Tag Archives: DONATE

Smell the flowers . . . if you can find them.

Photo: Ales Krivec

Spring. It’s refreshing. Flowers are blooming. Birds are singing. Life is magical . . . if it weren’t for all that dog-gone Spring Cleaning guilt. Clean the carpets. Clean the windows. Clean the garage. Clear out the clutter.

One of the quickest ways to give our surroundings a breath of fresh air is to reduce clutter and open up our spaces. If you are surrounded by clutter, you will be more stressed, less focused, and less productive. On average, people who are surrounded by clutter and are disorganized lose nearly an hour of productivity every day. Generally, that hour isn’t all in one chunk, but five minutes here, ten minutes there. You know what I’m talking about, we’ve all done it.

De-cluttering and organizing is a great start on the road to a healthier, happier you. Yes, we know it will feel good when we are done, but how do we get started?

Pace yourself. It didn’t get cluttered in one day; don’t try to de-clutter everything in one day. Pick a drawer, a cupboard, a room . . . whatever feels manageable and is currently a source of pain.
Enlist an objective and honest buddy to help you. It’s hard to get rid of our own stuff, trust me I know!
Have a vision of what you want to the room to feel like. Notice I said feel, not look. So often we have Pinterest visions but our space has physical limitations. It’s better to envision a purpose and feel vs trying to replicate a look. Take several “before” pictures.
Have a plan for getting rid of things you no longer need or want: Donate to a charity; give to a friend you know wants something you no longer need; schedule a trash or recycle trip. Make sure there is a solid plan to get things out of the space.
At the end of the process, treat yourself to a reward for your efforts. Decluttering is HARD WORK and a glass of wine or Dairy Queen Blizzard is most certainly deserved.

To ensure that you don’t get back in a cluttered and disorganized state, these two tips will help with ongoing maintenance:

To keep clutter from creeping back, devote an hour a week to staying on top of your newly-opened up space. Whether it’s an hour every Saturday, or 15 minutes four times a week, devoting time to keeping your space in order will pay huge dividends.
Keep a DONATE box or bag close at hand. Once you decide you really don’t need something, immediately put it in the box so it no longer takes up valuable space in your everyday life.

What do you want to tackle next?

Cindy Jobs, COC, ACC

Looking for more information?

Click here for 15-minute organizing tips.

Click here to schedule a free coaching consultation.

www.organizetosimplify.com

National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals, Seattle Chapter Vice-President

International Coach Federation

Professional Resource Member

Coach Approach for Organizers

Institute for Challenging Disorganization

Level I Certificates earned in Chronic Disorganization; ADD; Client Administration; Time Management; Mental Health; and Hoarding.

Level II Specialist Certificates earned in Chronic Disorganization and ADHD

Honoring Earth Day

“The first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. For more information, visit www.earthday.org “

The three pillars of environmental responsibility:

Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Reducing the amount of waste we create and energy we consume is the most effective, and possibly simplest, way to help Mother Earth.

A few easy suggestions:

Reduce the amount of mail that comes in your home by unsubscribing from mail you don’t want or need. These websites can help you with that:
Reduce energy consumption (a big drain on the environment) by turning down the heat, shutting lights off, carpooling when possible, lowering the temperature on the water heater, washing your clothes on the “cold” setting, etc. Every little bit helps!
Create a network of friends and neighbors to borrow or lend items you don’t use frequently. For example, I have a table saw. Once I completed the project I purchased it for, I only use it a few times a year. I’d be happy to loan it to a friend or neighbor. What do you have in your house you could do the same with? (Facebook is a great way to get the word out.)

Finding a way to reuse what no longer serves in its original purpose or you no longer need is another great way to help the environment.

How to do that?

Using Amazon’s Give Back Box® program “you can donate items you no longer need to charity with ease and bring new life to your empty Amazon box.”
Look at any sturdy packaging you may be about to throw away. Can it serve another purpose? Shoe boxes become drawer organizers. Empty cottage cheese containers become food storage. Tin cans become pencil cups (you may want to decorate them up a bit.) You get the idea.
Invest in reusable shopping bags. In addition to the kind the retainers sell, there are some really fun and practical choices on Amazon.
Use cloth vs paper napkins. The energy it takes to create a paper napkin is unbelievable! The stats, are enlightening. I would imagine the energy consumption to produce paper plates and plastic forks would be similar. Use “real” silverware and dishes whenever possible.
There are many, many great charities that support individuals that could really use what you don’t need. Do some research on what’s available in your area. Give where it feels good.

