Organizing Series DAY #1 — De-clutter Drawers

Welcome to Day 1 of the RMS 3-Day organizing series. My goal for this series is to help you start your organizing journey. Before you continue reading, make sure you print out my RMS Organizing Series Checklist which itemizes the items that you may have in your space, let's you know the number of items you have and will help you through this journey.

In Day 1 we will focus on our dresser drawers. I also have a video (click here), which will help you visualize how you can organize your drawers efficiently.

Drawers are a place that accumulates the most clutter plus because they are hidden, we tend to forget what we have in them. Though drawers are one of the smaller entities in our homes, they are the most impactful in our daily routine.

The reason I’ve broken down this series into three days is so that you’re able to focus on your goal for the day as well as prevent you from getting overwhelmed.

Without further ado, let's get into it:

STEP #1

First, write down the goals that you want to achieve with your drawers. This is the most important thing to do because when you write down anything, it programs your goals into your subconscious mind, which activates the front lobe of your brain (the initiation lobe) and helps you be the most productive in accomplishing your goals.

STEP #2

Take everything out of your drawers and place them on a flat surface. This can either be on your bed or the floor.

STEP #3

Go through each item and ask yourself these questions:

1. When's the last time I wore this?
2. Does it fit my current style?
3. Do I need it? For example, if it's wintertime and you have that one coat or sweater that has seen better days but keeps you the warmest then keep it.
4. Do I truly love it?
5. Does it help boost my confidence?

These questions are specifically for our clothes because clothes are like armor we wear to protect ourselves from the world. This also helps with our confidence, which is especially key when it comes to change.

For items that don't belong in your drawers, put those aside. Once you’re done you can put these items in their actual places.

STEP #4

Create four piles for items you will be keeping, throwing away, donating to charity, and/or giving away to family/friends. Though I don’t encourage you to spread clutter to others, I do believe in placing your items in good homes.

STEP #5

Bag the items you won't be keeping, throw the ones you want to discard away quick and place the bag(s) for charity in your car. The reason for this is because the goal is to remove clutter and prevent you from going back into the bags; picking items from it and putting them back in your space.

STEP #6

Once you've acknowledged the items you will be keeping, it’s time to figure where things will go.

Let's start with the top drawer. In this video I am using my dresser that has three drawers. This drawer was purchased from IKEA and the knobs from Home Goods.

It’s up to you what you want to keep in this drawer but I like to do it in the order I get dressed.

Again, it’s all up to the way you function in your home.

You can use drawer dividers if you want as I do. This helps keep items in place especially with the constant movement.

My Dresser Drawer Order

In my case the top drawer will hold my undergarments. Though socks are probably the last item I put on, I like to put them in my top drawer because I don’t have a lot of them. This is also a great place to keep your lingerie and related items.

Casual bottoms are next so those get placed in the second drawer.  As I mentioned, I like to follow the order in which I get ready so for some of you this might be your top drawer, second drawer or last drawer.

Once you've decided where you want to place your items, start folding each item. If you’re unsure on what folding technique to use, I’ve created a folding video (click here) which gives you four techniques to choose from, my favorite is the R4! Socks are typically last for me, but I like to keep those on the top drawer because I don’t have a lot of them.

Once you've folded all of your clothes set them aside, it’s time to wipe down your drawers. It's probably been a while since you've done this and now is the perfect time. Once that's done, it's time to place your clothes in the drawer. I don't care to follow a color wheel but I do like to put the same colors or like colors next to each other.

If you've noticed that most of your clothes aren’t fitting in the drawers then go back to Step 3 and get rid of more clothes.

The next drawer is typically for tops. Just follow the process I use for the previous drawer.

The bottom drawer or drawers can be used for items like extra bed linens, scarves, and workout clothes. It’s all up to what you like or you can leave them empty.

Once you’re done with this step, you are done! You did it, you've just completed organizing your drawers. Now that you've accomplished this goal treat yourself to something delicious.

You're one-third completed and the finish line is in view. Tomorrow we will focusing on Part 1 — Closet.  Feel free to comment below and let me know if this was at all helpful for you. Talk to you tomorrow!

HOW TO SIMPLIFY YOUR MORNING ROUTINE

Ode to the mornings. Many of us hate you but love sleeping through you. We avoid you so much; we’d rather skip breakfast and wait hours before we eat for the first time of the day. Though we dread you, you are the most important time of the day and we are ready to conquer you. Let me be honest, with this time change, I’ve been lacking. I’ve noticed that I’ve been getting up later than before and I feel my days are becoming shorter and less productive.

My mornings have been dragging and I can no longer find enough energy to enjoy it. So for the last two weeks I’ve incorporated the following steps and now my days have made a complete transformation. If you are someone who is tired of wasting time and ready to take back your mornings and enjoy them, continue reading.

1. Create a Morning Checklist — If you are someone who tends to forget things after you’ve left the house, a checklist will be your best friend. Make sure you put it either near the front door or at a location in your home you frequent most. Before you leave, run through the checklist and leave your home at peace.
2. Put out your clothes the night before — Deciding on and putting out your outfit the night before will not only save you time in the morning, it gives you an idea of what you will wear that day as well as gives you an Plan B in case you decide to wear something different.
3. Shower the night before — The best part of showering the night before is you can fully enjoy that shower since you winding down for the night. It also helps you save 10-15 minutes in the morning so you can focus on other aspects of the morning.
4. Create a Breakfast Meal Plan/Menu — Meal plans are the best especially on the days you have time constraints. Breakfast meal plans take the stress out of rushing to make breakfast and as mentioned before saves you extra time in the morning. If you are looking for ideas on what breakfast ideas you can meal plan, check out these blogs (sweetpeasandsaffron) and (operation$40K).
5. Simplify your makeup routine — For us ladies who love to always look put together, the makeup portion of our morning is probably one of the most important stages. If you are someone who spends way to long on your makeup routine, I’d suggest you cut down on the amounts of makeup you possess. Purge the ones you don’t use or don’t suit you and only keep the ones you love. You can also opt for using products that have multiple functions. For example, make up brands like Milk Makeup, Stila and Bite Beauty have great makeup that serve multiple purposes. To be honest, you can use most type of make up products anywhere on your face (don’t quote me!)
6. Avoid hitting the “SNOOZE” button — The good ole’ snooze. Oh how I’ve loved you in the past. Sadly I’ve had to give you up for good. Rather than hitting the snooze, push yourself up, open the blinds/window and begin the day.
7. Crank up the music — Because music boosts up energy and makes us feel good, once you wake up, turn on your favorite song and dance your morning away ... or maybe, as you get ready for the day.
8. Style your hair the night before — This stage is most critical in my morning routine because at times it can take me more than 30 minutes to do my hair each day especially when I choose to wear it curly. I braid my hair at night and all I have to do in the morning is unravel my hair, style and move on to another task. It has changed my morning routine exponentially!
9. GET UP EARLIER — I know this is something no one wants to hear but if you’re someone who tends to be late to work, early appointments or feel like you never have enough time in the day, getting up early will make all the difference. At first, it will be difficult but once you stay consistent you will reap the benefits.

Choosing the right morning routine that works with your lifestyle is what will truly enhance your day. Though I’ve shared with you some of the things I incorporate in my life, doesn’t necessary mean you have to. I would suggest adding one practice to your life and once you conquered that, move on the next. You are the master of your day and starting it off with you in control makes all the difference.

Chat with you next time!

Judi

20 THINGS TO GET RID OF RIGHT NOW

Lets get started.

The number one thing you can get rid of right now is:

1. Wire hangers (#deathtothewirehangers) – rather than throwing them away you can actually give them back to the dry cleaners. They’ll be happy to accept them. The hatred I have for this thin monster stem from my childhood. Maybe one day I’ll share the story with you.

2. Old cell phones and cell accessories – most cell phone companies have recycling bins for your unwanted phones.

3. Expired anything – this includes beauty products, food, coupons, rebates and etc. You get the gist.

4. Old receipts – Once you’ve passed up the return policy they pretty much have no use. If you must keep them, there’s an app called Expensify which allows you to scan them in and store them. Evernote is also a great tool.

