DrDeClutterBlog.com

Decorating... for the holidays or any day.

Sometimes a big makeover or the big holiday decorations isn't the answer, but a quick and easy small one might be to freshen up your room and make it holiday fresh too! 

In "Speed Decorating", the new book by Jill Vegas the author gives some quick and easy ways to liven up your kitchen:

• Remove the clutter. Put away items that don’t belong on the countertop.
• Do a quick food inventory. Use up quickly and/or throw out anything that’s starting to spoil or is open and you’re never going to eat.
• Hang fresh dish towels.
• Put a fresh bowl of fruit on the countertop (make sure to eat it while it’s fresh!)
• Add some fragrance. Simmer mulling spices or pop some cookies in the oven just before guests arrive.

One of the key organizing tips I can give you is this, “Don’t Put It Down, Put It AWAY!”

When you’re coming in from the car or going from room to room, don’t set things down, they tend to stay where you put them and grow!

Everything should have a “home.”

Everything should “live” somewhere.

Wherever that home is, take it there immediately, or at least by the end of the hour or day so that piles don’t start growing and get out of hand into heaps and mounds.

You may know the Bible story about Lot’s wife. God told her not to look back on her village and “past” life or she’d turn to a pillar of salt. Well, she looked back.

Every time your attention is distracted into the past you turn to a pillar of salt. Your thoughts and attention literally “crystallize” (like rock salt) into “what was,” not “what IS.” You get stuck in old stories and memories; mental movies unable to stay HERE NOW, open to your PRESENT and move forward.

Most people today are walking, talking pillars of salt. Filled with thoughts, looping memories of regret, remorse, sadness, grief… how do you do this? Do you have items in your home, in your life, or stories that you tell that make you constantly “look back” to your past?

Look around your house right now. What photo’s, greeting cards, knick-knacks, letters, emails, articles of clothing, jewelry, books, gifts, etc. drag your attention into the past? Moreover, into a negative past filled with, “Why me?”, “Why them?”, “Should have’s,” etc.

You can’t open your PRESENT in the PAST! Stay present in your present. Open your present NOW, in the PRESENT!

                                     “Whatever the price, identify it now.
             What will you have to go through to get where you want to be?
      There is a price you can pay to be free of the situation once and for all.
               It may be a fantastic price or a tiny one — but there is a price.”
                  ~ Harry Browne, 1933-, American Financial Advisor, Writer

LEARN THE LESSONS, LET GO, LIVE YOUR LIFE – YOU HAVE MY PERMISSION
Life is about learning from our past and living in the NOW, creating plans for a better FUTURE. It’s time to LET GO (maybe, with all your might!) of whatever is not true for you anymore.

Will “letting go” be easy? Some will, some will not. But decluttering and reclaiming your space for your HERE and NOW “conscious” life is a very important decision and act to do for yourself – it’s in fact a very selfish act… good for you! Reclaim your home and environment as yours.

Grieve your grief, resolve your areas/emotions incomplete and move on, no matter what it was (“was” is the operative word here.) Reset your energy for TODAY and your wonderful FUTURE. LET GO of anything, anyone, any thought, any statements and old stories that keeps dragging you backwards.

                                                 “The world is a great mirror.
                                          It reflects back to you what you are.
                          If you are loving, if you are friendly, if you are helpful,
                      The world will prove loving and friendly and helpful to you.
                                                 The world is what you are.”
                                                          ~ Thomas Dreier

GRIEF & DEPRESSION
Upon meeting a person I can pick up if they’re in grief or depression, and I certainly know upon just a few steps into a house if a person is still stuck in their past. I have worked with clients to declutter their outer stuff only to walk, sit and talk about their “inner” stuff – emotions, fears, frustrations, stuck places. Your outer world is a manifestation of your inner world. Start with either. Clean up one and the other will “shift.”

So, look at everything you have and if you get a twinge of remorse, grief, negative longing, sadness, etc., pack it away in storage (some are family heirlooms, etc.) or get rid of it. You can’t have joy and pain the in the same place at the same time. Choose one or the other: why wouldn’t you choose joy?!

YOU DESERVE THE BEST LIFE, EVERYONE DOES

Take advantage of this transition time - the beginning and end of seasons – for your wardrobe.

Schedule an hour or more to declutter your wardrobe, especially if you need to move clothes from room to room and try them on. Have appropriate undergarments on, fresh makeup, clean hair and all of your shoe options. Why? Because if you try clothes on you want to see yourself in the mirror “as if” you were going to go out wearing those clothes. You want to really see how they look on you for real! 

