Good Enough...

I was just watching an innocent game of horseshoes, and was struck by the uniqueness of the game in it's close-enough-is-good-enough ideology.

Perhaps surprising to some, many people who struggle with clutter issues are perfectionists. And finding their own reality so far from their idea of perfection, they become overwhelmed and paralysed to do anything, widening the gap even further. As a professional organizer, I find that time and time again, the most important role I play is bridging that gap, or eliminating it all together - paradise!

While I wholly disagree with the "just for now" mentality, which to me is just another way of saying "this is not how this should be", "this is not where it should go", or simply "this is wrong", I do believe in cutting yourself a little slack, and getting it good enough. You will be surprised where it will take you - maybe even win you a game of horse shoes!

reclaim. respect. revitalize.

Visual Girl

Prudy's Problem and How She Solved It...

On the topic of "teach your children well", I came across this cute little book about a little girl who really really really loves to collect things. (Sound familiar?) The things she collects are good for a laugh, or at least a good "eeewwww!" Or, the story could read a little too close to home, depending on your child's situation. I would like to say that with the help of her friendly neighbourhood Professional Organizer, all her problems disappeared. But...I can say that her solution did involve some out-of-the-box thinking, which many Trained Professional Organizers do have.

Give a read. I'd love to hear what you (and your children) think of it.

All the best,

Kerith Paterson

Visual Girl

VirgoMan, meet Visual Girl...

I was intrigued by the cover of O magazine by the subheading "12 WAYS TO UNCLUTTER your home, car, mail, even your mind". Turns out there's a professional organizer who dubs himself VirgoMan. For the whole article, click http://www.oprah.com/article/omagazine/200809_omag_unclutter . (Very useful stuff to live by, not just read.)

My advice on mail is a little different: with your paper recycle container near the front door, weed out the mail outside. Only bring in the essentials, or what needs to be shredded. Practice on-line banking: no paper statements, no paper ads, no paper stamp to find, no paper envelope to find - Mother Earth loves to save on paper. Have your bills charged to your credit card = saving on paper and adding to your Airmiles! I've sent unwanted magazines back like misdirected mail: with a Sharpie over the address label.

I wholly believe in donating. Find a cause you love and is easy to access. Trust me, it's like turning guilt into a good deed. I love the line, "Your home is not a museum".

If your photo clutter is on the computer, you may not be aware of the fabulous photo books now available. You can add text, or let your photos tell their own story. http://www.mypublisher.com/ offers a very user-friendly and flexible program for making their books - and the finished product will blow you away! You could give loved ones a year-in-the-life photo book for Christmas. Finish most of the book before December, then put some "teaser" photos under the tree boasting a "coming soon photo book" and finish (and pay) for the books in January. Don't forget to add the Christmas & New Year's Eve photos. Once your best photos are captured in this stunning book, you simply save the year on a hard drive and begin all over again.

I believe organizing is a tool; a tool for you to step up the way you work, play, socialize, and live.

Like VirgoMan says, "Being organized isn't about getting rid of everything you own or trying to become a different person; it's about living the way you want to live, but better."

I'm not a superhero, but I can certainly help out anyone who is feeling organizationally-challenged.

All the best,
Kerith (aka Visual Girl)