Tag Archive for: decluttering

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

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

3 Ways to Flourish at Home This Fall

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Do you hear the wind rustling? See more yellow, orange and red leaves? Feel the cooler temperature on your skin? Taste the deliciousness of a creamy pumpkin spice latte?

Given that this powerful shift is happening, here are 3 ways to flourish this fall at home!

  1. Mindset Shift – Imagine the Possibilities

Transitions can be exhilarating…and challenging. While they offer us opportunities to grow and learn, transitions also threaten our feelings of safety and security. During these uncertain times, feeling grounded can be especially challenging.

By recognizing and accepting the notion that we are always in a state of transformation, we can use this time to think through how we would like our home to feel, look and function.

Are you feeling guilty about not dealing with the clutter accumulating in your home? Overwhelmed by the options available to organize your space?

Stressed out by all the steps needed to successfully stage and sell your home?

No matter what is causing your frustration, fall is a great time to make a mindset shift and begin to take action. If you need support getting there, we are here to help.

  1. Clothing & Accessories Shift – Decisions Before Storage  

One thing we love about fall is wearing layers. Yoga pants, hoodies over t-shirts, shoes & socks – they all equal comfort! As hard as it can be to let go of the sandals, swimsuits and sunscreen (the last one not so much), the cosiness of fall clothing allows us to shift more easily into the cooler weather.

However, before putting away summer clothes and placing fall clothes front and centre, try to systematically sort both types, letting go of the items that you don’t like, need or wear. Thanks to Marie Kondo for the inspiration behind this technique!

Hold up each item and ask yourself, “Do I like/wear/need the item”?

Trust your gut to reveal the answer and then take action on your decision. Why keep what no longer makes you feel good?!

For fall items, do the same thing, deciding which items to keep front and centre that will make you feel good this fall. Jackets, gloves, hats and scarves get placed near to where you enter/exit your home, making the transition into colder weather a little bit easier.

It is important to enjoy this process, as it gives us a chance to reflect on a summer gone by, and also imagine what new opportunities can emerge this season.

  1. Home Comforts – Form + Function

Indoors and out, your home is where you likely spend a lot of time, especially now. With the emergence of fall, our natural tendency is to stay in bed a little longer, cuddle on the couch more, and create feelings of comfort, safety, and joy.

As we transition into spending more time at home, how can you make your home more functional and enjoyable?

Fall is a great time to commit to creating a home you love to live in. Perhaps a décor switch-up is needed and you can move items around to create the atmosphere you desire. Maybe it’s time to go through your kitchen pantry, tossing old/expired items to make room for healthy autumn fare. Maybe it’s time to create a foyer area that functions masterfully and also makes you and your guests feel welcome.

Organizing your home so that you love to live in it is one of the best ways to move through this fall transition. One way to do this is to do a walkthrough of your home, choosing three spaces you spend the most time in during the fall. Think about three changes you could make in each space that address both form (how it looks and feels) and function (how it works for you and your family). If you’d like help with this process, we can help.

Imagine…the school bell is ringing, and your teacher is calling you into the class of life, asking, “How will you flourish in your home this fall?” What will you say? What will you do? Fall offers many new possibilities – which will you choose to focus on?

If you would like help in envisioning how to flourish this fall, please contact The Simply Home Downsizing Team, we love to help!

paper

10 Ways to Reduce Paper Clutter in Your Home

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Do you ever feel like you are drowning in paper? Are there bills, receipts, reminders, invitations, coupons, statements, flyers, and cards cluttering up your space, causing overwhelm and stress?

Paper clutter occurs easily unless we create systems for managing it on a regular basis. As tax time is upon us, let’s not forget how important it is to plan ahead to avoid paper overwhelm – see tip # 10!

The good news is managing paper clutter is achievable and below are ten ways to effectively organize and store the paper items you need and get rid of the paper items you don’t.

  1. Go Paperless with Statements and Bills

The best way to have less paper is to not let it enter your home in the first place! Going paperless is an important first step in decluttering paper. Transfer all your bills, statements and payments online. Even better, pay everything online, which helps timeliness and budgeting. The bonus of this is you will no longer need envelopes and stamps or trips to the mailbox.

