Are you holding on to items from your past which may be cluttering your life?? It is not uncommon to hold on to precious memories or projects you intended to complete. If you have found that the items you are holding on to are taking up too much room and causing you stress, you need to face reality and start getting rid of some items.
If you have a sentimental attachment to an item I recommend you take a picture of the item, get a photo album with two picture slots per page. Place the picture of your “memory” item in the top slot and then in the bottom slot, take a 3” x 5” card and write down your memory of the item as a keepsake. This way, you still have your memory of the item for your sake, but it can be past down to your family so they can see what items meant so much to you.
Now, when it comes to letting go of the item, this is where it gets tricky. Do you have someone else in your family who may want the item? If so, check with them. If you have e-mail access to family members, send them a picture of the item and then see who wants it. You can either give it to the first person to respond or do it by generation (i.e. siblings first, then their children second, and so forth). The decision will totally be up to you and if you need moral support, work with a Professional Organizer who can talk you through the process. I’m available via phone at 503.481.0779.
If no one wants the item, then you have to decide how to dispose of the item. Do you want to sell it?? Do you want to donate it?? If you live in the Portland OR metro area, there is a great consignment shop call Heart’s Décor, located at 10630 NE Halsey, Portland OR 97220 (Phone: 503.254.0514, E-Mail: info@seniorone.com, Website: www.sosmoves.com). Otherwise if you wish to sell the item(s), there is Craigslist, eBay, or you may want to have a garage sale or an estate sale to liquidate the items. If you wish to donate the items, remember to keep a listing of all your donations for tax purposes.
No matter what you do, you may have some emotional guilt associated with letting go of an item you have been holding on to and believe me, it is totally normal. You have to learn to give yourself permission to grieve over the item and then let it go. You have to learn the world will not come to an end without this item in your life. It is simply an object, it may represent a person, but it isn’t the person. Having the photo album with the picture and your memory will give you the ability to relive the joy the item brought to you and your life.
If you have other ideas on how to “let go” of those treasured items I would love the feedback to share with my clients.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Moving or Downsizing & Need to Get Rid of Some Items???
Moving or downsizing?? Craigslist is a great way to get rid of some of those items you've been holding on to and now want to get rid of without the hassle of a garage sale. Just be careful...if it's a small enough item, meet the person in a public place. If it's a large item, get their name and phone number and do a Google search to make sure there are no major hits on the person. If you can move the item to a garage or entry way, the better off you will be. Try not to let the person in your home as they could be "checking out" what you have. It's worked for me and my clients, so give it a try (plus it's easier than eBay...no shipping involved).
When you go to craigslist.com, locate the city you want to sell in and then go to the upper left hand corner and click on "my account" and set up a personal account. MAKE SURE you have a strong password as some people make it a hobby to hack in to accounts. Always be sure to add a picture of the item for sale. It will increase your chances of a sale.
When setting a price, remember you are only going to get pennies on the dollar for items. It you purchased something for $100, start by asking $75, and then if it doesn't sell, update your post by going in to your account and re-post at a lower amount. Chances are, you will get lucky at about 1/2 price of what you spent on the item new (always put the purchase amount in the description to show what it was worth new).
Craigslist is also a great place to post "FREE" items...those things you just want to get rid of but don't want to drag to Goodwill or the Salvation Army.
If you have a large item, always add a comment that the purchaser is responsible for transportation; therefore, there will be no question as to who's going to do the heavy lifting.
Good luck!!
When you go to craigslist.com, locate the city you want to sell in and then go to the upper left hand corner and click on "my account" and set up a personal account. MAKE SURE you have a strong password as some people make it a hobby to hack in to accounts. Always be sure to add a picture of the item for sale. It will increase your chances of a sale.
When setting a price, remember you are only going to get pennies on the dollar for items. It you purchased something for $100, start by asking $75, and then if it doesn't sell, update your post by going in to your account and re-post at a lower amount. Chances are, you will get lucky at about 1/2 price of what you spent on the item new (always put the purchase amount in the description to show what it was worth new).
Craigslist is also a great place to post "FREE" items...those things you just want to get rid of but don't want to drag to Goodwill or the Salvation Army.
If you have a large item, always add a comment that the purchaser is responsible for transportation; therefore, there will be no question as to who's going to do the heavy lifting.
