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Unclutter Your Life

Making Space for Holiday Deals

12/9/2021

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Now that the holiday sales have come and gone, here’s how to make space for those new finds:

We all love a good deal, but we’re often unsure where all the new purchases will go. Now that Black Friday, Small Business Saturday & Cyber Monday have come & gone, it’s time to make space for the deals you got for yourself.

Here’s how you do it:


Step 1:  Think about where you’ll most often use the item. Some things are going to be easy, like an air fryer. You want to keep that in your kitchen for optimal use. Some things will be a bit trickier, like keeping a back stock of holiday candles. Those could end up in several spaces, from a linen closet to a basement storage room. To decide on the best place for them, think about Step 2.

Step 2: Identify how often you’re going to use the item. Is it an everyday use item? Weekly or monthly? Once a quarter? Yearly? Things you use once a quarter or less make the most sense to organize in a basement storage room. Things you use daily (like a coffee maker) make sense on the kitchen counter. Items you use weekly or monthly go into secondary storage in the main living space.  

Step 3:  Make sure the space you’ve picked is also where other like items live. You want to organize like with like from your basement to your attic. So for the air fryer, make sure it’s with other small appliances like a small appliance garage/cabinet in your kitchen. That holiday candle back stock? They should live where other holiday items are stored, like the basement storage room.    

Step 4: Go to the storage space you’ve identified as the best-suited home for your new item. We’ll use a kitchen cabinet for a weekly/monthly item as an example. Is there space in that cabinet to store the new item with similar items? If there is, wonderful! Place the item in its new home, and you’re on your way! But if there isn’t, move on to step 5.

Step 5: Sort and purge the cabinet/space. To make room in a space, you’ll want to start by sorting and purging, meaning you’ll go one item at a time and figure out if you need, love, or use that item. If you don’t, it’s time to donate/recycle/throw away the item. If you do, it’s a keeper and it’s time to figure out if this space makes the most sense for it. Finding stuff for the laundry room in the kitchen cabinet? Redistribute these items to the laundry room. As you purge, sort the remaining items you’re keeping in the cabinet like with like. Pulling everything out as you go will give you a blank slate to work with. In the end, this will give you an idea of the total volume you have of each type of item. You may purge some more once you see that you have multiples of an item with some being in better shape than others.

Step 6: Reorganize the cabinet. Now that you are left with only the items that you need, love, or use for this cabinet, PLUS the new item, you can see what you’re working with. Reload the cabinet putting items you use less frequently toward the back and items you use most often toward the front, for example. Make sure you’re reloading like with like. If you can’t organize and keep the like items together this may not be the best cabinet for this category and you’re organizing may have to spill over into another cabinet. That’s the domino effect of organizing and the domino effect of bringing those holiday deals into your home! It’s okay to be led to the next space naturally this way, but don’t let it overwhelm you. It’s better to dig in and take the time to do it right than to shove the new purchase into a cabinet all willy-nilly.  
Following these six steps will keep your home tidy as you put away your new bargain treasures. Don’t let the holiday sales turn your house upside down, and stay Utterly Uncluttered in the process! 

Merry Organizing,

Melissa Fortino


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Recycling 101: Setting Up A System

10/15/2020

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Recycling: you know how important it is, but you're not sure how to do it "right."
If this sounds like you, you likely fall into one of three buckets:
  1. You are worried you will do it "wrong," so you opt not to do it at all; you don't want to ask questions that you feel like you should already know.
  2. You put everything with a recycle symbol in your neighborhood recycling bin without realizing that many recyclables cannot all be recycled together. Read more about material contamination here. 
  3. It seems like too much work/time-consuming.
I know this because I have fallen into each of these three buckets at some point in time.

I feel so inspired by many of my clients' dedication and desire to recycle properly of the items they're discarding, and I feel like I have a responsibility to educate myself on the topic so I can do better myself and for you.

