Downsizing can be quite a stressful operation. It is not only time-consuming but it can be a logistics nightmare, and it might require you to get rid of things that you might have an emotional attachment with.
Our aim is to share some of the most intelligent steps you could take when you’re about to move and downsize.
Plan Ahead
Take time to plan ahead and work out all the details of your move. For example, you can choose the best time to move by carefully considering possible traffic issues, and selecting a time frame that won’t be too stressful for you, in light of work commitments and other things in your calendar.
Get Rid Of Extra Things
As the name might imply, “downsizing” often means that you simply might not be able to enjoy as much space as you used to. Therefore,
you might need to get rid of some of your belongings. It’s important to really go through your stuff well ahead of your moving date. Some people struggle with the idea of getting rid of some of their belongings, so they often procrastinate, only to panic during the very last stages of their move. As a result, they frantically cherry pick their items and often overlook important things. By sorting through your items in a timely manner, you are going to have plenty of time to determine what matters, and what could be expandable.
For this reason, it is important to take downsizing seriously, and understand what it means. Don’t just move all of your things to a smaller space. This will only cost you time and money. Make sure that you manage your possessions accordingly. Get to know your space, and carefully list your belongings so you have a clearer idea of how much stuff you have.
Get Someone To Help You
Whether its friends, family members, assistants, or a professional organizer – asking for help might be the best way to go in most situations. Moving can be stressful, particularly if you are on your own. The process requires many tasks, including lugging furniture around, moving boxes, cataloging things, packing, unpacking, driving, and so on. Having someone by your side could ease your load significantly. There is no need to get too stressed when you’re downsizing. A helping hand along the way can truly make a difference in your move and help you prevent a lot of unpleasant circumstances.
Downsizing for a move is a service we love providing here at ClutterBGone! Moving into a new space should be fun and exciting. Don’t allow this transition to make you feel stressed or anxious. We can give you back your peace of mind. Call us!
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Steps for Successful Transitions to Assisted Living
in DownsizingMaking the decision to move a loved one into an assisted living facility is often very difficult for all who are involved. Every situation is unique, some people recognize that they are ready to downsize and significantly reduce their domestic responsibilities while others may be extremely resistant to the very thought that they even consider leaving their home and their independence for a facility. Whichever circumstance that you find yourself in with your elderly relative, there are ways to make the transition easier for all involved.
Step 1 Transition to Assisted Living: Communication
It is very important to develop and maintain open lines of communication. If your relative is reluctant to move speak to them gently, with care and understanding. Let them know that their feelings are valid and offer reassurance that this does not mean a loss of independence – as this is typically the greatest fear. Point out all the things that they will no longer have to be responsible for such as taking the garbage out, mowing the lawn or keeping house. Help them to see that this leaves them free to fully explore their interests and activities at their leisure.
Step 2 Transition to Assisted Living: Visit the Facility
Visit the facility well in advance of the move. Meet the staff and other residents – take a tour and become familiar with all the activities that are scheduled for your relative to participate in. Many facilities will allow and encourage your relative to join activities of their interest before the move has been finalized as a means to increasing familiarity and comfort in the decision.
Step 3 Transition to Assisted Living: Plan and Execute
A move such as this takes a lot of planning. Ensuring that your relative is involved in all decisions will help them to feel that they do in fact remain in control of their lives. Seek help from other family members or engage a professional who specializes in assisting families and their elderly relatives in transition. Make a plan together and ensure that you offer validation that it is a difficult transition and that while there are changes and some losses there are many gains as well.
Certainly these transitions are emotional. They represent significant milestones in the lives of all who are involved. Communicating with love and care goes a long way towards easing everybody’s feelings on the matter. Making informed decisions together with your loved one allows them to retain control and independence. Meticulous planning for the move and enlisting as much positive support as possible also contributes to a positive experience for all.
If you find you need support, we can work side by side with you or your parents and assist in de-cluttering, sorting and paring down possessions and help to create and preserve a legacy of treasures and memories that will never be forgotten. We’ll provide the knowledge and decision-making support to organize the home for sale if needed as well. With patience and guided assistance we help find new homes for unwanted and unused items through sales, donations and recycling, and ensure that vital documents and papers are in order and available for quick and easy access. Reach out!
Tips For Helping the Elderly Move
in DownsizingMaking the decision to move an elderly family member out of their home is difficult but is more often than not necessary for reasons of health and safety. Below you will find important tips for a smooth transition.
