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The Junk Drawer Epidemic

09/20/2012 By Nancy Borg With no comments yet

junk-drawer_optYou are not alone.  Don’t beat yourself up for having a junk drawer,  everybody has one.  But fess up, how many do you actually have?  You know that drawer.  It’s the infamous miscellaneous drawer filled with random stuff.  It’s the drawer you throw everything into that doesn’t have a home.  It might be where you keep your collection of pens, batteries, flashlights, spare keys, matches, instruction manuals, bills, receipts, and much more.

No doubt, there are endless categories but the problem is, there is not endless space.

It happens so organically, doesn’t it? An overlycluttered drawer that barely closes  leads you to shove new things into other drawers.  And before you know it, like  creeping crud, the junk is spreading like wildfire into multiple drawers!

Your intentions were good initially, I’m sure.  You probably started out monitoring the junk drawer, but eventually it was invaded with random loose change, crumpled post-it notes with scribbled phone #’s on them, newspaper clippings, coupons, phone chargers,  Tylenol, and all sorts of new junk. With no free time, and little regard for designated landing places for these things, you were doomed.

I know life is hectic and it’s much easier to just tuck the clutter away inside a drawer. Everything “appears” neat on the outside.

But unfortunately,  this only results in time wasting consequences.  You’ll likely be spending valuable time opening too many drawers, digging through all the clutter and not finding what you need, when you need it. This would be the wake-up call time to organize and get some control back.

Sort through the junk and consolidate items into “like” categories.  Create designated spaces and consistent homes for items.  No need to tangle your rubber bands with band-aids, paper clips, or old pieces of chewing gum.

When you sort like with like items, you will be able to retrieve and return them with greater ease, efficiently evaluate your inventory, thereby minimizing duplicate purchases. Separate office supplies, clip receipts together, and store medications in a safe and exclusice space. Create a grab and go area for sunglasses and keys.

Stay on top of that drawer and weed often.  Don’t let the junk takeover.  If you let it, it can potentially live in every drawer.  Uh-oh, T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

You can reclaim order in your home by starting small,  one drawer at a time. 🙂

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Beyond Home Organization: The 2 Forgotten Zones

07/25/2012 By Nancy Borg With 1 comment

Your spaces, and how you organize them, are a reflection of yourself.  Let’s talk about two very personal spaces (outside the home), that may be a daily challenge.

Your Handbag/Wallet:

  • Is your wallet bulging with miscellaneous papers and receipts?
  • Are you struggling to find the appropriate credit card when making a purchase?
  • Can you find the proper medical papers to present to the Dr. for an appt?
  • Is there a ton of loose change on the bottom of your handbag?
  • Can you find the gift cards for the store you are shopping in?
  • Have you walked into Bed, Bath, and Beyond, countless times, and forgotten to take the coupons?

When your wallet is bursting, and all those crumpled receipts and dollar bills have no order to them , it’s time to clean out.  In fact, it is a great habit to weed on a schedule.  If every day is not realistic, then try to weed weekly.  Control the chaos.  Pick a day, any day, and empty out the entire wallet.  Know what stuff you have in there. It shouldn’t be a mystery, it’s yours. 

Put your currency in order, place the loose change in a designated jar, and most importantly label your receipts.  Most stores have a computer print out with the description of  the item on it, but often there are some that have an ambiguous cryptic code, or secret department number, and you have no clue what you have just purchased.

Tip #1:  On top of every receipt,  jot down the item or for whom you purchased for, so if you should need to return or exchange, you will avoid frantically pulling out wads of paper and having to search and read each and every one.  Make life easier for yourself.  It’s good to be organized.

Tip #2: Corral store gift cards and coupons in a labeled Ziploc or use (a zippered pencil case works too) and keep them in your purse, or leave them in your car in a designated place.  This way, whenever you shop the stores, you will have them when you need them and know where to access them.

Solution:  You can opt to purchase this purse organizer below that can be transferred from bag to bag.

http://www.purseperfector.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your Car:

Does your car look like a bomb hit it?  ‘Fess up;

  •  Is yesterday’s coffee still in the cup holder?
  • Are their clothes, paper, toys, snacks, used tissues, and random things scattered all about?
  • Is there adequate room for passengers?
  • Would you be embarrassed to give a friend a lift?
  • Is your outside of your car clean? How often do you wash it?

It doesn’t matter whether you have a luxury car or a jalopy; whether you’re working or just busy;  Messy is messy.

