Last week, I delivered a car full of items to the Eco Center located at 7272 Saint-Patrick Street in Lasalle: Styrofoam, old electronics, metal, odd pieces of wood, packaging imprinted with the number 6, old chemical products and paint, used batteries and light bulbs, even torn and stained fabric. In addition to the items enumerated, Eco Centers also accept construction material.
Read MoreWhen is it time to let go of your dining room table and chairs, china cabinet, sofa? How about when you’re moving to a senior’s residence or to a smaller place and you have neither the room- nor the need- for these pieces. I have worked with a few people who were downsizing, who would have liked to sell their gorgeous and beloved dining room sets, but who were simply unable to find a buyer. It seems that more people these days prefer IKEA-type furniture, rather than an older classic style dining room set. Sometimes it’s even difficult to give these pieces away! I’m struggling to find a recipient for a client’s china cabinet at this moment.
Read MoreFall officially arrived yesterday and, as if on cue, the Montreal weather has turned cooler. I happily traded shorts and a sleeveless top for jeans and a long-sleeved blouse. Autumn is my favorite season, characterized by the vibrancy of mustard, ketchup, and relish coloured leaves, fluttering in the breeze and carpeting the ground.
Read MoreI can’t even bear to think about the possibility. Mikee, my brother, could have had a massive heart attack had his cardiologist not sent him for an angiogram.
Read MoreThe Happiness Project
Imagine spending an entire year in the pursuit of happiness! I’m reading Gretchen Rubin’s book, The Happiness Project, and am finding it extremely interesting. This book was a New York Times’ best seller, so I’m not alone. Rubin spent a year trying to make herself into a happier person, studying the art of happiness as she went along. Her goal for January, the first month of her project was “Boost Energy.” This involved getting more sleep, exercising, and… decluttering.
As a Professional Organizer, I derived immense satisfaction from Rubin’s decision to begin the endeavour by tackling the clutter in her apartment.
Read MoreIn spite of all that’s going on in the world, I strive to remain optimistic. Medical research has shown that people who keep a Gratitude Journal tend to live more healthily and longer, sleep better, and lean towards being happier than those who don’t. Here’s some advice to get started on your own Gratitude Journal.
Read MoreI’ve enjoyed reading Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, and have gleaned some interesting ideas that I'd like to share in this and future blog posts. Today, I want to start by addressing Marie Kondo’s idea of beginning by visualizing the space you wish to organize and declutter to see it as you'd like it to be. Visualization—and examining your motivation—are important first steps in the organizing and decluttering process.
Read MoreI publish this blog post one day after Passover. Passover is a prime marker of the year for me, the unofficial beginning of spring, even though it’s -20°C with the wind chill this morning. Passover is a Jewish celebration centered on liberation from slavery. This winter, some Montrealers have felt as if they were imprisoned; it's been a tough slog for many—more difficult than some than others—with long periods of extreme cold, icy road conditions, and a darkness exacerbated by a frozen wasteland of impassable streets and sidewalks. Here’s how we can make the most of the season.
Read More“I feel like I never get anything finished,” said a recent client in Montreal, who had hired me as a professional organizer. In addition to optimizing the efficiency of her living space, I suggested that she create and use an affirmation. In order for an affirmation to really make a difference, you need to repeat it to yourself until it becomes part of your conscious thinking.
Read MoreMy mission statement in two words: Spread happiness. That might seem like an odd thing for a professional organizer to include in her mission statement, but it's a guiding force for how I live my life. How do I do this? Here are some ideas to stay happy and spread happiness to others.
Read MoreWhen I was in university, I relished summer employment as a letter carrier, since I thrive off being outdoors, and walking. For twenty-six years, I had a career as a social worker, which was immensely fulfilling, given that I love helping people. Now, I enjoy professional organizing so much, it often doesn’t feel like work.
Read MoreI've been an ardent environmentalist since my early teens. I cycle, recycle, and compost year- round. I have been a vegetarian for the last forty years, eschew plastic water bottles, love second hand shopping—you get the picture. Not only do I help clients remove clutter and organize, I aim to get rid of unwanted items ecologically, often via freecycle.org.
Read MoreNike’s well-known ad campaign is as valid for life in general as it is for working out. I, for example, have a mending bag, usually holding a few items of clothing. Once I actually get to the repair job, it rarely takes more than a few minutes per item. What if—instead of placing the socks in the mending pile—I went to my sewing box, threaded a needle, and sewed up the small hole right then and there? Or, if I didn’t have time when I noticed the hole, what if I took care of it later that day, instead of allowing them to accumulate?
Read MoreIn my work as a professional organizer in Montreal, I’ve noticed that some of my clients forget to eat, or simply don’t make the time to do so. Or, it could be that their lives—and their kitchens—are disorganized to the point that cooking is difficult, if not impossible. Here are a few ideas to help you eat healthy and save money.
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