Create a Productive Back-to-School Home Office or Study

August 26, 2024 by Heather Filed Under: Kids & Family Organizing, Organize, Paper management, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources 2 Comments

Creating and keeping a productive Back-to-School home office or study area is hard when you’re tight on space. When papers are everywhere, you can never find something when needed, and the piles on your desk can be exasperating and overwhelming! Below, I’ve outlined seven steps to maximizing space in your home office or study area for a productive Back-to-School season.

Create a productive Back-to-School season in seven easy steps

1. Assess Your Space

Before rearranging furniture or buying new items, take a step back and assess your current space. The most common mistake people make when they try to get organized is running to the store and buying all the cute containers and systems before sorting through things. (That’s understandable because we see it everywhere these days!)

First, identify what’s essential and what’s not. You’ll need to sort through everything that’s in the space already. This might involve going through your books, papers, and office supplies to determine what you actually use and need.

2. Declutter

Decluttering is a crucial step in maximizing space. As you sort through each pile, stack of paper, or box of clutter, use boxes or bags to create categories like trash, recycle, keep, and donate.

I recommend eliminating as much paper as you can. With more and more online information, we no longer need as much paper as we used to. Be sure to shred anything with sensitive information.

The bottom line? Remove items that no longer serve a purpose or can be stored elsewhere.

~ Expert Tip ~ Stay Focused!
It’s easy to get off track when you come across things that belong elsewhere in your home. Instead of walking around and getting distracted in other rooms, keep a box nearby labeled “Elsewhere” or “Other Rooms” and place things that don’t belong inside. This helps you remember to take care of it later but keeps you focused on the space.

3. Consider Your Preferences

Do you like everything tucked away and streamlined? Or do you need to see certain things for fear of “out of sight, out of mind” problems?

It’s important to consider how you operate before you set up any space. There’s no ONE way to organize! (Darn, right?!)

What works for one person might be the wrong approach for another, so you must consider what works best for you and your habits.

4. Create Zones

Whether you have an entire room or a small corner to work with, it’s important to create zones in your space.

Room Zones

If your home office or study area serves multiple purposes, such as working, studying, and relaxing, it is important to create distinct zones for each activity. This helps your brain transition between tasks and makes the space more functional. You can use rugs, furniture, or dividers to create different spaces in the room.

Category Zones

Within your workspace, you’ll need detailed categories depending on your needs. Think in categories like:

Office Supplies
Craft or Art Supplies
Active/To Do Papers or Activities
Archive Information (Documents to file or reference. Remember, only keep what you’ll use!)
Reference Information

Once you’ve established your zones, you can use containers to keep them within their categories.

A quick note about paper!

Paper management organization is a huge topic about which I’ve written multiple blog posts; you can find them here. After you’ve recycled or shredded what you can, set up a simple filing system—label categories based on how you would look for items when needed.

5. Use Your Space Efficiently

Sometimes, seeing what is missing in one’s home is difficult, but I often see underutilized space when working with clients.

Hanging shelves on walls, installing furniture that stores things efficiently, and hanging lights from above are just a few ways to save space if you’re working with a small area.

6. Consider Environmental Factors

It’s also important to consider environmental factors that impact your productivity.

How is the lighting? Does your space have any natural light? Could you move your desk closer to a window?
How is the airflow and air quality in your space? Do you need a fan, space heater, or air purifier?
Does the space represent you? Consider adding plants, candles, or decor to help you feel at ease in the space.

7. Maintain Organization, Tips for Staying Organized:

Once you’ve maximized your space, maintaining the work you’ve done is just as important. A clutter-free workspace feels great and improves productivity!

Daily Tidy-Up: Spend a few minutes tidying up your space at the end of each day. This prevents clutter from accumulating and prepares your space for the next day.
Use Containers: Drawer dividers, file organizers, and cable management solutions can help keep everything in its place. Labeling items also makes it easier to find what you need quickly.
Regularly Reassess: Every few months, take some time to reassess your space. As your needs change, so might your setup. Don’t be afraid to rearrange or reconfigure your space!

For more ideas and support for back-to-school organizing, you can find additional posts about tidying up for back-to-school and meal prep here.

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Creating a productive Back-to-School season is a all about maximizing space in your home office or study area and making intentional choices that work for YOU.

By decluttering, creating zones, and using your space efficiently, you can make a space that supports your work or studies and inspires and motivates you. Good luck!

