Archives for May 2010

The never-ending search for the perfect home

People who struggle with clutter often buy new products/gadgets/clothing/doodads with the hope that these objects will bring happiness/perfection/success/joy. Then, hours or even minutes later, disappointment sets in when the person realizes that the object isn’t as amazing as he had hoped. The only time an object tends to bring any sort of real satisfaction is when there is a real need for it — your heater breaks down in the middle of winter, so you buy a new furnace and you’re glad you once again have heat.

The show Talk of the Nation on NPR covered this topic on a grand scale when it interviewed Meghan Daum, author of the book Life Would Be Perfect If I Lived In That House, on May 5 in a segment called “Searching For A Perfect Life ‘In That House’.” Through years of buying house after house, Daum found herself searching for the perfect house in hopes of achieving a perfect life:

You know, I think one of the things that we get into, especially in this country, is just this idea that the house is going to save our lives. You know, only a house can make you whole. That was really the idea that I had.

She continues:

You know, like I say, it’s not the biggest it’s more than just the biggest purchase you’ll ever make. It’s like, you know, it’s a repository for every ambition and anxiety and really, everything about yourself. It’s a container for all your goals and your tastes and what you want out of life.

From the interview, it’s clear that the houses she has owned have not brought her closer to the perfect life. The houses have brought difficulties, not bliss. She needed to be happy with who she was before she could find happiness in a home.

A bigger home won’t solve your clutter problems, and the “perfect” house won’t curb your desire to buy more, more, more or transform your life. The real solution is to fix your relationship with your possessions and get things under control in your current living situation.

Posted by Erin on May 18, 2010 | 17 Comments | Tweet This

Mind over clutter

Today we welcome professional organizer Pooja Gugnani, founder and owner of Organizing with You in Chicago, and her advice on changing your mindset about clutter.

Imagine yourself in a state of organized bliss, where all parts of your life merge seamlessly together because you know where everything is and where it belongs. Not a far-fetched dream if you can recognize that organizing involves your brain as much as your brawn.

Throughout my professional organizing career, the biggest challenge I encounter is modifying my clients’ acquisition of things. It is easier to organize belongings than to change the way we think about buying new things. I’ve spent more time trying to get clients to eliminate the desire to collect things than to create an organizing system for them.

I recognize that our society is designed to foster consumerism and we all know that it’s the backbone of our economy. So, how do we fight our desire to buy? How do we conquer years of instilled desire to purchase and accumulate? Here are five easy yet powerful tips for you:

  • Saying is believing. Replace saying “I don’t have enough” with “I have more than enough.” Train your mind to be content by actually saying it out loud.
  • Make space, not mess. Instead of finding ways to create more storage to fit your clutter, think of ways to create more space by eliminating your clutter. Get creative! Storage systems and organizing products sure are wonderful — I could live in The Container Store if they would let me — but nothing is more visually appealing and satisfying than adding the space and the freedom to move around easily in your environment.
  • I see clutter. Learn how to identify clutter. I don’t just mean spotting the mess around you or recognizing which things which are out of place. As you’re sorting through your things, be wary of what I call “red alert” phrases. If the phrase “this may come in handy someday” or “I didn’t know I had this” is attached to an object, it is time to reevaluate if it belongs in your home anymore.
  • Face amnesia. When you come across an item in your home or office that you had forgotten about, there’s a 50 percent chance that you didn’t miss it enough to go looking for it — and most likely it has lost its utility in your life. Feel comfortable getting rid of these things.
  • Detach and donate. The toughest phase of the downsizing process is finding the heart to dispose things you’ve owned for years, or that have memories attached to them. The best way to part with your “favorite” things is to know it will find a good home again. I encourage clients to personally donate their possessions to a family member, a child in the neighborhood or a drop-off at a volunteer event. It is particularly rewarding to see firsthand your favorite stuffed toy in good hands, bringing a smile to a new face. And once you experience that joy, it will be easier for you to give things away.

Above are just some of the ways to modify your thinking before you modify your surroundings. From this day forward, think of buying anything large or small as an investment and weigh its usefulness carefully before you pull out your wallet.

Your mind is a powerful tool, so don’t be afraid to use it to your advantage as you get organized.

