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Be Organized in the Family Room | Tidy Thursday

by April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach

Finding ways to be organized in the family room {great room, bonus room, living room} can be one of the most difficult projects you take on.

Why?

Because there are so many different organizing personalities using the same space.

{and yes, that picture is the Man Cave in my home ... no adjustments made before the shot}

 

How to be Organized in the Family Room | deClutter

Let's start at the beginning.

Take a look around.

1. Start collecting the garbage into a trash bag
2. Sort "stuff that doesn't belong" into piles based on where it needs to go {ex: dishes = kitchen}
3. Deliver piles to their destination

 

How to be Organized in the Family Room | Function

Next, you'll want to look at what's left in the space.

Ask yourself the following

1. What do I do in here?
2. Who do I do those things with? {other family members, guests, myself}
3. Where does it make sense to do those things in this room?

 

How to be Organized in the Family Room | Maintaining

Finally, keeping up on it.

Here's the deal. When you live in a space, it will never look like a magazine ad. Well, unless you're selling storage containers to your friends ... but I digress.

• You're going to have snacks while you watch TV
  • and place dishes or garbage on the convenient surfaces
• You're going to cuddle up under blankets when you're cold
  • and leave them sprawled out all over when you sleepily head to bed
• You're going to find a catastrophe after the kiddos have friends over {or girl's night or the Super Bowl or the animals were left home alone all day}
  • and wonder what tornado arrived inside your home when you weren't looking

These things happen.

Now.

I give you permission to allow all that to go on under your roof without anxiety.

Why?

Because, this is what life looks like.

 

How to be Organized in the Family Room | Reality

How do other people do it?

They see things are lying around and they make the time to pick them up.

Oh, and don't get me wrong. I'm not talking about the strict "you must do it this way" regime.

I'm talkin' - you enter the room, notice the blankets & either fold them up and put 'em away or you get back under them ... then fold 'em up & put them away when you're done.

Give yourself a break.

No one is perfect. And a family room is most definitely NOT the place to begin measuring yourself against any sense of normal.

 

Join me in the conversation below or over on the VolunteerSpot Facebook Page ...

What does your family room look like right now, and what attempts have you made to be organized in that shared space?

Keepin' it Tidy,

April

April is a Mental Clutter Expert | Mom of 2 boys | Wife to 1 Fireman | Horrible Cook | Loyal Friend | National Public Speaker who gives you permission to be imperfect

Want more? Come join the DIY Declutter Club today!

 

Organize at Work | Tidy Thursday

by April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach

Are you at work reading this? If so, look down ... right now. What do you see around your work chair?

• A clear floor?
• Maybe a few active projects in piles?
• How about the overflow of "stuff" from your desk?

or maybe

You work from home, and the home office is a constant struggle. If you're lucky enough to have the space to dedicate to a home office?

Ugh.

Now what?

Organize at Work Problems:

I see two organize at work fundamental issues:

1. You've come into someone else's system, and it doesn't really work for you
2. You work from home & there is no pre-set system

Time to Organize at Work:

Then there's the whole time issue.

• When you travel to an office, you can't wait to get home :: who wants to hang around after hours to organize?
• When you work from home, you can't escape :: "I already feel like I work 24/7!"

Organize at Work Boundaries:

There I said it. Boundaries.

Admit it, you knew it was coming.

• Setting limits in a professional space for both your co-workers & yourself can go a long way when it comes to clutter.
• Establishing guidelines for yourself and others in the home can help you gain control over the chaos.

 

Organize at Work Client Story:

I once worked with an executive that used all surfaces as the potential filing system. {the couch, the chairs, the conference table, the desk, the top of filing cabinets, books on the bookshelves}

I was called in to help "organize" the space.

Taking one look around I immediately knew what the problem was.

This executive had inherited someone else's system. More importantly? It didn't work for the executive's organizing personality.

Once we realized the flow of the office and the filing system were the biggest concerns we set about re-arranging. EVERYTHING.   

1. First gathering piles, relocating them to a "staging area".
2. Then moving the furniture to a more comfortable layout
3. And finally, bringing piles in one at a time - assigning them a new home in files or project areas.

These solutions may seem simple, but trust me - the process took several weekends over the span of about 6 months.

So, "what happened to the executive?"

After our work together the executive felt so confident, a promotion was applied for & accepted!

Moral of the story?

• Take in the view.
• What is frustrating about the space?
• Do you respond with 'it's always been that way'?
• What can you change?

 

As for you Work-at-Home folks:

My best advice is to establish a space dedicated to productivity. Even if it's the coat closet.

Corral your work related clutter there.

Then, when you take care of domestic chores add the work space to your list.

Chipping away at the clutter of your workspace when you're in "home" mode can be effective as long as you don't get sucked into "work" mode.

Remember, when you work from home - you are the janitor as much as you are the CEO.

 

I'd love to hear more over on the VolunteerSpot Facebook Page:

What organize at work tips {or struggles} have you had?

 

Keepin in Tidy,

April

 

P.S. If you're interested in more tips you can join the DIY Club - with daily, weekly or monthly emails! 