And then there’s recycling. Recycling has been around for long enough that most of us are in the groove. As a matter of fact, some cities are actually fining folks that don’t recycle and compost efficiently.

Some thoughts on this:

Check your local municipality for recycling guidelines . . . I’m amazed at how much they differ from city-to-city in Puget Sound.
Go that extra step when looking to make a purchase and look for items made out of recycled products.

At Organize To Simplify, we are dedicated to giving back to others and the environment by celebrating Earth Day every day!

Part of our Giving Back philosophy:

“Together we can help others and the environment by reducing, re-purposing, and recycling items you no longer need to lessen the long-term impact on our environment.”

What can you do to celebrate Earth Day every day?

Cindy Jobs

cindy@organizetosimplify.com

www.organizetosimplify.com

National Association of Professional Organizers, Seattle Chapter President

Level I and II Certified, Institute for Challenging Disorganization

Graduate: Accredited Coaching Program

Honoring Earth Day: How to Keep Mother Earth Happy and Healthy

The three pillars of environmental responsibility: Reduce. Reuse. Recycle.

Reducing the amount of waste we create and energy we consume is the most effective, and possibly simplest, way to help Mother Earth.

A few easy suggestions:

Reduce the amount of mail that comes in your home by unsubscribing from mail you don’t want or need. These websites can help you with that:
Reduce energy consumption (a big drain on the environment) by turning down the heat, shutting lights off, carpooling when possible, lowering the temperature on the water heater, washing your clothes on the “cold” setting, etc. Every little bit helps!
Create a network of friends and neighbors to borrow or lend items you don’t use frequently. For example, I have a table saw. Once I completed the project I purchased it for, I only use it a few times a year. I’d be happy to loan it to a friend or neighbor. What do you have in your house you could do the same with? (Facebook is a great way to get the word out.)

Finding a way to reuse what no longer serves in its original purpose is another great way to help the environment. (If you watch Flea Market Flip or any of those types of shows, you will also hear the term “upcycle”.)

How to do that?

Look at any sturdy packaging you may be about to throw away. Can it serve another purpose? Shoe boxes become drawer organizers. Empty cottage cheese containers become food storage. Tin cans become pencil cups (you may want to decorate them up a bit.) You get the idea.
Invest in reusable shopping bags. In addition to the kind the retainers sell, there are some really fun and practical choices on Amazon.
Use cloth vs paper napkins. The energy it takes to create a paper napkin is unbelievable! If you want the stats, click here. I would imagine the energy consumption to produce paper plates and plastic forks would be the same. Use “real” silverware and dishes whenever possible.
There are many, many great charities that support individuals that could really use what you don’t need. Do some research on what’s available in your area. Give where it feels good.

Some thoughts on this:

Check your local municipality for recycling guidelines . . . I’m amazed at how much they differ!
Go that extra step when looking to make a purchase and look for items made out of recycled products.

At Organize To Simplify, we are dedicated to giving back to others and the environment by celebrating Earth Day every day!

“Together we can help others and the environment by reducing, re-purposing, and recycling items you no longer need to lessen the long-term impact on our environment.”

How do you celebrate Earth Day?

Cindy Jobs

cindy@organizetosimplify.com

www.organizetosimplify.com

National Association of Professional Organizers, Seattle Chapter President

Certified Premium Subscriber, Institute for Challenging Disorganization

Not Another Tie! Better Gift Giving Ideas

Thanksgiving Doorbusters. Black Friday Specials. Cyber Monday Madness.

The holiday gift-giving time is upon us . . . along with the stress we put upon ourselves to find the perfect gifts. Don’t get me wrong, there is amazing joy in finding the perfect gift (when it happens you hear harps playing and angels singing)! But more often than not, gift-giving is stressful and, frankly, not very much fun.

In my organizing work, I see lots and lots of not so perfect gifts that get stuffed in a drawer or put away in a cupboard because the recipient is too embarrassed to say that it doesn’t fit, isn’t their style, or doesn’t satisfy a current need. Many times, as recipients, we would really prefer that the time, energy, and money spent on gifts be directed to those that are truly in need.

