by CS Team
Yes, Bankers Boxes can save your sanity, and even your marriage!
The Clear & SIMPLE Way is all about keeping organizing simple and joyful. That might seem laughable when it comes to actually handling the stuff, but that’s exactly why we LOVE banker’s boxes together with post-it-notes. When you pair them with the first step of S.T.AC.K.S. ©, which is SORT, you get this supportive blend of the right tool for the right step.
We have heard from our clients that Bankers Boxes completely transform the sorting process and even save marriages! Often the person who likes order and everything put away partners with the person who is attached to stuff and having everything out where they can see it. This can be a disaster when it comes to doing an organizing project together. Bankers Boxes satisfy both needs – the stuff is neatly contained but you can find what you need.
Here’s a little list of what we love about bankers boxes combined with the post-it-note labels:
- They make it easier to do the sort because the piles are now easy to identify
- They are the container for the piles and make it easy to move the piles as you go along
- They remove all the visual distraction of the piles and replace it with a calm energy
- They keep all of the stuff contained until you are ready to make decisions about it
- At the end of the working session you can put the lids on and stack them all nice and neat out of your way
- The lids are great for all the little “stuff”
So before you start into sorting the stuff we suggest – go get a minimum of 30 bankers boxes. They come in packs of 10. You will use them over and over again for multiple projects. See below for some places you can order them online and then pick them up. Also get a large pack of super sticky post-it-notes in a color you love along with a black sharpie.
Now you are ready to SORT! Remember you are just asking one question – What is it? Sort like with like into the BB and create a label with each new box. When you run out of time, just stack the boxes on top of each other and put against a wall. You can still find things if you need to until you can return to the job.
Bankers Boxes are sold at a variety of places like Office Depot and Walmart (best price is Walmart).
We hope you find true sanity in the SORT with this awesome new TOOL! Please share your stories with us.
Marla, Kate & Team
by CS Team
Breathe. You don’t have to decide *yet* what to do with the stuff.
You have gone through the SEE IT. © and MAP IT. © steps and are ready to begin the DO IT. ©. This means touching the stuff. This is loaded. When you are looking at the piles of paper everywhere or that spare room stuffed with boxes and bags, the mere thought of really starting brings up the urge to run away. You can get hung up before you even start because of the heaviness (mentally, emotionally and energetically) of all the decisions to be made; the heaviness of what to do with it all.
Most of th
e advice out there says pick up each thing and make a decision. If it were that easy the piles wouldn’t be there. So at C&S we break it down into bite size pieces. The DO IT. © Step now gets it’s own system called S.T.A.C.K.S. ©. It’s the ACTION system.
Part of the brilliance of The Clear & SIMPLE Systems © is the step-by-step approach, with each step building upon the previous. This helps us stay present in each moment and releases the weight of the project, by asking us to only answer one question at a time. When we finally dive into touching the stuff with S.T.A.C.K.S. ©, we start with SORT, and only sort!! You are asking one question and making only one decision – what is it?
SORT
- Question: What is it? Trust what comes into your brain.
- Action: Sort into piles of like with like. Keep it simple, general categories are good enough.
- Tip: Place items into bankers boxes. Label each box with a post-it note for steps ahead.
- Reward: You will know exactly what you have. You will be amazed at how freeing this is.
By asking one question and making only one decision at a time, you WILL be able to get through all of the stuff. When you can see how many months worth of electric bills you have, how many of the same black shirt, how many pens & pencils, the TOSS step is much easier.
NOTE:
One of your Sort piles can be Toss for the stuff that you know easily is give or throw away, shred or recycle.
Stay tuned in upcoming weeks as we continue through the S.T.A.C.K.S. © process.
With you each step of the way,
Marla, Kate & Team
by CS Team
How do I want my space to look, feel and function?
The second step in The Clear & SIMPLE Way is MAP IT.©, which stands for Make a Plan for what you want. When we are confronted with all the stuff in our space, it can feel impossible to know what we really want. Marla Dee defines clutter as “delayed decision and/or holding onto the past.” The stuff seems to pile up because there are just too many decisions to be made. So we need a simple place to start.
Here you go! Choose one room, area or project (like the living room, hall closet or kitchen counter).
The SEE IT. © Step question
How does my space currently look, feel and function? Let your answers be super simple. The point is to get it out of your body and your brain.
Then ask the Magic MAP IT. © question…
How do I want it to look, feel and function?
Here is an example for the living room.
SEE IT. © – Right now it looks ok but also cluttered. It feels like nobody takes care of it because there is stuff everywhere – on the couch, tables and now piles on the floor. It isn’t working because I can’t have anyone over – there is no place for people to sit and I would feel ashamed of the mess. And it is too dark (no wonder I don’t read in here).
MAP IT. © – I want it to look like I live here and everything has a place. I want it to feel warm and inviting. I want some new soft comfy blankets (scary how old mine are). I want there to be a clear area for sitting, reading & relaxing. And I want more light. Ok, now I am ready for the DO IT step.
