Tag: Winston Salem Declutter and Organize

Have you ever opened a gift with a big smile, all while thinking “What am I going to use this for?” Maybe it’s a lovely scarf that simply isn’t your color or a kitchen gadget you know you will never use. You appreciate the gift and the thoughtfulness from the person who gave it to you, but you also know keeping it will not bring you joy. So what to do with it? It’s absolutely ok to let go of these items. You can do so with a guilt-free mindset knowing it will benefit you and your space.

How to: Declutter Unwanted Gifts

Focus On The Intent

When someone you care for gives you a gift, their intention is likely to make you happy and show appreciation for the relationship you share with them. Often we feel a sense of obligation to keep anything that was received as a gift. We don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings or seem unappreciative. It’s important to know that the value of the gift is in the thought behind it, not the actual physical item. Shift your focus to the care and thoughtfulness of the person as you let the item go. This doesn’t diminish your gratitude for the gift.

Consider The Clutter

If you have unwanted gifts in your home that you don’t use, they are likely tucked away in a closet or spare room. This creates or adds to clutter in your home. Over time, as this clutter builds, it will become harder to maintain an organized home. A cluttered home can greatly impact you mentally and emotionally. Learn more about that here. 

When deciding whether to keep a gift, ask yourself:

• Does it serve a purpose in my life?
• Do I love it?
• Would I have chosen it for myself?

If the answer to these questions is “no,” it’s okay to let it go.

New Purpose

While this item may not be perfect for you, it could be the best thing for someone else. A great way to offset the guilt of letting go of a gift is to give it a new life and purpose. Donating new or gently used items to a local charity can feel good knowing you are positively contributing to your community. Do you know someone who would love the item? Regift the item to someone who can both appreciate and use it. You can also consider selling the item. You can use the money you make to invest in something you love or your latest home organization project!

Letting go of unwanted gifts is about more than tidying up. It’s really a form of self-care as you work to keep control of your space. Decluttering and organizing allows you to create a space that is functional and helps you embrace an intentional mindset and life that feels lighter and more like you!

We all want the best for our kids. We strive to give them the love, support and tools they need to be their best self. To this end, we may unknowingly be doing them a disservice by creating an environment with too much stuff. Clutter, which may seem like it wouldn’t really impact a child, can actually have profound negative effects on their behavior, emotions and cognitive development. Let’s explore the impact of clutter on children and ways we can help them create an organized environment.

5 Ways Clutter Impacts Children

1. Cognitive Overload

When a child is surrounded by too much visual and physical clutter, it can make it difficult for them to focus and concentrate. If they are trying to get their homework done in a room with toys and books scattered everywhere, they will likely be distracted and struggle to stay on task.

2. Increased Stress and Anxiety

The constant visual noise created by clutter can overwhelm a child, making them feel out of control. This can cause feelings of stress and anxiety, emotions they likely don’t know how to handle or deal with well. These feelings can make it difficult for them to relax or focus.

3. Decreased Creativity

A child’s mind is a wonderful playground of imagination. While getting creative can lead to a little mess, excessive clutter can actually stifle their creativity. If a child is playing in a cluttered space, they may struggle to create new, imaginative ideas.

4. Poor Social Skills

If your child feels embarrassed by the clutter and disorganization in their home, they will be less likely to want to invite friends over. They may struggle with finding excuses or ways to explain this to their close friends. This can affect their social development and may lead them to feel isolated from their peers.

5. Behavioral Issues

Living in a cluttered environment can contribute to behavioral problems. A child who is experiencing heavy emotions like irritability or frustration may not know how to handle those feelings. This lack of structure and order may cause them to misbehave and act out.

Strategies to Develop Organization Skills

1. Lead by Example

Children can learn so much from watching you. Show them how you organize your things, whether it’s decluttering a drawer, planning a grocery list or putting away laundry. Involve them in your processes and encourage them to contribute their thoughts and ideas.

2. Organize Their Space

Help children declutter their rooms. Help them understand the concept of clutter and the benefits of having less stuff in their room. Let them decide what to keep, donate and discard. Help them organize and label their bins, shelves and drawers to help them know where things belong.

3. Consistent Schedule 

Establish a daily routine that includes regular times for homework, chores, and bedtime. Be sure to add their “free” time to the schedule. This will help them understand the expectations and be better able to get all the things done in a timely manner.