 

April is a Mental Clutter Expert | Mom of 2 boys | Wife to 1 Fireman | Horrible Cook | Loyal Friend | National Public Speaker who gives you permission to be imperfect

VolunteerSpot Blog | Best of 2011

Blog Series, Guest Regulars and Wonderful Readers Made 2011 our Best Year Yet!

We want to celebrate and thank our guest contributors for a great year of all things service and giving back.  From insightful perspectives on school parent involvement,  non-profit success and benefit auction how-to's, to volunteer management and social media tips, teacher appreciation and fun class party ideas, employee volunteering and corporate responsibility news, faith group and community-building concepts and so much more - our blog proved to be an ever-evolving foundation for sharing timely and desired content.  

 
A favorite summer blog series, Teacher Tuesdays, was a thrilling opportunity to feature guest posts focusing on parent engagement in education from a teacher's perspective.  

 

Our Summer of Service feature gave us the privilege of featuring leading guest bloggers who shared their unique and personal perspectives on service, volunteering and citizen philanthropy.  Topics ranged from volunteering for kids and volunteer management, to the power of story-telling, employee service, supporting military families and so much more! 

 

The My School My Way campaign brought together over 30 bloggers sharing the highs and lows of parent volunteering, and how they did it their way in their school.  From humourous anecdotes to heart-warming insights, our My School My Way blog campaign had something for everyone, and we were honored to share these wonderful parents and writers with our readers.  Wrap-up and roll call.

_______________________________________________________________

April Welch, our resident Mental Clutter Coach, joined us week after week for Tidy Thursday - bringing fresh ideas and bright new ways to approach organizing our lives!

Worship Wednesday guest posts from Sue Brage were a true blessing.  From a faith-based perspective, her thoughts and words shed light on growing one's faith group and the interpretation of service in doing so.

 

 

Sherry Truhlar of Red Apple Auctions LLC brought us countless helpful tips, ideas and strategies when it came to running a successful auction.  From publicitiy, to gathering volunteers, legal refreshers, and best practices, expert advice made auction fundraisers less of a dream and more of a reality for many readers.

 

___________________________________________________________________ 

VolunteerSpotlights gave us a chance to shine a light on the amazing individuals and organizations who use VolunteerSpot to make a difference in their community.  From school parent leaders to festival organizers, conference coordinators to humane societies, congregational volunteer leaders to regional homeless shelter organizers - the willingness to do good was colorful and widespread and we were honored to share each and every story.

Additional Guest Regulars included:

Chris Jarvis of Realized Worth brought us insights into workplace volunteering, corporate social responsibility, and employee volunteer programs.

Andrea Patten of What Kids Need to Succeed illumined top tips, best practices, fun stories and helpful hints when it comes to running a successful nonprofit.

Myrdin Thompson of RootsandWings Library and MomCongress provided a keen and astute perspective from everything grant-writing, to literacy promotion, and advocating for more school involvement.

Susan Wells of SteveSpanglerScience joined us to share super creative and much-needed ideas incorporating science into the classroom, whether for a class party, school science fair, or the "dreaded science project."

A variety of incredibly talented and knowledgable contributors made our array of free e-books available as a highly sought-after resource for countless volunteers, organizers, teachers, team moms, and room parents!  From healthy snack ideas, to parent-teacher conference, class party, volunteer recognition, bake sale, school carnival, fundraising, talent show, and family volunteering ideas and tips, our e-books continue to be a fun and helpful resource for our readers and we are thrilled to be able to share them on our blog.

Family Friendly Volunteering: Service Project Ideas from A-Z

View more presentations from VolunteerSpot

There are so many more favorite posts and contributors in addition to these listed and we hope you take the time to look around.  Of course, our blog would be nowhere without our amazing readers and those who help promote and share our posts.  2011 was an incredible year and we are sure 2012 will prove to be even better - many thanks and here's to a New Year!

How to say Thank You | Tidy Thursday

by April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach

With Hanukkah in full swing and Christmas this weekend, the big question on many minds will be "how to say thank you" in a timely and appropriate manner.

How to say Thank You :: making a plan

It seems this tradition has definitely taken a back seat over the years. I can remember my Mom insisting I write Thank You notes before the school winter break was over. If I procrastinated past that, I was grounded until it was done.

Needless to say, I wasn't motivated to continue the appreciative act once I was on my own. However, I was taught well and got those notes out before the beginning of the new year ... most of the time.

Here are some of the strategies I've come up with over the years.

How to say Thank You :: kids

Finding a "pre-formatted" thank you note / letter is a great way to help the kiddos along. At this point in life it is simply about teaching the lesson of etiquette. When you receive a gift, you send a note of appreciation.

How to say Thank You :: adults

Saying thank you to adults can be a bit tricky. Here are some guidelines I follow:

• Friends I see daily / weekly / monthly = I literally say "Thank You" upon receipt of the gift {and usually give them a big squishy hug}
• Family = if they see me open the gift, I say "Thank You". If the gift is opened at a later date, I call and say "Thank You". If they are older than my parents I send a "Thank You" note.

How to say Thank You :: distant family

With notepad in hand, I keep track of who sent what as the gifts are opened.

Then after all the craziness calms down I gather the kids and we compose a "Family Thank You" note.

Taking a picture of the kids holding the words "Thank You" and then using a stationery site such as TinyPrints to print note cards is a great way to customize the gesture.