In the past 48 hours, I have done a few things:
  • I have been taking a few extra SECONDS to look up where I am supposed to recycle every object that I'm discarding (with a recycle symbol).
  • I emailed my local recycling facility with questions I had (I visited my city's Public Works webpage to obtain contact information).
  • Based on what I'm learning, I have set up several recycling zones in my house, based on where I am noticing recyclable items keep surfacing. So far, all are in my kitchen; I will soon be setting one up in the office for plastic bags, as well.
  • My kitchen recycling zones consist of:
  1. Glass and Plastic Cans/Bottles (curbside pickup)
  2. Paper/Cardboard (curbside pickup)
  3. Plastic Bags (store drop-off) - for me, these will go to Target
  4. Batteries/Other Recyclables (recycling facility drop-off) - for me, these items will be taken to SOCRRA​
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The kitchen is where I notice the majority of our recyclable waste tends to collect, and it is a central location in our house. For that reason, the items we most frequently dispose of need zones IN THE AREA THEY ACCUMULATE. Let me say it another way: convenience is ESSENTIAL for consistency! 

I anticipate the small tin I have designated for Batteries/Other Recyclables under the sink to fill up rather quickly, so I set up several larger bins in the basement to collect and separate items that eventually need to go to a recycling facility. My goal is to do a quarterly drop-off, or as necessary. With these bins, I will be able to keep items sorted by type (ex. batteries, paint, electronics, household cleaners).
  • Please note that where and what types of items that can be recycled will vary by city/location. For your ongoing reference, I highly recommend using the website https://search.earth911.com/ to see where you can recycle specific items (they even have an app you can download on your phone for quick reference)!
  • You know those clear recycling bags you can purchase at the store? Those can't always be used in your recycle bin.  Check with your city to find out what can and cannot be picked up with curbside pickup.

I felt compelled to share this information because I imagine that, like myself, many people WANT to recycle, know the importance of it, yet lack the foundational knowledge and a system to do it properly.

Always remember that learning is continuous and it is never too late to start a good habit.

I hope this system helps set you up for success to recycle with confidence and pride!
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Stop Procrastinating and Start Prioritizing

5/23/2020

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How Prioritization & Trello Can Help You Accomplish Your Goals

Life is filled with many things we don’t want to do, but we do them anyways.
Studying for a test, putting together a presentation, public speaking, making important decisions; these are all things that require preparation and have consequences if not done well.  They are also things I tend to procrastinate.

When I was in fifth grade, my dad gave me the advice to study a little bit every day, so I wouldn’t have to stress and cram before a test.  No matter HOW HARD I TRIED over the years, I couldn’t get myself to do this. 20 years later, I still think about this advice.  It sounded simple, but with a due date so far in the future, I always waited until the last minute.

When I couldn’t procrastinate any longer, my brain would go into hyper-focused mode and I would always get things done. I wasted a lot of time overthinking and stressing, rather than actually doing.  For the majority of my life, I assumed I operated “better under pressure” and identified myself as a procrastinator.  Something about that didn’t feel right, because I am also a planner and list-maker.

A few months ago, I started thinking about this topic, in-depth.  I started reading articles and listening to podcasts and audio books, and quickly noticed a trend: procrastination often goes hand-in-hand with perfectionism.  MIND. BLOWN. Maybe you already knew this, but for me, it was like a lightbulb went off in my head.  The things I had been procrastinating my ENTIRE LIFE had negative consequences if they weren’t done well, and therefore, I was putting off doing them because I subconsciously knew the amount of time and energy I would have to put into them to gain a PERFECT result.  I would overthink, over-prepare by making lists and planning out a schedule, and would attempt to line everything up “just right” before actually starting - but what I was actually doing was procrastinating.  By the time I needed to take action, there was no TIME to overthink, I just had to DO.
A few weeks ago, I listened to an audiobook called “Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time” by Brian Tracy.  I highly recommend reading this book if you can relate to being a procrastinator, as this book has completely changed my mindset and the way I operate!
​He recommends beginning your day with your most important, biggest, hardest task first, as those are the ones we tend to procrastinate.
  
If you complete that task, not only does it feel good when your biggest task is done for the day, but you will gain more momentum to get the rest of your tasks and goals accomplished!

I’m sure you’ve heard that “a goal without a plan is just a wish.” Thank you Antoine de Saint-Exupéry for this wonderfully accurate quote!

