Tag: junk

Junk Hides in the Most Obvious Places

Posted on by Jordank

In a consumer society, household #junk tends to build up. You go out and buy the latest fashions, gadgets and gewgaws, and they either become a part of the daily routine or your personal style, or they don’t.

Lots of that #stuff is probably packed away in boxes or hidden in the backs of #closets, with only a dim memory of their purpose remaining. But still more stuff is likely hiding in plain sight — and making your home a #cluttered #mess.

Think about it: Do you have stacks of #clothing where they shouldn’t be — anywhere outside your closets and dressers? Are mail and paperwork piling up on your desk? Is the kitchen table or entryway littered with new purchases or decorative items?

You are not alone. Most homes have “dump” zones where new stuff or stuff that hasn’t been integrated into the everyday lands. The trouble is that sometimes this stuff doesn’t find a spot for months or even years, especially if you have a smaller space.

All of this piled-up #clutter can easily make you feel overwhelmed. “It usually isn’t until the walls are closing in or someone brings those things to our attention that we do something about it,” says California-based Organizing Concepts & Designs.

What can you do? Find ways to tame those piles and places for those things. Go room to room and make an honest assessment of what needs to be in sight and readily accessible, and what can be hidden in storage or dispensed with altogether.

You might find that you need more shelves to display your knickknacks, a filing cabinet for your office, an underbed box for your extra linens or a new #storage system for your #closet. Don’t hesitate to install them; cost-effective solutions are available.

As you take stock of your stuff, you will find things hiding in plain sight that you no longer want or need. #Donate them to ClothingDonations.org by scheduling a free #donation #pickup for your #purge. Keep at it, and soon you’ll enjoy a #clutter-free, #organized home.

Embrace the Promise of Spring (and Spring Cleaning)

Posted on by Jordank

Spring is here! The days are getting longer, the trees are starting to bud and the birds are chirping. It’s the season of rebirth — the time of year when life reawakens from its frigid #winter slumber and starts anew.

It’s also an excellent time for people to revisit their goals and establish new habits for the year. Start with a check-in: Make notes on where you are mentally and where you’d like to be. What do you value most, and are you able to satisfy those needs?

Next, write down a few intentions. Maybe you want to exercise more, meditate or pursue a new hobby. Or maybe you have an attitudinal goal such as being more forgiving to yourself or more patient with family members. Whatever it is, jot it down and revisit it regularly.

Be Meditation suggests a “walking meditation” to review your intentions while enjoying the spring air. Find a quiet path where you can appreciate new growth and encourage it in yourself, deeply “breathing in your intention.”

If one of your intentions is to become more #organized (and whose isn’t?), spring is the time to reclaim your space and experience the rebirth of a #clean, #healthy and #clutter-free life. It’s just one part of the reason #spring cleaning is a perennial ritual in so many homes.

Research shows that a #cluttered environment produces a cluttered mind. “Our brains can only focus on a limited amount of stimuli at a time,” says VeryWellMind. “If you’re surrounded by #clutter, the clutter can actually make it harder for you to think clearly.”

The Organizing Blog is here to help. Whatever your intention — be it a single #clean #closet or a top-down spring #cleansing — we’ve got you covered. We want to help you make this the year you let go of clutter and blossom into a healthier, happier you.

As always, you can #donate any extra #junk to ClothingDonations.org to share your rebirth with #veterans nationwide. Embrace the promise of spring — and #declutter your environment and mind for a brighter future!

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