Do You Really Care What it’s Worth, or Do You Just Want Someone to Care?

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that we all value the things we own. We may place a sentimental value on something, or perceive a monetary value.  Be careful with this latter one: if no one is willing to pay, the item ultimately is of no (monetary) value. Worded differently, an item is only worth what it can fetch on the market.

Something else I have learned: even if you paid a great deal of money for something you will let it go if you feel it is going to someone who will value it as you once did. This is a sticking point. You have concluded the item does not serve a purpose in your life; but you will not donate it to a thrift store, or leave it to be recycled; but if you know it will serve a purpose for someone else, you’re happy to let it go. You don’t even want money for it. You just want someone to value what once brought you some degree of satisfaction.

What we really need to be focusing on is how to make discarding our clutter – no disrespect intended; I’m just saying if it’s not adding value to your life, it does slide down the scale of importance – easier. I’m going to let you in on a little secret . . . schools love to receive donations.  And don’t limit your generosity to just schools; there are day care centres and city run programs for children that would likely be happy to repurpose some of your stuff.

I was surprised when I first learned that schools are happy to receive paper, notepads, writing instruments, office supplies, books, small toys, the list is endless. Remember that teachers are tasked, in large part, with outfitting their own classrooms. Gifts from the community can go a long way to furnishing a classroom and allow teachers and administrators to stretch their budgets further. I’ve recently donated a rocking chair that will be used in a kindergarten classroom.  And yes, I’m happy to know it is appreciated and enjoyed.

And don’t underestimate the creativity of those who work with kids. I’ve seen assorted paper plates, gift bows, cupcake liners and fabric swatches transformed into beautiful art projects.

High schools can also benefit from your unneeded treasures.  Have you found multiples of everything in your kitchen drawers at some point? Or maybe you’re downsizing and will no longer have a full kitchen to prepare lavish meals and bake goodies. Give you local high school a call.  If they have a teaching kitchen, they will probably be glad to receive small appliances, cooking utensils and food storage containers.

And last, but not least . . . seniors’ communities! Most, if not all, seniors’ residences have a library.  If you are like so many people that have accumulated books over the years, see if your nearest seniors’ residence would be interested in receiving a donation.

Free? No Thanks.

As I walked through a department store earlier today, a young lady made eye contact with me and held out her hand.  She was holding a small plastic cup.  In the other hand she held a tray of identical plastic cups.  I kept my distance. “This is for you,” she called out.  “What is it”? “A present.”  “No thank you.”

There is definitely something in our formation that teaches us if something is free, we should take it. Years ago, if I walked by someone handing out flyers, key chains, booklets – whatever it is that they used to promote their product or message – I would stick my hand out and accept whatever they were offering.  Then I noticed that none of these things I brought home interested me.  I never read the booklets and flyers. Never attended the sales or concerts they were advertising. And I already had a key chain.  Why would I put my keys on a piece of swag that promoted a product or company I’d never before heard of? Now, when the lime green and hot pink pieces of paper are waved in my face, or someone holds out a plastic-wrapped trinket of sorts, I just say “No thanks,” and keep on walking.

Another way we accumulate our freebies is with the ever-loved gift with purchase. The cosmetic companies have this one all wrapped up.  Admittedly, when I was in my twenties, I thought this was the best thing ever.  I could buy high-end cosmetic products, and walk away with a bag of free, also high-end cosmetic products.  Perfect!! Whenever I saw the ad, I would plan to purchase a new mascara, new facial scrub, and whatever was needed to meet the minimum purchase requirements.  It’s all good; these were products I used. But when I got home to check out my six sample products, I was usually only interested in two of them. I’d tuck the rest away; I was sure to use them sometime.  

A couple years after moving in to the house I now live in with my family I was baffled. What was all that stuff in my bathroom drawer? I swear I only use four things out of that drawer. I started to dig. Ah . . . the unopened eye shadow I’d gotten five years earlier.  The nail buffer I will never use in this lifetime.  That shimmery powder that I’m not even sure how to use. It was all there.  All the gifts with purchase that I was so excited to get, wasted. There were also a couple new mascaras and an extra facial scrub. The stuff I really wanted was buried beneath the stuff I didn’t care about. I felt kind of foolish, but I had learned something. Just because something is free, doesn’t mean that I will like it, use it, or even want it. Now when the cosmetician reminds me that spending an additional $4 means that I walk away with a free gift, it’s really easy to say, “This is all I need, thanks.”

There are a lot of freebies out there; some in the form of information, some in the form of product. But do you want them? Are they adding value? And if not, just say “no”. You’re not offending anyone, and more importantly, you are putting some thought into what you let into your own life, home and hidden away nooks and crannies.

The One-In-One-Out Rule

If you've ever sought advice on how to control your clutter, you've likely heard about the one-in-one-out rule. The concept is simple: When you acquire something new, discard something old. This works well for clothes, shoes, books and much more. It's an especially useful rule to apply to toys.

If you have children, you know how quickly their play area can be overrun with toys. You also know how easily a toy falls from grace when replaced with something new. And come January 15, no matter how organized an individual you are, you may find yourself sifting through a mountain of toys, old and new, asking yourself, "Where did all this stuff come from?"

As a parent, you have a choice. You can gather up some neglected toys on the sly and remove them from your home. Fingers crossed, you won't be found out. I've tried this and gotten busted. So, I've adopted a different approach. I involve my son in the process. If, for whatever reason, we've acquired a few new toys, I wait a week or two, then have a chat with the little man. I pull out a couple of toys that haven't been touched for months, preferably those that are no longer age-appropriate, and gently suggest that since he's having so much fun with his new thing-a-ma-jigger, that it might be a good time to donate a long forgotten toy, so that another little girl or boy can enjoy it.

By involving my son, I hope to accomplish a few things.
1. Keep the task manageable, by donating only a few things at a time.
2. Teach him the simple behaviour of identifying things that matter.
3. Get him comfortable with the idea of keeping only those things that are still used and enjoyed.

If all goes well, by the time he's my age, he'll be a pro.

Professional Organizers, For Real.

When I left a salaried job to start my own organizing business, there were lots of questions and raised eyebrows. People just didn't get it. Most had never heard of such a thing. It was the working moms who seemed most familiar with the role of a Professional Organizer -- and the most willing to suggest that everyone has some area of their home that needs organizing.

Organizers are not neat freaks or control freaks. We're people who acknowledge that the world we live in keeps getting busier. We realize the list of demands placed on each of us grows daily. We know that most people don't have time to catch their breath, much less find the time to plan and organize the space they live in.

But we also know this: cluttered living is chaotic living. The visual distraction of your stuff, prevents you from doing the things you really want or need to do. It's a nagging reminder of some chore that needs to be performed. Sometimes, it's just too much to tackle alone. Enter the Professional Organizer. We accompany you throughout the transformation from harum-scarum to harmonious. You ultimately make the decision about what adds value to your life. We ask questions, make suggestions, offer a new perspective: we help you achieve a goal.

If you want to know more about what we do, come see me at The National Women's Show this Saturday, October 24th. I'll be available to answer your questions from 2 - 6 p.m., at the Professional Organizers in Canada booth.