A New Way for Us to Help You Get Organized

We’ve learned a lot about ourselves, organizing, and our clients in the last five years, including the important fact that doing a “clean sweep” kind of organizing job – where we work fast to complete a room or project in a day – doesn’t work for everyone.  For creative people – and especially for those of us with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and/or ADD tendencies – the “clean sweep” method of organizing is not always the best way to begin.

With the help of the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (formerly known as the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization), we have expanded our services to include coaching, a client-centered partnership committed to helping people gain peace of mind through the process of decluttering their lives.

As coaches, our work is to help you stay focused, challenged, and motivated.  We recognize your inherent brilliance and personal power to discover your own solutions when provided with support, accountability, and unconditional positive regard.

If you think coaching might be for you, we are now interviewing for long-term and short-term coaching clients in the following areas:

Jesse:

• Long-term coaching for increased creative vitality through the process of getting organized.
• Short-term coaching for
  • Paper management systems
  • File plans
  • Organizing your off-line computer life, including
    • Mastering Word, Excel, and Publisher
    • File organization
    • E-mail management

Naomi:

• Short term coaching for
  • Organizing your on-line computer life, including
    • Social media – Facebook, Twitter
    • Photo sharing and storage
    • Bookmarks
    • On-line presence and privacy
• Organizing your off-line computer life
  • File organization
  • E-Mail management

Paperless society?

For a “paperless society”, we sure manage to generate a lot of paper.  I’ve been making an effort to recycle as much as possible for the last year or so, especially paper, and it’s amazing how quickly that recycle bin fills up!  Here’s how I handle incoming paper:

Deal with incoming paper – mail, flyers, magazines, newspapers, papers from work or school – right away

As often as possible, sort paper right away into shred, recycle, keep, to-do, and so on. Open mail and discard the envelopes and any other pieces you don’t need.  Then put them where they go, right away!  Trash in the trash, shredding in its container, recycling in the recycle bin, bills to pay on the desk, magazines in their spot, etc.  Be realistic about what you’re really going to look at.  It’s ok to recycle the catalogs that you don’t like and will never buy anything from, or the complimentary issue of a magazine that you’re never going to read.  (Better yet – if you want to get fewer catalogs in the first place, use a service like Catalog Choice, or opt out of mailings through the Direct Marketing Association.)

If you can’t open and sort the mail immediately, use an inbox so it doesn’t get scattered. This can be a box, tray, basket, tub, drawer, or whatever else works.  Don’t make it too big, or paper will pile up. When the inbox is full, you have to deal with it.

Keep containers in convenient places

I have a basket for paper recycling by my desk, so as I pay bills or handle items in my inbox, I can recycle them immediately.  Keep a container handy wherever you frequently sort papers.

Don’t make it too complicated

Containers don’t have to be fancy, so if you don’t have a basket or inbox, don’t let that hold you back.  A plastic grocery bag hanging from a hook or door handle can be a “recycle bin”.  Reusable fabric grocery bags are a little sturdier, and more attractive.  If you have a few of these around your house, put them to use!

Renting Storage Space: An Idea Whose Time Has Passed

If you rent a storage space to store your stuff, you are not alone. One in ten U.S. households now rent a self storage unit.*

We rent storage units for lots of reasons.  Two of the most common reasons we rent storage spaces are that we’re moving and need a place to keep things during the transition; and/or we need more space at home or in our workplaces.  These are both good reasons at the time but they can backfire.  By putting “stuff” in storage, we create an “out of sight, out of mind” situation and our stuff can sit there, sometimes for years. 

Renting a storage unit is rarely cheap.  At $75 a month (an average cost for a 5×10 storage unit) adds up to $900 a year, $4500 for five years, and a whopping $18000 in 20 years.  In addition to the money, we also have to figure in the cost of our travel time to and from the facility, the time we spend loading, unloading, and looking for things, and the wear and tear on our stuff, especially if the unit is not climate controlled and we experience mold problems or have a rodent infestation.  And of course, if we don’t/can’t pay our bill, all that stuff we so carefully packed away becomes the property of the storage company.

