Sometimes we find ourselves in the humbling position of caregiver to a loved one. It could be your spouse, family friend, brother or sister. Often times we find it necessary to bring that loved one into our own home to provide adequate care and emotional connection. It doesn’t matter if you’re going from a palatial residence to a smaller space, the issues are the same.
It can be a very difficult and stressful time for my clients, especially when faced with the overwhelming task of going through someone elses home contents, furniture and belongings to determine what can fit into the new place of residence, what documents are vital, what can be donated and what can be sold.
I recently received a call from a gentleman in just this position. He holds power of attorney for property and personal care and is caregiver to a 90-year-old woman who was moving into his home from her condominium which had been sold. He explained feeling overwhelmed, anxious and stressed with a moving deadline in 2 weeks’ time. First thing I assured him was that we could handle this project within the timelines presented without issue. Immediately his anxiety decreased.
Then we proceeded with three of many very important steps in the downsizing process.
Identify and categorize furniture
The first step was for my client to identify the furniture and household items that were moving from the condo to his own place of residence. This was easily accomplished using a piece of green painters’ tape to attach to each piece of furniture or household item that was going with them.
Sort through vital papers
The second step was to sort through the paperwork in the condominium to ascertain what records were vital, such as passport, insurance documents, etc. We also sorted and collected old photos, jewellery and other valuables and placed these in a separate box that would not be moved by the movers but would personally be transported by our client.
Identify items for donation
The third step was to identify the furniture and other household contents that could be donated. This resulted in a couple of different zones as some furniture could be donated to the Furniture Bank whereas others were suitable for other charitable organizations. There are a lot of logistics to work through and consider in this type of downsizing project, especially when dealing with a condominium corporation, elevator reservations and restrictions regarding common areas.
There will always be some items we find that cannot be donated and would ultimately be disposed of. For example, we found a lot of expired food items, broken dishware, damaged and badly stained furniture items and extremely out dated kitchen appliances that were no longer functional.
Sometimes we find items of value. Most notably, our client had asked us to empty and donate everything that was in the dining room hutch. As we proceeded to clear items out we came across some highly valuable dishware. I was certain the client was not aware of the value of these items and brought them to his attention. He was thankful and appreciative of us alerting him to these items. Whenever you are not sure of an item’s value it is always best practice to have the items appraised.
One thing to remember is that everything cannot be donated. Many donation centres no longer take beds or even bedding because of the fear of bed bugs, fleas or other infestations that could potentially be disastrous for a centre.
When in doubt, speak to a professional in the industry that can guide you in the right direction and provide unbiased recommendations to smooth the transition. Good luck with your next downsizing project!
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15 Tips For Downsizing Your Home And Making a Fresh Start
in MiscBeing prepared means knowing exactly what you have, what to pack and what to say goodbye to. You want to be comfortable in your new home and one of the best ways to do that is to keep it clear of any clutter.
If “Just in Case” hasn’t happened yet, it likely never will
You probably have had a lot of space in your current home and now are moving into a smarter sized space. You have also probably been keeping things just because you had the space and even though you replaced something with another new item, rather than getting rid of the older item you decided to keep it “just in case”. Often times “just in case” doesn’t happen and you end up with a bunch of items cluttering up your valuable real estate. So, how do you decide what to take with you?
Comfort, size, condition, aesthetics
When downsizing you want to consider things such as comfort, size, condition and aesthetics in your overall plan of action. And this is your chance to replace what you really don’t like, fix any mistakes you may have made in the past and make a fresh start. In fact, taking the approach of “use it or lose it” is a good way to start.
15 items you should never keep
Here are fifteen items you should never keep when downsizing and making a fresh start:
When downsizing, your goal is to simplify your life and de-clutter both your mind and your space. Keep the best of what you have and get rid of the rest. Choose to live with less and you will have more time to relax and enjoy each new day that comes your way!
3 Steps To De-stress Downsizing
in MiscIt can be a very difficult and stressful time for my clients, especially when faced with the overwhelming task of going through someone elses home contents, furniture and belongings to determine what can fit into the new place of residence, what documents are vital, what can be donated and what can be sold.