Tip#1: Try to empty the car at the end of every day.  Avoid looking like it’s another home on wheels.

Tip #2:  Keep a small trash bag in the car to maintain the unwanted paper, food, drink, tissues.

Tip #3:  Organize the glove compartment and center console with essentials you continually search for ; hand cream, glasses, loose change, and keep emergency items handy.

Solutions:

  Floor organizer

 

 

 

 

           

Cargo pockets for kid’s toys and crafts

 

 

 

  

Handy Organizer for sunglasses and cell phone

 

 

 

 

“On the go” does not have to mean “disorganized. ”  Organize your personal spaces and be ready for multiple activities and incoming receipts.

It’s not your entire house, it’s just 2 zones…you can manage it, right?  Need to talk about it?  I am here, let’s have a conversation.

 

 

 

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The Junk Drawer Epidemic

09/22/2010 By Nancy Borg With 2 comments

You are not alone.  Don’t beat yourself up for having a  junk drawer….everybody has one.  But fess up, how many do you actually have?  You know that drawer.  It’s the infamous miscellaneous drawer filled with random stuff.  It’s the drawer you throw everything into that doesn’t have its own exclusive landing place in your home.  It might be where you keep your collection of pens, batteries, flashlights, spare keys, matches, instruction manuals, bills, receipts, etc..

No doubt, there are endless categories but the problem is…there is not endless space. 

It happens so innocently, doesn’t it? When a drawer gets overly cluttered and barely closes, you just start shoving new things into other drawers.  And before you know it, like creeping crud, the junk is spreading like wildfire into multiple drawers!  Your intentions were good  initially, I’m sure.  You probably started out monitoring the junk drawer, but eventually it is mysteriously invaded by random loose change, crumpled post-it notes with scribbled phone #’s on them, newspaper clippings, coupons, phone chargers,  tylenol, and all sorts of new junk. You can’t help yourself, it seems unavoidable.

I know life is hectic and it’s much easier to just tuck the clutter away inside a drawer so that everything “appears” neat on the outside.

Bottom line is that you’re often opening too many drawers, digging through all the clutter,  and can’t find anything you need, when you need it. The perfect storm…this would be the time to organize, sort the junk and consolidate items into like categories and get some control back.  Create designated spaces for items that need to be accessible. No need to tangle your rubber bands with band-aids, paper clips, or old pieces of chewing gum. If you sort like with like items, you will be able to organize accordingly.  Separate office supplies, store receipts together, keep all sunglasses together with their cases, and create a segregated space for medications.

Stay on top of that drawer and weed often.  Don’t let the junk takeover.  If you let it, it can potentially live in every drawer.  Uh-oh, T-R-O-U-B-L-E.

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Secrets of An Organized Wallet

08/21/2010 By Nancy Borg With no comments yet

When your wallet is bursting, and all those crumpled receipts and dollar bills have no order to them , it’s time to clean out.  In fact, it is a great habit to weed often.  If every day is not realistic, then try to weed weekly.  Pick a day, any day, and empty out the entire wallet.  Know what stuff you have in there. It shouldn’t be a mystery, it’s yours.  Put your currency in order, put the loose change in a designated jar, and most importantly label your receipts.  Most stores have a computer print out with the description of  the item on it, but there are some that have an ambiguous cryptic code, or secret department number, and you have no clue what you just bought.  Trust me, I am speaking from personal experience, and it is life changing.  On top of every receipt, I jot down what the item is, so if I need to return or exchange, I’m not frantically pulling out wads of paper searching and reading every one.  Make life easier for yourself.  It’s good to be organized.

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Moving On Up…Stairs, That Is

06/15/2010 By Nancy Borg With no comments yet

Day 22: (June 11) Another day, another weed.  It’s beginning to feel like a cleansing.  Went a little crazy in my closet and managed to turn order into chaos!  I know that sounds crazy for an organizer to admit, but once I detached from the clothing that was hanging there for over 15 years and not worn, I started tossing like crazy.  There were shoes (mostly black) with every heel and toe shape possible, handbags not used, worn socks, etc.  Bagged it all, and schlepped them back down to the foyer for another pick-up. Called Vietnam Veterans of America this time to donate my undesireables. 

Once they came and took it all away, I must say this kind of empty felt amazing.  I felt both happy to give to a needy charity, and relieved to get rid of so much clutter.  I have to say, purging was very liberating.  No regrets.  Don’t miss any of it!

