Tag: help a veteran

Revisiting Hygge’s Warm Minimalism

Posted on by Jordank

Now that you’ve put away the #holiday decorations (#decluttering and #organizing along the way, of course), it’s time to settle in for the remainder of winter’s cold, dark nights. But to do so cheerfully in #minimalist comfort and style, you’ll want to revisit the concept of #hygge.

Hygge (pronounced “hoo-guh”) is a Scandinavian concept that celebrates warm and welcoming indoor living — likely a compensating response to the region’s long winter nights. The term appears to derive from an Old Norse word meaning “protected from the outside world.”

While the outside world is less of a concern this year now that the spread of COVID is mostly controlled, hygge reflects values of equality, positivity and well-being. But it is an introverted practice that encourages “practitioners to shelter, cluster and enclose,” says Denmark.dk.

Being a hygge acolyte is easy: You just need to embrace things that signify warmth and comfort. A cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate; a roaring fire or some candles; and cozy slippers, blankets or sweaters are a few essentials.

What you won’t need is a lot of #clutter, because hygge is a practice that embraces simplicity. You’ll want to strip your space down to its simplest furnishings and neutral colors, and avoid the mental clutter brought on by too many screens and a cacophony of loud noises.

Hygge is more than hibernating — it’s making peace with the weather (something you can’t control) and embracing the simple joys of home, family and surroundings. And if you find that your surroundings are too chaotic to support such well-being, now’s the time to make a change.

Make a single hygge space — a nook, seating area or room where clutter and chaos won’t intrude. Strip it down to the bare essentials, getting rid of anything that doesn’t contribute directly to your feelings of warmth and well-being.

You can donate any lightly used items that don’t fit the new style to ClothingDonations.org by arranging a #donation #pickup. You can also find nice blankets, sweaters and other cozy hygge goods at the thrift stores supplied by your donations and help veterans in the process

Embrace the newfound calm and enjoy the winter from your cozy confines!

Declutter the Dingiest Stuff First

Posted on by Jordank

As 2023 begins, say “out with the old” to items such as worn pillows, dingy towels, half-burned candles, mismatched hangers and other unloved items, House Beautiful says. When the holidays are over, it’s a great time to clear out the #junk that has accumulated in the last year or years and now creates generalized stress and anxiety. Start by #decluttering easy throwaways such as takeout menus and expired food products, then move on to things that might be useful to others, but you don’t need or want — clothes that don’t fit, extra coffee mugs, etc. #Donate them to ClothingDonations.org, and you’ll help fund veterans programs! #NewYear #NewYou #2023

Out (the Window) With the Old?

Posted on by Jordank

On New Year’s Eve in countries such as Italy and South Africa, people throw used furniture and appliances out the window at the stroke of midnight to bring good luck in the new year, Good Housekeeping says. While you may be fed up with some of your old #stuff and eager to replace it, The Organizing Blog doesn’t advocate such dangerous displays of #decluttering. Instead, pack any lightly used goods you don’t want to take into the new year in boxes, bags or compact piles and visit ClothingDonations.org to schedule a free, contactless #donation #pickup at your earliest convenience. #NewYear #NewYou #2023

New Year, New You? Make a Plan and Be Patient

Posted on by Jordank

The phrase “New year, new you” runs counter to the mindfulness concept “Wherever you go, there you are.” But if you wish to make tweaks to your surroundings or habits, the new year is as good a time as any. To encourage success, make your goals specific, realistic and attainable, says VeryWellMind. Start with small, manageable steps and remember that change is a process. Revisit your motivation if progress slows, reevaluate the plan and keep pushing. “Be patient with yourself. Even if you make a misstep or two, you can restart and continue on your journey toward your goal.” #NewYear #NewYou #2023

Take the January ‘Cure’ for Clutter

Posted on by Jordank

#Decluttering can start with a single drawer, says Apartment Therapy’s January Cure, an annual #organization challenge that begins with the new year. Start by picking a drawer — any drawer — and dedicate 15 minutes to #cleaning it out. Remove everything from that drawer, clean the interior and replace only what you want to keep in that location back in a tidy, sensible and #organized fashion. Place anything that needs to be relocated or stored in a box and immediately throw what’s broken or unusable into the trash. Mission accomplished! At least one part of your home is clean and organized. #NewYear #NewYou #2023