Including personal touches such as

"Thank you for the Xbox 360 game! I've already played it a few times and it is awesome ~ {signed} The Pipsqueak"

"Thank you so much for the cash! I've put most of it with the other money I'm saving for my first car and used a little to hang out with friends ~ {signed} The First Born"

**Note: obviously, my boys sign their real names {grin}**

How to say thank You :: volunteers

Saying Thank You as a volunteer that has received a "Thank You" gift may seem a little, well, backwards. I know. But hear me out.

Being appreciated is a wonderful thing. Being appreciated and knowing the etiquette is a fantastic thing.

When you are given a physical gift, etiquette states you acknowledge the gesture with a note. However, if you've simply been sent a "Thank You for your volunteer efforts in {insert year here}" you can relish in their appreciation.

Make sense?

 

Leave any tips or comments over on the VolunteerSpot Facebook page {or below}

What do you do when faced with how to say thank you?

 

Keepin it Tidy,

April

 

April is a Mental Clutter Expert | Mom of 2 boys | Wife to 1 Fireman | Horrible Cook | Loyal Friend | National Public Speaker who gives you permission to be imperfect.

How to Have a Happier Christmas

Doing, Caring, and Communing | Worship Wednesday

Often we think we have to have a perfect Christmas for everyone to be happy—including us!

Yet, there may be circumstances beyond our control that are keeping us from having a "perfect" holiday; family stress, illness, divorce, financial strain. Any of these things can interfere with our ability to enjoy the holidays. Wherever you find yourself today, there are some simple things you can do to have a happier Christmas, regardless of your situation.

Recently I read about some scientists conducting a happiness study. Their research revealed that among people who rated themselves "happiest," there were three common patterns. If we incorporate these same habits into our lives this Christmas week, we can drive away the humbugs and bring on the happy!  

The first thing about happy people is: They do things they enjoy.

Wow, that's a real epiphany isn't it? 

In her book, Women Who Do Too Much, Patricia Sprinkle shares this simple formula for enjoying life more:

• Do more of what you enjoy doing.
• Do less of what you don't enjoy doing.
• Spend more time doing what you are good at. 
• Spend less time doing things you aren't so good at.

This is a great recipe for keeping the holiday spirit! As we let go of the things we feel we have to do and focus on the things we enjoy doing, we'll feel our stress begin to melt away.

Just this morning I got an email from my sis-in-law who spent the weekend baking. She must have made eight different recipes and she's not finished. Thankfully she is coming to my house for the holiday, so that means...I don't have to bake. 

In the past this would have been hard to let go of. But the reality is, I don't enjoy baking nearly as much as I once did. Without kids in the kitchen, it's just not the same. So, letting go of this tradition, while hard, will ultimately help me have a happier time with my family. Plus, we still get to enjoy homemade goodies.

Think about the things you still have to do this week. Which do you really enjoy? Now, about those other things...

What can you delegate? What can you do without? You may be surprised what you can give up and how much happier you will be as a result!

The next thing the study found is: happy people are part of a community.

Finding time to be with people--family, neighbors, church friends, and so on--will help you enjoy your holiday more. Some of you may be thinking, you don't know my family! Well, I actually have my own, so I think I know what you mean. Warts and all, we are made to spend time with others. These meaningful connections ground us and help us have a sense of belonging. If we let go of some of our Hallmark Channel-inspired expectations, and accept people (and ourselves) for what we are, you may be surprised at how much fun they are.

What can you do this week to nurture your sense of community? How about inviting the neighbors over for some hot cider? Or making time to catch up with an old friend? Or stopping by a nursing home and saying hello to a few residents? These things will connect you with others and make you feel better. You will find yourself humming falalala in no time!

The last thing the study showed is: happier people care and do for others.

There is definitely still time to help others this season. And in doing so, we will enrich our own enjoyment of the holidays. Let's face it it feels good to give. And when we reach out beyond ourselves and meet someone else's need, we cheer ourselves up.

Here are a couple of ideas to get you started:

• Pack up extra scarves, hats, and gloves and drop them at the local mission or homeless shelter.
• Offer to babysit for a single parent so they can finish up their Christmas shopping. 
• Purchase a gift card and give it to someone you know could use it. 

Any of these generous acts will life your spirits, and you will be making a difference in someone else's Christmas at the same time.

You can have the happiest Christmas yet...by putting these simple steps into action. Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect to be merry!

Sue Brage worked in nonprofit marketing and communications for more than nine years before joining Group Publishing as Online Publisher and Editor for Church Volunteer Daily.com. Her experience as a writer, editor, and volunteer coordinator (not to mention wife and mother) gives her a unique perspective and ability to encourage and help leaders. She has a big heart for people and great passion for helping others serve their churches and communities better. Follow Sue on Twitter at @SueB rage and @CVCDaily

Meaningful Gift Giving | Teaching Children The Art Of Giving

10 Thoughtful Tips to Help Children Learn it’s Better to Give than to Get!

Everything about the holiday season sparkles, from the tinsel and shining lights to the twinkle in your child’s eye when staring in shop windows or dreaming of treats and parties.  Find a bright new way to light up their world, share the fine art of gift giving with your child this season with these ten creative ideas!

1. Inspire meaningful giving—Help your child understand gift giving should be based on the likes and wants of the receiving person, not necessarily what your child would most enjoy.
   
