Been so busy this summer. Finally took time out for a boat ride. It is a beautiful day.
#enjoylife #lovesummer #boatride #simplify
Love your boat! It’s on my bucket list 😀
When you are organizing books for a client and realize you want to read them all. Love business books.
#businessbooks #success #organizedbooks #lovebusinessbooks #organize #getorganized
I so feel this! They all look so good!
One of the biggest problems we see in homes and offices are stuffed drawers, bins, containers etc. When you put too much stuff in an area such as drawers, you are more likely not to find what you are looking for, feel stressed by the amount of stuff, and end up going and buying something you need even though you have it but can't find it.
Instead, get in the habit of tidying up that space before it gets too full, and don't put too much stuff in that space. You can do it! 🙂
This is so true! I promise you. Being organized will make you feel so much better. Like having a breath of fresh air! Who agrees?
If you struggle with being organized, we can help you. Reach out to us via our website www.secondsetofhands.ca We would love to help you.
Do you prefer to roll, fold or use a packing cube? This is a funny video that uses all three methods to see which one takes up less space. Which do you prefer?
Folding Vs. Rolling Vs. Packing Cube • Packing Challenge
Organizing Tip. Remove packaging (especially in the kitchen pantry) and use labelled containers to create more space and to have a nice and neat look.
I like that idea. However, will it not make those foods stale as they are not in their packaging? To be clear, do you mean the box it comes in or the individual package they come in?
Are you struggling to get organized? If so, have you considered having an accountability partner? Check out this weeks Organize for Success episode where I discuss how an accountability partner can help you. www.kathymcewan.com/podcast/episode-12-how-an-accountability-partner-can-help-you-get-organized-o...
Are you moving in the near future? If so, here are a few packing tips that you may find helpful.
1. When packing books, cd's, photo albums, paper etc. use size 1.5 or bankers boxes. The smaller the box the better as they get very heavy.
2. Invest in mirror boxes when packing large pictures and mirrors. It is really worth the investment.
3.Don't use used boxes if they look crushed or not very strong. I prefer not to use any used boxes, but if you want to, make sure they are in really good condition. Most boxes are not as strong once they have been used.
4. If you are hiring someone to pack up your items, make sure they are very reputable and professional. As you know we do packing for our clients, but we also do unpacking and I have been shocked at the way some items have been packed. I have seen quite a few broken items that were not properly packed. Hiring the cheapest packers is probably not the best investment.
Hope this helps. Happy moving!
If you need help with packing or unpacking, we would love to help you. www.secondsetofhands.ca/moving 613.899.4590
Yesterday we talked about 3 things you can let go in your closet, and I would like to add another one. Crappy hangers!
If you have hangers that are bent or broken, then let them go. If you like to have your hangers all the same, then let go of the mix matched ones.
Which hangers do you like to use? I like to use wooden ones in my front hall closet and closets that don't have too many items hanging, but in my walk-in closet, I use the felt slim line ones, because they take up less space. I really like the slim ones that not felt, but haven't invested in changing all my black felt ones. I am not a big fan of large plastic hangers. What about you?
I’m with you. I like good wooden hangers in my front hall closet and slim felt ones in my clothes closet. The big plastic ones take up too much space. Plus I am earnestly trying to eliminate all plastic from my house.
Ok so let's talk bedroom closets!
Here are 3 things you can get rid of in your closets right now!
1. Buying mistakes - we have all been there. You bought something that was really expensive (ex. a dress or a suit) but you don't wear it, and can't get rid of it because it was expensive.
2. Shoes that you don't wear because they hurt your feet! They may look fabulous but if they hurt and you don't wear them, let them go.
3.Clothes you haven't worn in a year. If you are in between sizes it is ok to keep a few items that don't fit anymore but try not to save a lot of them, and if you haven't worn them in a long time, then it is ok to let them go.
Which one of these can you relate to?
I can relate to all three unfortunately.
Clothes I never wear...
All of the above....guilty...guilty...guilty!
