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There's One Kind of "Clutter" It's Okay to Keep

3/18/2019

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Written by SHIFRAH COMBITHS for Apartment Therapy

There are so many kinds of clutter: excess items you think you might need someday, clutter you’re so used to having around that you don’t even notice it anymore, piles of paper you have to go through, and things you feel guilty getting rid of because someone gave them to you or you spent good money on them. But there’s one kind of clutter you should never feel bad hanging on to. 

Discovering the Sentimental Items That Are Okay to Keep
Don’t you have some things that could fairly be considered “another man’s junk” but they’re treasures to you? Honor those things for what they are. Whether you proudly display the gold spray-painted paper plate with glued-on macaroni and your son’s kindergarten photo on your desk or you keep that dried pink rose that brings you right back to your first date with your now-husband in an unobtrusive box and only look at it fondly during quiet moments every few years, those things are yours, and they matter. These types of treasures are more than mere sentimental items. They’re repositories of memories and of our heart’s deepest, sweetest recollections. Some items even accrue a meaning of their own just by being with us through all our ups and downs, steady and unchanging physical anchors as we travel in and out of the epochs of life. And it’s okay to keep them.

How to Decide Which Sentimental Items to Keep 
It’s definitely a slippery slope, and we have to be careful. We can’t keep everything that simply reminds us of something because, especially for the more feelings-prone among us, that could be everything! Maintaining a balance of possessing things that are meaningful to us without hoarding every little memento means being keenly in tune with exactly how certain things make us feel. If, as you’re reconsidering your possessions with an intent to declutter, a particular item evokes joy and tenderness and stirs up hope and love and all the things you wish to fill your home and life with, by all means keep it. If it transports you to a time and place, and it’s a good place that you wish to revisit, don’t feel like you have to part with it.

Set the Bar High
When implementing reasonable yet stringent guidelines about what special personal items we choose to keep in our homes, remember that an item simply bringing back memories or taking us somewhere isn’t enough. Being intentional about the emotions and spaces you choose to go back to will help you determine what to keep and what to pass along. 
For instance, I recently said goodbye to a hanging candle holder that brought back powerful memories, but not happy ones. The day I bought it, I was with my mother when she got the phone call that her twin sister had died unexpectedly in the hospital after a routine procedure. Seeing the candle holder even a decade later brought me right back to where we were standing and the sound of my mother’s tight, incredulous voice and shocked-white face. I’d never have hung that item in my home; it made me too sad. I much prefer to memorialize my beloved aunt with her collection of pointillism paintings from Mexico that cheer up our guest room.

Less Is So Much More 
Another thing to keep in mind as we give ourselves permission to keep sentimental items: The more things we keep, the less the really good things have a chance to shine. This is the purpose of editing our non-essential items down to the best of the best. I recently had a conversation with my mom about how much of my grandparents’ things I kept. If I’d only kept my grandmother’s intricate gold filigree jewelry box, rather than the jewelry box in addition to their dining room set, china, and other furniture, would it have been enough? Probably. And I’d probably cherish it even more than I do. Going through sentimental items and exploring our feelings as we decide what to keep and what to relinquish is a deeply personal journey. The destination of this exploration, though, of finding and keeping the things that move our hearts to joy—and only those things—is a home sprinkled with meaningful items that gently remind us of the intangible beauties of life. 
What “clutter” in your house is a personal treasure?


Anatomy Of A Perfect Closet

3/17/2016
​Written for Deb's Blog by Jessica Kane
Creating a dream closet that takes organization to a whole new level is something most people strive for. This is an area that tends to get cluttered quite easily and hidden away behind closed doors. If you are determined to clean the closets in your home and generate an organization system that is easy to maintain, you have come to the right place! Regardless of whether you have a standard closet consisting of two sliding doors or a large walk-in built for a king, this article will provide a guide on how to organize your closet and create maximum use of your space. There are five main steps to take when getting your closet in tip top shape.
 
1. Start Clean
The first step towards getting the perfect closet is to clean it out. Take out everything.  After you have removed all of your clothes, accessories, and any other items, it is time to surface clean and vacuum. If you notice any loose rods or shelving, now is the time to make repairs. Furthermore, if the paint is looking a bit dingy, bring out the brushes and brighten it up!
 
