You might ask, what is vertical organizing? It’s an organizing method that stands everything up so it’s easy to access and put away. Marie Kondo made this technique very popular; however, the method pre-dates Marie and can be used far beyond clothing. The trick is often in containerizing the items you want to stand vertically and working within the shape of the space you have for storage.

There are many ways to fold clothing and towels so they stand, but matching the fold to the space you actually have and therefore maximizing your space is the key to vertical organizing. For the purpose of this blog, we are going to focus on 3 different spaces that you may not have considered for vertical organizing.

As I have said many times over the years, there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to organizing, so be creative and don’t forget that function comes first. All the items in a space should be easy to take out and put away. If the system falls apart the minute something is removed or it’s difficult to put an item away, then you may want to reconsider the system. Containers are often the key to vertical organizing, so picking the correct container is an important part of the process.

Office Drawers:

There are many items in office drawers that can easily stand and allow for much easier assess. My favorite is using colored file folders to file (stand up) colored tissue paper.

Post-it notes

Note pads & note books

Envelopes

Note cards

Wrapping/tissue paper in a file drawer

Comforters & Blankets:

There are many ways to fold blankets so they stand in your closet. Check out this video to get you started with lots of folding techniques. The beauty of standing them is that you can see what you have and don’t have to dig them out from under a pile of blankets.

Jeans:

If you have lots of jeans, you might consider standing them on a shelf. Using shelf dividers, about every 12 inches will help ensure they stay standing.

Vertical organizing is a functional way to organize your space for easy access.  If you would like to learn more or need help getting started, don’t hesitate to call or email to schedule your appointment today.

Darla Pompilio

Your Tasks Our Time, LLC

The post The Benefits of Vertical Organizing 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

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January is the perfect time to evaluate the coming year and determine how we want to move forward; so, in honor of GO Month, I would like to propose that we try a different perspective toward goal setting. I work with many clients who spend too much time in a cycle that I call the “negativity loop”. The negativity loop is what happens when we set a goal, start working toward that goal, falter, then mentally and emotionally batter ourselves for being less than perfect.  Not the best strategy for goal attainment.

I want to be clear that I believe goal setting and attainment are important and necessary; however, there are many ways to achieve a goal.  Sometimes a goal can be thought of as more of a journey and less of a destination. With all goals, there will be some roadblocks, setbacks and we might even stumble along the way. These barriers are where we often get stuck, lose our way and abandon our goals. There will always be obstacles and setbacks; however, we can choose how we interpret the obstacles we encounter.

Goal attainment can often require lifestyle changes or the formation of new habits. Learning how to get and stay organized, or choosing to become vegetarian, are examples of goals that are more journey verses destination-based. These are goals that often require a lot of practice to attain. We think of practice when it comes to learning how to play an instrument or learning a sport, but not when it comes to lifestyle changes. We set our goal in January to get organized, and the first time our schedule gets hectic and our system falters, we become discouraged, berate ourselves and give up. Stumbling along the path of goal attainment, does not make us bad or lesser people. It only makes us human.

The key is to stay the course. Show ourselves some kindness. Understand that we do make mistakes and continue toward our goal. We may even need to make adjustments as we go along to determine what is and is not working, with an emphasis on what IS working. By putting the focus on what works, we can build a path to a lifestyle change that will endure. For those who can’t help but to focus on what isn’t working, ask yourself WHY it’s not working. Then use the answer to that question to overcome the roadblock and turn it into a positive.  This path may take a little longer and require more patience, but the more we practice, the closer we will get to living our best life.

Darla Pompilio

Your Tasks – Our Time, LLC

The post How to Set Achievable Goals appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

Start at the Root

Determine where you want your file system to live on your computer. Having all your files and documents under one “root” folder on your computer will make it easy to locate your files. Many single Windows users have all their folders, files and documents stored haphazardly in the “Documents” or “My Documents” folder on their PC. If this sounds like your system, then you might want to consider starting from scratch. The easiest way to do this is to save all your current folders, files and documents to a new folder and name it something like 2021 Archive or any appropriate name that’s easy to remember. Now, you can start to create a new file structure with broad categories without losing any of your current information. After your new filing system is created you can move previously created files and documents to the newly created system on an as needed basis.