Posted by Pooja on May 17, 2010 | 13 Comments | Tweet This

Focus and self control at the heart of uncluttering and productivity

On Asha Dornfest’s recommendation (Asha is the brain behind Parent Hacks), I picked up the book Mind in the Making by Ellen Galinsky. The book’s subtitle is “The seven essential life skills every child needs” and the purpose of the book is to teach parents how to teach these seven life skills to their children.

Galinsky names focus and self control, perspective taking, communicating, making connections, critical thinking, taking on challenges, and self-directed learning as the seven essential life skills a child needs to develop into a highly functional adult. As I was reading the book, I realized that although the text is targeted toward parents, its message is particularly relevant to people struggling with organizing, uncluttering, time management, and productivity.

The first skill Galinsky discusses — focus and self control — is the cornerstone of all we write about on Unclutterer. If you can’t identify where you are going (the reasons you want to unclutter and improve your productivity) and stay focused on that goal, you will struggle greatly with your uncluttering efforts. Thankfully, Galinsky reports that these skills can be learned and improved:

Focus and self control involve many executive functions of the brain, such as paying attention, remembering the rules, and inhibiting one’s initial response to achieve a larger goal. And they can be taught, as shown by the studies of Michael Posner and his colleagues at the University of Oregon … For older children and adults, focus includes [being alert and being able to position attention in the right direction], plus being able to concentrate — that is, to remain alert and oriented for a period of time, bringing our other skills to bear on a project or task despite internal and external distractions.

Learning how to improve one’s focus doesn’t have to be a tedious endeavor. Based on Galinsky’s recommendations for children, many of her ideas can help adults, too. Try playing games that require concentration and paying attention (guessing games, “I Spy,” and puzzles), and games that involve rules that change (many strategy games do this). Listening to audio books and following along with the plot, setting up reward systems for finishing difficult tasks (delayed satisfaction), and getting plenty of rest are additional ways to improve focus.

… it’s not just a matter of being well rested. None of us can work flat-out, without breaks. Recess, though it appears to be going the way of other old-fashioned practices, was created for sound reasons. We need time off in order to do our best work. Anthony Pellegrini, an educational psychology professor at the University of Minnesota, has spent twenty-five years on school playgrounds studying how recess affects children’s adjustment to school and has found that having a time-out at recess maximizes students’ ability to pay attention in class … Being well rested and taking breaks are just as important for adults as they are for children. I know this from my research on adults in the workplace. We have an image of work as running a marathon without stopping, but we work better in sprints.

Galinsky is the top in her field, without a doubt knows her topic, and her book is full of educational strategies based on scientifically proven methods. I actually recommend it for business managers, anyone hoping to improve their focus and self control, and, obviously, parents. In addition to the book, Galinsky posts regularly to her blog.

Posted by Erin on May 17, 2010 | 9 Comments | Tweet This

A year ago on Unclutterer

2009

Posted by PJ on May 16, 2010 | Comments Off | Tweet This

Small-space ingenuity: The Sigmafocus hide-a-cue

The French company Focus has designed a truly beautiful barbecue grill that folds into the wall:

From pg. 120 of the focus catalog, the Sigmafocus:

Finally — an alternative to the unattractive contraptions on capricious wheels that have cluttered up our gardens and decks for so long. The Sigmafocus and the Diagofocus [another product Focus offers] prove that aesthetics and ergonomics aren’t confined to interior design. It can be used with either wood or charcoal and comes equipped with a stainless steel grill and a range of barbecue tools. The quality and thickness of the steel used guarantees the longevity of the barbecue, which meets the EN 1860-1 standard.

Sigmafocus
This wall barbecue for gardens and balconies folds up, so that when closed it takes up limited space.

Attractive in both open and closed positions, it offers a range of cooking heights. It is easy to fix to any-wall (there are only two fixation points).

The generous ash pan allows the barbecue to be used a number of times without having to empty it out. The disc that attaches to the wall protects the wall from smoke.

Specifications:

I couldn’t find a price or shipping details, but the full contact information for the company is in the back of the online catalog and on the company website. I cannot tell you how amazing I think this grill is, especially for someone like me with the world’s tiniest backyard. Genius!

