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There are many considerations when trying to purchase the perfect present. Sometimes the person has everything. Some people may feel that they have enough stuff and they don’t want to have to decide how to store more items. Some people feel that they need to keep everything they are given whether they need it or like it or can use it. They are afraid of hurting the giver’s feelings. It may feel like an impossible mission. Consider the idea of a gift that self destructs.
Give tickets to an event
Sporting, theatre, art gallery exhibits, or musical events. Most of these types of events have virtual or live performances. Give them tickets so it won’t be a gift card that they file or lose. Most performances will allow tickets to be exchanged for a different date. You can support your local community by purchasing tickets to a little theatre production, or concert. Give them the gift of entertainment.
Rent a sports venue
It can be an hour of ice time, indoor soccer, indoor tennis, indoor pickleball and indoor golf. This type of gift usually gets people together to socialize and be active. It is a gift of physical and emotional health.
Give an experience as a gift then there is nothing to store Share on XLessons
You can give lessons to a person. Art lessons, wine tasting, golfing, home improvement, music, craft, beading, the ideas are limitless. Many lessons are delivered virtually and in person. Goggle _______lessons. You fill in the blank It can be one lesson or a group of lessons. You can do it as a group or a person can do it solo. Give the gift of a new experience.
Food
Give a gift of a meal, prepared by you for them on a mutually agreed date. You may want to give them a batch of muffins every month or whatever their favourite food is. People enjoy receiving homemade Christmas cookies or a fruit plate. You can go online and search COOKIES in a Jar. The recipient of the cookie mix adds water or milk and bakes the cookies. Give the gift of sharing your time with others.
A Service
Someone may enjoy being relieved of performing a tedious job. Arrange for a cleaning service, car detailing, professional organizer, snow removal, and lawn care. Give them the gift of time for themselves.
Charities
There are many charities that can benefit from donations. Select a charity and make a donation in the name of the person. Look at one aspect of the person’s life and try to find a charity that represents their interests. Give them the gift of generosity.
Give the gift of Fun
One year we rented a hot tub for a week. Another year I bought rocket kits for everyone, we built the kits and shot off the rockets.
Give the gift of memories
This year may be the perfect time to collect family photos and make a calendar. There are many online sites you can use to make the calendar. At the end of the year, you can let it go and make a new one. Give them the gift that keeps on giving.
Here are a few gifts that are clutter-free, personal and thoughtful and the ideas are endless. Don’t let time stop you from creatively finding the gift you want to give.
Share your idea in the comments
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually on Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to help you reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Reading time – 10 minutes
My guest blogger this month is Sophia Perry from Arizona Moving Professionals.
Downsizing often requires rethinking how to organize and store your belongings effectively. Whether you’re downsizing locally or moving to a new country, innovative storage solutions are essential for making the most of limited space, offering creative and practical ways to keep your home functional and clutter-free. So, let’s explore various storage ideas and strategies to help you transition smoothly into your new, cozier living space.
Innovative Storage Solutions Through Multi-Functional Furniture
Multi-functional furniture is one of the most effective innovative storage solutions for small homes. These versatile pieces serve multiple purposes, helping you maximize every square inch. For example, ottomans that double as storage bins, beds with built-in drawers, and coffee tables with hidden compartments are all excellent options. Multi-functional furniture allows you to maintain a tidy home without sacrificing the essentials.
A Big Step Before the Move
Taking time to declutter and then organize your belongings is vital before moving to a smaller home. Reducing what’s truly necessary can significantly ease the moving process. Sorting through your items and deciding what to keep, donate, or discard ensures your new space isn’t overwhelmed with unnecessary clutter.
This process makes unpacking more manageable and your new home more organized. Professional packing services can assist with this process. Their expertise can help you efficiently pack and label your items, ensuring everything is ready for the move.
Preparing for the Big Day
A well-organized moving day is essential for settling into your new home smoothly. To prepare for the big day, consider creating a packing strategy that includes labelling boxes clearly, making an inventory list, and packing items by room. These steps can save time and reduce stress on moving days, helping you transition into your new space more efficiently.
