Did you know a cycle exists with clutter and depression? We tend to walk into a space and be overwhelmed by all the stuff we see, so we walk back out, then we get down on ourselves for allowing our space to get “this bad.” Then the clutter increases in the space because we are too frustrated with ourselves to deal with it. We get even more upset looking at our stuff and there the clutter sits, slowly growing, until one day you can no longer tackle it yourself.

Clutter depresses us for many reasons. As discussed in the cycle above, it may represent failure in our minds. We feel that we have failed in our home.

Clutter also represents people, places, memories both good and bad, and successes. Sometimes we are hard on ourselves when dealing with our stuff because in our minds letting it go means letting go of the meaning attached to it. Our achievements, memories, knowledge, and relationships will stay with us forever. Stuff however, is just stuff. It breaks, it gets damaged, gets lost and so on.

Our clutter has a huge impact on our mind and how we see ourselves. You can clear the clutter and learn skills to maintain your space. You can overcome the cycle. Tell your loved ones what your goal is this week in your space. Allow them to lovingly keep you accountable and on task by giving you encouragement. Start in the area that is causing you the most frustration and tackle one pile at a time. Write a mantra and post it somewhere you will see it every day that reminds you that you are worth more than your stuff.

And remember the wise words of Cindy Glovinsky next time you feel yourself getting sucked into the stuff depression cycle, “Chaos is inevitable: sooner or later someone or something will mess up the drawer that you organized so beautifully, but that’s how things are supposed to be. What can save you from despair is enjoying the PROCESS.”

Have you ever thought about the impact your clutter has on your health? Depending on the amount of clutter and the length of time it has been since it has been present, any number of dangers in your space may be hiding.

You could have mold hiding behind or under boxes. You may not see it, but black mold spores may still be inhaled. If you inhale these spores you may experience symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and even vomiting.

Another issue that can hide in your clutter is bugs. Clutter can hide spiders and cockroaches. Spiders, especially certain types here in Colorado are extremely dangerous. You may reach behind a box and be bitten by a spider and suffer health issues for the rest of your life because of that bite. Cockroaches are known for spreading disease and can also make you extremely ill.

Critters may also be living in your clutter. The most popular critters are mice. Mice can spread disease as well. The most common danger we face with mice is Hantavirus. Hantavirus can actually be fatal. If you are tackling clutter that may contain mouse droppings be sure to take precautions, such as wearing a face mask, before sweeping around or handling these items.

Many other dangers may be hidden your clutter. The lives of you and your loved ones are not worth being put in danger due to stuff.

A common mistake made during organizing projects is that we often stop the project before everything has a home. Items are allowed to just “hang out” on whichever surface we left them. The problem is eventually they are no longer alone to hang out. “Friends” will show up and your clutter is back.

This is why number 2 on our Top 10 Tips for your space is to give ALL items a home. Creating a home for everything the first time gets us on track to teach ourselves new habits necessary to maintain our newly organized space. If everything has a home, everyone knows where everything goes. The process of giving all items a home makes everyone using the space accountable for putting the items away. No more excuses! During the process of giving your items a home consider the following:

1. What are the items that are most frequently used in the space?
If you use your toaster everyday do not put it in the cabinet above the stove where it is difficult to reach.

2. What items can be put in harder to access areas due to less frequent use?
If the roaster only comes out on Thanksgiving do not put it in away in an area you will see it every day , especially if you have other items you would like to have easily accessible.

3. How old are the individuals using the space?
The age of everyone using the space is important. If you want your young son or daughter to get to his or her own water bottles, do not put them in a high cabinet. If you have elderly individuals using the space do not put items away in hard to open drawers  or put cans on high shelves. Cans put on high shelves may be a safety hazard in some situations.

We hope you have a peaceful organizing experience this week! Just remember to put it ALL in home of its very own!

