Say Goodbye to Less-Loved Books

Say Goodbye to Less-Loved Books

If, like several of my clients, you are an avid reader, you have bookshelves crammed with books and piles of books you have not read. At some point, you find yourself running out of space, but you cannot fit another bookcase in your home. Alternatively, you are planning to move and do not want to pack up or pay for movers to haul dozens of boxes of (heavy) books.

A good practice is an annual edit. Here are some categories of books you can get rid of – and feel comfortable doing so:

  • Books you have read and know you will never read again.
  • Books others have given you that you know you will never read.
  • Books that you might read again, but you can always borrow from the library.

Keep the books you love, even if you do not think you will read them again if seeing them on the shelf gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling.

Still, you may be wondering what to do with the books you do not want. That is easy!  Donate them so that they can find new homes. Your local library might accept donations for book sales. Some nonprofits accept books, including Goodwill and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Another option in the Greater Boston area, for example, is an organization that supports at-risk youth; it accepts used books and has donation bins in many towns: https://shop.mtwyouth.org/ . They will even accept books that most local libraries will not, such as textbooks.

I know someone who believes, “He who dies with the most books wins,” but that is only for people who have unlimited space, and that is not me and probably not you!

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What to Flush From Your Bathroom (That Is Not What I Mean)

What to Flush From Your Bathroom (That Is Not What I Mean)

Your bathroom is the smallest room in your house so you might not think of it as a space needing decluttering because it does not hold as many things. Oh, you are very much mistaken!

Go through your medicine cabinet and toss any medication, creams, ointments, and the like that have expired or that you no longer use. What about those hair ties whose elastic has seen better days?

Do you store cosmetics, nail polish, and sunscreen in your bathroom? When was the last time you checked those? Cosmetics need to be replaced to prevent bacteria buildup. Sunscreen loses its effectiveness if left open for more than a year. Nail polish dries up.

How about your towels? Are they due for replacement because of fading, wear, or fraying? Aren’t you tired of trimming threads every time you do laundry?

Do you have a collection of “hotel” shampoo bottles, conditioners, and moisturizers that you do not use?  Why not start a toiletries bag for travel that contains some so that you are all ready to go? Alternatively, donate those to a local shelter or food pantry.

To keep the stores at bay, regularly edit as you grab for an item in your bathroom, especially if you know you have not used it in a while. Better yet, get in the habit of putting the date you purchased the item or mark the expiration date on it using a permanent marker. That will make it easier for you to see when you need to toss an old, expired item.

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I Know It Is Here Somewhere

I Know It Is Here Somewhere

For the shortest month of the year, here is my shortest blog of the year: a quick tip that is so easy to implement that you will make it part of your lifestyle.

The next time you misplace something—whether a tool, a document on your computer, a piece of paper—and you finally find it, put it back in the very first place you looked for it because that is where it belongs.

Filing and organizing are not storage systems per se; rather, think of them as retrieval systems so that you can find what you want at a moment’s notice.

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Clean Out Your E-Mail Inbox

Clean Out Your E-Mail Inbox

An overflowing e-mail inbox might not make your home look cluttered, or course, but the negative psychological effects can be overwhelming.

Frustrated that you cannot find an email you just know you have because you have just too many in your inbox? As in 20,000 emails? Or more? (I know someone with 88,400 and counting!) You know you should clear them out, but that task seems rather daunting.

Here is a time-saving technique for deleting massive amounts of email, while saving those you want to keep.

First, create a folder and name it something like Save or Keep. If you want to do this like a pro, create multiple folders that you can sort your emails into. (See my previous blog, Overwhelmed by Email? Three Ways to Gain Control for how to do this)

Then do a search and find for senders whose emails you want to keep (your boss, friends, or family). One at a time, move those to your Save folder. Repeat until you have found the messages you want to keep. You can use the Search feature or simply scroll.

Whatever is left in your Inbox then should be e-mails you do not need any more. You can Search and Delete emails from retailers who send you daily or weekly sales notifications. Do likewise with nonprofits, political organizations, and others that regular send you emails and will continue to send you more up-to-date newsletters and notifications.

Deleting these should put a serious dent in your Inbox.

When you feel confident you have saved all the messages you DO want, then you can delete the rest in one large mass.

Another approach is to sort your mail from Oldest to Newest and select the Oldest messages (how many is your call) to delete, on the good odds that email more than 3 years (or 1 year, or 5 years) old is no longer relevant. Just remember, before deleting, move the messages you want to keep into another folder. You can always move them back into your inbox if that is your preference.

