4 boxed that are labeled very specifically with what is inside to help make downsizing less stressful.

7 Tips to Ease Stress When Downsizing

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Thinking about downsizing? Ask yourself these questions:

Do you look around your home and think you have too much to manage?

Are your kids grown up and living elsewhere, leaving you with a large home to maintain?

Do you want to save time and money living in a smaller space?

 

Downsizing could be right for you if you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, whether you’re an empty nester, want to save time and money, or crave a simpler life.

 

No matter the reason, preparing to downsize your home involves many moving parts that require planning, coordination, decision-making, and motivation.

 

Here are 7 tips to make downsizing to a smaller home easier and more manageable:

 

  1. Give Yourself Plenty of Time

 

Downsizing is a dynamic process that requires many decisions about what to keep and what to let go of. It takes time, energy, and solid planning to carry it out successfully.

 

Keep in mind, you didn’t collect all the stuff in your house overnight, so it will not be a quick fix to get it all sorted out either.

 

To avoid unnecessary stress and overwhelm, set aside at least 2-4 weeks (2-4 months is even better) to downsize your belongings. Less rushing means better decision-making which helps ease the pressure you might feel during the process.

 

Recruiting family, friends, or professionals (we’ve got you covered at Simply Home Downsizing) can also help you feel calmer, more in control, and supported throughout the process of decluttering in your old home and planning for your new one.

 

  1. Create a List of Your Essentials

 

When downsizing it’s important to consider what items you really want and need to bring to your new home.

 

The best way to determine what your “must-bring” items are, is to create a list with two columns. One column for Essentials (clothing, toiletries, furniture, linens, appliances, tech, etc.), and the other column for Non-Essential & Important (memorabilia, photos, décor, collections, etc.). Place the list in an accessible location so you can easily add or subtract items as you sort through the items in your home.

 

Downsizing is a great time to take stock of what you own to determine which items you use, need, or love. Are your sheets looking a bit worn? Do you have old devices stashed away in a drawer? Are there chipped unused dishes on your shelf?

 

This is a great time to let go of items that no longer serve you, so you can make space in your new home for what does. Remember your end goal – enjoying your new smaller home.

 

  1. Set Up a Sorting System in Every Room

 

As you go through your belongings, there will be many decisions to make. To stay on track and organized, label three boxes or bins as “Use in New Home” “Store for New Home” “Do Not Keep”.  As you sort, place items into their appropriate box, doing this in every room of your home.

 

Some items will be easy to categorize, while others may be more challenging.

 

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure, ask yourself, “Will I need, use and enjoy this item in my new home?”

 

If you’re still unsure, you can always try the Marie Kondo method of holding up each item and asking if it sparks joy.  If it does, keep it; if not, it may be time to let it go. Advice from a trusted friend, family member or trained Simply Home Downsizing organizer can also help you in the decision-making process.

 

Once your “Use in New Home” and “Store in New Home” boxes are complete, place them in one area to make packing easier.

 

PRO TIP: Don’t forget to keep suitcases and bags accessible to contain the essentials you’ll need right away in your new home. 

 

Your “Do Not Keep” boxes require a more thorough plan, as outlined in the next tip.

 

  1. Create an “Unwanted Items” Plan

 

Once you know which items aren’t coming to your new home, you have several options for what to do next:

 

  • Toss: If things are damaged beyond repair, throw them away and move on. Be discerning.
  • Recycle: Self-explanatory, although you might be amazed at how much you can actually recycle.
  • Donate: Someone can likely benefit from your discards if they’re in good shape. Local charities, churches, shelters, etc., accept certain donations, as do online groups such as Freecycle, Buy Nothing, or Facebook Marketplace.
  • Yard Sale: Sell your unwanted items on your street to make money and connect with neighbours. Beware, yard sales are time and labour-intensive, and the payout may not be substantial.
  • Sell Online: If you have items of value (furniture, art, electronics, collections), you can try selling them online through Kijiji, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace.
  • Online Auction:  Hire a company (Ex: MaxSold) to set up your virtual sale. When items sell, you get a percentage. Beware, not everything is guaranteed to sell, and the payout may be less than you anticipated.
  • Pass On: If you have unwanted heirlooms, consider taking pictures of them, passing them onto family members, donating them to charity, or turning them into something useful or artful (Ex: quilt)

 

  1. Go Digital

 

Most homes contain plenty of paperwork, videos, and photos, which can add to the clutter in your home. As you begin the downsizing process, consider digitizing as much as you can.

 

Now is a good time to sort through bills, receipts, contracts, warranties, records, pamphlets, flyers, etc. Shred or recycle anything you don’t need, store what you do need in clearly marked bins (Ex: 7 years of taxes in Canada) and scan documents to decrease paper clutter.

 

Photos, albums, movies, and music can also be converted into digital files, which will free up space.