If you’re short on time and need help getting organized, contact me to learn how it works.

Until next time, Happy Organizing!

The Mental Health Impact of Clutter

May 16, 2024 by Heather Filed Under: Health, Organize, Organizing Projects, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

Improve Your Mental Health – The Link Between Clutter, Stress, and Anxiety

Have you ever looked around your home and felt frustrated by the impact of clutter on your life? After all, stacks of paper on the counter, never-ending piles of laundry, and stuff covering every surface can feel overwhelming!

Certainly, you’re not alone. Clutter has become a major problem in our culture, and it’s even taking a toll on our emotional and mental health. You’ve felt it before, right? What impact can clutter around you have on your mind and well-being?

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, so I thought this would be the perfect time to discuss clutter’s impact on our mental health — and how organization can help!

“High stress prevents us from organizing our homes, but the clutter itself can also lead to stress.”

-NATALIE CHRISTINE DATTILO, PHD

The Impact of Clutter

It’s not just your friendly neighborhood organizer (Hi!🙋‍♀️) who says clutter has an impact on your mental health — research shows it, too. Studies have found that when someone perceives their home as cluttered, their cortisol levels increase. What’s cortisol? The stress hormone.

The key word, however, is ‘perceive’. Clutter weighs on people differently. To some, a stack of paper on the kitchen counter is organized. To others, it’s a taunting pile of agitation.

Understanding how you relate to clutter is the first step in identifying its impact on your mental health.

5-Step Solution to Clutter

Once you better understand your clutter’s impact on your well-being, it’s time to decide what to do about it. This varies for everyone, but there are a few universal steps I’d suggest you take.

Find Your Biggest Stressor

As we’re talking about mental health, I suggest pinpointing the space in your home that stresses you the most. Find the low-hanging fruit that will impact your daily life, like the entryway you go in and out of each day or the dining room table that’s always covered.
Start Small

Though you might find your overflowing garage or basement your most stressful space, those are huge projects. Instead, choose a smaller space that will allow you to see results immediately. Examples include a kitchen drawer, bedroom nightstand, or single shelf.
Set a Timer

You’d be amazed by how much better you feel after 15 minutes of decluttering. If you find you have more stamina, feel free to keep going. But remember that progress is better than perfect! (Because Perfect isn’t real:()
Sort Your Stuff

Starting in your small space, go through the items and decide what can be kept, tossed, donated, or recycled. Even in a small space, you’ll be amazed by how much you can go, and you’ll quickly feel a little lighter.
System Set-up

Systems sound big and complicated, but they can be simple, too! Hanging your keys on the same hook every single day is a system. Putting your shoes in the same spot when you get home is a system. Once you’ve sorted the items in your small space, put them back in a way that works for your habits. Think about how you use the space and decide whether items belong there. If they do, contain them in a way that can help you find them when you need them next.

Support and Resources

As with anything that feels overwhelming, it can help tremendously to have someone at your side along the way. I would love to support you through your organizing journey, but I understand there’s a time and place for everything. I’m here when you’re ready to declutter and organize. I’ve got other organizing posts about clutter and decluttering, so please also check those out.

Some professional organizers specialize in chronic disorganization, frequently related to neurodivergence. If you struggle with ADHD, hoarding, or other challenges, you may find the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) a helpful resource.

If you or a loved one needs additional mental health support or services, please visit the National Institute of Mental Health website for the resources listed.

Essential Moving Tools

July 17, 2023 by Heather Filed Under: Move Management, Organize, Organizing Projects, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources 2 Comments

When it comes to essential moving tools, lists and inventory are lifesaving. After over ten years of helping clients with move management and moving several times myself over the last decade, I have compiled some helpful tips to keep your move progressing while minimizing the risk of being overwhelmed.

No matter your circumstances, you are likely to pack a few things on your own, and a good moving company can help you calculate the number of boxes you will have based on your home, number of rooms, and household members. For example, when we moved locally to SC two years ago, we had approximately ninety boxes for two people.

Essential Moving Tools & Strategy:

My move management strategy includes breaking up packing into categories.
This is excellent for DIY moves or if you are selling your home and must declutter for staging.
Pack photographs, home accessories, linens, fine china, unnecessary kitchen items, and some clothing (out of season).
Purge, donate, sell….repeat:)
Pack a little bit at a time rather than try to cram it all into the last week or so. This will vary based on your schedule and circumstances.
Create a dedicated packing area (keep supplies here). This can be a corner of a room, the garage, or a storage unit.
Pace yourself and try to pack 2-4 boxes a day (5 days a week). Doing this lets you at least partially calculate how long it will take to pack fully.
A moving company will have you packed in a day or two.