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Seven ‘Housekeeping’ Chores to Perform on Your Mobile Phone Today

Seven ‘Housekeeping’ Chores to Perform on Your Mobile Phone Today

Managing apps on a mobile phone can help improve performance, free up storage space, and make it easier to find and use the apps you need. Here are seven ‘housekeeping’ chores to perform on your mobile phone today to help you achieve such goals:

  1. Organize Home Screen: Group similar apps together in folders. For example, create folders for social media, productivity, photography, and travel. Place frequently used apps on the home screen for quick access. You can even put your favorite apps in a folder on the home screen labeled “Favorites”.
  2. Remove Unused Apps: Regularly review your apps and uninstall those you no longer use. Unused apps take up storage space and may run background processes, affecting performance. Consider using the “App Usage” feature on your phone to identify apps you rarely use.
  3. Update Apps: Keep your apps updated to ensure you have the latest features, bug fixes, and security patches. If comfortable, enable automatic updates in your app store settings to save time.
  4. Use Widgets: Customize your home screen with widgets. Widgets provide quick access to app functions without opening the app. Use widgets for weather, calendar events, notes, and more.
  5. Optimize Notifications: Manage app notifications to reduce clutter. Disable notifications for less important apps and customize the types of alerts you receive.
  6. Use App Shortcuts: Take advantage of app shortcuts (available on some Android devices and iOS) to quickly access specific features within an app. Press and hold an app icon to reveal shortcuts or quick actions.
  7. Backup and Sync Settings: Backup app data and settings to your cloud account, if available. This can be useful when switching devices or in case you need to restore your phone. Take advantage of app-specific cloud syncing options for seamless data transfer between devices.

Just as we do regular cleaning in our home, we need to also apply those same cleaning principles to our digital lives. I know, it is one more task to add to our already busy lives, but it will prove useful in the long run.

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Eleven Creative Storage Solutions

Eleven Creative Storage Solutions

Creative storage solutions can help you keep your belongings organized while also adding aesthetic appeal to your living spaces. Here are eleven creative ways to store belongings:

  1. Floating Shelves: Install floating shelves on walls to display and store items without taking up floor space. Arrange books, plants, or decorative items on them in a way you find attractive.
  2. Hanging Storage: Use wall-mounted hooks, pegs, or hanging organizers to store items like hats, bags, or accessories. Hang a decorative ladder on the wall for storing blankets, scarves, or magazines.
  3. Under-Bed Storage: Take advantage of the space under your bed by using storage bins, drawers, or bed risers. Alternatively, buy a bed with built-in storage drawers.
  4. Multi-Functional Furniture: Choose furniture with built-in storage, such as sofas, ottomans, coffee tables, or benches.
  5. Clever Closet Solutions: Install pull-out or slide-in organizers within closets to maximize space. Use hanging shoe organizers on the back of closet doors for shoes, accessories, or small items.
  6. Repurposed Furniture: Repurpose old furniture, such as vintage trunks, crates, or cabinets, for unique storage solutions. Use an old ladder as a bookshelf or display unit. Use an old dresser in your entryway to store gloves, scarves, and hats in the winter and sunglasses, hats, and suntan lotion in the summer.
  7. Magnetic Wall Storage: Install magnetic strips on walls or inside cabinets to store small metal items like knives, tools, or spice containers. Attach magnetic boards for notes, reminders, and small items.
  8. Pegboard Organization: Install pegboard on walls or the back of closet doors to create customizable storage for tools, craft supplies, or kitchen utensils. Hang baskets, hooks, and shelves on the pegboard for added versatility. Take it a step further by outlining the items, especially tools, so that once the tool is removed and used, one knows exactly where to hang it back.
  9. Curtain Rods with S-Hooks: Install curtain rods in various spaces (kitchen, closet, bathroom) and use S-hooks to hang pots, pans, or other items. Hang scarves, belts, or bags on curtain rods in the closet. Under the kitchen sink is a great place to utilize this. Hang your cleaning bottles on the curtain rod.
  10. Corkboard or Bulletin Board: Use a corkboard or bulletin board to organize and display notes, jewelry, or small items. Attach small containers or pouches to hold pens, keys, or other essentials.
  11. Open Wardrobe Rack: Create an open wardrobe using a clothing rack to display and organize clothes. Add shelves or baskets for shoes and accessories.

The key to effective storage is combining functionality with aesthetics. Applying creativity with practicality can result in storage solutions that enhance both the organization and the visual appeal of your living spaces.

Photo: Pixabay

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Eight Factors Driving the Psychology of Clutter

Eight Factors Driving the Psychology of Clutter

Ever wonder why we clutter? The psychology behind clutter is complex and can vary from person to person, but here are eight factors that contribute to why people accumulate and struggle with clutter:

  1. Attachment and Sentimentality: People often form emotional attachments to objects, associating them with memories, relationships, or significant life events. Letting go of these items may feel like letting go of a part of themselves or their past.
  2. Fear of Waste or Loss: Some individuals have a fear of wasting resources or money, leading them to keep items they no longer need or use in the belief that they might find a use for them in the future. This fear can be rooted in a scarcity mindset.
  3. Decision-Making Challenges: Sorting through possessions and deciding what to keep and what to discard can be mentally taxing. Decision fatigue, perfectionism, or a lack of organizational skills can contribute to the accumulation of clutter.
  4. Procrastination: Procrastination can result from a lack of motivation, feeling overwhelmed, or a tendency to prioritize short-term rewards over long-term benefits.
  5. Consumer Culture: Living in a consumer-driven society can contribute to the accumulation of belongings. Constant exposure to advertisements and societal pressure to acquire more possessions can lead to impulsive buying and the accumulation of unnecessary items.
  6. Stress and Coping Mechanism: Clutter can be a physical manifestation of internal stress or emotional turmoil. Some people use the act of acquiring and holding onto possessions to cope with stress, anxiety, or other emotional challenges.
  7. Perceived Value: Some people may overvalue their possessions, believing that they are more valuable or useful than they are. This overvaluation can make it difficult for them to part with items.
  8. Lack of Time and Energy: Individuals may lack the time and energy required to regularly declutter and organize their living spaces.