 

Whether you do this on your own (you’ll need some technical equipment to do so) or hire a digitization service or specialist, saving everything to a hard drive or to the cloud, will enable you to keep important documents and memories while managing clutter in your new home.

 

  1. Plan Your New Layout in Advance

 

When you move into your new home, you want to feel confident that everything you’re bringing will fit and have a purpose. Measure each room, including closets and usable wall space, to ensure your large items (Ex: furniture, appliances) work well, and the flow of your home feels right.

 

Whether or not you’ll have a garage, basement, or locker, you’ll want to maximize your storage. Some suggestions: create built-in storage, maximize vertical wall space, choose multifunctional furniture, add a storage bench, take advantage of hidden spaces (Ex: under stairs, cabinet doors, inside closets), and use baskets, bins, and boxes to contain clutter.

 

As you plan your new life in your smaller home, avoid the temptation to buy too many new items before you move. Planning how a bed, couch, or fridge will fit ahead of time makes sense, but until you get a sense of the space you’re living in, it’s hard to know what other items will work best.

 

Be patient – there will be time to decorate after you move in! You can start a wish list for items you’d love.

 

Always keep in mind why you wanted to move to a smaller home – more spaciousness and less clutter, right?

 

  1. Ask for Help from Friends, Family, or Experts

 

Downsizing your home is a huge undertaking and challenging to do alone. To help minimize stress, frustration, and overwhelm, ask friends and family to help you:

  • Sort items into categories (Ex: all cutlery in one place, all photos together)
  • Decide what to keep and what to let go of
  • Remove items from your home you no longer want, use, or need
  • Plan or host a yard sale to sell your unwanted items
  • Measure spaces in your new home
  • Digitize your photos, files, videos, and music
  • Transport items to a storage unit, donation centre, recycling facility, etc.
  • Pack

 

If you’re looking for professional support to downsize successfully from start to finish, contact us at Simply Home Downsizing.

 

Downsizing can be physically and emotionally challenging. These seven tips will help you declutter, sort, purge, organize, and pack more effectively, setting you up for success at each stage of your downsizing journey.

 

We’re always here to help you with your downsizing journey! Please reach out to us at: info@simplyhomeinc.ca

 

Image of someone organizing their bookshelf

3 Ways Successful Professionals Can Overcome Being Overwhelmed and Organize Their Homes

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Many successful entrepreneurs, educators, creatives, and leaders wonder how they can thrive professionally yet feel overwhelmed and stuck when trying to organize their homes.

We don’t assume we can adjust our spines, create mortgages, or repair broken water pipes without training, so why is it different when it comes to organizing our living spaces?

As professional organizers, we often hear, “Why is it so hard to start? Why can’t I just do this? What’s wrong with me?”

Nothing is wrong with you!

You haven’t been trained to set up systems, structures, and supports (physical and mental) to help you declutter and organize your home, so no wonder you feel frustrated & overwhelmed.

3 ways to overcome that overwhelmed feeling that prevents you from successfully organizing your home:   

  1. Imagining how you’ll feel after making organizing progress 

Start by asking yourself, “What will an organized space LOOK and FEEL like? Then, take action.

PRO TIPS: Want to eat healthier? Imagine your pantry full of nourishing snacks. Want to relax more? Envision a calm reading space. Crave more simplicity? Imagine a streamlined home.

The power of your imagination cannot be underestimated – once you envision the change, your brain kicks into gear to support your intention.

  1. Starting easy, starting small  

To avoid feeling disappointed and dejected, not to mention exhausted, start with an organizing project that is not emotionally or physically demanding.

PRO TIPS: Instead of tackling an entire room or space, write out 3 goals on a sticky note, choose one category to organize, or declutter one drawer.

By starting with less emotionally taxing organizing tasks, your skills, confidence, and momentum will increase, which will make decision-making and moving forward easier.

  1. Kicking perfectionism to the curb  

Many derailed home organizing projects result from trying to be perfect. Let go of high expectations and trust that your efforts will pay off.

PRO TIPS: Live in a small condo? Use multifunctional structures and storage solutions. Cluttered creative? Set up specific workstations for your creative pursuits. Scattered online entrepreneur? Create a focused workspace.

To get and stay organized, your systems must align with your unique lifestyle and space.

For busy, successful professionals struggling to find organizational success at home (like they do at work), tapping into your imagination, starting simple and small, and letting go of perfectionism can lead to organizational success.  

For support in any of these areas, contact us at info@simplyhomeinc.ca and we will help you set up systems, strategies, and supports to help you succeed. www.simplyhomeinc.ca

 

 

Two women organizing and decluttering to help improve their mental health.

