February 2019 - Where we've come and where we're headed

It’s been icy. It’s been frigid. There have been snow days, ice days, and freezing temperature cancellations. It’s Mid-February in the Midwest. We are cold. We ache for spring, for sunshine, for longer days and for warmth. The consensus seems to be that everyone is feeling a little grumpy, a little bitter. “Blah” or “Grrrr” are words that are coming up a LOT lately for my clients, friends and family. But I will not submit! I want spring too, but I will not give life to the negativity. I will not jump on the blah wagon. This is a great time of year for indoor projects, like sorting photos for example. As I spend this frigid February day sorting some of my photos, I’d like to take this blog as an opportunity to share some moments from where our Organizers have been and some thoughts about where we are heading. I hope you enjoy this walk down memory lane!

The first long distance job that SOS Organizers did was back in 2007. It was for a long time client who had purchased a winter home. We got him all organized and packed for his new adventure and after we dropped him off at the airport, we began driving his car from Iowa down to his new place in Arizona. Here’s a few shots from our trip. There’s a picture of our happy client, as well as one from the Red Rocks of Sedona and another from a super cool cactus nursery that wasn’t far from our clients home. Until then, I had absolutely no idea how many cactus plants bloom and how colorful and absolutely beautiful the flowers can be!

While in Arizona, we took one day of our trip to travel to the Phoenix area to do some shopping and see the sites. One of the places we were most excited to visit was The Container Store! A few years later, we came full circle, when along with fellow IPO Organizer Maggie Jackson, we had the pleasure of meeting Cecilia Boone, Co-founder of The Container Store, at the Annual Iowa Women’s Foundation Awards Luncheon!

A few more exciting celeb sightings! Several years ago, Lori Vande Krol had the chance to meet Peter Walsh, star of HGTV program, Clean Sweep, AND she had the opportunity to give away an autographed copy of her mentor, Barbara Hemphill's book, Less Clutter More Life.

The best part of IPO over the years has been the friendships that have formed. Looks like Lori Vande Krol and Michelle Kuiken had a blastie at NAPO convention (beauties in blue).

And from 2009, then IPO members Jennifer Buser and Sandy Rackis at Simple Organizing Strategies 5 year Anniversary party. All of the Organizers in attendance coincidently wore little black dresses. This picture is even more special since it is one of the last celebrations we had with IPO Organizer Joy Bayshore before she lost her battle with cancer in 2014.

Professional Organizers are asked to speak quite a bit. I’ve spoken for cardiac survivor and cancer support groups, independent and assisted living centers, Chambers of Commerce, for bereavement groups, libraries, the Knights of Columbus, and at Wellness Fairs. Organizers like me also teach continuing education classes at local Community Colleges. We’re everywhere taking on everything. We have passion for what we do and we are changing the world. I even manage to find ways to incorporate basic principles of organization and wellness into fitness and yoga classes that I teach. Maggie Jackson added ‘the Walk Coach’ to her business, The Organized Life. Organization is all around us and affects everything we do throughout the day so it’s no surprise the number of people who want to hear what organizers have to say and who want to know our secrets!

Organizers can also make a routine of visiting local TV news programs and offering informational segments on anything from office paperwork to kitchens and pantries. From garage organizing to preparing for Holiday guests. Check out some snapshots of news segments from over the years. I wish I could find footage of one of my first spots. It was in the Quad Cities in 2004 for Paula Sands Live for a segment on Organizing and Baby-Proofing the home. I wore a white turtleneck sweater underneath a buttoned up suit jacket with slacks. I thought that’s what “Professionals” looked like, lol. I was just a baby starting out my new career at that time, and thank goodness, since then I have learned to embrace who I am and to dress in a way that suits me and makes me feel comfortable. Seriously, don’t be surprised if I show up in cat pants these days.

With Marie Kondo’s Netflix show following the release of her New York Time’s Best seller, along with shows like Hoarders and Hoarding: Buried Alive, compounded with the New Year and 50% of people resolving to live a healthier and more balanced life, there is a lot of fuel on the Organizing fire right now. Just recently, Anne Ahmann of Happy.Healthy.Home was featured on a Des Moines area news segment while I was invited to appear on an Iowa City story. Get used to seeing more of our smiling faces!

