Posts Tagged ‘cultivate a happy home’
It’s The ‘Why’ That Makes Each Project Special
Helping Your Parents with Letting Go
Helping Your Parents with Letting Go
Have you tried telling your parents that it’s time to declutter and to let go of some of things? How did that go? It’s usually a difficult conversation because no one wants to be told to downsize. And sorting through a life-long collection of belongings is hard work. But I know you love your parents and want to help them. Whether you’re standing by their side as they sort, or you’re offering some advice on their decisions, it can be an anxiety-inducing and emotionally draining experience. So, I have a few tips I want to share with you.
It Has Sentimental Value
While it is okay to save things with sentimental value, it’s also okay to let them go. There is a little guilt that comes along with sentimental items, the feeling that we must hold on to things that span time. It’s important for your parents to know that they don’t have to feel bad about getting rid of things. They might need to hear that they have permission to let things go, such as family heirlooms and your childhood artwork they’ve been holding on to for you. Sorting through special things can be tough but passing them along can be so rewarding.
A Lifetime of Collections
We are all collectors, of something, at every age. Your parents have been growing and curating their belongings, surrounding themselves with the things they love. So, having to minimize is a tough one. Instead of ‘getting rid of’ these items, use a ‘less of’ approach. Give them lots of time to select the most special 3 (or 5) pieces in their collection that they will keep.
We Might Need It Later
Probably not. And when the time comes, will we be able to find it or even remember we have it? It doesn’t matter, because hanging on to things ‘just in case’ feels better. You can help your parents learn to live with less with a few organizing tips. First is to group like items, to eliminate duplicates scattered around the house. Then, sort areas by separating items used daily versus occasionally so they can find what they need when they need it. You’ll be surprised by how many extras you find of those ‘just in case’ items.
We can help! Another Opinion has vast experience with clients of all ages; helping with clutter, organization and downsizing. Call Staci at Another Opinion 314-623-4594
Refresh And Let Go- What To Keep And Let Go Of In 2020
Happy December! Here comes a new year and new decade. Let’s start the new year off right by taking the time to declutter and discard of all the things that are only, well, taking up space! It is the season of giving! So, let’s celebrate by not only giving to someone else, but also giving to yourself! Here are some tips on what you should be keeping and letting go of in the new year.
Give Yourself 3 Things…Let Go of 3 Things
Ask yourself this question, “Have I used this in the past 6 months?” Is the answer no? Then let it go! Think of your closet, and the clothes you haven’t touched in a while, and probably never will again! Gather 3 things (or more!) and take them to your local shelter or your favorite donation. A good tip to think of when giving and letting go of 3 things – one for yourself, one for someone else and one for your home!
Organize the Newly Open Space
Let’s go back to the closet. Now that you have let go of some of your clothes, wouldn’t it be the perfect time to clean and organize the whole thing? Those shoes we all have on our closet floor that are so cluttered, sometimes we can’t even find the other pair, let’s take care of that problem while we are at it! Buy a shoe organizer that will fit in your closet, so you’ll never have a missing shoe again. This goes back to giving to yourself and your home!
Bring Something In, Give Something Away
It is the holiday season and you will probably be having a lot of new things coming into your home. To prevent clutter from happening, try giving away something each time you get something new. If you have trouble with letting go or thinking of what to give away, try asking yourself, “Will I miss this item if it was gone tomorrow?” If the answer is no, let it go!
Learn From the Purge
To avoid making the mistake again this time next year, be mindful when it comes to shopping or how much stuff you are really bringing into your home. Start making smarter, more strategic choices going forward so you can avoid clutter.
Get Another Opinion
Do you need help with decluttering or purging? Or help with organizing? Another Opinion will help you get your new year started off right! Give Staci a call today at (314) 623-4594.
Who Do You Want To Be? … 3 Tips For How An Organized Home Can Help You Achieve It
Live your best life! Yes, please! But how exactly do you do that? Well, in my opinion, you choose to. And believe it or not, your home plays a big role in successfully living your best life. Home 
organization is more than just surviving day-to-day. With a little work and self-reflection, you’ll have a home that encourages you to be your best self. So, who do you want to be? Here are 3 tips that will get you started!
Eliminate the ‘Old You’ Clutter
If you haven’t taken a walk down memory lane in a while, it’s probably time. I mean, a good sort and purge of all of the leftovers from your ‘previous lives’. You’ll find these things inside those ‘Memories’ bins in storage, and from your closet to that overstuffed jewelry box. We all have stuff weighing us down that we haven’t dealt with or just never made a decision on. You have permission to shed the ‘old you’ and the things you don’t like anymore, but especially if it’s stale or a burden. Make way for the positive things you want to take up the space in your home, and also in your heart.
Fix Bad Habits
If daily life around your home is stressful and chaotic, it’s time for change. Don’t allow old ways and bad habits to challenge the daily life of you and your family. Take control of your surroundings by looking at your current patterns and behaviors, then reorganize your home so it positively impacts life. You can reset your course by creating new patterns that align with how you want to live. Now, you can focus on who you want to be.
Highlight Your Priorities
Time in your home is precious. It’s limited and should be a source of good for you. Whether you prefer an active home or a relaxed one, make sure your surroundings are a good foundation for your wellbeing. Design spaces that encourage you to be the person you want to be. So, set up that workshop, or the reading nook or whatever that space is that you’ve been thinking about. It might just be the first step to becoming a whole ‘new you’.
I hope you’re living your best life! It’s a choice you make every day. So, I encourage you to let go of the ‘old you’ weighing you down, fix what’s not working and surround yourself with a positive home that supports the vision of who you want to be.
If you want help achieving the BEST YOU with an organized home, call Staci today at Another Opinion 314-623-4594.
Cultivate a Happy Home with Compromise
When it comes to keeping your home organized and running smoothly, you have to stay on your toes to manage the circus or it quickly turns to chaos. Add your family members in the mix and it takes all that you’ve got to keep the peace. You love them, but sometimes you might want to strangle them when they leave their stuff all over the place. With a little compromise and a new perspective, your home can be more organized and be easier to manage. Here’s how you do it.
Having ‘homes’ is your foundation to organization
An organized home starts with everything having a ‘home’. I repeat, you must have a home for everything. This is the hardest part, but it is critical to set yourself, and your home, up for success. Creating homes for your things allows you to set new rules in your home life with your family. There are no questions about where something goes if you make ‘giving your things a home’ a family affair.
Add drop zones
What is a ‘drop zone’ you ask? Well, this is the part that takes a bit of compromise. You let them be messy. But you get to tell them where to be messy. Deep breath. Create a few intentional spaces where everyone, including you, can drop your things without getting in trouble. Of course, everyone will still have be pick up after themselves, but it will be faster and easier to get done. When all the chaos is isolated in a specific zone, there will be less distraction when putting things away. And the bonus is when you realize there is a ‘home’ to put it!
Now you can let life happen
Here’s the best part. You’ve done the hard work and you have made it easier on yourself. Everything has a home now, and you can drop your things when you walk in the door. The new rules you created help everyone be more accountable to a happy home life. Now enjoy a new perspective for keeping your home organized and running smoothly…. Begin cultivating instead of managing. Managing is just maintaining. But, when you cultivate your home the intention is to make your surroundings better. You’ll be cultivating a happy home.
Get a little help if you need it
Another Opinion specializes in helping homeowners create positive relationships with their surroundings. If you want a little help getting started or finding compromise for your happy home give us a call. 314-623-4594