5. Pens that don’t work – don’t you just hate when you need to write something down quickly and your pen ink is out!

6. Bad photos of yourself – need I say more!

7. Clothes that don’t fit anymore – of course you can donate them to your local charity.

8. Torn Underwear – I know they’re comfortable but it’s time to let them go.

9. Anything Broken – broken appliances, dishes, toys, etc. Chances are you’re not going to fix them.

10. All VHS movies – do this one now! Thankfully places like thrift stores, Greendisk, and the library are willing to accept them – even though I doubt anyone will buy them!

11. Old emails – this will take a while so you may need to dedicate some time for this task. There are a couple of sites that can help you get rid of hundreds at a time for free.

12. Read/Unread books – either lend them out or donate your old books to your local school, hospital or library. If some are missing pages, you can use the remaining pages as wrapping paper.

13. Kitchen appliances you don’t use – donate them to a charity or list them as up for grabs on Craigslist.org – they’ll be picked up in no time.

14. Tupperware – glass and ceramic are always a safer option.

15. Old batteries – battery brands like Duracell and Energizer says its okay to dispose them in your normal waste but there are also many battery recycling organizations in your city where you can dispose of them safely.

16. Excess kids artwork – I would suggest taking photos of them either alone or with your child holding up their masterpiece. Once that’s done you can either frame them or create a book full of them for memories.

17. Manuals – they can be viewed online.

18. Freezer burned items – though safe to eat, the quality will be poor and who wants that?

19. Mismatched socks- you can actually up cycle them and use them as cleaning rags – of course make sure they are clean before you do.

20. Old mail – make sure you shred them.

If you’re someone who typically finds it difficult to let go of things, ask yourself: would I pay money to keep it right now?

Though there are many more I can add to this list, but I wanted to only give you a few that will make the most impact in your space.

If you are interested in learning more on how Rescue My Space can help you get rid of items in your home, call us at 832.680.1089 or email us at judi@rescuemyspace.com.

VALENTINES DAY WISHLIST FOR THE ORGANIZER IN YOUR LIFE

Valentines Day wish list for the organizer in your life:

1. What better gift to give someone who loves being organized than a planner. This beautiful planner was made with a minimalist vibe. It has all the bells and whistles necessary to plan out your day, week and even year. It’s so aesthetically pleasing it can be used as a coffee table centerpiece.
2. Though this basket appeals to the masses, it may not appeal to that person in your life. Instead of giving them this, a better option would be to give them a gift card to none other than The Container Store where this was purchased.
3. Aloe Vera plants are not only lovely to look at, they naturally purify the air. Another advantage is they require low maintenance so practically anyone for care for it.
4. Acrylic organizers are great because they are multi-functional. It also spices up any room it's in.
5. There’s nothing better than enjoying a day at the spa, especially when it’s a gift. It’s not only a thoughtful gift, it’s a type of gift that won’t create clutter in your home.

If you’re interested in learning more about gift ideas to give to that loved one who either has adopted a more minimalist lifestyle or who doesn’t like typical Valentines gift, email us at info@rescuemyspace.com.

Rescue My Space provides organizing solutions to individuals that are busy, overwhelmed, tired of living in clutter and ready to make a change the modern way. For more than five years we have been helping people reclaim their life back by showing them how to maintain an organized space. There are no projects too big for us and we believe everyone deserves a space to relax and enjoy. For more information on how to hire Judi as your personal organizer, visit her website at www.rescuemyspace.com.

MINDSET = BEING ORGANIZED

I think we can all agree that we hate clutter. We hate it so much we pretend it doesn’t exist. Sometimes we even hide ourselves from the world because we’re afraid of what others may think about us because of it. Being unorganized or having a home full of clutter, which we hate to admit, is thankfully something we can overcome. From experience, all it takes is patience, vulnerability and an open mind to achieve what we want in our homes and in our lives. Today I’m going to give you five simple and modern-day tips on how to change your mindset so you can become more organized.