(via NotCot)

Posted by Erin on May 15, 2010 | 17 Comments | Tweet This

Ask Unclutterer: Regular car maintenance

Reader Roberta submitted the following to Ask Unclutterer:

Do you have any tips to keep track of upkeep for your vehicle, such as when to have tires rotated, etc.?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a cross-the-board answer to this question. All cars need regular oil and filter changes; brake, hose, spark plug, and belt inspections; coolant system flushes; tire rotations; and some need distributor cap, rotor, power steering, manual line, and gas line checks. However, when your car needs these things done is based on the car’s manufacturer, model, production year, and type of engine under the hood. For example, my old Dodge Colt could go 7,500 miles between oil changes, but my VW’s engine needs it every 5,000 (or earlier).

The specific information for when to have your car serviced can be found in your car’s owners manual. If you don’t currently have your car’s manual, you can likely find it in its entirety online or at least order a new one. The website Edmunds.com has a comprehensive list of “Where To Find Your Car Owner’s Manual Online.” (Porsche and Mitsubishi owners will need to contact your dealerships directly to obtain a new manual.)

My car’s manual feels like it is written for a 10-year-old with a first grade reading level, so it was really easy to create a spreadsheet of all of my car’s maintenance requirements. If your manual isn’t written as basic as mine, I suggest finding an online community of people who own the same make, model, year, and engine you do. Someone in the community has probably already created a similar spreadsheet and would eagerly share it with you. If you can’t find an owner’s online community, turn again to Edmunds.com and their recommended maintenance schedule to at least learn what basic work you need done at your car’s current mileage. (The recommendations for my car aren’t 100 percent in line with my manual, but they’re close enough that I think it’d be fine to follow it in a pinch.)

I taped the maintenance spreadsheet I made to a page in the front of a Moleskine notebook that I keep in my car’s glove box. In this notebook, I also record work I have done on the car, dates, mileage, and store my registration and insurance cards in the notebook’s front pocket. If I sell the car, I’ll take out my cards and just pass the notebook along to the new owner. Nothing fancy, but I’m not certain my little VW really needs fancy.

Thank you, Roberta, for submitting your question for our Ask Unclutterer column.

Do you have a question relating to organizing, cleaning, home and office projects, productivity, or any problems you think the Unclutterer team could help you solve? To submit your questions to Ask Unclutterer, go to our contact page and type your question in the content field. Please list the subject of your e-mail as “Ask Unclutterer.” If you feel comfortable sharing images of the spaces that trouble you, let us know about them. The more information we have about your specific issue, the better.

Posted by Erin on May 14, 2010 | 14 Comments | Tweet This

Workspace of the Week: Green creativity

This week’s Workspace of the Week is Greg.Newman’s studio:

I chose this office because of its well-lit drafting table, minimalist computer desk, ample and appropriate storage, wall-mounted guitar, and inviting green walls. I think most anyone could work in this organized space. Greg.Newman added he still has a couple additions left to make:

Only thing left to do is find two framed paintings to hang above the cabinets and find out if I can find glass doors from Ikea to replace that ugly red.

Thank you, Greg, for submitting your fantastic space to our Flickr pool. Your office is inspiring.

Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.

Posted by Erin on May 14, 2010 | 6 Comments | Tweet This

The half-full glass

I receive a steady stream of e-mails from people who feel frustrated, overwhelmed, and overpowered by their clutter. Most of the stories that are shared in these messages are similar to my personal story — they don’t know where or how to start uncluttering, they don’t feel that they have the time and energy to solve their problem, and they fear that if they get their clutter under control once that it will quickly spiral out of control again.

These e-mails most often come into my inbox during the middle of the night, and I imagine their authors to be sitting in the dark, their faces illuminated only by their computer screens, typing their messages to me with stress and anxiety flooding over them. My heart pours out to these message writers. I’ve been there. I know exactly what it’s like to feel powerless over your stuff.

From experience, I know that writing about the problem can be cathartic. It gives the writer the opportunity to specifically identify the problem, and the “STUFF!” becomes just “stuff.” Knowing the exact problem helps the author to better see a solution. If someone is capable enough to type a coherent e-mail (or write about it in a journal), he or she is capable of fixing the problem — sometimes with the help of someone else, and sometimes just on his or her own.