There are no easy solutions to our need for extra storage space and sometimes it is the best thing to do.  If you are facing or have just faced this decision and have decided to rent a space, give yourself a deadline for moving out of the space AND, most importantly, schedule some time to do the work (and/or call us to help you ) to empty it.   You can sell valuables that you no longer need or want, and you can donate items to people in need or to your favorite charitable cause.  What you are guaranteed to get when you are finished is emotional relief and renewed energy, not to mention a less stressed bank account.

Cleaning out a storage space is like any other decluttering work:  it’s a process with no instant solutions or magic bullets, and things can and usually do get worse (more messy) before they get better.  But in the end, when you’ve rehomed and/or recycled all the stuff you were paying to store, you’ll be able to reallocate the money you’re saving.

Like a lot of the ideas generated by our no-longer viable more-more-more mentality, renting storage space is an idea whose time has passed.  If your home/office is getting over crowded and you are thinking about renting a storage space, remember this:  a few hours spent decluttering is guaranteed to free up some space so maybe you won’t need it.  Or, if you already have a storage space and are ready to get rid of it, we are rooting for you.  In either case, if you need help, check out our “spring is a great time to clean” decluttering special:  4 hours for the price of three: two people, $300.  We’d love to help.

*”Self Storage Demand Study – 2007″ (published by the SSA) one in ten U.S. households now rent a self storage unit.

Six Toxic Household Cleaners: Why and How to Avoid Them

Antibacterial cleaners and soaps. These contain a form of Dioxin, a notoriously dangerous ingredient.  Since regular soap kills 99.4% of germs, save antibacterial products for VERY SPECIFIC needs  (i.e. post surgical wound care).  The FDA has recently issued a new warning about triclosan, a ingredient found in many antibacterial soaps and products.

Air fresheners. These coat your nasal passages to deaden your smelling nerves.  Alternative: Baking soda or vinegar with lemon juice in small dishes absorbs odors. Coffee grounds also absorb odors.  Fresh air, citrus peels, flowers, plants, herbs.  Simmer water and cinnamon or other spices on stove.

Dry Dishwasher detergent. Number one cause of accidental child poisoning. Alternative: Buy phosphate and chlorine free    detergent instead.

Oven cleaners. Corrosive, caustic, & carcinogenic.  Alternative: Make a scrubbing paste of baking soda, salt, water.

Carpet and upholstery shampoo. Carcinogenic.  Alternative: Use a mix of baking soda and water. Salt will take out wine or fruit stains. Club soda will remove lighter stains. Baking soda and cornstarch will deodorize.

Toilet, tub and tile cleaners. Corrosive, carcinogenic.  Alternative: Remove toilet bowl stains with pure vinegar. Dilute with water to remove soap scum. Washing soda or borax is also effective on tiles.

(from http://www.greenlivingonline.com/article/six-household-chemicals-avoid)

Green Cleaning Recipes

Many cleaning products that we use everyday contain harsh chemicals.  They hurt us, they hurt our environment, and oddly enough, they don’t really help us clean any better than simpler, gentler cleaners.  How can you keep your organized spaces clean and fresh without using toxic chemicals?

First, make sure you have the following supplies (many of these items are already in your pantry):

• Baking Soda (basic to most cleaning product recipes)
• White Distilled vinegar (basic to most cleaning product recipes)
• Liquid soap—Castille vegetable oil based or glycerin are best
• Spray bottles —3 or 4
• Lemon or lime juice (to disinfect and cut grease)
• Borax or Bon Ami (for safe scrubbing)
• Olive oil (for furniture)
• Club soda (for stain removal)
• Essential oils in whatever scent you want (if desired)

You should be able to find most of these products at your grocery store or supermarket.  Less common products can be found at a health food store or Co-op.

Now that you have your supplies, you can prepare the following cleaners:

SOFT SCRUBBER: 1/2 cup baking soda, liquid soap

Pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bowl, and add enough liquid soap to make a texture like frosting. Scoop the mixture onto a sponge, and wash the surface. Note: Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a sealed glass jar to keep the product moist. Or, just make as much as you need at a time.

