Jackie Vanthournout C.D., RDH, PO

What is clutter? Delayed decisions. Delayed decisions.

How does clutter affect your life? Family Family Relationships Relationships Loss of self esteem Loss of self esteem Emotional Emotional Physical health Physical health Mental health Mental health Safety and Hygiene Safety and Hygiene Time Time Your future Your future Financial. Financial.

Top 10 Reasons to get organized more time more time Save $$$$ Save $$$$ Improve health Improve health Better impression Better impression improve mental health improve mental health increase self confidence increase self confidence eat better eat better make more money make more money control control Be a better parent Be a better parent

15 Steps to a decluttered home Kitchen : ask yourself what items do I use daily? Kitchen : ask yourself what items do I use daily? Ask yourself how many of each of these items you need to have a reasonable amount on hand Ask yourself how many of each of these items you need to have a reasonable amount on hand donate or discard your extra items donate or discard your extra items clear your counters clear your counters Discourage paper piles Discourage paper piles Clean off your fridge! Clean off your fridge! Bathroom- clean out medicine cabinet Bathroom- clean out medicine cabinet

Clear bathroom counter Clear bathroom counter Make personal bath totes Make personal bath totes Use wall space Use wall space Bedroom-create peaceful retreat Bedroom-create peaceful retreat Clean out stuffed drawers and closets Clean out stuffed drawers and closets Create peaceful haven Create peaceful haven Remember the one in one out rule Remember the one in one out rule Place 4 containers in your laundry room Place 4 containers in your laundry room

Downsizing Do I downsize or not? Where am I in my life? Where am I in my life? Is it myself and my spouse remaining in our original home that previously housed an army of kids? Is it myself and my spouse remaining in our original home that previously housed an army of kids? Or are you alone? Or are you alone? Now that your kids are grown and gone, do you still need your 5 bedroom/2 bath home with a full garage to boot? Now that your kids are grown and gone, do you still need your 5 bedroom/2 bath home with a full garage to boot?

Are you tired of:  Cleaning it?  Climbing stairs to do laundry?  Dealing with ever increasing costs to maintain your home?  Don’t forget the exterior maintenance of gardening, grass cutting etc. Speaking of kids….   Why burden your kids with the stress of clearing out your home when you can get a handle on it now!!

But I am only in my fifties!! But I am only in my fifties!! Where there’s a WILL there’s a way Where there’s a WILL there’s a way Power of Attorney/Executor Power of Attorney/Executor Orderly files- know where they are Orderly files- know where they are Wish list Wish list If you love your kids….Speak up! If you love your kids….Speak up! Leave a legacy not resentment Leave a legacy not resentment

Good reasons to downsize….. Good reasons to downsize…..   How much lighter you feel   How your life is simplified   It’s a new trend, with all the new organizing shows   If you are not going anywhere and your health is pretty good, start now, take your time and spread it out over time   There are plenty of options…smaller home on one level…condo…apartment   And best of all….your kids won’t walk into a lifetime of clutter and be overwhelmed

Family visits: you should not feel obligated to house your family in their original rooms Simplify it a bit with spare room Or a pull out sofa etc. Of course you will need to get rid of some stuff Admission!! You already have more stuff than you need and probably more than you can use

Hands up for…… Cool Whip/Margarine containers Stacks of magazines and catalogues more than a year old Glass containers, twist ties Expired medicine A jacket that is perfectly fine but you haven’t worn since 1982

Things we tell ourselves…. I just never know when I am going to need it There are so many things I can use it for I had to go without as kid, so I will never go without again (respecting great depression survivors) It was a gift, and I will honour the giver by keeping it If I hold onto it long enough, it might become valuable The more I leave the kids, the more they will have

Seven reasons to get rid of your own stuff: 1. You will experience less anxiety and worry about all of the stuff you seldom use 2. You will spend less time looking for things 3. You will be helping people in need 4. You will have more time to do what you really want to do

5. You will find things you forgot you owned 6. You will revitalize your routine with a new adventure 7. You will protect your kids from ever having to do what you may done with your OWN PARENTS HOME

You never know!

Reasons why it is so hard to downsize for some: One spouse is a hoarder and to keep the peace the other spouse just tolerates it Clever advertising screams an irresistible message: you need to buy this to be happy (slap chop) We can afford it but do we really need it

Even if we can’t afford it, one swipe of a card Peer pressure doesn’t stop at high school Blurred lines between needs and wants

Indicators that tell you that you have too much stuff: When I go to hang up a shirt or blouse in the closet, I have to push apart the other clothes to make space I can’t see the floor in my closets All of our kids have moved out At least one bedroom has been turned into a storage area

We rent storage space or have filled a small storage barn We have at least two empty bedrooms that are seldom used There are more licensed vehicles than licensed drivers in our home We have more than one credit card, and on at least one we are only paying the minimum balance each month We can’t put our vehicles in the garage because we use it for storage

Organize before you move!! Get rid of obvious garbage Keep furniture that will fit in your new home Purge….Be ruthless, simplify, lighten up, downsize Pass along items you no longer want, use or need to your favourite charity Get help with packing

Pamper yourself- take breaks Pause and take time to check books, under shelves for money Plan to surround yourself with things you love and treasure….Remember we don’t own anything forever we’re only caretakers Pace yourself- enjoy finding things you haven’t seen in ages

Questions?...

Thank you Happy organizing!