Create a File Structure

File structure is the backbone of your filing system and it begins with using folders for general categories. Think big when creating filing categories and limit the number of folders to a critical few. Describe the contents of the folders with short commonly used, meaningful terms. Start broad and get more specific as you add files and documents to those broad category folders.

Examples for business folder names:

Administration

Clients

Financial

Insurance

Legal

Marketing

Organizations

Sales

Vendors

Projects

Examples for personal folder names:

Financial

Medical

Health & Wellness

Housing

Insurance

Taxes

Use Sub-Categories

After you have created your folders using broad categories you will want to create files with sub-categories. Sub-categories are used to organized those files and documents within your folders. You may have a folder called “Projects” and within that folder are several files or sub-categories called Project-A, Project-B and Project–C.

Sub-category example:

Projects

Project-A

Project-B

Project-C

Determine a Naming Convention

It’s important to name your folders and files consistently and logically. Storing multiple drafts of the same document can get confusing and a naming convention is one way to avoid that confusion.

Adding a date at the beginning of the file name is a great way to keep track of multiple documents and the addition of initials at the end of the file name will add clarity if more than one person is working on the same document.

Naming convention examples:

Sample File

2022.01.01 Sample File

2022.01.01 Sample File JD

“Save As” You Go

File your documents in the proper location by using the “Save As” feature. “Save As” allows you to save and file your documents as you go, so they will be placed in the correct file or folder from the start.

Clean Up Your Desk Top

Evaluate what you really use and delete those icons or shortcuts that are outdated or infrequently used.  Note: deleting a shortcut is not the same as deleting a file, folder or program from your computer. Deleting the shortcut will simply remove it from your desktop.

A program like Fences is a great way to automatically sort out all those remaining icons into organized, easy to see boxes and categories. The program can sort the categories for you or you can create your own categories.

Backup Your Files

Have a regiment in place to regularly back up your files. If your hard drive fails, is damaged or is maliciously attacked, then you risk losing all of your personal documents, photos, business transactions and correspondence. Backing up your files to a separate location, such as the cloud or an external hard drive creates an archive that will enable you to restore your data quickly and having all your files saved to a “root” will make that process easy.

Darla Pompilio

Your Tasks – Our Time, LLC

The post Seven Steps to Organizing Your Electronic Files appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

Layering
The layering or bundling method, layers the clothes in alternating directions in the suitcase and then has you fold each article of clothing onto the last piece to create one intertwined bundle of clothing. This is a great method to reduce wrinkles and we were easily able to pack as many as 25 items of medium-sized women’s clothing in one 22” carry-on. The downside is that the entire bundle would have to be removed and unwrapped to retrieve your clothing. Therefore, this method is best if you plan to hang your clothing once you get to your destination.

Rolling
Rolling the clothing is another popular method. You can roll each item individually or group like items together and roll as a bundle. For example, with shirts, you want to fold the sleeves in and then roll from the bottom of the shirt up to the neck. For pants, you want to roll from the waist down to the ankle. If you have wrinkle-prone clothing, we suggest using plastic (e.g., dry cleaning bag). Lay the clothing on the plastic bag and then roll the item up with the plastic as you go. We found that grouping like items together did save some extra space and reduced some of the wrinkling that can occur with various fabrics when rolled.

Folding
And finally, the folding method.  This method does take up more space than layering or rolling. However, for some fabrics, it’s a better way to reduce wrinkling. Folding the clothing with a piece of tissue paper or plastic in the middle will reduce friction and, therefore, the wrinkles.

In the end, we found that a combination of methods often works best. Rolling items that don’t wrinkle easily and folding others with tissue paper were the easiest techniques to combine. Once the larger, bulkier items were placed in the suitcase, we filled in all the gaps (including the shoes) with smaller items like underwear, tank tops, bathing suits and belts, so that every nook and cranny was filled.

Darla Pompilio

Your Tasks – Our Time

The post How to Pack for Traveling During the Holidays appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

Purge.  The first step in organizing your medication, whether it is prescription or over-the-counter, is to remove any medication that is expired or you no longer need to take.  For proper disposal of unused medications, you can check national sources for an Authorized Drug Collection Location near you where you can drop off the medication.  Some areas like Bucks County, Pennsylvania and the state of  New Jersey have sites that list secure drop box locations.  You can follow the FDA Guidelines for how to dispose of medication if there is no authorized drug collection location near you.