Good luck!!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Taking it One Day at a Time
Whether you suffer from chronic pain or just want to get your home in order, my simply answer to you is "TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME." Trying to rush through something to reach your end goal, can leave you mentally and physically exhausted. Make a plan! Take about 10-minutes to sit down and write down what it is you want to accomplish. Then break down that accomplishment in to 15-minute tasks. If 15-minutes seems to daunting, break it down to five-minute tasks (whatever would work best for you). Then set yourself the goal of working on one task per day, then maybe two tasks per day (and so one). Set a timer (just as you would when trying to get a child to do a chore). Once the timer rings, you are done for a while. If you feel compelled to work a little longer - GO FOR IT! If the task seems too overwhelming at the time, skip it until you are ready to start; however, set a date and time you will start it; otherwise, you'll never start it. If you need couching in getting started, please feel free to contact me at connie@anewbeginningorganizing.com and I'll be glad to help you out. Remember - take life one day at a time and you'll be a much happier person.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Great Expectations
Everyone likes a "great deal" when they find something they think they can use for a project of some sort; however, how many times does the great expectation of the "PROJECT" actually happened??? For some people it can happen right away; however, for the majority of people the "I had an idea of using it for..." never happens and things just keep piling up, and piling up and before you know it you have a room full of "GREAT EXPECTATION" projects cluttering up your life.
Recommendation 1) If you are a great deal=great project idea person, finish the project first and then you can bring in the next great deal project item. Too many unfinished projects can scramble your thought process and simply overwhelm you. Plus it creates chaos in your home with all the "STUFF" cluttering up your life.
Recommendation 2) If you haven't completed the project within a six-month to a year period of time...LET IT GO nor DO IT!! If you don't have time to do it, get it out of your home.
Clearing the project clutter will help clear your mind and give you more space in your home. Plus it then takes off the pressure of worrying about trying to do the "project".
It's not an easy thing to do and you might have the feeling of remorse that you "lost" something in your life; however, it was just an idea and once you finish all your other projects, you can maybe go back and try to do that project again someday. Bottom-line, learn to let it go. Mourn for the loss and then get over it and remember, clear space, clear mind and a better feeling of calm in your home.
Recommendation 1) If you are a great deal=great project idea person, finish the project first and then you can bring in the next great deal project item. Too many unfinished projects can scramble your thought process and simply overwhelm you. Plus it creates chaos in your home with all the "STUFF" cluttering up your life.
Recommendation 2) If you haven't completed the project within a six-month to a year period of time...LET IT GO nor DO IT!! If you don't have time to do it, get it out of your home.
Clearing the project clutter will help clear your mind and give you more space in your home. Plus it then takes off the pressure of worrying about trying to do the "project".
It's not an easy thing to do and you might have the feeling of remorse that you "lost" something in your life; however, it was just an idea and once you finish all your other projects, you can maybe go back and try to do that project again someday. Bottom-line, learn to let it go. Mourn for the loss and then get over it and remember, clear space, clear mind and a better feeling of calm in your home.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Contact Information
A New Beginning Organizing, LLC
Connie Reineccius
Professional Organizer/Owner/Coach/Speaker
Gresham, OR 97080
Cell: 503.481.0779
Office/Fax: 503.465.8350
E-Mail: connie@anewbeginningorganizing.com
Website: anewbeginningorganizing.com
Service Area:
Portland Metropolitan Area
Vancouver/Southern Washington
Willamette Valley
Office Hours:
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Appointment Hours:
Monday through Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
Time Management Tip
Time slipping by and you are spinning out of control? Are you trying to keep up with all your commitments? Well if you receive text messages you are in business and won't be late to any appointments anymore. Try using cozi.com. Not only can you set up a family calendar and flag each family member for appointments, you can set up to do lists, grocery lists, and family journals. It's an amazing program and when you set up your calendar you can set up a reminder text from five-minutes to one-week before the appointment. It's a great way to keep the family organized and on time.
Also, remember try not to over schedule yourself or your children. Studies have shown that children involved in too many activities or over-scheduling can lead to increased stress, anxiety and physical ailments. (Go to on-line article The Overlooked Side Effects of Over scheduling Kids, Families, By Jan Dehner, 08/01/02 at http://www.hyper-parenting.com/sioux.htm.)
Want more time management tips, feel free to contact me at 503.481.0779 to schedule an appointment.
Also, remember try not to over schedule yourself or your children. Studies have shown that children involved in too many activities or over-scheduling can lead to increased stress, anxiety and physical ailments. (Go to on-line article The Overlooked Side Effects of Over scheduling Kids, Families, By Jan Dehner, 08/01/02 at http://www.hyper-parenting.com/sioux.htm.)
Want more time management tips, feel free to contact me at 503.481.0779 to schedule an appointment.
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