by CS Team
Letting go is never easy, but it can be easier.  Read our 3 simple steps below…
As professional organizers we regularly witness the immense pain, struggle and hopelessness that comes from having too much stuff and not knowing what to do with it. As human beings we’ve also experienced these emotions ourselves. As a society we’ve learned to value things “because they belonged to grandma”, “they’ll be worth something one day”, “because we might need them in the future”, and so on.
Our beliefs are now shifting because we are overwhelmed with too much stuff. We no longer believe that anything is worth keeping if it causes us stress, depletes our energy or keeps us from living a good life. We deserve to wake up each day free of stress, smile with a grateful heart for the day ahead, a day filled with what matters most.
To get to this point takes practice and shedding layers upon layers; choosing into gratitude; releasing possessions, commitments and energy that no longer serve us; deciding that we really are the masters of our lives and our destinies.
If you are ready to begin this process, we invite you to read The ART of Letting Go by our own Marla Dee.
“This treasure of an ebook will give you inspiration and steps to clear the clutter that is dragging you down and keeping you stuck.” – Marla Dee
Excerpt:
Let’s explore the ART of Letting Go
Because the nature of clutter is heavy and dense, I wanted to simplify the process into three meaningful steps. I want you to hear that there are three stages we go through over and over again. Acknowledging that these three steps are the natural way will make the letting go easier. We will use the word ART to guide you through:
~ Acceptance ~ Release ~ Trust
ACCEPTANCE
All of our clutter tells a story and everyone has their own form of it in some area of their life. Accepting this fact is the beginning. Accepting that your environment is simply a reflection of your life up until now, a reflection of what has happened to you and what is going on inside you is vital. There does not need to be shame or blame in looking at this picture. That would only keep you in the role of a victim. In order to step into the power of change and growth you must be willing to open your eyes and look at it.
There is no purpose or healthy payoff in focusing on the clutter itself, on staying locked up in guilt – not for you or for others. However, there is great power in becoming accountable for the fact that you are the creator of your life and of your environment. Your old things, your old patterns, your old relationships reflect who you have been and what you have built or what you have avoided – it is YOUR PAST!
Download your FREE copy now to continue reading.
“I honor your willingness to reach out and seek help so you can let go of the clutter at last. As a Professional Organizer for many years, I have witnessed tremendous courage from my clients in their willingness to get real with the story their clutter tells; to let go of the past and welcome a new change. Letting go is never easy, but it can be made easier.” – Marla Dee
Your life is waiting for you,
Marla, Kate and Team
by CS Team
Our systems make organizing simple!
The Clear & SIMPLE Systems © are a unique approach to organizing. They offer a simple, grounded, step-by-step process that will educate, empower and excite you to take on the “stuff” in ALL areas of your life…home, office, paper, time and even your interior spaces…mind, body, soul.
Below is a outline of our systems. We invite you to read through them, really take them in and then give them a go in your space(s). Click here for a beautiful, downloadable and printable copy…and feel free to share with everyone! If you would like additional support take a look through Our Shop or Connect With Us to get help from an organizer.
• SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT. © The Foundation System for any organizing project.
SEE IT. || Take a look at where you are at.
Write the story your clutter tells.
Draw the story.
Take pictures.
Answer questions:
What’s working?
What’s not working?
Where are you stuck and why?
What do you want most to accomplish?
MAP IT. || “Make A Plan” for where you wan to go.
Do a mind map.
Make a list or create a chart.
Draw a picture or create a collage.
Write a description of your top three priorities.
Write your vision of what you really want.
DO IT. || Take the action steps to get there using our sub-system S.T.A.C.K.S. ©
• S.T.A.C.K.S. © The Action System to getting it done, asking just one question and taking one action at a time.
SORT || What is it? – Sort into piles of like with like.
TOSS || Do I need it or want it? – Put in the keep of discard pile.
ASSIGN A HOME || Where does it go? – Identify how/where you use it and create zones accordingly.
CONTAIN || What does it go in? – Measure the “stuff” and the storage area BEFORE buying containers.
KEEP IT UP || How do I maintain it? – Create a simple plan for how you will maintain the area.
