The Costs of Disorganization (or the Benefits of Organization)

How many times have you heard yourself or someone else say, “I don’t have time to get organized, I can’t even find my calendar—let alone find the time to schedule that!”  Do you see the circular reasoning in this statement?

The problem of being “disorganized” is also the barrier to better organization.  In other words, if you take the time to get organized, you’ll have more time to be organized.  Confused yet?  Well, I hope I can clear up any confusion with some startling facts about the costs of disorganization (the bad news) and the benefits of organization (the good news).

First, the bad news . . . disorganization is not something to take lightly.  It is way of living that can have huge financial, emotional, mental and physical costs.

Just how much can disorganization influence your life?  Starting with the financial impact, considerable amounts of money can almost seem to disappear when you:

-Pay bills late and incur fees (23% of adults do this). Survey results from Ikea and the National Association of Professional Organizers.

-Rebuy “lost” items (you just know you have a cordless drill, but where is it?)

-Buy “emergency” items (like a pack of diapers from the corner store at 10pm)

-Don’t track spending (It’s the end of the month and you have no idea where your grocery cash has gone)

-Overbuy because you don’t know what you have (You may have 4 extra large containers of mayonnaise in your pantry, but you purchase another one because you’re just not sure.  On a positive note . . . lots of mayo!)

-Can never find the coupon or gift card that you intended to use on your shopping trip

-Miss large tax deductions because your paperwork is scattered

-Miss errors on bank or credit card statements (potentially missing identity theft)

Unfortunately, there is more bad news.  Besides the financial impact, the stress of disorganization can adversely affect your mental, emotional and physical health.   Consider this statistic from WebMD:  “Seventy-five percent to 90% of all doctor's office visits are for stress-related ailments and complaints.”  Add in the missed opportunities for personal or professional growth and the strain that stress can have on your relationships and it becomes clear that dealing with your disorganization is more than something that you “should get to someday.”

Before

After

Ready for the good news?  If having a less stressful, more relaxing life with considerably less health issues sounds appealing, the answer may be as simple as getting organized--it's not as overwhelming or difficult as you may think.  And not many people would complain about being more productive, having more time and money, and living a more simplified, streamlined life.

If you’re not convinced yet, check out these survey results from Ikea and the National Association of Professional Organizers:

-Getting rid of clutter eliminates 40% of housework in an average home

-Since we wear 20% of the clothes we own about 80% of the time, you can open up a large amount of space in your crowded closet by removing those unworn items

-Considering that 80% of what we keep, we never use--you can gain space in your home, if you eliminate that 80%.  You can also earn money if you decide to sell those items or take a tax deduction for donating them.

-With 80% of the clutter in homes being a result of disorganization, you may find more room in your home by simply organizing what you already have.

As with learning any new skill, start small and tackle one area at a time.  If the thought of getting organized is still paralyzing, there are numerous books and websites with helpful tips.  And if you still can’t get started, contact a professional organizer who can help you develop a plan (like pare down the mayo) and stick with it!  

Re-purposing (the Beauty of Slipcovers and Covering Worn Out Pillows and Furniture)

A friend of mine had a wonderful idea for some old chairs she replaced in her dining room.  The chairs were covered in a beautiful brocade fabric--but they had seen better days.  Her two lovely cats thoroughly enjoyed hiding underneath the skirt of the chairs; and the top was perfect for a scratching post.

The chairs seemed too nice to throw out--so after a quick brainstorming session--the decision was made to purchase slipcovers and distribute the chairs among her girlfriends, keeping one for herself.  Each of us would choose the color slipcover to match the decor of our own homes.  Then, we would all get together to personalize the slipcovers with sewing, embroidery or painting.  In my case, my chair personalization involved none of these creative techniques--instead I used a fantastic product called Badge Magic.  It's basically double-sided tape for fabric.  

The transformation was amazing!