Boost Your Mental Health with these 5 Decluttering & Organizing Tips

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How do you feel when you:

  • Try to find something in your home and can’t?
  • Want to invite guests over but are too embarrassed by your clutter?
  • Come home to a chaotic, messy, and disorganized home?
  • Waste money re-purchasing items because you can’t find the originals?
  • Realize you aren’t living the life you desire

 

If frustrated, anxious, overwhelmed, defeated or stuck made your list, you’re not alone, and these feelings may be affecting your mental health more than you know.

 

If your home feels more like a combat zone, with numerous unfinished projects and a multitude of “failures” on display, how can that be restorative or good for your mental health?

 

Our surroundings deeply affect our ability to regulate our bodies. When under stress, we start producing too much cortisol (a hormone that regulates bodily functions), which leads to a breakdown of our physical and mental functions.

 

To boost our mental health, we can reverse engineer the process:

 

  1. Boost our mental health by
  2. Decreasing our cortisol levels by
  3. Gaining control of our belongings and space by
  4. Decluttering and organizing

 

To be clear, decluttering and organizing tips expressed here do not replace medical intervention or treatment for serious mental health issues. They are practical tools that can help manage stress and boost mental health.

 

Here are 5 ways to START decluttering and organizing your home and boost your mental health.

 

  1. Make time

Block out a time in your busy calendar to focus on this task, even 15 minutes works! Once momentum and confidence build, you can add more time. Timers to keep you focused, and treats for completing tasks, help with motivation and energy.

 

  1. Set an intention

Think about how you feel in your home now, and how you want to feel in the future. Really lean into your feelings and imagine what your home will feel like after you declutter and organize. Your goal is to fill the gap with intentional action.

 

  1. Start small and easy

When starting, try to check off an easy item such as your purse, one drawer, or one shelf. If you try to do too much too soon, overwhelm may set in, derailing your progress and motivation. Pick something simple at first, make that work, and then move onto more complex areas (Ex: your closet, keepsakes).

 

  1. Celebrate wins

Many people may not acknowledge this step, but it’s important! Recognizing that you’re making progress is a key factor in keeping intentions, motivation, and focus strong.  Decluttering and organizing can be challenging processes, so celebrate your achievement with something nice.

 

  1. Ask for help

Whether you ask a family member, friend, or a professional, having someone witness your efforts, provide support, and help with decision-making, is invaluable. It feels less lonely and can make the decluttering and organizing process more efficient, impactful, and fun.

 

As life continues to unfold rapidly around us, these 5 decluttering and organizing techniques will not only help you optimize your physical surroundings, your stress levels will decrease, which leads to a boost in your overall mental health.

 

Recognizing that starting is not always easy, our team at Simply Home Downsizing offers personalized, non-judgmental support for each step of your decluttering and organizing journey, so please reach out to us at: info@simplyhomeinc.ca

Image of 7 orange files labeled and in alphabetical order

How to Create a Personal Filing System by Categorizing Your Life

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Whether you’re considering a move, downsizing, or making a major life transition, one of the most important things to have in place is a well-organized personal filing system. And now that tax time is upon us, there is no better time to start.

Whether digital or paper-based, having clear categories to contain your important information is vital to keeping you organized and on track.

Without clear categories, stress, overwhelm and panic increase, which isn’t conducive to completing key tasks.

So, how do you decide which categories to use when creating a home filing system?

Although we’re unique lives, there are life categories that tend to repeat when organizing your files. This chart will help you start, modify, and update your personal filing system.

 

 

Major Folders

 

  

Potential Categories to Include

 

  

Notes
HEALTH ·       Reports, records, tests

·       Vaccination info

·       Assessments

·       Previous operations

·       Resources

 Items in these categories can be kept inside one major folder OR in each family member’s file. The choice comes down to which division makes more sense to you.
INSURANCE ·       Home

·       Life

·       Car

 Can be filed separately in major folder OR in specific item folders.

Ex: Auto policy in Vehicle folder
VITAL RECORDS ·       Birth certificate

·       Social Insurance Card

·       Marriage certificate

·       Will

·       Immigration papers

 Can be filed separately OR in folders related to the person

Ex: SIN in family member file

 
TAXES ·       Current Year (for all claimable receipts, can be sub-divided)

·       Previous Years (with tax info sub-divided by year)

 Once your current year is complete, place contents in “Previous Years”. Remove and shred the oldest file.

Ex: Shred 2013 once 2021 is filed. In Canada we must keep 7 years.
FINANCIAL ·       Banking records

·       Credit card documents + bills

·       Loan documents

·       Investment records

·       Memberships (Ex: gym)

 Create one file for each account/credit card/loan/investment, etc.
HOME
  • Maintenance
  • Warranties
  • Real estate documents
  • Outdoor/Landscaping
  • Renovations
  • Décor
  • Rental property
 Whether you create separate files for each category OR include them all in one major folder, keep receipts, contact info, and correspondence for each category as needed
VEHICLES ·       Purchase Agreement

·       Ownership

·       License + registration

·       Insurance*

 Create a separate file for each vehicle.