Utilizing Vertical Space Efficiently
In smaller homes, floor space is often limited, making it essential to use vertical space efficiently. Walls provide an excellent opportunity for storage that doesn’t encroach on living areas. Installing wall-mounted shelves can help you store books, kitchen supplies, or decorative items, freeing up floor space. Hanging organizers are also useful in closets, kitchens, and bathrooms, keeping smaller items tidy and within easy reach. Tall cabinets offer additional storage while maintaining a clean, organized appearance.
Smart Under-Bed Storage Solutions
Under-bed storage is an often underutilized area that can be incredibly valuable, especially in smaller homes. This space is perfect for items that aren’t needed daily, such as seasonal clothing or extra bedding. Rolling bins allow easy access to stored items, while vacuum-sealed bags help save space by compressing bulkier items. Custom-made drawers under the bed provide a more permanent solution, keeping your belongings organized and accessible. Effective under-bed storage keeps your living area clutter-free, ensuring essential items remain within easy reach while lesser-used items are neatly stored out of sight.
Use under the bed storage for extra supplies
Custom Built-In Storage for Maximum Efficiency
Custom-built storage solutions are ideal for maximizing space in smaller homes. Tailored to your needs, these built-ins, such as cabinets, shelves, and closets, provide ample storage while maintaining a streamlined look. A custom pantry in the kitchen can help organize groceries, while built-in living room bookshelves offer storage and a place to display items. In the bedroom, a custom closet with a mix of hanging rods, shelves, and drawers ensures all your belongings have a place.
Maximizing Closet Space
Closets in smaller homes can quickly become overcrowded, but you can significantly increase their capacity with a few adjustments. Double hanging rods maximize vertical space, allowing for more clothing to be stored. Shelf dividers keep items organized and easy to find, while stackable bins help manage smaller belongings. Slim, non-slip hangers free up even more space, ensuring your closet remains neat and functional. These simple changes can transform a cramped closet into an organized and efficient storage area.
Off-Site Storage: A Practical Option
Even with the best innovative storage solutions, some items you can’t fit into your new home may still exist. Renting off-site storage can be a practical option for seasonal items, sports equipment, or family heirlooms. This option allows you to maintain a clutter-free home while still having access to your belongings when needed.
When choosing a storage facility, look for one with climate control and secure access to ensure your items are well-protected. A reputable company, for instance, in Victoria, like Hendra Moving and Storage Victoria BC, provides a range of storage solutions to meet your needs, whether you require short-term or long-term options.
Keeping Clutter Out of Sight
Hidden storage solutions are perfect for maintaining a tidy home. Furniture with concealed compartments, such as sofas with storage under the cushions or benches with lift-up seats, provides discreet storage for items like blankets, books, or board games. These solutions keep your home looking clean while keeping your belongings easily accessible.
Kitchen Storage: Maximizing Small Spaces
Kitchens in smaller homes often have limited storage, making it challenging to keep essentials organized. Stackable containers, magnetic knife strips, and over-the-door organizers can help optimize kitchen storage. Pull-out shelves or lazy Susans provide easy access to items in deep cabinets, keeping your kitchen functional and clutter-free.
Room Dividers with Built-In Storage
Room dividers with built-in storage offer a versatile solution for open-plan spaces. These dividers, excellent space-saving hacks, help create separate areas while providing additional shelving or cabinets. They are ideal for storing books, decorative items, or office supplies, helping you stay organized in your smaller home.
Embracing Innovative Storage Solutions
Moving into a smaller home requires thoughtful planning and creative solutions. Embracing innovative storage solutions allows you to create a functional, organized, and comfortable living space that meets all your needs. These strategies will help you make the most of your new home’s space, from multi-functional furniture to custom-built storage and off-site options. Start planning your move today, and choose the storage solutions that best suit your lifestyle.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Learning at college or university has a variety of meanings. Some first-year students will be moving away from home for the first time. Their schedule will involve finding the right building in addition to the room. They will be dealing with online courses, labs and tutorials. There will be more opportunities for social interaction on-campus or off-campus. It may be overwhelming. Help organize your student’s move away from home by taking the right amount of stuff and organizing it in a way that suits their personality and new lifestyle.
