Thievery of the Interwebs Can Help Us All

I could not say it better myself. No, really, I couldn't . . . so I'm stealing it from apartmenttherapy.com. Three articles covering everything I preach and believe about living with only the things you love and need, and living without clutter chaos so your brain can live without general chaos. I ask you to consider this theory, and really ask if you can argue it:  Live in a mess, feel like a mess. 

Your home is your sanctuary, and if it isn't, I really believe it should be. It's where we go to be safe, to rest, to refuel, to love family, to love pets, to store all the stuff we need to live and thrive. It's where we keep ourselves clean, groomed, presentable, healthy ~ outside and inside. A home often reflects how we feel about ourselves, but also a home can create a BETTER feeling about ourselves. As I have said before, the best compliment I ever get is: 

"I feel so much better after you've been here!"

And I do too! :-)   xo ruby

PS - This particular point is far down in the 2nd article and maybe my favorite, so I will post it here, as well, to give you a preview - this is something I say to almost every client with paper files:

"5. Your filing system is too complicated and so you never stick with it for long. That's really awesome that you spent that weekend alphabetizing and labeling and whatever else-ing until your home was the absolute pinnacle of organization — for like a day. But if something is too complicated — or too hard to get to — you won't stick with it.  And sometimes being too specific with labels can work against you — when you come across something that doesn't perfectly fit into a label you end up not putting it away and a pile gets started.  And piles multiply faster than tribbles."

1) The Biggest Reason You’re Still Drowning in Clutter 

(And What to Do About It)

Pin it

Do you regularly put in real, genuine effort to declutter your home, but still find yourself being overwhelmed by all the stuff? Do you ever wonder where it all comes from? There could be one thing that you're doing that's keeping the clutter levels high; see if it's something you can eliminate from your life to help eliminate your clutter.

You're hoping you'll use something again

In other words, you're keeping things just in case.

Yes, it's hope getting in the way of you really digging into that minimalist lifestyle you dream of. Hope in many ways is a good thing — but when it comes attached to objects around your house you can't seem to shake, it can turn into a clutter crutch.

Maybe you'll be able to fit into your high school jeans again. Perhaps you'll finally find time to practice that flute you played in middle school. Maybe you will actually use that table that's been sitting ignored in a corner for months and months. And on and on and on.

Though it might seem scary to get rid of something you haven't used in ages because of the very real possibility of needing it (or wanting it) again some day, you getting rid of something you never use now doesn't mean the world is being annihilated of that type of object. If the need arises in the future, you can borrow or buy in the future if you do end up needing it. Isn't that a little better than stuff piling up around you? Stuff you hope you'll use, but that you aren't actually using now (nor the near future)?

So what can you do if it's hope that's keeping you surrounded by objects you don't currently need but you hope you'll find a use for? Well you want to apply the same sort of decluttering advice as we usually dispense around here: Declutter systematically and often. But if you're the kind of person who hinges on hope, listen to your answers when you ask yourself if you really need objects in your home. If "someday" "maybe" "could" "might" and other such future-sounding words tend to accompany the reason why you need to hold on to an object you haven't used in years, then it might be time to let go.

Does this idea apply to you...and is it perhaps what's behind clutter's hold on your home?

2) 6 Ways You're Making Staying Organized 

Harder Than It Has to Be

Pin it

You may have discovered (thanks to this post) that you've been making keeping your house clean harder than it has to be. Might you also be making it harder to keep your house organized, cleaning's important and annoying cousin? A stress-free house is not just a dust-free one, it's one where you can find stuff when you need it and don't have stacks of unnecessary stuff adding to your home's clutter. Check out this list of six ways you might be making it harder to stay organized and see what you can eliminate this weekend!

1. You don't immediately toss unimportant stuffPut a recycling bin next to your mail box and a shredder next to your door. The moment you get your mail, toss what you don't need, shred personal info-marked things you don't need and then immediately file what you need to file. Don't put things in a basket to look at later. If you want to look at it later — just put it where it's supposed to be anyway, and go look at it later there.

2. You emotionally hold on to stuff you know you don't need
This is always a tough one, since objects can have memories attached to them. But we're not talking about that stuff. We're talking about the hiking boots you've never worn once that you keep hanging on to because you might climb Everest one day. We're talking about the "perfectly good" things you bought for a good reason but have never used once.When it comes to keeping organized, having more stuff than you need to organize is just silly. Less stuff, less things that will need organizing.