WINDOW CLEANER: 1/4-1/2 teaspoon liquid soap, 3 tablespoons vinegar, 2 cups water, spray bottle

Put all the ingredients into a spray bottle, shake it up a bit, and use as you would a commercial brand. The soap in this recipe is important. It cuts the wax residue from the commercial brands you might have used in the past.

OVEN CLEANER: 1 cup or more baking soda, water, a squirt or two of liquid soap

Sprinkle water generously over the bottom of the oven, then cover the grime with enough baking soda that the surface is totally white. Sprinkle some more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next morning because the grime will have loosened. When you have cleaned up the worst of the mess, dab a bit of liquid detergent or soap on a sponge, and wash the remaining residue from the oven.

FURNITURE POLISH: 1/2 teaspoon oil, such as olive (or jojoba, a liquid wax), 1/4 cup vinegar or fresh lemon juice

Mix the ingredients in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover the glass jar and store indefinitely.

ODOR ABSORBER: 8 oz. Fine mist spray bottle, white distilled vinegar and essential oil of your choice

Fill your spray bottle with white vinegar, add 20-30 drops of essential oil.  Shake before using.  Spray to absorb unpleasant odors.  This air freshener is meant to absorb the odor and is not meant to be inhaled as a sweet smell.  Caution: vinegar is a mild eye irritant, do not spray in eyes.

(from http://www.care2.com/greenliving/make-your-own-non-toxic-cleaning-kit.html, and Clean House, Clean Planet, Karen Logan, Pocket Books, 1997)

Social Media – worth the time?

As someone who has become immersed in the world of social media in the last year or so, I’m often asked questions like these:

• How is it working out (personally/professionally)?
• Do you get any business from it?
• How much time do you spend on it every day?
• Should I do it?
• How do I get started?

The answer to each of these questions could be a whole blog post, or series of posts. I am by no means a social media expert, but I do feel more at home in a world that is still unexplored territory for many.  There are lots of people contemplating “the leap” into the social media world and wondering if they’ll sink or swim.

What I tell people, in a nutshell, is that whether it’s “worth it” or it “works” depends on two things:

1. Who you are trying to reach (if you’re a business person contemplating social media as a marketing tool)
2. How you feel about social media and being online

While I personally LOVE social media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Biznik, blogging, Flickr, etc., and to answer question 3, I spend about 2 hours a day on it), Harmony Matters’ target audience still primarily finds us via the yellow pages, word of mouth, and searching online.  Whether social media will be viable for you as a marketing strategy depends mostly on whether your target audience is using social media.  It can’t hurt to have a presence online — after all, the more places people see your name, the better — but you’re probably not going to get a lot of new clients from Twitter if your average client doesn’t use Twitter.

The more important factor though, in my opinion, is how you feel about social media, and “being online” in general.  Does it feel like home to you?  Do you feel like it’s one room in the house that is your life?  (Facebook is my living room; Twitter is my front porch.) For the younger generation, the distinction between online life and real life has blurred or disappeared completely.  This doesn’t mean that they live completely online; just that a text or tweet is as “real” as a phone call or bumping into someone at the grocery store.  It’s real communication that happens in real time, so what’s the difference?  People who feel this way are saying “come on in, the water’s fine!”  But many of us are still unsure.

The best social media interactions are authentic (your real self).  It’s pretty difficult to be authentic when you don’t feel comfortable.  Of course, everything new takes some effort and some getting used to.  So if you feel inclined to try social media, go for it!  Give yourself some time to get used to it, try a few different platforms or sites, and see if it’s really for you.  But if you don’t feel at home, then maybe social media isn’t for you.  And that’s ok.  There are many ways to connect with people in this fast paced world.  Find the ones that work for you, personally and professionally.

