Keeping Clutter Free

Bryan from
Ann Arbor Rug and Carpet

It is one thing to get organized and another thing to stay organized. Sometimes it takes something extra to keep clutter at bay. 


A little external pressure can be motivating in the journey to be organized. This might be inviting visitors over on a fairly regular basis (as long as you do not stash everything into paper bags and hide it in an unused room!).


For me, a nearly annual ritual of having the carpets and tiles in my home professionally cleaned helps keep me clutter free. Last week, Bryan and his crew from Ann Arbor Rug and Carpet Cleaning came in to clean the usual high traffic areas and a few of the low traffic areas depending on need. 


Even though I am a professional organizer, clutter still creeps in and the floors get dirty. By playing upon my neurotic quest for a clean home, I also got rid of that huge stack on reading material on my nightstand, not to mention the massive collection of Lego blocks that had taken up residence in the living room. By having to move nearly everything up off the floor, I could no longer ignore clutter build up. 


In your journey to be organized, find something that gives you pleasure (for me it is super clean floors) and link it up with your desire to clear clutter. Perhaps you could organize a dinner party potluck or maybe do some good old fashioned spring cleaning? Just remember not to burn out and take it one small space at a time. 


Carolyn Anderson-Fermann is a public speaker, organizing expert and founder of Simply Organized Life. On Friday, March 2, 2012 Carolyn will be presenting "Secrets of a Simply Organized Life" with Ann Arbor Rec & Ed. There is a $25 fee for this public event. Register with Ann Arbor Rec & Ed. 

Ann Arbor Book Fesitval

For two years, I served on the Ann Arbor Book Festival's planning committee as Volunteer Coordinator. I stepped down last fall to focus more time on my family and my business, but am happy to announce that Lucy White is doing a great job as this year's Volunteer Coordinator.

If you will be in Ann Arbor, Michigan from Thursday, May 15th to Saturday, May 17th be sure to check out the festival and maybe even volunteer. If you would like to volunteer send an email to: aabf@aabookfestival.org or call 734-369-3366.

Time to Read

In working full time with the clients of Simply Organized Life over the last two years, I have met some wonderfully interesting intelligent people. One of the common threads among my clients is that they seem to have a thirst for knowledge, particularly the written word. Everyone wants to know how they can find more time to read the books, magazines and newspapers piled up around their house.

At the core of my organizing philosophy is the belief that if we are able to organize the more mundane details of life (laundry, cleaning, cooking, etc.) we will have time for the things we love, such as reading. That being said, in 2007 there is way more information to read than any of us have the time to keep up with. So we have to be a bit selective in choosing (and keeping) our reading material.

Here are some tips:

1. An old newspaper is like a used Kleenex. Recycle newspapers more than a couple of days old.
2. Limit the number of magazines by using a container, such as a basket to store them in one place.
3. Practice the one in, one out rule for books. If you buy a new book, donate or sell an old one.