others can help you and consider making it part of the holiday traditions.
• Add food, music, games, etc. to make the task more pleasant.
• Resist the urge to buy more holiday items just because they are on sale. 

Organizing Holiday Cards

December usually brings greeting cards to our homes with messages, pictures and newsletters from friends and family far and near.  You can enjoy them for days or weeks by keeping them nearby during the holidays.  Decorated open baskets, bins or boxes can hold them in convenient places.  They can be opened and propped up on mantels, buffets or tables, or they can be strung across windows, walls or doorways much like clothing on a clothes line (for those of us old enough to know what a clothes line is). 

After the holidays, resist trying to keep all of them as they will create a source of clutter in a few years.  Save the photos only if you will honor them by displaying in an album, frame, scrapbook or photo box.  If cards or letters contain messages you want to save, clip those and donate the fronts of cards to nursing homes, daycares, or other places that hold craft classes or create crafting projects.  Keep a check list or data base for current addresses and other notes about the sender and update it each year.

Make decisions now so that when the holiday clean up begins, you will have a plan for those cards.

Organizing Holiday Cooking

Starting early is certainly one way to make holiday cooking an easier task.  There are certain foods our families have come to expect this time of the year, but often we want to add something new to the celebrations.  This does not mean you need to buy another cookbook.  My guess is that you already have more than you actually use.

A clutter free way to find new ideas and recipes is to go online.  One year I tasted a chocolate dip at an event and decided I wanted to find out how to make it.  I went to Google, typed in chocolate chip dip and the web sites popped right up.  On the allrecipes.com site there were several recipes to choose and I picked the one with the ingredients I normally have.  I printed the recipe, but I could have saved it in a recipe folder on the computer and had it available there, too.

So if you want to add something new to the menu this holiday you need not spend extra money and take up extra space with more cookbooks.  In fact, this might be a good time to purge some of those you have never or rarely use and open up some space in your kitchen.  Food for thought.

Organizing Thanksgiving Week

Here are two good tips to keep Thanksgiving Week an orderly and peaceful event.
1) Use a detailed schedule to plan the activities for the week. Work backwards from the time of the big event (Thanksgiving Dinner is usually it)and schedule the activities in minutes and hours. Be flexible with the amount of time you allow for meal preparation, decorations, clean up, etc. You should do as much ahead of the big day as possible.

2) Do not leave home for Black Friday sales unless you are prepared. Use whatever media you have to decide where you should go, when you should get there and what you will buy. Make a list and stick to it. Being surrounded by great deals on so many items will tempt you to buy items you really don’t need but hate to pass up. This can be a great budget buster as well as a clutter creator. Retailers are counting on getting you in with the super sale only to have you lured into buying the other wonderful items not on your list.

Consider staying home for a peaceful end to the week and shop online if you must make purchases. Many outlets have the same sales online with free shipping this time of the year. With no parking problems, traffic jams or lines at checkout, you can have even more to be thankful for this week.

What is Being Organized?

They say beauty is in the eye of the beholder and in some ways, being organized means different things to different people.  Even professional organizers differ in the way they define and characterize being organized.  Regardless of the definitions, being organized is a positive thing just as being disorganized has negative connotations.

It is true each of us will have our own organizing styles just as we have individual personalities and preferences.  But there are some common threads that characterize organized spaces.

1.  They have items arranged so they are not overcrowded.  There are not too many items in the space and each can be accessed easily. 
2.  Similar items are grouped together.  We call it "like with like". 
3.  Items are contained so they remain in their designeated space without falling out or wandering into other spaces.
4.  Items are placed where they are used.  The more frequently they are used, the closer they should be.
5.  Every item has a permanent, specific home.  Nothing else is put in that space so it can always be found and always be returned to its home.

In organized spaces, any item can be found withing a minute, cleaning is easier and spaces have a sense of calm and peace.  We live in a universe with orderly systems all around us and I believe we can never be truly content until our personal spaces are orderly too.

Suitcase Organizing

This year I have travelled more than any other year and I am fine tuning the art of packing a suitcase. I will admit I am high maintenance so this ritual is always problematic.

At the professional organizers conference in April, I was challenged by another organizer to reduce the amount of stuff I pack. She had flown to Florida with only one 21" suitcase that fit in the overhead compartment of the plane. I had travelled in my van with that suitcase, the 26" version and an overnight toiletries bag.


My last trip was for 9 days and included a dress up affair as well as more casual events and 4 stops along the way. I eliminated the 26" suitcase so there was a measure of success in downsizing. One good organizing strategy I used was to pack my most travel friendly clothing so wrinkles would not be an issue. Knits are better than woven fabrics for packing and blends or synthetics are better than cotton and linen. They are not more comfortable but they look better after being crushed for several hours. If ironing is an option after you arrive, any fabric will do.


There will be more travelling in my future so I am testing all new clothing with the "ball it up in your hand" method to determine its travel worthiness. Taking items that can be hand washed and will dry quickly is another good strategy to reduce the number of similar items needed. Finally, good wardrobe planning with clothing pieces that can be used several times is the best way to reduce the amount of items.


Planning, practice and persistence are always good strategies for any organizational problem and should make suitcase organizing more successful with each trip. Now I must practice what I preach.