By guest blogger, Jon Labelle
Did you know that the average person wastes one year of their life looking for misplaced items in their home? While many of us face problems controlling clutter in our living spaces, it’s difficult to find the time and motivation to organize. To further complicate things, if you have a basement, all of your seldom-used or discarded items seem to accumulate there until you run out of room or it’s time to move.
Home management and organizing services such as ClutterBGone indicate that most Canadian families would like to reduce the chaos in their lives by organizing but often lack the space, planning capabilities, time to do the job or the organizational tools to make a change. Success in overcoming your clutter depends on accomplishing two very important things: establishing your organizational goals and changing your habits.
- De-clutter and Discard
If you’re like most homeowners, the basement is a convenient place to stash those rarely used or miscellaneous items. As they’re out of sight, it’s easy to forget about them until things begin to pile up or you try to find something you’re sure is “down there somewhere.” The first step in organizing is to sort through and remove any trash or broken items. Once a garbage bag is full, take it out of the basement to your trash receptacle. After a few bags are gone, you’ll have more space to move around and see what’s left. Next, sort through the remaining items looking for anything you can sell or donate to charity. You’ll be amazed at how much you can make by holding a garage sale or selling your unwanted items online. Now, you should have a manageable pile that you can store for easy access later.
- Devise a Plan for Use
Now that you’ve got a better idea of what must stay in the basement, you’ll want to come up with a usage plan for your space. Typically, your basement is used for utility, storage and living areas. Each section may need separate sub-sections to accommodate your personal situation.
Utility – Your household equipment falls into this category and includes your furnace, water heater, sump pump, circuit breaker box, laundry tray and possibly washer and dryer. Whether these items are located in one or several spots in your basement, always make sure there is a clear path for easy access in the case of emergency. Rolling carts or shelves can be used for small storage areas and moved out of the way if necessary. Make sure to keep flammable items away from the furnace and hot water heater to keep your family safe.
Storage – This area will hold the majority of items you just sorted through, so you’ll need to further categorize like items, such as tools, holiday decorations, sports equipment, camping or fishing equipment, food/canned goods, paper supplies, seasonal clothing, extra linens, painting supplies, excess furniture, etc. The key here is to keep similar items together, so you’ll stay organized (put items back in their new location after use) and know just where to look months from now.
Living Space – You may already have a finished area in your basement, or you may just be clearing a space for future use. In either case, assigning a specific use for each area will keep it chaos-free. If you’re handy, set up a workshop space to keep tools within easy reach. Just think about how much time and money you’ll save by doing household projects yourself.
If you have younger children, this newfound space can be the perfect location for a playroom. Just imagine all the time you’ll save putting toys away every day. With plenty of room for a large toy bin or shelving, the kids can clean up quickly and easily, freeing you up for more important family time.
- Arrange for Accessibility
Now that you’ve sorted through the clutter and established a designated area for storage, you’ll need to make sure you have access to all the items you keep there. Keeping similar items together and being able to get at them are key to keeping the space organized. If you have to rummage through boxes or unload a shelf each time you want to use that oversized roasting pan, the area will soon return to disarray.
To keep the place organized, don’t pile containers too high or deep. If it’s too physically demanding to retrieve items every time you head downstairs, you’ll likely avoid the task. Also, make sure you put items you use most frequently in the front or on top.
- Use Proper Storage Solutions
Remember that your basement can be damp and at risk for wall cracks or flooding. It’s critical that you choose the best storage solutions to protect your belongings. There are a number of items that don’t store well in damp or humid places, so take care with papers, books, photos, fabric and cardboard boxes.
The waterproofing experts at Royal Work Corp. recommend using a dehumidifier to remove dampness from the air, make sure your sump pump is working properly and consider adding a battery back-up unit for extra protection.
Plastic storage totes are an excellent choice to keep valuables dry and safe from bugs and rodents. Remove cardboard boxes from the area. Cardboard absorbs moisture and can provide an excellent food source for mold and mildew to grow. Even a small flood will compromise your belongings if stored in a cardboard box.
Keep everything a few inches off the floor. Invest in some freestanding or hanging storage shelves. Make sure you can fit two plastic bins side-by-side for maximum capacity. Use smaller bins for flat, lightweight items that can be easily retrieved from a top shelf without risking injury.