  1. Purge your Paper

To begin, gather up ALL the paper in your home. Look in wallets, purses, bags, boxes, drawers, closets, cabinets and cars. Next, sort all papers into four piles: Recycle, Scan, Shred, or Save. Scan important tax, medical files, insurance and property documents onto your computer for safekeeping or create a file folder for key pieces of information. For memorabilia items (photos, cards, tickets stubs, etc.), put them into a labelled clear box/bin and then recycle or shred everything else.

  1. Recycle your Magazines and Newspapers

How many old magazines and newspapers are taking up space in your home waiting for that “one day” when you’ll re-read them? As this is an unlikely scenario, it may be time to recycle or donate them to a good cause. Artists and teachers often like magazines with pictures for their projects – the key is to get them out of your home soon to avoid any lingering donate piles! While you’re at it, unsubscribe from all the magazines you’re no longer interested in.

  1. Create a Filing System

There as many different filing systems to choose from, but the best ones seem to have these characteristics: they are spacious and easy to access and figure out. The key is to decide which space you will be using before buying anything. For an open desk, metal rails for hanging folders work well. In a closet, portable file bins work well, and if you need to see your files, a desk organizer works well. Whatever you decide, consider using as much vertical space as you can.

The next step is to take inventory of your life through creating categories. Give big categories like Career, Medical, Car, Pet, House, Kids, etc. a big folder. You can add sub-categories to them as you go. If colour coding helps, choose certain colours for specific categories and consider using painter’s tape instead of labels at first, as it gives you more flexibility when adding/changing items.

  1. Keep a Recycling Bag by your Front Entrance

By having a place to recycle by your front entrance, you can avoid bringing unwanted paper into your home. Worried about the visual impact? Keep a reusable bag hanging in the hall closet. Whenever you leave home, grab the bag and recycle your unwanted paper! You may also want to put up a sign indicating “No flyers” outside your front door to prevent unwanted paper clutter.

  1. Create an “Action” Area for Key Papers

We often have paper items that require us to act, often by a certain deadline. Put all those papers – RSVPs, bills, sign-up forms — in one spot. They could be clipped onto a big message board, kept  in an “inbox” tray, or mail organizer or placed in a basket by the entrance. Whichever you choose, make sure to deal with it daily or bi-weekly. Otherwise, it will just become another pile of paper clutter.

  1. Use a Calendar

By adding your important events to a calendar system, you avoid having to keep the actual paper flyers, invitations, etc. A digital calendar works well, however, if you want a non-tech version, get a desk or wall calendar. Each time you get a piece of paper with event information on it, put it into the calendar and recycle the paper.

  1. Showcase Photos and Memorabilia

If you have sentimental photos or memorabilia stored under your bed, in your closet or in a box, consider choosing your favourites to showcase. Photos and paper items can be framed or put into an album or memory box.  They can also be scanned and made into a photo book. Often, people feel overwhelmed by their photos so hiring a professional organizer can help you enjoy your memories now!

  1. Store Paper Items in the Right Places

The key to creating effective organizing systems is deciding what goes where and ensuring things get put back in their place. For everyday papers, a go-to spot that is easy to see and act on is key. Sentimental items can be displayed in nice boxes or frames on bookshelves and bookcases; coupons can be kept in a binder; office supplies (notebooks, folders, stickies, printer paper) can be kept in clear labelled containers; and recipes can be kept in a binder in the kitchen.

  1. Prepare for Tax Time

Investing time and energy into creating a system for tax-related paperwork pays off in the long run. Using a binder, labelled accordion file folder or box, label and clip all your receipts by category and keep them in one place for that tax year. When it’s time to submit your tax return, all your papers will be in one place ready to be reviewed. Once your return is complete, shred the documents you are no longer required to keep. In Canada, this is 6 years, so once your 2019 return is complete, shred the contents in your 2013 folder.