Having a plan will give you peace of mind, a sense of structure and stability, and direction, even during uncertain times like the present.

Since my job as a professional organizer is primarily done working inside clients’ homes, I have had to make a massive pivot in what I’m focusing on and where I spend my time.
Over the past year, Trello has been the single best tool I’ve found to help me manage that.  It completely has replaced my paper planner, random to-do lists and functions alongside the calendar on my phone!
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Trello is an excellent tool for business owners, but is also an amazing tool for managing your LIFE, even if you’re not!

I operate off of several Trello boards, but have one board in particular that I call my Life-Management Board.  On this board, I include every task relating to my personal and work life that I need to accomplish so I can see it all in one place.
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You can add due dates, checklists, notes, links, and pictures to your boards, prioritize and categorize them as needed, and keep track of everything from your computer or phone.

I have also used Trello to plan trips, study, organize social media content, create shopping lists, to-do lists, and manage projects. Overall, I use it to maintain structure in my days to make sure I’m accomplishing everything I need to.

I want to provide a few basic Trello functions to get you started, because over the past year it has become the most essential tool that I use to keep my life organized (and as a bonus, it's FREE!)

Once you create an account you will:
  1. Create your first “board”
  2. Create your first “list”
  3. Add “cards” to your lists
  4. Enhance your cards
  • ​Color Code & Categorize with Labels
  • Add images and attachments
  • Add a description and include important notes
  • Make checklists and track progress
  • Add due dates

I created a life management board template HERE that you can save to your own account to get you off to a good start.

To save this template so you can use it, select the button at the top that says “Create Board from Template,” select your settings, and Create.

Once you’ve done those steps, the template is ready for you to use!

My hope is that this wonderful tool can help you the same way it helped me.  With all of my “thoughts, tasks, and reminders” living in one place, I spend significantly less time wondering what I have to do, searching for lists, and second guessing due dates.  The drag and drop feature helps me adjust my priorities into a timeline so I can time-block and move my “frogs”  earlier in the day, serving as a reminder for me to get those done FIRST.

If you use Trello, I'd love to hear about how you like to use it, too!
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Getting Ready to Sell Your House?

5/10/2020

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Don't Forget To Tidy Up Before Listing Your Home!

Decluttering & Organizing is one of the most important factors that should be taken into consideration when preparing your house for sale!  The tidiness of your home greatly influences potential buyers’ perception of the space and can have a major impact on their decision-making.
 
Some important spaces potential buyers will be paying attention to are your:

  • Entryway
  • Kitchen
  • Closets
  • Cupboards & Drawers
 
Here are some actions you can take to prepare your home for sale and present it in the best possible light!
Declutter
  • Front Entryway
  • Entryway Closets
  • Kitchen Countertops
  • Kitchen Drawers and Cabinets
  • Pantry
  • Bedroom Closets
  • Bathroom Countertops/Vanity
  • Linen Closets
  • Laundry Room
  • Storage Spaces
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Depersonalize
  • Remove photos
  • Remove artwork on refrigerator
Organize
  • Built-In’s
  • Closets
  • Pantry
  • Storage Spaces
  • Collect and organize warranties for appliances
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Rent a Storage Unit (if necessary)
  • Temporarily store items such as furniture, artwork, etc. that you want to move into your new home, but are taking up too much space
Need assistance? Kara Desmond, Professional Organizer of Utterly Uncluttered can help reduce the stress of moving and help you accomplish these tasks before you move!

Get in Contact:
Website
Email
Call
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Organize Your Kitchen + Reduce Food Cost

5/5/2020

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6 Benefits of Properly Managing Your Food During Quarantine + Beyond

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On March 12th, at 7:45 AM, as I briskly walked through Target down the bare aisles of where paper towel and pasta were supposed to be, it hit me that what we were about to go through was going to have a significant impact on our lives. Forty-five minutes later, panic had begun to set in. 
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Thoughts of "how long will this shopping trip be able to sustain us for if we can't leave to get more food?" followed by "how much is this going to cost, where will I put it all, and how do I make sure we don't waste any of it?" flooded my mind.