I recently received a call from a gentleman in just this position. He holds power of attorney for property and personal care and is caregiver to a 90-year-old woman who was moving into his home from her condominium which had been sold. He explained feeling overwhelmed, anxious and stressed with a moving deadline in 2 weeks’ time. First thing I assured him was that we could handle this project within the timelines presented without issue. Immediately his anxiety decreased.
Then we proceeded with three of many very important steps in the downsizing process.
Identify and categorize furniture
The first step was for my client to identify the furniture and household items that were moving from the condo to his own place of residence. This was easily accomplished using a piece of green painters’ tape to attach to each piece of furniture or household item that was going with them.
Sort through vital papers
The second step was to sort through the paperwork in the condominium to ascertain what records were vital, such as passport, insurance documents, etc. We also sorted and collected old photos, jewellery and other valuables and placed these in a separate box that would not be moved by the movers but would personally be transported by our client.
Identify items for donation
The third step was to identify the furniture and other household contents that could be donated. This resulted in a couple of different zones as some furniture could be donated to the Furniture Bank whereas others were suitable for other charitable organizations. There are a lot of logistics to work through and consider in this type of downsizing project, especially when dealing with a condominium corporation, elevator reservations and restrictions regarding common areas.
There will always be some items we find that cannot be donated and would ultimately be disposed of. For example, we found a lot of expired food items, broken dishware, damaged and badly stained furniture items and extremely out dated kitchen appliances that were no longer functional.
Sometimes we find items of value. Most notably, our client had asked us to empty and donate everything that was in the dining room hutch. As we proceeded to clear items out we came across some highly valuable dishware. I was certain the client was not aware of the value of these items and brought them to his attention. He was thankful and appreciative of us alerting him to these items. Whenever you are not sure of an item’s value it is always best practice to have the items appraised.
One thing to remember is that everything cannot be donated. Many donation centres no longer take beds or even bedding because of the fear of bed bugs, fleas or other infestations that could potentially be disastrous for a centre.
When in doubt, speak to a professional in the industry that can guide you in the right direction and provide unbiased recommendations to smooth the transition. Good luck with your next downsizing project!
Reduce the weight on your shoulders and declutter
in MiscWe all want to lower the stress in our lives but in many cases the stress is the obstacle to getting organized. What better time than now to start fresh and take that first step to de-stress and get organized for healthier living.
First step: De-clutter
The first step to de-stress is to de-clutter. Most of us have too much stuff. So take a quick look around your space and determine what you no longer use, need or want. I bet you can find at least 10 items in your home to which you can say goodbye. If you can incorporate a minimum of 10 minutes a day doing just this and letting go of some of the clutter in your home, you will feel a weight lifted off your shoulders, reducing stress and creating a healthier mind and body as you lighten the load a little bit every day.
Get started with these 3 tricks
Here are 3 tricks that will help you get started and be more organized:
1. Make a mental note to keep flat surfaces clear. Doing so will keep you calmer and relaxed.
2. Stop using the word “later”. Especially when it comes to paperwork. Just clearing the paperwork in your home will automatically reduce your level of stress. When you see a pile of papers sitting around, deal with them now, not later. Simply taking action for a couple of minutes each time you see clutter will add up to decreased stress at the end of the day.
3. Have a space for everything. Casino payout time is important, nobody wants to expect lots of time for receiving their winnings. But even at instant withdrawal casinos people will need to meet the wagering terms and make a Know Your Customer procedure. At you can discover fast payout online casinos in case you desire to receive the winnings under 1 hour. This way you will know where things need to live and it also helps you to set a limit on how much you can acquire.
Rule of thumb
And remember this rule of thumb – “One in = One out”. This means that whenever you bring something new in your space, one thing has to leave. Your inventory must match your storage.
Lastly, I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. You are not your stuff. Stuff is inanimate. You are not. It’s ok to let it go and de-clutter for a healthier mind and body.
Whether you have struggled your whole life to be organized or used to be organized but are lacking the time and control, there is still hope. You may need professional help to get you started but ask yourself this question: What is it worth to you to have more free time for your family? Think about it.
10 Habits To Help Organize Your Life
in Home Organizing, MiscTake a look at some of the ways that these individuals manage to stay organized, and how easy you can get organized too.
By implementing these ten habits into your daily life you can help to keep your professional and personal life a little more organized. A little more organization can go a long way.