On the other hand, maybe you really like social media but you’re intimidated by the fast pace and feeling like you’re “not good enough at it”.  Don’t let that stop you!  You don’t have to know and do everything to be successful at social media.  Do the things that you’re good at, do the things that you enjoy, and be willing to learn something new.

In our increasingly digital world, there’s all sorts of “digital clutter” flying at us at the speed of light every day.  Clutter is anything that gets in your way or drains your energy.  For some people, social media falls into this category – a chore and an energy drain.  For others its a source of energy and inspiration and a way to make a meaningful contribution, or just have fun.  Which category does it fall into for you?

-Naomi (the social media fanatic half of Harmony Matters)

P.S. If you’re interested in learning more about Twitter, check out two articles I’ve written on Biznik:

Understanding Twitter and Cutting Through the Noise

How to… Store Holiday Decorations

Are the holidays really over already? They seem to go by faster every year.  Some of us are anxious for things to get back to “normal”, and some of us… well, we’d leave the lights up all year ’round, if we could!

Though Christmas technically doesn’t end until January 6^th (the day of the wise men) for most of us, holiday celebrations are long gone.  Hanukkah and Kwanzaa have ended, and the Solstice has passed.  It’s the new year and time for new beginnings… and time to take down the winter holiday décor.

Here are some tips for putting away your holiday decorations so they’ll be stored safely and conveniently for next year:

Sort

Spread out all your decorations (including ones you didn’t use this year) on a table or other flat surface that you can use for sorting.  If you have a lot of decorations, you may have to use couches or counters or even spread things out on the floor.

Sort everything into categories – tree ornaments, knick knacks, Christmas, Hanukkah, lights, garland, candles, etc.

Look at each item and ask yourself if you still like it, if you used it this season, if you see yourself using it again, or if it still holds significance for you and your family.  If it’s special to you, how are you honoring that significance each holiday season?  (i.,e., is it being displayed and enjoyed or does it stay hidden in the attic?) If it doesn’t still have significance to you, maybe it’s ok to let that item go.  There are several options other than Goodwill for finding great homes for your no longer needed holiday decorations without wasting their beauty and usefulness.

The holidays are a time to honor traditions and memories, but it’s also helpful to remember that leaving some empty space allows new treasures to come into your life. Maybe you have grandkids who will soon start making ornaments for you, or you have an interest in a local artist whose work you’d like to display as part of your holiday decorating. Let go of the old to make room for the new!

Store

There are specialized storage containers for ornaments, wreathes, and delicate items.  If you want to invest in these containers, that’s fine.  But if you can’t or don’t want to purchase specialized storage, here are some tips:

Lights – roll on paper towel or gift wrap rolls (cut into 12 inch lengths), or create “rolls” out of cardboard from old boxes by folding a square piece of cardboard into a tube and securing with tape.  Cut a slit in each end of the cardboard tube.  Slide the end of the light string into this slit to secure.  Then wind the string around the tube.  You may need to make several “layers”, wrapping up and down the tube.  When you’re done, secure the end of the string in the slit at the other end of the tube.  Shortcut: you can easily pull out the plug end and plug it in to make sure the string of lights is working.

Garland or tinsel – place in plastic bags, or coil up and secure with a rubber band.

Delicate ornaments – wrap in tissue paper or paper towels.  Be sure to label the box these things are in very clearly so you’ll know to treat it with extra care.

Put everything away in appropriately sized storage bins.  Ideally, they should be clear so you can see what’s inside.  They should be easy to lift and put away/take down from wherever you’re going to store them.  Don’t forget to label your bins on TWO sides so the labels will be visible no matter how you store the bins.

Supplies you will need:

• Scotch tape
• Heave duty scissors or a box knife
• Rubber Bands
• Electrical tape (to repair any minor problems in light strings)
• Storage bins
• Paper towel rolls, gift wrap tubes, or cardboard pieces
• A labelmaker, or tape and a sharpie marker

Local Resources for Re-homing Your Stuff

Do you have things you would like to get rid of, but you’re not sure Goodwill or another thrift store will take them?  Or, you fear they’ll just end up in the trash despite your best intentions to recycle?