Pin it

3. You've convinced yourself you don't have enough room, and so have given up hope. Hey we get it. Having a tiny home is tough on staying organized, especially when you lack obvious storage. But don't give up and give in. Kick that defeatist attitude to the curb! Pay attention to the first two tips in this post for sure. But then also make sure you're maximizing the storage you do have. Got three inches under your bed? Use them! Have only one hanging rod in your closet? Come on — fit more in there! Don't have any shelves above your doors or up high? You've got to be kidding me. If you don't have room for the things you legitimately need, make room. But don't make extra storage for future stuff, as you'll definitely find something to fill it up with.

4. You haven't given yourself the right tools.
The trick here is really giving yourself the right organizing tools that work for you. Spend a week or more really looking at your home and where the clutter collects. Are you someone who tosses clothes around your room when trying on outfits and never re-hangs them up? Either switch to drawers or plan your outfits ahead of time and place an over-the-door hanger in the room just for that purpose. Are you a chronic junk drawer creator? Fill it with dividers so you're forced to stick to a system. You don't have to get fancy and drop a ton of money at the Container Store, but do invest in the tools you'll need if they'll help you.

Pin it

5. Your filing system is too complicated and so you never stick with it for long. That's really awesome that you spent that weekend alphabetizing and labeling and whatever else-ing until your home was the absolute pinnacle of organization — for like a day. But if something is too complicated — or too hard to get to — you won't stick with it. And sometimes being too specific with labels can work against you — when you come across something that doesn't perfectly fit into a label you end up not putting it away and a pile gets started. And piles multiply faster than tribbles.

6. You're not asking for help when you need it or setting boundaries.
There's no shame in asking for organizing help from a friend if you need it. But you also need to learn to ask for help with the people you live with — work with them on showing them the organizational methods you've put into place and tell them it's important they follow them, too.

What ways do you think you're making it harder to stay organized around your house? 

3) Breaking Up With Your Belongings:

Decluttering Tips for the Sentimentalist

Pin it

Are you sentimentally attached to your stuff? Do you still have the Benetton sweater you wore in junior high or an absurd collection of oven mitts because you got them on sale at Anthropologie and the fabric is so cute you can't bear to part with one? Me too. Here is some advice on how to let go of some of your goods.

It all started when I was a little girl. I would save every birthday card, note passed in class and scrap of paper that felt even slightly reverent. Living in a small home, my sentimental nature has become a problem. After scouring the web for professional advice aimed out decluttering sentimental items, here are some tips that I learned.

• The fire clause. Ask yourself what you would want to take with you in case of a fire. This is a great way to determine what you truly value. I now store all my priceless momentos together in a vintage trunk and sleep peacefully.
• The function clause. Decide what in your home has a purpose — and what doesn't. Ask yourself why you are holding on to the items that don't have a specific use and decide if the space they are taking up is worth it.
• The someday clause. In most cases get rid of the things your are hoping to use or wear "someday". Chances are someday will come and you won't like the thing anymore anyway.
• The happiness clause. Last but not least, keep the things that make you truly happy. I have a little wooden boat that is weathered and ancient that I found while backpacking in Europe that just makes me smile. It has no tangible purpose, but I'd save it before my functional toaster any old day.

all articles reposted from apartmenttherapy.com

It's All Gonna Be OK!

I just gave some much needed TLC to a closet in NoHo, and my sweet client kindly allowed me to take some pics. 

How's your closet looking? 

This only took 4 hours, including the chest of drawers (in which ALL drawers were almost empty when I began) and a couple loads of laundry - Yes, I'll do some laundry if it means getting your closet and clothes in order! One thing I really wish we'd had were all matching, flocked hangers ~ but I can do that next time, she's a good repeat customer :-) 

Flocked hangers not only look nice, they keep your clothes ON the hanger AND they give you up to 40% more space on the rod -- it's really amazing! Try it, with or without me! 

BEFORE: 

AFTER:

Thanks again to my NoHo Mamasita, and thanks to you for reading! 

Stare at a Mess, Feel like a Mess. Huh.