The slipcover matched the decor in the room where I placed the chair--and the "art" (if you can call double-sided tape "art") made it a one-of-a-kind piece.  The whole project involved no sewing on my part and possibly 45 minutes of finding and cutting scrap pieces of fabric.  

The success of this project made me think about other furniture transformations that  I've made over the years.  As I walked around our home, I found three other re-purposed items that could have been thrown out based on their looks alone.  

I transformed a donated striped green and white couch to a fantastic red piece that we've used for hundreds of booking readings before bedtime.  All it took was some skillful internet shopping, a gift card to Macy's, and recovering some old pillows with new fabric and the project was complete.  And for those wondering, I did sew the pillows (it was the only thing I could sew at the time!).

Then there's the matching ottoman, also green and white striped that became a stylish window seat with the help of some beautiful fabric and the phenomenal sewing skills of a dear friend.  This is one of my favorite places to sit in the morning--and to think--the entire thing could have taken a fateful trip to the town transfer station.

Finally, one of the biggest conversation pieces in our home is a 12 foot church pew.  In our old house, it served as the entry way bench, school backpack holder, shoe cubby, coat rack and time-out chair.  In our new home, I thought it deserved a little more respect.  It was placed in a sunny spot that someone could curl up with a good book or have a nice conversation.  Once again, I pulled out my trusty striped fabric and enlisted the skills of my sewing guru friend.

This was the most sewing intensive project in that it involved fitting the fabric around two foam seating cushions--I was now entering into 3 dimensional sewing!  And, although it took me several months of starting and stopping, I was thrilled with the end result.

What once was an old church pew is now a lovely space to enjoy the sunshine coming through the windows.

I'm hoping you have a clearer picture of re-purposing and what it means.  It's definitely part of the green focus of recycling and reusing what you already have.  How does it relate to organization, design or style?  

We all have things around our home that either don't serve a purpose or we no longer love.  We hang onto those items thinking, "I may need this one day" or "I can't throw away a perfectly good painted neon green coffee table."  After a while, your house may be home to many of these items--and now you are living in a space that's either cluttered, not well-designed, or completely does not match your style.  

With a little creativity (and sometimes the help of a friend or two), the thing that was once an eyesore in your home can become one of your favorite items.  Re-purposing can be as simple as taking a cardboard shoe box and turning it into a charging station for your cell phone, tablet and ipod--or it can be as daunting as my church pew cushion sewing.  Regardless of the project, I'm certain you'll feel a certain sense of pride and satisfaction knowing you have given new life to something you already own.

An Organization System or "Take Your Stuff To Your Room!"

"Organized" might not be the first thought that comes to mind when you see these market basketssitting at the bottom of a stairwell.  Yes, they are overflowing with toys, clothes, books, papers, and I think some leftover fruit snacks(?).  But to the untrained eye, this is a highly sophisticated "Organization System."  Well, maybe it isn't highly sophisticated--but it is a system.  

A couple questions may come to mind; 1) What is an organization system?  2) And why should I care?  Fortunately, I have the answers to both.

I would guess that most people understand what an organized room or home looks like.  And most people also understand that someone had to do all that organizing.  I would venture to guess, however, that not everyone is familiar with how to continually keeping a room or home looking organized without a lot of extra effort.  

How do people keep their home looking like a magazine picture from Home and Garden Television?  And how do they find the time?

The answer is to develop a way to keep a space tidy once you've initially put everything in it's place.  Everyday, you take a few minutes to "process" whatever items are constantly coming into your organized spaces.  Whether it be incoming mail, boots and coats, or toys--a few minutes a day is all you need to maintain those magazine good looks.

Using the "highly sophisticated" market baskets as an example will help further explain what an organizational system is.

Step 1:  Identify the Problem Area
For us--there were toys, clothes, books, papers, (and fruit snacks) everywhere!  Miscellaneous piles of items could be found on the furniture or floor making it difficult to sit down, walk around or vacuum.  