4. Get Visual 

Work with your kids to create checklists and charts for daily tasks. Use pictures or stickers for younger children to make it fun and easy to follow. Have your older children add their activities and important reminders to the calendar themselves. This will help them learn how to plan ahead and be accountable.

5. Bring Your Patience

Learning the art of being organized takes time. Your child may need gentle reminders and positive reinforcements to help them develop these habits. Consistency is the key to your success!

If you need a hand decluttering and organizing your home, we’re here to help! 
Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and surrounding areas?
Contact Organized Jill for a complimentary consultation.

School’s out and summer break is here! Summertime is the best time for kids with unlimited joy, freedom, and fun. But as the adults in charge of the house, the influx of activities, outdoor time, travels, company, and downtime can create a chaotic mess for us. We are here to arm you with practical tips and solutions to help you stay ahead of the game and have an enjoyable summer along with the kids. 

Declutter & Organize Your Pantry

With everyone home for the summer, your kitchen will quickly become a most frequented area in your home. Kids are always hungry right? The first step is to declutter this hot zone. Once that is done, organize your pantry with bins and labels to help the kids know where things are and where to return them when they are done. Create a grab-and-go zone for kids to be able to help themselves to foster independence and decision making skills. Stock up on healthy snacks to promote growth & wellness.

Declutter & Organize Kids’ Belongings

One of the best ways to stay organized is to continually declutter as kids grow up. Have your children assist with this part. Sort through their closets, toys, and books to help choose what to keep, toss, or donate. If there are toys that are broken, clothes that are outgrown, and items that have been long since forgotten about, bag up and pass along accordingly. Don’t forget to include the outdoor gear and toys in this process too. Make sure water toys are in good condition for swimming and are the correct size for safety. Once the clutter is gone, help them organize their things with designated play zones and outdoor storage for those items. Your kids will be able to help keep their things in order if they start with a good system in place.

Summer Command Center

If your children are involved in sports and activities, your summer is likely to be a busy one. Creating a central hub for all the different activities can be a game changer for you. Designate a convenient spot for a drop zone for bags by adding a few hooks in the garage or entryway. You can use a bulletin board, dry erase board, or an app to keep your family’s activities coordinated. Keep a calendar with all the important activities, any appointments, and any scheduled playdates and outings. Don’t forget to add summer camps and sport schedules. Having all of this information in one place where every member of the family has access to it will help keep everything running smoothly all summer long. 

Plan for Indoor Activities

While this is a very techy time we live in, your kids (regardless of age) may find themselves bored at some point. Especially on rainy or super hot days, they may need something to entertain themselves. Be ready for this by making a a few stations with different options. Create a crafting area with supplies to encourage their creativity. Set up a cozy reading nook with a variety of books your kids enjoy. Also, have board games and puzzles readily accessible. Preventing boredom in kids is a win for the parents too. Limit screen time and let their imagination shine.

Routine & Responsibility

A big part of maintaining your home all summer is to include your children in the routines and processes required to do that. They will be home all day, helping to create any messes, so let’s help them help us. Have a daily schedule and chore chart in the Summer Command Center. They will be able to easily see what is happening and what is expected of them each day. You can also use a reward system to get them super excited about helping out. The reward could be something simple like going for ice cream or money earned toward a want they have. 

While keeping a well maintained and organized home is the goal for the summer, staying flexible is important as well. There are bound to be lazy days and spontaneous fun to be had. Create a balance that keeps your home tidy while allowing you and your family to enjoy the carefree spirit of sweet summertime. Focus on creating wonderful moments and memories with your kids!

Have you had your home professionally organized? You may be wondering, “How do I keep this magic alive?” During your organization session, you likely had systems implemented to keep the space in good shape. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, spaces become cluttered and disorganized over time. The reality is we actually live in our homes and use all our things, right? Maintaining the organized space will require an ongoing effort and a commitment to the cause. So how do we do that?

5 Ways to Maintain Your Organized Space

1. Create a Routine
   • Establish a regular, consistent time to revisit and refresh the space. Some spaces, like your kitchen & pantry, may require daily attention.
2. Designated Homes
   • Return items in your home to their proper places after each use.
3. Declutter Regularly
   • Set aside time as needed to consistently declutter your spaces. This can be monthly or even seasonally.
4. One In, One Out
   • For every new item that comes in, one must go out. Putting this rule into practice will help prevent clutter so you can spend less time decluttering. This is also the difference between getting organized and staying organized
5. Review and Adjust
   • Life is ever changing so be flexible. Allow room for adjustments of your organizing systems needed.

