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Life at Home during a Pandemic

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There are times that it feels like some people have forgotten that we are STILL in a Worldwide Pandemic. For some folks, like me, we are reminded EVERY day. I live in the house with three (3) adults; my husband and my two grown daughters. My husband has not missed a day of work since the pandemic began and I’m sure that he needs a break from time to time from us ladies, hormones and all. For us ladies, we are homebodies by nature and for the most part introverts, so we haven’t gone totally stir-crazy being in the house. Believe this or not, we not only love each other, but we really like each other, so it has been a rather peaceful existence. Now there are those moments, when we may step on a nerve or two, but we try to resolve all issues quickly and not let them fester. This means that it’s imperative that we have our own spaces. Please don’t misunderstand, we spend most of our day in our own spaces, but we still visit each other periodically, especially when we need a break from our computers or Zoom or it’s time to eat.

For my oldest daughter, the graphic designer and entrepreneur, she spends most of the day between her office and her bedroom. For my youngest daughter, who has her Masters Degree in Library Sciences and Information Management, her bedroom also serves as her office and she spends a lot of time on Zoom.

As for me, my bedroom has always been my place of Peace and Serenity. It is so critical, especially now, that we all have a place for some “me” time. We want to make sure that there’s NO clutter in our area of Rest. Yes, I always have my professional organizer hat on. Many of my clients have removed their TV from the bedroom, so that they can read instead and I strongly suggest that we not work in bed. You can see that I have a small area in the corner of my bedroom, which serves as my office.

I may have shared with you, once or twice, that I truly prefer organizing over cleaning, so although I’ve had a lot more spare time, I really haven’t wanted to do either. .. but, no I don’t have a dirty, unorganized house, I’ve just be a little slothful at times. :-/ Recently, I had my 2nd COVID vaccine and was down for the count the following day…. but the next morning, I had to work on my OWN pantry and lazy susan!!

As I’ve already mentioned, I live with three adults and stuff may not go back “exactly” where they came from, but hopefully, the items will be put in the same general area. Since we will be continuing to grocery shop on-line, at least we can kinda see everything and won’t purchase duplicate items. Note: If you purge and organize any area, I can ALMOST guarantee that you’ll have more space!!

Well, you have now seen a glimace of the day in the life of a professional organizer on hiatus due to COVID, but let’s not forget my relaxation / “me” time, which is spent reading bible plans, doing jigsaw puzzles and Words with Friends.

So by now, you may be wondering why am I telling you all this… Although this last year has been one that we have NEVER EVER seen before and it’s not over, we’ve made adjustments, some were major. There’s a Lot that we truly don’t understand, but in spite of what we see and feel, God has continued to bless us beyond measure. Since I started my mission, Order Your Steps LLC, almost 10 years ago, along with this blog, my messages has been, and will always be, to encourage you to not only Survive, but to Thrive, no matter your situation or circumstance.

Whether you are Revamping your Closet, Reevaluating your Career or Reigniting your Business…

We must keep “Moving Forward by Faith”! We running toward the Goal!

We are Not looking back because it will only SLOW us down!!

Stay Tuned for more of my story, interviews with others and a lot of info sharing, which will hope will we want to inspire, encourage and motivate you!

What is Virtual Organizing?

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From time to time, I’ve mentioned virtual organizing, but many of you may still be wondering just “what is virtual organizing?”. 2020 has been a year of major changes, especially due to COVID. Therefore, for our health and safety, much of our daily routine and even the services that we receive rely heavily on technology. Professional organizing services are no exception. With 2021 quickly approaching, this is the perfect time of year to make sure that “Our House is in Order”.

We have been pushed into an environment, where we telework, our schools are virtual and we even shop for our groceries on-line. As a result, we spend alot more time in our homes. Virtual organizing allows us to continue to support you as we declutter and organize our home, work and virtual learning spaces. Keep in mind that the organizing process is the same, rather it’s on-site or virtual. Organizing virtually simply enables us helps you to sort, purge and organize your stuff, utilizing video conferencing.

Our overall organizing project begins…

Step One: We begin with free phone consultation. During our conversation, we will discuss your needs, wants and desires for an organized space. The most exciting part for me, is when I receive a picture or short video of your space.

Step Two: I will analyze the space in the same way that I would if I was there in person. I will develop an action plan prior to our virtual assessment.