Step 2:  Define the Goal
We wanted to sit, walk and vacuum without having to constantly be cleaning up after our kids!  

Step 3:  Put a System in Place
I decided to get each child a  . And if I happen to pick up a random toy or sock, I have a place to put it without spending all day cleaning up.

Now, on to the next question--"Why should I care?" . . . 

Having a system in place is a time saver, a stress reliever and can give you incredible peace of mind knowing that you are in control of your space--your space doesn't control you.  But maybe the most important reason why you should care . . . no more fruit snacks in the vacuum!

How's That New Year's "Get Organized" Resolution Going?

New Years Day has come and gone and Spring is on the way according to Punxsutawney Phil. So how is that New Year's resolution to "Get Organized" going?  If you have found yourself struggling to meet some of your goals, then February is the perfect time to re-evaluate and get ready for a spring clean-up.  

(Photo credit:  CNN)

Often times, a well-intentioned resolution becomes too big and overwhelming--which is why "only 8% of people achieve their New Year's goals" (University of Scranton research as reported by forbes.com).  

This may sound familiar to anyone who has learned about goal setting -- Here it is from an organizational slant.  

1.  Set a Small Attainable Goal

Instead of, "I'm going to clean and organize my whole house!"  You might choose, "I'm going to clean and organize the pantry."  

It's difficult not to get overwhelmed by large projects.  If you are able to break a large job down into smaller, more manageable parts, you will be able to tackle those small projects more easily.  

For example, try setting aside a half hour to take on just one pantry shelf.  Take everything off that shelf, throw out expired items, donate items that you won't use, group like times together, then place them back on the shelf and call it done.  Mark another half hour block on your calendar and repeat!


2.  Make Your Goal Specific

If you've promised yourself, "I'm going to stay on top of all the incoming paperwork in the house," -- what does that actually look like?  To some, it may mean stacking the paperwork all in one spot (like the recycle bin).  And to others, it may mean putting the paperwork away in a desk drawer to deal with later.  Either way, important correspondence like bills and notices are not dealt with in a timely manner.  

A more specific and measurable goal would be, "I will sort the mail everyday, recycle unwanted papers and file the rest immediately.  With this goal, paperwork is dealt with in less than 5 minutes, bills are paid on time, and your counter stays clean!


3.  Hold Yourself Accountable

This is my personal favorite because it is where you can take a somewhat tedious organizational task and turn it into a fun social event.  It is the equivalent of taking a run with a friend.  Getting up and out the door is easier when you know you are meeting someone--and often the run goes by more quickly with the company.

So, find yourself an "Organizational Buddy."  Ideally, this person is non-judgmental (we all have our messes, even the professional organizers).  You and your buddy can either check in on each other's individual projects or help each other to work and complete both projects.  

Having the moral support of an "Organizational Buddy" may be just enough to get the ball rolling on those tasks you keep putting off.   Partnering up can also be very energizing, inspiring both of you to tackle more projects in the future.  But, most importantly, you can keep each other honest and accountable.  And there are no rules against celebrating together too!

Happy New Year, Happy Groundhog Day, and (to keep you accountable) I hope you look forward to a happy and organized Spring!

The Hidden Secret To Staging a Home

To some homeowners, staging a home sounds like a service that is "nice if you can afford it."  But what many potential sellers don't realize is that often, a buyer's opinion of the home for sale is formed within the few minutes of walking in the door.  Everything the potential buyer sees after that confirms their first opinion (i.e. "Wow, the entry is comfortable, clean and full of light . . ., the rest of the house must be this beautiful."  OR "This entry is dark, small and crammed full of coats and shoes.")

Another way to look at home staging is to think of it as "curb appeal" for the inside of your home.  You want potential buyers to imagine themselves in your space--to want the home that you have created.  And once a buyer has imagined him or herself in your space, your home becomes that much more valuable.  How valuable?   According to some experts, staging your home can result in a 6-20% increase in the sale of the home compared to an unstaged home.  

