During a local errand run, I came across a luggage tag that grabbed my attention. Written in bold, clear lettering it said,

“Collect moments NOT things.” 

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m a collector of things. I derive pleasure in looking at and playing with fun, colorful objects like my floating pens, Pez dispensers and miniatures. But what I am a deeply appreciative of are the brilliant moments that life offers us at every turn.

The key is allowing the time to pause and acknowledge what we’re seeing, hearing, feeling, or noticing. Maybe the moment is the slight breeze cooling you off on a hot day, the scent of the rich, brown earth after a heavy rain, hearing the soothing voice of a loved one, the taste of that first morning sip of coffee, or sensation of your body exhaling as you lay down to relax after a long day. The list of wonderful moments goes on. Which moments fill your time? Which moments are there to appreciate?

While some moments are solitary, we also have shared ones with our friends, family, colleagues, acquaintances, and strangers. Who are the people that you share your time with?

Linda Goldfarb and Linda Samuels - ICD 2009

Our time is limited. This was made all too clear as I mourn the recent loss of my friend and colleague, Linda Goldfarb. She passed away this week and will be deeply missed. Over the last fifteen years, our paths crossed many times at NAPO-NY, NAPO National and ICD events. I had the great pleasure of working with her on several projects for ICD. She was a woman of her word, creative, patient, focused, and always delivered on her promises. Linda was passionate about traveling, spending time with her husband, Bob and being a foster parent to dogs waiting to be adopted. She was a giver. Her moments counted.

While I’ll continue to collect a Pez dispenser here or a miniature there, the larger focus will be on collecting and appreciating amazing moments both simple and deep, solo and shared, because life is made up of those tiny instances. Time goes all too quickly. These moments are waiting for us to embrace.

Amazing moments are the ones we notice. Which moments fill your time? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation. 

I’m excited to bring you another installment (v5) of the “What’s Interesting?” feature where I share my latest discoveries that inform, educate, and relate to organizing and life balance. I’ve included unique and inspiring clutter-related finds, which reflect this month’s blog theme. You’re a special and engaging group. I look forward to your participation and additions to the collection I’ve sourced for you. What do you find interesting?

What’s Interesting? . . .

1. Interesting Read – Decluttering

In a new publication from Budget Dumpster, The Ridiculously Thorough Guide to Decluttering, professional organizing pros (including yours truly) come together to share their best tips and strategies for letting go and creating clutter-free environments.  “According to Psychology Today, people tend to feel like life is out of control when they surround themselves with more things than they can manage.” If you’re in the decluttering mode (or want to be inspired to begin), check out this guide.

2. Interesting Container – Tall Box

Part of the decluttering process involves decision-making. What will stay, and what will be released? The other part is about managing or containing what remains. I’m super excited about The Container Store’s latest addition to its clear plastic box collection—the double-tall shoe box! The organizing possibilities go way beyond storing shoes. Get creative while corralling your clutter.

3. Interesting List – Mind Clutter

Knock Knock is one of my favorite companies. They know how to add humor and fun to their organizing products. One of their newest creations is the Daily Intention Tracker Pad. With untraditional categories like “Appreciate,” “Let Go Of,” and “Feel,” it’s great for releasing and organizing our mind clutter in a visual, productive way.

4. Interesting Product – Sorting

In December I met two amazing women, Yukiko Uno and Keiko Hamaguchi, Shuno-no-su business partners, at the JALO conference Expo in Yokohama. They’ve designed a variety of organizing products. One of the most unusual and clever is their Colorful Sorting Sheets. They're used to “sort out your stuff” into categories such as “use every day,” “use once in a while,” “don’t need it-let it go,” and “actively use it.” They can be used to sort (and ultimately declutter) everything from clothes to cosmetics to papers and more.