Finally, label and inventory everything. If possible, identify the contents of the container on all sides. That way, you’ll always be able to quickly locate what you need.
Organizing your basement makes a lot of sense. You’ll save time searching for buried items, you’ll save money by not buying duplicates, you’ll earn money by selling unused items, and you’ll gain peace of mind by finally taking back control. It’s time to get started today!
Jon Labelle is an expert in the field of home improvement and remodeling, with extensive knowledge and many years of experience. For more tips related to home renovation and remodeling follow Jon on Twitter.
For more tips on finishing, waterproofing and organizing your basement check out Royal Work Corp. Waterproofing.
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ClutterBGone Inc. Featured by BACD — and Varsha Singh Recognized for International Women’s Day!March 24, 2026 - 2:35 pm
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Clutter And Seniors
in Downsizing, Estate Organizing, Home Organizing, Move Organizing, Moving SeniorsWe recently received a request from a person who wanted to discuss the effects of clutter on seniors, specifically Diogenes syndrome. Diogenes syndrome, also known as senile squalor syndrome, is a disorder characterized by extreme self-neglect, domestic squalor, social withdrawal, apathy, compulsive hoarding of garbage or animals, and lack of shame. Clutter can have a dramatic impact on the lives of seniors with 1 in 20 seniors having tendencies consistent with hoarding. I think you will find her blog to be interesting, especially if you have a senior in your life.
Watching Out for Diogenes Syndrome in Seniors
It can be very hard to part with things we think we may need in the future, yet learning to let go of what we don’t have room for, is one of the first steps to a neat, tidy and hygienic home. If you have an elderly relative and you notice that they tend to hoard things, it’s important to understand that this can be very common; studies show that around one in 20 seniors have hoarding tendencies. Sometimes hoarding behavior can be extreme, or be accompanied by self-neglect, social withdrawal, and squalor. If so, your loved one may need specialist help, often a combination of pharmacological and psychological treatments, closely related to treatment for obsessive-compulsive treatment.
When does Hoarding Amount to Diogenes Syndrome?
Diogenes syndrome is characterized by the above-mentioned behaviors, in addition to a lack of ‘shame’ or sense of embarrassment about these extreme behaviors.
It was coined after Greek philosopher, Diogenes, a Greek philosopher (412-323 BC) who expressed contempt for social organization and promulgated the advantages of a lack of shame. It can exist on its own, or be a secondary effect of mental illnesses such as depression, schizophrenia, dementia, or alcoholism. It is also commonly associated with Obsessive-Compulsive Behavior (OCD)
Diogenes syndrome, which has an average onset age of 75, can be very hard to deal with for family members of affected seniors, since it is accompanied by an inability to attend to basic needs such as nutrition and hygiene. In very extreme cases, it can result in anemia, skin conditions and malnutrition. Seniors can also pose a fire risk for themselves and others, which is why it is important that seniors obtain professional help if extreme hoarding behaviors and other symptoms are noticed.
Hoarding can sadly involve animals; rescue organizations often find cats, dogs, and birds hoarded in homes, as well as dead animals buried beneath furniture and other hoarded items.
How to Help those with Diogenes Syndrome
Because seniors with extreme hoarding behaviors tend to be socially reclusive, it can be very difficult to convince them to see a doctor to obtain diagnosis and treatment, but efforts should be made in this sphere, since treatment can be life-saving.
Tests carried out when this syndrome is suspected include cognitive and malnutrition tests. Specialists will help set up a management plan, which may sometimes lead to institutionalization if the person is mentally ill or has dementia, legal interventions to determine competency, and the involvement of a public guardian or trustee. Experts always aim to balance the right to autonomy with responsibility for the affected senior. If possible, the person is sent home, but cognitive behavioral therapy and other treatments are usually prescribed, and affected seniors are encouraged to start making small changes that can increase in scope as time goes by. When hoarding is severe, family members should abstain from forcibly entering their loved one’s home and throwing things out, since Diogenes patients become increasingly depressed by this type of invasive action and begin hoarding new items in a short space of time.
Diogenes Syndrome involves much more than being untidy or collecting things; it is an extreme behavior which most often occurs in individuals aged 75 or above, and which can be accompanied by other illnesses, including dementia. The consequences of Diogenes Syndrome can be severe, but invasive action should be avoided, since it can worsen symptoms. Seniors should be gently referred to specialist services, so that treatment can begin as soon as possible.