Organize the right amount of stuff to take.
Panic may be starting to set in. This is the time of year for back to school. Some of you may be moving a student to a school close to home, some may have a long drive to the new school and others may have to fly. Whether you may be able to make multiple trips to your student’s school or if you have one chance to get it right, Anne Wynter’s How to Cut College Clutter shares many tips in this lovely blog post about:
- Clothes
- Documents
- Mini Kits
- Sentimental Items
Make your move a successful, low stress enjoyable event.
How much should I take?
Organize your employment
Once your student is settled at college they may need a job. Finding suitable work may be easier than you think. This article, Ways to make money in college from Aaron Whitman of Careful Cents has many employment opportunities to suit any timetable. Whether your student chooses to work a little or a lot any income helps reduce the overall debt they might incur at the end of their education. Plan ahead with your finances. In addition, balancing work and school also teaches time management skills.
There are many things your student needs to learn about moving to college or university. Teach them the skills a little at a time. Don’t overwhelm them. Start with packing, arriving and setting up the space. All teenagers can figure out how to get food. lol.
Now I’d like to hear from you. What tip are you going to use from the post? Or maybe I didn’t mention the thing that is most important in your family when someone moves out. Let me know in the comments.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of physical activity to reduce clutter, in your home and office. She guides and supports you in managing your time. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Reading time – 10 minutes
There are lots of blogs on this site helping you to organize any space in your home. You are armed with great information to get started but you’re afraid. All the clutter is overwhelming, and makes you feel anxious and stressed, you want to turn away and leave. This is a common response when you decide to make a change. There are many reasons why letting go of things can be difficult. In this article we are going to look at the fear of decision making.
Organized is defined as
- knowing what you have
- having what you need
- knowing where to find items
- finding things when you need them
Keep this definition in mind as you start making decisions about what to keep and what to let go of.
Mindset 1: I won’t know I need it until I don’t have it
Instead of worrying about not having something change your mindset to can I:
- Borrow it
- Do it another way
- Buy it again, try applying the minimalist 20/20 rule. If you can replace it in 20 minutes for under $20 it is not worth storing for just in case.
- Is it still useful to me?
- Is it still good? Many things have expiry dates, like food, medications, and cosmetics.
- Is it time to move on from having too much unnecessary stuff and make my life easier?
Instead of thinking about what you might need someday in an abstract way, change your mindset to when did I last use it? When you put your decision into measurable terms it is easier to decide if the item is important.
Mindset 2: I have never been good at making decisions
Taking responsibility for making decisions can be terrifying. I once heard, that even when you fall on your face you are still moving forward. We learn from mistakes and get better at doing things. Change your focus from not making mistakes to taking risks. You will get better at making good decisions:
- Practice makes perfect, as you take risks making decisions, it becomes less frightening and easier each time
- Pick favourites – it is ok not to love everything equally give yourself permission to have favourites and keep those items
- Treasure hunting – don’t focus on what you are giving away focus on what treasures you might find, make it a fun adventure
- Don’t let the past control your future – decide to take control of your space and make the decisions necessary to make your plan a success, you can do it
Don’t get trapped into keeping things for the reasons listed above. Be aware of those thoughts and ideas and when they start to affect your ability to make decisions, STOP. Clear your mind of these thoughts and remember you are good at making decisions to let go of things.
Mindset 3: It takes so much mental energy to make all those decisions
I always tell clients that decluttering and organizing will take mental energy and they will be tired after our session. Plan for needing energy, enthusiasm and excitement towards creating a new space you love that is energizing, creative and comfortable. Change your mindset from I am too tired to do this to, lets get started on this new journey by:
- Setting an amount of time to work that is right for you so you don’t get burned out, increase the amount of time until you can work for 1 hour or longer without feeling overwhelmed
- Decluttering and organizing get easier and take less energy as you get used to the system of sorting and making decisions more quickly
- Do it at your high energy time of day
- Reward yourself when the session is over
- Break the room into smaller bites so each bite is not taxing you to your maximum abilities
Let’s get started,
Take the first step
When you think about decluttering and organizing your home where do you feel tension in your body? Is it in your:
- Stomach
- Shoulder
- Headache
Recognize your reaction, acknowledge it, understand it, relax and move through that feeling of anxiety. You can do it.