Tip 1 Helping The Elderly Move: Communication
This is by far the most important point in the beginning. Open and honest communication about why the move is necessary and brainstorm together what will work best. Always bearing in mind that your relative is likely to have very mixed emotions about moving. Validating their emotions is important. Be understanding and really listen to their desires. Together, set up a concise plan.
Tip 2 Helping The Elderly Move: Enlist Support
Reach out to other family members to help with the move, the more the merrier as they say. Also consider the support of a professional organizer. They are skilled in this type of situation and have a lot to offer in terms of advice as well as strategies for an easier transition.
Tip 3 Helping The Elderly Move: Clean and Organize
As you begin to sort and pack be sure to clean the items before storing or taking them to the new home. Some items will be harder to part with than others, this is true of anybody but for someone who may have a lifetime of memories in their home it is daunting. Listen with patience to the stories the items have and offer reassurance that things that are not going with then will be well looked after.
Tip 4 Helping The Elderly Move: Be Aware of Emotions
You’ve planned, you’ve packed and moving day has arrived. Be aware of the emotional state of your elderly family member and understand that it will be a difficult day. If your elderly relative is moving into an assisted living situation work with the home to plan what the day will look like. Many places will have supports in place for the move, there may be activities for distraction and they may also be paired with a new buddy for the day to introduce them to their new surroundings. If possible it may help to arrange furniture as closely as possible as it was in the old home. Ensure that photos are hung and important items are put away.
This is a tough transition for all and it isn’t over the day the move happens. You will want to keep a close eye on your relative over the following months as the emotional fallout can be heavy and overwhelming.
If you are facing the challenge of helping your elderly parents “smart size” into homes that are manageable, often emotional ties to furniture and keepsakes make it difficult and challenging for you and your parents to make decisions. We often hear the question “how do I even begin to sort through my treasured items and memories?” That’s when we can step in. Reach out if you need support.
How to Begin Decluttering When Feeling Overwhelmed
in DeclutteringThe clutter that accumulates in our homes can easily get out of hand leaving us to feel defeated,
distressed and overwhelmed. Clutter adds to our daily stressors and is an external expression
of our internal state of mind. When we are already struggling; becoming motivated to declutter is
a daunting task but it is one that will help you to feel calmer and more in control of your life.
Make decluttering easy on yourself with these easy steps.
Starting Small
Planning to declutter does not mean that it has to be done in one hour or one day. Set yourself
up for success by setting 15 minutes of decluttering activity. When the time is up, stop and
move on to another activity. 15 minutes of decluttering daily will give you the results you want
without feeling overwhelmed.
Plan
Make a plan; is there one room that needs really, really needs to be decluttered? Consider
starting there and the other spaces will follow. Block time in your calendar for this activity.
Enlist Support
Calling on a friend or family member for help is a great idea. They can help us stay on track,
they make the process much more fun. As friends and family have less sentimental attachment
to our stuff they can also help to provide perspective on whether or not an item really needs to
be kept, donated or tossed. A professional organizer is also worth considering as they have
many tips and tricks to make decluttering easier and efficient.
Distract Yourself
Not from the clutter but from the task. Listen to uplifting music, podcasts or audiobooks while
you work on the area you want to declutter. You may find that this is helpful and allows you to
accomplish so much more than you had originally intended.
Celebrate Success
Consider setting a date for a party or get together to celebrate your new decluttered space.
Not only does this give you something to look forward to it can also motivate you to stick to your
plan and accomplish the mission.
You will feel so much better when your home is a place of peace and comfort, a true escape
and safehaven from the chaotic world around all of us.
Remember, we here at ClutterBGone make it our mission to help alleviate the stresses that clutter can create. Call us for a consultation to see if hiring a professional organizer is right for you!
Overwhelmed? Declutter to Reduce Stress
in UncategorizedDo you find yourself feeling overwhelmed in your home; has your safe and peaceful place become your private hell? Do you find yourself easily distracted and unable to focus or is restful sleep eluding you? As humans, we accumulate things, many things, too many things over time and these very same items that may have once brought joy into your life are now causing distress. It’s time to get serious about decluttering. Parting with once prized possessions can be very stressful for some people but once they understand that clutter is a cause of stress and can negatively impact mental health it does become easier to take steps to eliminate the clutter.
