Organizing For My Surgery

It seems like right now so many people I know are having some kind of medical issue.  I’m having surgery in a few weeks and I’m trying to get myself organized for it. I’ve been told the recovery is about 4-6 weeks to get back to feeling like my old self.  I’d love to have maximum resting time while I’m recuperating but I’m realizing that what I need to remember is that it’s ok to let some things go.  I’m really going to have to lean on friends and family for a little while. And this is ok, too.  It hasn’t always come naturally to me to allow other people to take care of me but I’m ready.

Besides letting all my clients know and scheduling accordingly in my business I’m going to craft my out of the office email to let everyone know I’ll get back to them as soon as I can.  I’m also trying to do the little things like stock the house with the essentials like toilet paper and laundry detergent.  A few days before the big day I’ll make sure I’ve got lots of healthy, nourishing food on hand.  I feel so grateful that my mom will come out from the east coast to stay with me for a week and realize that not everyone has this luxury.  I also have a few friends who have offered to bring food over in those first few days and I am so grateful for this.

I’m looking forward to reading a new book I’ve ordered and catching up on some shows and know I’ll be back on my feet in no time.

I’d love to teach you strategies for how to be more organized!  Schedule a call with me and I’ll tell you more. If you’d like to book a call with me to find out more, click here. 

'Tis the Season to let some things go

‘Tis the Season to feel exhausted and overwhelmed.  I know I already do to some extent.  As much as I love this time of year: the lights, the festivities and the oh so yummy food I also don’t love how many directions I feel like I’m being pulled in.  How many things I feel like I should be doing or buying.  I’m officially giving myself permission to let some things go this year and I hope you will, too.

I’m starting with a list for myself of the absolute necessities to get through the holidays.  And reminding myself it’s okay to say no to the things that aren’t.  Years ago I let go of holiday cards and that has continued to feel like the right decision for me.  I love the idea of less is more in terms of gifts and spending instead on experiences.  What are some things that you can let go of this year?

And I’m saying out loud to myself that each day during this holiday season I will:

• Drink plenty of water
  

• Rest when I need to
  

• Say No to the things that I need to for my well being
  

• Enjoy the holidays for what they are intended to be; spending time with family and friends.

I have gift certificates available for that gift of organizing you’d like to give to that special someone.  I’d love to help your friends and loved ones feel more organized in the New Year!  Feel free to reach out with any questions you have.

Fall is just around the corner

Can you feel the days getting shorter? I know I do.  I’m an early riser and have noticed the sunrise has been gradually getting later and later.  Today it was at 6:39 am and the sun will set at 7:11 here in Santa Barbara.  And tomorrow the sunrise will be 6:40. On as many days as I can, I greet the sun by jumping in the ocean.  This is the warmest time of year in the Pacific and I savor it.  I can always tell when the ocean is warm that fall is just around the corner.

I wanted to let you know that I’m hosting a free webinar over zoom on Wednesday October 18 at noon pst.  It’s called Simple Ways to Feel More Organized Now. It will help you  feel more organized right where you are in this moment.  Whether you’re a business owner, busy mom or just someone who wants to feel more centered and grounded, this talk is for you.

I’ll give you practical strategies for creating a life that is more aligned with who you really are.  Someone who embodies strong time management, work life balance and good organizational skills.  I’ll give you tips for streamlining your day and finding extra time for you.

Click on the link to sign up and mark your calendar for Wednesday October 18 at noon pst for my free webinar.

https://www.thoughtfulorganizing.com/optin

Come join me!

Back to School Tips

And just like that school is back in session in my house.  I officially have a high schooler now and felt all the feels after drop off on the first day.  It’s still summer outside but I’m looking forward to the cooler weather and maybe even all the things that come with fall.  Not quite ready for Christmas like they had in the displays at Costco last week though.  How is that even possible??

I was thinking about a few things I could remind myself to do to get back into the swing of the school year and here they are:

Are there things that you are doing that you could delegate to someone else?  For me, I’m asking my son to step up and do more things around the house.  I’m making sure I don’t need to remind him to do the basics like making his lunch, doing his laundry and of course putting it away.   Maybe for you it's to get someone to clean your house on a regular basis.  Or asking your partner to make dinner once a week.  I invite you to think about the things that might make your life easier and free up more space for you.

I’m making sure I spend a bit of time on Sunday evenings to be proactive and look ahead at the week.  I highly recommend even 15 minutes to look at your calendar and see the overview of the week ahead.  Where you may have openings that you can fill in with things that fill your cup like going to yoga, taking a walk or spending time with a loved one.

What are you doing to enjoy the last bit of summer before the fall is here?

I Helped My Parents do some Purging

Last week I was on the East Coast where my parents live and besides celebrating my dad’s 78th birthday I helped my parents do a little purging in the garage.  I would have loved to stay for another month.  We could have easily worked in the basement and attic as well and gotten a lot more done. Peeled back a lot more layers so to speak.  My parents aren’t moving anywhere just yet but maybe down the road they’d like to downsize and move into a retirement community.  In that event it’s smart to start the process early and really start to whittle down.  They’ve lived in their home for 42 years.  And when you live somewhere that long it’s inevitable that you accumulate stuff.  Things that aren’t really serving you anymore and that you don’t really need.

When you have stuff you don’t need around you it weighs you down. It clouds your thoughts.  And I know for my parents too much stuff has been weighing them down. 

I’m not gonna lie, it wasn’t totally easy working with my parents.  I think there were so many charged emotions. Maybe I reverted back to being 15 again.  And I’m not sure I was totally being as patient as I could have been.  I may have thrown the term hoarder around and my mom may have called me evil. We took one very large load to the thrift store and made a plan for giving lots of other things away. We made a really good dent in the garage.  After I arrived back on the west coast when the dust had settled my parents thanked me again and told me how much they appreciated my help.  I’ll be back again for another round as soon as they say they want my help again. 

In the meantime I’ve reminded them to do a few things to help with the process of letting go.

• Really ask yourself, is this serving me?  Do I REALLY need this?
  

• If I don’t need this can someone else use this?  Maybe someone else will cherish this as much as I did.
  

• And when you are purchasing something ask yourself, do I really need to bring this home?  Again, do I really need this?
  

Too Much Stuff

I just booked a ticket to see my parents in a few weeks for the Memorial day weekend and my dad’s 78th birthday.  My main reason to go home is to start helping them get rid of stuff.  They’re not totally hoarders but there's a gray area.  Hi mom and dad, I know you read my newsletter ;).  Or maybe they’re on the spectrum we’ll say.  Let’s just say that the basement and garage need help.

They’re not moving anytime soon but they do entertain the idea of downsizing and moving into a retirement community someday and that would mean most everything would need to go. But go where?  My siblings and I don’t want most of the things. This is the dilemma that my generation faces.  Our parents hold on to things like china and family silver that they think we might want but it’s a hard sell to us.  We don’t have space for that stuff.  I know I don’t have room in my house or garage for any more things.

Here’s how I plan to help them.

Start to purge.  Really purge. Take things to the dump.  Recycle what we can.  And throw things in the trash that are broken or that no one wants.

I’d love to help them post some things on craigslist or offer up. Just to make space.  To free up some space to think more clearly.  Especially things to give away for free that someone else might want and put to good use. My parents would love to know that their things might find a good second home.

I always hope that when I’m helping someone get rid of things that I will light the fire within them to continue doing it on their own. 

I’d love to work with you to help light the fire to feel more centered and organized!