| Love Where You Live! |
Time to Get Organized!
by Dani Jacobs
by Dani Jacobs
Sometimes we set too many large goals for ourselves. It can become overwhelming and feel un-doable. What we need to do is set small
objectives for ourselves, so we can accomplish them and feel better about ourselves and our will power, in the process. Many of us also have
made a resolution to be more organized; that’s one area that I know I can keep my resolutions, and you can too, with a few easy tips.
First, clean out your clothing closets. Before you begin, buy new hangers and some small storage boxes, so you’re all ready to go. Then,
choose one room per week to work on, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming, and purge, purge, purge! Set a time of two hours after the kids are in
bed, and don’t answer the phone, don’t talk to anyone, just go through it. Get rid of anything that you haven’t worn or used for a year. Then
either bring it all to a consignment shop or donate it. Either way, your closets will be cleaner, and you can mark one resolution off your list.
Some people use the rule that if you bring something new in, you should also take something old out- keep your hanger count consistent. This
may work for you, as well.
Second, organize your children’s toys. The new year is a perfect time to do this as the mother truckload of holiday gifts cannot sit out
forever. They all need a place. Buy bins and shelves if you need to, then dig in. The same rules apply as with clothes. If they haven’t played
with it for a year, it is not that important to them, and they most likely will not even notice that it’s gone. A good rule of thumb is to do this
without your kids around. I’ve learned the hard that way that every time I do it with them, and something is put in the garage sale pile, I hear
sad comments in their amazed voices such as “oh, I forgot about that” or “I love that toy.” They then play with it for a whole 15 minutes to
prove it’s vast importance to me, and then promptly place it back in their closets and forget about this loved toy for another year. So do it
without them, give everything a place, and your children will be able to find their toys and play with them, too.
Third, as the new year begins, make a list of projects that you would like to get done around your home this year and post it somewhere
prominent where you will look at it daily. Be realistic with this list. Although for some, a complete kitchen overhaul is a realistic project, for
many it is not. Your list should include things that you really can accomplish, like clean out drawers, find new color scheme for bedroom, or
touch up all scuff marks in kitchen. Check your list off as you go along, and then look back at it next January in wonder at all you’ve
accomplished!
So, that’s it, a few steps to a happy, and organized, 2007! May you have the best of luck with all your resolutions and a happy and
prosperous new year!
Dani Jacobs is home interior expert and co-owner of Solace Design. She can be reached at
(612)210-9343 or through e-mail at Danielle@Solace-Design.com
objectives for ourselves, so we can accomplish them and feel better about ourselves and our will power, in the process. Many of us also have
made a resolution to be more organized; that’s one area that I know I can keep my resolutions, and you can too, with a few easy tips.
First, clean out your clothing closets. Before you begin, buy new hangers and some small storage boxes, so you’re all ready to go. Then,
choose one room per week to work on, so it doesn’t feel overwhelming, and purge, purge, purge! Set a time of two hours after the kids are in
bed, and don’t answer the phone, don’t talk to anyone, just go through it. Get rid of anything that you haven’t worn or used for a year. Then
either bring it all to a consignment shop or donate it. Either way, your closets will be cleaner, and you can mark one resolution off your list.
Some people use the rule that if you bring something new in, you should also take something old out- keep your hanger count consistent. This
may work for you, as well.
Second, organize your children’s toys. The new year is a perfect time to do this as the mother truckload of holiday gifts cannot sit out
forever. They all need a place. Buy bins and shelves if you need to, then dig in. The same rules apply as with clothes. If they haven’t played
with it for a year, it is not that important to them, and they most likely will not even notice that it’s gone. A good rule of thumb is to do this
without your kids around. I’ve learned the hard that way that every time I do it with them, and something is put in the garage sale pile, I hear
sad comments in their amazed voices such as “oh, I forgot about that” or “I love that toy.” They then play with it for a whole 15 minutes to
prove it’s vast importance to me, and then promptly place it back in their closets and forget about this loved toy for another year. So do it
without them, give everything a place, and your children will be able to find their toys and play with them, too.
Third, as the new year begins, make a list of projects that you would like to get done around your home this year and post it somewhere
prominent where you will look at it daily. Be realistic with this list. Although for some, a complete kitchen overhaul is a realistic project, for
many it is not. Your list should include things that you really can accomplish, like clean out drawers, find new color scheme for bedroom, or
touch up all scuff marks in kitchen. Check your list off as you go along, and then look back at it next January in wonder at all you’ve
accomplished!
So, that’s it, a few steps to a happy, and organized, 2007! May you have the best of luck with all your resolutions and a happy and
prosperous new year!
Dani Jacobs is home interior expert and co-owner of Solace Design. She can be reached at
(612)210-9343 or through e-mail at Danielle@Solace-Design.com
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