So, if you are not quite sure what Aunt Suzi wants or needs as a holiday gift this year and you’re pretty sure another velour robe isn’t going to be the “perfect” gift, how about trying something new . . . give to those truly in need and send Aunt Suzi a sweet card saying that a donation has been made in her name. (Many charities will send the cards for you if you would prefer she receive something directly.) My guess is Aunt Suzi will appreciate the charitable thought . . . and not having to return yet another pink velour robe.

Here are some thought starters:

Donate cash to a local charity: Cash is always a welcome gift for many charities. Although it may feel good to buy a bag of canned food or a frozen turkey, that may not be exactly what the local food bank or soup kitchen needs right now. If you plan to go this route, give them a call and see what they may need and follow their suggestions. And while you’re at it, see if they could use a helping hand or two. According to a Berkeley study, “scientists also believe that altruistic behavior releases endorphins in the brain, producing the positive feeling known as the “helper’s high.””

Donate to a national charity: There are those in need all across the country. National and international charities like Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Goodwill, are well-established organizations that help those less fortunate and those in crisis.

Adopt-A-Family: Many cities and businesses adopt local families or foster children during the holiday season. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce or your employer’s Human Resources to see what might be available. Friends, neighbors, and co-workers coming together behind this cause will bring even more joy to giving.

Spread your gifts around the world: The Good Gifts catalog was born 12 years ago, as a refreshing alternative to conventional unwanted presents. From livestock to tress, school uniforms to an orphan’s dowry, donations can be directed around the world to those truly in need. Good Gifts will provide a keepsake card (to send or keep) bearing a light-hearted description of the gift.

Water, education and disaster relief: A gift to World Vision enables them to respond quickly in areas of greatest need to help the world’s most vulnerable.

Whatever gift-giving solution feels best to you, remember the spirit of the holidays is really to spend time with the ones we love.

Click here for more Stressless Holiday suggestions.

www.organizetosimplify.com
National Association of Professional Organizers, Seattle Chapter President
Certified Premium Subscriber, Institute for Challenging Disorganization

How to you honor Earth Day?

People are passionate about the good stewardship of the environment and every spring we celebrate the outdoors with special focus on how to take better care of nature and the world around us. Earth Day is celebrated with fun runs, outdoor art projects, book and clothing swaps, recycle events, environmental clean-up work parties, educational events focused on green living and environmental sustainability, and much, much more.

Earth Day is April 22, but at Organize to Simplify we celebrate the spirit of Earth Day every day!

As a Professional Organizer and proud member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), my goal is to use my experience and training to develop physical and thought processes to re-purpose a client’s home or office to better suit their needs. The true purpose of a Professional Organizer is manifested when a client takes what we learn in our one-on-one organizing sessions and transfers those skills to other areas of their lives. Besides teaching the organization process, we teach clients about recycling, reusing, and overall reducing the impact of de-cluttering on our environment.

One of the most frequent questions during a consultation or organizing session is “what do I do with all this stuff I don’t need any more but is still usable?” The answer is pretty simple . . . “sell, give, recycle, or donate.”

SELL: If you believe someone will pay you for it, give selling it a shot. If it hasn’t been sold in 30 days, move it to a “GIVE” or “DONATE” pile. Note: Caution should be used when selling items to ensure that personal and financial precautions are taken.

GIVE: If you know someone that can use the item, label it with that person’s name and a date (usually 30 days from an organizing session). If in those 30 days, the item hasn’t made it to the new owner, it goes into a “SELL,” “RECYCLE,” or “DONATE” box.

RECYCLE: Anything that is no longer usable that can be recycled should be recycled. Many times I’ve carted away old papers, cardboard boxes, old jars, plastic containers, paper and plastic grocery bags, etc. to be recycled instead of being designated “garbage” and sent to the landfill.

DONATE: This is my favorite and I use it with every organizing session. Many of my clients never thought about the social impact of recycling their clothes and household items to an appropriate charity, be it a school, church, thrift store, or many other 501c3 organizations.

As my Mission Statement explains, at Organize To Simplify I “will provide a thoughtful and thorough analysis of a client’s needs, endeavoring to realize their goals of a more organized and peaceful environment. Together we can help others and the environment by reducing, re-purposing, and recycling items you no longer need to lessen the long-term impact on our environment.”

Let’s all do whatever we can to reduce, reuse, recycle, replenish, and restore . . . not just on Earth Day, but every day.

Cindy Jobs

www.organizetosimplify.com

Proud member of:

National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), Seattle Area Chapter President

Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD)