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Sunday, January 10, 2010
Moving My Blog
As of January 2010 you will find me blogging at my site www.simplyorganizedval.com Please come visit!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Taking Care of You
In the 3rd chapter of Peter Walsh's book Enough Already!: Clearing Mental Clutter to Become the Best You
he looks at clearing the clutter from family relationships and finding time to be together. The part that struck me was what he had to say about taking care of yourself so that you can be the best partner and parent you can be.
If we keep in mind that we are modeling adulthood for our children it really puts things in perspective. Are we showing our kids how to balance the role of parent with our individual needs?
Yes, there is self sacrifice involved in parenting but too much without taking time for ourselves can hurt the entire family. We need to find time for our marriage, friends and our own physcial and mental health.
Peter says, "Make no mistake! Being with your children is no excuse for letting the world they live in and the parents they love fall apart before their very eyes." Our children are our priority but they can not be the sole focus!
My Mom always stressed to me the importance of taking care of myself and not neglecting my needs entirely due to the kids. I also read a book when I was pregnant for the first time called On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep (On Becoming. . .)
">. In this book the author stresses that the most important relationship in your child's life is the one between his parents. Taking time out to be alone and time to spend with your spouse without the kids is an important component of being a good parent.
he looks at clearing the clutter from family relationships and finding time to be together. The part that struck me was what he had to say about taking care of yourself so that you can be the best partner and parent you can be.If we keep in mind that we are modeling adulthood for our children it really puts things in perspective. Are we showing our kids how to balance the role of parent with our individual needs?
Yes, there is self sacrifice involved in parenting but too much without taking time for ourselves can hurt the entire family. We need to find time for our marriage, friends and our own physcial and mental health.
Peter says, "Make no mistake! Being with your children is no excuse for letting the world they live in and the parents they love fall apart before their very eyes." Our children are our priority but they can not be the sole focus!
My Mom always stressed to me the importance of taking care of myself and not neglecting my needs entirely due to the kids. I also read a book when I was pregnant for the first time called On Becoming Baby Wise: Giving Your Infant the Gift of Nighttime Sleep (On Becoming. . .)
">. In this book the author stresses that the most important relationship in your child's life is the one between his parents. Taking time out to be alone and time to spend with your spouse without the kids is an important component of being a good parent.When helping someone declutter I always like to begin with the master bedroom. It's the center of your relationship with your spouse and where you should be able to go to recharge yourself. First clear out anything that keeps you from relaxing. Preserve the sanctity of this room by not housing anything that doesn't belong. Be the gate keeper. While the kids and their toys may find their way into your room be sure to start young teaching them that your room is not a playground or a second sleeping place for them. By doing this you will create for yourself and your spouse a space that you can go to refresh yourselves and spend quality time together. This alone will help you to be a better you and a better parent.
By balancing your parenting and personal needs you will be taking an important step toward ending the clutter that gets in the way of the vision you have for your family.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Clearing your work clutter
Chapter two of Peter Walsh's new book Enough Already!: Clearing Mental Clutter to Become the Best You deals with clearing the clutter at work. He really goes in to detail about how to determine if the career you have is right for you. And he discusses how to go about making the best of your current job or changing jobs if you feel you need to move on. I suggest you read this chapter if you are unhappy in your job or your wondering if you would better off someplace else.
Whether you plan to stay or find a new job being organized at work is crucial. Peter says, "Your desk is a reflection of your head" If your desk is a jumble of papers and files and half finished projects then what must be going on in your head? With a cluttered desk it's almost impossible to be efficient and prioritize. I believe we should all adopt the motto "you are your desk". I know it's true for me that days when my desk is a mess I get less done and I dread going in to my office. On the other hand if my desk is neat and orderly I seem to fly through my "To Do" list.
Many of you have heard me say that a good day starts with a well made bed. Well, I also think a clean desk starts a productive day at work. It also relays to others that you respect your space and that you have a commitment to organization and routine.
OK, so let's get that desk in order! Remember that papers belong in files where you can find them when you need them and files belong in the file cabinets. Only "active" files and papers should be on your desk top.
Use a vertical desktop file organizer for active files so that they can be easily reached. File them by due date.
Minimize your personal items. Peter says, "This is not a high school locker". You are a professional, maker sure you desk reflects that image.
Adopt systems that work for you. Just because someone else does it a certain way doesn't mean that's the best way for you. Think about how your mind works. If you are visual person then you need to set up systems that you can easily see or create reminders that will tell you when something is due and where the paperwork is stored.
Some other things to remember to help your desk stay organized are:
take notes, keep a calendar, put away all documents when a project is complete, return calls, be accountable.
Also, take a few minutes at the end of each day to file papers and prepare your "to do" list for the next day so that you can hit the ground running. Keeping your desk orderly will help you to be an ultra reliable person that can be trusted to do what they say they'll do when they said they'd do it!
If your desk is overwhelming and you don't where to start then give me a call and we can schedule a time to work on it together! You contact me from my website at http://www.simplyorganizedval.com/
Happy Organizing!
Valerie
deals with clearing the clutter at work. He really goes in to detail about how to determine if the career you have is right for you. And he discusses how to go about making the best of your current job or changing jobs if you feel you need to move on. I suggest you read this chapter if you are unhappy in your job or your wondering if you would better off someplace else.Whether you plan to stay or find a new job being organized at work is crucial. Peter says, "Your desk is a reflection of your head" If your desk is a jumble of papers and files and half finished projects then what must be going on in your head? With a cluttered desk it's almost impossible to be efficient and prioritize. I believe we should all adopt the motto "you are your desk". I know it's true for me that days when my desk is a mess I get less done and I dread going in to my office. On the other hand if my desk is neat and orderly I seem to fly through my "To Do" list.
Many of you have heard me say that a good day starts with a well made bed. Well, I also think a clean desk starts a productive day at work. It also relays to others that you respect your space and that you have a commitment to organization and routine.
OK, so let's get that desk in order! Remember that papers belong in files where you can find them when you need them and files belong in the file cabinets. Only "active" files and papers should be on your desk top.
Use a vertical desktop file organizer for active files so that they can be easily reached. File them by due date.
Minimize your personal items. Peter says, "This is not a high school locker". You are a professional, maker sure you desk reflects that image.
Adopt systems that work for you. Just because someone else does it a certain way doesn't mean that's the best way for you. Think about how your mind works. If you are visual person then you need to set up systems that you can easily see or create reminders that will tell you when something is due and where the paperwork is stored.
Some other things to remember to help your desk stay organized are:
take notes, keep a calendar, put away all documents when a project is complete, return calls, be accountable.
Also, take a few minutes at the end of each day to file papers and prepare your "to do" list for the next day so that you can hit the ground running. Keeping your desk orderly will help you to be an ultra reliable person that can be trusted to do what they say they'll do when they said they'd do it!
If your desk is overwhelming and you don't where to start then give me a call and we can schedule a time to work on it together! You contact me from my website at http://www.simplyorganizedval.com/
Happy Organizing!
Valerie
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Relationship Clutter
Relationship Clutter
Chapter one of Peter Walsh’s Enough Already!: Clearing Mental Clutter to Become the Best You focuses on clearing our relationships of clutter to make them the best they can be.
The baggage that we bring with us from our childhood and past relationships takes the form of mental clutter that can damage our current relationships. On top of this pile the accumulation of grievances and past transgression of this current relationship as well as the clutter of every day stress and demands adds up to a lot of mental clutter! Clearing this mental clutter and focusing on the present relationship and its value is what he discusses in this chapter. I highly recommend you read this chapter for your self. I feel certain that as I did you will find great insight on how to be the partner you want to be and how to keep your own clutter from damaging your relationship.
The part of this chapter that spoke most to me was about how we can become so consumed with our list of “To Dos” that we neglect our relationships. Why would we work so hard at being good at our jobs and parenting our children and not put in the necessary work to develop and maintain our relationships? When in fact it is our relationship with our spouse that sets the tone for all the other relationships in our lives.
Again I am drawn back to my focus of being present and doing less to be more. With all of the demands of daily life cluttering up our minds it is easy to loose focus on our partners. For example have you ever found yourself so focused on your daily routine that when your partner speaks to you, you tune out what they are saying, thinking about what you’ve still got to do and how you are going to complete everything in the time you have left in the day? Or are you so focused on making your own point that you are too busy formulating what you will say next to really hear what they are saying? Being distracted by TV, computers, cell phones and other things also keeps us from being present and communicating with our families.
Time needs to be spent focusing solely on our loved ones without distractions. Not only the ones we can see but also the mental chatter that we can’t. Try using those communication skills you’ve read about, Eye contact, body language etc as well and clearing your mind of clutter when talking with your spouse. Don’t think about what you will say next but about what they are saying only. This is tough, I know I have been trying it and it takes work! But the reward is great, truly listening is a selfless act that leaves us feeling connected to the other person and invested in their feelings. Try it and let me know how it works for you!
The next chapter deals with work and setting priorities. I can’t wait! Hope you are reading along and if not it’s not too late to join me.
Valerie
Chapter one of Peter Walsh’s Enough Already!: Clearing Mental Clutter to Become the Best You
focuses on clearing our relationships of clutter to make them the best they can be.The baggage that we bring with us from our childhood and past relationships takes the form of mental clutter that can damage our current relationships. On top of this pile the accumulation of grievances and past transgression of this current relationship as well as the clutter of every day stress and demands adds up to a lot of mental clutter! Clearing this mental clutter and focusing on the present relationship and its value is what he discusses in this chapter. I highly recommend you read this chapter for your self. I feel certain that as I did you will find great insight on how to be the partner you want to be and how to keep your own clutter from damaging your relationship.
The part of this chapter that spoke most to me was about how we can become so consumed with our list of “To Dos” that we neglect our relationships. Why would we work so hard at being good at our jobs and parenting our children and not put in the necessary work to develop and maintain our relationships? When in fact it is our relationship with our spouse that sets the tone for all the other relationships in our lives.
Again I am drawn back to my focus of being present and doing less to be more. With all of the demands of daily life cluttering up our minds it is easy to loose focus on our partners. For example have you ever found yourself so focused on your daily routine that when your partner speaks to you, you tune out what they are saying, thinking about what you’ve still got to do and how you are going to complete everything in the time you have left in the day? Or are you so focused on making your own point that you are too busy formulating what you will say next to really hear what they are saying? Being distracted by TV, computers, cell phones and other things also keeps us from being present and communicating with our families.
Time needs to be spent focusing solely on our loved ones without distractions. Not only the ones we can see but also the mental chatter that we can’t. Try using those communication skills you’ve read about, Eye contact, body language etc as well and clearing your mind of clutter when talking with your spouse. Don’t think about what you will say next but about what they are saying only. This is tough, I know I have been trying it and it takes work! But the reward is great, truly listening is a selfless act that leaves us feeling connected to the other person and invested in their feelings. Try it and let me know how it works for you!
The next chapter deals with work and setting priorities. I can’t wait! Hope you are reading along and if not it’s not too late to join me.
Valerie
Monday, April 13, 2009
As promised I have started reading Enough Already!: Clearing Mental Clutter to Become the Best You by Peter Walsh. If you haven’t gotten a copy I suggest you do as I have found so much to write about in the introduction alone. Mr. Walsh encourages us to look at how not only the clutter in our homes but also the clutter in our minds affects our daily lives. This book is really in line with what I have been trying to accomplish in my own life - stopping all the useless mental chatter, and de-cluttering my mind to be open to new relationships, ideas and opportunities.
“Stuff” seems to be the biggest hurdle in getting organized inside and out. We acquire certain things because we believe that if we have them we will be “happier”, “thinner”, “more attractive” or “more likeable”. Generally all we really get from those things is something to trip over, dust or worry about.
I suggest that we think long and hard before we get any more “stuff” that we think we need. First of all decide if it is in line with your values and what you want out of your life. Mr. Walsh talks of creating a vision for your life and then making sure that what we own, how we interact with others and what we value is in line with that vision.
My favorite quote from the introduction is this “The only path is the one you design. The only obstacles are the ones you buy, create or imagine.” Something to think about!
Valerie
by Peter Walsh. If you haven’t gotten a copy I suggest you do as I have found so much to write about in the introduction alone. Mr. Walsh encourages us to look at how not only the clutter in our homes but also the clutter in our minds affects our daily lives. This book is really in line with what I have been trying to accomplish in my own life - stopping all the useless mental chatter, and de-cluttering my mind to be open to new relationships, ideas and opportunities.“Stuff” seems to be the biggest hurdle in getting organized inside and out. We acquire certain things because we believe that if we have them we will be “happier”, “thinner”, “more attractive” or “more likeable”. Generally all we really get from those things is something to trip over, dust or worry about.
I suggest that we think long and hard before we get any more “stuff” that we think we need. First of all decide if it is in line with your values and what you want out of your life. Mr. Walsh talks of creating a vision for your life and then making sure that what we own, how we interact with others and what we value is in line with that vision.
My favorite quote from the introduction is this “The only path is the one you design. The only obstacles are the ones you buy, create or imagine.” Something to think about!
Valerie
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Mom! Where’s my bathing suit?