*Insurance can be filed here or in Insurance.
WORK ·       Contracts + Salary info

·       Benefits

·       Major Projects

·       Job Applications

·       Resumes & Cover Letters

·       Potential Jobs

 Create a file for each job, past and present.

 

Our focus is on creating a home filing system. If you run a business, a more robust system will apply.
KIDS ·       School Reports & Records

·       Assessments/Tests

·       Extracurricular classes, courses, sports teams, etc.

·       Summer Camp

·       Parenting*

 Create a separate file for each child.

*Parenting resources can be filed here OR in Personal Development OR elsewhere.
PETS ·       Health records

·       Vaccination information

·       Grooming

·       Boarding & travel

  
TRAVEL ·       Passports

·       Health & Vaccinations

·       Past Travel

·       Future Travel ideas

 A note about memorabilia. You can file pictures, correspondence, tickets, postcards, etc. OR set aside in a clearly marked bin.
FORMAL EDUCATION ·       Transcripts

·       Letters of recommendation

·       Copies of degrees & certificates

 

  
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT ·       Personality/Self-assessment tests

·       Books, podcasts, articles, etc.

·       Art + Design + Craft

·       Courses

·       Wellness

·       Spirituality

  
SHOPPING ·       Receipts for gifts you’ve given

·       Gift ideas

  

 

PRO TIPS for a paper-based personal filing system:

  • Create an index with your categories laid out (like this chart!) and place in a prominent place
  • File chronologically with most recent documents in the front for easy access
  • Use easy to replace labels or green tape for easy modifying or replacing
  • Keep empty file folders, labels, and markers close by for immediate access
  • If combining different files in one major folder, clip them together for better organization
  • Memorabilia is often best to store in a clearly labelled separate bin

 

PRO TIPS for a digitally based personal filing system:

  • Use the same categories for digital files as you do for your paper files – your brain will thank you!
  • Create a table of contents or index and keep it handy for easy referencing and adjusting
  • If using an app, consider its functions, as well as the time and energy required to use it well
  • Be as specific as possible with file names Ex: Emily Grade 4 report card 2021” vs “Sally school”
  • Label all folders using the same format. Ex: HOME > Warranties > Fridge 2020

 

Organizing digital and paper files can feel overwhelming, as our life priorities shift, which means files and folders must be created and deleted regularly. A filing system is never static nor perfectly done.

 

By taking time to think through your life categories, you’ll set yourself up for success and access important information when you need it most. All conveniently placed in your personal filing system.

 

Need help with creating a personal filing system in your home? Contact us here or email us info@simplyhomeinc.ca to talk about how we can help you create a paper filing system that works!

A senior couple sitting on the floor with the man sitting behind the woman embracing her. Behind them are moving boxes.

The Pros and Cons of Downsizing Your Home

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When thinking about downsizing, what do you imagine? Empty nesters choosing to live in a smaller home once their children have moved out? Seniors transitioning to smaller spaces in order to find more ease and savings?

 

While both groups are certainly among those downsizing in order to free up time, energy, and financial savings, anyone can contemplate a move to a smaller home.

 

While our culture often promotes “bigger is better” and that “having more” increases happiness, we know that isn’t always the case. Sometimes a “less is more” approach is better aligned with your lifestyle goals.

 

Different lifestyles require different choices so if you’re considering downsizing, this list of pros and cons will be helpful.

 

Advantages of Downsizing 

 

  1. Financial
  • A smaller home means less being spent on your mortgage, utility bills, maintenance, landscaping, etc. Less square footage means less space to heat, cool, and manage.
  • Cash flow often increases after downsizing as you spend less on managing your home. This means you’re likely to have more money to allocate for things that are priorities for you and your family.

 

  1. Environmental
  • With less energy being used to heat or cool your home, you are saving money AND reducing energy use, which is good for the environment
  • With less physical space to store items, you are less likely to buy unnecessary items. Less consumption of clothing, food, and consumer goods is a positive choice when it comes to reducing waste.

 

  1. Time
  • If you have less space to clean, more time will be available for personal projects, passions, and interests
  • By reducing how much time you use to consider, plan, shop, and carry out the maintenance of a larger home, the more time you will have to do the things that matter to you most

 

  1. Life Satisfaction
  • By reducing some of the stress and overwhelm that comes with managing a larger home, your mental health improves
  • Enjoying your home more easily and more often results in feeling happier and more content with what you have

 

Disadvantages of Downsizing 

 

  1. Space Restrictions
  • Some homeowners may feel cramped by living in a smaller space where there is “less room to breathe”
  • It may be harder to carve out quiet time on your own, away from other family members, in a smaller home

 

