Kathi Lipp's Blog, page 110

Cleaning Out Your Car – A Real Clean Sweep

Quadrant Clean -

Divide the car into four quadrants and do one quadrant fully before moving one the the next one. Otherwise, you will start at the front, follow along to the side, get distracted by the gum on the back of the car seat, start picking at that and the driver seat still has Wendy’s Frosty stickiness on it that need to be wiped off.

Three Box Reminder -

Do not forget your three boxes of PUT AWAY, OTHER ROOMS, and GIVE AWAY.  You will also need your two bags GARBAGE and RECYCLE. You might have to use two mini boxes of PUT AWAY. One for the items like the  good silverware spoon that has peanut butter with carpet pieces now stuck to it from a left over snack and another for the school report you just found three days late. The main thing is to get it out of the car!

Do I really Need it in Here? - 

You need to be realistic but simplistic for this one.  An extra a pair of safety scissors could be really helpful sometime in your car.  And husbands often need that quick nail clipper time so a pair of those is fine, but four coffee mugs?  Probably not.

By getting rid of extra clutter in your car, you will also be saving money since it will make the car more fuel efficient. {click to tweet} Sure, a few extra homework folders will not make much of a difference, but hauling those bags of used sports gear that you are supposed to drop off at the gym will make a difference.

And once you have cleaned it out, use containers to keep what you want in there neat and easy to find.  My friend uses a cosmetics bag for all the restaurant gift cards and she keeps it in the glove compartment so anytime the family is out, they can go to the restaurant and have the coupon handy!

What are some organizing tricks that you use in the car to keep it swept out and clutter free?

 

Cleaning Out Your Car – A Real Clean Sweep

The Love Your Man Challenge 41 Ways to Love Your Man with Actions!

for today’s challenge, I asked my Facbook Peeps to write the blog post for me  - how do you love your man with action?!? Here are 41 Ways that you said that you love him:

Naomi Williams Mine aren’t appropriate to post openly in the comments section.
Heather Harbeke Prouty Change the sheets regularly! Nothing like having amazing smelling sheets when it’s time to go to bed!
Angela Springer Hood I mailed him a thank you card full (front and back) with things I was thankful for that he does for our family
Olivia Myers Clear the driveway of a million feet of snow (slight exaggeration?) before he’s home. This avoids tire marks… something he despises!
Shirley Devuono Rempel making sure my kids are calm, the house is tidy (maybe not perfect but toys away, etc) and supper ready to eat when he gets home! Not always easy when i run a home day care but I try daily to do it
Vicki Limes One thing I do is have someone take my phone number to him. It might say something like this “You’re HOT! Call me 214-555-5555!” (My real number of course) I usually ask an older teen or young adult because it also reinforces to them the value of flirting with your husband!
Nancy Whiting My husband gets up very early, so to make it easier for him, I have his work clothes put together in a ‘clothes package’ for him, and set on the table by the wood stove the night before so he doesn’t have to take the time to even have to think about it in the morning.
Laurie Batdorff Hays Asking what would help him most at home. He may not care about something you think he does! Cooking his favorite meal. Time and space to collect his thoughts after work so he can switch gears.
Melanie Barnard Witkovskie I try to make his favorite meals and cook for him in general. I also try to make sure I don’t look like I just rolled out of bed when he gets home. Being a stay-at-home mom with a baby, it’s sometimes difficult, but I try to at least put on a little makeup and fix my hair! I want to look nice for him!
Dana DeVries I text him love notes while he’s at work. I became interested in football and basketball to cheer his teams with him. I ask him how I can pray for him and follow up on those things. I make sure to look him in the eyes and smile when he comes home.
Traci Sheldon I help him find reasons, resources and opportunities to do his hobbies. I also supported the remodeling of the “man cave” and did not complain about the cost or time it took to accomplish for him to have a space for himself.
Sue Hall Walsh I put sticky notes in his work bag, lunch bag or car to let him know I’m thinking of him during the day. It gives me the chance to let him know how much I appreciate him – something I often think of after he’s left the house for the day.
Lisa Evans Fulton Last night my husband was snowblowing the driveway in the dark so I wouldn’t get stuck this morning, and he slipped and fell on his back. He insisted on finishing the job, so I passed some Advil out the window to him and then had a heating pad ready when he came inside and rubbed his sore spots. He insists on taking care of me…a few Advil and a heating pad hardly seemed like adequate thanks, but he was grateful.
Karey Lehrman Spidell Keeping his favorite snacks stocked. Making sure the lunch stuff is stocked. And easy to grab
Simone Dankenbring My husband enjoys watching sports, especially the Blazers and Seahawks. I acknowledge and show how much I’m interested in something that he enjoys. I also keep him company and snuggle next to him during the games. When they win, I cheer along with him and when they lose, I always remind him that there’s “next time”.
SueAnn Kavanagh I set the timer on the coffee maker so when he gets up the coffee is all made! I know it is a little thing, but it makes his heart smile every time I do it!
Susy Flory Buying his favorite red licorice from the gourmet chocolate shop!
Lisa Johnson Blose Sleep on the couch because he works so hard during the week I don have the heart to wake him when he’s snoring. (He also will do the same for me) love my man!
Bonnie Wild Cleaning his trophy BBQ smoker so it’s ready for the next wonderful meal by the Bobby Flay wannabe (I say that lovingly)
Tonya Walter Make his lunch every day. Even when the kids are off school.
Carole Landrith Hanna Ironing his work shirts…without whining
Anna McCullough Ditto Olivia’s post about clearing the snow from the driveway before it’s driven on! Also giving him time to decompress when he comes home from work.
Jeannette Shields I would eat a piece of fish for him….I hate fish but if he likes it, this is what I’d do…but definitely not all the time!!!
Robin Lord Dilallo I stop what I’m doing, if I can, and help him with whatever is stressing him out at the moment. Wallet? Keys? Need to talk after a tough day?
Chris Moss Today I had the emissions test done on my husband’s car and registered it at the MVD. Then I had it washed, buffed and hand-waxed.
Michelle Brown I like to leave frequent voice mails for him to thank him for providing for our family and wishing him a great day! Once in awhile I will deliver a milkshake or smoothie to him in the middle of the work day.
Melissa D. Gillispie My husband and I are a team….. I cleaned the kitchen while he helped are daughter with her home work. He always has a clean bathroom.
Angie Bell He likes when I go outside and shoot hoops with him. He loves basketball and he loves me. Double Bonus.
Cathy Lo Davis He loves freshly brewed ice tea, so I make sure to have the pitcher full when he comes from from work.
Tanya Aitken I have his favorite drink in the freezer so it’s nice & cold (usually tea) waiting for him & I set a pair of his comfiest lounge clothes on the bed & when he walks in, I don’t say anything. He gets dressed & walks out with a smile, as I hold out his drink for him. He smiles and says, you did it again.
Heidi Bonner Actually doing those small jobs he asks me to do.
Heather K Seay Feed our animals (3 outside dogs and 1 cat). A chore he despises.
Jamie Jerome I stock up on his favorite cut of meat in advance- when on sale, make beer bread in advance and freeze it, and make sure that his favorite brew is on hand. (Plus it’s fun to be preggers and at the liquor store. People are hilarious.) This keeps us ready for a “stay home date” any night for 30 minutes or less. He also won’t go to bed until things are picked up and tidy and the dishes are done even if he is coming off an 18 hour shift… So on nights I know he won’t have energy left, I do it, no matter how exhausted I am from my day.
Sara Graham I baked brownies filled with Reeces Peanut Butter cups and Reeces Pieces. I also made fancy sandwiches for his lunches and had coffee ready in a travel mug. Also I cleaned up some of the things around the house that drive him crazy
Jo Leneb Make sure there is always something in the fridge for lunches and snacks.
Renee Simpson Holden Taking out the trash, instead of asking him to do it.
Pam Wood Humphrey polish his shoes
Amber Schumacher Picking up dog poo before he gets home! Making his coffee and setting the timer so he wakes up to fresh brewing coffee. Making his lunch for the next day (something out of the norm).
Christie Terry McKay buying his favorite snacks and candy and giving him time to decompress every day when he comes home from work
Emily Wilkerson Wilson Take out the trash so he can sleep 10 more minutes.
Lindsey Cuartilon This is good stuff! All I can come up with is that I don’t runaway and leave him with all these kids! Lol.

The Love Your Man Challenge 41 Ways to Love Your Man with Actions!

7 Steps to Gut Your Garage

Last January, Kathi issued a de-cluttering challenge that motivated me to finally gut my garage.

Now I don’t have an organized bone in my body; I’m the total “Queen of Chaos” type.

But by the end of the month, I’d taken several car-loads to Goodwill, sold a handful of items on eBay, and thrown out an astonishing amount of trash.