Have questions about organizing your home or office? If you live in Toronto or the surrounding GTA and have questions about organizing, feel free to contact me here.
5 Times When You Need a Professional Organizer
in Downsizing, Home Organizing1) Lack of time
Work, kids, pets, cooking…and a space that desperately needs organizing. If this sounds familiar, a professional organizer may be just what the doctor ordered. Nowadays, families are busier than ever. It’s no wonder that organization can sometimes fall lower on the priorities list than you’d like. A professional organizer can assist you when you don’t have the time, manpower or ability to handle an organization project on your own.
2) Emotional Attachment to Belongings
We’ve all seen the show “Extreme Hoarders” on TLC. While that show truly is…extreme, lots of us have an emotional attachment to our belongings and have trouble getting rid of certain things. For instance, you might be going through a bereavement process where you’re struggling with the question of “how do I even begin to sort through my treasured items and memories?” A good professional organizer is sensitive and realistic, and can turn highly subjective decisions into easy objective ones.
3) Facing an Organizing Task that’s Overwhelming
Maybe you’ve been using your basement as a “storage space,” but now it’s starting to resemble a dumping ground. And your in-laws are visiting from out of town. Don’t panic! A professional organizer can expertly help you assess, organize and virtually transform what was a dumping area into a fantastic use of space that will allow you to stay organized.
4) Dealing with a Small Space
Dealing with a small space isn’t easy. Whether you’re moving your teen into a tiny dorm room or didn’t get the walk-in closet of your dreams, a professional organizer can provide inspirational and practical ideas. With their help you can make the most of your small space.
5) Need to Downsize
Downsizing yourself or your aging parents to a smaller home or condo can be intimidating and time-consuming. This stressful process requires critical decision-making since your new space may not be able to accommodate all of your possessions. Preparing to move is a perfect opportunity to de-clutter and edit your belongings before you start packing.
A professional organizer can help by visiting your new home and providing space planning solutions. They can also assist with packing and unpacking, including: sorting, sale, donations, re-cycling and disposal of unwanted items. In your new place, a professional organizer will organize and create storage solutions for easy retrieval. They will also ensure that the new place is set up and organized with comfort, safety and accessibility in mind.
Remember, professional organizers have seen it all and nothing excites us more than a cluttered space! You should never feel embarrassed or ashamed of getting extra help. Your beautifully organized space will thank you.
If you live in Toronto or the surrounding GTA and have questions about organizing, de-cluttering or downsizing, you can contact me here.
5 Practical Ways To Help Your Parents Downsize
in Downsizing, Moving SeniorsWhether it is to save money, reduce cleaning and property maintenance time, or for safety and aging reasons, the fact remains that downsizing is easier said than done. To make the process less stressful on your parents, here are five practical ways that you can help them:
Pick up any items that you are storing at your parents’ house
Many of us are guilty of using our parents’ house for extra storage, but once they decide to move to a smaller place, this has to change. Your college textbooks and prom dress definitively have to go!
Help your parents determine which items will work in their new place
While this can get very sentimental and overwhelming, try your best to focus on being realistic about which items will a) fit into the new space (measure, measure, measure!) and b) are appropriate for their new lifestyle (a formal dining room table, for instance, is usually not necessary in a condo). Be understanding that your parents may not want to get rid of certain sentimental things, but at the same time be as realistic you can to ensure that they are not bringing unnecessary clutter to their new place.
Help your parents sell and donate items that will not work in their new place
Selling gently used furniture, cookware, clothes, and etc. will not only help prevent clutter in your parents new place, but will also generate some cash to spend on new items that will work better in the new property. If your parents’ street is garage sale friendly, that may be a great option. Otherwise, eBay and Craigslist are always a safe bet and parents that aren’t completely comfortable with technology would appreciate your help in setting up an account and listing items for sale. If you can, take the time to donate items you are unable to sell to a place such as Goodwill or a charity, rather than throwing them out.
Consider hiring a professional organizer
Hiring a professional organizer can be tremendously helpful at any point of the downsizing process. He or she can assist with the sorting process and determining which items should stay and which items should go, packing for the move, and preparing items for a garage sale or donation. A professional organizer can also assist with unpacking in the new place and ensuring that things are organized properly and easy to find right from the start.