Our guest blogger is Cassie Steele. Cassie lived through this with her parents and is now the content editor for a small senior care and information website. For more information, here is a link to her guide on this topic – https://www.shieldmysenior.com/diogenes-syndrome/
ClutterBGone has assisted many seniors with reducing clutter, downsizing and life transitions. Contact us here to see how we can help your loved ones.
Stay Organized Through The Holidays
in Downsizing, Home Organizing, Organizing with KidsWith the end of the year upon us it is easy to let things get into a disorganized state. The holidays are hectic with family and friends coming and going, parties to attend and the many other things that capture our attention at this time of the year. Or maybe you are more like me and like to just put your feet up and relax during this time. It is so easy to find yourself a little more disorganized at this time of the year so here are a few things that will take just minutes but will save you a lot of time later.
New gifts of clothing
We all get new pieces of clothing at Christmas (whether they come from Santa or from yourself) but don’t put them away until you have discarded something for every new piece coming in. Remember my one in, one out rule? Following this simple rule will ensure you don’t have a disorganized drawer or closet later in the new year.
New toys for the kids
Same rule applies to the kids toys. If you didn’t have time to go through their toys ahead of Christmas, then do so before putting the new toys away. Discard the damaged, broken toys and set aside the toys they no longer play with or are too old for. Donation sites would love to have these in the new year as their shelves will be bare now too.
Be charitable after Christmas as well as before
Charities often look for donations after Christmas when their shelves have been depleted just like the retail stores. They would love to have your clothing, your kids toys and the food bank will need anything you didn’t use over the holidays – unopened of course and non perishable. Be charitable and stay organized.
All of us at ClutterBGone hope you had a great Christmas and wish you a Happy New Year! If you need help getting organized in the new year or if you just require a little tune up you can reach us here.
Global News – Is it possible to go too far with your spring cleaning?
in MediaFor some they can’t wait to get that elbow grease going and organize their closets and garages – others, however, dread the thought of it.
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Thornhill Liberal – Spring Into Organizing With Children
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10 Best Organizing Items to Buy at the Dollar Store
in Home OrganizingDollar stores are one of the best places to buy organizing supplies. You can organize your kitchen, your bathroom, your closets, your garage – even your vehicle can get organized with supplies available at most dollar stores. Most of the organizing products found in dollar stores are actually of decent quality, which makes these stores the first place you should check when you want to get organized. Not all organizing supplies are created equal, though.
Here’s our picks of the 10 the best organizing products available at your local dollar store:
Baskets & bins
Baskets & bins are some of the best organizing tools that you can use to get organized, and dollar stores sell them for a few dollars or less. They are available in a wide variety of sizes, colours and designs, so you are sure to find some that fit your style.
Don’t think that dollar stores only carry plastic, either. They also have fabric, wicker, and metal bins and baskets.
Drawer organizers
There’s not much worse than opening up a drawer and seeing it crammed full with stuff. It makes it almost impossible to find what you’re looking for. At dollar stores you can find drawer organizers that will help get all kinds of drawers organized. Organize your cutlery, your small kitchen tools, clothing, toiletries, craft supplies, food and more! Lots of sizes to choose from to get your home organized.
Desk supplies
You can find all sorts of items that will fit your office decor at a fraction of the cost of department stores.
Jars
Jars are a fantastic organizing tool, and dollar stores have many of them. Small jars, medium jars, large jars – they have them all. Use them to organize spices, food, craft & scrap booking supplies, ribbon, small items (nails, screws), markers or crayons.
The possibilities are endless! And if you feel overwhelmed with the task of sorting and organizing everything in your home you can email me to learn about how we I can assist you.
Buckets
Dollar store buckets can be used to organize so many things, such as cleaning supplies, toys, toiletries and food. You can also use smaller buckets for organizing craft supplies, bathroom items, and small food items in your kitchen. Dad can always use a couple of buckets in the work room or garage. Don’t forget to think outside of the “bucket”. For example, buckets can be fastened to your wall with hooks and used to organize children’s toys and much more!
Hooks
When it comes to getting organized, one of the best things you can do is get everything off of the floor and off of your surfaces.
This is where hooks come in handy, and thankfully, dollar stores have a wide variety of them available.