Addressing clutter often involves a combination of psychological insights, behavioral changes, and practical strategies. Professional organizers and therapists can be valuable in assisting individuals in understanding and overcoming the psychological barriers associated with clutter.

Photo: Pixabay

 

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Preparing for Un-Decorating This Season

Preparing for Un-Decorating This Season

Have you had enough of your Christmas and holiday decorations yet? Someone I know leaves her Christmas tree up until Valentine’s day, and another, leaves her artificial Christmas tree up all year long. She takes off the ornaments but loves the ambiance of the white lights on the tree throughout the year.

Whenever you begin to dismantle your holiday decorations, take inventory of what you liked and the way you decorated by capturing the room or themed area with a photo. When you put the items away, try to keep them together to make next year’s task an easy, peasy, repeat, and decorate! Do not forget to label your bins after you put the cover on.

Take note of items that you still have boxed up that you did not put out this year. Is it time to let them go? Constantly re-evaluating your items keeps you from overstoring unwanted ones. As you buy or are given new holiday decorations, take stock of what you have, and switch things up, especially if you have grown tired of a certain theme like snowmen or Santas or if you have decided to have minimalistic décor. It is your house; you can do what you want!

Next, make a list of holiday themed items you are running low on such as wrapping paper, gift tags, ribbon, bows, plastic ware, or paper goods. When you are out shopping, you may come across deep discounts on these items. Keep the list handy so that next year you know precisely what you do and do not need to restock if you have not been able to find these items on sale after Christmas.

The year flies by so quickly, and we may not exactly remember the various ways we like to decorate or entertain for the holiday season. Maintaining pictures and lists may just give our memories the boost they need to make next year’s holiday more enjoyable and perhaps even easier on us. Enjoy your last few days of 2023!

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Organizing Gifts Ideas for the Holidays

Organizing Gifts Ideas for the Holidays

If you are still struggling with finding gift ideas for your family/friends/co-workers, here are a few ideas that will help even the most organized person feel even more organized!

  1. AirTag – I bought a packet of four AirTags prior to my trip to Italy in July. I put one in my checked luggage and one in my anti-theft crossbody bag. The other two I gave to my friend who was traveling with me, and she placed her two in her luggage and crossbody bag. She did not have an iPhone, so I traced our devices along the way. They came in handy when we were waiting and waiting at Logan, after our trip, for our luggage to come out. The same bags kept going round and round and not ours. I used the Find My app to make sure they were indeed at Logan and viola, they were! I know people who use these on their dogs, key rings, and bicycles. Handy to have for lost items. A client even slipped one in a packed box to track the truck as it moved her items from a storage unit in MA to her in FL. She knew exactly when it left and where it was on route.
  2. Cable Cord Box – Who likes looking at a jumble of cords under their desk? This box makes your home office look ten times better with the ability to put a power strip INSIDE the box and run the cables through the slits in the front and one the sides of the box. Since there is a cover, you can even set your phone, watch, or ear buds on of the box with all their charging cords hidden below.
  3. Universal Lid for Pots and Pans – This stainless-steel lid is perfect for two reasons. One is that you do not need to have a separate lid for every pan/pot in your kitchen. Two, if you have lost a lid to your favorite pot, here is your replacement! It fits cookware between 6 inches to 12 inches.
  4. Laptop Bag Set – Need to protect your laptop when in transit? Want to also have a laptop stand? This bag does both! It is stylish and no need to carry a separate laptop stand.
  5. Linen Sheet Organizer – What is the best way to organize your sheet? This product is amazing. It keeps the entire set together, and the best part is that you do not have to properly fold your sheets to store them. Bonus – there is a window that shows you the sheet color and a place for you to label what is inside. This can transform your messy linen closet!

May your holidays be less stressful this year and may this list make the gift recipient feel more organized in 2024!

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Fed Up with Companies Selling Your Personal Data?

Fed Up with Companies Selling Your Personal Data?

Are you sick and tired of companies selling your personal data? Consumer Reports has developed an app, “Permission Slip,” that reveals the kind of data that companies collect, trade, and sell. With a simple tap in the app, you can tell those companies “Do not sell my data” or “Delete my account.”

All you need to do is enter your information—name, address, email address(es)—into the app and the app will send the necessary documentation to the company.

The app is free, and you do not need to subscribe to Consumer Reports to use it. It is available in the Apple Store for iPhones and Google Play for Android phones.

How easy is it to use? In less than 10 minutes I made 21 requests, which the app estimates would take 42 hours if I had to navigate each site and make the request manually. How effective is it? Well, the only way to prevent the giants (such as Amazon, Google, Facebook, X) from selling your account is to delete your data and delete your account. So, it’s not perfect, but it’s something.

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