  1. Decluttering
  • Moving to a smaller home would most likely require decluttering, which can be overwhelming and emotionally challenging for some (Simply Home Downsizing can certainly help with this, please reach out to us here)
  • Making the time to declutter the contents of one’s home can be challenging for those who feel overextended

 

  1. Guests
  • Hosting a large social event may be more challenging
  • Providing a guest room for out-of-town guests may no longer be an option

 

  1. Lifestyle
  • For those who place a high value on the image of success, a smaller home may not measure up
  • Moving to a neighbourhood of smaller homes may not be a good fit for long-term “large home” owners
  • Downsizing may be difficult for those who like familiarity and find lifestyle changes challenging

 

 

When you add it all up, there are clearly pros and cons to downsizing. A smaller home means fewer expenses and responsibilities, and more time and freedom. It could also mean major decluttering, a loss of identity and belonging, and less space for guests.

 

Every situation requires a unique approach to making the decision that works best for you and your family. We hope this list of downsizing pros and cons helps when deciding how you want to live.

 

At Simply Home Downsizing, we are always here to help at every step of the process.

 

 

Person making a snow angel. They are wearing a grey jacket, red gloves, red scarf and a red hat.

Surround yourself with nature, boost your mental health, and live the Norwegian Friluftsliv lifestyle

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Norwegians believe that “there’s no bad weather, just bad clothing”, which helps explain the latest Nordic lifestyle craze taking root, Friluftsliv. 

First coined by the Norwegian poet Henrik Ibsen in the 1850s, friluftsliv means “open-air living” and is rooted in spending time with loved ones, surrounded by nature.  

After the popularity of Nordic Hygge (cozying up inside with fuzzy blankets, cozy slippers, and warm tea), Friluftslive encourages “experiential connections to nature” as a way of life, which means lots of camping, hiking, fishing, foraging, ice climbing, and backpacking.

Beyond the obvious health benefits of fresh air and physical activity, Friluftsliv offers significant mental health benefits, especially as we reinvent socializing indoors and out during the pandemic.

Friluftsliv’s restorative benefits include:

  • Increasing capacity to manage stress and mood disorders
  • Providing a naturally safe “escape” from pandemic challenges
  • Connecting to family and friends in fresh air more consistently
  • Promoting mindfulness and mental strength
  • Increasing environmental stewardship

After a year and a half spent mostly indoors, and with many of us continuing to spend more time in our homes, Friluftsliv offers a calming and grounding effect when outside, especially on the coldest winter days.

If being outside is not an option, not to worry, Friluftsliv can be embraced indoors by:

  • Incorporating organic items, greenery, and earth tones
  • Buying landscape wall art, indoor planters, nature-patterned wallpaper
  • Choosing furnishings made from natural materials like rattan and cane
  • Placing furniture near windows or with a view outside to create
  • Integrating fire pits, wooden tables, space heaters, and blankets in your yard

 

Incorporating natural associations inside our homes is a great way to remind us of the simplicity and beauty of being outdoors.

 

In Norway, Friluftsliv is such a vital part of daily living that it’s actually protected by the “allemannsretten” or “right to roam” law which allows people to walk or camp outdoors nearly everywhere, even on private properties, as long as they’re respectful of the environment.

 

There are Friluftsliv courses taught in higher education and at the elementary levels to instill a respect and love for nature from the start of school and beyond.

 

While we may not have Friluftsliv courses offered in Canada (yet?), we are surrounded by beauty in nature, so the next time you feel overwhelmed, stuck, sad, or bored, it’s time to embrace your inner Nordicness, and enjoy the outdoors with those you care about.

 

And remember, “there is no bad weather, just bad clothes!”

 

A person making a to-do list to help deal with their holiday anxiety

Do You Have Holiday Anxiety? Get Organized, Prioritize Tasks, and Stay Sane with These 6 Tips

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Ready or not, here it comes; the happy, jolly, festive holiday season. Is it though? Alongside the eggnog drinking, carol-singing, gift opening merriness is a whole lotta stress and anxiety.

 

With busier schedules and additional commitments at home and work, it’s easy to feel like crawling into a holiday stocking and never coming out again may be the best way to manage.

To truly enjoy the holidays, it’s important to prepare mentally, emotionally, and physically for what’s to come.

Cultivating healthy habits, routines, and decision-making that nourishes, rather than depletes, is essential if we want to stay organized, energized, and sane this holiday season.

Here are 6 ways to manage the hustle and bustle this holiday season and keep holiday anxiety to a minimum:

 

  1. Envision how you want to feel before, during, and after the holidays

By imagining what your ideal outcome is, your chances of achieving it increase. So, cozy up in a quiet spot, favourite beverage in hand, light a candle, close your eyes and lean into what you really want.

PRO TIP: Write down what you envision and post it in a visible location to remind you when things get stressful.

 

  1. Choose an aligned planning strategy

Whether using a planner, journal, printable worksheet, app, or other systems, decide how to capture, prioritize, and review your likely-to-be-bigger to-do list regularly.

