Creating a spacious, livable, and comfortable environment according to your tastes and then modifying it so it can also be a comfortable and safe space for your pet can prove to be quite challenging. Now, imagine if you also wish to move! So, in the following article, you will find some helpful advice and organization tips for pet owners that we hope will be of good use to anyone and everyone who might need them.

Organization Tips: Pet Owner Edition

From those moving to a new house with their pet and unsure how to handle things or make them work to anyone considering getting their first pet, this article is for you—wondering where to put your cat’s litter so the entire house wouldn’t smell? Don’t know where to put your pet’s furniture according to your own so they wouldn’t be in the middle of your feet? Want to move into a new house with your dog, but worry about how it would take it or what the right person for the task at hand is? Professionals from US Moving Experts recommend you hire someone that will have you and your pet moving safely and with precision in no time.

No.1: Their space In Your space

Since they’re living with us, our pet’s personal space is in our personal space. So, when it comes
to organizing your space, you need to create a cozy place for your pet as well. From its toys to its
bed, you should make sure their stuff won’t be making moving around the house difficult. Or you
will probably end up tripping over your cat’s bed on your way to the bathroom at 3 am.

No.2: Keeping Your Pets At Bay…

Any pet owner knows that it is no easy task sometimes. But a significant one nonetheless.
Training them properly and teaching them boundaries is a sure thing that can only tip the scale in
your favor. And make organizing your house easier. It can also prove life and money saving, as it
lowers the chances of accidents, injuries, and things breaking. But training them, especially if you
do it yourself, can be really difficult. So your best bet is to find a way that will be fun for both you
and your pet.

No.3: …and your Cables Away

As our little fury buddies tend to get excited over, well, almost everything, having things such as
wires and cables exposed is most likely a recipe for cat-astrophy. Multi-facet extensions next to
your bed? You should probably re-organize your room. And make sure you tuck them nicely and
neatly. Or you could move them to a place that is still functional to you but also safe for your pet.

Cables, wires, string-led lights, etc., can often become hazardous toys. Them getting played with,
bitten, or yanked at, can lead to things falling and breaking. Your pet might even get injured, which
can sometimes prove lethal, especially for smaller-sized pets. So yeah, those computer wires you
have hanging under your desk? You should probably re-arrange them for your pet’s safety. And
your mental one. Can you absolutely not think of anything potentially dangerous, in the wrong
place, or unorganized? Then you might want to check our list of the most common mistakes
people make when organizing their homes. Just to make sure.

No.4: Is that a thing?!

How many times has that thought run through your head while having a pet? Especially
when your dog looks at something that just fell on the floor. How often have you chased them
around the house as they grabbed something of yours and ran off? Small, shiny, and not, things
like razor blades, pencil sharpeners, and elastics seem like toys to them. Even larger items like
chargers, notebooks, or toilet rolls sometimes. All those times you found a toilet roll shredded
could been avoided. If only you just knew how to organize your home as the experts do. So
organizing your home drawers or cabinets, and putting such stuff in places that cannot be
reached or opened by our four-legged friends, is one of the organization tips for pet owners that is
a must-do on our list.

No.5: Eating together

There is one very simple and safe choice when it comes to where their food and water should
be. The kitchen. Organizing your kitchen to be pet-friendly and finding a nice little place to place
their bowls is the answer you seek. They should be easily accessible by your pets. But not in your
feet or in the way of one of your kitchen appliances. That way you can also even eat together!
Moreover, you will not have to worry about them staining your carpets if they spill something.

No.6: Nature’s Call

All beings, humans and animals alike, have to answer them. Be it a cat, a dog, a bird, or a fish,
you get the point. So you need to designate a specific place for their litter. A place where they can
go unbothered and where they won’t have people walking by all the time. But, at the same time, a
place where the smell won’t travel inside the whole house. It is best to have good air venting in the
kitchen or the bathroom. Maybe next to the balcony’s door, a window, or even on the
balcony itself. But in the case of the bathroom or the balcony, you have to be extra mindful of
them. Remember to leave the door to the bathroom or balcony open, so they can have access at
all times. Of course, though, you should also do so when you leave the house without them. But
essentially, do not forget to think about it thoroughly before deciding on where. Because changing
their designated place can often confuse them and lead you to find surprises in places
you shouldn’t. So, you could even consider consulting an expert on home organization matters.
And when it comes to consultation and advice, a good at their job expert would do so for free.