Use your bed to layer clothes from the closet and drawers one pile at a time.

GET YOUR PREP TOOLS READY

If you don’t have containers in which to put your sorted decisions you’re going to be no further along than you were before you start. Here are eight helpful sorting containers.

1. KEEP – Plastic, lidded bin:  Unless the keepers are going right back onto the hanging rod, whatever you’re keeping that may be for next season or different sizes (you may be losing weight and don’t need to buy more clothes in another 5-10 lbs, you already own them!), use bug, rodant and dust proof plastic bins*. LABEL the bins accordingly so that you don’t waste time in the future opening them to remember what’s in them.

   *If you know you might have a couple of bins worth of keepers, buy like plastic bins all at one time, keeping the receipt for returns. This helps with stacking them. If they are all alike they will stack perfectly, if they are different brands and styles, they can rock and crack lids, etc.

2. TRASH CAN:  This is for clothing that is soiled or torn, buttons or other adornments missing or so worn that truly no one else would ever wear it! (See #5)

3. FIX IT – Alterations, Mending, Repair: Buttons missing, hems needing stitching, etc. need a place to call “HOME” until you’re ready to do the job or you take them to your tailor.

4. SELL:  Consignment store, Ebay, Craigslist… there are numerous choices for selling pieces that are in good condition.

5.  DONATION* THRIFT/CHARITIES Boxes (cardboard boxes or trash bags):  Mark DONATION on the box so that it’s easy to remember which container is for what. Cardboard boxes or trash bags are best as you will not be getting them back. In order not to have to deal with a crunchy, mushy trash bag use a box first, then when it’s full put all those clothes into a trash bag, move that bag out of the room (mark it with a tag or tape a labeled piece of paper to it so that you know what it is), then start to refill the same box again.

   *Donation Tip: What to give to thrift or charities? Unless the clothing is so soiled, ripped or really worn out, give it to donation. Let them decide. Some charities sort through clothing and send to missions across the world where they are happy to take clothes with some imperfections just to have clothes. So, don’t assume anything, just put it in the donation box.

    DONATE for others wardrobe job hunting success. Read article here.

6. GIVE AWAY to friends: You might have a friend or family member who can wear them. Put their name on a container and have them come over and go through them, or ship them.

    GIVE AWAY to strangers: FreeCycle.Org  is a fun way to give and get what you’re looking for in your local community.

7. SHWAPPING PARTY! : When you put SHOPPING and SWAPPING together, you get SHWAPPING! Plan ahead with friends and their friends to get together a one house, bring all the clothes each of you have culled out of your wardrobes and then shop and swap! A nice way to enjoy others, deepen social connections and get new clothes, jewelry, shoes, handbags, and more… for free!

8. GARAGE SALE: If you’ve had a garage sale, you know that you have to really have the time and enough “stuff” to make it worthwhile, and “stuff” that can actually be sold. Clothing is not a big seller at most garage sales, so I don’t highly recommend this.

After sorting into the above containers and moving them out of your room, you will be left with the clothes that you love, that love you back, that fit and that are lovely.

REORGANIZE YOUR KEEPERS

Now, reorganize your sorted “keeps” into drawers and closets in a way that you easily get to them and use them this season. 

TAKE NOTES FOR YOUR NEW SHOPPING LIST

While looking at your newly decluttered and refreshed wardrobe, you may find that you are missing important pieces to go with slacks, tops, skirts, etc. Take notes of what you need to make “outfits” work for you. Making this list now helps you to watch for clearances, sales and other shopping deals where you can complete your wardrobe but not pay top dollar and not go another year not wearing one piece because you didn’t have the complimentary pieces.

Have fun with your happy new closet and wardrobe!!

Are you stressing and anxious about the holidays already? Only a few weeks, and then a few more to go!

Join me and all my attendees while I share tips and keys to making this holiday less stressful.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 8th – 7:00 pm Mountain time/9:00 pm Eastern. 

BY PHONE OR WEB:
This is a tele-seminar. You can call in from anywhere! You can also listen online – you’ll get the phone number and webpage to listen online if you like after your register and click on the confirmation link you will get in your inbox.

TO REGISTER: Go to www.holidaystressbegone.com/free-call/

ATTEND LIVE or GET THE REPLAY
If you can’t make it to the live call on Tuesday, you’ll get the link for the recording soon after the event. But, you need to register to get the link.