Be creative and you will be surprised at how functional any type of hook can be in your home organization
Ice Cube Trays
Although they are perfect for making ice cubes, these trays are handy for more than just that. Use them to organize all of your very small items, such as jewelry, small office supplies, makeup and of course, all of those small items in your junk drawer. Try them in your bathroom drawer and let me know what you use them for.
Shoe Organizers
Shoe organizers can be used for so much more than just organizing shoes! Stick one in your car to corral kids items and in your pantry for small packages.
You can also use them to organize cords, toiletries, craft supplies and so much more!
Binders & File Folders
Get your papers organized with binders and file folders, available at almost every dollar store. Most dollar stores even have page dividers for binders, which makes it even easier to organize the papers that you put in your binder. File folders are great for coupons, receipts and other small papers. All of my recipes are kept neatly in binders.
Mesh Bags
These little bags are extremely inexpensive (usually $1 for a package of 2 or 3) and can be used to organize so many things. I use them in my purse, the diaper bag, and in my laundry room (I put detergent samples in them). They can be used for other organizing tasks, too, such as food, toys (especially bath toys), clothing, makeup and much more!
Organizing stores can sometimes we costly and although they do have some pretty nice stuff, you don’t need to pay their prices to get organized. A quick trip to your local dollar store will leave you with a ton of good quality organizing supplies!
What is your favorite organizing product to buy at a dollar store? We have been to many organizing and dollar stores to help our clients get and stay organized and would love to do the same for you. To learn more about how we can help you get organized in your home just email me here.
How To Organize And Pack Your Entire House In A Weekend
in Move OrganizingIf moving day has crept up on you and there’s not much time left for packing, there’s no need to panic. You can still get everything together before the moving van arrives in a couple of days time. At this stage your goal should be efficiency and speed and this can be achieved by checking out the following moving tips.
1. Designate a packing area
Select a specific area to do all of your packing and keep all of your supplies there such as boxes, packing tape, marker, bubble wrap, string, scissors, and boxes etc. This way you’ll have everything you’ll need in one location and won’t have to waste time looking for things.
2. Label boxes
It’s a good idea to label every box you pack so you don’t have to go hunting for things once you arrive at your new home. In fact, label or mark them on a couple of opposite sides and don’t forget to mark the breakable items as ‘Fragile.’
Don’t forget to indicate which room the box should be placed by your movers. This will save you lots of time on the other end!
You may want to also pack the daily necessities in one box so you can get at them as soon as you need them. This would typically be things such as a change of clothes, towels, sheets and toiletries etc., toilet paper, some basic cleaning supplies, pet food for a couple of days, baby food for a couple of days, prescriptions and any other necessities needed for the first couple of days in your new home. Basically it would be the items you pack in a suitcase for an overnight trip.
3. Light vs heavy
It’s actually a better idea to put heavier items in a small box and lighter things in larger boxes. If several heavy items are packed in bigger boxes they usually become too heavy to carry or the box could break. You can pack a lot of lighter items in a large box though and this will save space and make it easier to carry.
4. Fill all containers
Since your dresser drawers are already filled with clothes, leave them there. There’s no point taking the clothes out and packing them in another container as it wastes space. Any items that can be used as a container should be, such as an empty chest or suitcase. If it’s going to take up room in the truck anyway so you may as well fill it up instead of leaving it empty. This includes using garbage bags for soft, unbreakable items such as clothes. A bag full of clothes can easily be squashed into a tight area of the truck without causing any damage. You can even use appliances as containers as long as they don’t become too heavy to comfortably move.
Packing isn’t always easy and if you’d like to learn more about how we can assist with your packing email me.
5. Pad your valuables
You can save space by using beach towels and/or blankets to pad valuable or breakable items such as lamps and artwork. The blankets can be wrapped around these items for added protection. And when it comes to lampshades, it’s a good idea to pack them inside each other according to size and keep them together in one box.
6. Use a dolly
A lot of time can be saved by using a dolly to move heavier items and appliances. If you don’t have a dolly it’s well worth the money to rent one for the day due to the time it will save. This is an ideal way to quickly move things such as fridges, stoves, washing machines, dryers and stacks of boxes etc.
7. Don’t pack useless items
If you happen to come across broken, unused and unwanted items while packing there’s no point taking them with you. The same goes for clothes that no longer fit. You can simply place all of these items in one large container. Give it to charity or toss it out if nothing is usable.