No.7: Moving to a New Place

Though it usually happens first, it is probably the most challenging, so we saved it for last. Moving
to a new place, although exciting and refreshing, can sometimes be as frightening as it is exciting.
Especially for your pet, to which it all probably seems to happen so suddenly and not by choice.
So you should be patient and give it time and space to get used to the changes.
And, of course, an expert’s help can be beyond helpful at times like these. Preferably someone
with years of experience in this field, thus ensuring to designate a safe space for your pet.
Someone who knows how to get the job done right. And who knows how to deal with each pet’s
situation correctly? This way, your pet, as well as your moving, gets taken care of in the best way
possible.

In conclusion, when you decide to become a pet owner and you get a pet, you stop being alone.
Whether you were by yourself up until now or with your family, a new member gets added to your
home. A member that, just like yourself, has needs. Because it needs to be fed, taken care of,
and, most importantly, loved. So, hopefully, you’ve found our organization tips for pet owners
beneficial and insightful. And if so, we hope they will help improve your and your pets’ lives.

There isn’t just one tried and true way of organizing your house. Any approach you take has to work with your lifestyle and habits. There are a few strategies, however, that can enhance the effectiveness of any approach. From taking inventory of your belongings to organizing in zones, there are many ways to tweak the way you tidy up.

We’ve asked professional organizers, from New York, NY to Sacramento, CA, to spill their best-kept secrets so you can put an end to a messy life once and for all – and save time, money, and stress while doing so.

Be realistic about your availability

When you’re about to start any organizing your house project, think about the time you have to devote to it and don’t forget that there are only 24 hours in a day. If you know your attention span is short, don’t pick a project that will take hours. Simple tasks that don’t require a lot of thought, like organizing a desk drawer will be quick. Tasks that are personalized to you, like organizing your closet, will take longer. – The Organized Flamingo

Assess your wardrobe

Is your closet a museum or a place to store and easily access your clothes? If your closet resembles a museum, here’s what you can do to help yourself. Arrange your clothes by categories and garments, and seasonally if desired. Try on your clothes, asking yourself “Is the style timely or timeless? Does the shape of the garment flattering? Is it comfortable and easy care?” Decide to keep, toss, donate or sell if valuable enough. Decide how much time you have for this project. It’s helpful to take this project in steps, working in sections. Start with one side, working from top-down. – A Helping Hand for You

Use chalkboard labels in your pantry 

Labels are a must for every room in the house, but I’m particularly obsessed with using chalkboard labels in the pantry. The pantry is a space where inventory is constantly being switched out, like how I optimistically bought a 50 pack of kale chips that will probably be replaced by an industrial-sized tub of cookie butter in a week. Chalkboard labels allow for this experimentation with your food since you can just erase and re-label whenever you need to. There are about a million kinds on Amazon for cheap, so I highly suggest giving em a whirl. – The Organizer Bunny

Keep track of the food in your pantry to avoid waste

Avoid food waste by using a small blackboard to keep a note of what needs eating first in your fridge or pantry. Place it somewhere where everyone can see it, and help them to grab snacks and lunch accordingly! – More Organised

Get your kids involved

Sometimes it is a challenge to get and keep your kids organized when organizing your house. When organizing your children’s rooms get them involved and make a game of it. Make it a race to see if you or your child can pick up and put away their toys faster than you. This also works with clothes going in the hamper, drawers, and closet. Include a prize at the end if they are the fastest. (It helps to let them win.) The more fun it is, the more they will want to get involved. – Office Furniture Warehouse

Always declutter and organize before selling your home 

If your kitchen cabinets are full it tells the buyers that you don’t have enough storage. Keep everything light and when possible leave a shelf empty. You want to sell them on the fact that you have “too much” storage. Visual clutter can be the pile of laundry and excess of artwork on the walls. Find ways to simplify the visual clutter throughout your home. Edit out artwork, tchotchkes from your travels, and anything that’s collected dust over the year. The less stuff you have out the larger your home will look to buyers. – The Clutter Curator

Create a checklist for your tasks

Grab a pen and paper, then do an inventory of the room you want organized. Write down all the things you need to clean, fix, and ideas for what you think will make the room perfect for you. This can serve as a checklist to help you get started, mark off items as you go, and plan for any improvements. – Tidy by Habit

Use a door shoe organizer for a variety of belongings

You can use an over the door shoe organizer for apparel. For example, roll leggings of both dark and light colors. Place one or two pairs of like in each see-through pouch so that you can find them easily without having to dig through clothing clutter in your drawer. – Wow Organizing