Then and now. It has always been our goal to grow and to learn. To lean on each other for support, guidance and wisdom. Iowa Professional Organizers are a valuable resource to each other and to our clients. We are a network of like-minded caring humans who reach for more each day and encourage those around us to do the same. I am so proud of my Iowa Professional Organizers. My friends. My colleagues.

And just like every great long distance relationship, we find a way to make it work. Thanks for joining this look down memory lane. Stay tuned as we look towards the future. We can’t wait to share our experiences with you! Grab your sunglasses, it’s going to be bright!

February 2019 Feature! Maggie Jackson

Slowing Down - By Maggie Jackson, CPO

In this month that celebrates love, I would like to suggest that you show some love for yourself by slowing down. And let me clarify right away – slowing down does not mean stopping completely.  It simply means downshifting to a healthier speed.

Plus, February’s 28 days gives us a perfect opportunity to test out some new behaviors for a period of time that some experts suggest allows new habits to form.

Rather than declare New Year’s resolutions, I am on my second year of carefully selecting actions to guide me and to keep me true to my hopes and dreams.  I’m pleased to report that the inaugural run in 2018 went remarkably well, and I honored my list more than even I expected.

My clients know that I’m a big proponent of accountability, so I’m happy to share with you my actions for 2019:

• Be curious

• Stay present

• Embrace stillness

• Accept help

• Listen wholeheartedly

• Spread kindness

Some of these actions certainly will be easier than others.  Some will naturally happen in my daily routine. Others will be far more complicated.  What does stillness look like? Yet I know the items on the list that are the most challenging also will be the most important for me to grow as human being.  Help – who needs help?

Slowing down is a big focus for me this year as each of the above-mentioned items require it. The remarkable community of bright, thoughtful and clever individuals who have embraced minimalism are teaching me many ways to slow down, as a beautiful side-effect of owning less is that you actually have time...time to be curious, embrace stillness, listen wholeheartedly.  And, probably most important to me, more time to spread kindness.

Here are three resources to start you on your own journey of slowing down:

• Joshua Becker, Becoming Minimalist (and his new book, The Minimalist Home):  https://www.becomingminimalist.com/

• Brooke McAlary, Slow Your Home (and her fabulous book, Slow and her amazing podcast, Slow Your Home):  https://slowyourhome.com/

• Courtney Carver: Be More With Less (and Project 333 and her grace-filled book, Soulful Simplicity): https://slowyourhome.com/

I hope that coming year is filled with many slow moments of pure peace and contentment for you and your family.   Set intentions for the coming year and allow yourself the time to embrace them.

Find out more about The Organized Life at: www.organizedlife.us or find Maggie on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/iowaprofessionalorganizers

January 2019 - New Year, New Decor!

For many people, myself included, dismantling our cozy, holiday homes can leave us feeling a bit sad and our homes a bit bare. On the other hand, I love starting the new year with a clean slate for decorating! I have so much fun moving furniture pieces around, rummaging through the house to find accessories to display, creating new stacks of books, and switching out pillow covers and throws.

When decorating your home post-holidays, you want to make reference to the winter season still ahead without appearing as though you just haven’t taken down your holiday decorations yet.

This transition from Christmas to winter can be tough (and not just for decorating) but I’m going to give you some tips on how to achieve a warm, cozy sanctuary you’ll love snuggling up in until Spring!

Keep your wreath – If your holiday wreath doesn’t scream “Christmas”, then leave it out! If it’s made up of holly berries or red and green ribbon, then switch it out for another beautiful wreath. Wreaths can be used for décor year-round. Whether it’s a floral wreath, a yarn strung wreath, or a twig wreath, just find one that reminds you of the season and it will easily add style wherever you hang it!

Layer textiles – Fabric is such a versatile material because it can add pops of color, pattern, and texture to a room. In your home, you probably have several materials you can build around already.  Some examples include upholstered furniture, throw pillows, blankets, poufs, rugs, curtains, and fabric wall art. Layering your room with a variety of these different fabrics will make it feel warm and comfortable while adding interest and dimension!