The one thing all of the people writing me these e-mails lack is simply a belief that they can change. They don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. Their glass appears to be half-empty, instead of half-full. But, I know that change can happen. People have free will — we are not pre-programmed robots. We have a choice about how we live our lives, and we can simply choose to live clutter free.

It really is as simple as deciding to live without clutter. See the glass half full. Choose to live a remarkable life. Instead of spending energy coming up with excuses for why you can’t do it, use that same energy to brainstorm ways in which you can.

If, like the people who e-mail me during the wee hours of the night, you’re ready to embark on a change, check out these previous Unclutterer articles full of tips for putting your new perspective into practice:

I am proof that change is possible and that you can get out from under the stress caused by your clutter. I believe anyone can do it, even those who might stumble a few times (I certainly did) or need a little help along the way. Now, have the same faith in yourself. Go on, get started!

Posted by Erin on May 13, 2010 | 14 Comments | Tweet This

Weigh in: How do you store the tiniest toys in your child’s playroom

Reader Stephanie is in the process of making over her children’s playroom and wrote to me asking for some organizing help. She is specifically having problems finding ways to store those small, easily misplaced, choke-able pieces of games and toys. She has tried using zip-top bags with very little success and wants a more visually pleasing solution.

I sent her some suggestions, which I’ve listed below, but thought this would be a great question to pose to our readers. How do you recommend storing the tiniest toys in your child’s playroom?

My suggestions:

Now it’s your turn. Tell us your suggestions for Stephanie in the comments.

Posted by Erin on May 13, 2010 | 58 Comments | Tweet This

Unitasker Wednesday: Tu-Go Travel Coffee Cup Holder

All Unitasker Wednesday posts are jokes — we don’t want you to buy these items, we want you to laugh at their ridiculousness. Enjoy!

A decade ago, I might have looked at the Tu-Go Travel Coffee Cup Holder and not considered it for our weekly unitasker feature. But now, thanks to security measures at the airport, I can’t even imagine when a person would have the opportunity to use this:

Since you can’t bring drinks past security checkpoints, you might have a drink for all of 10 feet between where you buy it and a seat at your gate. At most, you might be carrying a coat, your carry on bag, and a drink — all you need to do is wear your coat, pull your luggage with one hand, and hold your drink in the other hand. As long as you have two arms, you are fully equipped to handle a drink without this $10 device.

A special no-spill sippy cup for my wine on the plane, well, now that would be a useful-tasker if ever there was one! Thanks to reader Nancy for bringing the Tu-Go Travel Coffee Cup Holder unitasker to our attention.

Posted by Erin on May 12, 2010 | 30 Comments | Tweet This

A year ago on Unclutterer

2009

  • Uncluttered packaging
    We’re always on the lookout for great, uncluttered design, and the Hangerpack caught our attention.
  • Not getting things done? Try WSD
    WSD = Find something to write on. Find something to write with. Finally, and most importantly, WRITE STUFF DOWN.
  • Hinge hooks
    Recently, I learned about these simple hooks that fit over the pins of door hinges. You pull out your hinge’s pins, slip the hook onto the hinge, and then slide the hinge pin back into place.

2007

Posted by PJ on May 12, 2010 | Comments Off | Tweet This

Parting with sentimental clutter

In the first few chapters of the book Stuff, which I reviewed on Monday, the authors talk in detail about sentimental clutter. We all struggle with this kind of clutter, not just hoarders, and the authors explain why on page 45:

“We can’t help but imagine that some essence of the person or the event symbolized by the objects will magically rub off and become part of us.”

A napkin used by a rock star, a friendship bracelet you made during a wonderful summer at camp, or a ticket stub to a movie you saw with a good friend before he moved away might be examples of objects you’re saving in a box of sentimental keepsakes. But, if you were to look at similar items — a napkin a waitress sets under your drink at dinner, a ratty friendship bracelet on a kid in a playground, or a movie stub you found on the ground in a parking lot — you wouldn’t assign any special value to these objects. You could throw them in the trash without any hesitation.

Objects are just objects, and their value doesn’t magically change just because you have a history with them. The value you’re assigning the object comes from your memories, not the object. Like the authors of Stuff explain, you’re hoping that the person or event the object represents will impact you in the present. You think that you’ll be like the rock star because you have a napkin he used or feel the joy of your summer at camp because you kept the bracelet. But, this doesn’t happen — you can’t be that rock star and you can’t relive the past. Sentimental clutter isn’t magical.