Sort.  The key to organizing any space in your home is sorting.  This also applies to medication.  Think about the categories of medication as you sort through them.  You may want to sort all prescription medication in one group and over-the-counter in another group.  Or you may have several cold medications or multiple medications for a chronic health condition.  Also consider which medication you use daily versus medication that you take occasionally.  Do your best to group similar items together.

Store.  Once your medication is sorted, you need to figure out where and how to store it.  Ideally, it is best to store all your medication in one location so everything is together; however, this may not be the best option for some people.  A logical storage location would be to keep your medication where you typically take it.  Therefore, if you take it each morning after eating breakfast, keeping it in the kitchen may be best.  But, if you are someone who needs to take medication before going to bed, it may be best to keep that medication on your bedside table or in the master bathroom for ease of access.

Another aspect to consider is how frequently you use the medication.  If you use it daily, it should be in a location that is easy to access, like the front section of a shelf or drawer.  The items that are used occasionally can be tucked on a higher shelf or towards the back of the shelf.  And always remember to keep medication in a spot that is out of reach of any children or pets.

Once you decide where you should keep your medication, then you can decide how to store it.  One option is to put it in a bin or basket to corral it neatly within the cabinet or drawer.  You can find great options at your local dollar store.  If you need more than one basket, it is recommended that you label each basket.  If you take multiple medications every day or at different points in a day, you may consider a pill organizer with separate compartments for each day.  Some organizers break the days up into morning, afternoon, evening, and bedtime.  They even have pill organizers now that have alarms to remind you when to take your medication.

If you have an extensive collection of medication and a basket just will not do, you can purchase a plastic drawer unit and put each category of medication in its own drawer.  Again, be sure to label each drawer so you or anyone in your home can clearly identify what is in each drawer.

These simple steps will help to pare down and organize your medication and bring you one step closer to simplifying your space.

Author: Karen Kabara

Your Tasks – Our Time, Inc

The post How to Organize Medication appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

You may want to create a trip board on Pinterest to pin informative websites or, if you’re still a pen and paper kind of person, jot down notes in one notebook so all your details are in one place.

We all research the typical topics related to travel – accommodations, travel method (by plane or car), places to eat and attractions.  But, this time around, you may need to add a subcategory to each of those topics – Restrictions.

Even though destinations are opening, that doesn’t mean that everything will go back to a pre-Covid state.  Many establishments are opening up with new guidelines and restrictions.  So how do you plan for this new reality?  The ideas below will hopefully help reduce the stress of planning your next getaway.

State/Country Restrictions

For domestic travel, each state is on a different timetable for easing corona-virus restrictions; therefore, if you are planning out of state travel, you will have to do your due diligence to research state and local websites for details on restrictions that may still be in place.  If you are traveling internationally, you should check your destination location for any travel advisories and restrictions.  There may be some locations that still expect people to self-isolate upon arrival.

Airlines/Cruise Lines

Now, more than ever, it will be important to read the fine print when booking travel reservations.  Be sure to check the cancellation policies for hotels, airlines, travel sites, etc.  Check airport websites to see what current procedures they are implementing for arrivals and departures.

Hotels

If you are concerned about the cleanliness of hotels, call them before booking and ask about their cleaning schedules and procedures.  If you are staying at the same hotel for multiple nights, you can ask to forego housekeeping services to limit the number of people entering your room during your stay.  Also ask about food service procedures.  Those continental breakfasts that many of us look forward to may not be offered.

Attractions/Dining Out

Most attractions and events are still closed or canceled.  So, when picking a specific destination, be sure to research the local events and attractions to see when they plan to reopen.  You should also ask them about any restrictions they will be enacting.  There’s nothing fun about spending time and money to travel to a great destination just to find out all the fun activities are closed or the experience is altered due to restrictions in place.

Due to social distancing guidelines, you may have to wait for seating at restaurants, so account for extra time to eat meals when planning out your day.

Packing for Trip

There are some essentials you might consider packing in addition to the normal items you throw in your suitcase.  You probably want hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes at the top of that list.  Some may choose to pack a mask, disposable gloves, and disposable plastic bags.  The disinfecting wipes will be helpful whether or on plane, a train, a bus or in a cab or hotel to wipe down “high touch” surfaces.