Here’s what worked for me as I transformed our garage from catastrophe to functionality.

Step 1:  Determine your priority needs.

We don’t park our cars in our garage.  Our top priorities are:

a)         Plenty of space for Daniel’s workbench and tool cabinet

b)         Easy access to the elliptical and Daniel’s weight bench

c)         Easy access to frig and pantry

d)         Easy entry/exit for cats

Your priorities are probably different from ours. Once you know what they are,  they will guide all the rest of your decisions.

Step 2:  Loan useful items that aren ’t getting used

Check the layer of dust on all meant-to-be-used items. This includes, but is not limited to: golf clubs, backpacks, and sewing machines.  I loaned my high-end serger, which I’d not used in six years, to a co-worker. She’s put it to good use, cranking out dozens of blankets and hats for homeless shelters.

Step 3:  Evict all occupants of the “Needs Repair Graveyard ”

Yes, I know, they could be repaired. And you probably would, if only you had time. But if you haven’t yet, chances are you won’t. Say farewell. I promise you won’t miss them…or the guilt you feel every time you walk by and hear them whisper “fix me!”

Step 4:  Consolidate and strategically store holiday decorations

If your holiday decor has multiplied over the years until it’s taking over several separate sections of the garage, it’s time to rein it in. Take the time to sort through it with a critical eye. Give-away anything you don’t love, and store the keepers in containers you can move without help or injury.

Step 5:  Check and chuck old paint cans, cleaners, and other chemicals

Rust or dust on any of these means they’re not getting used. Properly dispose of any that are expired or beyond use. Give yourself 3 months to use or give away anything that’s still good. (Highly Practical Hint: Consider storing touch-up paint on a high cupboard shelf in the room it matches!)

Step 6:  Flatten and recycle boxes

I know how hard it is to get your hands on good boxes when you need to ship something or when it’s time to move. I also know how “good” boxes can overcrowd an otherwise spacious garage!  At the very least, flatten them; they’ll take up lot less space, and you can re-build them as you need them.

Step 7:  Toss trash

This step seems like such a “no duh,” but it’s amazing how quickly trash accumulates. Do you have a good-sized trash can in your garage?  If not, get one and keep plenty of bags near it.

 

Cheri Gregory is a Certified Personality Trainer; contributor/co-author of a dozen books, including 21 Ways to Connect With Your Kids (with Kathi Lipp); and frequent speaker for MOPS groups, women’s retreats, parent workshops, and educational seminars. Cheri has been “wife of my youth” to Daniel a pastor, for over a quarter-of-a-century; they have two college-aged kids. She blogs about expectations, “baditude”, and hope at www.CheriGregory.com.

Sign up for Cheri’s new blog and receive a free download of 50 Ways to Leave Your Clutter!

7 Steps to Gut Your Garage

How To Make Money Selling Your Stuff – The 2014 Things Challenge

So you’re knee deep in your piles of things to get rid of for the 2014 Things Challenge.

The Problem – some of this stuff is worth some real money!

While it’s great to be generous (and let’s face it, it’s a lot less hassle to give stuff away than to sell it) sometimes it’s worth the time and effort to sell those things off and do wild and crazy things with your money, like feed your family…

I also believe in selling off a variety of “things” in order to get the “one thing” your family needs. Last year I sold dozens of books on Amazon in order to put the money toward a juicer that we wanted for our health plan.  I haven’t missed one of those books, but the juicer is now a beloved part of our family.

So here are just a few ways to get rid of the stuff you need, and get some cash along the way:

The first way  to make money from your unwanted goods is Craigslist.  This is like the greatest garage sale you could ever hold and  the buyers are at your fingertips on the computer.  Although you do the selling and shopping online, the buyer meets you at an arranged location. There are some very specific tips to help you out like taking good photos and writing an accurate description of the item. These tips from the Money Saving Mom site will help you to save time and make money without hassle.

When setting up a meeting place, make sure it’s always a populated area or if it’s an item you have to have picked up at your home, make sure your husband or a beefy male friend is on hand. I sat on a jury where a fake Craigslist ad was posted for the sale of a car. The meeting took place at the end of a court and the men “selling” the car were waiting for the buyer (who brought cash” with guns. My son purchased a car through Craigslist the same week I was on the jury (and I was forbidden from talking about the case,) but he took his dad to the meeting – in front of a local Target store.