8. Teamwork
You can pack a lot quicker if you have helpers. Nobody likes to help move, but don’t be afraid to ask friends and relatives to lend a hand and then turn it into a social event.
Of course, don’t open the beer and order the pizza until everything is done. But the refreshments can be an incentive to get the job done quickly and efficiently.
9. One at a time
It’s tempting to pack as much as possible as quickly as you can, but instead of trying to clear out three rooms at once, just pack the items from one room at a time. Also, keep things that have multiple parts all together with bags or tape.
10. Don’t panic
Pack things at a steady and consistent pace and don’t panic if you can’t find something. Since you’re going to be moving and clearing out your home you’ll come across everything sooner or later. There’s no need to waste time by hunting for a specific item as it will be found sooner or later.
With some pre-planning and organization even a clutter filled house can be packed away in a single weekend! Need help from a professional organizer? If you live in Toronto or the surrounding GTA, contact me here for a consultation. We have helped a lot of clients get ready for their moving day and we’ll ease the stress and anxiety of moving day!
7 Ways Decluttering and Downsizing Can Improve Your Health and Well-Being
in DownsizingOver the last few years, a lot of people have been talking about de-cluttering and downsizing. Many people live in homes that are too large for them. Now, people are beginning to realize that a big home may not be the best fit for them. Smaller spaces offer a number of advantages. Whether you’re downsizing because of a major life event or you simply need a change, you should know that moving into a smaller home can benefit you by reducing stress and it can actually make you healthier. You’ll be thrilled when you see all the advantages a smaller home can offer.
Easier Maintenance
Large homes require a great deal of upkeep. You have to clean every square foot of the home on a regular basis. You need to buy furniture for each room, and ensure that the yard is well maintained. This can be a big source of stress. When your home is smaller, you won’t have to worry about so many things. You’ll be able to clean more quickly, and you’ll be able to spend less money on your home. You can spend the time you used to spend maintaining your home on activities you enjoy more. You could go golfing, have a nice dinner with your family or even, just take a nap.
Smaller Homes Are Great for Families
When a home is large, it can be difficult for family members to spend time together. A smaller home encourages family members to talk and bond with each other. As long as your home is well organized, it should feel cozy rather than cramped. Your family members can all spend time in the same room, laughing and chatting about their day. You shouldn’t think of a small house as a downgrade. Instead, you should think about the positive impact it will have on your family.
Enjoying The Outdoors
A lot of people with large homes never wind up leaving their homes. They don’t go to the gym; they work out at home. They don’t go out for entertainment; they enjoy their media room. All of this can leave people feeling closed off from the world. When you don’t have room for all of these things, you’ll have to tread outdoors to enjoy certain activities. If you’re bored in your house, it’s no big deal. You can just go for a walk outside. Studies have shown that people who spend more time outdoors are happier and healthier than people who spend all of their time inside.
You’ll Save Money
Money is a huge source of stress in people’s lives. When you don’t have to worry about money all the time, you’ll be a lot happier. Smaller homes are generally a lot cheaper than their larger counterparts. In addition, a smaller home has lower energy bills. You’ll spend less on heating and cooling and have a lower water bill. You’ll be able to reduce your household’s carbon footprint and save a lot of money in the process. You may even be able to use some of the cash you save to purchase new, more energy efficient appliances.
You Can Spend Time On the Things That Really Matter
People who live in large homes often feel as though there are a lot of things they “need.” People may feel as though they need new appliances in their kitchen or the sofa that appeared in the pages of a magazine. When you live in a smaller home, you won’t be under that kind of pressure. Instead, you can figure out what really matters you. You can buy a comfortable couch instead of an expensive one. You can look for appliances that are functional, not state of the art. No one has fun when they’re trying to keep up with other people. Don’t worry about what everyone else things; worry about yourself.
Freedom
When you move into a smaller home, you won’t have to follow a schedule in order to keep your home clean. You won’t have to run all over the place to track down your family members. Instead, you will be free to live and enjoy your life.
Eliminating Debt
Debt is something that a lot of homeowners struggle with. Most people have to take out mortgages in order to pay for their homes. However, if you move into a smaller property, you may actually be able to pay your house off. If nothing else, you will be able to reduce your monthly payment. If you are working to rebuild your credit, downsizing to a smaller home is definitely a smart idea.