Create a comprehensive move portfolio:

Have a dedicated spot for all your moving-related paperwork (contracts, inventory, notes, etc.)
As you pack, keep track of more details, and don’t try to remember everything.
Your list can be digital or on paper.
No detail is too small. For example, if you are temporarily storing items, note the location of the key or combination code.
Note where your very important papers are. Keep track of these during your move, especially if you have any temporary housing between locations. This is often the case for remodels, new construction, or long-distance moves.

Create a moving inventory:

Number each box and add it to the list
A short description of the contents of each box, making special notes of valuable (sentimental or monetary) items or general contents by Category ex. Lampshades, pillows, linens, china, clothes etc.
Label the box with the DESTINATION room location
Work alongside packers (if you’ve hired a moving company) to be sure boxes are labeled accurately (even if they don’t have a description, you can add a number and room)

With these essential moving tools, you will know what’s in each box and where it goes when you unpack. As a bonus, this inventory can serve insurance purposes if needed.

Moving Monday::Where to Begin with Packing (hkpowerstudio.wordpress.com)

Tried & True, Travel Planning Tools

June 30, 2023 by Heather Filed Under: Organize, Organizing Projects, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources

Having missed traveling over the past year? This year, I’ve gotten to hone my travel organizing skills again with a lot of travel for work and pleasure.

Some things get easier when you do them more often and a little rusty when you get out of your routine. I’ve noticed a lot of people who haven’t traveled as much since the pandemic are jumping back in with both feet!

I’ve been on the road a lot with things opening back up, visiting friends and family, and traveling regularly for business (at least 1 week a month), so I’m sharing a few of my favorite, tried, true, and new products, tips, and tools for day to day travels and longer trips.

Luggage Select pieces appropriately sized to your travel time and needs and what type able to physically manage. If you don’t want to mess with checking luggage during air travel, make sure it will fit in the overhead bins (20″). If you check a (larger) bag, keep it underweight and ship stuff home (or be prepared to pay the hefty fees)! 4-way wheels make any luggage more manageable and some even come with portable batteries that can be used to recharge phones etc. Be sure your carry-on luggage is comfortable to lift and maneuver if you are traveling alone. Pack a spare shirt, undergarments, and essentials in my carry-on for any trip you check luggage! I evenly spent a night without my luggage because of a flight cancelation. Most of the time, you will not be able to get checked bags back if your flight is rerouted. A cross-body bag, like a messenger or long-handled purse, can leave your hands free and distribute weight more evenly while keeping important things more secure (there is some debate about this, use your personal discretion).

Have a variety of bags and pouches in sizes for all sorts of things from accessories, cables, cords, my camera, toiletries, etc. Consider packing all clothes in a series of Eagle Creek expandable pouches sorted by type of clothing; undergarments, tops, bottoms, etc. I also like Ikea family bags. Hanging toiletry bag with clear pockets on the interior allow you to see things easily and preventyou having to unpack everythingonto bathroom counters. I also like to use a variety of smaller zip pouches, like this zippered mesh pouch one I take everywhere for anything I want to keep dry and undamaged, including papers, magazines, files, etc! What are your favorite small bags?

To keep technology in order I use a combination of bags (above), cord wrap accessories, and a favorite, the Grid-It by Cocoon!

Wardrobe Pack captsule style in a single color theme (think Black, white and purple or brown, orange and tan, etc). Keep it simple and add a few easy accents you can layer Build your travel wardrobe around a couple of comfortable and favorite pieces and you can’t go wrong.

Layout your outfits and add accessories and undergarments before packing or hang on a hanging rack if available. Add mix and match separates if needed once your basic outfits have been planned. I usually try to bring no more than 3 shoes, 3-4 bottoms, and more tops depending on the amount of time I’ll be away and the climate I’m visiting. This combination gives me almost endless varieties of outfits without the bulk of separate pants and shoes for every outfit.

At Home Be sure you have backup documents of all necessary and important paperwork (vaccination proof, itinerary, passport, ID, financial doc’s, etc) somewhere that someone you trust can access if you need them and bring along copies (bring a photo via your smartphone if you’re comfortable) of important numbers (accounts, phone #’s for financial institutions and emergency contacts, etc) for easy access.