   
2. Encourage gift exchanges—When your child wants to give a present to all of their friends, team members, and Scout leaders;  suggest instead creating an anonymous drawing and each member commit to giving a gift their secret person this season.  Not only does this save money, but it can make the gift your child gives all that more thoughtful.
   
   
3. Theme gifts! —Recommend thinking about what the gift receiver enjoys, what hobbies they may have – theme your gift accordingly.
   
   
4. Give the gift of time or service in the form of coupons—This novelty idea is still a great one and allows a child to truly give back as a present.  Mowing lawns, raking leaves, shoveling snow, walking dogs, reading to elderly, teaching music; find more ideas for turning hobbies into service with your family.
   
   
5. For those faraway, including grandparents and other relatives—Help your child set up a time to call or Skype so they can share in the joy of the season in person. (Prepare in advance to teach grandma and grandpa how to use Skype, they will thank you!)
   
   
6. Home-made!—Hand-made treats and crafts are perfect for helping spread joy, and when it’s a present your child has made himself, it’s already more meaningful. Festive examples include: picture frames for relatives and best friends, cards, magnets, and easy baked goods (cookies or chocolate dipped candy canes).
   
   
7. For the teacher— Encourage your child to find a way to say Happy Holidays and Thank You!  Part of their gift can include writing down and sharing their favorite part of the semester or their favorite book they have read. (Tip: send a copy of the thank you note to the school principal to really share your appreciation, and check out our free Teacher Gift Ideas)!
   
   
8. Give to the community—Have children give to others they don’t know by donating gently used clothes, toys, and books to local organizations.
   
   
9. Give to a cause—If your child has saved up their allowance and wants to donate some if it this season, suggest they do so in the name of someone else – letting that person know how they were inspired by them to give back to that specific cause this holiday season.
   
   
10. Keep it fun!—Make sure your child doesn’t stress about what the person will think or if they will enjoy the gift – convey that a gift from the heart is meaningful no matter what.

 

What tips and ideas do you have when it comes to teaching the art of gift giving to your children?  Leave a comment or tell us over on facebook!

What to do with Christmas Cards | Tidy Thursday

by April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach

With all this talk of fund-raising I thought we could shift gears a bit and answer one of the most asked questions when it comes to clutter:

 

What to do with Christmas cards after the holidays?

Here's why it's hard:

Christmas cards {or any other season's greetings} are emotional clutter.

Friends and family put a lot of effort into sharing their updates with you. Pictures of the growing family, newsletters that document the year, hard earned money spent on printing and postage.

 

"How dare you just discard that?"

Right?

Um. No.

 

I give you permission to appreciate all of those things, then discard, at-will, when the season is over.

 

Too hard? How about these ideas:

 

Recycling Christmas Cards:

As any VolunteerSpot reader knows, I have a borderline unhealthy relationship with Pinterest. But of course, this benefits you. Here are some fantastic ideas I came across for recycling those Season's Greetings:

 

save all the old picture cards you receive,

punch a few holes in them and add rings to keep them together...

use as coffee table books at the holidays

Holiday Card Ornaments

 

Chair garland

 

Gift tags

When all else fails, drop them in a shoebox for the next school project that requires miscellaneous images {like the beginning of the school year when the Pipsqueak was assigned to create a collage on the front of his planner to "customize" it}

 

For the tech-savvy:

If tossing items after they've served their purpose is a natural habit for you ... but you want to hang on to some of the memories ::

1. take a picture of the picture:
   • using your smart phone or a scanner, make a digital image out of that family picture your best friend from high school sent.
2. create a screen saver:
   • at the end of December collect all the pictures from the year that represent good memories ~ including those holiday family pictures from others ~ and save them to a folder titled "Highlights from (year)" then instruct your computer to use that file for the screen saver. 
   • Wa-lah! You can now enjoy memory lane each time your computer is sitting idle for a bit.

 

No matter what solution seems right for you be sure to keep the guilt factor in check.

So often clients have held on to clutter due to the emotional pull they feel. Truth is, if you asked the person who sent the card if they wanted you to hang on to the clutter or have a better quality of life? I'm sure the sender would tell you "toss it!!"

 

How about it? Join me over on the VolunteerSpot Facebook Page and share your strategies

 

What do you do with Christmas cards after the decorations are all put away?

 

Keepin it Tidy,

April

 

April is a Mental Clutter Expert | Mom of 2 boys | Wife to 1 Fireman | Horrible Cook | Loyal Friend | National Public Speaker who gives you permission to be imperfect.

Cleaning Out Closets | Tidy Thursday

by April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach

Cleaning out closets may be the last thing on your holiday to-do list, but trust me, it could be worth it.

Cleaning Out Closets :: for donations

I know I don't have to tell you what a benefit those old coats could be to a local shelter or even a family down the road. Although, the coat closet isn't the only place you can find unused items.

• Linen closet, donate unused towels & sheets

• Kid's closets, donate outgrown clothes through the school {the counselor always knows which kids need it the most & can handle it discreetly}

• Pantry closet, donate items close to their expiration date along with those coats to the shelter

 

Cleaning Out Closets :: for cash

The big buzz is always how you can sell your clutter for cash. Just remember, it's time consuming and can cause more stress than you're prepared for this time of year. If you're so inclined ...