PRO TIP: If going digital, a Holiday shopping app can help you plan gift ideas, create shopping lists, set budgets, share your lists, create gift lists by categories, and more.

 

  1. Prioritize your personal health

Make sure you get sufficient rest, hydration, movement, and sleep to ensure you don’t burn out or get sick. Making sure to prioritize your personal health also means prioritizing your mental health. If you feel yourself getting that Holiday Anxiety, you can always take a step back.

PRO TIP: To get in some “exercise” while shopping in person, park far away and walk and take the stairs when possible. If shopping online, set a timer for 20-minute stretch breaks.

 

  1. Set boundaries

Whether family, friends, or co-workers, communicate clearly what you’re able to do. Set limits on how much time and energy you spend on holiday tasks, and which invitations you can say no to while maintaining your energy, interest, and sanity.

PRO TIP: As hard as it is to say no, doing so helps to protect your self-esteem, maintain confidence, and enjoy healthy relationships. Your boundary muscle gets stronger the more you use it.

 

  1. Take inventory of your supplies

Before you start buying, wrapping, decorating, baking, etc., go through what you already have on hand to prevent over-buying and over-spending. This includes decorations, wrapping paper, and holiday cooking supplies.

PRO TIP: Reuse supplies you already have for wrapping – fabric, envelopes, bags, papers, etc.

 

  1. Gift experiences over stuff

To not fall prey to the holiday buying frenzy, think about gifting more experiences this holiday season. Not only can cultural, culinary and travel events create lasting memories, but they also don’t add clutter and are more environmentally friendly.

PRO TIP: If someone you care about would appreciate professional decluttering and organizing support, consider purchasing a gift certificate.

 

BONUS TIPS!  5 storage hacks to make organizing your holiday decorations easier:

  • Hang your large wrapping paper rolls in a suit/clothes bag
  • Use egg cartons or plastic cups glued inside a cardboard box to layer ornaments
  • Wrap your holiday lights around a piece of cardboard to keep them untangled
  • Hang your wreaths on a long hook
  • Maximize vertical wall, closet, cupboard, and door space

 

By optimizing how we organize our space, spend our time and money, and manage our energy, we can decrease anxiety and increase Joy this holiday season. Need support getting organized this holiday season? We’re here to help! Please reach out to us here or email us at info@simplyhomeinc.ca  

An Image of 6 black vases that are fixed using the Kintsugi method. The cracks are filled with gold and silver.

Sustainability Through the Art of Kintsugi: Rather than Discarding Broken Items, Consider Fixing, Reusing, and Enjoying Them

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What happens when a vase breaks, when there’s a rip in your clothing, or you find artwork that has torn edges?

 

Many of us would consider discarding the items, especially if we are actively decluttering, organizing, or downsizing. And in some cases, if you no longer use, need or like an item, it may be time for it to go.

 

However, when items can be reused, the Japanese have a concept called Kintsugi which celebrates the art of repairing broken items so that they can be enjoyed once again.

 

Kintsugi, or “the golden repair” has been popularized by the example of a cracked vase that gets repaired using precious metals like gold and silver. With its faults, flaws, and cracks fully exposed, the belief is that imperfection is a virtue and things can be more beautiful having been broken.

 

Kintsugi also supports the conviction that sustainability is a responsibility we all carry and by reusing what we already own, we waste less and reduce what goes into landfill.

 

Here are three ways to employ Kintsugi in your home:

 

  1. Home Décor (mirror, bowl, artwork)

 

Repair or re-configure broken or damaged items (either yourself or outsourced), and re-introduce them, embracing the “broken-ness” as a distinctive feature.

 

Ex: Damaged painting into a new collage, cracked mirror with new designs.

 

  1. Wardrobe (clothing, accessories, etc.)

 

When you have clothing that you like but no longer fits or is damaged, rather than discard it, consider re-sizing or re-purposing it.

 

Ex: Bridesmaid’s dress into a skirt, old t-shirts into a patchwork scarf?

 

  1. Keepsakes (photos, letters, certificates, coins, frames, etc.)

 

Applying Kintsugi to older, more fragile memorabilia often means adding character, personalization, and value to the items.

 

Ex: Old photos with coloured tape in a photo book, a cracked frame filled with old letters.

Through the Japanese art of Kintsugi, we have an opportunity to be more intentional about what we consume, keep, and discard. By repairing or repurposing items we already own, and proudly displaying them despite their flaws and imperfections, we reduce waste and expand our appreciation of beauty.

 

If you are downsizing and looking for advice on what to keep and possibly fix, we can help. Contact us today and let’s see how you can add more beauty and sustainability to your life.