5. Interesting Tech Tool – Cord Decluttering

Last month in Los Angeles at the NAPO Conference Expo, the Cable Keeper, brainchild of Neet Products founder Chris Voss won the NAPO Organizers Choice Award for “Best in Show.” Have you been frustrated by cord clutter and tangles in your bag, home or office? The Cable Keeper is a cable management tool that not only is practical, but also comes in a lively array of colors. Guess which color I bought?

6. Interesting Thought – Stuff

What is too much? Only you can decide. If the things in your life are taking over your time, space, and thoughts, it could be an opening for change.

I’d love to hear your thoughts. What are your interesting finds? Do any of these resonate with you?  Come join the conversation!

I just returned from the NAPO conference in Los Angeles. Almost 700 professional organizers convened from around the world to attend sessions about building organizing businesses, discovering relevant products and services, and learning new skills or concepts to help our clients. We took copious notes, conversed, laughed, saw old friends, and made new ones.

Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, better known as The Minimalists gave the opening keynote session, “The Art of Letting Go.” Their following is far from minimal with over four million readers. Their story is inspiring.

Without going into great detail, because you can read all about them and their journey on their website, I will share my big takeaway. Their story reinforced what I’ve observed for 20+ years working with my organizing clients. While we might want to let go, reduce clutter, and change our lives, until we’re ready to do that, letting go is challenging. The desire to let go might exist, but the motivation to do so doesn’t.

Sometimes it takes conditioning, slowly exercising those letting go muscles to move forward. Sometimes it takes a major life change like divorce, death of a loved one, new job or a move to shift into re-evaluating life and energize the letting go process.

When we’re able to let go and keep only what’s meaningful, beautiful and useful, we create physical and emotional space for what’s truly important. Defining “important” is unique to each of us. As Josh was evaluating and letting go, he’d ask, “Does this thing add value to my life?”  Particularly with his sentimental objects, he was able to let go of the majority of them when he realized . . .

“Our memories are not in our things. Our memories are inside us.”

Linda Samuels at NAPO 2015 with Josh Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus

Josh and Ryan’s stories are inspiring because they shared how they shifted from overwhelmed and dissatisfied by their “stuff” to calm, happy, and more fulfilled through the letting go process. They shifted their focus to experiences and relationships instead of things. It was also inspiring how the change in Josh’s attitude and minimalist living style inspired Ryan, his childhood friend, to pursue a similar way of being.

This brings up another interesting point. You never know how many people you’ll inspire in the process of changing and growing.

What have you noticed when someone lets go? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Join the conversation.

There’s a restlessness and impatience I’ve been noticing. People (at least on the east coast) are ready for winter to morph into spring. We’ve had record snowfall and temperatures. We’re poised and ready for change. This month our conversations have focused around change. We’ve looked at how we view change and the value of making small changes. As we continue the topic, let’s think about resources we can access to help us facilitate change.

What are resources for change?

Professional Organizers

Is simplifying life and getting organized one of your goals? Have you tried making changes on your own, but felt frustrated and unsuccessful in your self-help attempts? This is a good opportunity to reach out to a professional organizer. They can be an invaluable resource for lasting change. To learn more about my professional organizing services visit ohsoorganized.com. To find an organizer near you, use the search features from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) or the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO).

Other Professionals

Often when we desire change, we get stuck because we get confused or lack information. Enlisting support from other professionals can make all the difference in moving forward. Other than professional organizers, which professionals could help? Professionals include accountants, lawyers, social workers, therapists, geriatric social workers, insurance brokers, coaches, doctors, nutritionists, personal trainers, clergy, architects, interior designers, contractors, and educators. Who will be on your team? Which resources do you already have to help make the changes you seek? Which resources will you add to your team?

Family, Friends and Colleagues

Never underestimate the value of your circle when it comes to navigating change. Where would we be without our close friends, family and colleagues? Everyone needs their people to bounce ideas on, complain to, and celebrate with. Who are the people in your close circle? Who are the ones that support you emotionally as you struggle with the changes you seek? Keep them close. Nurture those relationships. Be available to reciprocate.

There are other resources for change. What have you found useful? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation!