The problem with helping a parent #downsize is that you likely don’t have the same attachment to their #stuff. If Mom is reluctant to let go of the #things she doesn’t need, consider hiring a professional #declutterer, The Guardian says. They can offer a detached viewpoint and keep the #downsizing process on track. You may also ask parents to #donate their items to a favorite charity so that they know their stuff is going to a good cause rather than into a landfill. That’s where ClothingDonations.org can help; the free service will pick up lightly used clothing and other household items and resell them to fund veterans programs nationwide. #MothersDay #HelpMomDownsize
Author: Jordank
Editorial Coordinator
Downsizing May Get Emotional for Mom
If your mother is getting older, it may be time to consider #downsizing before she needs to move to a smaller space or assisted living facility. #Downsizing can be emotional, says the Wellspring Center for prevention; the process takes time and energy, and Mom might be attached to her #things and the #memories they hold. Instead of rushing things, set aside several weeks or months to accomplish a thorough #decluttering. “Don’t force your parents to purge more than they are comfortable with in one sitting, especially if they have memory issues. Our brains can only make so many decisions before we hit a wall.” #HelpMomDownsize #MothersDay
Help Mom Declutter and Downsize
You can take Mom to brunch or otherwise celebrate her this Mother’s Day (May 12), but you can also do her a favor: Start helping her #declutter and #downsize. Her family home is likely the repository of decades of family memories, photos and other #memorabilia, and she probably could use some assistance in #organizing that legacy. Plus, she will appreciate the quality time you spend together sorting through that #stuff and streamlining her space. You’ll score major cheese points if you volunteer to do a few other #organizing and decorating chores such as framing family photos or hanging shelves. #HelpMomDownsize #MothersDay
Use May Day to Create Work/Life Balance
May Day is a holiday that has multiple meanings. Rural pagan societies tied observances to agriculture as their newly-sown fields began to sprout. Children danced around a maypole, gathered wildflowers and crowned a May Queen to mark the midpoint of spring.
As the labor movement began to makes strides in protecting workers’ rights in the late 1800s, May Day became known as International Workers’ Day, commemorating the 1886 Haymarket Riot in Chicago that erupted when police clashed with striking factory workers.
Too busy to enjoy the spring weather? This May Day — if you feel stressed or like you’re stuck in a rut — take matters into your own hands by creating better work/life balance for yourself.
Good work/life balance allows people to “partition” their professional and personal lives better. That means you’ll be able to complete the demands of your job each week and still have the time and energy to enjoy leisure-time activities and family.
“Good work-life balance can also help support one’s emotional, mental and physical well-being by providing the opportunity to take part in activities that bring joy, reduce stress and promote healthy habits, including setting aside time for family or doing self-care,” Forbes says.
Creating balance is more of a process than a one-time fix. You can start by defining a your work schedule to establish a routine, says Verywell Mind. Also define “offline” hours when you won’t be answering work calls and emails. If you’re having difficulty finding time for your favorite leisure-time activities, make time in the schedule for them — even if it’s something as simple as decompressing for an hour with a favorite TV show.
If you’re stressed about work even when you’re supposed to be thinking about anything else, you may be headed for burnout. Burnout is a state in which you find it difficult to cope with work and other daily activities, and it can manifest as physical ailments such as headaches, high blood pressure and depression.
Good work/life balance can empower you to be more effective in work and everything else. This May Day, seek out ways to be your own personal labor union — find ways to #organize your life and schedule to accomplish those tasks that yo do for a living while still taking time to enjoy life.
National Get Organized Day Is Finally Here
National Get Organized Day is finally here! It’s a great day to start or continue your #spring #cleaning and cut the #clutter for good. Make the most of the day by starting with a plan, says the Network of Enlightened Women, and tackle an easy task first. As your momentum builds, purge anything you no longer use from your closets, shelves and drawers, setting aside any still-useful items to #donate. Schedule a pickup with ClothingDonations.org and #reorganize the things you still need, want and use by giving them a “home” in the places that make sense. #NationalGetOrganizedDay