Reassure your parents
Leaving behind a home where a family was raised and memories were made is very difficult and emotional for some folks. Reassure your parents that they are making the right decision and that this will be a wonderful new chapter in their life. Help your parents look at the move in a positive light and do not criticize them at any point in the process.
I hope these tips make the downsizing process a little easier on both you and your parents. Best of luck to your mom and dad with the move and settling into their new place! Let me know in the comments below if you have any other suggestions from your own experience.
3 Tricks to Travel Big and Save Space
in Home Office, MiscOne of the challenges of course is that suitcases take up a lot of space when not in use. Most people try to hide them in the furnace room, a basement storage area or even up in the rafters in the garage. None of these spaces are ideal because it’s not only inconvenient to retrieve them but they are not typically the cleanest areas in your home.
Let’s think about this. If you are packing in your bedroom, shouldn’t the suitcases either live there or somewhere on the same floor as where you pack? Wouldn’t that be so much easier than lugging them up the basement stairs?
Here are a couple of tricks to make packing fun and storing easy.
Invest in good quality
There are many on the market, however one I found is particularly interesting because it uses an innovative concept of folding technology so that your full-sized, wheeled suitcase turns into a compact, easily stored bag.
The company is Biaggi (www.biaggi.com) and they make lightweight, durable luggage that folds down into half its original size. This is great so you can actually store your luggage under your bed with ease.
Be a road warrior
Another idea is to use the Road Warrior M Series luggage. Again, this luggage requires half the storage space compared to standard upright suitcases.
When not in use it collapses such that you can stack it on a shelf, slide it under your bed or even hang it in your closet. Check out www.roadwarriorluggage.com.
Create a “Travel” bin
In terms of travel accessories, we all have them. This includes your sun protection, airplane pillows, earphones, travel size games, binoculars, travel pillows, ear plugs, etc. Essentially everything you typically take on a trip. And what about all those travel size bottles of lotion, shampoos, etc., not to mention those travel grooming bags, travel iron, or hairdryer? Most people have all these items stored in various places throughout the home rather than keeping it all in one place resulting in your scurrying around trying to remember where you put everything.
What I recommend is that you create a Travel bin and label it “TRAVEL”. Your bin should ideally be a sturdy plastic with a lid, similar to a Rubbermaid tote. The amount of travel accessories you typically use will dictate the size of your travel bin. If you have children your travel bin will likely be much larger than for someone who does not. In your travel bin you would place all travel related items so that the next time you are going on a trip, everything you need is in one place. When you return from your trip you simply take all those accessories and put them back in your bin. No more hunting around looking for that special travel sized game, or those neat little toys the kids love to play with on the airplane.
Make your next trip go smoothly from beginning to end by investing in some innovative luggage and some organization. I’d love to hear what tips you use to make your travel run smoothly!
5 Tricks for Organizing Your Home Office
in Home OfficeIs your home office an unorganized mess? Don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be!
Your home office is intended to be a place that you go to when you need to focus and get work done. But, if you are anything like the majority of individuals trying to get work done at home, then you know that a cluttered office doesn’t make for easy concentration. Having a clean and organized home office is the best way to not only get work done, but to truly allow yourself to focus and be in a space that is geared toward getting work done.
Fortunately for those who can’t seem to keep an organized office, there are some great tricks for getting your home office in perfect working order, take a look!
While you might need to spend a weekend afternoon to help get your home office in an organized state, if you can keep it that way your time will certainly be well spent. Remember that once you get organized you are going to have to work on maintaining your office. But, if you can pick up after yourself and organize a little everyday then keeping your office in this condition will be simple.
Have questions about organizing your home office? If you live in Toronto or the surrounding GTA, feel free to contact me here.
3 Organizing Tips For Pet Ownership
in Home OrganizingPet ownership means more “stuff” to store
There’s toys, beds, leashes, food, blankets, medicine, grooming accessories, and the list goes one. It’s no wonder that as much as we love our pets, they do add a certain amount of clutter and disorder to our homes, sometimes even a sense of chaos. If you have more than one pet, that sense of disorder and chaos multiplies considerably.
