Why is there clutter?
Here are just a few of the reasons Michelle Wearly says we may be surrounded by clutter:
Clutter fills a void in your life
Clutter can help to hide loneliness, anger, fear and other important emotions. It fills time and space and keeps you focused on things other than your problems. When you free the clutter, you'll free yourself to deal with the real issues around you. It may be tough at first, but the rewards are endless.
Lack of organizing skills
This is more normal than you think. When you create a process that works for you and your family, that's all that matters. There is no right or wrong way to get organized.
Lack of time
Until we make the time to get organized, we will lose even more time.
The Dumping Ground
You are so sweet and nice that you allow your friends and family to use your home, basement, and garage as a dumping ground for all of their things. Your sister's couch doesn't belong in your garage.
How to go
What: "Get Organized" with professional organizer Michele Wearly
When: 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, July 28
Where: Vandalia Recreation Center, 1111 Stonequarry Road, Vandalia
Cost: $15 for Vandalia residents, $19 for nonresidents
To register: (937) 415-2340. For more information on Organized Life, check out www.organized-life.com or call (937) 267-6189.
VANDALIA — For some folks, winter’s the perfect time to tackle at-home projects. It’s cold and blustery outside and cozy in the house.
But summertime can be ideal, as well. Our schedules are less hectic, the kids are home and can get involved, and projects can be spread out on the deck or back porch.
We asked professional organizer Michelle Wearly to share tips on getting our “stuff” under control. Wearly, a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), and the owner of a consulting company, Organized Life, offers one-on-one sessions by appointment and group workshops through the Vandalia Recreation Center.
The Vandalia woman’s approach to organization is behavioral.
“There are no cookie-cutter organizing systems,” she believes. “There is great research on connecting brain style with the world of organizing. I help clients learn about their personality style and teach them corresponding organizational systems instead of imposing traditional organizing methods.”
Wearly says her own family is a case in point.
“I’m more of a filer, and my husband is more of a stacker,” she says. “There are lots of organizing products out there that will still allow him to stack. If I tried to change him, it wouldn’t work.”
Wearly, who insists clutter weighs us down both physically and mentally, says an organized individual can find anything in five minutes or less. She believes organization leads to a relaxed home environment, allowing us to spend more time doing the things we really enjoy.
Her workshops provide an overview of various personality types, offer suggestions on how to sort items, manage memorabilia, and handle the influx of paperwork.
Wearly says it’s critical to divide every job into smaller parts.
“You’ll get frustrated and overwhelmed if you try to do too much at once,” she says. “Start in one area — one shelf, one drawer, one desktop, one cabinet.”
We picked four common problem areas and asked Wearly’s advice.
The problem
Wrapping paper and craft items junked in the basement
The solution
1. Consider wall space for storage.
2. Set up a work space table and chair.
3. Keep a set of tools (scissors, etc.) at work space.
4. Move all craft items to this same area. Toss items that look worn or torn.
5. Label bins for ribbons, beads and other craft items.
6. Store rolls of wrapping paper in containers made for that purpose.
The problem
Piles of unorganized family photos
The solution
1. Remove photos from old albums to preserve.
2. Use multisized acid-free photo boxes and labeled dividers.
3. Sort based on person, year, decade or event.
4. Store in dust-free room-temperature area or closet.
The problem
Stacks of assorted paper, clippings, mail, etc.
The solution
1. Sort based on action, reference and documents.
2. Create an action center for frequently viewed paper.
3. Be systematic about reading and purging reference material.
4. Label files for documents and taxes, and purge regularly.
5. Use a fireproof safe or safe deposit box for vital documents.
The problem
Shoes piled on closet floor
The solution
1. Consider additional or new shelving.
2. Store items out of season.
3. Use “cubbies” or see-through bins.
4. Post picture of shoes on front of shoe boxes.
5. Sort by color, style and type.
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