Bring Nature In - In those winter months when the trees outside are brown and bare, having living plants in your home brings the beauty of nature inside and helps you look forward to the new life that lies ahead in the spring. Vibrant, fresh flowers in a vase or a green, leafy plant will instantly uplift your home and your mood! Nurturing an indoor garden or just some potted herbs also allows you to foster your green thumb even in the winter.

Accessorize with wood - In addition to having other natural elements such as plants and flowers in your home, incorporating wood gives a space warmth, texture, and an organic touch. Wood can be introduced in a variety of ways from the structure of the home such as beams and flooring to the furnishing and accessories. If you don’t have much wood in the architecture of your home, you can add wood elements with furniture, bread boards, bowls, and photo frames, to name a few.

Use fairy lights – One of my favorite things about decorating my home for Christmas is the warm, cozy ambience of all the twinkling lights. Just because Christmas is over, doesn’t mean you need to ditch all the lights. Battery operated fairy lights are a great option for creating this ambience. These pretty, little wires with tiny lights can be used in so many ways to create a cozy atmosphere. You can string them across a fireplace mantel, illuminate a glass hurricane, add them to a decorative bowl, run them along your dining table centerpiece- the options are endless!

For more tips and ideas, contact Stacie Langan of Pretty Simple Decorating & Organizing Quad Cities, or find her page at www.iowaprofessionalorganizers.com. Happy Decorating!

January 2019 Feature! Stacie Langan

It’s January. Time to take a big, deep breath!

The weather may still be frightful, but the craziness of the holidays is behind us. January not only marks the start of a New Year, but it’s also a time of new beginnings. For many people, this is a time to reflect on the past year and to set new ambitions for the year ahead.  No matter what your New Year’s Resolutions are, following through can be a daunting task. I encourage you to take baby steps and to keep on walking until you have reached your goal! For example, if your goal is to have a more organized house, tackle one area at a time. You might simply start with one cabinet, then a closet and then a room.

Although everyone is at different places in life, the premise remains the same. Getting Organized saves time, saves money and reduces stress. In this season of life, my organizing systems revolve around the needs of my family, including elementary aged children, so I completely understand that one of the common goals in households with children is to get a handle on paper clutter. Specifically, how to organize all the papers and crafts they bring home from school. Often, these papers don’t hold any value and just need to make their way into the recycling bin. However, the big question is how to store all the things you DO want to keep in an organized way?

You may also have a few stacks of Christmas cards or Holiday crafts your kids made that you’d like to keep, but if you don’t have a system for storing them, they will probably just sit in a pile and clutter up your counter tops until the 4th of July! If paper clutter happens to be a sore spot in your home, remember again, to take baby steps. Start by separating the items you want to save and weeding out the items you don’t. Then, utilize a storage system such as the one below to keep everything organized.

In my home, I keep a plastic file box for each family member, which I call “keepsake boxes.” The children’s boxes have individual file folders for pre-school through grade twelve. Obviously, those higher grades will not be getting filled for quit some time, but it’s nice to just have the box ready to go. In my boxes, I like to keep things such as report cards, school work that my kid’s put a lot of effort into, special art work, and cards that my kids get for their birthday or other holidays. Organizing all your keepsakes by grade level saves from having to label everything.

I also have keepsake boxes for my husband and me, but they are organized a bit differently. We are often getting cards and art work from our kids or from each other, so our boxes have a separate file folder for each one of our children and our spouse. When I get a Mother’s Day card from my son, I put it in my box in his folder and when I get a birthday card from my husband, I put it in his folder. Similar to the grade level system in the kid’s boxes, dividing up my box by family member allows me to know who the item came from without having to label everything.

You can find the plastic file boxes that I have pictured at Walmart or purchased at Walmart.com by following this link: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterilite-File-Box/19400063

Pretty Simple Decorating and Organizing serves the Quad Cities area. Fore more organizing and storage ideas, check out my business at: facebook.com/prettysimpledecorating.organizing. Live outside of the Quad Cities area? You can also find all the help you need with home and office organizing projects across our great state by checking out our amazing Organizers and Efficiency Consulting Professionals at: www.iowaprofessionalorganizers.com.

