Maybe the cold is not your thing. Is it being on a pier overlooking the soft undulating waters beneath? And the warm caresses from the blowing breezes? What about walking on the warm crunchy sand beneath your feet? Or do you want to be on the water in your sailboat, canoe, fishing boat, or yacht, with the vast ocean all around you?

None of that appeals? Then what about walking in the forest with that wonderful earthy, mossy smell, with leaves rustling underfoot? Do you love the cool feeling inside the forest when it’s blasting hot outside?

Then again, you may find peace in the big city. Looking at all the tall buildings and the bustle of crowds all around you gives you a rush of excitement as well as peace. The people all seem to be on a very important mission and you feel a part of that.

Whatever your preference, keep it in mind when you’re doing something that you dislike – like organizing. We all know that organizing is not fun, unless you do it for someone else. If what you’re doing is stressing you out, take a deep breath and think of your personal private place that brings you peace. Whether it’s real, or just perceived, it brings peace.

‘Til next time . . . Sheila G. McCurdy, THE Organizer from clutter STOP® to your rescue!
520-822-4036 sheila@clutterstop.com

© 4/15/2013 clutter STOP®

For the 19 out of the 20 years I have been in business, I have always used paper instead of the computer for notes and calendars and reminders – and sometimes those reminders were on sticky notes.  Then one day at a networking event I noticed the woman sitting next to me, who was on her I-Pad.  She was putting down notes and checking her calendar and entering a business card’s information.  The I-Pad sat atop a small keyboard.  I was fascinated at what she could do on this small computer-type machine.  I asked her how she liked it and then found out that the keyboard was separate from the I-Pad itself.

After musing about it for a couple of weeks, I went to the online store and bought my I-Pad.  I was even able to engrave it with my name and phone number – just in case it got lost or stolen.  I then had to make a separate trip to a local retailer for the keyboard.  It took me awhile to go through the icons and discover what they each could do.  What I truly love is the ability to put everyone into the I-Cloud function, which gives you the ability to enter tons of information about everyone you want to remember.  If I remember correctly, I spent a full day on a Saturday entering all my contacts from all the networking and professional groups I am associated with, plus family and friends.  Because I hate tedious work (at least when I have to do it for myself), I turned on the TV and watched several movies!

A month into my new I-Pad my cell phone decided to die.  I really loved that little flip phone.  I could tuck it beneath my bra strap with nothing showing.  I was not happy!  Off to the phone store I go and, of course, that cell phone is just too old to fix.  I checked out all the different models of new cell phones and decided on the I-Phone V.  Why?  Because its icons are the same (and more) than I had on the I-Pad  and I was able to start using it without too much difficulty.  But again, I had to play with all the icons to see what they would do.  The only thing that I’ve added in the way of an App, so far, is something called CamCard.  It allows you to take a picture of a business card and have it go into your contact list, on the I-Phone, the I-Pad, and my computer!  Three in one, and from a picture!  But, I really didn’t like the way it copied the card, so now I just enter all the information myself, and it STILL shows up on my I-Phone, I-Pad, and computer!  I can enter anything from any of the three devices and it shows up on all three at once.

All items are not perfect, and I still cannot use Word on my I-Pad, but I can enter whatever I want into the ‘Notes’ function on the I-Pad and it stays there until I delete it without even asking if I want to save it.  I can then do a regular cut and paste into a Word document on my computer and then edit it, if needed.  It was an experiment that worked, and I’m very happy about it because as Secretary to one of my professional groups I can now takes notes on my I-Pad and then transfer them to a Word document when I get back to my office.  No more hand cramping with tedious note taking.  Sweet!  And no more sticky notes!

The best part of all is the Calendar function.  I used to go everywhere with my Franklin Planner, which is big and bulky.  It’s a beautiful red mock-crocodile cover and I dreaded carrying it everywhere.  When I’m in my office I go to I-Cloud on my computer (you have to log in and use a password, but you can also ask it to save that for you so that it automatically comes up), and enter whatever on my calendar.  When I’m at an event and need to add something to my calendar, I pull out my phone and add it there.  Voila!  All my appointments are on the computer, the I-Pad, and my I-Phone.

Why am I bothering to tell you all of this?  Because as a confirmed paper pusher I never dreamed that I would get to love techy things.  But, when something makes your life quicker and more efficient, I’m all for it.  However, just to be safe, I still double-input items on my calendar – both the cell and the paper one.  I’m only human and I’ve only used these devices since January so I’m playing it safe.  Did I mention that I’m just a teensy-weensy bit paranoid!  I hope that all of you who have been terrified of moving forward into the tech world may find some solace in my adventure.  And I will surely keep you informed of any new things that I have braved to move forward on!

‘Til next time . . . Sheila G. McCurdy, THE Organizer from clutter STOP® to your rescue!
520-822-4036     sheila@clutterstop.com

Don’t these questions drive you nuts?  They do me.  I know I’ve been really busy, and I know that I have met with dozens of people over the last three months.  But have I accomplished anything in doing so?  I can only hope that I have.  Unfortunately, what I’m involved in may require a lot longer than three months to see any results.  Sometimes patience is the name of the game, rather than constantly calling and re-calling prospects that might be in the same place as you (unable to move forward).

So what do we do?  How do we stay calm in an environment of doom and gloom everywhere.  What if we called those prospects and asked them how we could help them today?  If someone is stuck and is experiencing great anxiety, don’t you think that offering them a solution to their dilemma might make them a great future client or customer?  Just think about it.  You’re on the phone with someone and all you ask them is how you can help them today.  I think that most people will ignore your offer, but then there are those who actually will ask you something that you can actually help them with.  In these trying times answers to ongoing issues would be a breath of fresh air for them.

So now I ask you – what can I help YOU with today?  Do you need a quick tip?  Do you need to know how long to keep papers for taxes?  Do you need a will?  Do you need a housekeeper?  What about a landscaper or a painter?  Do you just need someone to listen?  Ask!  I’m all ears!

‘Til next time . . . Sheila G. McCurdy, THE Organizer from clutter STOP® to your rescue!
520-822-4036     sheila@clutterstop.com 

Even better – place a sticky note on everything you’re putting in the drawer, telling you what needs to be done with each piece of paper/project.  It is best to do this so that you don’t have to again re-read the piece of paper, or go through the project, yet again.  Re-reading causes many delays in progress.

A client, many years ago, said just about the same thing to me, “I didn’t know that I had the key to unlock the mystery door until you showed it to me.”  She, of course, was an organizing client who was amazed at how much she really did know about organizing.  She spent so much time lamenting about her clutter that she didn’t bother to just sit and think things through.
Organizers are people just like you.  We, too, have our clutter issues.  The big difference is that we know where we want the clutter to go – in the trash, recycle bin, or to its home.  We also get busy so we wait to organize.  Or, we become ill and everything just stops.  When that happens, our clutter hangs around and then it takes us extra time to take care of it when we’re feeling better.

The big mystery to us, and to all of you, is why things just don’t stay organized once you’ve organized it!  Unfortunately, that mystery I cannot solve.  I only know that for any area to remain clutter-free it has to be “combed” every day, just like your hair.  If I could comb my hair and style it and then never have to do it again, I would be thrilled.  But, that isn’t realistic, so I guess expecting our spaces to remain pristine is also unrealistic.  Too bad, because there are way too many fun things to do besides picking up, putting away, or throwing away items that mysteriously appear every time we turn around.  Yes, even people who live alone find this to be true!

There is a caution to this message – don’t become so consumed in keeping everything shipshape that you make others uncomfortable being around you.  Yes, if you collect way too much, people are still going to be uncomfortable around you.  I am talking about your incessant need to constantly wipe out an ashtray when someone is using it, or taking plates off the table before someone can even ask for seconds.  Living in perfection is no more fun than ceiling height collections are.

Mysteries challenge us, so look at a way that you can solve your mystery – the easiest way to keep calm and basically clutter-free without it becoming an all-consuming habit.  Then have some fun!

Sheila G. McCurdy, clutter STOP® & Tucson Hoarding Team

However, January was designated as the organizing month by the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO).  It used to be for two weeks in October, but then someone wanted it to coincide with the New Year and the resolutions that people make – typically of getting organized.

You can look at this another way – it’s only one month out of twelve!  That doesn’t help, huh?  Well, why don’t we break it down by month?  Here are some examples:

January – Clean out your garage.  Buy shelving units and bins to handle the stuff sitting in the middle of the garage floor so that you can’t park your car.

February – Clean the attic out.  If you have been storing a lot of stuff up there, consider selling it or giving to charities.

March – Clean the basement.  If you have a stuffed basement, it’s time to let go.

April – Clean the gutters and spruce up the front and back yards.  Plant something you love.

May – Clean the inside and outside of all your windows, including the screens, sills, and  whatever is covering the windows.

June – Clean the kitchen top to bottom.  Clean out all the cupboards and pantry, stove and sink. Put up new kitchen curtains.  Get set for summer parties.

July – Clean out all the closets, one room at a time.  Remove items not being used and donate them, or find a way to store them in the garage, or elsewhere.