• Craigslist - keep track of what you're selling, how much you're asking and once it's sold so you can remove the listing
• Amazon - be ready to ship as soon as you have the order request
• In Home Swapmeet - gather a few friends who have items to sell as well and host a holiday swapmeet in your home {the kids could even bake cookies to sell}

 

Cleaning Out Closets :: for guests

Clearing some space out of those extra closets so your holiday guests can make themselves comfortable is often overlooked {or avoided}. Making room for them is a gesture that says you made time for their arrival, it doesn't have to be the whole closet - just some room to hang a few things or unpack their suitcase if they're in for an extended stay.

• Clear 10 hangers worth of space on a rod
• Clear a dresser drawer
• Clear a shelf or two

 

Cleaning Out Closets :: for your sanity

Honestly, there is nothing like opening a closet door and being unable to close it without a little shove and push. The simple stress of knowing "if I open that closet door it's gonna take me 15 minutes just to get it shut again" can keep even the best of us from tackling a closet cleanout.

The upside? Most closets are small enough you can tackle them in an afternoon. Turn up some holiday music, grab a garbage bag and a few laundry baskets and dive right in! Plus, once you're done you can revel in that feeling of accomplishment! One closet down ... a few more to go!

 

Join me on the VolunteerSpot Facebook Page and share what your thoughts are

 

What's your strategy for cleaning out closets this holiday season?

Keepin it Tidy,

april

 

April is a Mental Clutter Expert | Mom of 2 boys | Wife to 1 Fireman | Horrible Cook | Loyal Friend | National Public Speaker who gives you permission to be imperfect.

House Guests | Holiday Food

by April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach

House guests and holiday food are a perfect match this time of year!

Feeling the stress of all your tasks looming can really be a bummer though. So how do you balance everything out?

House guests ... holiday food ... and preparation

Before your house guests arrive, ask them about holiday food allergies. Some traditional dishes are only served once {or twice} a year, be sure the unique ingredients won't be a problem for anyone.

Last year I shared my friend's Brown Bag Turkey Organizing System, a twist on all that prep work could be: ask house guests to arrive with the ingredients for the holiday food they've been assigned. This saves you in preparation time and alleviates some of the cost for the meal.

House guests ... holiday food ... and delegation

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Or, better yet, assign tasks to available bodies. 

• Children & tweens can help with keeping things picked up, laundry, stocking bathroom supplies
• Teen drivers & young adults can assist with errands :: running to the store, shuttling kiddos or guests from point A to point B
• House guests can help with holiday food grocery lists, meal prep and K.P. duties

House guests ... holiday food ... and being perfect

A philosophy I eat, breathe & live myself is :: the permission to be imperfect.

Luckily, I learned a long time ago that trying to pull off the perfect holiday food menu or being the best house guests hostess is just too high of an expectation.

When you're constantly putting yourself under pressure to be perfect not only do you loose out on the fun but you tend to drag the mood of the day down with you. {yes, speaking from experience}.

After ruining a turkey, feeling like the worst cook {& Mom} in the world and slumping my way to the semi decorated dining room table surrounded by house guests {I was mortified to face} ~ I was reminded by each one of them that I was loved, appreciated and admired for so many things that added up all year long.

That was when I realized, the efforts that go into accommodating house guests and making a day long holiday food menu were only the accessories of the day. Spending time with everyone, laughing, making new memories {like a vegetarian Thanksgiving & the guys now making the bird each year} was what I was suppose to be focused on.

Life is too short for many things, especially the unreachable goal of being perfect.

 

I would love to pick up the conversation over on the VolunteerSpot Facebook Page ...

Are you looking forward to the holiday food menu and your house guests arrival?

Keepin it Tidy,

april

April is a Mental Clutter Expert | Mom of 2 boys | Wife to 1 Fireman | Horrible Cook | Loyal Friend | National Public Speaker who gives you permission to be imperfect.

Shopping Habits and the Holidays | Tidy Thursday

by April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach

Are your shopping habits prepared for the holidays? 

For the past few weeks I've been busy posting a Shopping Habits series over on TMCC to help prepare you for the "buying side" of the fast approaching season of spending.

With the economy struggling and so many folks out of work the pressure of gift giving just may be too much for many to handle. That's why I decided to arm the average shopper with some insight into what they are doing in their shopping habits as they move through retail establishments during the holidays {and beyond}.

So, what does this have to do with being organized?

Well, the way I see it, many of my client's physical clutter begins in the shopping cart {both in stores and online}. Back when I worked with hoarding clients I began to research why they continued to acquire even when they told me they didn't want to "live this way" anymore. Turns out there's quite a science behind getting you to spend your hard earned money.

In an effort to "give back", with my skillset, I put together a series of posts to help others survive the holidays with shopping habits that make sense. At least that's what I hope y'all take away from it.

Interested?

Here's what we've covered so far:

• Weekly Challenge :: Start at the Beginning
  • You Have to Shop
  • When Living Beyond Our Means Became a Reality
  • Why You Buy More Than You Intended
  • Squirreling Purchases
  • Weekly Ad
• Weekly Challenge :: Self Assessment
  • Shopping Questions
  • Being an Example
  • Luxuriate

It's important to note :: as volunteers you are already giving so much.

