How many times have you said to yourself "I want to get organized, but"..., then you do nothing about it?  

I know, for a fact, that this happens more times than not!  Do you want to know why?  Why is it we get frustrated, overwhelmed and do absolutely nothing?  

For some, it's because they don't know where to start.  Perhaps it's because it is just too overwhelming when looking at the whole picture.  For others, it's because they have started the process but never finished and gave up.  For certain people, however, it is because of fear.  Fear can cause some people to not even try.  

What causes that feeling of fear?  There are several reasons.  I mentioned frustration and overwhelm.  How about the feeling of failure?  

Is it possible that you want to get organized but are afraid you will not do a good job and therefore, do nothing at all?  

Do you believe that you will not be able to make the right choices when deciding what to keep, toss or donate?  What justifies keeping something, throwing it away, donating it?  Do you know?  These are questions that tend to come up a lot when going through the process of organizing.  

Is it possible that you are afraid that you will commit the time to weeding through your stuff and not get the results you set out to achieve?  Perhaps you cannot visualize what the end result will look like, and, therefore, cannot even get started.  

Finally, is it possible that you are afraid to let go of things you know you don't want but feel guilty about getting rid of them?  

All of these fears can cause you to freeze or feel stuck and either not get started at all, or, in the alternative, start the process and not finish.

As a professional organizer, I work with my clients one-on-one to not only help them visualize the final outcome, but take the steps needed to not only start the process, but get past those obstacles such as fear and get the job done.

The next time you hear yourself saying "I want to get organized, but"..., remember, it is more common than not to feel frustrated, overwhelmed and perhaps frozen with fear when it comes to getting organized.    

The good news is, I am here to help!  If you want to see what some of my previous clients have experienced, I invite you to visit my Testimonials Page on this website at www.4abetterspace.com/testimonials to see what A Better Space has already achieved for others and what is possible for you, too!

Until next time, I am wishing you an organized day!   

It's time to think outside of the box!  There are so many items that can be re-purposed in a new way.  Now, I am not suggesting that you hold on to everything you own for this reason.  That would be hoarding!  

However, below I have created a short list of seven items you can use in a new and different way.  Let's be creative!  

1. Coffee Filter - The original use is to keep coffee grounds out of your coffee cup.  A new use is to put a filter at the bottom of a flower pot to prevent soil from draining out of the pot.   

2. Paper Shredder - The original use is to protect against identity theft by shredding confidential documentation before disposing of it. A new use is to create decorative tissue paper filler in a gift box or gift bag without having to purchase bags of already shredded filler at the store. 

3. Tissue Box - The original use is to hold tissues for running noses and watery eyes.  A new use is to store plastic grocery bags under the kitchen sink or bathroom vanity to save space.  

4. Toothbrush Holder - The original use is obvious - to store the household's various toothbrushes in an upright position and separate them from each other.  The new use is to hold individual flowers.  Fill the holder with water, cut the stems so they are only a few inches above the top of the holder and slide one flower into each slot.  This is idea for a small arrangement of flowers.

5. Dried Spaghetti -  The original use is a staple in most households to accompany the meatballs.  The new use is to light multiple candles when extra-long matches are not available.  

6. Ice Cube Tray - The original use is to make ice cubes.  The new use is to organize earrings.  Use the separate compartments to sort out pairs of earrings for easy storage and retrieval.  (And they stack nicely in a drawer.)

7. Dental Floss - The original use is to clean in between your teeth for good dental health.  The new use is to unstick photographs that are stuck to an album page by working the floss in between the two surfaces without damaging the picture.

Now that I have provided you with some ideas, do you have any of your own?  If so, please comment below and share with others.  Let's all be more green this Spring!

If you are overwhelmed with the contents in your home and need help deciding what to keep, toss or donate, don't hesitate to give me a call at A Better Space.  I am an expert in interior redesign and can help you utilize items already in your home in a new way.  

In the meantime, have a great week!  

Happy April Fool's Day!  

I am so excited that April is here and, hopefully, the Winter weather is finally behind us.  We are all getting ready for the upcoming holidays, Easter and Passover, which both are being celebrated this coming weekend.  Before we know it, the flowers will be blooming and the warmer temperatures will be here to stay.

In preparation for the warmer temperatures and more time spent outdoors, this is a great time to seriously think about what clutter issues you may be contending with in your home.

Sometimes the Winter months can make us feel a bit sluggish and less productive.  We go into hibernation mode and tend to be less motivated to get things done.  Since this past Winter was particularly challenging, with severely cold temperatures and, for some of us, tons of snow, this is even more true. 

Well, no more excuses! It's time to get moving and get organized!

Do yourself a favor and look around your home and be honest about the areas that need some organizing attention.  Is your bedroom floor filled with clothing, is your linen closet stuffed with sheets and towels, are your kitchen counters crowded with papers or other items, does your home office contain piles of paperwork that does not have a home, is your family room no longer welcoming to the family, is your garage so filled that your car doesn't fit in it?

Do you walk through your front door and the first thing you see is clutter?  How does that make you feel?  Just imagine coming home at the end of the day and having your home bring you a sense of calm instead of dread.  I have always believed that your home is your haven and should be a safe and happy place, leaving the chaos of the world behind.  

Eliminating your clutter and getting organized can help to bring that to fruition.  It has a very powerful impact on all aspects of your life.  Here is a comment I received from one of my clients:

"Audrey, I wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying my home now.  It is much more relaxing.  You helped me create a peaceful place.  There is a place for everything and it is easy to keep things organized.  I was a little nervous when we first started working together.  I wasn't sure about someone having opinions on items that were important to me but I knew I needed to organize and downsize. You really listened to me and helped me donate things I really didn't need.  Now I have a much more manageable home.  I enjoy entertaining more.  You were such a help and I enjoyed the time we spent working together.  I thank you for helping me in such a caring and professional way.  It was such a pleasure to meet you. Many thanks, Karen A., Newtown, PA"

My intent here is not so much to toot my own horn, but rather to show you what an impact getting organized can have on your home and your life.  

Don't be "April foolish"!  Take some time to evaluate what is truly going on in your home that is keeping it from being what you envision it to be.  If you need a fresh set of eyes to help you evaluate your situation and get you on the road to organization, don't hesitate to contact me.  As always, I am here to help.  I am only a phone call or email away.   

Have a great week and a wonderful holiday!