Love & Clutter

A friend of mine recently wanted to purchase my organizing services as a gift for his ex. “He’s never going to meet anyone with all that crap in his apartment!” As dire and dramatic as that sounds, my friend has a point.

 

I’m a big believer in the Feng Shui principal of nurturing and curating your home to allow for good energy to flow into your home and heart. When a bedroom is loaded down with papers, a bicycle, old food containers, dirty laundry and an overflowing closet, how sexy of a message does that send? It’s not only giving out the attitude that the bedroom (and other parts of the home) aren’t alluring to a potential partner, they’re not putting you in the mood for love because you’re overwhelmed and embarrassed by your mess.

Here are a few simple tips you can use to invite the idea of more love into your life:

  • When you can, set up your home office outside of the bedroom. I know how limited square footage (especially in big cities) can be. Having an office in the bedroom reinforces stress and reminds you that there’s always work to be done and it allows paper masses to migrate into the space meant for love and relaxation. If you have the room in your kitchen for a mini-office or a corner in your living room, consider setting up shop there. The bedroom should be for unwinding and for tickle fights.
  • If possible, remove any exercise equipment from your bedroom. These big, obtrusive, ugly machines tend to gather dust and they become a repository for sweaters, jackets, shopping bags and many other unromantic items.
  • Use lighting that is pleasing to the eye. Any lamps or overhead lighting need to be fully functional – no bulb-less wonders or broken pieces for you! Also, clean the lamp shades to let as much of that beautiful light into the room. Dusting will remove harmful allergens and it will create better mood lighting for all that canoodling you’ll be doing.
  • Position your bed so that you can move around it freely. Make sure to have a bedside table on each side of the bed: one for you, one for your partner. If you’re not currently in a relationship and hope to be, this sends out the universal invite that there’s room for someone in your life. A simple basket for magazines, books and bedtime materials can live under each table so that the top of the table can remain clear.

There are many other small and big changes you can make to your space. What changes will you make today?

Please feel free to click on the VIDEO link to check out my organizing tips for your sock drawer, if you have not already done so: VIDEO

With love, light and less clutter,

Jeni

Daylight Savings Time – a great reminder to get organized

This Sunday is Daylight Savings Time! While it’s a lovely opportunity to show up too late or too early to appointments, it’s also a good reminder to get some bi-annual organizing jobs done around the house. With super quick projects, you can make the most out of your Sunday even with an hour less in your day. 
 
  • In my first fun Clutter Busting Tip VIDEO you’ll see how simple it is to organize your sock drawer. I suggest taking care of this twice a year so you can say good-bye to any worn out items, items that don’t apply to your life anymore and items that might remind you of an ex. In the length of one TV commercial break, you can neaten this area and have an easier daily routine each morning as a result. The only supplies you’ll need are clear plastic shoe boxes or just regular shoe boxes. If you’re feeling crafty, feel free to cover the shoe boxes with your favorite wrapping paper.  
  • Clearing out your medicine cabinet is another quick and easy task that can be done during Daylight Savings Time. Get rid of outdated medications. Be realistic about the make-up you keep in there and toss anything old/crusty or not a good fit for you. Get strict with yourself about hair care products. What are you really using? Is that anti-frizz spray really working for you? Wipe down the shelves of the cabinet and put back only the items that you use every single day. Less frequently used items can be stored in a non-central area.  
 
  • Gym clothes are the most aggressively used apparel in your wardrobe (if you’re actually hitting the gym – no pressure). Do yourself a quick favor and evaluate the functionality of these clothes. How is the elasticity of your shorts? Are the previously white t-shirts now completely yellow? Do the sports bras fit/support you? When you’re working out, you deserve to look and feel hot to trot at the gym (you never know who you’ll run into!). So feel free to turn that sad t-shirt into a cleaning rag. There are plenty more free charity t-shirts coming to you in your future. Now, each morning when you’re pushing yourself to go work out, you’ll be able to grab what you want and run out the door with ease. 
 
 
 
What other areas of your home can you wrangle in a short amount of time this weekend?
With love, light and less clutter,
Jeni