Background Traveling can be a real trick. We’ve got to figure out what to take. Often this process can be incredibly overwhelming and we may feel helpless. I like Bonnie Mincu’s separation between overwhelm and helplessness. She describes them this way. Overwhelm is the brain screaming “too much”. We know Read more…
BACKGROUND Using guidelines to keep us focused when we want to move things along can be incredibly helpful. In this month’s newsletter I use the example of clothes to explore the use of guidelines. CLOTHES Let’s say that your goal is to get rid of some clothes. You feel that Read more…
I participated in this event at the Ann Arbor District Library http://www.aadl.org/files/media/aadl_events_20161005-adhd-720.mp4 If you or a loved one have been diagnosed with ADHD or are living with its challenges, chances are you’ve felt confused, overwhelmed, and stuck at some point along the way. We are here to help! To recognize Read more…
Background Let’s not get lulled into a fantasy where most homes look like a Pinterest pin or a glossy photo straight from Martha Stewart Living. Those pictures, rather than representing reality, represent extreme versions of organization. And extreme thinking is unhelpful at best in the nitty-gritty, day-to-day world of organizing. The Read more…
BACKGROUND Papers can be irritating—especially when we set aside precious time to file them, only to discover, three weeks later, that we have no idea where they are! At such times, our systems prove themselves inadequate. Here are some quick and simple upgrades that can help. DIVIDING Dividing files into Read more…
Background It’s true, finding homes for items is a crucial step in organizing. As we continue through the organizing process, we get excited to put our various articles away. Knowing where something goes means one less decision to make! We crave the satisfaction. Especially when we’ve made new homes for Read more…
Background For most fledgling declutterers, letting things go can feel downright painful. The good news: We can shift our decision-making about what stays and what goes. In this newsletter I’m going to focus on two actions that make a difference. The first is reserving time during the organizing process to put our keeps Read more…
Background I just got back from the National Association of Professional Organizers conference in Pittsburgh, PA. Although I didn’t get a chance to see much of Pittsburgh, I did get a chance to hear some great talks, meet with new colleagues, and reconnect with old friends. This month I wanted to give Read more…
Background A family member decides to organize the hallway closet or the laundry room or the family office. Of course, there are going to be questions for other household individuals regarding stuff, time, and intentions. How do we ask our questions so as not to distract, irritate, or continually interrupt Read more…