TIP #1 Start small

For some reason our brains are wired to believe that we MUST complete an entire project at once. Have you ever wondered why none of your tasks or projects ever gets done on time? I bet one of the reasons may be because the project you took on was way to BIG to complete and because you were so overwhelmed, you failed to finish. Not anymore! By starting small, whether it is organizing your pen cup to completing a major project, you will avoid the stress of fulfilling that task and find yourself finishing quickly and punctually.

TIP #2 Listen to organizing podcasts

One of the best things you can do in the morning or as you’re driving is to stimulate your mind by listening to things that arouse your mental and physical growth. I’ve noticed in my own life and others around me that doing so has made a world of positive change in our lives. Organizing podcasts like Organize 365 or A Slob Comes Clean are two podcasts that have kept me motivated in times when I was lacking. One of the secrets to truly changing your lifestyle is to change our mentality and by incorporating these simple methods in your life, you will get there in no time.

TIP #3 Create a Checklist

This may sound cliché, but to-do lists really do work — of course only if you use them. As I mentioned above, clutter is a bi%#* and in order to combat it, you will have to tackle it head on in small intervals. Here are two examples how checklists can be effective in helping you stay organized:

1. By using a checklist to plan out the tasks you need to accomplish at home after work, will prevent you from being overwhelmed after a stressful day.
2. An effective checklist will only have your priority tasks therefore you will know exactly what needs to be done to maintain order. Checklist, lists, to-do list, plans, whatever you want to call them is a habit that needs to be implemented in your life so getting organized and staying organized can become second nature.

TIP #4 Keep things you Truly Love

Here are a couple of common things I’ve heard when it comes to this topic:

I love everything in my home and there’s no way I can get rid of anything! All of my stuff has a meaning behind them! Here’s a better one. I’ve spent so much money and I haven’t even worn it yet! — but it’s been two years!

These are just a few examples of statements my clients have said to me when I’d suggest they should only keep things in their home they truly loved. Let me explain what this really means. Lets start with an example. We love our family (our immediate family) and though we may have favorites (wink) we love them so unconditionally that we couldn’t live a day without them. This is the type of feeling I believe you should have for the items in your home. You love your pen so much; the mere thought of it not being in your possession is utter mayhem. If you don’t have this feeling towards the items in your home then it’s probably time to part ways with it. I’d be happy to witness the department!

TIP #5 Make it a Habit

New studies show it takes 2-8 months to form a new habit. I know that seems like an abnormal amount of time — at least to getting organized but this is actually great news. Creating new habits shouldn’t be viewed as one and done rather as a process that will create a better outcome. Committing to an organizing system and practicing it thoroughly, though you may have hiccups, will create a positive mind and improve your organizing skills.

If you are interested in hiring a Professional Organizer to help you change your mindset and become more organized, give us a call at 832.680.1089 or email me at judi@rescuemyspace.com.

Rescue My Space provides organizing solutions to individuals that are busy, overwhelmed, tired of living in clutter and ready to make a change the modern way. For more than five years we have helped people reclaim their life back by showing them how to maintain an organized space. There are no projects that are too big for us and we believe everyone deserves a space to relax and enjoy. For more information on how to hire Judi as your personal organizer, visit her website at www.rescuemyspace.com.

3 MISTAKES PEOPLE MAKE BEFORE THEY MOVE

Whether you are relocating, downsizing, need more space or are a first time homebuyer, at one point in your life you will be moving. Though the idea of moving can be stressful, the actual process of moving requires a lot more effort. After organizing and planning many moves, I’ve come up with a few setbacks many people have made in their process of moving which will help prevent you from making them. If you incorporate them all, you will find yourself packed efficiently and moved into your new place in less than 24 hours.  

NOT HAVING THE RIGHT PACKING SUPPLIES

Having the right moving supplies will 100% make your moving process efficient. One to two days before your move, make sure all of the necessary moving supplies are in your home and in their desired locations. For example, the average one bedroom apartment will require 35 boxes to  empty out the room. Along with those boxes you will need a permanent marker, which you will use to write what room the items in the box goes in, and moving tape. If you want to be extra detailed, you could color coordinate each room to assure that after the move, every box lands in their respective room without confusion. A great place to get free boxes is from large chain stores. Typically stores like Walmart stock their shelves and when they’re done, they dispose the hundreds of boxes at night. If you’re not willing to wait around, businesses like Half Priced Boxes and U-Haul sell multiple sizes of boxes at great prices.