And staging doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg.  Depending on the condition of your home, it could cost you very little (just some cleaning, organizing and rearranging)--or it can involve more of an investment (painting walls, adding some plants, updated paintings or furniture).

So what exactly does "Home Staging" mean?  It's not redecorating, it's depersonalizing.  It can be difficult for a buyer to imagine themselves in your living room when they see all of your family pictures sitting on the mantel.  Depersonalizing can involve not only removing those family photos, but also, removing items that overcrowd the home.  Sellers should remember that they are selling the space, not the things in the home.  Making the spaces look appealing, clean and neutral is all part of staging.

The challenging part of staging is that many homeowners are too personally connected to items in order to be objective about their home's contents.  That's where a professional organizer can help.  We can look at the space and make impartial suggestions and help you stay focused and on task (sometimes it's hard not to get distracted during a project!).  

Consider home staging in order to keep you focused on the final goal . . . getting offers close to your asking price and selling the home quickly.  And once you are in your new home, feel free to  proudly display those family photos on the mantel again.

A Very Happy Customer

It is always satisfying to walk away from a job well done.  Even better?  Hearing from the client how pleased they are with the work.  

Below is an article recently published online and in some local newspapers.  Organizing has many more benefits than just creating a tidy space!  

This newly organized office will help both employees and volunteers to be more focused and productive.  No more spending time maneuvering around piles of paper and unused equipment.  It also means no more missed appointments, deadlines or late bills.  Congratulations to the Morris Farm for creating an easier, more organized space.

Before

A New Year, A New Look 
Office Redesign

  

The Morris Farm's Office was recently redesigned and repurposed to serve as both an administrative office and a new visitor's center and library.  The work was made possible by Bridget Nery's new Wiscasset based business,

Organize Your Home and Life.

After.

Morris Farm Program Director, Kim Andersson,  said, "I have had it on my mind to create a visitor's center in the office for the past four years but it seemed too daunting a task.  The space was cluttered with files, piles and boxes, much of it over 10  years old, and it often became a dumping ground for all sorts of stuff during farm events.  I very much wanted to create a space that would foster success and creativity and to finally realize my visitor's center vision, so I called on a professional.  Bridget and her crew came in and had the entire space cleared out in under 3 hours!  Then she gave me a to-do list of sorting and tossing, a task made easy by her clear instructions, and came back with a new floor and desk plan just one week later.  My sorting work took about 3 hours and with another 3 hours of Bridget's time, the job was done.  Bridget even found room for a clean and comfortable volunteer work station.  I am so pleased with the final result and grateful that the Morris Farm has an office and visitor's center every one can be proud of.  It is a truly functional and lovely space now."

Do You Have an Arts and Crafts Explosion in Your Home?

Having kids means having LOTS of small items floating around your home (crayons, legos, matchbox cars, etc.).  Most kids love getting creative which often translates to having the equivalent a small craft store in your house.

I've struggled between wanting to encourage my kids creativity and corralling all the supplies they use.  Here's a solution that's easier than you think.

Bookshelves aren't just for books and shoe boxes aren't just for shoes . . . so in "thinking outside of the shoebox," I created an extremely functional arts and crafts center.

I created this center for my kids using two unpainted bookshelves back to back.  I chose a color that coordinates with the rest of the colors in my home--which gave it a more "built in" look.  On one side of the bookcase, I stored all of the special art kits my kids have received as gifts (there's even a pottery wheel!). 

On the side of the bookcase shown in this photo--I purchased see through shoebox containers at a local hardware store and labeled each box with its contents.  My son actually said, "Thanks Mom, this makes finding things so much easier!"

The key to this system is the see through boxes.  When organizing often-used items--being able to see inside your storage containers allows you eliminate the time consuming and frustrating task of opening each container to view its contents. 

The end result . . . my kids can be creative and clean up neatly--and everyone is happy!