Set a plan
- How much time will you spend in a session, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour or longer?
- Which room will you start on? Try starting with the one that is bothering you the most.
- Which part of the room will you do first a drawer, cupboard, or table? Pick a starting point and then move around the room from right to left.
- What questions will you ask yourself to help you decide to keep it or remove it?
Place your unneeded items in a box to be donated or offered to a friend or family member.
Plan the next session
Make an appointment with yourself; the date, time and area to work on to keep up the momentum. The first session may have been hard and short. Practice makes perfect and makes it easier to let go of things. In each session, you will make more progress as you have a plan to follow and you are able to work longer.
Reward yourself
Big or small, reward yourself for overcoming your fear and successfully removing some items from your home. You’re still alive, you survived and you did it.
Need some support or guidance for your project
There are 3 ways I can help you:
Book a virtual organizing appointment and we can do it together. I’ll be there with you watching you through your computer, phone or tablet and helping you with the process. https://mindoverclutter.ca/virtual-organizing-services/
If you’re having trouble making changes to your home book a coaching appointment to discuss how to reduce your fears with making changes. https://mindoverclutter.as.me/organizingsession
If you live in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada book an in person session for us to work together in your home. https://mindoverclutter.ca/contact/
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Reading Time – 5 minutes
The bathroom is a high traffic area used by many people in a home. Use the storage spaces well. Think about wall space and if a cabinet or over the toilet stand can be added. Is there space beside the toilet to add a slender cabinet for towels or toilet paper and Kleenex? There are over the cabinet door products to hold blower dryers and flat irons. Before organizing your bathroom you might want to do a quick declutter to remove unneeded and unwanted items. Next, use these 5 tips to make your bathroom function better and safely.
1. Have a drawer for each person who uses the bathroom to store his or her toiletries and cosmetics. If you don’t have the space to store items in the bathroom, give each person a basket to transport their things to and from his or her bedroom, where the basket is stored.
2. Purchase under-sink storage shelves or baskets to make good use of this under-utilized area. It can be a difficult area to organize because of the pipes under the sink and it is a very deep cabinet.
3. If medications are stored in the bathroom, safely store them where small children and pets can’t gain access. If you have expired medications take them to your pharmacy to be recycled. Most pharmacies want the pills removed from the packaging and placed in a plastic bag. All the medication can go in one bag.
4. Store cleaning supplies safely, out of the reach of children and nearby so you can do quick clean-ups.
5. Add hooks or towel bars to the walls or over-the-door racks/hooks to hang and dry towels after use. Not enough room in the bathroom? Install hooks or bars in the bedrooms. This will keep towels off the floor, neat and clean. This Ikea towel bar has 3 bars that swing out from the wall. It gives lots of space for towels and doesn’t need much wall space.
What is the biggest storage problem in your bathroom?
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
The challenge started with cosmetics, continued with bedrooms, and then the dining room. You can join the challenge anytime and do it in any order. Remember to work quickly for 10 – 30 minutes going around the space and collecting items you no longer need, use or love. Use music to motivate you and a timer to help you stay on task.
Donating and recycling
Many items can be recycled, batteries, pens and markers, and printer cartridges at Staples. Habitat for Humanity takes building supplies and old electronics for recycling. Check with thrift stores in your area. They take household goods, clothing, toys and furniture. Books can be donated at Value Village.
Selling
You may want to sell some items, look at Facebook Marketplace, consignment stores, Kijiji and Craigslist. When selling items to strangers, meet them in a public place and have someone with you. It is the time of year when you can do yard sales.
The Challenge
This challenge can be applied to your family room, living room and recreation room. Get everyone involved and make the quick declutter challenge go faster.
In the comments let me know what interesting things you discovered.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
My guest blogger this month is Melissa Knowles a passionate writer and expert in de-cluttering sentimental items. With a background in psychology and a love for preserving memories, she combines her knowledge to help readers cherish their past without the chaos. When not writing, Melissa enjoys hiking and capturing the beauty of nature through her photography.