 

 

 

 

Image of an organized towel basket. In a brown wicker basket are three towels that are rolled. 1 light yellow, 1 baby blue, and one baby pink. The basket is on top of a wooden shelving unit. Only the top shelf is in frame. Beside the basket is a small tea candle in a metal geometric holder. The wall behind the basket is white.

Organizing: 5 Simple Tips to Help You Ease into Fall Home Decluttering

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Fall is here and as we enjoy the cooler temperatures, cozy clothes, and pumpkin-spice lattes, we might also be feeling more stressed out with new commitments, appointments, and schedules to manage.

After the laidback-ness of summer (slightly altered due to Covid we know), fall can feel jarring, busy, and cluttered. The pace of life seems to quicken, which often leads to more clutter, disorganization, and stress in your home.

Here are 5 decluttering and organizing tips to help you enjoy your home this fall:

 

1. Create a Decluttering and Organizing Plan & Schedule

No doubt about it, having goals and a well-thought-out game plan for getting your home organized will increase your chances for success.

Whether you choose to do this on paper or digitally, we suggest thinking through your answers to these three questions:

  •  How does the clutter in “x” area make you feel?
  • How do you want to feel after you declutter & organize “x” area?
  • What action steps can you start taking to fill the gap between # 1 and # 2?

2. Just Start

Often the hardest part when decluttering and organizing is starting. It can feel overwhelming, stressful, and insurmountable when trying to start.

Once we start, momentum kicks in and it’s easier to stay on track, but getting to this stage is not always easy.
Realizing that everyone’s needs are unique, here are 5 ways to kickstart your decluttering and organizing project/s

  •  List all your ideas (see #1 above!). Getting them out of your head makes room for action-taking
  • Gather your supplies – recycle/trash/donate bags, sharpie, labels
  • Set a timer – short bursts of 15 min are good to start. Once you start, you’ll want to keep going!
  • Pick a non-sentimental area to start with (i.e. junk drawer vs photographs)
  • Choose an area you use daily so you can see immediate results and build momentum (i.e.: front entrance)

Many decluttering and organizing projects fall short (or don’t even get off the ground) because we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves and try to take on too much at the start.

By starting with small actions, you’ll recognize what gets in your way (time, energy, strategies, motivation, or skill), and can adjust accordingly. Once you pace yourself and start seeing results, you’ll be able to harness that momentum to keep decluttering and organizing.

3. Seasonal Clothing Switch-Out & Organizing

With every new season comes an opportunity to declutter and organize more efficiently.

Now that’s it’s fall, it’s time to put away your bathing suits, beach towels, sandals, and other fun summer items. Whether you hang them in the back of the closet, place them in a non-essential drawer, or pack them into bins, they do not need to be front and centre in your home.

Instead, make it easy to use your fall jackets, scarves, hats, and boots by placing them in easy-to-access areas such as the front hall.

Choose an organizing method that works best for your space, which could mean using your front hall closet, baskets, or shelves. Having items at eye level (your prime real estate) really helps as well – this is all about making things easier!

As you ease into fall, consider using this same approach elsewhere in your home, such as the bathroom or linen closet. To make your seasonal transition easier, consider bringing fall and winter moisturizing bath and beauty products, along with warmer comforters, to the forefront.

Ensuring that only seasonally appropriate items are taking up your most valuable space will make daily life easier as you’ll have fewer things to sort through and less decisions to make.

PRO TIP: Before you pack away your summer items, review each one carefully to determine if you need/use/love the items. If not, you can recycle or donate them – no need to pack excess.

4. Declutter your pantry and food storage areas

Is your kitchen the busiest area in your home?

For many of us, this is true, which means our busy kitchens deserve a fall makeover too.

The best way to declutter and organize your pantry, fridge, and freezer, is to empty all contents – category by category, item by item. After determining what’s spoiled, past it’s due date, or inedible, either donate, compost, or dispose of the items you won’t be consuming.

Next, decide which items you consume (or want to consume) most often and place them front and centre at eye level for easy and more consistent access.

Don’t forget to give your pantry and food storage areas a good cleaning before putting items back!

5. Organize Your Digital World

As we continue to use our smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers more and more in our daily lives, it’s important to pay attention to our digital clutter.

Just as in our homes, too much digital clutter causes us to feel stressed, overwhelmed, and anxious. We know we shouldn’t be on our devices so much, but distractions and interruptions are everywhere!

Below are five simple ways to start your digital decluttering:

  1. Review your mobile apps and delete any that are not being used
  2. Remove notifications
  3. Group your mobile apps by category and create folders so you don’t have multiple screens to swipe to get to the app you want to use
  4. Delete emails as soon as you read them OR archive them – no more overflowing inboxes
  5. Group your desktop files and icons into folders. Archive or delete whatever is not current

Fall is a wonderful season and what better way to honour this transition than by decluttering and organizing our homes

Successful decluttering and organizing can certainly make us feel more grounded, calm, and joyful in our homes, but it’s not always easy to find the time, energy, motivation, and strategies to carry out this process.