Even though time and effort are intangible it doesn't make them any less valuable than something that can be purchased at a store.

Keep up the amazing work you already do, and if you need to - put a bow on yourself while you hum holiday tunes!

Keepin it Tidy,

April

April is a Mental Clutter Expert | Mom of 2 boys | Wife to 1 Fireman | Horrible Cook | Loyal Friend | National Public Speaker who gives you permission to be imperfect.

Shopping for a Classroom Party during the Holidays | Tidy Thursday

by April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach

Just when you thought things might calm down a bit, you know - with back to school over and fall sports wrapping up ... you're faced with the next wave of chaos.

The Classroom Party - Holiday Edition.

October means a lot of things :: fall leaves, football, Halloween ~ but for a clutter coach it means time to start prepping everyone for a season of gift buying & giving.

Essentially, Shopping Habits 101 is happening over on The Mental Clutter Coach this month. So, I thought I would share some of that same insight here with the Tidy Thursday readers! Classroom party style, of course.

 

Communicate, Communicate, Communicate:

Before you take any steps toward a shopping establishement, communicate with the teacher and school staff. Ask questions.

• Does anyone have allergies? If so, what type? Nut ~ Gluten ~ Dairy
• Do you have any supplies left from last year?
• Do you have a specific list of what you'd like?
• Do you have an idea of what you'd like to see happen the day of the party?

Make a Plan:

Based on the information you gather from the teacher & staff, set some goals.

• You'll need to know
  • When the classroom party date is
  • When you need to go shopping for non-perishable items
  • What perishable items need purchased & how long in advance could you pick them up
  • Does the school have room in their fridge or freezer? If you'll need it.
• Make phone calls
  • Will you be making a reservation?
  • Do you need to place a special order?
  • Finding out the necessary lead time can be a lifesaver, party rental supplies & bakeries usually require a 7 day advance notice!

Delegate, Delegate, Delegate:

• Don't be afraid to ask other parents for help shopping, baking or even classroom party decorating

Tip: Free online signup sheets from VolunteerSpot.com make it easy to coordinate parent helpers. With the click of a mouse or a tap on a smartphone, parents can quickly choose when to help and what to bring. Automated reminders keep everyone on track.

 

• Older siblings or neighbors with a driver license are often eager to run errands
  • consider 'hiring' them as your driver for an afternoon of shopping while you work on other things in the passanger seat
• Rely on your list! When you enter the store keep your best tunnel vision in place, find the things you'll need and move on - either to the next item on the list or the next stop

Keeping it fun:

Don't forget, the purpose of this project is to celebrate and create some fun memories!

Share with any young party-goers, helping you shop, what the intentions of the shopping trip is. Be sure to listen to their input and set realistic expectations. (like no pressuring the adults or squeezing the bank account!)

Join me over on the VolunteerSpot Facebook Page and share

What will your approach be when it comes to shopping for a classroom party during the holidays this season?

 Also grab your free Class Party Guide from VolunteerSpot filled with Great Class Party Games, Crafts & Ideas!

Keepin it Tidy,

April

 

April is a Mental Clutter Expert | Mom of 2 boys | Wife to 1 Fireman | Horrible Cook | Loyal Friend | National Public Speaker who gives you permission to be imperfect.

Morning Routines for Back to School | Tidy Thursday

by April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach

No matter the age of your student, morning routines can be a critical element to the back to school excitement {or lack thereof}.

While I shared my own challenges & solutions earlier this week, regarding morning routines over on TMCC, ~ I wanted to highlight the idea of music and technology this week in the Tidy Thursday column.

A few years back Real Simple Magazine recommended using music in the morning to help the routines move along. I love this tip! But let's expand on it a little, shall we?

The concept:

Musical Tasks

Figuring that most songs are between 3-5 minutes, you can teach kiddos {and most adults} to pace themselves accordingly.

example:

it takes one song to choose the snacks for my lunch & it takes 3 songs to eat my breakfast.

Beyond the reasoning that this way of moving through time is fun, this technique works. Mainly because for those organizing personalities out there who have a hard time grasping the passage of time you have now provided them with something more tangible than a static digital number.

How to capitalize on it:

While establishing the passage of time to Mat Kearney is fun, the way to get your kiddo to buy-in completely is to allow them to create the playlist themselves.

Even if you don't like their music.

Honestly, what is an hour of your day if it means the nagging and power struggles are eliminated?

Tools for the tip:

• Pandora. A free online music player.

Benifit :: the ability to discover new music,
Downfall :: music is chosen for you ... meaning the songs may be 3 minutes or 5 minutes long

• Spotify. This new to the US market site / app / software is just like iTunes but without having to purchase the albums in order to play them.

Benefit :: being able to build your own playlist and the social aspect of being able to share playlists with friends, family or teammates.
Downfall :: the waiting list, you can be pushed to the front of the line by signing up for the monthly subscription starting at $5/mo.

• iTunes or old fashioned CDs. Of course, going with the music you already own is always fun too! I can hardly believe CDs are considered 'old fashioned' these days, I still remember using the eraser end of a pencil to fix my cassette tapes!