YOU WILL LEARN:
 
 – How to figure out what stresses you out the most about the holidays (it may not be what you think)

 – Identifying the triggers that turn things from fun and joy to frustration and disappointment

 – One word that will set you free to really enjoy the holidays – your way

 – The 3 secrets to making it a stress-free holiday (really)

When you think about all the time you’re likely to spend in the coming months preparing for the holidays (cooking, writing cards, going to parties, shopping), this 45-minute call can make it all worthwhile. See you there!

The holiday season can kick up the spam phone calls  that waste your time and energy. You can stop this insanity quickly by making just one phone call.

“Cell Phone Numbers Go Public This Month!” This may be an urban legend, but just to make sure, you can take action now and stop them in their tracks!

To prevent spam calls, take just 20 seconds and call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222.

It is the National DO NOT CALL list It will only take a minute of your time.. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the phone number you want to have blocked.You cannot call from a different phone number.

You can however go online and type in numbers there. https://www.donotcall.gov/default.aspx

Please help your family and friends stay less stressed too, pass this on!

Who’s on your team? With the right team of experts in our corner, we can stay well, keep our home and businesses humming and enjoy life much more.

I love meeting people who are great at what they do. Here is a list of experts in various fields who I recommend for your specific needs. They should also have others who will testify to their good works, make sure to check on their referrals as well as you would otherwise. (If a link is dead or phone number not theirs anymore, I apologize and please let me know so that I can edit it: kim@drdeclutter.com)

A-Z: Some are in Longmont, CO area where I live, others around the country.

BUSINESS

• Kim Dushinski, Mobile Marketing Profits   Learn how to use your mobile phone/technology to market your business to your niche customers for more and better business success. Mobile marketing consultant, author of The MobileMarketing Handbook Kim offers courses, Bootcamps, coaching and tools to fast-track your learning of imperative now-technology.
  303.378.9362

CAR MAINTENANCE

• Meining Automotive  Family owned for several generations. I’ve been taking my car to Bill and Ron for over 11 years, whether it needs it or not! Love those guys! 1001 2nd Ave., Longmont, CO 303.772.5919 

COMPUTER, WEBSITE, WORDPRESS and ONLINE SUPPORT

• Diana Thompson, Thompson Consulting.  Expert knowledge, reasonable rates and hands-on trianing for tech veterans to novices. We work with small businesses and with individuals to make sure their technology works for them and not the other way around. Computer Networks;  Date Storage; Anti-Virus Security; Purchasing a PC/MAC; Installing Software; Training & Coaching; Senior Citizens; Household Tech; Business Recovery.

          Senior Citizen Helper! Diana also works directly with seniors to help them buy computers, digital
          cameras and other tech-gadgets and teaches them how to use them!  
          Firestone, CO   720-340-8045

• Thomas Gronberg, TG Computer Services. www.tgcomputerservices.com Personalized service in computer repair and maintenance, website maintenance and management, computer network support and computer instruction for small business, home business and individual computer users.  720-296-5708
• .
• Tom Walker, Walker Communication. Advertising and branding services with decades of experience – including extensive web and social media expertise.  We’ve worked for the full range of clients from individuals to Fortune 500 multinationals. We’re totally affordable – find out more at http://walkercommunication.com/ 
• .
• Kirk Tylor, Innovative Quality Systems. kirkt@iqsnetworks.com Secure and stable computer networks for businesses, medical industry, and more. Distance work.  Longmont, CO 720.838.1000

FINANCIAL PLANNING

• Carol Ann Wilson,  Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) professionally trained as a Collaborative Divorce Specialist and a Certified Financial Divorce Practitioner. Get her “Divorce Survival Kit: How to Survive Your Divorce Financially”-  a nationally recognized expert in divorce financial planning and have been quoted in hundreds of articles throughout the country. In addition, she works as a pre-divorce financial analyst/consultant through her consulting company, and is an expert witness in court.  303.774.1225  or 888.332.3342 

HAIR, NAILS AND SPAS

• Jacki Lynn Sanderson, Nails and Hair. www.MysticGardenSpa.com She’s given me mani/pedi – great job! Mystic Garden Spa, Longmont, CO 303.774.2541