2. Purge
This is probably the most important step in getting a more organized closet. It is also the biggest challenge. Most closets simply have too much stuff. Whether it is your prom dress from high school or clothes that have never been worn with tags still attached, it is time to go through and determine what you will keep and what you will toss. Keep garbage bags on hand for easy transport to your trash can or donation station. Pay careful attention to items that you have not touched in a long, long time. While you may think it's something you will wear in the near future, analyze the reasons why it hasn't left the black hole for months or even years.
 
3. Sort
This is where the process starts to get easier. Sort your assets into piles including shirts, pants, coats, shoes, and various accessories such as belts, hats, ties, etc. If you choose to go the extra mile, organize these categories by color or type. For example, short sleeve shirts can be separated from long sleeve shirts. You could also choose to arrange in the color of the rainbow, "ROYGBIV" for those who have forgotten. Once this task has been completed, gather any equipment you will need before you begin to zone out where your clothes will go like hangers, boxes, pant holders, tie organizers, shoe stands, and hanging shelves.
 
4. Zone
Depending on the size and layout of your closet, zoning may be limited. You will want to designate specific "zones" for your sorted clothes. Low rods are great for holding shirts and skirts while high bars are better suited for suits and pants. Keep your dresses together as well as your shoes organized in a specified location. If you have purses or ties, keep these separated from actual wear in an accessory zone. This is all personal preference but works best when everything is kept within its same category.
 
5. Maximize Space
There are plenty of storage systems available to consumers ranging from jewelry hangers to storage baskets. Through devising creative ways to maximize your space, you will not only be able to store more, but it will still maintain an organized feel. If you live in a region that has significant weather change during seasons, think about using bins to stow clothing that you won't be wearing for a few months. If you need additional storage space but have run out of rods or shelves, think about building more shelves to generate more space for your precious gems.
 
Having an organized closet cannot only improve your style, but it can also cut your preparation routine in half. Through clearly seeing what exists in your wardrobe, you can easily generate outfits. Not to mention you will also feel better overall when one of your most-utilized spaces is clutter free. So what are you waiting for? Start emptying out your closet and get rid of what you are not longer using. Feel free to get creative and make the most of this experience!
 
Jessica Kane is a professional writer who has an interest in keeping things organized and in order. She currently writes for FlexCon, a leading vendor of bulk plastic storage containers, bins & boxes.

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30-Day Declutter Challenge 

5/27/2015

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Have you heard of the 30-Day Declutter Challenge?  Essentially, it requires you to tackle one item off this list each day for 30 days.  In my humble opinion, some items on this list can easily be taken care of in a day.  Others, not so much. 

For many this will be just the ticket to get you motivated and you’ll charge ahead.  Yippee! 

For others this list may be wayyyy to overwhelming!  I suggest you take baby steps and choose one item from this list and complete it in a week, then go on to the next task.  Yes, now you can exhale! 

No matter how much or how little you get done, you’ve made progress, which is what is most important! 

Good luck and keep us posted with your accomplishments!  


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Paperwork ~ how long should I keep it?

1/31/2014

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My clients often ask how long they should keep their paperwork so I thought it would be helpful to share this information in my Blog.*  I will break it down into two parts. 

Part A - Personal Paperwork Timeline
Part B - Business Paperwork Timeline

PART A - PERSONAL PAPERWORK TIMELINE
SOURCE USED:  Bankrate.com

TAXES - 7 years
(Returns, canceled checks, receipts and other back-up documents used for tax calculation purposes)
  • The IRS has three years from your filing date to audit your return if it suspects good-faith errors.  The three year deadline also applies if you discover a mistake in your return and decide to file an amended return to claim a refund.
  • The IRS has six years to challenge your return if it thinks you underreported your gross income by 25% or more.
  • There is no time limit if you failed to file your return or filed a fraudulent return.


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Paperwork ~ what to keep in an Emergency Kit

8/28/2013

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Emergency Kit for Paperwork

Keep an emergency kit with copies of the following documents.  I suggest that you store the originals in a safe-deposit box at your bank, or as a safety precaution, in a secure location at home.  However, your emergency kit should be accessible in the event of a natural disaster or emergency situation such as a fire, etc.  You may also want to make a backup of all copies on a CD or USB stick and include them in your kit as well.  Keep your paperwork in a waterproof plastic freezer bag preferably in a fireproof box. (Note:  Some sources recommend you should keep the original documents with your kit.)