 

Selling things on Ebay is another easy way to get rid of your extra things and make money. Ebay is a website that allows you to download photos and descriptions and you are responsible for shipping the item to the buyer. The most important thing to remember is to do your research. Every detail you put into the description will help the buyer know exactly what they are buying and will be more likely to pay more money for your item.  It is also important to time it right.  Selling that Mickey Mouse costume in the middle of the winter will not be quite as lucrative as selling it in the beginning of October in order to get the money saving mamas buying for Halloween.  Ebay selling tips like setting reasonable prices or having your shipping supplies ready ahead of time will help you get more money for your clutter.

 

The last way to make money from getting rid of your stuff is a feel good way – donating.  The IRS rewards generosity with money-saving tax perks for certain charitable contributions. As in the other ways, research is very important in knowing the cost of the items you are giving away.  It is also crucial to decide on a place where the organization wants you items and will be able to use them.

Next week we’ll be talking about how to get the whole family in on a garage sale and make even more money from all of your stuff!

Whichever way you choose, do your research so you know that your time invested is worth the money you will get.  The good news is that you really can make money selling your stuff.  What is a another way that you make money getting rid of your stuff? Tell me in the comments below and you will be entered to win Wisdom Meets Passion by Dan Miller!!! Just one of the 52 books from my library I’m giving away in 2014!

 

How To Make Money Selling Your Stuff – The 2014 Things Challenge

Are Your Drowning in Stuff? How to Decide What to Keep and What to Pitch

We are spreading the 2014 Things Challenge LOVE all over the web. If you are stuck trying to figure out what should stay and what should go, head over to my post today on Upgrade with Dawn This little checklist of how to make decisions with your stuff will get your from Stuck to Stuff-Free in no time!

 

Are Your Drowning in Stuff? How to Decide What to Keep and What to Pitch

When You Feel Like Calling It Quits

Friends, it’s Kathi here- I’m sure most of you know my sweet friend Renee Swope from Proverbs 31 or her wonderful radio spots heard absolutely everywhere. (Sometimes I’m sitting in the passenger seat swearing to Roger that I’m hearing voices – it’s just Renee talking to me through the radio.) Make sure you read down to the end of the post where Renee has several ways for you to win some of her latest resources.)

It had been a hard day, running too many errands with two small children. My three-year-old didn’t understand why we couldn’t buy every toy his tiny hands could touch. And he kept getting in and out of the grocery cart, and whining when I tried to stop him.

I was not a happy mama and wondered how all the other moms in the store seemed to know what they were doing.

Their children listened when they told them no and they wore matching outfits, too. I wondered how in the world those women pulled it off with a smile. I could barely get a shower, get my kids dressed and get us out the door before lunch.

When we got home that afternoon, I went looking for pink construction paper so I could write “I QUIT” on it and turn in my “pink slip” to my husband J.J. when he came home from work. I was tired of feeling like such a failure as a mom.

I couldn’t find pink construction paper, so I decided to pull out my journal.  Filling blank pages with scribbled thoughts, I wrote:

I hate who I have become. I’m such a horrible mom. Why didn’t someone tell me how hard this was going to be? I’m frustrated with my kids and myself. I have no patience and I don’t know what I am doing! I feel guilty all the time. I couldn’t wait to be a mom and now I want to quit.”

Just as I finished writing that sentence, I sensed God whispering to my heart: Renee, You are so critical of yourself. You focus on your mistakes and beat yourself up with accusation and condemnation. Those are not My thoughts …”

It felt like a dam broke in my soul as I choked out the words, “God, I can’t do this. It’s just too much for me”

And in that place of surrender, Peace came over me. His gentleness calmed my nerves. It felt like God bent down before me to listen, and spoke to my heart: You are right, Renee. In your strength and through your perspective, you can’t do this. But with My promises, My presence and My power – all things are possible. I will help you.

Looking back on that day, my heart can’t help but echo the words of the Psalmist: “Because he bends down to listen, I will pray as long as I have breath!”  Psalm 116:2 NLT

When we acknowledge that we are a mess on our own, God rushes to our side to help us. He bends down to show us that with His help, wisdom and guidance, we can become the confident praying mama we long to be, and the confident mom HE created us to be!

When I say… I can’t do this, God says… You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength. Keep praying and depending on Me for help.

“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13

 

Today’s post from Renee Swope is a partial excerpt from her new A Confident Heart Devotional book. Used with permission from Revell Books.Renee and JJ Swope have been married for over 20 years. They have three children: Joshua (19), Andrew (16) and their sweet Ethiopian princess who they brought home in 2009, at the age of 10 months. Renee is also a best-selling author, speaker and radio co-host with Proverbs 31 Ministries. The Swope family lives in North Carolina and she blogs at www.ReneeSwope.com.