If you’re not enjoying the large home you live in, then you should definitely think about moving somewhere smaller. Living in a large home may seem luxurious, but it can actually be very stressful. Move into a nice, smaller home and start enjoying your downsized life.
Carol Robson is a retired social worker who believes in living simply, being ecologically friendly, and leaving a small footprint. For more helpful information for others looking to do the same, check out Tiny House Plans.
How Organizing Your Basement Can Save You Time and Money
in Downsizing, Garage Organizing, Home OrganizingBy guest blogger, Jon Labelle
Did you know that the average person wastes one year of their life looking for misplaced items in their home? While many of us face problems controlling clutter in our living spaces, it’s difficult to find the time and motivation to organize. To further complicate things, if you have a basement, all of your seldom-used or discarded items seem to accumulate there until you run out of room or it’s time to move.
Home management and organizing services such as ClutterBGone indicate that most Canadian families would like to reduce the chaos in their lives by organizing but often lack the space, planning capabilities, time to do the job or the organizational tools to make a change. Success in overcoming your clutter depends on accomplishing two very important things: establishing your organizational goals and changing your habits.
Now that you’ve got a better idea of what must stay in the basement, you’ll want to come up with a usage plan for your space. Typically, your basement is used for utility, storage and living areas. Each section may need separate sub-sections to accommodate your personal situation.
Utility – Your household equipment falls into this category and includes your furnace, water heater, sump pump, circuit breaker box, laundry tray and possibly washer and dryer. Whether these items are located in one or several spots in your basement, always make sure there is a clear path for easy access in the case of emergency. Rolling carts or shelves can be used for small storage areas and moved out of the way if necessary. Make sure to keep flammable items away from the furnace and hot water heater to keep your family safe.
Storage – This area will hold the majority of items you just sorted through, so you’ll need to further categorize like items, such as tools, holiday decorations, sports equipment, camping or fishing equipment, food/canned goods, paper supplies, seasonal clothing, extra linens, painting supplies, excess furniture, etc. The key here is to keep similar items together, so you’ll stay organized (put items back in their new location after use) and know just where to look months from now.
Living Space – You may already have a finished area in your basement, or you may just be clearing a space for future use. In either case, assigning a specific use for each area will keep it chaos-free. If you’re handy, set up a workshop space to keep tools within easy reach. Just think about how much time and money you’ll save by doing household projects yourself.
If you have younger children, this newfound space can be the perfect location for a playroom. Just imagine all the time you’ll save putting toys away every day. With plenty of room for a large toy bin or shelving, the kids can clean up quickly and easily, freeing you up for more important family time.
To keep the place organized, don’t pile containers too high or deep. If it’s too physically demanding to retrieve items every time you head downstairs, you’ll likely avoid the task. Also, make sure you put items you use most frequently in the front or on top.
Remember that your basement can be damp and at risk for wall cracks or flooding. It’s critical that you choose the best storage solutions to protect your belongings. There are a number of items that don’t store well in damp or humid places, so take care with papers, books, photos, fabric and cardboard boxes.
The waterproofing experts at Royal Work Corp. recommend using a dehumidifier to remove dampness from the air, make sure your sump pump is working properly and consider adding a battery back-up unit for extra protection.
Plastic storage totes are an excellent choice to keep valuables dry and safe from bugs and rodents. Remove cardboard boxes from the area. Cardboard absorbs moisture and can provide an excellent food source for mold and mildew to grow. Even a small flood will compromise your belongings if stored in a cardboard box.
Keep everything a few inches off the floor. Invest in some freestanding or hanging storage shelves. Make sure you can fit two plastic bins side-by-side for maximum capacity. Use smaller bins for flat, lightweight items that can be easily retrieved from a top shelf without risking injury.
Finally, label and inventory everything. If possible, identify the contents of the container on all sides. That way, you’ll always be able to quickly locate what you need.
Organizing your basement makes a lot of sense. You’ll save time searching for buried items, you’ll save money by not buying duplicates, you’ll earn money by selling unused items, and you’ll gain peace of mind by finally taking back control. It’s time to get started today!
Jon Labelle is an expert in the field of home improvement and remodeling, with extensive knowledge and many years of experience. For more tips related to home renovation and remodeling follow Jon on Twitter.
For more tips on finishing, waterproofing and organizing your basement check out Royal Work Corp. Waterproofing.