August – Clean the living room, top to bottom.  Switch the room furniture around to give it a new look.

September – Clean the kid’s rooms, top to bottom.  Talk to them about the toys that they have and have them donate to a charity that they pick (offer them some choices).

October – If you do holiday cards, start now.  Do a few each weekend so that they’re ready to mail in early December, or earlier for earlier holidays.

November – Get ready for the holidays.  Take out special dishes that you use and wash them. Put holiday décor someplace so that you can easily bring it to the room you want, and return it after the holidays.

December – Clean the bathrooms and freshen everything.  Put out festive towels.

These months are not set in concrete, so feel free to move them around any way that you want.  They are just examples of how you can approach each month with something to do, rather than looking at each day like it’s a tyrant.  Enjoy your home and the holidays! And, if you do not have an attic or basement, you can decide what you would like to do in those months – maybe a nice vacation!

Coach & Organizer Sheila G. McCurdy  sheila@clutterstop.com   520-822-4036

© clutter STOP®  January 2013

While I do understand this feeling, I also understand that the article is correct (by Jackie Ashton of apartmenttherapy.com).  You might try it just to see how you feel.  When a bed is left unmade it just seems that the whole room is “unmade.”  It even attracts clutter because, after all, the bed is already messy.

Try it out for a whole week and see how you feel.  Does the made bed make you notice that other things are not where they belong?  Doesn’t this entice you to clear it up so that the entire room has a fresh aura to it?

Once you’ve done this for a whole week, check out how you feel.  Do you feel better when the bed and the room are uncluttered?  Or do you still think this is all bogus?  If you do, then I guess you will live in a perpetual state of “unmade.”

The problem with living in unmade rooms is that the clutter that is physically before you also clutters up your mind emotionally.  When you leave your home for work or for a social engagement, do you feel fresh and breezy, or literally weighed down by what you left behind?

Lots of questions here, questions that you need to answer for yourself, honestly.  No one else is around to scold you so it’s all up to you to change it.  You can, if you really want to!  If you feel you can’t change it on your own, there are many professional organizers that can help.
Good luck!

Coach & Organizer:  Sheila G. McCurdy, clutter STOP®   520-822-4036    sheila@clutterstop.com

© clutter STOP® January 2013

What is your journey?  What have you done over this year that has brought you pleasure?  It could be a single great event, like having a baby.  Or, you finally landed that super-great job.  Or, you started your own business, either out of your home, or in an office building.  Or, you got married.  Or, you got a divorce (that should have happened right away).  Sometimes, like me, you marvel at what you were able to accomplish in just one year.  The question is, what will we do in the coming year?

For myself, because of my age, I do not make New Year’s resolutions.  It seems like all you do is set yourself up for failure.  I breeze into the New Year like I left the old year, one day at a time.  Years ago I tried my best to figure out what I wanted to do or be in five years.  It didn’t work.  Then I tried setting goals for just one year.  That didn’t work either.  I moved through each day, client after client, and then one day an idea would germinate.  The idea sat there for some time until I could “look” at all aspects of it.  Did I want to move forward on the idea?  Would I have time to do it?  And sometimes, like this past year, I had several ideas, and moved forward on all of them.  Then again, ideas came and almost in a split second I was plowing my way through the steps to achieve an outcome.

We never know what lies ahead.  As one gets older we try to stop the passage of time, without much luck.  But then something happens and everything stands still.  I truly believe that to be happy and content with what you are doing is to continue doing it for as long as you can.  If you do not like what you’re doing then some soul-searching may provide you with the path you want to be on.  Life is easier when you like what you’re doing.  There’s an old saying, “If you love what you do, it is no longer a job.”  A job implies work, and doing what you love is not work, it is your passion.

As we travel through 2013 we may find smooth paths, or rocky roads.  Do not let a little bump in the road derail your happiness!  Keep going forward.  What you are not able to accomplish today, you will accomplish tomorrow – not to put it off, but to gain strength of knowledge and character.

God bless you, and all that you do in the coming year!

Your Coach & Organizer . . . Sheila G. McCurdy, CPO®, clutter STOP®

Check out what the following article says about this!  And – Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

http://elkodaily.com/lifestyles/make-it-work-gift-clutter/article_8ca1a906-38ab-11e2-818e-001a4bcf887a.html

In my work with children I am up close and personal with them.  ADHD kids have issues with getting homework to and from school, or literally can’t find a paper in their backpack, even though it really is in there – somewhere.  Children with learning disabilities may get stuck on telling me, over and over again, about a concern they have, or a question that no answer seems to satisfy.  This sometimes leads them to, almost absent-mindedly, collecting things because they can’t get the answer they need so they can do something with an item. Parents may find these constant questions very annoying, but unfortunately, they need to be answered.  And children who have diminished mental capabilities, due either to birth or a brain injury, need very simple and very easy solutions to their clutter problems.  Keeping it easy and simple allows them to establish rote routines to follow that help with many of their on-going life issues.