My Tess, a little Schnauzer/Poodle/Maltese mix means the whole to me but there are certainly times when I walk into a room, see pet toys everywhere and realize the impact that pet ownership has on our home. Before even considering getting a pet there are a few things to take into account in terms of the impact and keeping your home organized.
Keep a lint roller at your front door
Tess is a non-shedding breed of dog which is great for us. However with many cats and dogs the pet hair can definitely be a point of contention, irritating and impact your wardrobe as well. If you have an animal that sheds you really need to invest in a vacuum specially designed to pick up pet hair. I also suggest purchasing a great handheld pet hair vacuum for quick and easy clean-ups of furniture. There’s nothing worse than sitting in your favorite chair with your dark slacks on just before leaving for work or an event and discovering your clothes full of pet hair. This can be very frustrating. A lint brush is also a very effective tool for a quick clean-up of your slacks before you leave the house. Keeping it at the front door (or any regular exit door of your home) makes it easily accessible and more efficient. If your pet is one that sometimes travels with you in your vehicle, it’s good practice to keep a lint roller in your vehicle as well.
Isolate one shelf for your pet food and accessories
Pet food, snacks and accessories all add to clutter in our homes. As such, these items all need to have a place to live. For instance, at our front entry way we keep Tess’ leash, coats and poop bags all in one handy basket so when we leave for a walk everything is all in one place.
Pet food is kept in an air-tight bin stored in our pantry, right beside her treats. In fact, we are lucky enough to have an entire shelf devoted to pet items, such as food, grooming tools and accessories. Grooming tools should be kept close to or in the room in which the grooming is performed. This makes it easier for you to grab the tools you need, perform the task and put them easily away where they belong. In terms of feeding your pet, there some very creative ways to feed your pet without having food and water bowls all over the floor. The photo in this blog shows a great way to create a food station in your kitchen using a lower cabinet drawer.
Keep pet medicine separate from the rest
Unfortunately there are times when our pets get sick and require treatment and medicine. This medicine should be stored separately from where you store first aid and medicine for your family. Containing any and all pet first aid and medicinal items in a small bin in your kitchen cupboard (out of each of small children) helps to keep these items organized. The kitchen makes sense as the place for storing these items if this is the space where you would be when you are administering the first aid to your pet.
Caring for your pet while still maintaining the organization in your home requires a certain amount of commitment. If you find that you are already challenged to keep your space organized and you don’t yet have a pet it may be that bringing one into your home is not the best idea without a plan of action and a commitment to maintain a healthy environment for everyone,
5 Stressbusters To A Happier, Uncluttered Life
in Home Organizing, MiscSeptember means lots of physical, mental and emotional clutter
September is often a time when my clients feel a lot of physical, mental and emotional clutter. Therefore, what better time than now to talk about some stress busters to help you get through this month with ease.
Have a home for everything
We all know that it’s tough to find things we want when we need them. In order to avoid this, make sure everything you own has a home. A distinct place where the particular items always lives.
Get control of your paper
Looking at a huge pile of bills or any mess of papers, whether it be on your desk, your coffee table or, often times, your kitchen counter, is a constant reminder of something that you need to take care of. When paper comes in your door do one of three things. File it away, take Action on it (pay, read, contact someone, etc.), or Toss it. F.A.T
If you constantly have to move things around in your space in order to use it more effectively then you are wasting time and energy. I am referring to clothes piled on your bed or items piled on your kitchen table. Refer back to point number 1 above.
Get your house in order
Many clients of mine are quite reluctant to have people over to their homes because they feel their home is not neat and tidy. This leads to social isolation which studies have shown can be very stressful, impacting negatively on your health. Getting your house in order is another stress-buster that works amazingly well.
Organize
Lastly, a significant amount of stress results from strained relationships with family members. There may be appointments missed, bills not paid, arguments over the difficulty of locating items in your home or even issues of safety as a result of clutter in your home. It`s a lot easier to organize than it is to deal with the constant stress and anxiety about mess.
Free yourself
It`s a big decision to finally free yourself and your family of the physical and emotional clutter that`s controlling your life. Paring down is not always easy and a concerted effort is required as thinking patterns that may be distorted come into play. The payoffs are incredible. More free time, more control of your things and your environment, happier relationships and a healthier way of life. Be kind and patient with yourself. Change takes time and sometimes the assistance of a professional.