Benefit :: allowing your kiddo to become a mix master with their morning routines playlist and trusting that the pile you put in front of them is appropriate to their age group
Downfall :: the limited resources could pose a problem with music selection by the new year, honestly you can only hear certain tunes so many times before ... well, you know.

 

Of course, now I'm curious!

What morning routines do you have in your back to school plans or

will you be trying the musical tasks tip this fall?

 

Hop on over to the VolunteerSpot Facebook Page & let me know your thoughts

 

Keepin it Tidy,

april

 

April is a Mental Clutter Expert | Mom of 2 boys | Wife to 1 Fireman | Horrible Cook | Loyal Friend | National Public Speaker who gives you permission to be imperfect.

Back to School Checklist | Tidy Thursday

On School Supplies & Locker Accessories

by April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach

Hard to believe, I know.

It's August.

The Back to School Checklist are a plenty with supplies on sale everywhere. Ready or not, fall is approaching quicker than any of us are prepared for.

So how about a Back to School Checklist road map from the organizing pro in your life, to help navigate all those supply decisions? I thought you might appreciate that!

Where it's worth it to spend your pennies:

Binder

A good binder can make all the difference in the world, I only recommend one:

Avery EZD One Touch

No they don't pay me to say that. It REALLY is worth your investment.

I watch so many parents think they'll save money by purchasing the less expensive binder. Yet they end up spending so much more by the end of a school year through several purchases of less expensive binders, last minute runs to the store (eating up precious time) and we won't even talk about the cost of fuel these days!

In all the years I've done the Middle School Organizing Curriculum I've only seen 1 child come close to ruining one of these binders, and he was trying.

 

Backpack

Looking for a 'bag' that needs to be stylish, affordable AND durable is a tall order.

I tend to recommend a Timbuk2 backpack, but as trends change so do their offering.

 

 

 

 Here's the checklist that helped them make the cut:

• Science, padding and support in all the right spots
  • make a company prove they deserve to be on your student's back
• Durability
  • the material should last more than a semester {our Timbuk2 backpacks have been in use every school day for 5 years}
• Lack of pockets
  • too many places to put things can cause more lost items than you may realize
• Bucket style
  • the opening of a backpack can make or break whether a student will actually use it long term, a bucket style allows for the hasty transitions to go a little more smoothly

   

Pocket Dividers

All binders work more efficiently with dividers and using plastic ones with "pockets" allows the dividers to become an in-box for running between classes.

 

  

 

Retractable Pens

From the standard ball point pen to the highlighters & Sharpie's students need these days choosing retractable pens has two benefits

• less to loose - no cap to misplace
• less steps to use - one click and they're ready to go

 

 Mechanical Pencils

I'm a huge advocate of mechanical pencils. Mainly from a productivity stand point. If you can eliminate the pencil sharpening line you've just saved time and enhanced the ability to focus.

 

Pencil Pouch

Ah, the big pencil pouch debate. Kids who struggle with organization as a whole will struggle with using a pencil pouch. Why? Because they do. One theory I have is the amount of steps involved in physically using a pencil pouch: 

1. Find binder
2. Open binder
3. Unzip pouch
4. Dig to find needed tool
5. Set said tool to the side
6. Shove everything else back in pouch
7. Zip pouch
8. Re-arrange binder so it will shut
9. Shut binder
10. Put away binder
11. Find needed tool (which has probably rolled on the floor by now)
12. Get back to work

Yes, there really are that many steps. I've counted. And I left out the steps to be repeated if the tool is not recovered from the floor to which it has fallen on.

The answer? Trust me, the 6th grade teaching team I work with is waiting for that same information. I have pictured the pouch I'm recommending for this school year, we'll see how it goes.

How to view products from a child’s organizational eye

Just like the pencil pouch example (12 steps to use it!), each product purchased can be put through a use-checklist. For every "thing" you do, consider it a step and count it off.

Example:

Putting a document in a binder

1. Locate binder
2. Place binder on a surface
3. Open cover of binder
4. Use dividers to select location for document
5. (fight with rings if they have mis-aligned)
6. Use two hands to open binder (this is one of the reasons why I recommend the one-touch)
7. Weed document onto rings
8. Close rings
9. Re-adjust papers & dividers
10. Shut binder

And that's the steps if everything goes well!

Try not to be sold on the trends before you consider a product's functionality. Will your student actually be able to use the product? Or will it get kicked to the side like so many other items in the past? And why weren't those used? Were they a poor match for the way the student interacts within their educational environment? Were they purchased for the student, or did the student choose the item? Was it simply a bad design?

Evaluate the habits that have come before as you head out to purchase new items for this academic year.

Locker accessories … myth or fact

Myths:

"This will solve all of my student's organizational problems!"

"I wish I had all these organizing aids when I was in school, I'm buying everything available!"

"If these accessories don't help then nothing will!"

Facts:

Locker accessories have a time and a place. The middle school I work with has lockers that truly need shelves. Many of the students I work with benefit from the magnetic pencil cups and plenty of the girls appreciate the magnetic mirror. Yet there are tons of students that could care less.

Listen to what your student asks for, take a look at their locker when you visit for back to school night and most importantly accept them for their own quirks.