Decluttering: Plan
Think about what will work best for you. For some people a weekend focused entirely on decluttering is a challenge they’ll happily rise to, for others 4 hours a day for a month could be a better option, keep in mind this method will take more time to get it all done but you will eventually get there. If you don’t have the time and want it done ASAP consider contacting a professional who can make this process a joyful breeze. Are you really going to be able to conquer the clutter in an entire house? A room-by-room strategy we find works best. In
fact, it’s best to plan to spend a few hours at a time organizing and decluttering this way you don’t burnout and your motivation will remain charged. Be honest with yourself and set achievable and realistic goals.
Decluttering: Pitfall Warning
It’s all too easy and enticing to head out and buy lots of containers and storage bins thinking that they will motivate you to get down to the business of decluttering – DON’T DO IT! Pick up free boxes to use while you sort but save the bin shopping until you know exactly what you need otherwise you may be stuck with bins that don’t work in your space and add to the clutter. A helpful tip, stay away from coloured bins, use clear bin where possible.
Decluttering: Complete the Task at Hand
Once you have created a plan and have your goals fresh in mind, dive into the clutter and begin sorting. Complete one task before moving onto another. For instance, start by grabbing a garbage bag and take out all the obvious garbage in the room you are starting with, remove all garbage before starting to organize remaining items. Completing one task before you start another will help you to feel like you are making progress and will keep you on track.
If you find yourself overwhelmed with the clutter – feel free to reach out to us for a consultation. We specialize in giving you back your peace of mind!
Tips On How To Clear The Clutter And Get Organized
in Home OrganizingStaying organized can be quite essential to your daily life – but yet, as we all know, it’s not always easy to keep a clutter-free space. Here, we hope to help you with a few tips on how to clear the clutter and get organized.
Clutter & Organizational Tip 1: Sort Sort Sort!
One of the most significant issues for people looking to de-clutter their space is realizing that they have much more than they actually need. As you know, we tend to accumulate a lot of things throughout our lives, and sometimes, (a lot of the time) we might not even use half of them! Is it worth keeping piles of things you no longer use or appreciate? Only you can answer this question. If you’re looking for a fresh, clutter-free environment, the best thing you can do is to sort through your stuff and try to get rid of those items that you no longer need to take up space anymore.
Clutter & Organizational Tip 2: Don’t slack on your good habits
Now that your de-cluttering journey is well under way, it’s important to stay focused on the task. Many people, unfortunately, tend to lose track of their commitment, and as a result, they end up back at square one and disorganization sets in again quick. Staying organized is not hard if you remember to keep your things tidy on a daily basis. This means putting things back in their designated space once you are finished with it. Think of it as one of those important daily habits, such as brushing your teeth. You’ll get so used to keeping a decluttered environment, it will just become second nature.
Clutter & Organizational Tip 3: Ask for help
Sometimes, it’s quite hard to make it on your own when it comes to organizing your space and keeping a clutter-free routine. Thankfully, you can get someone else to help! Family members or friends could be of assistance, and if you think you need an outsider’s outlook, you could always consider hiring an organizing professional. We help home owners and small businesses de-clutter and organize their spaces so they can enjoy a clean, clutter free environment. We’re honoured that our clients invite us to come into their homes and small businesses. That’s a huge leap of faith and we appreciate that trust. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated and genuinely unhappy with any of your spaces, we can help you get organized, de-cluttered and provide a positive, lasting change and transformation.
Downsizing: Steps To Take When Moving
in DownsizingDownsizing can be quite a stressful operation. It is not only time-consuming but it can be a logistics nightmare, and it might require you to get rid of things that you might have an emotional attachment with.
Our aim is to share some of the most intelligent steps you could take when you’re about to move and downsize.
Plan Ahead
Take time to plan ahead and work out all the details of your move. For example, you can choose the best time to move by carefully considering possible traffic issues, and selecting a time frame that won’t be too stressful for you, in light of work commitments and other things in your calendar.
Get Rid Of Extra Things
As the name might imply, “downsizing” often means that you simply might not be able to enjoy as much space as you used to. Therefore,
you might need to get rid of some of your belongings. It’s important to really go through your stuff well ahead of your moving date. Some people struggle with the idea of getting rid of some of their belongings, so they often procrastinate, only to panic during the very last stages of their move. As a result, they frantically cherry pick their items and often overlook important things. By sorting through your items in a timely manner, you are going to have plenty of time to determine what matters, and what could be expandable.
For this reason, it is important to take downsizing seriously, and understand what it means. Don’t just move all of your things to a smaller space. This will only cost you time and money. Make sure that you manage your possessions accordingly. Get to know your space, and carefully list your belongings so you have a clearer idea of how much stuff you have.