All of them 😩
Haha I have a pair of size 4 shorts I can't get rid of. Like ill EVER fit back in those bad boys.
All of the above. Lol. And I still purge. Omg
Have you seen the Netflix show "Tidying up with Marie Kondo"? I saw the first episode and here are my thoughts on her methodology of being organized.
3 Reasons why I agree with her methodology
1. Simplifying your life by having less stuff
2. Having everything nice and tidy
3. Self awareness - realizing when you have a lot of stuff and asking yourself do you really need it all?
3 Reasons why Marie Kondo's methodology does not work with most of our clients
1. Cultural rituals - our clients do not say goodbye to every item before they let it go (that would be very time consuming)
2. Room vs Items - we usually organize by room rather than by items (ex. we don't gather all the books in the home and put them in one pile) Not that this method doesn't work, but sometimes our clients don't know where every book they own are, so it is easier for us to organize by room rather than items.
3. Coaching vs Hands on Help - Marie gets the clients to put all clothes in a pile for example and then leaves the home and has the clients organize the clothes. Our staff members do not leave until things are organized.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE MARIE KONDO METHOD?
If you would like more info on the difference between Kathy McEwan's method vs Marie Kondo's method check out Episode 4 of the Organize For Success Podcast. Here is the link www.secondsetofhands.ca/podcast/4/
Marie Kondo Method vs Kathy McEwan Method - Second Set of Hands
Description Episode # 4 Marie Kondo Method vs Kathy McEwan Method There has been a lot of hype around the new show with Marie Kondo called “Tidying up”, and because of it, I am getting a ton of people asking me what I think of her method of getting organized. In this episode I explain …I read her book and applied to my work in decluttering core beliefs. I can't wait to hear what you have to say, Kathy. downloading to my iPhone.
I honestly couldn't watch her show because it was overwhelming. Whatever overwhelms me sets on my procrastination button. I don't think I have the luxury of just pulling everything out and going through them one at a time and saying my goodbyes.
Tupperware part 2: Here are three steps you need to know when organizing and storing your tupperware.
1. Sort - take out all your tupperware from your drawer, cupboard etc and sort them so you can see which ones are missing lids or bottoms
2 Let go - of any tupperware that is stained, cracked, bent out of shape, have missing lids or bottoms and ones that you just don't use anymore.
3. Organize - only the ones that are worth keeping. If you have enough space, put lids on the top of the containers (should be dry before putting lids on). This will save you time for looking for lids. If you don't have the space to keep lids on, then stand the lids up right next to the containers. You can keep all the lids together in one spot if you like. I prefer to have the lids with the bottoms so I don't have to go looking for them.
Happy tupperware organizing!
Let's talk tupperware! One of the things we often see in our clients' kitchens is that they have way too much tupperware. So how much is too much?
If you find that you tend to use the same tupperware pieces over and over, and you don't really use the others, then you have too much tupperware. Tomorrow I will list 3 things you need to know when it comes to storing and organizing your tupperware. Stay tuned! So do you think you have too much tupperware?
Over time I don't know where some of them went but we have extra lids 🤔
I think we do! But it does suck not having enough!
Do you struggle with not knowing where to start when it comes to organizing? Here are 3 tips that can help you get started once and for all!
1. Pick a room that you would love to see organized first. Ex. your bedroom
2. Start small - Instead of feeling overwhelmed by looking at the whole bedroom that needs organizing, focus on one small area ex. a corner, a drawer etc. and take everything out and let go of what you don't need anymore. Be sure to put items that don't belong in that area in their proper homes, and organize what is left.
3. Keep going. When you have on small area done, try tackling another small area of the same room.
Happy Organizing!
If you still struggle with getting organized, feel free to reach out to us at Second Set of Hands for help. We would love to help you. 613.899.4590
Great suggestions
We recently worked with a hoarder to help him clear out his home and keep only what was really important for him to keep. He was moving and he knew that he had to let a lot go. I am happy to say that he let go over 75% of the items. It was a challenge on some days, but also extremely rewarding.