The next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed about the accumulation of paper in your home, review these ten tips and know that if you need support to reduce paper clutter, we are here to help! Contact The Simply Home Downsizing Team at 416-819-1576 www.simplyhomeinc.ca

decluttering

Why It’s So Hard to Let Go of our Stuff

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These days it seems like many people are on board with the idea of decluttering, owning less, and living more intentionally. It all makes great sense! By decluttering and choosing what items we need and love, our lives become easier to manage and we feel calmer and less overwhelmed. The added benefits of saving money (no more replacements) and time (no more wasting time looking for things) also becomes clear once we have less.

So, What Gets in Our Way? What Reasons do we Give Ourselves that Hinder Our Progress?

One way to think about it is to reflect on why we own things in the first place. Historically, objects were tools that were required for day-to-day survival – you needed an axe to chop wood, a knife to cut up meat, and shovels to dig holes. However, as society progressed, the world became more plentiful, and objects started to play a different role. They helped us do what we needed to do AND helped us confirm our worth in society.

Owning certain objects became a way to communicate. If you had a radio, you were the connection for others and had the power to disseminate information quickly…so better get a radio fast. This evolved to include many more objects, as there is no limit to what we can buy. Today, we see how quickly and easily Amazon and others can fulfill our desire to own something. As this happens, we move from being in charge of our objects to letting them be in charge of us.

So, Why is it So Challenging to Limit how Many Objects We Have, and Let Go of the Ones We Don’t Need?

In his book, Goodbye Things, Fumio Sasaki talks about the many challenges that arise when we try to discard, declutter, and downsize. He talks about the need to develop this skill, over time, so that it becomes a habit. As with other skills, you don’t just wake up and decide to become a world-class skydiver, a master chef, or fluent in Finnish. It takes time. You don’t just wake up and decide to have less stuff; you have to build the skill. Often, in trying to build this skill, we get stuck and can’t complete the task.

Ten Reasons We Get Stuck and Can’t Discard, Declutter, and Downsize Effectively:

  • It was expensive
  • What if I need it in the future?
  • I feel guilty throwing it away
  • I feel ashamed that it hasn’t been used
  • One day it will fit/work/match
  • I feel like I am throwing away an important memory
  • My pride is preventing me from letting it go
  • I feel bad for the person who gave it to me
  • It’s not the right day/time/hour/season
  • It’s just easier to leave it as is

If any of these reasons resonate with you, you aren’t alone. They are all very convincing. They can seem like truly sensible reasons to hang on to belongings we no longer need, use, or even want. However, letting go requires courage, determination and patience – and perhaps some help along the way.

The path of least resistance is common among us humans, it keeps us safe and in service of the status quo.  

Ultimately, if we can shift our thinking, imagine the feeling upon completion, and take action, we can absolutely create more time, space, money, energy and freedom in our lives.

Either alone or with professional organizing support from Simply Home Downsizing, there is a way to have less to live more.

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Whether you need to organize your own space, help a loved one move into a smaller home, or manage an estate clearing, our team of experienced professionals will guide you carefully and comfortably to your desired result. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

~ The Simply Home Downsizing Team

wardrobe

Create a Simplified Wardrobe You’ll Love

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Is 2020 the year to create a wardrobe that you love, that lasts, and is a true expression of who you are? If so, it is possible to create a sustainable and exciting wardrobe by taking into account these five elements.

  1. Set Your Intention – Envisioning the Future

First, being as honest as you can, you’ll want to reflect on how you feel about your wardrobe right now. Do you feel overwhelmed by the amount of clothes you own? Paralyzed by having to make daily wardrobe decisions? Guilty for not wearing what you have? All of these are common feelings to have when it comes to our wardrobes.

Now, envision how you want to feel after creating a wardrobe that suits you, your body, and your current lifestyle. Often, feeling more decisive, intentional, and excited about our clothing is a strong motivator for change. Specific examples include, “I will only keep, and wear clothing and accessories that make me feel confident and authentic” or, “I want to hang up all my clothes in one closet and never search for items again”.

