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Blog: It's good to be back!
 Last chance to get organized before the holidays!
Here is to that spiral wherethe last Thursday in November turns into New Year's Day. This year, go ahead and make a commitment to getting your home organized before you face making those resolutions.
Since man invented the first tool, we have needed a place to store it. As long as we have items that function more than once, we have the need to locate them again and again. The problem most of us run into today is that we have consumed more than we use. Statistics show we use 20% of our possessions 80% of the time.
I have had clients who in the madness of searching for an item just bought another one instead of locating the one they already have. I have gathered many toenail clippers, duplicate irons as well as multiple pairs of scissors. I also have clients who fear I will make them toss all their most prized possessions upon my arrival. I won't, but the items that you no longer find beautiful or provide a function for you I will make the suggestion.
To begin de-cluttering our environments we have to pick our battles wisely. What are your most troublesome spots? Leave the marathon organizing projects to us professionals. We do not have to answer your phone, fix your family dinner, change that diaper or find the missing whatever it is that is being requested. There will be distractions, lots of them, so do not begin your project with unrealistic goals.
1. Begin by choosing a small space to organize. Start with one drawer, cabinet or closet at a time. Otherwise, you will be left with an unfinished project and all your good intentions displayed on the floor or tossed into clear oversized storage bins.
2. Define your space's function. If you desire to scrapbook, read or sew in this space make it happen. Make sure you have taken into consideration all the tools needed for this activity located around the house. Bring them all together and be inventive with storage solutions to make sure they are adequate to house and conceal those things.
3. Be honest with yourself. What will really happen if you toss that item? Establish a keep, toss and donate box to speed the process. Once you've completed the task of sorting, assign each item coming back into the space a home, and make it a point to return it there each time you use it. It only takes thirty seconds, which when you add up the countless times you have purchased that additional pair of scissors, toenail clippers or maybe an iron or two…it will seem worth it.
4. Schedule Maintenance. Just like a new exercise program, you have to do a little each week to see long term results. If you keep yourself in this pattern of returning items to their home after use you can avoid major overhauls every few months.
If we space out our organizing projects we will begin to gain confidence in our ability and start moving on to those larger projects. Your sorting speed will increase and holding onto "stuff" will no longer be such an obstacle. Tossing will actually start to feel good. Remember the 3M's of organizing: minimize your belongings; maximize the space you have to store them in; provide time in your schedule to maintain those achievements. Don't just find new ways to rearrange and putter with your old clutter, get control of it!
posted on: 11/26/2009 2:00:00 PM by Melissa Searcy
category: Family
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It's good to be back!
by Melissa Searcy
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About Melissa:
Melissa Searcy is a professional organizer and independent decorator now living in Jasper, AL. Formerly of Montgomery, Melissa owns Lulagrace Interiors where she was a regularly featured guest on morning television and had articles featured in the local newspaper and many local monthly publications. For more information you may visit her at www.lulagrace.com. Melissa is also a member of the Facebook community at Facebook.com/melissa.searcy or on Twitter at Twitter.com/LulagracePO.
Melissa's Website:
www.lulagraceinteriors.blogspot.com
Melissa's Other Blogs:
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