Tips From The Heart

October 14, 2007 at 6:05 pm (Blogroll)

In my last few blogs I addressed things  that cover a multitude of topics.  This letter is really getting  back to nuts and bolts of taking care of ourselves and our homes.

I also want to make it clear that these blogs are all things I’ve come across either in my daily work with others, or in my own life.

Many things cause us stress in our lives.  Among those are dealing with family members, household items breaking when they are least expected to, and not feeling confident in completing projects left by someone else and money issues.  So how then do we stop allowing these things affect our lives?

Well, the bottom line is we have to change how we allow things affect us, because the reality is that we can only change ourselves.

So today’s blog is really about relieving our stress through how we keep ourselves organized.

Tips from the heart.

1.  Never rely just on yourself.  A heart to heart with someone who is your “friend” (no not an acquaintance) is a great stress reliever.  I usually call on one of two friends to go and have tea or hot chocolate or something I consider to be way off my diet and sit and talk for a couple of hours.  Talking is a great stress reliever, but talking with someone you trust is definitely more.

2.   Know your limitations. For example, I definitely do not know anything about building shelves, measuring floors for new flooring or painting.  So I rely on those who have more experience than myself to do those things.  Now this doesn’t mean that I occasionally do not try to get more experience, it just means that I recognize my limitations.

3.   Recognize that you have to take care of yourself.  Your health is the only thing preventing you from becoming ill from the myriad of diseases out there.  Diet, exercise and being around people with healthy attitudes is the beginning of helping yourself.

Diet is really healthy living.  It does not just encompass food.  A healthy diet is a way of living that creates a stress free or less stressed environment for your body.  The “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” syndrome of the 1990s is a wonderful way of living.  If we could all live that way it would be remarkable.  Unfortunately, most people can not let go of their worries long enough to create this environment.  A way to do this is by following a gentler way of living.  Eat properly, with more organic foods; have a less stressful work environment; not to allow others to anger  you; treat others the way you want to be treated.

Until next time, breathe deeply and enjoy whatever it is you do as much as you can.

Denise

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Give Your Closets A New Life

October 14, 2007 at 5:59 pm (Blogroll, home organization, organizing information, organizing space, time management)

How often do you go to your closet and wish you could find what you’re looking for?  The comment that “I can’t find anything.” is one that I hear a lot from clients.  So today I want to give you some simple tips that will help you to  be able to find what you are looking for.

1.  When you look into the closet can you clearly see everything.  Take a moment and look at your closet. 

The floor should be clear.  If your clothes hang to the floor, consider raising the hanging bar a few inches.  This will keep your clothing off the floor. 

2.  Shoes, shoes and more shoes!  How many pairs of shoes do we really need?  De-clutter the shoes you have by eliminating shoes that no longer fit or are damaged.  If a pair of shoes only goes with one outfit then consider purchasing a pair that serves a multitude of outfits.

3.  Depending on what shelving your closet encompasses there are many options as for how you store your clothing.  With the hanging bars make sure you have enough space to hang those items you really need to hang.  The space itself should allow you to hang dresses, dress coats, etc.  If you have too many items to hang and do not want to fold some of the items, then you need to consider redesigning your closet space so you can hang the items.  Inexpensive fixes are available at your local home improvement store or you could call  a company that redesigns closets.

4.  De-clutter.  If there is any advice I would ever give it would be to go through your closet and give away what you do not wear.  If you live in a warmer climate, why have five heavy winter coats?  There are many people who do not have one coat and sorely need the ones you do not wear. 

5.  Arranging your closet so you can find what you want.  Begin at the door.  No matter what season it is, if you are like so many others, you will put the clothing you wear the most near the front or the door of the closet.  I live in a warm climate, so my closet is organized by puttin sleeveless, short-sleeve, 3/4 length sleeves, long sleeves, sweat shirts, and coats in that order from the doorway to the depths of the closet.  The same can be said of pants, skirts an dresses for my closet.

If you would like to know more, please contact me and let me know what you are having trouble with.  I will email you.

For now, try these items and see if they work for you. 

Denise

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Daily Organizing Tips

October 4, 2007 at 2:52 pm (Blogroll, home organization, organizing information, organizing space, time management)

Today’s tip is:  drumroll please!!

To Take Out Your Planner:

step 1.  Take out your planner

step 2.  Open it to this week.  Yes I know it’s Thursday already.

step 3.  Look over what you wrote in the planner for this week

step 4.  Recognize what  you accomplished with a green checkmark (or black if that’s all you have).

step 5. Mark all the things you did not accomplish with a red mark.

step 6.  Take a few minutes to plan how and when you will accomplish the things that are falling through the cracks.  Know why you are not getting the things done.  This means analyzing what it is about those chores/duties etc that is causing you to avoid doing them and then making a plan that allows you to achieve them.

Now why did I write about this?  Time management is crucial in being productive.  Whether it is getting household chores done or achieving that million dollar sale!

Other time management tips will be forthcoming.  Try this one for this week and let me know how it goes!

Denise

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