SKIPPING OUT ON MOVERS

I understand that we live in an era where we want to do everything ourselves to save a few bucks. Sure saving money is great but what about saving time? Maybe it’s just me but saving time is way more precious. Hiring a moving company will do just that. They come in and do most of the packing and moving. Especially when it comes to moving those heavy items, movers specialize in properly packing and transporting your belongings for you to your desired location safely. Most importantly, if they damage anything, they will either replace or reimburse you for it. They also provide all of the packing supplies so there’s no need to purchase them. Moving companies usually allocate 2-3 movers for each move therefore the moving process will take less time for them to do it then for you and your buddies to do it. It’s a complete win-win.

NOT HIRING A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER

First of all you may ask what in the world is a Professional Organizer? Well in short, Professional Organizers, Clutter Consultants or Clutter Professionals, are people who remove clutter and create functional systems in your home to prevent clutter from re-occurring. They also pack/unpack and place your belongings in a more organized way in your new home plus, they will teach you how to maintain it. Above all, organizers will make the process of moving into your new home seamless. Your new home will look like you’ve been living in it for years. Hiring an organizer will prevent your home from sheltering boxes for months.

If you are interested in hiring a Professional Organizer for your next move, give us a call at 832-680-1089 or email me at judi@rescuemyspace.com.

Rescue My Space provides organizing solutions to individuals that are busy, overwhelmed, tired of living in clutter and ready to make a change the modern way. For more than five years we have helped people reclaim their life back by showing them how to maintain an organized space. There are no projects that are too big for us and we believe everyone deserves a space to relax and enjoy. For more information on how to hire Judi as your personal organizer, visit her website at www.rescuemyspace.com.

HOW TO PROPERLY NAME YOUR FILES

I recently completed a project that involved re-organizing a client’s filing system (electronic and non-electronic). With an immense growth of customers, the need for data management was evident. Though their filing system was fairly in order, it required cohesiveness for easier recognition from the owner and her team members.

The technique you use to organize and name your files will have a vast influence on your capability to find files later, as well as understand what they contain. It is important that you remain consistent and descriptive in naming and organizing files so that it is clear on where to find specific data or research.

From experience, it is important to set up a clear directory structure that includes information like the project title, a date, researcher or some type of unique identifier.

In your business be sure that when you create a naming process to enforce it as you add others to your staff. This will create organization within your team to prevent confusion.

 Below are some tips for file naming, sorting documents and file numbering

• Proper date designation = YYYYMMDD or YYMMDD
• Avoid using special characters ~ ! @ # $ % ^ & * ( ) ` ; < > ? , [ ] { } ' " and |
• Too keep files in sequential order lead each file with zeros (001, 002, 0040…)
• Keep file names short, descriptive and sweet. Most software cannot recognize long names.
• Use date file was created (using proper date designation) then business name after
• ONLY store PDF files
• Store all editable (live) files in one folder; keep away from other PDF documents
• Stay away from spaces. If spaces are needed, here are examples to use:
  • Underscores: xxx_xxx
  • Dashes: xxx-xxx
  • No separation: xxxxxx
  • Cap case: XxxXxx
  • Sort existing files by type, project, company, month, time frame or etc…
  • If receive file externally, file in clients folder that reads “XXX External Documents”
  • Use unique identifiers for each file
  • invoice#-tax ID-fiscal month – Accounting department (e.g., 00245-555555-20150521)
• blog_month_location_blogtitle – Blogger (e.g., blog30_04_NewYork_TheBigApple
• date-case#_casename – Lawyers (e.g., 20130124-367_Smithonian
• internalidentifier#Patientname(Lastname1st) – Doctor (e.g., 0010DoeJohn)

Are you ready to receive the expert assistance, encouragement, and training on how to properly name your files?  Reserve your courtesy Organizing Breakthrough Session today!