Often, organizing sentimental items presents a unique challenge. These treasures, rich with personal history and emotions, can quickly accumulate, leading to a cluttered space that overshadows their proper value. The key lies in striking a balance between holding onto those precious memories and maintaining a tidy, peaceful living area. We will address this issue, guiding you through practical strategies to preserve memories without clutter. Whether you’re dealing with a box full of old photographs, heirlooms passed down through generations, or souvenirs from travels, we’ll provide insights on managing these items thoughtfully.
Understanding sentimental value
What makes an item sentimental varies considerably from person to person. It could be a family antique, a trip souvenir, or a simple note, each carrying its own story and emotional weight. These items connect us to memories of important people or events, making them invaluable. The emotional attachment to these keepsakes is deep-rooted, often evoking a sense of nostalgia, joy, pain or comfort. However, objectively evaluating their sentimental value is crucial to avoid clutter. It involves asking yourself hard questions about each item’s significance and role. Does it bring joy or merely take up space? Is its emotional significance still powerful, or has it faded over time? How many items do you need to remember the event or person? Are there other ways to keep the memory alive without holding onto a physical item? Do these items hold you in the past and letting go of them will help you to move forward with your life? Answering these questions can help distinguish between valuable keepsakes and mere clutter, enabling a healthier, more organized living space.
The art of selective keeping
The art of selective keeping is about making conscious choices on what to hold onto and what to release. Being selective ensures that each kept item truly resonates with personal significance, creating a decluttered and organized space. Here’s how you can determine what’s worth keeping:
- Emotional Connection: Does the item evoke positive emotions? Keep those that bring joy or comfort.
- Uniqueness: Prioritize items that cannot be replaced or replicated, like handmade gifts or family heirlooms.
- Usage: Consider if the item is something you use or enjoy regularly. Practicality can be a form of sentimentality.
- Condition: Keep items in good condition, as damaged goods often contribute to clutter.
Creative display options
Creatively displaying sentimental items can transform them from clutter to charming decor elements. These treasures can add a personal touch to your living space, telling your unique story. Create a themed gallery wall where photos, souvenirs, and artworks can narrate a cohesive story. Shadow boxes are another excellent option, perfect for showcasing smaller items with depth and protection.
Incorporating keepsakes into functional decor is both artistic and practical. A vintage quilt, for example, could serve as a striking wall hanging or a cozy throw. Similarly, you can use heirloom dishes for special occasions or display them in a glass cabinet, adding elegance and history to your dining area. Lastly, arranging items in groups of three or five can create a balanced, visually appealing display. This method, known as the ‘Rule of Odds,’ suggests that an odd number of items are more effective at capturing attention and adding visual interest.
Create a small personal area in your home office, bedroom or kitchen to display a few times on a shelf and wall that represent the memories that are most precious in your life. As you work in that space these memories will help you to reflect on the past and bring a sense of gratitude that your life is full of wonderful things and experiences motivating you to become the person you want to be. As you grow and your life evolves change the items that are on display. Life is not static.
Digitize to declutter
Digital preservation saves space, protects from degradation, and allows easy sharing. Here’s a guide to digitizing photos and documents:
- Select the Right Equipment: Use a scanner or a high-quality camera to capture clear images of your items.
- Organize Before Scanning: Sort items by categories, like dates or events, for more manageable digital filing.
- Scan at High Resolution: Ensure scanned images are high quality to preserve details. Use a resolution of 300 dpi (dots per inch).
- Edit and Enhance: Use photo editing software to adjust brightness, contrast, or remove blemishes.
For digital storage, consider virtual organizers and these tools:
- Cloud Storage Services: Options like Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud offer secure and accessible storage solutions.
- Online Photo Services: Websites like Flickr or SmugMug provide dedicated photo storage with organizing features.
- Document Management Software: Ideal for organizing digital copies of important documents, with added features like tagging and search functions.