May you find peace, joy and a life of Organization in 2019 and beyond. Happy New Year From IPO!

December 2018 - 5 Gentle Reminders for the Holiday Season

5 Gentle Reminders for the Holiday Season

There’s no doubt about it, the holidays can be a stressful time for most people. From shopping to cleaning to cooking, it may seem like you simply can’t keep up with the demands others put on you (not to mention the demands you’re likely putting on yourself). December should be a month of reflection, celebration, and enjoyment! It’s time to do yourself a favor - take a 5-minute break to read through my “gentle reminders” and consider how following them could bring you peace and joy in the coming weeks.

1. Write it down

If you’re at all like me, you have a hundred thoughts and ideas popping into your head throughout the days. People are probably counting on you to follow through on commitments. Don’t be the one to drop the ball! Write everything down in a single list that you can consult to check your progress. I like using the Notes app on my phone since I know I’ll always have my phone with me.

2. Make time for yourself

When was the last time you scheduled time for yourself? I often find if I just wait for some free time to find its way into my day, it will never come. Be proactive and plan ahead! Even setting aside just 20 minutes to read a book, work on a craft, or sit quietly without distractions can make a world of difference for your peace of mind.

3. Stay active

We all know it’s easy to be “too busy” to care for our physical bodies. Believe me, I know ALL the excuses (because I’ve used them). With all the stresses and sweets that come with the holiday season, we owe it to ourselves to try and stay ahead of those lethargic feelings that make us just want to lay on the couch or crawl into bed at 5pm. Don’t worry if it’s too cold outside to go for a walk or you can’t find the motivation to change into your exercise attire for a workout at the gym – there are other options! Search for a quick workout video on YouTube, go to the mall (just be careful not to let the activity become window shopping), or turn on the radio and dance around your living room!

4. Be grateful

I can’t count the number of times I’ve had a “Practice Gratitude” article pop up on my social media news feeds. Research boasts that the act of intentionally being grateful can reap great benefits. We are often reminded to be grateful around Thanksgiving, but I don’t think anyone would argue with my recommendation to incorporate into your lifestyle year-round. With the technology we have at our fingertips today, it’s easier than ever before. It only takes a few seconds to shoot off an email, text, or tweet to express your gratefulness for a friend or family member. If you’re really into it, you could keep a gratitude journal to make notes of what you are thankful for each day. I find that I’m most grateful during the holiday season, and I like to express my gratitude with gifts. Disclaimer: As a self-proclaimed “minimalist”, I am very careful to ensure my gifts are not adding undue clutter to anyone’s space. To each their own.

5. Embrace your space

You should treasure the space you spend your time in. Whether that’s your home, your office, your car – you deserve for that space to bring you a sense of calm. Make sure your space is clean and clear of clutter. If you’re expecting to receive gifts at the end of the month, this might be a good time to go through your current things and consider which items you could discard or donate. Out with the old, and in with the new. Iowa Professional Organizers is here to help – find an organizer near you!

December 2018 - Members Members Members!

December is here! Membership in the Association of Iowa Professional Organizers continues to grow and we would like to take this opportunity to highlight ALL of our spectacular members and to help you find just the right Pro Organizer or Efficiency Consultant for your next project!

IPO was created in 2006 in order to be a resource for Organizers and Clients alike, and has grown to include more diverse and experienced members while simultaneously becoming a stronger resource for clients! Founding members include: Jennifer Robb, Maggie Jackson, Lori Vande Krol, Donna Schoeppner and Noelle Carroll. This means your bases are covered from Council Bluffs, through the Des Moines and Iowa City areas all the way into the Quad Cities with seasoned IPO veterans.

Over the years, IPO has had the pleasure of adding new Organizers, from many areas of the state like Michelle Kuiken from NW Iowa, Linda Stoolman of West Branch, Jenny Fruin of Iowa City and Laura Lord, who travels between Riverside and Reinbeck as she Organizes AND cares for aging members of her family. In addition, Sidney Young is a fantastic Organizer who recently relocated to Iowa City from sunny Florida!

