More Than Organized

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Coming Out of the Closet Bag & Box…#5

How a client is beginning…
Four days.
I am both eager and anxious.
It’s been ten days since Miriam was last at my house.
It’s been four days since I was last at my house.
I am eager to get back to work.
I am anxious that it’s all a losing battle.
Has the fledgling order returned to chaos? Will I have…

Coming Out of the Closet, Bag & Box… #4

Organizing is a choice.
Last week Miriam and I tackled the laundry room.  That would be the room in which we do the laundry — and where we keep seven years’ worth of birthday party decorations and party bags and wrapping paper and cat and dog food (and the litter box) and craft materials and puzzles,…

Coming Out of the Closet, Bag & Box #3

Week #3 as a client navigates the streamlining process.
Reality
Has anyone noticed how late this post is? It’s my fault, of course. Miriam
couldn’t be more patient. I, on the other hand, couldn’t be more of a
procrastinator.
I also couldn’t be more of an optimist, carrying within me the constant
belief that come tomorrow each minute of the day…

Coming Out of the Closet, Bag & Box…#2

WWMD
Spring. That’s when I make my resolutions. I can smell the lilacs blooming
and I start planning: my garden, my summer, my new diet and work out
routines. I envision my way to exciting career changes, a bountiful income,
improved parenting skills, increased dedication to my husband and friends –
and once the blooms start fading on my lilac,…

Coming Out of the Closet, Bag & Box…#1


One of my clients has fantastically agreed to share her side of the story as I work with her over the next 10 weeks. I am so grateful for her willingness to open up about her transformation to streamlined living. I hope you you enjoy it. -Miriam
When Miriam rang the doorbell I knew I wasn’t…

Extra Pieces of Paper SAGE Column April 2010

Small scraps of paper pile up, get caught up, slide out, escape and in general are annoying. Even knowing this is true doesn’t make it any easier for many people to decide what to do about their paper clutter.
Paper is just flat stuff made out of wood and/or recycled pulp. So treat it like stuff!…

Sunday Simplicity Tip #7

Create a reverse cookbook and keep your pantry and recipe pile to a minimum. It’s easy. Just think of 30-40 meals you and your family actually like to eat. Then determine if you even need a recipe to make the dish. If you do, pick your favorite version of the dish and keep those instructions.
I…

Change Can Be Stressful

I was talking to a friend today about how many changes in her life over the last few years have lead to her desire to simplify. The stuff and decisions she pushed to the side to cope are now just extending the stress. I am not surprised by her statements. Many of my clients experience…

Sunday Simplicity Tip #6

Twice last week I ended up in conversations where people were complaining about how much time and effort they spend on their hair. Washing, conditioning, gelling, spraying, curling, straightening, drying, and shopping for all the stuff to accomplish that. I don’t have that experience anymore. I stopped fighting nature.
Get yourself a great haircut. A great…

Temporary vs. Permanent SAGE Column March 2010

Temporary vs. Permanent – What to do with all the extra parts.
Sometimes clutter is just the stuff you are not sure what to do with once you bring it into your house or office. Not necessarily the thing you planned for and purchased, but the extra stuff that came with it. Everything from the free…