Get Someone To Help You
Whether its friends, family members, assistants, or a professional organizer – asking for help might be the best way to go in most situations. Moving can be stressful, particularly if you are on your own. The process requires many tasks, including lugging furniture around, moving boxes, cataloging things, packing, unpacking, driving, and so on. Having someone by your side could ease your load significantly. There is no need to get too stressed when you’re downsizing. A helping hand along the way can truly make a difference in your move and help you prevent a lot of unpleasant circumstances.
Downsizing for a move is a service we love providing here at ClutterBGone! Moving into a new space should be fun and exciting. Don’t allow this transition to make you feel stressed or anxious. We can give you back your peace of mind. Call us!
Your Step by Step DeCluttering Guide
in UncategorizedLiving in a cluttered environment can prove to be very stressful and pave the way to a whole host of other issues as well. Chaotic working and living environments have often been linked with anxiety, stress, depression, and other mental health problems. In addition to that, a space that is not clean and tidy could undermine productivity and prevent you from performing at your best.
Here we will provide some tips on how you can prevent the aforementioned issues, as well as keeping your home or workspace decluttered and inviting, with this step by step decluttering guide!
Cleaning and Rearranging
People often think that their spaces are cluttered because they have too many things. At times, however, this
isn’t the case. In most cases, a cluttered space is that way only because you might not have found the right way to flatter your area with the way it’s set up and organized. Some organization experts have saved people thousands of dollars, and even saved them from having to get rid of some of their stuff, by simply helping them rearrange their spaces in a more suitable way. Sometimes, keeping a space clutter-free could really be all about redefining its layout and organization.
Removing Unwanted or Unnecessary Items
If all else fails, and you find it hard to organize your space due to the sheer amount of the things that you own, you should consider getting rid of some of your belongings (downsizing or decluttering). This could be quite a complex task for some people. Many of us struggle to see things we care about gone. Others always think that they might need something later on in life, so they don’t want to get rid of those things, just in case they might end up finding a use for them later on. Whatever the reason that keeps you from getting rid of your stuff, you should take a deeper look at yourself, and your things. Although you might feel like you’re giving up on something by throwing things out, you might stand to gain much more than you could possibly imagine, particularly in terms of peace of
mind.
Adopting healthier habits
Getting your space clean and organized is only half the battle. The other half? Keeping it that way! It’s quite easy to slip into your old habits if you are not careful. In order to prevent such issues, be sure to embrace a steady routine, and be mindful about keeping your space clean and organized on a regular basis. This way, daily maintenance will only take a few minutes of your time every day, and you won’t run into the same debilitating space issues again.
Decluttering your space doesn’t have to feel stressful. If at anytime you’re in the midst of your decluttering process and need a little more guidance and support, we’re here for you! We here at ClutterBGone love supporting others in this journey!
How To Declutter Your Newly Listed House
in Home OrganizingSo, you’ve just listed your house and now you’re eagerly awaiting to show it off! You might be wondering what to do next? If you want to make sure that you are giving people the best possible impression of your listed property, you need to understand that appearances matter a lot. A cluttered home might appear to be much smaller, not to mention colder and more chaotic. This might fail to give people a proper view of the full potential of your space, and as a result, you might miss out on a lot of amazing opportunities. Keep reading to learn more about how we can help you declutter your newly listed house!
Remove as many items as possible
If you want to show off all the space in your home at its best, you should aim to remove as many items as possible from your house, before you show it to people. Some homeowners even go as far as booking storage units or pods, so that they can temporarily transfer some of their superfluous items, particularly if they still don’t have a suitable living arrangement or a place where they can unload some of their material. In addition to that, other people leave some of their items in their new homes, or with relatives and friends on a temporary basis. Better yet, why not go through your items and determine what you need verse what you can donate or get rid of to help off-load a large number of items. This is a great way to remove clutter from your newly listed house.
Keep it tidy
A tidier home will make a much more positive impression. Make an effort to keep things tidy, and compartmentalize your space, so that each room shines. For example, don’t keep a massive pile of old magazines on your kitchen counter: let people grasp the size of that space, and what it is all about!
Don’t use your front porch as a storage area for bulky items that won’t fit inside: keep it clean and clutter-free!
We could go on and on with similar examples, but I bet you’re entirely understanding the idea by now. Add value to each space, by making sure that it truly lives up to its full potential.
Use lighting to highlight your space
As you might know, a brighter space might often appear bigger and cleaner. By contrast, a poorly lit space might often come off as a much more cluttered and cave-like environment. If you want to make sure that you are adding the right value to every room of your house, make sure that everything is well-lit. If possible, use natural light as much as you can. This is the best type of light, and people always love to see how much natural brightness can come into your home.
