I love Evernote, especially for Recipe Organization. It allows you to save many formats in one place. I can't lie, it took a little trial and error to fully adopt. But while I muddled through, Evernote introduced a mobile app and Web Clipper. I love having the info synced across devices. My Evernote tab stays open all the time. The addition of the Web Clipper changed everything. I can clip web pages and save them to meaningful notebooks such as Business, Recipes, Travel, and Family. Eventually, it was easy to see which Notebooks really worked because they accumulated the most files. And how often I referenced them. I deleted the others because I used a different paperless system or really didn't need the info after all. This is how digital clutter can wreaks havoc if left unchecked. Tips to Declutter and Organize Recipes Recipe Books - When was the last time that you actually searched a …
Do Good Well – How to Help When Disaster Strikes
Do Good Well. It's what I tried to say when I wrote this post. All credit to Tom Berlin for the phrase Do Good Well. I wrote about ways to help but more importantly, how not to help disaster relief efforts like Hurricane Harvey. The piece included lessons learned from people who lived through a natural disaster and volunteers who helped victims to rebuild. It's relevant to all disasters including those affected by flooding and Hurricane Florence. My post was not perfect. You may disagree. That's ok. But I hope you’ll take time to read this post from a Houston resident. Or this one or this one or this one. My goals were simple....1) increase awareness about how relief efforts work and 2)steer caring people to the best ways to help. Timing Is Everything The message to "send money, not stuff" resonated with many readers. It doesn't mean there will never be a time or place for physical donations — check with relief agencies as time passes. …
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Get Uncluttered This Fall
I've been feeling stuck in my decluttering efforts. Yes, it even happens to me! I know there are things left to donate but sometimes life gets in the way. Good news, I have a plan! Fall Edition of the Uncluttered Course It's the Uncluttered Course by Joshua Becker of becoming minimalist. Several readers signed on to the Spring Edition of the course. I followed them on their journey and encouraged their progress. Here's a quote from one of them... "The space I have cleared for myself and my family is life-changing. It has made a huge difference in the atmosphere and stress-level of the house already. I am so grateful for your help." Becoming Minimalist offers the course just three times each year. Registration ends this weekend, Sunday, September 02 at 11:59pm. If you want this to be the season you declutter your home, own less, and get ahead financially, this is the right program for you. The course includes… Videos with …
Kid’s Artwork – Who Are We Really Saving It For?
Kid's Artwork is abundant in our house even with just one child. Households with multiple kids struggle to tackle paper clutter because of the volume. I believe every parent finds their kid's artwork difficult because of the memories. Artwork more appropriately falls under sentimental clutter versus paper clutter. And sentimental stuff requires its own process. Currently, I am working on a small scrapbook for my son's elementary years. I collected photos and artwork from kindergarten through elementary school. With each passing grade, there is less and less. I asked for his help with a few large books of his first writing samples. We read them together and laughed at the funny sentences. He noted 6 or 7 pieces that he truly remembered. I snapped photos of those. Without prompting, he said, "I think I'm ready to pass these on. I don't need them." I believe there are three reasons that allowed him to this so easily. Time - Several years had passed since he wrote these …
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Get Organized and Declutter with Simply Enough – June 8
Wash Metro Readers - I'm excited to announce another speaking event. We had such a great discussion at the April event, that one of the guests asked me to host another! I'm delighted to do so on June 8. How many times have you said, "If I could just get organized..." Well, now you can! Join me on Friday, June 8 for an inspiring conversation about the joys and benefits of living simply. Simply Enough is about more than helping you to declutter and organize your home. It’s about challenging you to live differently. Living simply means owning less, but having so much more. Is your dining room table covered with papers? Do you have to clear the kitchen counter every night before you cook dinner? Is the garage a war zone covered in winter grime? Are your cars parked outside? Are your closets so full that it's difficult to rehang clean laundry? Does cleaning feel daunting because the house is overrun with toys, books, and decorations? Do you have boxes …
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It’s Okay To Just Be Still
It was Day 3 of our two-week adventure to Hawaii. As a family, we love active vacations making the islands an ideal location. That said, sometimes my son hits a wall and just cannot keep up. Our morning activity included snorkeling at Hanauma Bay where the sharp coral scratched his leg and nearly scared him off forever. I realized that we had crashed into that proverbial wall as I led him back to the beach and tossed the gear aside. I wish I could tell you that I'm really good at recognizing these moments. That I am calm and compassionate. Or that I plan for them and always schedule rest days and early bedtimes. I do not and I am human. :) Thank goodness for grace! Like many moms, I make mistakes and sometimes don't even realize it until we're reduced to tears. My son was excited, overstimulated and jet lagged. We filled every hour of those first three days. After the crash, he and I sat on the beach, snuggled and slowed down. The beauty of the bay encircled us with …