About Renee’s NEW Confident Heart Devotional:Does self-doubt ever make you question your ability to be a good mom? Expanding on her best-selling book, A Confident Heart, Renee Swope has written a new 60-day devotional that will encourage, empower and equip you to live confidently in your God-given roles, relationships, and responsibilities! Each devotion also features a “When I Say…God Says…” statement with a Bible promise and a prayer to guide your thoughts and emotions that day. Plus you’ll LOVE an easy-reference chart that includes all sixty ”When I Say…God Says…” statements for days when you just need a promise to hold onto!

 

ENTER TO WIN 2 copies of Renee’s A Confident Heart Devotional book. Leave a comment below and let us know what friend you’d give it to and why, if you won 2 copies.  Contest ends on February 20, 2014. CLICK HERE to find out how you can WIN a $50 gift card, 2 additional signed copies of Renee’s A Confident Heart Devotional book, and more!

When You Feel Like Calling It Quits

Making Your Home Sparkle in between Holidays

4 Ways to Decorate After the Holidays

I love winter. What isn’t there to love about the season? Even after the holidays, the snow stays on the ground and we get to enjoy hot tea, good books, and other indoor activities. But now that Christmas has come and gone, and all the Valentines candy is picked over,  it’s a great time to redecorate your home and make it look warm and cozy until it’s time for spring.

For some people, however, the last thing they want to do is think about decorations. After all, they just spent two months putting out all of their holiday stuff and then packing it all up again. However, it’s easy for your home to look boring and blah during the last months of winter, especially after all of the November and December holiday decorations are gone. I like to make sure that January and February get a few special decorations of their own, simply because it makes our home feel that much more pleasant and inviting.

Here are four ways to get your home ready for the last few months of winter:

1. Sort decorations by month

When you think about it, winter has four months, each with its own holiday. November has Thanksgiving, December has Christmas, January has New Year’s, and February has Valentine’s Day. If you put out a few holiday-relevant decorations each month, your home will always look warm, inviting, and appropriately festooned.

To make it fun and keep things organized, I purchased a few colored tubs from the store so that I could color code each of the holiday decorations. Decorations that represent Christmas, for example, are all put into a green tub. Thanksgiving gets brown, Valentine’s Day gets red, and New Year’s gets white. There are always a few winter decorations, such as wreathes, that you can keep out all winter long; those decorations go into a plain gray tub, to distinguish them from the holiday-specific ones.

2. Keep lights alive

While anything Christmas themed should be put away, you can still keep outdoor decorative lights up for months afterward. Using solar or LED lights instead of incandescent lights keeps the cost down low too, so there is no need to worry about extending the cost of lights beyond the season. To keep the lights from looking too much like the holiday, I only use it to trim rails or walkways. Everything else is turned off. Once the weather breaks enough to take the other lights down, they will go in another special tub just for holiday lights.

Any lights that remain up are just used for outdoor decoration. Try to keep it universal to any time of year and the lights never even have to come down!

3. Work in 30-minute increments

I know that for me, it’s overwhelming to try and find a full afternoon for house organization and decoration. Luckily, there are very few tasks that can’t be completed in 30 minutes. Instead of trying to carve out an entire weekend afternoon, work in phases. Often, you can accomplish just as much in three 30-minute sessions.

Here are a few things you can do in 30 minutes or less: clean off a dining room table, put out new winter-themed dishtowels, change your sofa’s throw pillows and decorative blanket, add a new scented candle to each room of your home. It often works best to combine a cleaning and a decorating activity, such as cleaning out the bathtub and putting out new winter-themed soaps. Don’t try to do everything at once; simply do a few tasks at a time until all of the jobs are done.

4. Have a Decorating Party

Who says you have to do it all yourself? Make it fun for everyone. If you’ve got kids in the house, spend an afternoon making paper snowflakes for January’s decorations or cutting out paper hearts for February. Take them to a store like Target and let them choose scented candles, window clings, or even decorative throw pillows to add to your home. Kids love to decorate, especially when you make it feel like play. They can also help you clean up, when it’s time to take everything down!

Don’t assume that just because the holidays are over, you have to wait until next year to start decorating again. Winter lasts through mid-March, after all, and there are plenty of opportunities to decorate your home so that it keeps feeling warm and friendly all winter long.