A life void of any sentimental objects, though, might be difficult, especially for people who tend toward sentimentality. If you want some sentimental objects in your home and/or office (and I do), you need to be sure that you’re only keeping the treasures. Here are some ideas for how to keep sentimental items from getting out of control:

  • Don’t keep anything you wouldn’t want anyone else to find. If something were to happen to you, your friends and family would sort through your things and you wouldn’t want to cause them any pain or embarrassment or damage their memories of you.
  • Only keep items you want to display/use, and then display/use them. If something really matters to you, you should want to share it with others. Putting something you say you “treasure” in a cardboard box in your attic actually means you think the item is junk and not something you want to keep.
  • If you insist on keeping a sentimental keepsake chest, limit it to one box and only keep things that can fit inside that box. If your box is full, you’ll need to remove something when adding something new. Be sure the container is sturdy, pest and water resistant, and the items inside are documented (video? photographed?) in case you lose the objects in a fire or other disaster. If you don’t want to exert the energy to document the objects, this is a red flag that you don’t really treasure the items.
  • Remind yourself you can’t keep everything and that objects don’t have magical properties. These simple reminders can help you to get rid of things that are actually clutter and not treasures.
  • Photograph the objects you wish to remember but don’t want to keep. One digital photograph saved on your computer (and backed up online with Flickr or on DropBox) should be all you need to keep the memory reminder.

Posted by Erin on May 12, 2010 | 40 Comments | Tweet This

Summer sizzles with organization

Today we welcome a guest post from certified professional organizer Bonnie Joy Dewkett, who runs The Joyful Organizer in western Connecticut, and her wonderful advice on summer preparations.

The summer months are almost here for those of us in the northern hemisphere! By taking a few moments now to get organized, and plan for your summer, you will be able to make better use of the free time you have while the weather is warm and the sun is shining.

  1. Start by making summer plans now. Planning your vacations, organizing projects and home improvement endeavors now will help ensure that they get done. Planning and putting events on your calendar will help you find the time to purchase supplies and get the work done. Also, planning vacations ahead of time can save you money as prices are often less expensive the earlier you book.
  2. At the end of the school year, have your kids go through their backpacks and get rid of any junk. Put important papers, such as report cards, in a file. Toss all the trash, recycle papers, and store scissors and other supplies that can be used next year. If the backpack is not going to be used again next year, consider donating it to someone less fortunate.
  3. This is a great time of year to buy new sun block and bug spray. The ones you have from last year may be almost empty, and you run the risk of running out when you need it most. Sun block in particular loses its effectiveness over time.
  4. Create a “to-go” bag for swimming, or the beach. Put frequently used items like towels, goggles, and pools passes in the bag and keep it by the door or in the trunk of your car. Throw in an extra bathing suit and towel for when you have the opportunity to take a dip!
  5. If you are taking a vacation, start doing research now. Visit the city’s chamber of commerce website and look for deals and coupons. If you are an AAA member, contact them in advance for free maps in your destination. Find out if your AAA discount can apply to your lodging, or any of your trip expenses.
  6. Flip flops can easily add clutter to an entryway. Use large drink tubs, or baskets to toss summer shoes in. Or, you can hang them on hooks to make sure you can always view your options, and they are ready to go at a moment’s notice.
  7. This is a good time of year to update your car’s first aid kit. If you don’t have one, now is a great time to get one. Many discount stores sell pre-packaged first aid kits that are under $10. Make sure all medicines are up to date and that band-aids still have adhesive.
  8. Life jackets need to fit properly in order to be effective. Have your kids try theirs on at the beginning of the season to see if you need to purchase a new size. Don’t put your child’s life in danger with a life jacket that is either too big or too small.
  9. Summer sports equipment such as soccer cleats, baseball gloves, and basketball shoes should be tried on before the summer season begins. This will ensure you have plenty of time to purchase new ones if your child has grown from the previous year. Shopping early will help you have the best chance of finding their size in the style they desire.
  10. If your kids are going away to camp, call the camp now to request a list of required items. Start shopping with your weekly errands to avoid a large time commitment or expense all at once.