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Organizing Old Books and Vinyl Records

06/13/2010 By Nancy Borg With no comments yet

Day 20: (June 2) After some research, I discovered that some bookstores will redeem books for cash , provided they are in the range from good to mint condition.  So it was time to weed and through my piles of books, purge,  and go to Huntington Book Revue(Huntington, L.I.) where I parted with some of my favorite classics.  I evaluated honestly that I would never re- read them, so I sold them!!  The balance of books that were not as desirable went to my local library.  The Syosset library will allow a maximum of two filled trash bags of books.  

OLD BOOKS

Since my World Book Encyclopedia was archival, and no one would take it, I donated it to a Senior-Care facility.  

Re: my vinyl record albums…..Located The Long Island Vinyl Exchange (Northport, L.I.)  The appraiser evaluated my collection and gave me $50.00 for my old beaten up records (hey, money is money) He offered me a higher value of $160.00 to exchange for store credit. That’s the way the exchange works.  The store had amazing archival musical instruments, authentic souvenirs from Woodstock, record players, and millions of vinyl records, both old and newly recorded ones.  I chose the money. Got a great education on the value of vinyl records.  My same collection would have been worth hundreds more, had they been in better condition.  So sellers beware, if you have saved any old records and have preserved them, you could be eligible for some decent money.  Some of the editions of my albums were recorded and produced in the millions, so they were not rare enough to buy back.  Very knowledgeable guy.  Highly recommend the place.

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Organizing for Charity Donations

06/11/2010 By Nancy Borg With no comments yet

Day 18: (May 24) Another weed, another purge.   Now that the kid’s had parted with so much stuff, I really needed to micro-organize my foyer area with like items with like items, separated clothing by seasons, and bagged them.

At the end of the day, my foyer was jammed pack with trash bags and boxes.  A friend of mine volunteers her time to pick up donations for a variety of charities.  I invited her over to sort through my piles and see which charities could best benefit from my things.  The Huntington Interfaith Homeless Initiative, (based in Huntington, L.I.) was in dire need of my clothing, my kid’s clothing, hats, toys, stuffed animals, blankets, andchildren’s books.  I filled my assortment of wicker baskets with hotel soaps, perfumes, body creams, and knew that the women who live in the shelter would be overjoyed.

It was an exhilarating feeling to be part of such a worthy cause. I felt empowered, wanted to give more. I learned about a group of students from Northport High School, who call themselves, “Students for 60,000″. This non-profit group was formed in 1987 designed to raise funds to support the 60,000 homeless at that time.   Today it is comprised of High School students who volunteer their time in Nicaragua to physically build homes, schools, and this year, the very first library ever, for poverty stricken children.  My “ah-ha” moment……My 7 pieces, of luggage was ideal to transport all donations, books, and medicines they would need to transport.  It was an honor and pleasure to participate in their effort.

Another wonderful place to donate to is the Confidence Closet (Huntington,L.I.).  This is a designated section within a thrift shop that offers poverty stricken people appropriate clothing to go on job interviews.  I was inspired to donate my husband’s suits, sport jackets, ties, dress slacks, and my finer clothes, handbags and shoes.

To know that your things can be useful and enjoyed by others is gratifying beyond words.

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Kid’s Organizing Their Past

06/10/2010 By Nancy Borg With no comments yet

Day 17: (May 22) Today I insisted the kids come out to clean out their respective rooms.  I would never take the liberty to toss their stuff; it’s theirs! 

Interestingly, the kids thought it wasn’t going to be such a big deal to sort, weed, and pack up their rooms, but every time I peered into their room, they were completely entrenched in their personal photo albums and making little progress.  Intermittently, both my son and daughter shouted out for me to come share something they discovered. I laughed to myself and realized that they too needed their own special time to revisit their past memories. But shortly after, (hah-hah) the relentless commando organizer took over and I insisted they speed up the process.  I was very mindful that don’t live home anymore, so each visit had to be a very productive one.  Not surprising, at the end of the day, they only made a small dent and I might add, a very large mess! My son was quick to toss and purge his old clothes and miscellaneous items that he hadn’t missed, so made another big pile for donation.  My daughter, on the other hand, was far more reluctant to part with a favorite tee shirt she’ll never wear.  Of course her photo albums were organized, labeled, and ready to pack.  Like mother, like daughter.

They will be back to finish, begrudgingly.

