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Thursday, October 19, 2017
Do you have Anxiety?
Thursday, September 28, 2017
Where can I donate medical/hygiene stuff?
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Wednesday, September 27, 2017
NoMoreClutter.org
NEW Contact Info for Bay Area Professional Organizer Co!
925-817-9642
NoMoreClutterCA@gmail.com
NoMoreClutter.org
925-817-9642
NoMoreClutterCA@gmail.com
NoMoreClutter.org
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Scented Items are Toxic!
Stop Buying Scented Items--Purge Your Home of Scented Toxins
One fragrance in one personal care product—say, your bodywash—can consist of as many as 200 chemicals combined to come up with that particular scent.
Businesses are after profits, and scents produced by chemicals are much cheaper than scents produced naturally.
Synthetic fragrances can cause skin irritation, eczema, rashes, asthma flares, headaches, dizziness. Synthetic fragrances are derived from petroleum and include benzene derivatives (carcinogenic), phthalates,
- Choose only “unscented” and “fragrance-free” products—but read labels carefully, as some products use other chemicals to mask scent to create the “unscented” experience
- Avoid those products that list “fragrance” in the ingredient list
- Shop at natural foods stores and on the internet for brands that are more conscious about the fragrances they’re using—this is the best way to avoid synthetic fragrances in your personal care products
- Look for scents that are naturally derived or plant-based
- Certified Organic products do not have synthetic fragrances
Live a healthier, happier life--go chemical-scent free.
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
TIPS FOR KEEPING YOUR OFFICE ORGANIZED
- "L" and "U" shaped desks offer the most efficient work spaces, giving you plenty of room to maneuver on all sides of you.
- Executive Desks are best for paper management and filing.
- Place everything you need regularly within arm's reach of your desk--no bending, stretching, or hiking across the room to get equipment and supplies.
- Don’t waste your space hoarding supplies at your desk--only keep what you need nearby and put the rest in a storage closet or donate it.
- Sort your incoming paper daily and try to decide what you need to do with each piece of paper the first time you touch it.
- As you sort paper, divide them into their proper folders immediately, and create three ACTIVE folders at the front of your filing system labeled: "to pay," "to do now," & "to do." Give regular attention to those 3 folders. The other folders are DEAD folders--only need for reference if needed.
- Create a filing system with broad categories ("insurance") divided into logical subcategories ("auto," "life," "health") and alphabetized within each category.
- Even if you are not responsible for family record-keeping, know where all of the important household paperwork is kept. Are the systems set-up for someone else to easily access them in case of an emergency?
- Avoid multiple calendars--you’re less likely to forget a meeting if you record your business and personal appointments in one place, such as in your iPhone or paper agenda book.
7 Simple Steps to an Organized Home Office
The Small Business Association says that 80% of the papers we've been piling, stuffing, filing aren't even needed! Start purging!
1) Overwhelmed? Start a timer for 30 Minutes and go through one piece at a time, make a decision if it's to file, an immediate to do, recycle/shred, or memorabilia. Only those 4 piles should be created--no more. The first focus is to PURGE. Not try to sort and file.
2) Only keep papers that are a tax write off, dispute or memorabilia.
3) The IRS now only requires tax papers be kept for 3 years! Shred all other out-dated years now!
4) Purge your floor first, desk/table tops second, drawers last. Look at every single piece of paper--open up each folder/envelope and look. You never know what you misfiled, what may be memorabilia, or lost money!
5) Go through your office supplies--stationary, cards, dead pens, chewed up pencils, your three staplers. What can you toss/donate?
7) Now put everything away! Create a better, simpler filing system. File Everything--no more boxes or piles or "clutter catchers" on your desk. Store office supplies within arm's reach of your desk chair. Rearrange furniture and decor to complete the look.
On average, office organizing takes 3 days to de-clutter and organize. I highly recommend that clients do 2 days back-to-back of paper purging. Then the next week file it all.
Too overwhelmed to Do It Yourself? Call me at 925-817-9642
5 Reasons Why People Hoard
"It's not about the stuff--it's about the emotion behind the stuff." -Kiera Rain, Bay Area Professional Organizer
5 Reasons Why People Hoardby Kiera Rain, Bay Area Professional Organizer
I grew up with hoarding on both sides of my family. My dad and stepmom's house was quite the sight. People would frequently come up to our house and think we were having a yard sale. "Nope, it's just like this," we'd have to say, sending them on their way after they'd ask, "How much for this?"
I've lived with/visited/worked with a wide array of different hoarders--A) those who you can tell are obviously hoarding from the outside, like my dad and stepmom as an example B) those who have immaculate front rooms and you would never guess all their back rooms are stuffed full C) those who hide their hoarding in secret from their spouses in off-site storage facilities D) those who call me because they are ready for change and to make a difference in their home, health and relationships E) family/friends of hoarders who call me because they are concerned about their loved one's upcoming eviction, divorce, family severance, etc due to the hoarding--where the hoarder is forced to take action.