Some people never have to check a bag…I’m not one of these people, are you? I envy them:) I bring too much stuff wherever I go, but it’s organized and I’m prepared!

For more ideas check out my Pinterest board Ideas for [Travel] and here are a couple of my new favorite travel pins…

I’m sure you have your own favorite travel tips and tools and hopefully, I’ve shared a few new things to consider for your next trip. What are your favorite Travel Tips and Tools?

Your Life’s Value

February 7, 2023 by Heather Filed Under: Estate Planning, Organize, Senior Organizing, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources, Uncategorized, Wellness & Mindset 4 Comments

This post is not about contraception or family planning. It is about reflecting upon your life’s values. We value our lives and those of others, including family members, especially as they age. Anyone at a crossroads in life facing the prospect of estate planning knows how stressful it can be. It can be emotionally and physically exhausting to face your legacy and the perceived value of your life.

Maybe you’ve been a collector or have family heirlooms that have been passed down to you. Legacy planning can trigger loads of personal and family distress. I encourage you and my clients to take on the task of legacy and estate planning a little at a time. The sooner, the better.

Generally, it’s never too early to consider personal and family legacy planning. Whether the time to downsize comes when family members are alive or after a death, please start talking about this subject.

Unquestionably, this topic is culturally taboo, but the fact is that we will all die.

You’ve probably grown attached to what you will leave behind, or you wouldn’t have kept it around. We often keep things for sentimental, practical reasons or because having them around is a habit. For some people, legacy may include a lot of physical stuff, while for others, that isn’t what matters. Either way, the process becomes less overwhelming if we start thinking about what is important for us to leave behind.

The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning is an excellent resource for anyone downsizing. It’s become a popular book, partially because of its darkly humorous title but mainly because there is currently a large generation of people in the process of downsizing (baby boomers). The author, Margareta Magnusson, recently published a new book, The Swedish Art of Aging Exuberantly: Life Wisdom from Someone Who Will (Probably) Die Before You, which I haven’t read yet. This book addresses the aging process from the author’s perspective. Since I’m aging (and we all are), I appreciate her perspective (both culturally and experientially).

One of the big challenges facing us when legacy planning is what to do with our stuff.

We can’t take our stuff with us…what we leave behind is part of our legacy.

Have you ever considered your legacy? What have you enjoyed or done that others might remember about you? You might want to sit down and take notes on this. Quickly journaling or taking a mental inventory of your life journey might include memorable moments, special people, collections and objects, and more. Here are some questions that will help you consider the stuff and what’s been most valuable to you over your lifetime.

Did you write, keep scrapbooks or take photos?

Do you collect something special (I collect things with a “Bee theme” but try not to overdo it)?

Are you a maker or artist (quilt, knit, or paint)?

Have you been a Gardener or Cook with records of these hobbies?

My Grandfathers Scottish accessories

Were you recognized for significant accomplishments in your career?

Did you invent something?

Do you love to read?

You might ask yourself and your family members some of these questions before it comes time to decide what to keep or get rid of. It may not be an easy conversation. Not talking about it could cause more pain in the long run. Keep it lighthearted and take it a little bit at a time.

Honor your loved one’s legacy by talking with your family members about what they are passionate about and how they want to be remembered.

Record your family stories to share with future generations. These conversations will help with future decision-making.

We all want our loved ones to remember us. Certainly, for some people, things are beautiful tributes. Keeping a handful of meaningful items can help you remember and honor their legacy.

Of course, there will be family and friends who will choose to honor and remember their loved ones without the stuff! Maybe they have vivid or photographic memories of events and connect to that person through other means (spiritual, oral, or written history). Sharing your story (via a letter, video, voice recording, or conversation) may be enough!

Don’t feel hurt if your loved ones don’t want your things!

Locate groups or organizations with similar interests where you can donate part of your estate. Be prepared to release your attachment to the outcome. Your family and some organizations will not want everything you’re leaving behind. That’s not a reflection of how they feel about you or the value of your life.

Others cannot fully understand the perceived value of your life; it’s your unique human experience, after all! How you communicate your life experiences is inherent in what you leave behind through the people you touch, the lessons you’ve shared, your human connections, and your creations. Coming to peace with your legacy is an inside job. Your inner peace can help you adjust your expectations about how others will pay tribute to your life.

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