When seniors move into a senior community, they often have to significantly downsize to accommodate the size restrictions of their new space.

That exercise can be very freeing and can ease the transition to their new home; however, old habits can die hard or not at all and before you know it the new space may quickly fill up. This can cause frustration for the resident, as well as the community. So, what to do?

Determine What is Filling Up the Space

The first thing is to try and determine the root cause of the problem.

• Is it due to health issues or some problem that is out of the resident’s control?
• Is it about habits or lifestyle choices?
• Is it loneliness or fatigue?

Once the root cause is determined it’s much easier to help them navigate the solutions. Health issues can stop a person in their tracks and render them unable to keep up with their space. Factor in medical equipment and the space can quickly become very cluttered. Habits are rarely left behind when a resident moves to a new home.  If they were used to being surrounded by a lot of belongings, then before long the stuff can begin to creep back into their space. Loneliness or fatigue can lead to depression, which in turn can cause the resident to neglect their space.

Finding a Solution

Once the root cause is determined it’s easier to find and implement solutions which may range from adjusting medical, emotional or mental care to engaging professional services, including in-home health care, senior transition or organizing services. Regardless of the root cause, the most important thing is that the resident feels supported and, in a judgement, free space. Which is often the fine line between success and failure.

If you or someone you know is struggling to get organized or needs help the downsizing or moving process, we would love to help. Schedule a free 30 minute consultation today or check out our website for lots of tips and ideas.

Darla Pompilio

Your Tasks Our Time, LLC

The post What To Do When a Senior’s Space Becomes a Hazard appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

S – Sort: The first step is to sort your items into categories.  You’ll want to put like items with like items, (paints with paints, pencils with pencils, etc.).  This will tell you how much stuff you actually have in any one category.

T – Toss: Once you know how much stuff you have it’s time to take stock and toss any items that you don’t use, are outdated or unusable. I suggest that you keep only what you love or need.  Tossing can be anything from throwing in the garbage to donating or selling an item.

A – Assign a Home: This is the part of the process that is like putting together a puzzle.  Finding just the right space for your items is part of the creative process.

Think about how you use the items.

Think about where you use the items.

Think about how often you use the items.

C – Contain: Containerize any items that are possible and feasible to contain. It will help make items easier to find and store. Label, when necessary, especially those items with closed tops. Keep the systems you choose as simple as possible.  If you have items that you rarely use and don’t want to get dusty, then using a storage container with a closed top is a good choice; however, if you have supplies that you use frequently, then an open top container may be a better choice.

K – Keep It Up: This may involve building new habits if necessary and practicing putting items away after they’re used.

It’s easy to get stuck in your own space with organizing projects. If you are stuck, please call or email for a free consult!

Darla Pompilio

Your Tasks Our Time

The post The Stack Method appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

By starting in the hidden spaces you are making room for the clutter that lives in the open spaces. When you enter a room and there is no place to store your items, you will simply put those items down and this is how clutter collects. Next time you are ready to declutter your space, consider the hidden spaces first and see if it helps clear the path so that you are able to find homes for all of your treasures.

10 Symptoms of Clutter

1. Bags full of stuff scattered throughout the home
2. Horizontal spaces are full of miscellaneous items
3. Closets, drawers and enclosed spaces are full and unorganized
4. Multiples of the same type of items
5. Piles of items in the corners of the home or office
6. Lack of any clear space in the home
7. Difficulty in finding stuff when you need or want it
8. Lack of mental clarity
9. Missed appointments
10. Late payments due to lack of organization

Ready to alleviate these symptoms?  YTOT can help.  Give us a call and we can discuss how we can help you find and utilize those hidden spaces!

Darla Pompilio

Your Tasks Our Time, LLC

The post Consider the Hidden Spaces appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

What is the Cost of Clutter?

Clutter can be expensive and the cost of clutter can be divided into 3 categories: financial, physical and emotional.