I'm not a fan of the term "Life Hack" - frankly, I just find it stupid. It's a new spin on the oldest terminology created for the interwebs generation, or iGen (I like to say "interwebs" because I laugh about the reverence we give the word "internet" and how auto-correct software insists on capitalizing it, which I always refuse). So, what did we used to call "Life Hacks?" How about the term "advice?" Or if it's used for showing you how to make homemade Clorex Wipes, how about the term "household tips?"
No, those are so 1700 - 2010. Anyway, I'm off topic somewhat because this article is more about psychology, and the psychology of how we actually live effects how we feel. Which I whole heartedly believe and have been saying to clients for years. "If you wake up in chaos everyday, or come home to chaos every day, you will feel chaos every day."
It's not that hard of a leap to make in our minds, but I know it can be very hard to do. Here is an interesting article from a Feng Shui expert, which I'm not an advocate of the practice, but nor an opponent  - I don't know much about Feng Shui at all, I have not felt a real need for it in my life, but then again I have my own form of it and I will tell you that before I can do good work, and I mean good work with any expectation of real progress, my place/bills/dishes/mail/email/errands/calls are done & in order, otherwise my mind is . . . chaos. So I hope you enjoy the ADVICE below, I think it's pretty well thought out by Ms. Star. I put the stuff I particularly like in BLUE.

Why One Life Hack Can Change Everything.

Via Tamara Staron Sep 3, 2014

The Way We Do Anything is the Way We Do Everything.

When I first heard this phrase 17 years ago, it took a few moments to really sink in. I thought to myself: that makes no sense; I’m totally together when it comes to my relationships, and my business is thriving. And then it hit me.

In typical fiery Aries fashion, I can work myself into a frenzy to get something done at work, procrastinate like crazy, and be quick to jump to conclusions if something or someone seems to upset the apple cart of my livelihood. But in my mind, business was only one area of my life, and my real life consisted of all the other areas.

But the truth is: we aren’t split. We’re whole—we can’t drop the ball in one area of life and expect our other areas to function smoothly.

When I procrastinate at work, then get myself into a frenzy to complete a project, I’m exhausted. I have nothing to give the ones I love, much less even myself. I become out of balance and return home crabby and testy.

The habits we practice in one area of life, become our life.

Just like we become the five people we hang out with most in life, the way we operate on a daily basis is our life.

I’ve been practicing and teaching Feng Shui for over 17 years now, and can walk into a home or business and read the life of the inhabitants like the back of my hand. It spooks me at times, but I’m 99.99% accurate, the way we do anything is the way we do everything.

Let’s pretend I’m in your home right now. Take a moment and open your closet.

Are there a bunch of clothes in there you never wear, but continue to hold on to, just in case?

If so, I’m betting there are people in your life that don’t match who you are or who you really want to be, yet you continue to hold on to them in fear of standing alone. If that doesn’t fit, how about this? I’m betting there is a job you’re holding on to that you don’t love, but you’re settling for what is, not what you want to be.

Do you see what I mean? The energy is the same. When we hold on to things just in case, we’re buying into poverty consciousness. We’re not trusting that what we need, or who we’ll want, will be there if we let go of what’s no longer working.

Now let’s think about an extra painful topic for many people. How is money flowing at the moment?  When it’s seemingly slow, chances are we’re slow paying our bills, holding back on settling debts, and dragging our feet in general around our money responsibilities.  When we slow the flow in one area, it’s going to dam up all areas.

Perhaps take a peek at the area behind your car seat. Is it filled with mail, receipts and left over lunch bags? When we drive around with a bunch of stuff that we know needs to be dealt with, it drains our energy. When we open the car door and immediately groan, it’s going to affect our mood. You see, if you’re not dealing with little things—opening mail, filing receipts, or even throwing away daily garbage, chances are you’re not dealing with other little things in your life like returning calls promptly, volleying back emails, and following up on your to-do lists.

Let’s face it, none of us are perfect; but the little ways we drop the ball in life are going to add up and affect other areas.

Take a moment and reflect upon your primary relationship, or if you’re single, your last significant other. What was their top complaint about you? Did they complain you started the relationship present and loving, but dribbled out like a flickering flame in your efforts? Now think about how you handle other projects in your life. Do you start out excited and passionate, but lose interest when you’re bored or the going gets tough?

If I could, I’d insert the sound of crickets here.

I know. It’s painful to look at.

But…it’s true. The way we do anything is the way we do everything.

Here’s the good news—there’s a silver lining to all of this: This little law of life, works in our favor too. When we make tiny changes in one area of life, we affect other areas like the wings of a butterfly starting a tsunami on the other side of the world.

We can’t help but affect our life in big ways when we start to make little changes.