Not wanting useful things to go to waste is a common reason for hanging onto stuff we’re no longer using.  It’s a good impulse! We encourage keeping things out of the “waste stream” as much as possible. However, if you have so much “good” stuff that it’s making your life unmanageable, then it’s not so “good” anymore.

Here are some local resources for “re-homing” items that might not be good candidates for Goodwill:

Freecycle – Freecycle is a gifting community where members can offer items they have, large or small, that they no longer want but that may still be useful to others.  Members can also ask for items they need. These groups are a fantastic way to match up somewhat obscure items (as well as “normal” stuff like clothes, books, and electronics) with people who need them.

For example, I had a styrofoam cooler in my garage for over a year. I didn’t need it, but it was still useful and I didn’t want to toss it in the trash.  Then someone in my Freecycle group posted a request for a styrofoam cooler.  I had just what they needed.  I was able to meet a need, get rid of something I didn’t want, and know that it wasn’t going into a landfill.  Win-win-win!

You can search for a freecycle network in any community at the main site.

Whatcom Potlatch – this yahoogroup is an off-shoot of the Bellingham Freecycle group.  The rules are similar and the intention is to be a gifting community.  There are many skilled “reusers and recyclers” in this group. Have extra craft supplies? Leftover lumber from a fencing project? Old board games missing a few pieces? Someone out there would be thrilled to take them off your hands!

Craigslist – Post items for sale, or offer for free or for barter.  Always use cash transactions when selling or buying, and be alert for scammers.  Also, be protective of your security (and that goes for Freecycle and Potlatch groups too).  Be very careful about posting your address or information about your home, routines, or when you will be gone.

Whatcom Humane Society and the Alternative Humane Society – local shelters can often use donations of old blankets and towels.  They can also take donations of pet food.  Shoe boxes are sometimes used as comfy beds for cats in the shelter.  And of course, pet supplies like leashes, toy in good shape that can be sanitized, or crates are always appreciated.  Check each organization’s website for other specific needs they may have.

The ReStore – The ReStore, located at 2309 Meridian in Bellingham, is a fantastic place to donate used building supplies and odds and ends.  (Here is a list of what they DON’T accept.) If you haven’t been into the ReStore, go take a walk around to get familiar with the kinds of items they carry and accept.

Appliance Depot – The Appliance Depot is part of the Reuse Works Project.  They accept washers, dryers, refrigerators, and more. Curbside Pickup is available within Whatcom County, except Lummi Island and Pt. Roberts. One or two appliances: $20. Additional appliances: $5 each.  If you purchase a refurbished appliance, they will deliver it and take away your old appliance(s).

Disposal of Toxics – Ever wondered what to do with paint, compact fluorescent light bulbs, or pesticides?  Wonder no more!  The drive up drop off site is located at 3505 Airport Drive and is open weekdays from 9 am – 4 pm and the first Saturday of every month from 9 am – 4 pm.

Electronics Recycling – RELectronics rebuilds and recycles used computers and other electronics.  Some items have a processing fee, others are accepted free of charge.  They are located at 2422 E. Bakerview. Safe and Easy electronics recycling also accepts computers, TVs, batteries, and more.  Some items have a 25 cents/lb. processing fee.  They are located at 4131 Hannegan Road, Suite 102, or 1770 Front St. #111 in Lynden.  See each organization’s website for more information about items accepted, and fees.

Some final thoughts on groups like Freecycle.  I hope that groups like this don’t become an excuse for you to hang onto even MORE stuff “just in case” not only you, but someone else, might need it someday!  Use these groups as a way to simplify your life, not as an excuse to add more clutter.  If you are prone to collecting, you may be tempted to go pick up cool stuff that other people are offering.  The downside of these communities is that they can encourage hoarding of anything remotely useful.  Try to keep an abundance mentality.  Remember that if you really do need something in the future, no doubt someone in the community will be willing to give or share.