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

       CHIROPRACTIC / BODY WORK

• Jared Allomong, DC  Allomong Center for Applied Kinesiology / Chiropractor, Applied Kinesiologist, Cellular Energy Expert, N.E.T. Specialist and Natural Physician.  Free lectures.  TELL HIM DR. DECLUTTER SENT YOU! GET $120 Initial Session for FREE! (Dr. Jared is my wellness practitioner and I’ve rec’d tons of positive shifts and changes by his gifted work including a total release of 32 years of hypoglycemia/low blood sugar problems in four sessions. Yea!) http://www.allomongak.com/  1225 Ken Pratt Blvd. Suite 137, Longmont, CO  (opposite end of LePeep building!) 303.827.3772
• .
•  John Wendt, DC  Life Chiropractic / Chiropractor, Applied Kinesiologist, Cellular Energy Expert, N.E.T. and other area specialist.   Free lectures.  TELL HIM DR. DECLUTTER SENT YOU! GET $120 Initial Session for FREE! http://www.inspirelifechiropractic.com/index.html  Life Chiropractic, 825 Delaware Ave. Suite P103, Longmont, CO(NE Corner of tall red brick building),  303.678.1979
• .
• Heather Hughes, Muscles in Motion, Inc. , Erie, CO    Splankna Therapy offers a Christian protocol for Energy Psychology developed from an integration of Neuro-Emotional Technique, T.F.T. (Thought Field Therapy), E.M.D.R. (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and spiritual warfare. It provides a straightforward, mechanistic treatment procedure for alleviating a wide range of psychological and physical symptoms through both a Healing Protocol and a Creative Protocol. It attempts to address symptoms comprehensively; attending to the physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of the problem and its solution.  FREE INITIAL SESSION, Value: $75 – when you TELL HER DRDECLUTTER SENT YOU!   (I have gone to Heather and love her work.) Heather his also a massage therapist. Erie, CO 720.210.7077
• .
• Mary Lou Ridge, Mary Lou’s Natural Health Center, Certified Naturopath, practiced in whole food nutritional healing for 17 years, Reiki Master, Licensed Massage Therapist, Contemporary Cupping, Fredericktown, MO  573.783.4343

      MASSAGE – BODY WORK

• Susan Malin, Mountain Spirit Healing Arts Center. Massage, Cranial Sacral, Yuen Method and more. Susan is great! 713 3rd Ave., Longmont, CO 303.772.6655
• .
• Brett Jetty, Massage Therapist.  Author of Still Standing, OK/OZARKS  918.906.9993
  .
• The North Front Range Healing Touch Clinic, Boulder, CO / 1 hour sessions, meets first Thursday of month, contact Nicole 303-478-1617. Part of the American Holistic Nurses Association,  www.ahna.org
• .
• Heather Hughes, Muscles in Motion, Inc.  Erie, CO 720.210.7077

     COUNSELING / THERAPY / PSYCHOTHERAPY

• Judith Partin, M.A.,LPC  ~ Psychotherapist. Specialities include thriving with chronic health conditions and other adult/senior life issues. Health = Vision, Support, Resources. Regain your balance. Appointments by telephone or Boulder/Longmont offices. www.judithpartin.com

HOME IMPROVEMENT / CLEANING  & HANDYMAN SERVICES / PROPERTY MNGT

• David Schadle, David’s Home Improvement / Plumbing, Electricity, Carpentry, Painting   303.588.2862 / 303.530.1173  Boulder, CO
• .
• Steve Breffle, THE JOB SHOP Handyman Services / Carpentry, Small Jobs, Plumbing, Electrician  303.517.4086 Boulder County, CO
• .
• Joel Fein, H.M.S. Handy Man Services  Lafayette, CO 720.470.9653 
• .
• ShelfGenie specializes in making you happy by making your kitchen drawers, cabinets, pantry and other storage areas roll open and shut “like butta!”
  Colorado customers: Call Troy Cook at 970.372.1242 - GET A $100 DISCOUNT! Here’s a great deal for you if you live on the Front Range of Colorado! When you tell Troy that ”Dr. DeClutter” referred you, ShelfGenie will give you a $100 discount on the job he installs!
• .
• MaidPro, a national company. In the Broomfield, CO area, call Stephanie at MaidPro, Cleaning Services – 303.664.5666 — to discuss and schedule your house cleaning appointment. Or, email: cocustomerservice@maidpro.com .
• .
• Competent Helper, LLC. In the Longmont, CO areas Greg and Cindi Taylor are ready to help you with Property Management/Maintenance, Move-Outs and Deep Cleans. Licensed and Insured since 2008. 970.308.8022 / 303.888.2220.
• .
• BJ’s Lock & Key, Inc. Need help with your keys, locks or safes? Contact BJ’s Lock & Key in Longmont, CO today! 303.774.7766  
• .
• Perez Cleaning Business, House and Office. Licensed and Insured. 18 years experience. I know Blanca Perez personally. Her services are exemplary. Boulder County area. 303.875.5220
•   .
• Johnson Sharpening. Sharpen scissors, knives, blades and more. Longmont, CO. 303.684.8364