The worse thing I've seen parents do to their student is judge them. If a student is brave enough to open their locker for you, do your best not to react. Ask questions like "what is working?" (without any snark), "is there anything I can do to help you?" (like hold the backpack while they fill it up on a Friday so they can go through things over the weekend). No matter the solution, make sure it's their idea - not yours. 

Measure the locker before you purchase accessories. There is nothing worse than issues with the accessories.

I hope this helps you find a starting point on that back to school checklist road map! Next week we'll go over Morning Routines, in the meantime head on over to the Volunteer Spot Facebook Page and share...

What's on your Back to School Checklist?

 

 

April is a Mental Clutter Expert | Mom of 2 boys | Wife to 1 Fireman | Horrible Cook | Loyal Friend | National Public Speaker who gives you permission to be imperfect.

7 tips for Organizing Summer Clutter | Tidy Thursday

Summer Clutter Tips & Ideas from the Mental Clutter Expert

Organizing Summer Clutter can truly be one of the most difficult task I see folks conquer ... at least in the midst of having summer fun. 

This week I thought I would bring you some tips for staying on top of organizing summer clutter as it happens, instead of discovering moldy hole-ridden deflated items next year.

 

1. Create a location where you wipe down, dry off or air dry anything that has gotten wet at the end of each day/week.
2. Schedule time once a week to assess the situation: make sure things haven't been forgotten or left behind during tip #1 & repair or replace any damaged items
3. Inventory before you buy: duplicates cause more unnecessary clutter than anything else, make educated purchasing decisions
4. Once you've decided to purchase something new, determine where it will live long term before you bring it home
5. Enlist help: cohabitants {adults & children alike} can pitch in on the picking up, care of and organizing of summer clutter ... just ask for the help
6. Rotate a stocked summer bag with things like: sunscreen, goggles, silicone ear plugs, healthy snacks, a water bottle, travel games, spray-in hair conditioner & comb, deodorant, light reading & on-the-go battery charger
7. Relax: while it's important to make sure things are taken care of, it's also important to let your hair down and take a breather!

Most importantly, have fun! Get out there - live life - enjoy the moments as they happen! Just leave a little energy at the end for wrapping up the experiences when they're done so you can jump right in next time the opportunities present themselves.

Keepin' it Tidy,

April

 

 

 

April is a Mental Clutter Expert | Mom of 2 boys | Wife to 1 Fireman | Horrible Cook | Loyal Friend | National Public Speaker who gives you permission to be imperfect.

 

 

 

Boredom Busters | Tidy Thursday

by April Welch, The Mental Clutter Coach

Around my house we are exactly in the middle of summer, as well as, exactly in the middle of searching for boredom busters. Challenging the kids to a Scavenger Hunt {for their own items} only works so many times before they get smart and realize it's actually a chore in disguise.

We've always had an expectation that fun comes after the work. But let's face it, during the summer I could work the teenager 24/7 with all the small projects that need done!

Let the compromising begin.

For us, it's worked to allow mornings as a relaxation time {mainly, because I'm not a morning person}. Mid-morning into early afternoon are a time for picking up {aka: chores} and late afternoon into evening are allocated for relaxation and playing.

Enter the Boredom Zone.

It has been a long standing fact in our house if someone says "I'm Bored!" {especially if they whine} I'll have a list a mile long with chores that need done. So, rarely do I hear those words. However, I do see the bored behavior.

• Watching TV for long periods of time, channel surfing as if it were a sport.
• Mulling around the kitchen, staring into the fridge as if it were a movie.
• Getting creative, in the "this isn't going to end well" kind of way.
• Bickering with siblings, just to see how long it takes to drive Mom nuts.

What can a modern day parent do?

Plenty.

Begin with what you know best ~ Volunteering.

There are plenty of ways for kids & teens to volunteer in their local community:

• Helping the soup kitchens set up, cook, serve or clean up afterwards.
• Reading to a resident at a local nursing home
• Yard work for a neighbor
• Babysitting once a week for a single parent while they run errands

Productive outdoor boredom busters

• Make a list of items around the house & backyard, then send the kids out to capture them with a digital camera
  • things like "a tree trunk", "a handle", "the end of something", "a sprinkler head", "something red", "something soft", "something sharp", "your favorite spot to sip lemonade", "the last place you read a book"
• Use a sprinkler & hose to create water designs while friends/family run through it in the yard
• Combining beach towels, make a deserted island and have a picnic

Indoor boredom busters

• Have an afternoon date in the kitchen, take a few hours and prepare a kid-inspired meal
• Exercise the imagination and produce a short play, grab the camera & record it for everyone to watch when it's done
• Using flat sheets, lots of pillows & dining room chairs, make a massive fort and 'indoor camp'

Digital boredom busters

• Allow the inspired child to make a slideshow with the pictures from the backyard scavenger hunt
• Let the ambitious kiddo edit the production and send it to Grandma
• Try the new educational site Time Island, but don't tell them they'll be learning

When all else fails

Crank up the music and have an American Bandstand day!

What are some of the Boredom Busters in your home? Be sure to head on over to the VolunteerSpot Facebook Page & let me know!

 Keepin' it Tidy,

April

 

 

 

April is a Mental Clutter Expert | Mom of 2 boys | Wife to 1 Fireman | Horrible Cook | Loyal Friend | National Public Speaker who gives you permission to be imperfect.