More recently, our newest members include Iowa City Organizers Britni Piegors and Katie Buswell (both of whom are also certified Yoga teachers, yay)! Anne Ahmann, Amy Maach and Daphne Christensen, all serving the Des Moines area, and Stacy Langan of Bettendorf, who's focus is on interior design and who serves the entire Quad Cities area! Last but certainly not least, our newest member, Renee Anderson, Owner of Sensible Space Solutions serves Mason City and Northern Iowa Clients!

No matter your needs or location, IPO is here to help. What are your goals for 2019? Is it time to overcome paper clutter once and for all? Is it to get a handle on your schedule, priorities and time? Are you ready to tackle that spare room, storage area or garage? Don’t Agonize. Organize.

November 2018 - Mindfulness During the Holidays

In stores across the country, on the first of November, the spooky costumes and miniature candies from Halloween are rapidly replaced by a sea of red and green. Holiday ads begin popping up on social media, TV, email inboxes, and in the physical mail. The bombardment of advertisement and societal pressure to buy material gifts, matched with the desire to feel love and connection during the holidays can sometimes lead to a bit of a frenzy.

The winter holidays are often nostalgic, a time when families are reunited and everyday problems are temporarily put on pause. For this reason, it can be easy to overspend and consume  in preparation, wanting to ensure happiness during the holidays. However, it is important to remember that money cannot buy happiness. The following are three ways to practice mindfulness this season:

1. When stress takes over, self-care is often the first to be neglected. Try not to let anxious thoughts dominate actions. Bring yourself back into your physical body by concentrating on your breath, doing some yoga, or taking a walk in nature if it is not too cold. It doesn’t matter what the activity is, as long as it allows you to feel grounded and find stillness. With the mind calm, it is easier to organize and plan for the festivities. This also allows you to put conscious thought into the gifts you choose to buy.

2. Across the country, materialism is evident. The overconsumption of material items leads to the build-up of clutter within homes and then in landfills once the items are discarded. Consider making DIY gifts, regifting an item you already have, gifting an experience rather than a physical item, or supporting a local business.

3. If you choose to shop for the holidays at the mall or at large department stores, try to enter the store with a plan rather than aimlessly wandering. Reduce the incidents of “impulse buys” by knowing exactly what you are looking for and what your budget is. Try to remember that buying something on sale that you would not have otherwise purchased, is still spending, not saving money.

Gadgets and shiny objects can be incredibly distracting from the true beauty in life.  There is magic to be found in the ordinary moments. The exchanges of laughter and feelings of love highlight the human experience. Focus on all that you are grateful for this holiday season and encourage those around you to do the same. Spread the love and joy to everyone you encounter. You never know what someone is going through or how a kind gesture can make someone’s day. Lastly, take the time to celebrate connection, between humans and the world around us.

November 2018 Feature! Britni Piegors

Welcome to November! The leaves have changed color and can ben seen daily, dancing in the wind. We are reminded that the cycle of nature continues, as we wind our way towards the close of another year. As we begin to transition into the sometimes stressful Holiday Season, it is more important now than ever to take time to reflect, to care for yourself and to set your intention for a low stress high vibration holiday full of laughs and love and Britni can definitely help with that. This month, it is my pleasure to introduce Iowa Pro Organizer, Britni Piegors. She is so much more than an Organizer, and we are extremely lucky to have her. Check her out!

Britni is passionate about health and wellness and her primary goal is to help clients and loved ones reduce stress in their lives. In addition to being a Professional Organizer and member or IPO, Britni is also a Licensed Massage Therapist and Owner of The Lavender Lotus Healing Arts. When she is not helping organizing clients, she can be found giving massages in her office at Eastdale Plaza in Iowa City. She also has a massage table and chair that can travel with her, so you can have a kick butt organizing session with Britni, and then receive a massage to keep the calm and relaxed feeling with you once your session is finished.

As if Organizing with Simple Organizing Strategies and Massage Therapy with Lavender Lotus wasn’t enough, Britni is also a Yoga Alliance RYT-200 Certified Yoga Teacher. That’s where Jennifer and Britni initially met and formed their bond professionally as well as an amazing friendship personally. Britni has been a great addition to SOS and is doing an amazing job caring for our clients and helping to care for our beloved yoga studio, Muddy Feet Hot Yoga as well.