Isn’t this easier to answer than “what am I going to do with the stuff?” So pick your project and let us know how it goes!
Marla, Kate & Team
by CS Team
Sometimes a simple question brings the answer you need most. Just ask & listen!
Daily life is often overwhelming. There is so much information coming at us all the time. There are decisions to be made and actions to take. Sometimes taking a 10 minute break to breathe, center, ground and tune in is the best thing to do.
We have chosen six potent questions from six wise guides that you can use anytime. They are especially helpful when you are feeling stuck or unsure. These questions apply SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT. © to whatever is going on right now. You can also use them for big things like getting clear for your whole year!!
Note: we are also sharing who was the source of each question to express gratitude and make it easy for you to get more from them.
1 – What is the change I am ready for? – Marla Dee
Let the answer come in easily and trust your gut. My favorite quote for change – There is no pain in change, there is no pain in growth. There is only pain in resistance to change and resistance to growth. Anonymous
2 – What is the role I need to focus on right now? – Jinny Ditzler
By acknowledging the role that needs your attention, you can release the others and be present. Jinny also teaches that choosing one ROLE to focus on for the whole year is life changing. We agree.
3 – If I had 10 seconds left to live, what would my message be? – Shelly Coray
Shelly is a powerful messenger for clearing up the MESS in your head. This stunning question cuts to the very core and gets rid of all the distractions. Ask this NOW – what would your message be?
4 – When do I feel alive and my best self? – Terry Sidford
Terry believes that following your passion is the key; both in the moment and in your life. This question help you tap into your true life force.
5 – What is my body telling me? – Mary Nickle
Mary is a healer and master of aligning the body with intuition. Mary teaches that your body always tells the truth. The body is wise and has so much to share. Your body is just waiting for you to listen.
6 – What is the next step?- Sylvia Nibley
The invitation to you – choose one (or more) of these questions. Take a time out to center, ask, listen and then write what comes? Please share with us anytime. We would love to witness you in the moment.
The wise women who shared the questions above can be found here…
Marla Dee – The Clear & SIMPLE Way
Jinny Ditzler – Your Best Year Yet
Shelly Coray – Master Your Mindset
Terry Sidford – Create Your Life Coaching
Mary Nickle – Time Out Associates
Sylvia Nibley – The Inquiry Cards
We hope you find clarity in the moment. We want you to know that your life matters in this world!
Big love,
Marla, Kate & Team
SEE IT – Take a look at where you’ve been | MAP IT – Make a plan for where you want to go | DO IT – take the steps to get there. SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT. © Clear & SIMPLE, LLC. All rights reserved
by CS Team
Let’s take a look at your Bedroom. Is it time for a change?
Is your bedroom a sanctuary or a dumping ground? As professional organizers we are often asked, “where should I start organizing in my home? There is clutter and chaos everywhere.” Your bedroom is the place to start!
The bedroom often becomes the landing zone for homeless items, or the make shift home office, the TV room, or even a place where a person can’t sleep anymore because there is so much clutter. This breaks my heart.
Your bedroom is meant to be a place of rest, relaxation, intimacy and healing. You spend more time here than anywhere else. It can be a favorite room in the early morning and late evening. One of the best gifts you can give yourself, especially in the cold months of winter, is creating a bedroom that is a sanctuary.
So here is a true story from Marla’s past – I asked my talented friend, Jeanine Mallory of Fresh Space Organizing, to help with a client’s bedroom. The woman had moved in months before, but her bedroom was boring and plain. She is a talented artist, loves color, fabric and unusual things. So we needed a makeover. By following the steps below and working together we transformed her bedroom in a day. We went shopping at Ikea! We hung purple curtains on the wall behind her bed along with sparkly lights. We brought in bright colors and candles. We used things she already had and found perfect homes for them. She now loves being in her bedroom. She is reading, journaling and sleeping so much better. How about you? Is it time for a makeover of your bedroom?
SEE IT – take a look at where you’ve been and where you are
Be brave. We invite you to take a look in your bedroom today and pretend you are a stranger. Just notice what is there and how it feels. Are there items that don’t belong in your room and that drain you when you look at them? What patterns do you notice? What do you notice that you love? Take it all in.
MAP IT – make a plan for where you want to go
How do you want your bedroom to look, feel and function? Do you want color or neutral shades or a combination? Do you want busy or simple? Do you want to add something like a reading or meditation chair? What you do want to take out or change? Take 5-10 minutes and write down what you want.
DO IT – take the actions to get what you want
Choose an hour or a day to transform your space. Give yourself this gift. Here is a super simple solution:
Set the timer for an hour and remove the following things from your bedroom:
1 – Anything that doesn’t belong in this space.
2 – Anything that is now past time or no longer relevant, like old clothes or broken furniture.
3 – Anything that doesn’t support your vision of how you want your bedroom to be.
Then set the timer for one more hour and ask what you can add or move or change so that the room feels fabulous to you!
Please let us know what you do!
Marla, Kate & Team
SEE IT. MAP IT. DO IT. © Copyright of Clear & SIMPLE, LLC. All rights reserved