• The financial cost of clutter can result in lost or displaced money in the form of checks or fees. When unopened mail accumulates, it’s often followed by late fees that have accrued and missing tax records can lead to financial penalties.
• The physical cost of clutter includes stress and anxiety experienced by the inability to locate items when they are needed. Time wasted searching for items is frustrating and physically exhausting.
• The emotional cost of clutter frequently comes in the form of confusion and a sense that we have lost control of our circumstances.

How do we regain that sense of control?

Getting organized is one way we can take control of our daily lives and navigate through challenging transitions.  We often feel that if we achieve a certain goal or arrive at a particular milestone, life will suddenly be better. There may be some truth to this, however, it’s frequently the journey itself that transforms us. The journey involves change which can be difficult and frightening.  Even though we know that change is the only constant in life, we still resist it. We resist letting go of things, places and even people who are no longer a positive fit in our lives. Sometimes the act of “letting go” is the path to control.

De-clutter Your Mind, Body and Space

Let’s look at three organizing concepts to de-clutter your mind, body and space:

1. Create a schedule: Make sure the entire family is informed and involved. The most imperative tasks should be scheduled first and the remaining tasks in order of importance.
2. Make a list: This is the fastest way to physically reduce stress. This list can be created on paper, computer or dry erase board. The objective is to get the tasks out of your head, then use the list!
3. Sort, categorize and purge! For small jobs like a junk drawer, sort all the items into categories that are similar in order to determine how much of each category you own. Then purge what you don’t want or need. The left-over items will determine the type of storage container needed for proper organization. For larger piles or stacks, like clothes, it’s best to simply sort items into “keep” and “let go”. The goal is to quickly reduce the size of the “keep pile” and then categorize and organize the remaining items.

Embrace the Journey

We can choose to embrace the journey or we can avoid it as the world moves forward. Change can be difficult and we all occasionally need a little help and guidance to arrive at our destination.

If you are struggling and need a little assistance, we would love to help you embrace the journey. Give us a call at 610.847.5422 or schedule a free consultation.

Darla Pompilio

Your Tasks Our Time, LLC

The post Is Clutter Robbing You of the Life You Deserve? appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

The good news is that many organizing projects can be tackled using the same method.  We use the STACK method for our clients because it’s simple, easy to follow and it works on almost any organizing project.

S – Sort: The first step is to sort your items into categories.  You’ll want to put like items with like items, (e.g. paints with paints, pencils with pencils).  This will tell you how much stuff you actually have in any one category.

T – Toss: Once you know how much stuff you have it’s time to take stock and toss any items that you don’t use, are outdated or unusable. I suggest that you keep only what you love or need. Tossing can be anything from throwing in the garbage to donating or selling an item.

A – Assign a Home: This part of the process can be accomplished by asking yourself a few questions.

How you use your items?

Where do you use your items?

How often you use your items?

C – Contain: Containerize any item/s that are possible and feasible to contain. It will help make items easier to find and store.

K – Keep It Up: This may involve building new habits if necessary and practicing putting items away after they’re used.

When the burden clutter is lifted from our shoulders, we may feel physically lighter, more energetic and less stressed. This relief can lead to increased work productivity, greater enthusiasm and better relationships.

Darla Pompilio

Professional Organizer

Your Tasks Our Time, LLC

The post How to Declutter and Organize Any Space appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

Below are a few suggestions to help you keep clutter at bay.

Give Everything a Home

When your items have no place to live, they end up on all the surfaces of your home. The hidden spaces in your home are the key to clearing the clutter on the surfaces. Start with one cabinet, drawer or closet at a time. Sort, purge and categorize items so you know what you actually own. Keep only the items that will fit in the space.

Select Proper Storage Solutions

Often people will purchase an organizing solution because it’s looks functional or it’s cute. Then, before long the unused organizing solutions are piling up as part of the clutter.  Organizng is a process and organizing solutions should be purchased AFTER you have sorted, categorized and purged your space. You don’t know what you need to organize the space, until you know what you have in your space. If you go through this process your stuff will tell you what it needs in terms of storage.