If you’ve just listed your home, or preparing to do so in the near future – and need a little guidance and support in how best to de-clutter your space and prepare it for showings – we would love to help! Contact us today for a consultation.
Process of Organizing – What’s My Involvement?
in Home OrganizingProfessional organizing is quickly gaining popularity. Professional Organizers are dedicated to delivering positive results for their clients. Most of us are familiar with what an organizer does, but what about the involvement of the client? What is their role in the process of organizing or de-cluttering?
We’ve all been stressed and overwhelmed with the state of our households. No matter how much we clean and tidy, things just always seem to get out of hand. Am I right? Now, many people are hiring professional organizers to help them make sense of their space. If your home is getting organized by a professional organizer how much do you have to be involved? Should you be there monitoring their every move, or is it better to let the experts do their job?
Professional Organizing: Involved or Not?
The answer to this question above is yes and no! On the one hand, the client does need to be directly involved in the decision-making process.
It’s proven easier to let the organizer sort through the trash and treasures of your home by sorting and categorizing them into easier and more manageable categories for you to then be able to make decisions. We are never going to make decisions on your behalf as we understand these choices are extremely personal and sensitive.
For instance, an organizer may schedule a brief appointment to sort through family photographs or the kitchen cabinets. These are important and intimate items and only the client can make the final decision with these.
Will I need to throw things away?
When it comes to sorting through items, expert organizers will never pressure you to throw anything away. We are there for support, advice, and positive encouragement. An organizer will provide you with a foundation to assess what objects are important and which are not. The next step is to decide whether to keep the item or dispose of it. Then re-organizing the space to fit in with your new set-up, your routines and daily habits can take place.
Expert organizers are great at keeping decision-making sessions brief and concise. This allows you the freedom to be hands-on in
the decision making process without getting overwhelmed with the entire organizing process.
It’s your choice
Each individual client is empowered to make their own decisions about how involved they want to be in the organizing process. Organizing can be time-consuming, so many organizers offer a lot of flexibility over how much the client wants to be involved in the project.
If you’re ready to tackle an organizational project of any sort, we are here to help you! At ClutterBGone we offer stress-free solutions to your organizational needs.
Where Do Our Donated Items Go?
in Home OrganizingAre you considering hiring a professional organizer but are concerned about your unwanted items ending up in a landfill? When an organizer comes in for some serious decluttering, where do all the extra items go?
Recently, professional organizing had a surge in popularity. All of a sudden words like “de-clutter” and “minimalist” were familiar words on everyone’s lips. Even though taking control of your life through organizing is a positive thing there can be some troubling consequences. Second-hand charity stores were inundated with household items, from furniture and books to kitchen utensils and clothing. Because of this sudden influx of items, a lot of them were left outside. Great items that could have had a second life were damaged by bad weather or were simply taken to landfill because the charity stores didn’t have space.
Now, what does this tell us? That organizing is bad? Absolutely not! However, it’s a great story to keep in mind because this runs into the heart of the organizing philosophy. Each client in a professional organizing session is encouraged to take pride and ownership of their household items and living space. Yet, if there are things that are no longer needed it’s up to the client to dispose of them thoughtfully. Organizing effectively is not just a technique it’s a way of life. So keep in mind that when working with a professional they won’t just be focused on what you’re keeping. They will also provide advice and about what you should do with unwanted objects.
Some of the options when disposing of extra household items include:
Charity:
This is a great option because the organization can make money off the sale of your donation. On top of this, they will also help people access good quality items for an affordable price. Just keep in mind that most thrift-stores only accept donations when they are open for trading. Dispose of your items with respect and thoughtfulness!
Sell:
One of the most exciting parts of de-cluttering is discovering that you have some unwanted items with some value! Visit a local second-hand store or try selling your things online. eBay, Facebook Marketplace or Maxsold are great online platforms to start. If you have a lot of things consider running a garage sale or trading at a local market or fair. Have fun with it!
Throw away:
Unfortunately, this is just one of the necessary evils of decluttering. However, sometimes it can’t be avoided. Always chat with your professional organizer first to see if they have any more sustainable ideas or resources about how this item can be re-purposed.
If you’re ready for a fresh start – call us and we’ll chat with you about your organizing and decluttering needs. We here at ClutterBGone will ensure that your unwanted items are taken care of in a respective manner.