I imagine many people experienced similar thoughts the first time (if not the first few times) they went to the store at the start of this pandemic.

Many people are facing these roadblocks:
  • Lack of kitchen space
  • No organization systems in place
  • Bought a lot of food but have limited time to eat perishables before they expire

How does one combat these issues?
Creating a plan and managing pantry and fridge organization, similar to how you would organize your closet, is essential.  By following these six steps, you can develop sustainable habits that will extend beyond quarantine, and it will save you time and money in the long-run.

The 6 Steps:
  1. Clean out your pantry and fridge (this is the most critical step, START HERE!)
  2. Take inventory of what you have
  3. Create shopping lists (and stick to them) - see my free downloadable PDF, below!
  4. Stretch your wallet by planning your meals and grocery list, taking extra precaution with your perishable food to preserve freshness
  5. Categorize, Label, & Create Homes for your food (check out my favorite products here)
  6. Visualize how a clutter-free and organized kitchen will make you feel

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To assist with this, I have compiled a few of my favorite resources to help with extending the life of your produce and prioritize what you need to eat first to reduce waste:
  • "How to Store Vegetables to Keep Them Fresh"
  • "How to Store Fresh Herbs so they Last Longer"
  • Eat By Date
  • FoodKeeper

I am also attaching 2 FREE printable downloads to help with your weekly meal planning and grocery shopping!

What is your biggest challenge when trying to keep your pantry and refrigerator under control? ​
weekly_meal_calendar.pdf
File Size: 25 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

grocery_shopping_list.pdf
File Size: 44 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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Spring Cleaning is Starting Early in 2020

3/19/2020

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​The phrase "there aren't enough hours in a day" generally rings true during the usual hustle-and-bustle of our busy lives.  Right now, however, during the COVID-19 outbreak, we are in a unique situation.  We are staying at home more than usual due to self-quarantining in an attempt to keep healthy and flatten the curve.

This situation poses the question:

"What should I do if I have some extra time at home?"

Hours of sunlight are getting longer, and we are spending more time at home than usual!  What better time than NOW to jumpstart spring cleaning & decluttering and get a fresh start!
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Fun Fact:

We spend about 10 minutes a day searching for lost items, which adds up to more than 60 hours, annually that we spend trying to find things we've lost in our own homes!

Spring Cleaning & Decluttering is HEALTHY!

Spring cleaning & decluttering is therapeutic! Several health benefits come along with going through your house and clearing your clutter:
  1. It can lower stress & boost mental health! Did you know the sight of clutter can cause a release of the stress hormone,  Cortisol?
  2. It can lower the risk of depression! Spring cleaning can improve happiness and reduce fatigue. Happiness, satisfaction, and a sense of accomplishment are all feelings associated with having a clean house!
  3. It can enhance your productivity! People are generally more efficient when their space appears organized because they are less distracted and stressed by the clutter around them.
  4. It is beneficial for your safety! It is no surprise that clutter can pose obstacles to walking through the home, which can lead to potential injuries.

Not sure where to start? Here are some tips:

1. PLAN
Start with a plan! Set aside time in your schedule to get your projects done, uninterrupted.
2. DECIDE WHERE TO DONATE
Decide on if/where you will donate unwanted items and schedule it in your calendar to drop off donations to your organization of choice.
3. CATEGORIZE
Create space to work, and categorize items you plan to keep. Toss or recycle items that no longer serve a purpose for you, and relocate items that are in the wrong room to their rightful homes.
4. CREATE HOMES
Create labeled homes for the things you keep! Putting a label on it is a great way to make sure everyone who lives with you knows where to find and put things away.
5. MAXIMIZE SPACE
Maximize space by utilizing the hard to reach areas to store items you don't need to use very often.    
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What is the first area in your home that you want to tackle & declutter this spring?​
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About the Author

Kara Desmond is a Professional Organizer in Metro Detroit, and the Owner of Utterly Uncluttered, LLC.  She provides local services in the Metro Detroit area and virtual services throughout the US. Want to get in contact? Email her or visit her website!

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