If you are opting to drive instead of fly, remember some rest areas are open for restroom facilities but not offering food sales.  So, be sure to pack food and drinks for the ride or take advantage of drive thru and take out dining.

As you are traveling to your destination, and even once you get there, you will want easy access to your hand sanitizer and wipes for frequent hand hygiene needs.  This is where a purse, tote or day pack with external pockets will come in handy, so you can grab the sanitizer before your son touches his face after running his hand all along that dirty handrail.

And finally, when you are ready and able to travel, be sure to have fun and know that a little extra planning up front may help keep you and your family safe!

By: Karen Kabara

Your Tasks – Our Time

The post How to Travel During Covid-19 appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

At YTOT we believe it depends on the individual. It boils down to how you want to live your life? What belongings, what information and which activities are going to serve you? There is a quote by Bill Jenson that we find true “The paradox of simplicity is that making things simple is hard work”. Choosing what to include AND exclude in our lives is a process that takes time and a great deal of effort.

How do you get started? There is a difference between organizing and simplifying and a good place to start is with the physical stuff that surrounds you.

Organizing is a tool that’s used to simplify. Organizing is about finding homes for your stuff and being able to find what you need, when you need it. Finding a home for all your items can have a huge impact on your life. This effect can transform your life.

Simplifying is more about determining what is really going to serve you. Are you going to read or re-read the 300 books you have on your bookcases? Do you value all decorative objects on the flat surfaces of your home? Do you wear the 30 pairs of jeans in your closet? In short, how do you want to live and how much time do you want to devote to your stuff?

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Family Communication Station

The center of any good communication station is the calendar.  For a family calendar it to be effective it must include the activities of every family member.  This can be done by using one big calendar with large squares or you can provide a separate calendar for each member of the family.  Adding a bulletin board and dry erase board for notes and lists will complete your station.

Click here for Communication Station ideas.

Lunch Packing Station

Setting up a lunch packing station will save you time and energy each day and make packing lunch more enjoyable.  Select an area of your kitchen where you can store all items needed to pack your lunch, including lunch boxes, utensils, napkins and plastic baggies.  You can also set up a container in your refrigerator with pre packed snacks like carrot sticks that can be used for lunch or snacks on the go.

Click here for Lunch Packing Station ideas.

Backpack Station

This station is designed so that the kids have a specific place for their backpacks as they enter the home.  For the system to be effective it’s important to provide separate hooks set at the height of each child. Dropping those papers that need signing in a bin above the hooks is a great way to jog your memory and save time.

Click here for Backpack Station ideas.

Homework Station

A designated area to study with a specific place for everything is a great way to make homework more enjoyable.  It’s best to find an area with few distractions with stationery supplies available within arm’s reach.  The chair should be comfortable and at the correct height for your child and proper lighting is a must so your child’s not straining their eyes while they work.

Click here for Homework Station ideas.

Darla Pompilio

Your Tasks – Our Time, Inc

The post 4 Stations to Streamline Your Back to School Routine appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.

• Sort through your spring and summer clothing. This is a great way to clear the clutter. Be sure to wash the clothes before you box them up for your favorite charity
• Pull out your fall and winter items and put them away as you organize your closet
• Change the bedding to get ready for the cool months ahead. Wash and store the light weight bedding and pull out the heavy linens
• Pull out the humidifier to help put moisture back into the dry environment during the colder months. This will actually help make the room feel warmer
• Change the direction of your ceiling fans to move clockwise. Doing so creates an upward draft that pushes the warm down from the ceiling and redistributes it throughout the room
• Clean radiators and vents before the cold weather starts
• Have your fireplace inspected and cleaned if necessary to ensure it’s in good working order

Outside List:

• Cut down dead annuals and compost what you remove
• Cut back the perennials for the next season
• Get your leaf blowers and rakes ready to roll before the leaves start to come down
• Clean out gutters and downspout so the water doesn’t back up and cause damage to your home
• Start planting your spring bulbs
• Begin to stock up on firewood
• Make sure you have a few bags of salt or sand on hand for those unexpected snow storms
• Spray your shovels with WD40 to help the snow slide right off when you are shoveling
• Clean outdoor furniture before storing away for the winter

The post Fall Organizing Checklist appeared first on Your Tasks Our Time.