When I come into a hoarder's life, I see things very differently than the average person because I grew up with it, experienced it, and understand it first hand. I tell people, it's like going to the surgeon--of course you're going to be nervous, anxious and embarrassed that you're lying their naked on the slab with your guts and glory showing, worried about the process and how it's all going to turn out. But the surgeon doesn't care what you look like, he cares about how to help you. He's not going to react to a naked body, he's seen it all before, he's numb to the sight of blood and guts.
He's there to help. And so am I.
I grew up with hoarding on both sides of my family. My dad and stepmom's house was quite the sight. People would frequently come up to our house and think we were having a yard sale. "Nope, it's just like this," we'd have to say, sending them on their way after they'd ask, "How much for this?"
I've lived with/visited/worked with a wide array of different hoarders--A) those who you can tell are obviously hoarding from the outside, like my dad and stepmom as an example B) those who have immaculate front rooms and you would never guess all their back rooms are stuffed full C) those who hide their hoarding in secret from their spouses in off-site storage facilities D) those who call me because they are ready for change and to make a difference in their home, health and relationships E) family/friends of hoarders who call me because they are concerned about their loved one's upcoming eviction, divorce, family severance, etc due to the hoarding--where the hoarder is forced to take action.
When I come into a hoarder's life, I see things very differently than the average person because I grew up with it, experienced it, and understand it first hand. I tell people, it's like going to the surgeon--of course you're going to be nervous, anxious and embarrassed that you're lying their naked on the slab with your guts and glory showing, worried about the process and how it's all going to turn out. But the surgeon doesn't care what you look like, he cares about how to help you. He's not going to react to a naked body, he's seen it all before, he's numb to the sight of blood and guts.
He's there to help. And so am I.
_________________________________________________________________
5 Reasons Why People Hoard
People hoard to fill emotional voids. It's not about the stuff--it's about what's going on with them on a personal level. Here are the 5 reasons why people hoard:
1) Loneliness. Hoarders surround themselves with things to fill the empty space around them so they don't feel as isolated. Stand in an empty, quiet room and then stand in a room full of furniture with a chiming clock, interesting knick knacks, pictures and books, and you'll FEEL the difference of the space. Unfortunately, instead of making the home warm, inviting and cozy, the home becomes so crowded it becomes a non-functioning space. People can't sit on the couches, people aren't invited over because of the embarrassment of the mess, friends and family threaten to stop coming over until the hoarder cleans up their space, etc. I help clients take back their space while making it warm and inviting again.
2) Impoverished. For those who grew up in the Depression Days, poverty, had "penny pinching parents," etc, buying things can be very powerful therapy. Until the retail shopping causes more damage than good. These type of hoarders love to bargain shop, buy in bulk, and always have multiples of everything.
3) Grief/Loss. This is probably the biggest reason why people hoard. Has the hoarder lost someone very close to them--a parent, partner, child, even a family pet? Doesn't have to be death--divorce, job loss, retirement and more are all reasons to grieve. Grief is a very serious transition that we must all go through, and some people resort to trying to cope via hoarding. They try to fill the void in their lives, fill the empty space around them, shop for retail therapy to lift their spirits, and hold on to everything they have of the deceased loved one.
4) Memory. Many hoarders feel they need to keep things so they don't forget about someone or a special event. They feel they will forget the person or occurrence if they don't have the item to remind them. I give suggestions like taking pictures of the items to keep in the "Memory Box/Treasure Trunk" and donating the items to a good home where they will be used, loved and appreciated.I also suggest hugging that favorite old t-shirt goodbye before donating it to a good home to ease the transition process, and I also recommend calling the person you've been missing and have a long catch-up conversation. If they've passed on, write the deceased a letter or talk to them in your own special way.
5) Rescue Mentality, Commonly from Abuse/Neglect. People will also hoard when they've been abused/neglected. Because they were rejected and tossed aside and not taken care of, they rescue items in an effort to rescue themselves. They don't want to see things go in the landfill, never to be used or cherished. They "might need it one day," so they hold onto it. I help clients see that instead of that cup sitting in a corner collecting dust for 6 years, they can donate the cup and give it a good home. The cup is not serving it's purpose if it's not being used/cherished/valued so give it a chance to be useful.
Copyright © 2013 Bay Area Professional Organizer
Kiera Rain
Bay Area Professional Organizer
www.BayAreaProfessionalOrganizer.com
Call for a Free Phone Consultation: 925-817-9642
Quick things you can do to organize your home in 15 minutes:
- delete photos from your phone
- delete apps from your phone
- update your to do and shopping lists
- empty your dishwasher
- switch the laundry loads
- make your bed
- put away some of your clean laundry
- clean the sink and toilet
- clear the extra empty hangers out of your closet
- empty your trashcans
- clean out a drawer
- clean out your purse/wallet
- dust one room
- sweep the kitchen
- pay a couple of bills
- straighten up one room
- file a stack of papers
- sew a missing button
- repair a ripped hem
- plan your meals for the week
- gather up items to return (library books, things borrowed from a friend, etc.)
- clear out expired items from your medicine cabinet
- clear out the fridge
- check your desk for dead pens and markers
- purge business cards
- enter the contacts you really want into your phone
- respond to a couple of emails
- write a letter
- clean out your makeup drawer
- purge the mail
- set out your clothes for the next day
- make lunches for the next day
- make a phone call
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