Learn New Skills

Not everyone is born to organize. Getting organized is not an innate skill for a lot of people. The good news is that it’s just a skill that many can learn. Organizers call it “skill transference” and we teach clients to organize on a regular basis. If you still struggle, then consider a maintenance plan with your local organizer.

Make a Lifestyle Change

Sometimes getting organized is about making lifestyle changes. There are many people who are just not used to putting their items away; who were never taught how to organize or clean. We see this a lot with young adults who get their first apartment and have a sudden interest in keeping it neat and organized. Changing or creating new habits and can take some time and practice, but well worth the effort.

Buy Less Stuff

You can’t organize yourself out of too much stuff. This is the number one reason many people struggle with clutter. Things keep coming in the door with very little going out. Before you know it, everything is full and spilling over to the counters and floors. Receiving 1 or 2 Amazon packages per day and shopping in bulk may be convenient and satisfying, but not necessarily healthy for you, your family or the environment.

Set Realistic Expectations

No one is going to be clutter free all the time. I often equate clutter to laundry. Unless the entire family strips naked on laundry day, there’s always going to be some laundry that needs washed. For things to get things done, we have to use our stuff. Much like life and laundry, clutter is a cycle. We take our stuff out and use it, then…when we are done, we put it away, or it becomes clutter. By putting our stuff away, we are closing the loop. That cycle will always repeat, so having systems in place to simplify closing the loop is a key to managing the cycle.

Managing the clutter in our lives is an ongoing process and not a one-time event. It’s the little things that we do on a daily and regular basis that help keep us organized. And remember, we are always a click or a phone call away, if the load is too heavy!

Darla Pompilio

Your Tasks Our Time, Organizing Service

www.yourtasksourtime.com

610.847.5422

The post How to Keep Clutter Away for Good appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

• Hooks: At least 2 (separate) sturdy hooks for each family member. Each member will need a place to hang their coats, scarves and a backpack or purse.  Be sure to place the hooks at the appropriate height for each child or adult to easily reach.
• Cubbies and/or Baskets: Each person should have a cubby or basket available for hats and scarves or other miscellaneous items that may be needed on the way out the door. Use lower cubbies for smaller children and higher cubbies for older kids and adults.
• Shoe Storage: Shoes seem to multiple like bunnies near the entryway in the fall and winter. Shoe storage can be as simple at a mat under a bench, a shoe rack or a shoe cabinet.  The main thing to bear in mind is that the system is only as good as the maintenance, so feel free to choose the number of shoes that each family member can keep at the entryway.  Maybe 4 pairs per family member will work for your household; whatever the magic number it’s important to stay with that number and put away any extra shoes that gather on a weekly basis.
• Drawers: Another great feature for an entryway are drawers. Preferably 1 per family member if possible; this allows each family member a place to put keys, wallets and loose change.  You can easily add dividers or small containers so that small items stay organized within the drawers.
• Bench or Seat: It’s just nice to have a place to sit and put on or remove your shoes as you come and go each day.

The key to an effective solution is to avoid having too much stuff in the space. This means you may have to pare it down to just the items you actually use on a regular basis. You cannot organize yourself out of too much stuff in a space. Try practicing the 80/20 rule to determine the 20% of clothing that you are actually wearing and keep only those in your entryway solution. Remember, if you are struggling, help is only a phone call away and we would be happy to assist with any of your organizing projects.

Darla Pompilio

Your Tasks Our Time, LLC

The post How to Create an Effective Entryway Solution appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

Pre-Holiday Purge
Taking time ahead of the holidays to pare down clothing, toys and other items can free up vital space for new gifts that will enter your home. I think we all did a fair share of pandemic buying over the last year or so. Extra food. Extra toiletries. Extra toys to keep the kids occupied. Now is the time to assess whether you still need those items in your space. Go through the kitchen cabinets and donate any good but unused food to a local food pantry. If you bought kids’ toys that you thought were a great idea, but they never played with them, donate them to toy drives or local charities. It’s also a great time to pull out any clothes in your closet that you haven’t worn or no longer fit.
Being proactive and reducing the number of items in your home prior to the holidays will make it easier for you to find space to put your new gifts. But you can also help alleviate some angst by chatting with your loved ones, prior to the holiday, about considerations around the gift giving process.