The good news is that there are solutions, so if you’ve been thinking about making time for some of these fall home organizing projects and want support, contact Simply Home Downsizing, and let’s see how we can help you ease into fall.

you can create an organized living space in your kitchen, image of organized pots and pans

Has All This Time at Home Enabled You To Create A More Organized Living Space?

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As the world “opens up” and we consider our post-pandemic lives, there are several opportunities to reassess the organization of our homes and create a more organized living space.

Whether you live solo or with others, in a large house or small condo, in a city or in the country, the effect of COVID-19 on our lives at home has been significant.

Our homes, so much more than just living spaces, have now become fulltime offices, online schools, entertainment centres, and more.

For some, a true reckoning has taken place, with major organizing, decluttering and simplifying taking place, not to mention downsizing, moving, and relocating.

For others, uncertainty and the pressures of the pandemic have not allowed sufficient time, space, or energy to declutter and organize. Much to the surprise and disappointment of many, “all this time” at home has not led to a more organized or streamlined home.

Whatever your situation, here are three areas in your home to organize post-pandemic in order to improve how your home functions and feels.

1. Create organized spaces you love to hang out in

If there was one thing we learned by remaining at home so much, it’s that carving out “hangout space” you enjoy is key. Everyone needs a comfy spot to nap, watch Netflix and read!

If you haven’t already, be intentional with how you organize and decorate the spaces you generally hang out in so that they reflect you, your lifestyle, and your interests.

Clear out any items that you no longer need, use, or love, and make room – physically and mentally – for what matters most in this post-quarantine phase.

Although restrictions are being lifted, I think we can all agree that spending more time at home is here to stay. By choosing what items to keep and what items to let go of, we’re making an investment not only in our enjoyment of our space, but in our health. Clearing clutter helps us connect more, increase productive, and rejuvenate.

So, let go of the clutter (I’m looking at you old DVD’s!), put away things you don’t use daily, choose décor that makes you happy, and enjoy your space.

2. Create a well-organized and joyful kitchen

Have you been spending a lot of time thinking about, shopping for, and cooking food, during Covid?

The pandemic has disrupted how most of our kitchens function in a significant way. Whether it was baking sourdough bread, experimenting with new cuisine, or making fancy lunches, the kitchen became a place to bring us together to be nourished and comforted.

Moving forward, it’s good to ask what worked well, and not so well, in the kitchen during the pandemic. It might also be good to ask if the amount of snack food we have is really what we need moving forward!

To start, ask yourself if there are any items (food, small appliance, dishes, supplies) that you no longer need?

Is your kitchen set up to meet your goals? Whether your goal is having easier access to items, preparing healthier meals, shortening preparation times, or creating more culinary masterpieces, your kitchen set up and usage should meet your goals.

This transition is a great time to tackle the pantry and decide what kinds of foods you want to keep and enjoy, and which ones are either undesirable, expired, or unhealthy. Best to dig into the very back of your cupboards, shelves, drawers and pantry, and pull it all out, as you may have stocked up more than usual during this time.

Once you know what you want to keep, sort it into like categories – all spices together, canned goods, oils and vinegars, baking supplies, cereals and so forth. Use baskets, jars, bins, crates, and containers to optimize the space. Label for even easier clarity.

And when you need a break from kitchen organizing, it’s nice to know that eating out in a restaurant is an option too!

3.Curate a closet of clothes that you love

Have you been wondering if you’ll ever wear anything other than yoga pants and comfy clothes again? The big question may be, “Are jeans considered dress-up”?

Moving forward it’s helpful to think about what you really want, and will, wear. Why clutter your closet with items that don’t fit or feel good?

To declutter your closet properly, a full purge may be the best thing. This means taking out all your clothing (and accessories!), trying them all on (unless you just know they need to go!), and then asking yourself if you feel good in them at this point in time. The key is to imagine you in the clothes and accessories in this moment, not in the past or future.

If the answer is no, consider donating them. If it’s a maybe, put aside in a box and plan to make a decision on a certain date. Do not put the “unsure” items back in your closet – make your decision first! For the keepers, fold and organize the items you want to keep by activity, style or colour. Box away seasonal items like coats and scarves to give your current clothes more room in your closet.

When you have a closet full of items that make you feel good, your way in the world shifts, your confidence goes up, and your stress level goes down – a combination worth striving for.

As we transition into our post quarantine world, it’s time to rethink what we really need to make our homes function well and feel great. Start by decluttering and organizing your common areas, kitchen and closet so that you can enter this next phase with more ease and simplicity and less stress…

Covid has given us enough of that! Make space to enjoy life and let us know if you need organizing, decluttering, or downsizing support – we are here to help! Call 416-819-1576 or contact us HERE