organizing

Store More in Your Garage

July 27, 2015 by in General Organizing, Self Organization

 

Most people use their garage like a storage unit, storing things they’re tired of or don’t know what to do with. Instead, use your garage to help you make space in your home.

If your home is lacking space, you can store much of the following in your garage to help you keep your home clutter-free:

  • winter clothes/gear
  • crafting items
  • outgrown children’s clothes
  • home decor to be used at a later date
  • seasonal items
  • bulk products
  • kids toys that isn’t being used
  • keepsake items
  • wrapping supplies
  • outdoor gear
  • old files

How to Get Rid of Clutter Forever

July 20, 2015 by in General Organizing, Taking Care of YOU

Where does clutter come from and why doesn’t it go away?

If you ask me, clutter happens when you can’t/don’t have time to decide where to keep an item in your home. So… you set it down somewhere-TEMPORARILY. Then, you come across something else you’re not sure about and so you set that down somewhere-TEMPORARILY. Then, you come across something else you’re not sure about…you get the picture.

To be a clutter killer (hahaha) you must find a PERMANENT place for everything in your home. Trust me when I say, “finding a place for each and every item is not an easy task to take on alone!” I think it’s because you’re emotionally attached to almost everything in your home. Sometimes organizing can be beneficial- and dare I say more fun– when you have a friend organizing with you. It’s more fun to organize with someone else. You get to brainstorm and laugh about certain things-together. It certainly helps the time go by faster.

If you find yourself in a pattern of assigning TEMPORARY storage solutions to items, but don’t have a friend to help you organize-XOXO can help! We’ll work together to make each room in your home functional and clutter free in no time! I love organizing and if you don’t share that sentiment, then we already make a great team! xo

10 Dos and Don’ts of Organizing

July 6, 2015 by in General Organizing, Self Organization

  1. DON’T organize if you’re feeling emotional. DO wait until you’re feeling calm and motivated! Being calm ensures you don’t make any hasty decisions.
  2. DON’T move from room to room as you organize. DO keep clutter contained to the room you’re organizing in. Bouncing around from room to room will wear you out and waste time. Have separate bags for donation, trash and items to distribute to other rooms. Once you’re done organizing a room, you can take each bag directly to where it needs to go.
  3. DON’T expect to finish organizing your whole house in one day. DO give yourself a reasonable time limit. Set an alarm on your phone and anything that’s left over can temporarily wait until next time.
  4. DON’T buy bulk items when you don’t have the space. DO spend the extra money each month to keep your sanity- and extra space in your cabinets.
  5. DON’T keep essential items in a limited access area. DO make sure the things you use most are the most accessible to you and your family.
  6. DON’T hold on to items you know you’ll never use. DO donate the items to a charity that’s close to your heart.
  7. DON’T have more than one place for like-items. DO keep like-items together at all times. When organizing, think of your house like a grocery store. The things that belong together should be kept together- just like your local market.
  8. DON’T organize one time and think it’s going to last you and your family a lifetime. DO re-evaluate your space, at least, twice each year. Your life will change, your mind will change, your space should too.
  9. DON’T buy bins without lids just because you don’t need them at the moment. DO think about long-term storage and the possibility of needing to switch things up later. When it comes to containers, it’s always good to leave your options open and give yourself room to grow.
  10. DON’T go to bed without putting things away. DO make a game out of it. Set an egg timer for 15 minutes and every night, the whole family plays, “Hurry up, get organized!”

 

5 Things To Do Every Day

June 22, 2015 by in General Organizing, Self Organization

Here we go…

  1. Keep a MASTER CALENDAR for you and your family.
  2. Give yourself TIME (about 30 minutes) in between appointments.
  3. File and label documents in a FILE CABINET.
  4. EMPTY your purse every night.
  5. SORT mail as soon as it comes in. P.S. Go ahead and judge an envelope by its cover!

Need help with your day-to-day tasks and getting organized? Register for our Calendar Course to learn productivity techniques that will change your life.

XOXO!

[ VIDEO ] Going on Vacation – Productivity Tip

June 1, 2015 by in Calendaring, Productivity

Check out our YouTube Channel to watch more from our XOXO Tip Clip Series on home and office organization. Have a video request? Email sara [at] xoxorganizing.com to share your idea.


© 2024 - XOXOrganizing