JOB HUNTING 

• Lauren Hasson, The Resume Girl. Helping college students and recent graduates land their first job or internship with the perfect resume to evaluating offers. Work by phone, Internet and in person.  (Lauren’s site was hacked recently, so if you’re interested and can’t access all of her site, just call her.) Dallas, TX  214.864.4504
• .
• Nina Freidman, High Q Career Services.  Counsel, train, and consult with you concerning your comprehensive career plan and to empower you to become gainfully employed in work that you love. Effective strategies for finding and landing a great job, and counseling sessions. Sessions: in person or by phone. This system of assessment, evaluation, and implementation will get you exactly where you want to go.  Boulder, CO. 303.444.5158 

WRITING/EDITING

• Lori Mitchell, Impact Editing   Stand out in the crowd — DO YOU HAVE A WEBSITE, BOOK, ARTICLE, CATALOG, BROCHURE, OR BUSINESS REPORT?
  Be confident in what you present to the world. Impact Editing delivers professional editing, proofreading, and content consultation to make your content hit its mark. Give yourself the peace of mind that comes after an experienced editor has checked all the details. With Impact Editing, your project, no matter how big or small, will receive personal, responsive attention at a competitive rate. We can assist you at any stage of your project.
  719.640.8851

“For the first time ever I was taking the family on the road.
We stayed with my in-laws,
which on life’s list of experiences ranks right below
sitting in a tub full of scissors.”
~ Jeff Foxworthy   

Dull scissors are the pits! Dull hair scissors are a disaster for your finely clipped do!

I confess, I cut my own hair. I have most of my life. I get it reshaped by at a salon about twice a year, then, as it grows out, usually unevenly anyway, I trim it up. I started doing this out of frustration at paying for a cut and coming home to find it uneven already! Having to trim it up to get it even all around made me just do it myself on an ongoing basis.

So, if you do this too, and I know many, many do . . . make sure you have a very sharp pair of good hair scissors. I bought mine at Sally’s Beauty Supply years ago here in Longmont.

I just recently had them sharpened (waited way past necessary) at Johnson Sharpening. They have a table at the Farmer’s Market each summer. They take your shears and bring them back the next week for pick up. They also have a store front, find out more at JohnsonSharpening.com.

Boy, it’s SO nice to have them all sharp again!

If you have any kind of scissors that need sharpening, Search online “scizzor sharpening + your city”. It’s really worth it.

Most shops do other items as well like knives, saws, blades, mowers and tools.

A safe and fun Halloween is a must! Prepare to have a good one by using these 13 ooooooohhhh “13!” . . . ;-D  basic common sense tips to help create great memories for your kids and yourself!

1. Always use common sense. Yup, right off the bat, there it is. Seems like, well, “common sense!” But, kids walk in the dark and do things that can set them up trouble.

2. Young children should always go trick-or-treating with an adult.

3. Never trick-or-treat alone. Make sure to have a great time with your buddy or buddies.

4. Plan your entire route and make sure your family knows what it is; this includes time leaving and getting back too.

5. Make sure to wear safe costumes. Safe for walking, skipping and playing in, as well as flame retardant as possible due to lit candles in pumpkins.

6. Candy? Wait until you get home for your parents to check your candy before you dive in and eat! Sadly, there might be questionable goodies, or packages with cuts, or . . . worse. I don’t want to go there, but, you know. Plus, very few of us, especially little kids, have the willpower to not eat waaaaay toooo much candy and pay the consequences soon enough.

7. Be very cautious of strangers and those teasing or daring you to do something you don’t want to do, or that feels wrong.

8. Never go inside a house. Unless you absolutely know the people – they are family friends, relatives, etc., stay at the door, get your treats, and move on, after a mighty fine “thank you!”

9. Visit houses where the light are “on.” If the lights are out and the house is not decorated, you can pretty much assume they are not home, or are not participating with candy giving, etc. Next!

10. Walk. Do not run. No body needs a ripped costume or skinned knee when there’s so much fun to have.

11. Walk on sidewalks and driveways, not on the grass or through lawns.

12. Carry a flashlight.

13. Carry a cell phone if necessary.

Most of all, have great fun! Remember to say “Trick-Or-Treat!” Smile big! And, say, “THANK YOOOUUUUUU!”

Happy, fun Halloween.