But, children with hoarding issues bring a whole new set of things that have to be thought of.  Well-meaning family members or family friends give these children way too many toys.  This is even truer when he/she is an only child.  For girls, clothes and shoes are ready culprits.  Then it’s the Barbie dolls and their clothes.  On the surface, this looks “normal.”  What no one sees is the food that is stashed under the bed, or the piece of yarn or thread inside of a little purse, or a rock of a certain color that has turned into 50 rocks.  It literally is the small thing that becomes two, and then three, and so on.  Parents and grandparents are too quick to ignore these signs.  As this child grows up the pieces of string become balls of string, and the rocks become furniture, or books, or pretty boxes, or plants that take up every available space.

Hoarders of all ages have one thing in common – they LOVE the item that they’re holding or have touched.  The more you offer them, the more stuff they have to love.  One 9-year-old I worked with had a very large collection of purses, in all shapes and sizes.  In each of the purses she had little “goodies,” from her friends, as a memory of that friend.  She didn’t want to let go of any of the purses because her “friends were inside.”  With Mom’s help, we had her choose the purses that she loved the most, and then we put all her friends together in those purses.  Instead of 50, she had 5.  The process was not pretty.  There were tears and tantrums, but luckily Mom stood strong.  And this child started seeing a therapist.  This cute, adorable 9-year-old actually had OCD and was put on medication.  Her life consists of making the hard choices between what she loves, and what she just likes.  If the choosing doesn’t start at a young age, then becoming an adult who hoards makes life really miserable.

Boys who hoard start out the same way.  They have boxes and shelves full of Lego’s.  Once something is built they put it on the shelf, never to undo it.  They might build something else if there are enough parts, but not usually.  Then they get more for a birthday or holiday, and the same thing happens.  After a while you need a footlocker to hold all the pieces.  Then they’re on to racing cars and dumpster trucks and whatever else moves on wheels.  The collections grow and grow, with no brakes applied.  Dad says, “He’s a boy and he’s doing what all boys do.”  That’s nice, but all boys do not turn into hoarders.  They had parents who put a limit on how many different Lego’s they could have, or cars, trucks and whatever else they are collecting.

It is sad, but these young boys can become so immersed in their things that they don’t bother making friends or socializing with anyone at all.  I worked with one 10-year-old boy who collected every pencil, pen, paper, ruler, and rubber eraser that he saw.  He said he liked their shape, and how they felt.  We spent a number of hours on different days going through his room.  The only thing he didn’t want me to do was go through one of the drawers beneath his bed, (the mattress sat on top of the drawers).  All the others were fine and we pulled out loads of paper, pens, marbles, comic books, crayons, etc.  When everything was done, I asked him about the drawer he didn’t want me to go into.  He said he was embarrassed for me to go into it.  So, I asked if he had girlie magazines in the drawer.  Nope.  Did he keep food in the drawer?  Nope.  Was he keeping something that belonged to someone else?  Nope.  Did he have drugs in the drawer?  Nope.  Well, I was stumped.  What on earth could he possibly have in there?  After this line of questioning I finally said, “Whatever you have in that drawer, I will not tell your Mom, and I will not laugh or scold you.”  He finally opened the drawer!  There was the usual collection of papers and I just couldn’t figure out what was so bad in this drawer.  Then he reached in and took out a photo of himself.  He told me he hated the photo and thought he looked ugly and fat and he just didn’t want anyone seeing it!  I looked at it, looked at him, and then looked at the photo again.  I said, “You’re right, this photo is not flattering at all, you’re much cuter.”  He smiled.  I asked him why he was keeping the photo if he didn’t like it and it embarrassed him.  He just shrugged, like saying “I don’t know.” So I said, “Why don’t you just tear it up and throw it away?”  He looked at me, gave me a big smile, and tore that picture into tiny little pieces.  Kids are marvelous!  And they have a never-ending storage of surprises for you.

The biggest areas of help for children hoarders are going to be their parents, or their caretakers.  They will have to train the child in how to make decisions about their possessions.  If their child has OCD then they will need the help of a therapist, and possibly medication.  Our children are our next leaders.  We must help them grow up to be clear-thinking adults who know how to handle their internal and external worlds.

‘Til next time . . . Coach Sheila  clutter STOP® 520-822-4036  sheila@clutterstop.com