Feng Shui Your Space...

Thanks to Hillary "Flowing Water" Price*, we now know that Feng Shui means...
"pick your junk up off the floor"!
(in plain English)

---

I love that! While the jury may still be out as to whether a mirror placed in an entryway will keep evil from entering, people truly are affected, either positively or negatively, by their surroundings.

Did you know...

Organizing your home is not the same as cleaning it?

A poorly organized environment can prevent you from accomplishing tasks?

A cluttered living space will keep you and your loved ones from enjoying daily activities?

Clearing your clutter and organizing your environment will help you:

Reclaim Space

Restore Lost Time

Increase Productivity

Eliminate Stress

Probably the most gratifying moment that comes from organizing your space is when you realize that you (and your family) actually enjoy spending time at home! Home is a refuge from the outside world. It should be a safe, cozy, comfortable, productive space for every person that resides within it's walls.

Whether you're a single person in a studio apartment, a busy mom with a houseful of kids and pets, or downsized empty-nesters--your home is supposed to be your sanctuary! So...if your domicile feels more like a refugee camp than a refuge, it's time to take action!

Tips to Organizing Your Space:

• Choose one space. Don't overwhelm yourself by thinking everything has to be done at once. Just as it took time for your space to evolve to its current state, it will take time to change it.

• Break it down into manageable tasks. Step back and look at your space. Write down each task that needs to be tackled in order to accomplish your goal. For example:

Family Room Organization Tasks:

1. Kids' Toys
2. Movies
3. Loose Papers in Computer Area
4. Organize Book Shelves

• Analyze each task. Identify the reasons the space is unorganized. Start by asking yourself questions:

Q: Why are the toys in the family room causing the space to feel cluttered?
A: They are always scattered around the room.

Q: Do the toys need to remain in this space?
A: Yes. The children are still small and need to be closely supervised in a central space.

Q: Can I be more selective with the number/size of toys in the room?
A: Yes. I can remove some of the toys.

Q: Do they have one set space in the room to play?
A: No. They are spread out all over the space.

Q: Is the storage kid-friendly so that access and clean up is easy?
A: What storage?

• Make a "Plan of Action." This is where your problem solving skills come into play. Think of it as a puzzle that needs to be solved. You've identified the problem now determine the best solution. Remember to KEEP IT SIMPLE! Not only should your solution be effective, it should be easy to execute and upkeep!

STEP 1: Move kids' area to far corner of family room where I can still see them, but we aren't tripping all over their toys.

STEP 2: Sort toys: Throw away broken toys and donate toys they've outgrown.

STEP 3: Remove at least half of the toys. Place them in their bedrooms or other area in easy to access storage bins.

[Like us, children can also be overwhelmed with clutter causing them to lose focus on play. They also have a tendency to quickly lose interest with familiar toys. Rotating their toys every few weeks or months will keep them satisfied and occupy their time more effectively than having access to all of their toys all of the time. Hopefully, you will find yourself spending less money on new toys and being more selective of new toys you do purchase!]

STEP 4: New table/chairs for train, games, coloring.

STEP 5: Clear plastic containers for small toys, games, etc. which can stored on shelves.

STEP 6: Large storage bin for big toys.

STEP 7: Utilize existing shelves for toy storage.

• Gather your supplies. Don't start your task until you have everything you need to accomplish it...from beginning to end! Scratch out a quick list on a sheet of paper:

1. Boxes [for sorting toys: Label "KEEP" and "GIVE AWAY"]
2. Garbage bags [for trash and broken toys]
3. Storage containers/bins
   

• Get started! Crank the music, brighten the room by opening windows or turning on lamps, recruit a friend for help and moral support. Stay positive...you can do it!

• Check this task off your list and congratulate yourself on a job well-done! Keep working down your list in the same manner until the project is complete. By the time you've completed your first project, not only will you have an organized space and sense of accomplishment, you'll have greatly improved your creative problem solving skills! Now your ready to start the process all over again in another area of your home!

Let's not make it more difficult than it has to be. Creating a peaceful environment in our homes doesn't require yin or yang, a waterfountain on our wall, or a sandpit and rake in our den. All it takes is some common sense, follow-through....and plenty of storage containers.


* Hillary Price is the creator of "The Art of Business" comic strip.