Jan Vespremi

Jan is a freelance writer and work from home mother. She loves DIY projects – and always sees them through to the finish. She most enjoys writing about home improvement tips, organization, and family.  

Making Your Home Sparkle in between Holidays

2014 Things Challenge – 5 Ways to Stick with it When You Feel Like Giving Up

It has been a week.

Half of it I’ve been traveling, the other half had, well, life.

And while the stuff in my house seems overwhelming, this challenge seemed even more so.

Some weeks I’ve be racking up huge numbers. But this week not so much.

Do you feel like a 2014 Things Drop Out?

Here is what to do when you feel like you’re falling behind.

Take a real look at the numbers. In order to stay on target for the 2014 Things, you need to get rid of about 37 things a week – that’s less than six things a day. You can so do this.
Concentrate on small areas. Do a drawer, or a shelf. Don’t say, “I’ll do the garage today.” NO. Don’t set yourself up for failure like that.
Get some help. Set a timer for you and your kids to get as much out of your rooms as possible. I know of one mom who is using the challenge for her kids to earn screen time.
Ask a friend to help. Get on the phone and the whole time your chatting, both of you can be getting rid of stuff. Everything is easier with a friend.
Picture your house lighter. Get a vision of what it’s going to look like when you’re done.

We can do this girls.

What tiny area are you going to work on this weekend. Tell me in the comments and you’ll be entered to win The Get Yourself Organized Project!

2014 Things Challenge – 5 Ways to Stick with it When You Feel Like Giving Up

Three Important Tips in Packing a Toiletries Bag

Here are three important tips that you need to remember when packing your toiletries bag:

1.  Go for the smallest toiletries bag possible.  It seems easier to get a big bag, you know like those old train cases that our parents used to pack, but when you try to pack a big bag, you end up bringing things that you do not really need just because you have room.  And you will end up with every cream, lotion, and perfume you own.  All of a sudden you are bringing face cream that you have not used in ten years! If you must have room, larger bags can be handy in organizing your items as long as you get one with separate compartments that you can put your hair products in, first iad supplies in , and cosmetics in for quick finding.

2.  Think about your traveling style.  If you are going to be carrying on your luggage, you will have to put liquids in specific bottles that carry less than 3.4 ounces. The guidelines are specific and will be checked! And remember, toothpaste is considered a liquid.  Yep, I had a friend who had to dump a brand new tube! Of course, it was the extra large whitening kind.  Be prepared so you don’t waste money!

3.  Pack extra baggies just in case.  Besides putting each container in a separate baggy so liquid does not accidentally open and spill, it is a good idea to bring extra baggies.  Whether you need them for a quick clean up or to bring stained clothes home, it is good to have extras.  Believe me, you will thank me when your little one decides that he is done potty training and decides to go right.then.and.there.

Traveling can be fun, and with these quick tips, your toiletries bag will be a place that you can find needed supplies, not another area of stress.  What good tips can you share as far as packing a toiletries bag?

 

Three Important Tips in Packing a Toiletries Bag

In Which We Spur Each Other On for Organizing

The Challenge 2014 is underway and it brings even more goals to accomplish. But how do we make organizing work?  Here are Four Quick Start Evaluation Steps to make any organizing goal more manageable:

1. Find two friends (at least) to do the project with you. It doesn’t matter if they’re phone friends, Internet buddies, or face-to-face girlfriends you meet with at Starbucks down the street. Find someone to keep you accountable.

2. Pick a room—any room to start the purge. I would pick the room that’s giving you the most stress and start there. You’ll feel better when some of the pressure is taken off.

3. Evaluate your plan. This is where people often give up.  If something doesn’t work, they will scrap the whole idea. You decide what steps you’re going to take each day. Then after trying it, see if that is a good goal.  Feel free to change it, but just keep your focus on trying to organize areas of your life.

4. Be flexible. The intention of The 2014 Things Challenge  is not to add stress, but to make your life simpler by removing the clutter from your life and helping you stay organized. Just do something, intentionally, every day. If you can be flexible in the day to day goals, you will learn to be flexible when things come up that you cannot control.  And in this way, we are no longer jut purging clutter from our homes, but also the clutter of disappointment or anxiety if something doesn’t go perfectly in our life.  Because let’s be real.  Life on earth is not perfect. But we do have a perfect God that will help us get through it!

In Which We Spur Each Other On for Organizing