Ideas for Clutter-free Gifts
in Home Organizing, MiscGetting close to the holiday gift giving season I thought this was a great time to remind everyone that you can express your love and appreciation for friends and family without giving “stuff”.
I remember many years ago we would see these huge piles of gifts at our family gatherings, sometimes spanning several feet out from the tree.
Generosity is great, but it was ridiculous to see the amount of gifts that people were receiving. I was just as guilty as everyone else in falling prey to the commercialism of the season. Plus, I’m sure many of you have received gifts that you don’t really like but felt obligated to keep and store, hidden away in some closet. So why not provide a clutter free gift this season?
One type of clutter free gift is a donation to charity in that person’s name which helps those less fortunate. There are a number of great causes out there but recently I’ve come across plangifts.ca. With this charity you can purchase, in the name of your giftee, anything from 3 baby chicks (for only $15.00!), a goat or a bunch of mango trees which will provide food and sustenance to a struggling family in a third world country, to clean drinking water or mosquito netting to prevent malaria.
What’s great about this is that in many cases the donation dollars are matched and or hugely exceeded so your dollars actually are multiplied extensively. And, your giftee will receive a personalized card telling them about the purchase made in their name. I urge you all this holiday season to consider a gift from your heart and help those less fortunate.
There are many other charitable options as well, all in different price points.
A gift of an experience is another option and can be one of the greatest gifts of all. The giftee gets to keep the memory of the experience forever in their hearts. The possibilities are endless and can include event tickets, pre-paid lessons, travel experiences, restaurant gift cards and so much more.
It will make you and the recipient all feel wonderful!
Christmas presents piled underneath a christmas tree.
Enjoy the holidays and create memories for life.
Hoarding: What Is It and What You Should Know About It
in Downsizing, Home OrganizingWhat is Hoarding?
Hoarding is the overwhelming difficulty of throwing away or getting rid of one’s possessions. It is often classified as as a compulsive behaviour. The possessions could range from plastic bags to old newspapers and magazines. Regardless of the items accumulated, the value of them are irrelevant to the owner.
Those with this compulsive behaviour accumulate a large quantity of possessions, which is what makes this behaviour stand out in comparison to other people. The compulsive behaviour which is associated with hoarding can also be related to compulsive buying, compulsive collecting of free items, or a compulsive search for the perfect item.
Hoarding is not to be confused with collecting. The behaviour of collectors is often prideful in regards to their possessions and are proud to display their items. Collectors are also more organized than hoarders.
What are the Symptoms of Hoarding?
Individuals with a hoarding disorder often demonstrate severe anxiety when attempting to get rid of an item, or have the inability to discard their possessions to make space for new ones. Those affected with this compulsive behavior often find it difficult to organize their belongings, as they often feel unsettled about where to keep them. In some cases, they even feel unsettled about their possessions, and often act suspicious of other people touching any of the items. This compulsive behavior causes obsessive thoughts of their items whereabouts, or possibly not having enough of one particular item.
Why Do People Hoard?
The compulsive thoughts associated with hoarding are often that the individual believes they need the item for future use, feel a strong sentimental value towards it, it is irreplaceable, or they got such a great deal that they don’t want to throw it away. In some cases hoarding may be a disorder on its own; however, it is a common symptom of other disorders such as obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and/or depression. In rare cases, hoarding can be associated with disorders such as an eating disorder, pica, Prader-Willi syndrome, psychosis, or dementia
How Does Hoarding Affect One’s Quality of Life?
Hoarding diminishes one’s quality of life considerably. Due to a considerable number of possessions, the hoarder’s living space may become unhealthy or even dangerous. Many hoarders will live without basic comforts, and cope with things such as broken appliances or furnace in order to avoid somebody coming into their living space to fix the problem. In many cases, this behavior causes issues among the individual’s family, from feelings of anger and resentment to depression. Hoarding can affect the social development of children who live in the space, and can have an impact on the family structure from divorce to loss of child custody. Hoarding can cause the living space to be unlivable, which may lead to eviction. Serious financial problems can occur as well.
What are the Effects of Hoarding?
As a result, hoarding behavior can be damaging and affects both the individuals with the hoarding behavior and their family members. This behavior can affect those on many levels, including emotional, physical and social, as well as financial and/or legal. In some cases, due to the loss of living space because of the large quantity of items, the living conditions can cause health problems.
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