De-clutter any areas of your home that you will be entertaining in (kitchen, dining room, etc). Make sure the guest bedroom is de-cluttered and that there is enough space for guests to hang their clothes.
First-put together a list of all the things you need to do for the holidays. Next, take the list and prioritize it. That way if you run out of time you will have taken care of the most important items.
You’re not alone. We had a client once that had one room in her house that was really cluttered. The rest of the house was neat and organized, but that one room made her feel so guilty. So guilty that everytime she thought of going out to lunch with friends she wouldn’t…for years! Finally she hired us at The Organizing Pro and we came in and decluttered her room and made “homes” for all her stuff. The first thing she said as we were leaving is that she was so excited that she could finally go out to lunch with her friends!!! What are you feeling guilty about? Give us a call and we can help you get back to enjoying all life has to offer!
The Organizing Pro was featured in an article in the May 2010 edition of My School Rocks! magazine.
The article, “Make Room for Family Time” included organizing tips from Julie as well as info from other area professionals as they relate to creating an organized, environmentally-friendly home.
Julie was featured in an article from Celeste SMith @ The Charlotte Observer back in 2006 in their South Neighbors Edition.
The article was titled “New Year, New Start” and also included info about how to better your personal fitness and finances in addition to personal organizing tips and advice from the Organizing Pro.
Stay organized by keeping a caddy filled with cleaning essentials in one of your bathrooms. Keep it upstairs if that is where most of your bathrooms are. This is also a great idea if you have a housekeeper as they can find all the supplies in one easy place!
Prepare the kids’ lunches the night before so you’re not rushing in the morning before school.
Yes, it is here already!!! Time to go through your kids closets and book bags to see what needs to go and what can stay. It’s also time to go buy back to school supplies and new clothes if necessary. If you have high school students that have an “A”day “B” day schedule consider having a seperate backpack for each day. For example, if “A” day is math and science and gym have all those things in one backpack and the other one with all the “B” day books and supplies.
Do you feel like you’re always spinning your wheels cleaning your house? Assign yourself certain days for specific household tasks. For example, vacuum and do laundry only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday (or maybe Tuesday and Thursday depending on your lifestyle.) Clean the entire house every other Monday or another day that works for you. But ONLY do those things on those days. This will help simplify your routine by taking the guesswork out of knowing when you will have time to do it.
You CAN stay organized over the summer by getting the kids involved. When your lads and lovlies are ready for a break from the heat work out a trade. Ask them to sort through all the video and DVD movies and packaging. Sort into KEEP, DONATE or SALE piles. When they are all back in place in the proper cases, offer a reward of a new movie rental with a friend over for viewing that afternoon. Keeping tasks simple will allow everyone to relax and enjoy the summer!
Julie Bertram is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, Co-founder of Charlotte's Elite Organizers & The Butterfly Bin, and contributing adviser to real estate, home improvement companies and media.