Step Three: I schedule and conduct a virtual assessment, which begins with a “live” video tour of your space via FaceTime, Google Duo, Zoom, etc. This will also allow me to actual see my prospective client and share our thoughts and ideas on how to proceed.

Step Four: After the virtual assessment, the client will decide if they are comfortable with the plan and then we will schedule our first virtual organizing session.

Throughout 2020, we have had to adjust to doing more things virtually that we were accustomed to doing in person. As this way of life continues, it’s important that our space remain uncluttered and organized so we will be productive in a peaceful environment.

Virtual Assessment Only $25.00 for 30 min.

For more details on Virtual Organizing, just click the link… If you have more questions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or text at 301-437-4610.

Let’s Tackle the Closet!

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If you have been paying attention, you know that to be “organized” means to be able to find what you need when you need it!  So let’s talk about tackling the closet.  It can be any closet, but I’d like to focus on the clothes closet.  It is the clothes closet that you have to face EVERY morning….

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“Let’s Organize Your Closet”

Step 1 – We must know EVERY item that is in our closet.  Most of us believe that we know every item in our closet.  Do you?  I would venture to guess that you may not know every item in your closet. Some of us may have things in our clothes closet that we forgot were even there.  Is that you?

Step 2 – We must know EVERY item in our closet… which means we MUST touch every item in our closet.  Would someone please move the needle on the record?  LOL!!  But seriously, things get sucked into the black hole of our clothes closets because they get pushed further and further back where we can’t see them, thus we forget that they are there.

Step 3 – Make a decision on EVERY item in our closet… Keep, Donate, Throw Away and make the decision QUICKLY.  If you think about it too long, it is very likely that you will decide to keep it.  To the woman that has the size ___ (fill in the blank) that you are going to fit in again– it’s been 5 years — it is time to let it go.  To the man who has that favorite sweater that is two (2) sizes too small, it is time to give it away!

Step 4 – Once we have completely PURGED the entire closet, it is time for us to organize.

Step 5 – So what’s left?  There are tops, bottoms, dresses, jackets, sweaters, pants, shirts, suits, shoes, boots, etc.  Let me suggest that we put “like” items together.  Once we have grouped “like” items, it is up to you to what degree of organization that you want to go — the same color, the same sleeve length, light jackets, heavy jackets, BUT to whatever degree you go, you have to be able to MAINTAIN IT!

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Don’t Over Organize -OR- within a week,

your organized system is NO longer organized.

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Allow Order Your Steps to help you to put some Order to your Chaos!  

Please take a moment to “LIKE” my Facebook page.  

Thanks in advance!

If I have only skimmed the surface and you would like to have more details on tackling the closet, please leave me a comment or two…

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“Order Out of Chaos” FREE Workshop, Now Open to the Public**

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I thought that I would give you an update on my FREE “Order Out of Chaos” Workshops.  Initially I focused on the senior citizen living facilities.  The participants were open to sharing their own struggles with getting organized, especially after downsizing from their much larger homes.  My presentation, “Organizing made Simple” was only 30 minutes and then we had a Q&A session.  I thoroughly enjoyed them.  I’d always wanted to teach, so now I get to teach, organize and teach about organizing!!!

In February, the “Order Out of Chaos” FREE workshop was OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.  Along with the owner of the local franchise of ShelfGenie, we decided to conduct the workshops as part of a LifeStyle Transitions Series.  Arline and I, as small business owners in our community, wanted to do something for the community that would have a positive impact.  Organizing will be a common thread throughout the workshops, as it pertains to healthy living, nutrition, exercise and just getting your life in order.  Our first workshop in the series was held at Wegmans in Woodmore/Lanham, MD.  Unfortunately, Wegmans has a very strict policy prohibiting advertising on the premises, so we advertised on Facebook and via the ShelfGenie newsletter, flyers, etc.  We had a small turnout, but I believe that I prefer small.  It’s better when I can interact with the audience and that are able to interact with each other.  I believe that moving forward will we limit the attendance to each session to thirty 30 people.  Soooooo… due to the overwhelming response (the show being SOLD OUT), I will have to add a session or two or three…..

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Our next workshop is entitled “Spending Your Time Wisely”,   We will focus on time management tips.  It will be held on the last Saturday in March at one of the local libraries … where we can hand out flyers! 🙂

Stay Tuned for more info throughout the month.