We had a deadline to meet and I am happy to say that we got everything done by the deadline, thanks to the client and our staff. I couldn't have done this work without my amazing team of organizers. If you have a lot of clutter (even if you are not a hoarder), and want to be clutter free, know that it is possible to make a change and simplify your life. You can do it! If you need help, feel free to reach out to us at Second Set of Hands. 613.899.4590.
Thank you to all of you for the kind words. I am so blessed to be able to make a difference in our clients lives. ❤️❤️
Wow Kathy! Great job!
Great job Kathy. A big job! Hopefully your client is feeling good about the work you did together too.
Nicely done. Its such an amazing feeling seeing something decluttered! Hording makes my stomach turn.
Wow this is incredible! Amazing work!
Amazing transformation! So powerful the work that you and your team do.
you and your client did an amazing job
Awesome.
Good work !!
Well done! I can't even imagine
Good work.
Amazing!!!
Amazing!
Wow, great job Kathy!
How some people live is beyond me. Good job Kathy, Second Set of Hands
How often do you check for expired food/drinks? One of the things we see a lot when we organize pantries are expired food. Rule of them is to check for expired food every week. Tomorrow I will give you tips on how to avoid having expired food.
Great day to be home. Weather is amazing. Sitting outside and doing a bit of business work. What are you doing today?
#awesoneweather #lovesummer #workingfromhome #letsgetorganized. #simplify
Love the view.
Do your clients ever need garden maintenance/ cleanup??
Beautiful
You're missing something, where's the Margaritas!!?🍹
It's so beautiful out! We went to costco and it's time for lunch and nap. Was planning a picnic but my older son has a birthday party to attend 🙄
This is a very powerful message "You have to parent yourself". Worth the short watch.
www.facebook.com/melrobbins/videos/327962557901789/UzpfSTY0MDczNDIyODczOjEwMTU2MzUxODU1OTMyODc0/
Thank you. I am going to start following her.
Thanks for posting. Great common sense insight, that isn't really thought about
Simple organizing rules do not always work for those with ADHD. This article explains why and is worth the read.
www.additudemag.com/adhd-brain-productivity-advice/?fbclid=IwAR0pOeQ5DQDh3XEDK10u7wfZUsmQUTJuKQFE...
Popular Productivity Advice That Torpedoes the ADHD Brain
You know those best-selling productivity hacks that everyone swears by? Most of them don’t work for neurodiverse ADHD brains. In fact, standard tips may be counterproductive — and harmful to your s…good article!
Who can relate?? I do! I do! I have to stop myself many times a week because I will take on too much. My mind is always thinking of new projects I can do. I have to step back sometimes and tell myself a big fat NO!. I am an over-achiever, but have also learned that it is ok to say no once in awhile. Anyone else prone to taking on too many tasks at one time?
I’ve been told if it’s not a hell yes it’s a No!! I’m moving to No a little more often so I can get the things I really want to accomplish of my list!
We love organizing kids rooms, especially books. There are many ways to organize books. Stand them up, lay some down, tallest to shortest or colour coded to name a few. The idea is to make them look as neat and tidy as possible. Don't forget to add some of the child's favorite toys for that homey feel. Children may mess them up again, but if so, it doesn't take that long to tidy them back up again.
#books #children'sbooks #organized #loveorganizingkidsrooms #getorganized #simplify
I'd love to glue everything so they stay just that way 🤣
Do you have any advice on book purging? We have books from board books to late teens and it’s making me crazy. I want to keep some forever but they are all full of memories.
Second Set of Hands updated their info in the about section.
Fun Friday! LOL Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Wow! Over 1,000 likes and followers! Thank you all very much for the love! I really appreciate it!
Here's one more, Kathy....
Who can relate? I have to admit, that has happened to me!
I still like using paper lists, but now I try to remember to take a picture of it with my phone as I often leave my list at home!
All the time.
Yep. I bought a book to carry in my purse and tgat didn't work either 😕