SIMPLIFYÂ ||Â Decide whether any new items pass the test.
• The ART of Letting Go || Acceptance, Release and Trust. Are you ready to let go?
“This treasure of a book will give you inspiration and steps to clear the clutter that is dragging you down and keeping you stuck.” – Marla Dee
Download a FREE copy and feel free to share with anyone you think would benefit!
Our passion is supporting people on clearing out all of that “stuff” that keeps them stuck in order to live the life they most desire. It takes time, energy and the tools to accomplish. We get that. That’s why we do what we do and practice it in our own lives.
We’re here for you!
Marla, Kate & Team
SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT. © and S.T.A.C.K.S. © are property of Clear & Simple, LLC. All Rights Reserved
by CS Team
Reclaim your space, your day and your life!
Do you have clutter and chaos in your life? Download our TOP TEN Tips for the Year. Marla will be taking a deeper look at them at the home show and will be speaking each day, so mark your calendars and come! If you can’t join us stay tuned throughout the month as we share the tips with you.  We want to support you in reclaiming your space, your day and your life.
Extra TIP& GIFT: Have a one-page master map for your year that inspires, empowers and supports you. Here is the form that we use with our clients. It’s our gift to you! If you would like a personal session with Marla to expand on this, click here.
Marla Dee is speaking again at the Salt Lake Home Show.
Friday January 8th @ 4 p.m.
Saturday January 9th @ 11 a.m.
Sunday January 10th @ 12 p.m.
Visit our table next to the Design Stage to enter our drawing and receive special offers!
You can save $2 per person by purchasing tickets online.
Show Information:Â Friday, Jan. 8th @ 2:00 p.m. through Sunday, Jan. 10th @ 6:00 p.m.
South Towne Expo Center
9575 S. State Street
Sandy, Utah 84070
Go here for additional information and directions.
by Kate Fehr
Do you wish you could do more reading?
How many magazines or articles come into your life that you really want to read, but never seem to get too? How many places do magazines pile up just waiting for you to peruse? Life has gotten so busy for so many of us that we don’t always get the reading time we desire.
Here is how to change that…
- Get a holding container for your desired reading items (we like magazine files)
- Keep one where you will do the reading (i.e. next to your bed, near the couch, in your reading nook, in your office). Sometimes this means you will have more than one in your home.
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by Kate Fehr
Here’s another simple step to managing your paper!
It’s time to set up a Simple Action System. This is where you will gather all of the papers that require you “do” something…make a call, pay a bill, send a card, schedule an event. Having just one place that you can go to for these things will change your relationship with paper AND with getting things done.
To put together your system you will need the following items…
- Container
- Files with labels
- Clear project folders
- Post-its, sharpie
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Putting all of the pieces together!
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by Kate Fehr
Get it outta your life!
The final step of R.A.F.T.© is TOSS. It is a simple step, but offers a noticeable difference in your paper load. Once a week, as you process papers from your incoming container, simply toss papers into a recycle container or send through a shredder. Pay attention to what happens as you go through this process.
Common results are…
- Feeling accomplished clearing out all of that weight.
- You and your space feeling lighter.
- It sets a standard in your space that for all the incoming there has to be outgoing as well.
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Send it off before it takes up residence!
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by Kate Fehr
Are you ready to love your filing cabinet and the papers inside?!
Okay, maybe that is a little extreme, but the reality is that you CAN have a filing system in place that will change your relationship with paper. You CAN enjoy handling, filing and retrieving papers. Thanks to the magnificent Seth Odam and his brilliant creation FreedomFiler. FreedomFiler is the only all-encompassing, self-purging filing system. Do you need even more reason than that?!
Okay…
- It contains everything from your daily action file labels, to your monthly files, your taxes, your vital records, your contracts and your reference information.
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by Marla Dee
Spring is here. The sun is out. Time to clear out the clutter. But where to start and how to get it done. Clearing the clutter is freeing but can also be overwhelming.
Here are some simple tips to get started:
Start with a SMALL project like your purse, the top of your dresser, or the junk drawer.
Get a BUDDY and take turns helping each other. The project will be so much more fun with a friend.
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