Posted by Bonnie Joy on May 11, 2010 | 7 Comments | Tweet This

Evicting Justin Case

Is there an extra person living in your home or hanging out in your office who keeps you from uncluttering? His name is Justin Case, and he sure does seem to get around:

“I should hold onto this, Justin Case.”

“One day I might need this, Justin Case.”

Caring for a person takes time, energy, resources, and space — and Justin Case is no different. Taking care of Justin Case means that you’re exerting your efforts on him and not spending time, energy, resources, and space on people and experiences that actually matter to you in the present.

People allow Justin Case into their lives when they fear the unexpected. There is a false sense of security that Justin Case will prepare one for whatever the future holds.

But, as Helen Keller so aptly explained, “Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.”

Now is the time to evict Justin Case from your home or office. Trust that you will be able to handle life’s unexpected bumps without all of the effort, space, and stuff that Justin Case requires you to maintain. Adios, Justin!

(Note: Evicting Justin Case does not give you license to stop taking responsibility for the things that do matter to you. Health insurance, food in the refrigerator, and spending less than you earn are examples of being responsible for the things you want in your life.)

Posted by Erin on May 11, 2010 | 39 Comments | Tweet This

A year ago on Unclutterer

2009

2008

2007

Posted by PJ on May 10, 2010 | Comments Off | Tweet This

Book review: Stuff

Hoarding specialists Randy Frost and Gail Steketee recently published Stuff: Compulsive Hoarding and the Meaning of Things that explores the psychological world of hoarding. In the book, the components of the hoarding disorder are explained through case studies, and the authors also provide many examples to illustrate where a hoarder’s actions diverge from those of a healthy individual.

The book is written in a positive and conversational tone that shows compassion for the subjects who are described in the case studies. The authors refrain from using judgmental language and shock-and-awe descriptions, which I find very refreshing, and instead focus on accurately portraying the complex world of hoarding.

Since the book was released, the authors have been interviewed quite a bit in the media, and these interviews cover a general sense of the text of the book. I recommend reading the Time article “Hoarding: How Collecting Stuff Can Destroy Your Life” and the transcript of the author’s NPR interview to get a big-picture view of the book’s content.

At Unclutterer, we are very open about our posts not being targeted toward people who are hoarders, but rather toward mentally healthy individuals who struggle with disorganization and want to learn more about simple living. Stuff does an excellent job of defining hoarding and describing the disorder, and I wanted to share some examples from the text with you –

From pg. 21: “The sense of emotional attachment that Irene [a hoarder profiled in chapter 1] felt for her possessions has been shared with us [the authors] over and over by people seeking help with their hoarding problems. These sentiments are really not that different from what most of us feel about keepsakes or souvenirs — the abnormality lies not in the nature of the attachments, but in their intensity and extremely broad scope. I find many articles of interest in the newspaper, but their value to me is reduced when piles of newspapers begin to impinge on my living space and overwhelm my ability to read what I have collected. For Irene, the value of these things seem unaffected by the trouble they caused.”

From pgs. 31-32: “Hoarding appeared to result, at least in part, from deficits in processing information. Making decisions about whether to keep and how to organize objects requires categorization skills, confidence in one’s ability to remember, and sustained attention. To maintain order, one also needs the ability to efficiently assess the value or utility of an object.”

From pg. 101: “Sentimentalizing objects — giving them emotional significance because of their association with important people or events — is not unusual. We all do it — ticket stubs from a favorite concert, pieces of a long ago wedding cake, a scrap of paper with a child’s first drawing. In this respect, what happens in hoarding is not out of the ordinary. The difference for Irene and Debra [two hoarders featured in the book], as for many hoarders, is that intense emotional meaning is attached to so many of their possessions, even otherwise ordinary things, even trash. Their special ability to see uniqueness and value where others don’t may stem from inquisitive and creative minds and contribute to this attachment. The desire to ‘experience everything’ may expand the range of attachments hoarders enjoy.”

From pg. 93: “Hoarding affords many of its sufferers the illusion of control and replaces fear with a feeling of safety.”

From pgs. 147-148: “While some hoarders, such as Ralph [a hoarder profiled in the text], become captivated by the possibilities in things, others are trapped by the fear of wasting them. Both types would save [a] rusty bucket with [a] hole in it, but for different reasons. For Ralph, imagining uses for the rusty bucket brought him joy. Anita, a participant in one of our treatment studies, spent little time thinking about possibilities, but a great deal of time worrying and feeling guilty about waste. For her the bucket would bring pain as she thought about what a wasteful person she would be if she discarded it.”