Britni chooses always to see the best in every situation. She has a giant heart for her family, friends and animals as well. She and her partner Patrick met while Britney was doing service work with the Baltimore public schools through AmeriCorps and Patrick was receiving his AmeriCorps training. Together, they have 3 cats and a potbellied pig named Anakin. She loves traveling, spending time in nature and baking delicious vegan goodies. What can Britni help you with this Holiday Season?

October 2018 - Creating a Kitchen Command Center

How to Create a Kitchen Command Center

Dads get the home office and moms get a corner of the kitchen table.  Here are some tips on how to create a space for mom. A kitchen command center is a place where family members can go for quick information like important dates, current to do’s and school information.  Each center is different depending on your needs of the family but if done properly can help save time and keep your family organized.

Select the Right Spot- An area of the house that is passed though or easily accessible can be an effective location. Not all commend centers need to be in the kitchen.  You may have a utility room or a nook in the hallway. Yours doesn’t have to look a certain way or be a certain size. You will want a small desk or shelves to place items on and drawers are a big help.

You may have special needs for your family that you will want to incorporate. Is it tax season and you need a space for incoming 1099’s, Do you have a small business that you run from home are you the secretary of the PTA and need room for project supplies and documents. Tailoring your center to your specific needs will be a must.

Stuff for your Command Center- Create a list of the things you would like to have in this space. Most command centers have a calendar, a place for pens/ pencils, a chalkboard or cork board for important messages/ notes and upcoming events, hooks for keys and a charging station for electronics.  One of the most important things to have is a place for file folders, they will hold mail, coupons, receipts and other information. A wall file can be used, desk top file folder or tickler file it has to be easily accessible. Feel free to add some family photos, inspirational quotes or cute décor but be careful not to go overboard small places can get cluttered easily.

If you have cabinets or shelves in your command center grouping like items (scissors, tape, additional office supplies etc.) in bins and labeled it will help save space and avoid creating clutter. Clear bins with lids are great for stacking and fabric bins with windows can add color and hide stuff.

Get Rid of the Extras- Make sure to be aware of what belongs and what doesn’t.  Your command center is centrally located and maybe an easy drop spot for miscellaneous items.  Find homes for this stuff and let your family members know what belongs at the command center and what doesn’t.

There are so many things to take into consideration when creating your command center but the information above is a good start.  Don’t be afraid to tweak and make changes if the space isn’t working for you. And be sure to keep your new space clean and organized.  Have Fun!

October 2018 Feature! Sidney Young

Welcome to October! This month, I am pleased to introduce you to Sidney Young of Need Organizing? Sid joined IPO this year, after relocating from San Diego via sunny Florida. Sidney is here helping others get organized and she has brought an infectious tropical sunshine smile and a passionately positive attitude along with her! IPO and Iowa City Organizing Clients alike are lucky to have her! Welcome to Iowa Sid!

In 1999, Sidney started Need Organizing? in San Diego, California as she looked for fulfilling work helping people while earning her college education, she realized she was surrounded by friends and acquaintances who needed a little boost in the organizational department. This was before the rise of popularity of Oprah and HGTV organizing gurus. Need Organizing? has been featured on local San Diego news and published articles on Conquering clutter; "Getting Organized for the Holidays" and "Springing into Spring time".

One of the many perks of being a Professional Organizer is interacting with all the amazing clients she’s had an opportunity to work with; from a national greeting card entrepreneur and author, to a popular sports figure, two New York Times bestselling authors, a spiritual guru and frequent guest on The Oprah Show, from mom's and small business owners to a children's book publisher and an 80-year-old artist. Sidney is proud to have helped many people from so many walks of life in achieving their organizational goals.

Since relocating the company to Iowa City, Iowa, Sid is grateful to have figured out years ago how important Organizing is to the masses and look forward to sharing her expertise with you. Stay tuned for her mid-month blog about setting up a family command center, can’t wait!

Let's get ORGANIZED!

Sidney "Sid" Young
Professional Organizer and Efficiency Consultant