That’s the question I always get the minute we step foot inside our vacation accommodations. For an organized person traveling with children can be more than stressful. From remembering to pack for everyone to keeping your hotel room neat and organized there seems to be quite a few challenges. With Spring break soon ahead many are planning family vacations. Whether you are driving or flying, packing is always an issue especially if you have children. Having everything you will need on a trip and maximizing your packing space are opposing forces!
I love to travel. I don’t love living out of a suitcase. It seems no matter how hard you try it always ends up a mess by the end of the trip. I am guilty of packing too much. So trying to cram all the things I think I will need into a suitcase that never seems big enough, has always been a challenge.
My favorite packing tool by far is the zip lock bag. I use them in every size from snack bags to 2.5 gallon size. Using plastic bags helps me to be able to pack more in less space and keeps the suitcases organized.
For my own things I use mostly 2.5 gallon bags. In each bag I put an entire outfit, if it is bulky, for smaller items I will group them together in bags. For example I put my workout clothes, sports bras, shorts and tanks in one bag. I use another for underclothes and socks. The smaller bags are for accessories. After dropping in the jewelry, belt, scarf etc. that I will need for an outfit, I seal the bag and put it inside the larger bag with the outfit. Take the guess work out of getting dressed by always writing the contents of the bag on the outside with a sharpie. These bags are also great for shoes. You can see what pair is inside and keep the dirt off of everything else in the bag.
For kids this system works especially well. For small children you may only need one gallon bags for each outfit. Put everything from socks to hats to hair bows needed for each outfit in one bag. Then simply pull out that bag and you will have everything you need to dress your baby for that day. Dirty clothes can be put right back into the bag at the end of the day. Older kids can dress themselves using this system. Write the day of the week on the outside of the bag and then have the child take out that bag and get dressed.
After you fill each bag press all the air out before sealing. Then stand the bags up on the end and put them one behind the other in the order you will be using them. Laying them on top of each other only causes them to slide around. When you arrive home simply take the bags with dirty clothes and empty them into the laundry. Store the bags inside the suitcase for your next trip.
Try this out next time you travel and let me know how it works! Hopefully you will have more time to enjoy your vacation because your suitcase will be so organized!
Happy Organized Travels!
Valerie
*If you like this tip you may also like these eBags Value Set: Packing Cubes + Slim Packing Cubes
'/a>:
That’s the question I always get the minute we step foot inside our vacation accommodations. For an organized person traveling with children can be more than stressful. From remembering to pack for everyone to keeping your hotel room neat and organized there seems to be quite a few challenges. With Spring break soon ahead many are planning family vacations. Whether you are driving or flying, packing is always an issue especially if you have children. Having everything you will need on a trip and maximizing your packing space are opposing forces!
I love to travel. I don’t love living out of a suitcase. It seems no matter how hard you try it always ends up a mess by the end of the trip. I am guilty of packing too much. So trying to cram all the things I think I will need into a suitcase that never seems big enough, has always been a challenge.
My favorite packing tool by far is the zip lock bag. I use them in every size from snack bags to 2.5 gallon size. Using plastic bags helps me to be able to pack more in less space and keeps the suitcases organized.
For my own things I use mostly 2.5 gallon bags. In each bag I put an entire outfit, if it is bulky, for smaller items I will group them together in bags. For example I put my workout clothes, sports bras, shorts and tanks in one bag. I use another for underclothes and socks. The smaller bags are for accessories. After dropping in the jewelry, belt, scarf etc. that I will need for an outfit, I seal the bag and put it inside the larger bag with the outfit. Take the guess work out of getting dressed by always writing the contents of the bag on the outside with a sharpie. These bags are also great for shoes. You can see what pair is inside and keep the dirt off of everything else in the bag.
For kids this system works especially well. For small children you may only need one gallon bags for each outfit. Put everything from socks to hats to hair bows needed for each outfit in one bag. Then simply pull out that bag and you will have everything you need to dress your baby for that day. Dirty clothes can be put right back into the bag at the end of the day. Older kids can dress themselves using this system. Write the day of the week on the outside of the bag and then have the child take out that bag and get dressed.
After you fill each bag press all the air out before sealing. Then stand the bags up on the end and put them one behind the other in the order you will be using them. Laying them on top of each other only causes them to slide around. When you arrive home simply take the bags with dirty clothes and empty them into the laundry. Store the bags inside the suitcase for your next trip.
Try this out next time you travel and let me know how it works! Hopefully you will have more time to enjoy your vacation because your suitcase will be so organized!
Happy Organized Travels!
Valerie
*If you like this tip you may also like these eBags Value Set: Packing Cubes + Slim Packing Cubes
'/a>:
Thursday, March 19, 2009
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