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Staying on Task with the Move

06/08/2010 By Nancy Borg With no comments yet

 

 Day 15: (May 14) Emptied the balance of items in the game and craft closet and the linen closet to sort and weed.  Had accumulated so many extra blankets to accommodate sleepover company, but today just saved a homemade crocheted patchwork quilt that my Mom made, and a favorite, cozy duvet from my Mother-in law. Put aside one random blanket just in case we need it at the other end of the move.

There seems to be a light at the end of the tunnel, at least on this level.  I’m thinking that the hardest emotional purge is now behind me, and now I am tossing the clutter at a much faster rate. 

I am noticing the rooms are looking bare and although this is clearly the goal, I can’t help but feel a little “empty'” and hollow inside.  This was once a room filled with so much laughter and commotion.The kid’s had countless, mass sleepovers for so many friends throughout the years, and now the quiet was almost deafening.

Arranged for a pick-up dates for my unwanted items, called Clothing Drive to support Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. Trying to spread the donations around to a variety of charities.  Bagged and labeled with their respective pick up dates.

The sorting and purging are completed on this level, next comes the actual boxing. Will need to organize that process with consideration for the unpack; what boxes will probably be stored in the garage temporarily, and what boxes will need to be accessible and unpacked for use.

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Weighing in on the Sentimental Clutter

06/05/2010 By Nancy Borg With no comments yet

Day 12: (May 8 ) Peter Walsh’s wise words are ringing in my ears today.  “It’s not about the stuff, rather its about your relationship with the the stuff”.  Weeding is an emotional process, and today was filled with  bittersweet reflection and discoveries. I chose to sort through my personal boxes, (my organized childhood boxes passed down from my Mom) containing my high school and college years, and life before marriage and kids. Since I  sensed this to be an intense and emotional journey, I decided to make the weed a joyful experience and celebrate my youth. The weather was spectacular, sunny and bright, and rather than enclosing myself in the basement on such a beautiful day, I carried each and every box upstairs and outside to my deck to sort.  There I was, by myself (my choice) surrounded with my entire life’s trail.  Couldn’t wait to dive in.

It was actually like a visiting day of my life… a chance to check into my past, visit the memories, reflect, remember, and then let go of some of the physical things that ignited them. I needed to feel what I wanted to feel, process the emotions, store the memory in my heart, and then I was able to let it go.

Interestingly, some of the stuff I put aside yesterday, I was able to let go today. Stepping away from it for a day really helped me detach from the emotional connection. My 32-year old wedding gown was never loomed or preserved in any way (who knew?) , it was yellowed with age, not bride-worthy, so I took a picture and let it go. Same for the wedding mementos.  I was thrilled to visit with them, but today I had no real issues with letting them go.  Saving the honeymoon suite keys, or hotel bills, etc.. served no purpose.  It didn’t even rekindle a moment, I had saved it….. just because.

The best revelation about today was that sometimes there is a good thing about keeping and saving stuff. My Mom had kept and organized (of course she did!) all my summer camp letters from age 6-15 yrs. old, passed them on to me, and I simply boxed them for safe keeping.  First thought was to just skim through, but believe it or not, I decided to read each and every one!  As I got immersed into my childhood memories, I couldn’t stop.  This was an awakening. I will now be so much more sensitive about how time-consuming the weeding process can take, in regards to sentimental clutter .  Dare I risk missing out on a priceless letter? If it was important enough to save them in the first place, I thought I should at least respect the choice, and read them.  Letter after letter, postcard after postcard (yes…postcards! dating myself, for sure) my childhood unraveled before me.  Every now and then, a memory would reveal itself as sharp as a tack, recalling that very day, the way it smelled, moments described with such accuracy, that I actually remember writing it.

The earlier years were extraordinary and even with my awkward misspelled handwriting still captured the core of me.  Through the later years, my personality was unfolding and it was at that moment, I realized that I had to share this very personal journey with my children.  What a wonderful gift for them to see the ME before I was their Mom; to get acquainted with a person they never knew.  It’s one thing to talk with your kids about your childhood, but it’s quite different than bearing witness to the actual growth with the authentic tactile letters.  How sweet and rich this is to have my kids catch a glimpse of my innocence and vulnerability. Priceless opportunity.

As I read through the letters, I set aside only the precious ones and filled a shoebox,  and labeled it “Read and Toss”, so when the kids come home tomorrow, we can share, laugh, cry, and then I will be able to let it go. I can’t wait to share this part of my life with them.  Small treasures discovered today.  Sometimes it’s a great thing to save stuff!

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