  1. Acknowledging Rationalizations – This is Emotional!

Knowing how you want to feel, and look, is a great start, but we all know that rationalizations (aka excuses) are powerful forces that can easily sidetrack us. Just when we think we’re ready to let go, these “reasons” tend to get in the way of our purge:

  • This will fit when I lose weight
  • I should have one of these – doesn’t everyone?
  • This item cost a lot of money and I’ve barely worn it
  • This was a gift and I feel really guilty letting it go
  • This trend will come back one day, they always do
  • I’ll need this if I get invited to a special occasion
  • I may need this if I overuse/lose the “good” ones
  • It’s sentimental and part of my personal history
  • It’s something I wore before or may wear in the future
  • My child/cousin/friend might want it

These rationalizations can be very powerful saboteurs in our quest for less and must be addressed if we are going to cleanse our closets properly. It is best to acknowledge that our emotional attachment to our wardrobes can run deep, and it takes determination and commitment to work through these challenges to reach our goals.

  1. Implementing a Strategy – Time to Act!

Realize that you will have to overcome challenges inherent in a closet cleanse. Start your decluttering with an easy category such as socks. Gather all like items from ALL places in your home (i.e. gym bags, office, back door, closet) and put them into piles. Once you gain momentum, then move onto another category.

On your own or with someone else (non-judgmental is key!), hold up each item and ask yourself:

  • Do I like this?
  • Do I wear this?
  • Does it make me FEEL good?
  • If I didn’t own this already, would I buy it again? How much would I pay for it?

Decide if the item is for keep, donate, sell, consign, repair, return, etc. Have clear bags ready along with green tape and a sharpie for labelling. With your piles in place, ruthlessly decide what goes back into your closet and drawers. Then, donate unwanted clothes, plan a clothing swap, put returns in your car – do whatever  it takes to get the items out of your home without delay! Celebrate your progress and keep going!

  1. Capsule Wardrobe

Capsule wardrobes are a popular topic lately, and it’s no wonder given our realization that having too many clothes and accessories can be extremely stressful. Creating a capsule wardrobe is a specific type of closet cleanse that involves clearing out unwanted or unused clothes and replacing them with a small number of highly versatile garments, that can be worn together.

As everyone has different tastes and needs, there are many ways to create a capsule wardrobe. However, these tips will help in any situation:

  • Decide on a number you can work with and choose clothes and accessories accordingly. i.e. choose 50 items to wear each season. Replace old pieces with new ones when needed.
  • If decluttering is difficult, put items in a “maybe box” and place the box out of sight for 1 to 3 months. If you haven’t needed, wanted or thought about the items after the time has passed, you can let go of them guilt-free, knowing you won’t miss or need them.
  • You can also try out a capsule wardrobe for a month or two. Put your other clothes out of sight and only use the clothes in your capsule. See how it feels after the time has passed and decide your next steps.

Do your best to only keep the things you love, hold happy or important memories for you, you wear often, feel good in and suit your personal style.

  1. Benefits

After deciding, sorting, decluttering, and letting go of clothing and accessories, hopefully you will feel some of these wonderful benefits:

  • Less decision fatigue because choosing what to wear becomes less stressful
  • More organized and clutter-free closets and drawers
  • Less spending money, more saving money!
  • Increased self-confidence knowing your wardrobe has been intentionally chosen
  • Regain control of your style and no longer be a slave to fashion trends
  • Increased self-confidence learning about your personal style

Whether you create a capsule wardrobe or simply declutter your closet, remember to be purposeful with your purchases so you add things to your wardrobe that will work well for you and you’ll wear often.

If you find that you could benefit from professional support, we are here to help! Please contact us for more information.

maxsold

How Online Auctions Can Help A House Clearing

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Imagine a home full of wonderful memories and meaningful experiences. Now imagine moving all the items supporting those memories and experiences. If you feel like this could be an overwhelming and stressful process, you are not alone. For many people downsizing, relocating or managing an estate, questions such as, “what do I do with all the stuff I no longer need or want?”, “how can I regain some of the costs of my valuable items?” and “how do I know the value of my belongings?” appear frequently.

Enter MaxSold, an online auction service that manages the sale of your items online.

What is MaxSold?

Founded in 1956 to meet the needs of people clearing a house, MaxSold manages the online sale of any items you no longer want or need. By providing an online portal for each individual sale, MaxSold takes away the stress of having to deal with hundreds of individual buyers over e-mail, phone and in-person like when you list things with Craigslist, Kijiji, Facebook, etc.  With MaxSold, you deal with one professional team from start to finish.