– Pro-Tip from Organized Jill –

I like to “put the kitchen to bed” every day. In the evening, I make sure the dishwasher is loaded, the sinks are emptied and sanitized, the countertops are wiped clean, and any trash is disposed of. Having a clean slate to start the next morning fresh has such a calming effect.

If you need a hand maintaining your organized space, we’re here to help! 
Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and surrounding areas?
Contact Organized Jill for a complimentary consultation.

We live in a time and in a world overrun with stuff. We all have too many things. Clutter doesn’t just fill up our homes, it fills up our minds as well. It is hard to peacefully exist in a space where there is no room to move or think. 

Sometimes the clutter in our homes gets out of hand and ahead of us before we even realize what is happening. This can lead to a feeling of overwhelm and uncertainly of how to regain control of the situation. Learning how to begin the process of decluttering and learning how to let things go can be difficult to do. There are often sentimental attachments to many of our things. While the process may be difficult, the end results payoff. 

8 Mental & Emotional Benefits of Reducing the Clutter

Reduces Stress

Reducing your clutter will alleviate the stress and overwhelm you feel, changing to a sense of order and control.

Creates Order

Eliminating the visual chaos in your home will decrease the feeling of being surrounded by disorder and create a feeling of calmness

Improves Focus

A clutter free environment leads to fewer distractions allowing you to concentrate on the task at hand.

Increases Productivity

Streamlining your environment will reduce procrastination and you will spend less wasted time searching for things.

Enhances Mood

Living in clutter free space will make you feel better overall and improve your mental well-being.

Promotes Mindfulness

Assessing and taking stock of your belongings will create a greater sense of awareness that will likely extend to other areas of your life.

Encourages Letting Go

Letting go of physical clutter can help you learn to let go of emotional baggage or clutter as well.

Improves Relationships

A warm, welcoming space will be something your are pleased to share with others making hosting guests more enjoyable.

Decluttering your home isn’t just about getting rid of your stuff. Improving your mental and emotional clarity by improving your physical space will help you feel happier and more fulfilled in life.

If you don’t know where to start, working with a professional organizer may be a good solution for you. A professional organizer can remove the overwhelm and help guide you through the process. Sometimes the best first step is asking for help.

Have you ever wondered about professional level decluttering? Do you ever wonder what if a Professional Home Organizer, like myself, showed up at your house right now there’s a handful of things they’d immediately throw out without a second thought. Interested in what those things are? Keep reading!

Top 5 Items to Declutter

Item #1: Flimsy Kitchen Utensils

You know what I’m talking about. That spatula you bought from IKEA when you moved into your first apartment. Promotional mugs. The cheap wine openers you’ve collected from holiday parties. The knife you got at Target that bends every time you try to slice an apple. If the utensil doesn’t serve its purpose…then it no longer serves you. Time to go!

Item #2: Clothes That Don’t Fit

Like everyone on the planet, I have been many different sizes in my life. If my team and I have organized your closet, then you know that we call these clothes “bullies”. We always ask our clients, “why would you want bullies in your closet? I want my wardrobe to make me feel good about the way I look today.” Even if I get to some magic number someday, it’s going to look different. Because time & gravity. 

Item #3: Broken Items

Have you ever had the intention to fix a broken toy, mend a garment, fix an appliance and then life gets in the way? Before you know it, 6 months have gone by. The item is either long forgotten about, or has been replaced by now effectively making it “clutter”. Let it go and move forward. 

Item #4: Long Ago Expired Items

The expiration umbrella has a lot of items under it. I’m talking food in the fridge, spices in the cabinet, medications in the bathroom, even makeup on your vanity. If it’s expired, or you didn’t even like the product, toss it. If not for the sake of decluttering, then for the sake of bacteria.

Item #5: Paperwork & Cards

We live in a magical time where we can stop paperwork from flooding our kitchen counters. Sign up for electronic billing, statements, news. Any time you have the paperless option, take it! 

Go through your file cabinet and toss (or shred) expired policies, long ago paid bills, and even greeting cards that are just signed “from Bob”. Listen… if Bob couldn’t be bothered to write a meaningful message about how special you are to him, it’s ok to let that greeting card go. Keep the ones with meaningful messages in a memory box. If there are cards from people who are no longer in your life, it’s ok to let the card go to the wayside.