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Organize your car with these essentials

6/17/2013

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Most, if not all of us, have been stranded at one time or another because our car broke down, had a flat tire, ran out of gas, etc.  Get organized and be better prepared next time with these recommended essentials!

ESSENTIALS FOR YOUR TRUNK:
  • First aid kit (keep in mind to include anything particular to you or your family)
  • Fire extinguisher (it should be rated for Class B and Class C fires by the National Fire Protection Association)
  • Tire gauge
  • Foam tire sealant and/or a tire patch
  • Jumper cables
  • Flashlight and extra batteries


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Where do I dispose of....

5/10/2013

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Here are some places to safely dispose of those items that can harm the environment or wildlife.  Two top asks are:

UNWANTED OR EXPIRED MEDICATION
  • Before throwing out a medicine container, scratch out all identifying information on the prescription label to make it unreadable. This will help protect your identity and the privacy of your personal health information.
  • When in doubt about proper disposal, talk to your pharmacist.
  • Visit http://www.savesfbay.org/pharmaceutical-disposal-sites to find out where to dispose of your unwanted or expired medication.  

PAINT
  • Allied Waste Services - http://www.alliedwastedalycity.com/hazardous_materials.cfm
  • Recology - http://www.sunsetscavenger.com/hazardousWasteFacility.htm


ALL OTHER HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE INFO MAY BE FOUND HERE:
  • Visit SFEnvironment - http://www.sfenvironment.org/article/toxic-products-disposal/toxics-product-disposal-for-residents
  • Great tidbit from SFEnvironment:  What should you do with an empty household chemical container?  If it's empty and it's 5 gallons or smaller it's NOT hazardous waste.  Household chemical containers that are 5 gallons or smaller in size and are empty and dry can be safely and legally handled in collection equipment.  Empty aerosol paint cans and empty latex (acrylic or water based) paint cans may be placed in your blue cart. ALL nozzles, caps and lids MUST BE REMOVED and placed separately into the recycle collection bin.  Put all other types of empty hazardous waste containers into your black cart for disposal - do not try to recycle these containers.   
  • Visit San Mateo Countywide http://www.flowstobay.org/cs_too_toxic.php
  • Visit RecycleWorks - http://recycleworks.org/
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Spring clean and help those in need!

4/21/2013

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Last week I took a tour of the St. Vincent de Paul Society of SF center programs that are critical to helping those in need. The programs are The Wellness Center, The Riley Center; Services for Survivors of Domestic Violence, Multi-Service Center (MSC) - South and the Vincentian Help Desk.  The tour was lead by Sister Katy O'Shea, Rommie Lucia and Anjali Verma Ruvalcaba.  They, in addition to the staff members and volunteers I met, are by far some of the most giving and selfless people I have ever encountered.  

I promised to spread the word so clean out those cabinets and closets!  Donate to a worthy cause--needed are:
  • Men's clothing (gently-used)
  • Shoes
  • Coats
  • Sweatshirts
  • Men's briefs (unused)
  • Socks (one size / L+ unused)
  • Dishes / glassware (NO wine glasses)
  • Pots / pans
  • Towels
  • Linens (especially full / twin)
  • Blankets / comforters (especially full / twin)
  • Silverware, utensils (NO chef's knives)
  • Protein / breakfast bars
  • Crackers
  • Popcorn
  • Instant oatmeal
  • Cream of Wheat
  • Canned fruit
  • Canned tuna
  • Canned stews / soups
  • Canned chili
  • Beans
  • Pasta / rice
  • Canned vegetables
Drop off donations at the Wellness Center - 1175 Howard Street, SF 94103.  
To set up a donation drive contact Anjali Verma Ruvalcaba at aruvalcaba@svdp-sf.org
To attend a luncheon and learn more about the SVDP programs contact Rommie Lucia at rlucia@svdp-sf.org

 "The WELLNESS CENTER offers integrative wellness activities, such as yoga, stress reduction, iRest mediation, tai chi, creative writing and nutrition classes to an average of 50 individuals a day experiencing homelessness, addictions and mental health challenges."