MaxSold says, “MaxSold believes that sellers deserve the transparency, ease of use, and profitability, and sellers should not have to be a technology expert, marketing expert or logistics expert in order to sell their goods.”

Not only is MaxSold a viable option for sellers, buyers also have online access to unique items in specific geographic locations that come from one home – from vintage to modern, furniture to figurines. The hope is that buyers will cherish their new treasures or give the items a new life by re-purposing or up-cycling.

The Managed Model

MaxSold has two sale models for sellers to choose from. The Managed model means MaxSold professionals take care of all photography, item cataloging, and supervising pickups. Fees are 30% + $700.

The Seller Managed Model

The Seller Managed model means that the seller is responsible for photographing, cataloging, and supervising pickup. Marketing is included and there are no up-front fees. The fee is the greater of $300 or 30%.

In both models, the MaxSold team is responsible for the auction hosting, online advertising, local marketing, notification to buyers, and collection of payments.  MaxSold will market your items and notify buyers (collectors, antique dealers, resellers and people looking for things to buy.

Once you decide which model you will be using, sellers or the Simply Home Downsizing team create “lots” of items to sell. These could be single-items (i.e. dining room table) or a collection of items that make sense being sold together (i.e. crock pot with a set of dishes). The goal is to maximize online sales by putting valuable or desirable items in different lots. Once the lots are created, photographs are taken and uploaded through the MaxSold cataloguing app to your unique seller’s page on the MaxSold website. The sale is launched (a 2-week period is suggested) and potential buyers begin to bid online.

Will Your Auction Actually Be Seen? Yes!

MaxSold advertises it’s online auctions through online classifieds, paid Facebook ads, social media platforms, estate sale websites, and more. According to their website, each MaxSold auction attracts between 10-50% new bidders who learned about it through targeted social media advertising and posts on Craigslist, Kijiji, Ebay, Auctionzip, Estatesales.net/org and more.

When a bidder registers and bids for an item in an auction, they submit their credit card information. Upon the auction close date, all successful bidders are notified, invoiced and their credit cards are processed. Taxes are collected and processed by MaxSold. Along with payment in the form of a single cheque or direct deposit, sellers will receive a full report of every item, how much it sold for, and any commission taken.

So how many items should you have? Based on the commission of 30%, having at least 50 lots makes the best sense – economically and timewise. Again, lots can include all kinds of home items – think garden tools, oil paintings, kids LEGO, or an entire bedroom set.

Benefits and Challenges of MaxSold

Benefits:

  • Quick turnaround (2 weeks) to sell decades of items
  • Ability to sell not just fine china, art and antiques, but everyday household items
  • Access to the “Quick-Worth finder” which shows every past item sold and its price
  • Minimum commissions that allow the sale of any items without judgement
  • Full view of the sale from start-to-finish, including detailed day-to-day reporting
  • Easy set-up, management, fee distribution, and turnaround for sellers and buyers

Challenges:

  • Finding time to sort through and catalogue your items into lots (Simply Home Downsizing can help!)
  • You cannot set a minimum bid on any item/lot – each lot starts at $1
  • Items cannot be removed from an auction once bidding has begun
  • You must accept the amount that your lot sells for – once an auction is set up, all sales are final
  • Unsold items are the seller’s responsibility. They can be given away or sold as-is to buyers coming to pick-up their paid items. (MaxSold claims their sell rate is nearly 100%.)

So how can you calculate the value of your crystal vases? Teak dinette set? Pinball machine? Record collection? Although there is no way to predict what an item will sell for, factors such as rarity, condition, and whether or not something is collectible and/or has a certificate of authenticity matter. MaxSold has a “Quick-Worth finder” which allows sellers to see every item that has been sold and for what price. This helps sellers gauge the value of their items.

If you are looking for a way to clear out a house quickly and thoroughly, while recouping the cost of some of your valuables, MaxSold is a viable option. At Simply Home Downsizing, we assist clients sorting and categorizing their items for a MaxSold online sale, often resulting in an easy-to-manage and positive experience for all involved. Please connect with us to learn more.