Themed memory boxes
Memory boxes are a delightful and organized way to preserve special memories. They are containers where you can store various keepsakes relating to a particular theme, event, person, or period. Organizing events like weddings, vacations, or significant birthdays allows you to group related items, creating a concentrated snapshot of that time. Yearly boxes are another option. They are a time capsule for all the notable happenings and small joys each year.
For proper storage and labelling of these boxes:
- Choose the Right Box: Opt for durable boxes. To truly protect the contents from damage, quality materials can help. If you live in a cold area like Toronto, you don’t want precious things to get damaged due to the changing weather. Doing this will make buying packing supplies in Toronto a good investment.
- Keep Them Accessible but Safe: Store the boxes in a dry, cool place where you can easily reach them.
- Document the Contents: Make a list of what’s inside each box, especially those containing numerous or small items
The power of repurposing
Repurposing sentimental items is a creative way to preserve memories without clutter. This approach allows us to honour the past while adapting to current needs and spaces. For instance, a beloved but worn dress can find new life as a stylish cushion cover, adding a personal touch to your home decor. Similarly, old concert t-shirts, often tucked away in drawers, can be transformed into a unique quilt, combining nostalgia with everyday usefulness.
Other examples include:
- Turning old letters or recipes into framed artwork for your kitchen or living area.
- Repurposing children’s artwork into coasters or magnets, keeping their creativity on display.
- Converting a collection of travel postcards into a collage for a coffee table or a wall hanging.
Find a balance between preserving these items’ sentimental value and adapting them into practical, usable objects.
Preserve memories without clutter by sharing and donating
Sharing sentimental items with family and friends can be a touching experience, strengthening bonds and preserving unique memories while creating an organized home at the same time. It’s about passing on a piece of history and personal story, allowing others to cherish and add to the legacy of these items. For example, giving a cherished book to a friend who loves reading or passing down a vintage jewelry piece to a family member can extend the life and stories of these items. Donating items, especially those with historical or educational value, is another fulfilling option. Museums, schools, or historical societies often welcome items that contribute to their collections and educational programs.
Conclusion
This guide has provided actionable tips on how to preserve memories without clutter. We explored the essence of sentimental value, the art of selective keeping, and creative ways to display cherished items. The core message is clear: preserving memories does not require a compromise on living in a clutter-free space. It’s about making thoughtful decisions that honour your past and current lifestyle. With these strategies, you will transform your home into a space that beautifully reflects your memories and keeps them alive without clutter.
Share in the comments how you decide which sentimental items to keep and which ones to pass along.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
As a Professional Organizer, I enjoy reading about statistics that explain why it is so hard to get organized and maintain the organization in a household. Sometimes people look back on their childhood and see a house that has a place for everything and everything in its place. Read these statistics. They explain changes that can be made in your lifestyle that will make it easier to be organized.
These statistics come from a newsletter published by Joshua Becker of the MInimalists.
1. The average American home has quadrupled in size over the last 100 years—from 700 square feet in the 1920s to 2,700 square feet in 2015. (source)
2. Still, more than a third of Americans rent self storage units—spending $38 billion every year. (source)
3. The average American shopper buys 60% more clothing items than they did 15 years ago but keeps them for half as long. The average garment may be worn as few as ten times before disposal. (source)
4. The average American woman has 103 items of clothing in her closet. In 1930, the average American owned just nine outfits. (source / source)
5. Yet, American households spend, on average, almost $1,500 on clothing every year. (source)
6. No wonder the average American throws away about 81 pounds of clothing every year! (source)
7. American credit card debt now exceeds $1 trillion for the first time—twice as much credit card debt as just 10 years ago. (source)
8. Americans make one impulse purchase every two days, spending up to $5400 annually ($324,000 over their lifetime). (source)
9. Americans spend over $8 billion every year on unwanted gifts. (source)
10. The average American household now owns 25 connected devices. (source)
11. The average person in Great Britain owns 80 books which they haven’t read. (source)
12. Each year, 119 billion pounds of food is wasted in the United States. That equates to 130 billion meals and more than $408 billion in food thrown away each year. Shockingly, nearly 40% of all food in America is wasted. (source)
13. Even though we stock our kitchens with food we don’t eat, Americans now spend more on dining out than on groceries. (source)
14. 80% of the items we own are never used. (source)
15. Americans spend $18,000 per year, per person, on nonessentials. (source)
As you read these statistics think about how many of them apply to your lifestyle. What changes can you make to reduce how much you own that you are not using? Reducing what you own saves you money by buying less, gives you more time to do other things than organizing your stuff and helps you to develop new habits that lead to a healthier lifestyle.