Less is more in your child’s room

When organizing your house look for simple ways to keep your child’s room organized, let’s start with the less is more. Fill your child’s room with toys that are interactive so they don’t need more useless items that just take up space. Organizers are your best friend, stackable cubes or bookcases. Fill their closets with shelving, this helps keep your baby’s clothes visible, neat, and easily accessible. – CEO Ariselis Siciliano, Better Baby Boutique

Break your kitchen up into zones

One of my favorite ways to organize a kitchen is by zones. Divide your kitchen into zones such as cooking, food storage, food prep, dishware, and serveware. Keep only the number of items you need in each zone. Breaking it up in this way helps define your space and leads to a more functional kitchen. – Amber Bloomberg 

Take care of yourself while getting organized

Are You Tired Of Stressful Thanksgiving Gatherings?

It is no big secret that having an organized Thanksgiving can be very difficult to accomplish.  This is especially true for the family that is hosting and cooking Thanksgiving dinner.

In fact, Thanksgiving should be a time of relaxation and enjoyment with the family.  But the simple fact is if you are the host that just does not happen.

Well, WOW Organizing Services has decided to help you make this Thanksgiving different.  Do not worry, it is truly simple. All you have to do is follow the tips we provide you in this article to have a more relaxing, stress-free as well as an organized Thanksgiving this year.

WOW Organizing 8 Tips For A Stress-Free & Organized Thanksgiving

1. Create An Organized Thanksgiving List

It is important to have several Thanksgiving lists in order to help you keep organized as well as reduce your stress level.

Below are some examples that we suggest you follow for a more relaxing as well as stress-free Thanksgiving this year.

• Try to come up with a rough estimate of how many guests you expect to have.  in fact, this will help you have a better understanding of just how much food you need to make
• Prepare a list of the menu items you plan to make.  
• Come up with a list of recipes you plan on using.  We suggest making a list of items you can prep as well as make ahead of time.  Also, we recommend making a list of the total cooking for each item you plan on making.
• Create a list of the ingredients you will need for all your recipes.  This will not only help you while preparing your meal, in fact, it will also cut down your time spent at the grocery store which can reduce your stress significantly.  

2. For An Organized Thanksgiving Do Your Shopping As Early As Possible

The earlier you can do your Thanksgiving shopping the less stress you will feel.  By hitting the stores weeks before Thanksgiving it will help you beat the big crowds which are most often a major cause of stress.

Furthermore, by doing your shopping early you allow yourself to make mistakes and still have time to recover from them.  For example, if you did not buy enough of one item you will still have plenty of time to go back and buy that item.

This is important for an organized Thanksgiving because the closer the holiday gets the more likely you are not going to be able to find the item you need.  In fact, this is especially true on the day of Thanksgiving as well as the day before. The truth is many stores are in fact closed or close early on these days.

3.  Find and Sort All The Ingredients You Plan On Using

It is not a big secret that we all have ingredients in our pantry or spice cabinet that we barely use.  So it is truly important to take the time to figure exactly which ingredients, as well as the spices you already have available. 

In fact, if you take this step early enough you can even buy the spices needed online.  This will allow you to not even have to go to the grocery store to purchase these items.  

4.  Try And Prep As Many Items As You Can Days Before

Preparing dishes like side dishes as well as desert days before the big day can really help.  This will save you much time because all you have to do is simply reheat them before serving. 

Cutting all the vegetables up and putting them in a container and storing them in the refrigerator is also a huge time-saver.

5.  Prepare Your House A Few Days Early For An Organized Thanksgiving

Be sure to organize and declutter your home a few days early.  This will help you see just how much room you really have for your guests.  Furthermore, it may also help you find nice Thanksgiving decorations that use can use to truly set the mood.

6.  Don’t Wait, Have The Table Set-Up & Ready 1 or 2 Days Before

Waiting until the day of Thanksgiving could be the worst decision for you to make. In fact, it makes having an organized Thanksgiving almost impossible.  If for some reason you do not have enough plates, glasses or silverware it could leave you in a panic.

This in return will most likely leave you feeling overwhelmed.  Not to mention you also may not even be able to find more necessities before your guests arrive and it is time to eat.

7.  Have A Plan To Keep All The Dishes Warm & Ready To Serve

We all know that things rarely go as planned which makes it difficult for an organized Thanksgiving.  This is especially true when it comes to cooking.  For example, one dish may take longer to cook than expected.  Or maybe something is overcooked and it needs to made again.