Set Gift Limits
It’s ok to set limits on gift giving. And I’m not talking about the gift amount. I’m specifically talking about considerations your loved ones should contemplate when buying gifts for you or your family. If you have parents like mine, they want to shower their grandchildren with everything they want. But our modest home can’t accommodate those grand gestures. So, I have discussed with my family what gifts would be best and what gifts we can fit in our home. Nothing big because we don’t have the space. Not a ton of clothes or there’s a small chance of it being worn. And the most effective line I have used with my parents when they want to buy something is … Sure, you can buy that and keep it at your house so she can use it when she visits. When they face the situation of it taking up space in their house, they end up not buying that item. After having this discussion with them a few times, they are now accustomed to asking what my daughter needs or wants for the holidays which allows me to offer some input into the situation.

Offer Gift Suggestions
That brings us to another way of curtailing the flow of gifts into your space … offer suggestions for gifts to your loved ones. For example, if a family member would like an expensive item, perhaps multiple people can chip in for that one gift instead of everyone buying individual gifts. To avoid the annoying task of returning or exchanging gifts after the holidays, let your family know what size clothing everyone is currently or what toys your kids are into. Just because your son liked Paw Patrol at age 5 doesn’t mean he still likes it at age 10.
You can also ask for consumable products that can be used up and then leave the space. For example, a cute set of bath products for the teen in your life or a set of cooking spices for the chef in your life.

You can also guide them towards buying experiences instead of physical things. Tickets or gift cards to the movies, a museum, a concert, or the nail salon are just a few examples. These items take up no space at all and so many places offer eTickets now you don’t even have to keep track of physical tickets any longer.
And, as you strive to have your loved ones be mindful of what gifts they get for you and your family, don’t forget to be mindful of the gifts you give others. They may be in a similar situation and would be grateful to receive gifts that don’t overwhelm their home.

Karen Kabara
Your Tasks – Our Time

The post Preparing Your Home for Holiday Gifts appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

Take a guess at the approximate weight of the items below:

1) 12” Stack of Paper: 1 ) 15 pounds 2) 20 pounds 3) 30 pounds

2) 13 Gallon Garbage of Clothing : 1 ) 8 pounds 2 ) 15 pounds 3 ) 20 pounds

3) 12” Stack of Books: 1 ) 10 pounds 2 ) 17 pounds 3 ) 30 pounds

(See answers at the end of the blog.)

Below are a few suggestions of where you can start to lose those pounds quickly.

Clothing

One of the easiest places to start are your closets. Spring is the time to switch out your wardrobe and downsize all those items you never wore over the winter. Now to be fair, this past year was a very unique year, and you may not have worn many items while you were stuck at home. However, there are always pieces in the closets that don’t fit, you don’t love or are just old.

Paper

Spring is also a great time to get rid of all that excess paper lying around the house. There are often local shredding events in the spring and fall, so gather up and remove all those bags and boxes that have been stacking up around the house and you will be amazed at how much lighter you will feel.

Electronic Waste

As organizers, we remove an incredible amount of electronic waste from our client homes and a lot of it is in the form of electric cords and old computers. Many cords are kept “just in case” and that is where the pile up begins. And let’s not forget about all those old remotes as well! Of course, we don’t want you to throw out anything that you are using; which begs the question…which ones are you really using?

By taking time to shed clothing, paper and electronic waste in your home you will lighten your household load by several hundred pounds and enjoy the following benefits.

Physical

·        Easier to find and maintain what you have

·        Easier to clean your home

·        Increased productivity

·        Increased energy

·        Feel physically lighter

Mental & Emotional

·        Less stress

·        Increased enthusiasm

·        Enhanced mood

·        Increased momentum and direction in pursuit of goals

·        Improved personal relationships

Financial

·        Save money by being able to find what you have

·        Reduced financial loss from overspending

·        Decrease late fee payments

·        More time – time is money

Shed some weight in your home this summer and you might find that the space you create promotes healthy changes in other areas of your life. And remember, we are always a click or a phone call away, if the load is too heavy!

