Organizing Tips for the Holidays ... and a Hot New Book

Getting ready for the holiday season can be crazy and stressful.

Rebecca Regnier invited me to her weekly show Rebecca Regnier's Full Plate to talk about some organizing tips you can use to, hopefully, ease some of the overwhelming anxiety that can build this time of year.

13abc.com: Breaking News, Weather and Sports ... and, yes. You heard correctly.

 I have published a book, Divorcing A [______], sharing some of the craziness that happens from the divorcing process. Along with little lessons, and a good dose of humor,  learned in the process. It has received some fantastic reviews on Amazon.com.  You can purchase directly from me (autographs are free, just ask!) from the book website or visit Amazon.com, eBooks available with Kindle and Nook versions.

The book is targeted for anyone going through a divorce, though you can apply the lessons learned to any struggle or challenging event in your life.  I am thankful for the wonderful feedback from readers.

What is your favorite holiday dessert?

The Gift of Organizing Magic

Finding a fun, creative and appreciative gift this holiday season can be quite challenging.  With the craziness of life, many times just a little bit of extra help to ease the stress and strain of an overwhelmed world is amazingly refreshing.

An Organized Solutions gift certificate may be that perfect fit for your favorite loved one who has been dreaming of getting organized. Paypal is a fantastic feature and we are very excited to offer this element to you (See below or the top right side bar on this blog.)  Bonus:  You can use your any of your favorite credit cards, too.

Organizing Magic Holiday Special

1 hour $75.00 USD 2 hours (save $10) $140.00 USD 3 hours (save $15) $210.00 USD 4 hours (save $20) $280.00 USD 5 hours (save $30) $345.00 USD 6 hours (save $40) $410.00 USD 7 hours (save $50) $475.00 USD 8 hours (save $75) $525.00 USD

If you are thinking of purchasing a gift certificate, I encourage you to contact me to make sure your gift will be happily received. Nothing worse than getting a gift like that ugly sweater your Aunt Bonnie gave you when you were 16 year old.

After all, we all give with best intentions, though making sure your gift is perfect is priceless.

What was the best gift you ever received?

Oooh ... Organizing Magic ... Ahhh ...

Drawers.

We all have them. Many times STUFFED to the brim with pencils, screws, papers, power cords and other odds & ends. If you have your drawers organized, bonus to you.

In this video from Rocket Organizing, we take a look at an organizing magic trick to keep your drawers organized and in check:




What is your favorite drawer in your home?

How One Garbage Bag Can Make You Happy

Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge.
Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge.
Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge.
Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge.
Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge.
Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge.
Purge. Purge.
Purge. Purge.
Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge.
Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge.
Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge.
Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge.
Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge.
Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge. Purge.
Remember, it's just stuff.

If you could make a change, what would you do?

Let go of your Elephant!

It's ugly.
It's useless.
It makes you cringe.

Even though [insert name here]
gave it to you,
Get it out of your home.

... and if they ask about it, blame me for getting rid of it.

What's your elephant?

Remember, You will Survive

There are no challenges, issues, or crises that do not contain within them seeds of opportunity that could not have otherwise existed.

So true.

If you are in a tough spot, think about what you could learn from this moment.  Might not make you feel amazing, hopefully it will give you a tiny bit of hope that things will be better.

So ...

Take on that challenge.
Deal with that issue.
Crises will pass.
... and you, my friend, will be an amazing person for enduring.

What are you bodaciously conquering today?

Remember to Reward Yourself

Kids get rewarded all the time. Sometimes its a simple star on their paper, and that star means the world to them. Any parent with a fridge full of starred and smiley faced papers will agree. It does not take much to feel special to children because they simply enjoy the act of being honored without value being added to it.

I have found that the last person rewarded in many households is the mom. The one person busting their butt for everyone inside and outside the home. Your mom orchestrates the ballet of soccer, school projects, scouts, meals, laundry, dishes and "Oh mom, I need 12 things that start with the letter 'H' by tomorrow morning." And she does it with a smile (at least it looks like a smile).

Slowly the clutter begins to build up around the house. There are only so many hours in a day and you begin to believe you can't get caught up, so what's the point in trying?
"If you think you can or think you can't, you are right," is the famous saying by Henry Ford.

Challenge yourself to stop the "I can't" thinking and turn yourself around. It took time for the clutter to build. It will take time for it to get under control. Be patient with yourself.

Let me suggest this:1. With notepad in hand, walk through your home and note the areas you want to work on.
2. Choose an area to get organized, schedule it on your calendar.
3. Break the project down into small tasks. Instead of organize kitchen, think organize upper cabinets, lower cabinets, junk drawer, pantry, or counter top.
4. Take on one small task and complete it.
5. Schedule your next project.
6. REWARD YOURSELF!! Take a couple minutes longer in the shower, let the kids eat cookies for breakfast so you can sleep in a bit, go for a walk after dinner by yourself .... geez, sometimes going to the bathroom by yourself is a treat!
Post your list of projects to complete and put stars next to them as you complete them. It may sound elementary, though remember how great you felt in school when your teacher put a star on you paper.

Don't forget: Your home is going to be feeling better and better with each task you complete.

How do you reward yourself?