From pg. 155: “In one of our recent studies of people with hoarding problems, we found … hoarders were unusually sensitive to even small amounts of anxiety.”

From pg. 157: “Anxiety is not the only emotion hoarders seek to avoid. Most people, hoarders and non-hoarders alike, attempt to alleviate or preempt grief and sadness. Anyone who has stayed in a bad relationship or a bad job or has delayed breaking bad news to a friend can understand the urge. The difference with hoarders is a matter of scope: the number of sources for these feelings and the intensity of the feelings themselves, as well as the lengths to which they’ll go to protect themselves, are unusually great.”

From pgs. 214-215: “At this point, geneticists are betting that hoarding has at least some significant genetic cause, but exactly what is inherited is not clear. One possibility is that hoarders inherit deficits or different ways of processing information. Perhaps they inherit an intense perceptual sensitivity to visual details, such as the shapes and colors of Irene’s bottle caps. These visual details (overlooked by the rest of us) give objects special meaning and value to them. Or perhaps they inherit a tendency for the brain to store and retrieve memories differently. If visual cues (i.e., objects) are necessary for hoarders’ retrieval of memories, then getting rid of those cues is the same as losing their memories. Whatever is inherited, it is likely that some kind of emotional vulnerability must accompany this tendency in order for full-blown hoarding to develop.”

If you are interested in learning more about hoarding, I greatly recommend picking up Stuff.

Posted by Erin on May 10, 2010 | 9 Comments | Tweet This

Multitasker: The Chinese military shovel

This video is long (so click through it, or watch it over your lunch break), but really interesting. I wish I had one of these amazing tools. I could replace a number of items in my toolbox with the Chinese military shovel:

Scissor, bottle opener, hang, and anchor were my favorite purposes of this multitasker, simply because they were so unexpected (although, I think oar is stretching it a bit). It’s nice to see that necessity can breed such wonderful multi-tasking inventions.

What are your favorite multi-tasking tools?

(Note: There is no talking on this video, so don’t worry about turning off the sound if the background music starts to grate on your nerves.)

Posted by Erin on May 10, 2010 | 15 Comments | Tweet This

Using dynamicFRAMES for children’s artwork

Parents often write to me and ask how they can organize their children’s artwork so that it doesn’t overwhelm every vertical surface in their homes. I usually suggest purchasing an art gallery system and rotating works through the frames.

I like this idea because it helps to honor the child’s work, grows with your child, frames can be reconfigured on a whim without having to patch holes, and it gets clutter off the refrigerator door (especially convenient for those of us with non-magnetic refrigerator doors).

My friend Elaine, who also has an art gallery system, has made the child’s artwork organizing process one-step easier by using dynamicFRAMES:

The front frame and glass swing open on hinges so you don’t have to take the frame off the wall to insert the new artwork. If the frame has a mat, it is attached to the front glass. Inside the frames are slots for your child’s artwork or photographs, so you don’t have to worry about mounting or properly centering the images. Simply close the front frame and glass when you’re finished. Each frame will hold up to 50 photographs or pieces of artwork.

At the end of the school year, you can go through all of the pieces of artwork with your child and decide which one will be on permanent display in the gallery as the representative piece for that school year. You can photograph the rest, and dispose of the originals.

All frame configurations available through dynamicFRAMES and two are available through Amazon [Medium ($25) and Large ($35)].

Posted by Erin on May 8, 2010 | 15 Comments | Tweet This

Ask Unclutterer: A successful move

Reader Katie submitted the following to Ask Unclutterer:

My husband and I will be moving apartments soon and could use some help thinking through the cleaning/uncluttering, packing and unpacking process. The new apartment will be close to the same size as the old one (possibly a little smaller, depending on which one comes through), but our current place is extremely cluttered with a lot of misused space and even boxes from our last move that we have never even touched (in 3 years — I know, I know — you’re going to tell me to get rid of them without even looking in them!). We are looking forward to starting fresh in a new place and doing some necessary uncluttering in the process, but we don’t want to delude ourselves that it will be an easy process, as we both have clutterbug and procrastination tendencies. What tips do you have that might help us in the process of decluttering and packing up our old place and getting an uncluttered start in the new place??