Darla Pompilio

Your Tasks – Our Time, Organizing Service

www.yourtasksourtime.com

610.847.5422

Answers to quiz above: 1) 30 pounds   2) 15 pounds   3) 17 pounds

The post Reduce Clutter Weight for the Summer appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

The costs of clutter are both tangible and intangible.  The tangible costs include financial loss from over spending, late fees on bills and diminished work productivity that can lead to depression and illness.  The intangible costs of clutter may include social embarrassment resulting from a cluttered home, distressed personal relationships and even loss of momentum and direction in pursuit of our goals. Detaching from clutter may be difficult, but it’s worth the time and effort if you truly wish to live a simplified and more fulfilling life.

Let’s begin this journey by asking some questions about the items you own:

• Do you need the items?  If not, let them go.
• Do you love the item? If not, let them go.
• Do you use the items on a regular basis or recently? If so, maintain those items but keep them at a minimum.
• How do you use these items? How you use an item can shed light on whether the item should be kept.
• Are the items in good working order? Items that work improperly or are difficult to use can cause frustration and should not be kept.
• What is your relationship to the item? If you feel emotionally attached to an item, ask yourself the following questions.
  • Does the item bring value to your current life style? If not, let them go.
  • Is the item contributing to the life you wish to lead? If not, let them go.
• Are you keeping the item because you think you should or because you want to? It’s okay to let go of those items that you have kept out of obligation and it’s fine to keep family items that you treasure.

Learning to detach is often a journey that includes creating new habits.  One of the best ways to avoid having to purge, is to ask yourself if it will fit in the space and if you really need or love the item before purchasing it?

Begin by consciously using this method for a month or so, and you will be surprised at how easily you can reduce the clutter in your home and simplify your surroundings.

Darla Pompilio

Your Tasks – Our Time, Inc

The post The Clutter Free Life – How to Detach appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

Each thought floating around in your head is like a mental post-it note.  The more post-it notes, the more mental clutter.  Physical clutter can cause people stress, but mental clutter can as well.  The easiest way to get the clutter out of your head is to jot down all those mental post-it notes so you can release it from your thoughts.  Use whatever format is best for you to organize that information.  You can use the Notes app on your phone to create a To Do List.  You can add action items directly to your calendar, so you have time blocked on your schedule to complete them.  You can use a productivity app, like Evernote, to capture all your notes and action items.  Or, if paper is your preference, use a notebook.  But keep your information to one notebook so there aren’t random pieces of paper all over the house that will get lost or create physical clutter.

Learning to Say No

Capturing your mental post-it notes on paper or your device is helpful to organize your thoughts. But how do you reduce the amount of post-it notes creating that mental clutter in the first place? Learning to say no can help.

Many of us overschedule ourselves. Accepting every party invitation. Volunteering to organize every event. But when you’re constantly exhausted and stressed out, it’s probably time to make some adjustments and dial back the schedule.

Saying no can be difficult.  Saying no can be filled with guilt.  But it can also be so freeing.  Freedom from additional obligations.  Freedom from more items on your To Do List.  And freedom from the mental clutter that comes along with all those obligations.

I came across this quote a few years ago that really stuck with me …

“My goal is no longer to get more done, but rather to have less to do.” — Francine Jay

For me, having less to do means having less mental clutter to stress about.  I can focus on the important things.  And most notably, it means I have more time to focus on the things that bring me joy and happiness.

Practicing Mindfulness

When you focus on the important things, it will reduce the number of responsibilities you struggle to balance each day. Many of us attempt multi-tasking to accomplish our action items but sometimes end up with a bunch of tasks half done. The practice of mindfulness encourages you to focus on one thing at a time and give that one thing your full attention.  Mindfulness is not a new concept, yet many of us are not aware of the impact it can have on decluttering our minds and reducing our stress.