Free, Weekly Informal “Be Clutter Free” Coaching Sessions

We are excited to announce free, weekly informal “Be Clutter Free” Coaching sessions to celebrate ”Get Organized Month” every  Tuesday in January from 3-4 pm at the Bellingham Public Market.

Naomi and Jesse will both be there with free informational handouts and ideas to share about practical ways to live more clutter free lives.  We hope these weekly informal conversations will give you useful ideas for your organizing projects and for keeping things organized.    We celebrate Get Organized Month because we believe creativity, smart design, and efficient function in our homes and work spaces help make our lives work better in every way.  We love beauty in both theory and practice, and because we are big on process, sustainability, and finding solutions that match your purse.

But most of all, we celebrate because we love what we do.  We know how happy and strong it makes people feel when they start learning to declutter their homes and their lives.  We love the joyful energy our clients experience after a few hours of decluttering, and the calm joy they feel when a project is finished.  We want more of both kinds of energy in the world, so we are really doing this to save the world, one mess at a time.

Bellingham Public Market

If you aren’t familiar with it, the Public Market has a nice public meeting space inside with tables, chairs, and couches with good food and other shops all around it.  Kind of like a small, indoor park, with a big parking lot.  We’ll be there from 3 to 4 pm every Tuesday in January with materials and information to share, and we hope you’ll stop by.  Tell and/or bring your friends.

Get Organized and Get Healthier

Being organized reduces stress. Every time you can’t find something you need regularly — bills, correspondence, phone numbers, schedules, files, case notes, catalogs, articles, photographs, clean clothes, supplies— your stress level rises, not to mention your blood pressure. When you know where to look to find what you’re looking for, you give your mind, your body and your soul the best chance to be relaxed, happy and stress-free.

Being organized gives you time to eat better.  If you think you don’t have time to eat nutritious meals every day, and instead you wolf down fast food and other convenience meals, you’re taking a big risk with your health. When you’re organized, you will have the time you need (and you don’t need hours) to prepare and eat well-balanced, healthy meals.

Organized living and working spaces reduce accidents.  When your home or office is full of clutter, you’re at a much higher risk for an unexpected fall from tripping over something on the floor, or a fire caused by piles of papers and magazines, or beverage spills because there are no surfaces available to place a cup or glass, or someone getting clobbered because when the closet is opened, stuff comes crashing down… When you’re organized, your home and office are safer and nicer places to be.

Being organized can make you & others happier.  When your life is disorganized, it not only affects you, it can adversely affect the people around you–like your family, friends and co-workers. For instance, perhaps your daughter is always late for rehearsal because you can’t get your schedule under control. Maybe you can never find a clean shirt because the laundry is piled to the ceiling. Perhaps your co-workers are mad at you because you can’t find the message you took for them.  These types of problems cause tension at a minimum, and can escalate into big problems in relationships.  When you decide to get yourself organized so that you can live a more intentional life, you and the people around you can spend less time being frustrated, and more time being productive and happier.

Being organized gives you time to exercise. In order to have optimum health, most people need to exercise. When your home and office are organized, it’s much easier to build exercise into your daily routine–no matter how busy you are. (And just think how much happier both you and your dogs would be if you made time to take walks together more often.)

Being organized lets you breathe better.  When your home or office is cluttered, it probably needs cleaning also, but it’s difficult to clean when there’s clutter strewn about. According to the American Lung Association, one of the most effective ways to control asthma and allergy triggers is to reduce the dust in your indoor environments. When you organize your space and remove the clutter, it is easier to vacuum and dust.

Getting organized is a gift to yourself & those you love.  Attitudes are contagious, including stress.  Children who live with parents who dash madly from place to place, who grab whatever is handy and fast to eat, and who leave their stuff in piles everywhere they go will learn to live this way.  Being disorganized and living in clutter is exhausting and discouraging for everyone.  Learning to value yourself and your space enough to take the time to learn to live more intentionally, to put things away before moving on to the next activity, is a gift to yourself and everyone you love.

Text adapted from the Get Organized Now website, 9/8/07.

Original block prints © Jesse Larsen