I don’t know who thought it was a good idea to tell people to get rid of unopened boxes, but it’s some of the worst advice I’ve ever heard. And, I’ve surprisingly heard it a great deal. When I was going through my major uncluttering project, I became fed up with the process and tossed out a number of boxes I hadn’t opened since my move. Inside those boxes were my social security card, birth certificate, and my passport. Throwing out those boxes was a huge mistake and the paperwork was a hassle to replace! One thing you can be sure of is that I will never tell you to blindly get rid of unopened boxes. I don’t wish those repercussions on anyone.

My advice to you is to unclutter twice. It sounds like a lot of work, and I won’t lie to you, it is. However, you will be so amazed by the results that your hard work will be worth it. You will love your new place and really enjoy living in it.

Start by sitting down with your husband and mapping out the life you want in your new space. This vision will be your motivation as you go through this uncluttering process.

The first wave of uncluttering will come when you’re packing up your things. Start by packing up those objects that you won’t need over the next couple months — winter clothing (assuming you’re in the northern hemisphere), cold-weather supplies, and holiday decorations (if you have such things). Ask yourself: 1. Did I use this in the past six months (or however often you are expected to use it)? 2. Do I plan to use it next winter (or whenever you would customarily use it next)? 3. Do I love it enough to go through the hassle of moving it? 4. Does it pass the red velvet rope test? 5. Does it reflect the remarkable life my husband and I desire?

At this point, get rid of anything that doesn’t meet all five of these criteria.

Label boxes clearly with the room where they’ll be stored and the contents of the box. Use smaller boxes instead of co-mingling contents that will be stored in different rooms. A label on a box might say: “Front Closet — Winter Coats” or “Basement Storage — Christmas Decorations.”

As you continue to pack your boxes, work in a way so that the things you use every day are the last to be boxed and loaded into a moving van. This way, they’ll be the first to be unloaded and unboxed when you move into your new space.

The second wave of uncluttering will come when you’re unpacking your things. As you’re putting things away, remember that everything you own must have a space (“a place for everything, and everything in its place”). Anything without a proper space will need to go.

A great tip I picked up a few years ago is that as you’re unpacking, be sure to flatten every piece of newspaper and box that you used. This way, you’re guaranteed not to miss anything while unpacking and it makes recycling or selling these materials simple.

Remember, too, that unpacking isn’t a race. Give yourself time to make informed decisions about your things. Set up your bed, kitchen, and bathroom first and then work out from there. Agree to unpack 10 boxes a night (or more) until you’re all moved into your new place. I actually envy your situation a little — you’re going to have a wonderfully uncluttered home when you’re finished!

Thank you, Katie, for submitting your question for our Ask Unclutterer column.

Do you have a question relating to organizing, cleaning, home and office projects, productivity, or any problems you think the Unclutterer team could help you solve? To submit your questions to Ask Unclutterer, go to our contact page and type your question in the content field. Please list the subject of your e-mail as “Ask Unclutterer.” If you feel comfortable sharing images of the spaces that trouble you, let us know about them. The more information we have about your specific issue, the better.

Posted by Erin on May 7, 2010 | 33 Comments | Tweet This

Workspace of the Week: Multiple monitor productivity

This week’s Workspace of the Week is ShaneRounce’s web-programming desk:

I chose this desk strictly for its impressive monitor configuration. The monitor on the left rotates between the horizontal and vertical positions. From Shane:

The rotated External Monitor makes it easier to navigate my way through chunks of code whilst using my iMac Display for testing and Design related things.

I love seeing examples of people putting their hardware to work for them, instead of their hardware dictating how work is done. I also like seeing people use multiple monitors to help boost their productivity. Thank you, Shane, for your submission to our Flickr group.

Want to have your own workspace featured in Workspace of the Week? Submit a picture to the Unclutterer flickr pool. Check it out because we have a nice little community brewing there. Also, don’t forget that workspaces aren’t just desks. If you’re a cook, it’s a kitchen; if you’re a carpenter, it’s your workbench.

Posted by Erin on May 7, 2010 | 11 Comments | Tweet This