For many, mindfulness goes hand-in-hand with meditation.  Meditation teaches you to focus on your breath and stay present in the moment which lends itself very well to mindfulness.  But I realize some people don’t have the time or desire to meditate.  In my opinion, that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate mindfulness into your day.  The key is to focus on one task at a time and try to overcome distractions.  When you’re able to focus on a task, you’re more likely to complete it more efficiently so you can move on to the next task.

Before beginning a task, do what you can to reduce distractions. Turn off the phone.  Close email. Wait until your son’s Zoom lesson begins so you know he will be occupied for the next hour.  Personally, I try to complete tasks that need the most concentration early in the morning before my daughter wakes up.  It allows me to get a burst of work done before the interruptions begin.

When a distraction does occur, try to work through it the best you can.  If your mind wanders off during a task or someone interrupts you, acknowledge it but try to not let it completely derail you.  Try to bring your focus back to what you’re doing.  If you struggle to get back on task, try taking a few deep breaths or do breathing exercises. For others, you may need to step away for a few moments and get a cup of tea or step outside for a breath of fresh air to regain focus.

Maintaining focus and practicing mindfulness isn’t always easy.  But, like most things in life, the more you practice, the more you will improve.

Clutter can come in my many forms and mental clutter is just one.  But learning strategies to tackle that clutter can reduce stress and help simplify your day.  Learning to say no can be empowering and help set the stage for prioritizing what is important to you.  Capturing your thoughts, whether digitally or on paper, can help organize your ideas and information.  And incorporating mindfulness can help accomplish your daily undertakings and set you on the path to … organizing your life one task at a time.

Asking for help is another great way to clear your mind and we are only a click away.

Karen Kabara

Your Tasks – Our Time, Inc

The post Declutter Your Mind appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

Shop Online

When we need to complete a project, some of us may simply run to the local craft or hardware store to buy what we need. Given our current circumstances, many stores and businesses have been closed or are running at reduced capacity. Some stores, however, have setup curbside pickup where you order online, drive to the store and they will place your order in your trunk and you never have to leave your vehicle. Another option is to order online and have it shipped to your house. Overnight and 2-day shipping has been eliminated for many sites. So, if you do order online, it may take a few extra days to receive your delivery.

Shop at Home

If there is a project you want to complete, figure out what items you need to complete it. Write out a shopping list if you need it. Then go shopping in your house to see if you already have what you need. Check the garage, the basement, the shed and that closet that has become the dumping ground for all the odd items you’re not sure where to put. You may rediscover items you have forgotten.

Be Creative

If you don’t have everything you need, you may need to be creative. You may discover a solution right in front of you. For example, you’ve been meaning to buy new flowerpots for the front porch but never got around to it. As you search through your house, you realize you have some spray paint and so you paint your old flowerpots and now they look brand new! You may also need to think outside the box. For example, you have a sewing project but no material on hand. As you go through your closets, you realize that you have an old sheet set not being used that would be perfect for your project.

Create a Plan

But what if you’ve searched your house and don’t find the items you need to complete your projects? Sure, you can shop online. But what if you have no income coming in because your employment has come to a halt in recent weeks? You can still plan and organize for your project! Think about what items you need for the project. Then think about what items you have and what items you need to buy. You can go online and do the research to find the items you still need. You can check out different retailers and see what they offer. You can comparison shop to see who has the best price and make note of it. You can also use apps like Pinterest where you can create a virtual board for each project and pin items that meet your needs for that project.

We know this won’t be the same as completing the project, but it will allow you the time to plan and organize your thoughts on the project and plan a budget. Taking the time to plan upfront will hopefully save some money in the long run. Then, when you’re back on better financial ground, you have done the leg work to identify what items you need and where you need to get them, and you can begin to knock off those projects more easily.

Being stuck in the house without the necessary supplies for our projects doesn’t mean we need to put those projects on hold indefinitely.

Karen Kabara

Your Tasks – Our Time

The post Roadblocks to Home Projects appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.