professional organizer tagged posts

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros with a blog about quick organizing tasks.

Spending hours or days organizing can give you big results. Unfortunately, most of us don’t have the stamina or time to spend doing it. Here are some decluttering jobs you can do in 10-30 minutes.

Kitchen counters

Your counters should be clear of everything not used on a daily basis. For example, you can leave the toaster and coffee pot if you use them most days. But that bread making machine needs to be put away. 

If you have tools like a big spoon, spaghetti stirrer or spatula that you use often and you want to have them handy, put them in something like a large vase so they are not simply laying around on the counter...

All sorts of activities and events are happening in April around the Baltimore area. Get details on what’s happening and where.

Get Organized Event at Cummings & Co.

Spring is here! The birds are tweeting, the sun is shining, and it’s about time to finally clear the clutter. Join me and my co-host, Cindy Bernstein, owner of Aim4Order, for a talk on how to de-clutter your home, office and life in general.  Cindy will provide easy organizing tips, tricks and hacks that will finally clear the clutter and allow you to de-stress and get organized.

Interested?  Click the Get Organized link. Wednesday, April 10, 2019, 6pm – 7:30pm, 108 W. Timonium Road, Timonium, MD 21093

“Gnome & Garden Show”

The Rawlings Conservatory...

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros about the reasons we have clutter.

Try as we might, we all have some clutter in our lives. Understanding the reasons why we accumulate so many things can help us turn it around and begin to reduce clutter.

1 . You’re not sure what clutter actually is.

Clutter, as defined by Merriam-Webster is, “Scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness. A crowded or confused mass or collection.”

2. You can’t resist a sale.

Do you ever buy things you already have? You may buy things in bulk because you think you’ll use them, but then don’t. Often you take advantage of items that are on sale that you think you might need, but never do.

3...

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros about clutter and your mindset.

When I think about organizing my home, I like to take a step back and look at it from an outsider’s point of view. Think about a real estate agent coming over to tell you how you need to reduce the clutter in order to show your home. You be the real estate agent and look around your own home.

Make a list of things that you see that need work. Write it down so you have that list and don’t forget anything.

Do shelves seem like they have too much on them? 

Too many photos, nicknacks, books or other items can make your home look cluttered just because there is so much there. Think about what you can part with and what gives you joy...

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros about organizing your goals.

As the year is coming to an end, thoughts turn to 2019 and what you can accomplish in the new year. Setting goals can be a challenge, but there are some ways to make it easier.

The first step is deciding what goals you want to achieve in the coming year before you figure out how to achieve them.

People who write down their goals are much more likely to make them happen. There are several ways to do that.

Make a list of the goals you want to achieve in the year, month-by-month or even week by week. You can break down the big goals into components that you need to accomplish in order to reach that goal...

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros about organizing mistakes.

Some people believe if their home is clean, it’s organized. That is not necessarily true. Clutter can be hidden in closets or under beds. People may have trouble finding things because they don’t have storage containers clearly labeled.

How do you make sure you don’t take these organizing missteps?

Kitchen counters

You don’t have to have your kitchen counters completely clear. If you use your toaster every morning, keep it on the counter. Putting it away and taking it out every day is a waste of time. However, if you only use it every now and then, it makes sense to keep it off the counter.

Entryway

A completely clear entryway can make it hard to find a place for your coat,...

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros on stress and your clutter.

Psychologist Sherrie Bourg Carter said in an article in Psychology Today, “Clutter can play a significant role in how we feel about our homes, our workplaces, and ourselves. Messy homes and workspaces leave us feeling anxious, helpless, and overwhelmed. Yet, rarely is clutter recognized as a significant source of stress in our lives.”

Touching causes an emotional attachment, and that makes us attached to the things around our homes. The pain of giving up something reaches the anterior cingulate cortex part of the brain. It’s the same place associated with physical pain, so the pain you feel when giving up your belongings is real.

That’s how we are attached to our clutter, bu...

Thanks to Cindy Bernstein of Aim4Order for this episode of Tips from the Pros about organizing.

People who have organizing issues sometimes have shopping issues, too. The more one likes to shop, the more items accumulate in the home. Many shoppers have a hard time resisting a good deal and if it is a really good deal, they feel the urge to buy more than one item and often times many more. Some shoppers are always thinking of others when they see various items in the stores or online. For example, a relative who loves cats may appreciate the 75% off canvas bag with cats on the outside. Or, the cousin who gardens might like the 80% off book on garden design...