"The RILEY CENTER offers comprehensive services for women in abusive relationships, along with their children from the point of crisis to a survivor's achievement of self-sufficiency."

"The MULTI-SERVICE CENTER-SOUTH feeds and supports 410 homeless men and women every night and provides drop-in services to a minimum of 70 people each day."

"The VINCENTIAN HELP DESK provides basic necessities including clothing, toiletries  emergency food boxes, household items, furniture to those in need.  They also help job seekers wo cannot afford appropriate clothes for an interview."

To learn more visit www.svdp-sf.org

THANK YOU so very much for taking the time to read my blog and especially for your efforts to donate unwanted items to those in need.  It's a win-win for everyone!  After all, it takes a village ;)
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One person's trash is another person's treasure

4/10/2013

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We all have items that can be reused.  Listed below are some organizations that can help take them off your hands. Please note that there are many more worthy organizations out there and a quick search on Google will reveal them to you.  I've simply chosen a few. 


CELLPHONES
Send your old gently used cell phones to Cell Phones for Soldiers.  The phones are sold to a company that recycles them and Cell Phones for Soldiers uses the money to buy calling cards for troops stationed abroad so they can phone home for free. To learn more visit cellphonesforsoldiers.com

The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence partners with Cellular Recycler to refurbish and sell used cell phones.  A portion of the sales is given to the NCADV to support their programming that helps to stop violence in the home. To learn more visit http://www.ncadv.org/takeaction/DonateaPhone.php.

EYEGLASSES
OneSight accepts prescription glasses, bifocals and nonprescription sunglasses in marked bins at LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sunglass Hut, Target Optical and Sears Optical stores nationwide.  The organization provides the used specs, along with free eye exams to those who can't afford them at 20 clinics around the world.  To learn more visit onesight.org

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Music In Schools Today - Adopt an Instrument Program collects quality used instruments and donates them to schools and community centers in need. To learn more visit http://mustcreate.org/programs/adopt_an_instrument.html

Empty Vessel Music also accepts nearly new instruments and audio equipment.  To learn more visit http://www.emptyvessel.org/donateinstruments.html

BOOKS
Books for Africa accepts texts of all kinds from picture books to encyclopedias to help fill libraries and classrooms throughout the continent.  Except for dictionaries, reference books should have been published in the last ten years.  To learn more visit booksforafrica.org

Friends of the San Francisco Library also collects used books.  To learn more visit http://www.friendssfpl.org/?Book_Donations
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Healthcare - Must haves

4/9/2013

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Always carry around a list of your medications with you just in case of an emergency.

Everyone should have the following documents in place:
  • Living Trust
  • Health Care Proxy (HCP)
  • Advance Directive (AD)
  • Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

You may ask what the difference is between a POLST and an AD?  An AD is a document that contains the expressed desire of patients, but it does not have the same authority as a POLST since it is not signed by a physician.  The POLST is a physician's order that helathcare workers must follow.  It is recommended that patients have both documents.

One never knows what's around the corner.  We should always be prepared at any adult age.

60% of people say that making sure their family is not burdened by tough decisions is “extremely important”
56% have not communicated their end-of-life wishes
Source: Survey of Californians by the California HealthCare Foundation (2012)

70% of people say they prefer to die at home
70% die in a hospital, nursing home, or long-term care facility
Source: Centers for Disease Control (2005)

80% of people say that if seriously ill, they would want to talk to their doctor about end-of-life care
7% report having had an end-of-life conversation with their doctor
Source: Survey of Californians by the California HealthCare Foundation (2012)

82% of people say it’s important to put their wishes in writing
23% have actually done it
Source: Survey of Californians by the California HealthCare Foundation (2012)

One conversation can make all the difference.

Remember:
  • You don’t need to talk about it just yet. Just think about it.
  • You can start out by writing a letter—to yourself, your family, or a friend. 
  • Having a practice conversation with a friend could help.
  • These conversations may reveal that you and your loved ones disagree. That’s okay. It’s important to simply know this, and to continue talking about it now—not during a medical crisis.
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    Deb's Note

    Need a shredding company?  I recommend the following: 

    Green Citizen - http://www.greencitizen.com

    Level 6 Shredding - http://www.level6shredding.com/lev6/

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