In the comments let me know which statistic surprised you the most.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
Great ideas for downsizing, moving or moving a family member
Whether you are moving from a house to an apartment, retirement home or you have already done this but still have abundance in your home and want to scale down even more understanding the where, why, who how and what can make the decisions easier.
Where does all the stuff come from?
It may not even be your stuff. Some of you have things from your parents downsizing that ended up at your house because your Mom and Dad didn’t want to give it away but didn’t have room, so out of respect to your parents you stored it at your house. Perhaps your children have moved out but their stuff hasn’t.
Why do we keep so much?
During the Depression, we learned to keep an iron grip on anything that might still have some good in it. Then we were encouraged to buy, buy, and buy and to acquire every luxury we could afford. Next, items began to be manufactured so cheaply that when you couldn’t find it you bought another. The Reagan years were about visible consumption. We had TV shows like The Lifestyles Of The Rich and Famous. We started competing with millionaires. Perhaps you have spent 40 years accumulating and now you are spending time getting rid of excess.
Who is downsizing?
The first thing is for YOU to make the decision that it is necessary to do it. Not because your spouse or your sister or friend says you should. Just like losing weight or quitting smoking, it has to be your decision otherwise you won’t be successful. It is a hard process not only because it can be very physical but there are a lot of emotions that go with it and it can be a long process. Our culture seems to think that building up is inherently better than scaling down. Fewer luxuries make you appear to be a less successful person. The idea that some people judge your worth by the things you own, rather than by your personality and achievements can stop you from downsizing. It can be life changing to let go of your things. When the process is over, you may feel
- less stressed,
- sleep better,
- have more time to be with family, grandchildren or even travel.
Scaling down does not mean renouncing your own style. It means stripping away things that no longer fit or do not contribute to making your lifestyle easier. You want to be able to find the things you need and love.
How? Make a Plan
Once you have made your decision to downsize or streamline before you begin the process it is important to know what you want as the outcome and set a goal of what you ultimately want it to look like. If you’re moving – you need to know room sizes and what are the absolute must have large items like a bed, couches, dressers, antiques etc. Write it all down. Once you know what you want, and what it should look like and visualize the end product then you start to go through your things. It will help make the decisions easier because you can see if it will fit your plan.
What is stopping you?
If you are the type of person who has a hard time getting rid of things, try to understand why it is difficult for you.
- Are you sentimental?
- Do you like to be in control?
- Is it about pride?
- Do you hate making decisions?
- Is it too painful to revisit certain parts of your life?
Being honest with yourself makes the process easier.
When?
Schedule time to do it when you are not rushed and do one room, box or corner. Give yourself a set amount of time, if you feel you want to continue then great, but don’t become overwhelmed.
Here are some steps you can take to tackle the job
- Set up a few boxes or bins and label them. Charity, family, garbage, recycle, keep.
- While sorting, group like with like. Put all your books together, electronics, collections, paper etc.
At the end of the session
- take the donated items to the front door or even better right out to your car so that you will drop them off
- put the recycling out
- put the garbage out
- move items that you are returning to other people close to the door
When deciding whether you should give it away, go back to your plan and see if it,
- will fit into your space
- will go with your new design or décor.
- If not donate.
After grouping all the items you can then see how much you really have and you may need to donate some more items.
Collections and Antiques
The hardest thing for people to let go of are their collections and antiques especially, if they belonged to a parent or a loved one that has passed. Ask yourself:
- Do you have room for them?
- If they end up in storage or in a box how treasured are they?
- Could you just keep one or two and give away the rest?
- Can you take pictures of them?
- Do some research to see if they are valuable and have someone sell them on eBay for you or contact an antique dealer.