Please PASS THE WORD to all your family and friends

in the DC, Md. and N. Va.!!

I don’t have time!!!!

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Have you ever been in the position, where you see  something SO clearly, but very few, if anyone see things the same way you do??

As a professional organizer, I see that people really need my help.  I know in my heart that clutter creates chaos and chaos disturbs the divine order that life should have.  I believe that people understand this, but they CAN’T see it…. THEY JUST DON’T HAVE THE TIME!

I know, I sound like a broken record.  BUT I see it SOOOOOOO clearly!!!  Many of us are in a vicious cycle of Chaos, a state of utter confusion!  Get Up (still ragged out from the day before), Eat (if you have time), Get dressed (if you can find the mate to that shoe or find the pair of socks that match)!

Get the kids ready, Get the kids to school, Go to work, pick up the kids, get dinner, get ready for bed, etc. etc. etc.

Maybe the person that I just described is the exception, NOT the rule. But the folks who realize that they could use some help and call me, they still just don’t have time!!  They are not enough hours in the day…  Can anyone relate?  So where will the time come from???

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TO BE CONTINUED…..

Got any ideas?  I would love to hear your comments.

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A year and almost a month has passed…

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On September 13, 2011, Order Your Steps became a reality.  It has truly been an interesting ride since last Sept.  I haven’t made a lot of money :-(… But it hasn’t been about money yet.   My Xerox checks didn’t stop until mid-August and my pension checks started in mid-Sept.  So we are still eating and we have a place to stay. 🙂 But my primary mission has been to help people to find order in their chaos. I did not want money to be the showstopper…  Let’s work out a special rate or a payment plan, because this is more to me than just putting order to peoples’ stuff.  My desire has been to help others to de-clutter, de-stress and de-compress their daily lives!

I have had an a wide variety of clients, some easy and some difficult. There have been organizing projects with big clutter and little clutter. Many of my clients have come and gone over the past several months, but the pace has been relatively steady.  I’ve learned to enjoy the periods of rest between jobs.  In order to broaden my horizons, keep money coming in and add to my business portfolio of service offerings, I completed designer training for ShelfGenie (click the link and find out more).   

So what is next for me?   I want to continue to grow and prosper Order your Steps (OYS)!  I see OYS and ShelfGenie operating in tandem with one another.  I want to expand my workshops to other community and church groups.  I also want to start consulting with small businesses owners in organizational effectiveness.

For now, all is all, my life is really good! Satan would have me to believe that WOW!  Things are just TOO good. The devil is a liar.  This is what God wants our lives to be.  He has a Divine Order for our lives. This does not mean a “perfect” life, but for us to have the peace of God that passes all understanding. Some of you may say, Who is she kidding?  Well, all I can say is, if you  only knew from whence I came… you already know some of it from previous posts, but you don’t know the half of it.

I know that God will continue to Order my Steps, as I take one Step at a time…..

P.S.  I have written about all my children, so on Wednesday, find out more about my other half, my husband of 28 years…..

Honeymoon in the Poconos – 1984

P.S.S.  I want to solicit your requests for topics and ideas for future posts on organizing and other points of interest.

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Space for the Car!

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When I am cleaning and organizing a garage, my main objective is to sort, purge and to help the homeowner to know what they have and where to find it when they need it.  BUT…

BEFORE

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AFTER – Part 1

Unfortunately, your “neat” may be the other persons’ “nightmare”….

AFTER – Part 2

So, the idea behind this exercise was to simply make room for the car!  🙂

Organizing Tip for Today!

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We are going to stay in the garage for a minute, because we want to make space for that “little” car.   🙂   I would really suggest that we tackle our garage a little bit at a time. As you see in the picture below, I took a shelf and tried to make some space to start my sort.

But there is an old adage that says that the more flat space you have, the more stuff you will find to put on it.  Well I apparently left the flat space vacant TOO long. 🙂   Although the picture is taken from a different angle, it was taken only two days after the first pic…..  whazzup with that!

I probably should have told you that the person that owns half of this garage, REALLY doesn’t like neat. So, you may have to find a common ground between “neat and nightmare.” As we start to sort through the “stuff” and organize as we go, we will find more space…. “that person” may start to discover what’s is in the garage and better yet, might even consider throwing some of it away. (i.e. the oil filter for the 1999 Honda, which was TWO vehicles ago!