Combining households can be tricky. Many people just jump right in without giving it any thought. We have a few strategies on how to stay sane and not argue (as much) during this huge transition.
Step 1: Define Who
Who will be directly affected as a result of this change? Are there children involved? If there are children involved is there a former spouse and/or partner that should also be involved? If a parent is moving in with an adult child, what family members will be part of the plan and how do you expect the current household to be effected? Or is it a new couple joining forces for the first time? Defining who will help you to clarify expectations you each have for one another during the process.
Step 2: Define What
What has prompted this step to combine households? Is it a major life event, such as a wedding or a death? Defining the “what” for all those involved may take away some of the unnecessary stress. Even small children should be given the respect of open communication. Knowing what is causing this life change will also help you to be more compassionate for one another. Moods may change and arguments may erupt over what seems like nothing, but if you have communicated to everyone involved what is happening there will be an understanding that exists during the process.
Step 3: Define When
Do you have a month, a year or just a few days? This will also impact moods when combining households. Everyone involved must understand why the change is occurring quickly or even why you have a little extra time. A change like this will cause a rush of emotions, especially for children. Be aware of their feelings during the “when,” especially if it needs to be done fast.
Step 4: Define Where
When combining households everyone involved in the process needs to be given the opportunity to weigh the pros and cons of where to go. Do you move to his house or to her house? Does your mother come to live with you or do you need to relocate to live with her? Or do you go an entirely different direction and buy/rent a new home somewhere in the middle?
Step 5: Define How
Will you have movers or will you be doing all of the heavy lifting yourselves? This is another step where you need to define clear expectations. If you will be staying in your current home and you have people moving in with you it is important that everyone know how the home will look with everyone in it.
Remember that while combining households may be a challenge, it is a challenge that may be managed if you are all on the same page.

photo source

Here are some of the great answers we received!

Keeping lists… check each task off as i complete it. – Lindsey C.

My label maker! It helps me keep everything organized! – Tricia M

Hanging wall organizer and each items has its own place and easy to see and not forget – Christine D

A carefully crafted and diligently maintained to-do list! – Dana C

Take 10 minutes each day to pick up and put away items that do not belong in one room of one home. – Ariel F

Always have a place for everything! Baskets, files, drawers….use anything that works for you! – Tiffiny P

Always take things one step at a time.  If you look at the whole picture it can be very overwhelming, but if you break it into smaller tasks things suddenly seem much easier. – Heather W

Try to go through all your mail/paper pile once or twice a week so it doesn’t keep piling up!! – Karen D

Stay on top of it. Don’t let things get piled up because it becomes too overwhelming.  If something isn’t working, fix it so its easier to stay caught up. – Brianne R

Open and sort mail as soon as it comes in the door. Discard any papers not important to save. Envelopes, catalogs, etc. – Hayley F

It would be to go through one room at a time and get rid of by selling donating etc anything not being used or that you didn’t even remember you had and the keep the clutter out of your house! – Katy V.

Thank you ladies for all of your wonderful organizing tips!!  We will be using them on our social media sites in  the coming weeks!!

And  the winner of the Shredder is Katy V.!!

Congratulations!!

In honor of GO Month, Peace Together Spaces is holding our first annual Shred-It Contest. We know how important it is to protect your identity. Anything with personal information contained on it should be shred and we want to help! From now until January 31, 2012 we will be holding our contest and the winner will receive our favorite Fellowes shredder.

Use the Rafflecopter below to track your points.  Make sure to read the directions that are shown when you click +1 DO IT!

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

many with dreams of organized bliss I recommend you start it off small.

If you start with a project that is too large you quickly become overwhelmed. When we feel

overwhelmed we tend to feel defeated and lost which leads us to give up. Giving up is NOT an

option! If you want to be organized in 2012, we will help you do it!

Start with a drawer or a purse. Both of these small spaces are generally fast to finish and there are wonderful tools available to make it fun.

One of my favorite tools to organize a junk drawer is the Everything Organizer from The Container Store. The Everything Organizer comes with compartments that will fit all your junk drawer needs! I love this product so much that this is what I give new neighbors when they move in!

For a purse, The Container Store has a simple Purse Organizer, that will slip right into most purses.

Allow yourself to experience these “smaller” victories and gain that sense of accomplishment

you will need to keep yourself motivated on your organizing goals in 2012. Continue to be

victorious and remember you can get organized in 2012!

Did you know there are about 4,200 professional organizers that belong to the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO)? It all started in 1983 when a group of women in California met to network about organizing as a profession. NAPO’s goal is to be recognized throughout the world as The Organizing Authority®. There is another organization that some organizers are also members of called the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD). The ICD was started in 2001 as the NSGCD, a group within NAPO. The ICD quickly learned that not all organizers wanted to specialize in the areas they teach about and became their own organization. The ICD’s mission is to “benefit people affected by chronic disorganization and explores, develops and communicates information, organizing techniques and solutions to professional organizers, related professionals and the public”. If you are interested in hiring an organizer or even become one, check out their sites:

·www.NAPO.net

· www.challengingdisorganization.org