If you don’t have room for it give it to a family member that has the same passion for collecting so they can enjoy it and you can visit. Invite people over for brunch. After the meal show them the items you are giving away and let them select things that have meaning for them.
Staying surrounded by things that remind you of the past or which you respond to predictably may prevent you from moving ahead with your life. Remember they are just things you will still have the memories. After you have completed downsizing you will end up with a beautiful home, filled only with what you need and love, that uses every inch of space the way you want. You will have control over your environment and freedom from chaos.
Need help with downsizing, contact Mind over Clutter for a complimentary 30-minute chat on Zoom.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices, coaching you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
The benefits of having a bedroom free of clutter are obvious to see. It is easier to move in the room without tripping on items left on the floor. You can find things on your night table without bumping other items over. Have you thought about how a clutter free bedroom might make you feel? You will feel as though you have a clearer mind when you are in that room, and that might help you unwind and sleep more effectively. When it is less cluttered, you might enjoy being there more and it can become a sacred place. Fortunately, it’s relatively easy to gain a clutter-free bedroom, so let’s take a look at four steps you might not have thought of as a way to achieve that.
Match The Bed To The Room
Have you seen a bedroom with a bed and furniture that takes up all the space so that it is difficult to move around the room? Did you ever think the cluttered feeling could be caused by the size of your bed? Try to match the bed to the room size. A less crowded room is easier to keep clean and organized. When you have a huge bed, one problem is that you might struggle to feel relaxed in that room with no place to move. You might need to visit a mattress store in your area to find better options for your space. Visually your room will look bigger, less crowded and more inviting. You will feel less anxious entering the room and have less stress. Practically it will be easier to get things out, put them away and make your bed every day.
Store Items Under The Bed
This is a simple thing you can do which will make your bedroom less cluttered and visibly cleaner. Storing items under the bed is something that is not always possible – for instance, if you have a divan base that almost touches the floor. Captain’s beds are built with drawers under the bed for storage. Some beds have a base that is hinged to create a storage area in the bed frame. You can create storage under your bed by using bed risers to lift the bed up. When there is space under the bed, make use of it. It’s amazing how this space can be used so you have more room in your closets or dressers.
Minimize Wall Decorations
It can be tempting to go all out and try to decorate your bedroom in a way that is beautiful. You might find it quite beneficial to not go overboard here. In fact, you’ll find that keeping wall decorations to a minimum will lead to a space that has less visual clutter and a much clearer appearance. Put items on the wall that have a calming effect so it is easier to relax and clear your mind as you get ready to sleep.
Store Things Elsewhere
Finally, there is something to be said about not letting the bedroom become a general dumping ground for random items around the home. It is one of the most important rooms in the home and one that you need to care for and respect. It is a space where you rejuvenate your mind and regenerate your body for the next day. It is easy at the end of a tiring day to bring things into the bedroom, put them down and say you’ll put them away tomorrow. Take the extra minute and put them away so you don’t have a constant reminder of an unfinished task when you are trying to go to sleep. Don’t end up with lots of random items cluttering up your restful space.
Usually, I talk about the process of decluttering a room to have less unwanted stuff. These 4 steps approach making a bedroom clutter-free in a different way, through the thoughtful selection of furniture, decoration and storage. They also help to create a room with less visual clutter and mental clutter.
In the comments share how you make your bedroom clutter-free.
Julie Stobbe is a Trained Professional Organizer and Lifestyle Organizing Coach who brings happiness to homes and organization to offices,oachng you virtually using Zoom. She has been working with clients since 2006 to provide customized organizing solutions to suit their individual needs and situations. She uses her love of teaching to reduce clutter, in your home, office, mind and time. She guides and supports you to be accountable for your time, to complete projects and to reach your goals. If you’re in a difficult transition Julie can coach you to break-free of emotional clutter constraining you from living life on your terms. Online courses are available to help instruct, coach and support your organizing projects. Get started by downloading Tips for Reorganizing 9 Rooms.
Contact her at julie@mindoverclutter.ca
Twitter – Facebook – Facebook group Organizing Mind and Space