One of the craziest of exercises I have the women in my 40 day reboot program do is to spend 30 minutes cleaning their toilet. Stay with me here, I promise this works.

I want you to walk into your bathroom and take a look at your loo. Open the lid and go where no woman wants to go and no man acknowledges is actually there: the rim of the toilet. Disgusting isn’t it? I don’t care how clean you are, that area of your toilet is going to be icky.

Next, sit down on a towel (you’re going to be there a while) with all of your cleaning supplies nearby and begin. Set a timer for 30 minutes and clean that toilet from top to bottom. Clean the area behind the toilet on the floor, clean the bolts that hold it down, clean the outside of the bowl, the seat, the back, the top and the inside of the toilet bowl. Scrub every last inch and all the crevices that are hard to reach. Use an old toothbrush if you have to, but get everything as clean as you would if you had to eat your next meal off that toilet.

If you’re still with me here, I want you to leave the room, wash your hands and have yourself something to eat and drink. Then go back into that bathroom and feel the energy shift. Chances are, you’re going to want to attack the bathtub, shower and sink with the same vigor after feeling the shift.

And here’s the magic part: something in your life will change. Women in my program have suddenly received money, gotten good news, found something thought to be lost, or received something new.

Not up for cleaning?

Spend an hour this afternoon or evening and complete three things you’ve been putting off. Clean out that drawer, make that call, send that email or fix a situation with a clear conversation or apology.

When we experience the freedom that arrives and the burst of energy that returns, we no longer question the effect every area of our life has on all aspects of our happiness. We are not divided beings. We’re whole and we’re all connected.

When we finally realize that the way we do anything is the way we do everything, we have the power to change every aspect of our life.

By Tamara Star

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2014/09/why-one-life-hack-can-change-everything/

Mish-Mash, Pish-Posh, Gobbldy-Goop ReWorked

Before: True Confessions

I find it so interesting how we (humans) just go along, day-in and day-out with the same systems set up in our houses. From the tangled up, dust covered TV & computer cords to the 57 vitamin bottles on the kitchen counter to the closet where, "Just Toss It In!" is printed on the inside of the door. 

Then there is MY issue, my daily beauty regimen/s.

Before: So disappointed in myself. 

Things tossed here and there 2-3 times a day. Somewhat sadly contained in old vanity sets, made for holding all the lady-crap we ladies love to have. And these "sets" are not sets at all. I have some Asian inspired things, 4 odd woven rattan boxes and random little finger bowls used for sushi. This mash-up holds all my lotions, potions, tonics and as much hope in a tube/bottle/jar as I can fit on these tiny shelves. Let alone hair bobbles, bandaids, q-tips, and all the things I seem to think make me look better. And if they don't, at least they make me feel better! 
That said, they deserve better organization, that's for sure!

I have a small collection of wine/booze boxes used for shipping bottles. I would collect them in my restaurant days, I like their look. I've always used them to store stuff, so these two I just repurposed from a bookshelf.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

After: Still many Lady-Crap things, but in much better order! 

After

I reused the 3 black Asian style boxes, bottoms only, turned them on their sides and slid them into the wine box vertically to make little compartments.  

In the finger-bowls are bobby pins, makeup sponges and safety pins. 

Next to the box is an old bottle I had for flowers, works perfect for bracelets and cuffs. 

After: In front this box, other smaller finger bowls
 hold hair clips and small earrings. 

In this old whiskey box, I used those old ratty rattan boxes, again to make compartments:
1=hairbands 2=bandaids 3=ointments/remedies 4=clippers/thermometer

After

Perfume in the center, behind it, a small mirror on the wall. And my favorite Christmas gift this past year, a stone carved Elephant ring holder. I like him a lot. Let's call him Henry. Also, I got some shelving grip cover to make everything more stationary AND keep me from having to paint. 

After

All in all, much cleaner and, yes, organized. My earrings have hung from that chain for years, if you had not seen that trick before, I still recommend it!
_______________________________________________

Before

NEXT: Yes, I like to keep well stocked.That's not the point here. I've been just stacking it on the back of the toilet . . . UNCONTAINED! How dare I!

After

After

One more wine box that I had misc. office supplies in, completely under utilized, under my bed. 
The cigar box on 
top holds some of our secret unmentionables, as did the other cigar box in the "before" photo. I like cigar boxes for these and many things - they're beautiful and cheap storage. 

As alway, Thanks for reading!