This does not mean you are a lousy cook.  These are simply situations that everyone cooking Thanksgiving dinner has experienced one or another.

By having a plan to keep the prepared food warm you will decrease the chance of panic as well as the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Keeping the turkey warm while the remaining dishes ready is a great example.  It is important to keep the turkey warm because it allows the juices to redistribute.  This in return helps prevent the turkey from getting dry.

My personal tip for keeping your turkey moist is to wrap it with foil. Next, cover it with a thick towel that you just ran through the dryer.

8.  Last But Not Least…Ask For Help

It is extremely important to realize you do not have to take on these overwhelming tasks all by yourself.  Try and reach out to some close friends or family members that live close by for help.

They can help you prep all well as cook the dishes that can be made early.  This is also a great way to have some quality time with those close to you.

Make it fun, you can all split a bottle of wine, have some laughs, and create some memories all while taking care of business.

Contact Us Today!

If you are in need of more tips on how to have a more organized Thanksgiving this year please do not hesitate to contact us.  We offer FREE Phone Consultations for everyone.  Just simply Click HERE and owner and founder Ann Custer will be more than happy to answer any question you may have.  

Relocation is a complex and complicated process, even for the most organized individuals. Since you have a whole family to move, you can expect the challenge ahead to be even more significant. However, there is a way to get in front of the situation.

Whether you are moving near, far, or far far away, it would be best that you start planning and organizing right away. It is this first crucial step that will make everything that follows much easier.

If you are struggling with putting everything on paper, here is our guide to organizing a move with kids. It should help you step into this venture ready and prepared in the best way possible.

Start By Creating An Organized Moving Calendar

Even the most complicated projects are simple to tackle once you have a straightforward course of action in front of you, and that is what you need for the upcoming move.

Since you have a whole family and no lack of tasks, you should create a moving calendar. Not all tasks can be done in a week or two prior to the moving day.

With this in mind, see that you create a hierarchy of tasks based on urgency, and allocate enough time for each so that you can do them correctly. Doing so will help you keep track of the things you need to get done and alleviate some of the stress.

Tasks to put in your moving calendar

While certain tasks will vary depending on your situation, there are still obligations all parents will have to incorporate in their schedule:

● Researching moving services/getting help for a DIY move from your friends or family
● Visiting your new community
● Budgeting accordingly
● Speaking with your kids about the move (if they are of age)
● Researching schools and/or kindergartens
● Ordering packing supplies
● Strategizing your packing process
● Making travel arrangements

Find The Right Moving Assistance

You will need to get some help to pull this through in a successful way. You cannot watch over your kids and be packing your china with the care it needs. This is why you need to get some assistance.

Whether you ask your friends or family to take care of your children or help with the
move itself, or both for that matter, it is up to you. Just be honest with yourself before asking for help. Don’t think you can do more than you can handle.

After all, the point of this relocation is not to have you feeling drained, nervous, and overwhelmed. It is a step into a new and better life, so try to ensure you truly experience it as such.

Regarding The Moving Companies

A professional, reliable, and experienced moving crew can make a world of difference when it comes to the moving experience and the organization of the process. It would be best if you got yourself a team that can work with your schedule and guarantees you won’t have a reason to worry.

To make the best pick, you will have to do some research. Go through the companies’ reviews, and compare their rates. Once you have researched at least five moving companies, you should be able to make a sound decision.

The right team by your side will not only do the technical part of the move but will often also share some valuable input. Feel free to ask them anything regarding your move, and do not restrain from seeking advice.

No one can tell you better how to get your nursery ready to go in no time than the people who take care of such tasks daily.

Make Arrangements For Childcare On Moving Day

Make no mistake – a professional moving team will only get you so far. However, that is not to say that the moving day itself will not be as hectic as you can imagine. The movers will be coming and going; you have to think of the move-out and move-in deadlines, truck rentals, cleaning, and everything else.

Once you add your kids to the picture, things can go from hectic to utter chaos. This is why we believe it to be best that you leave them to the care of someone you can trust for the day.

Take into consideration hiring a babysitter or leaving your kids with close family or friends even a day or two before the move. It will provide you with enough time and energy to focus on tying up any loose ends with packing or other moving tasks, getting the most out of the time you have.

Organizing A Move With Kids With Their Help

Just as you find moving to be stressful, so do your kids, if not even more so, both physically and emotionally. They often feel like their opinions do not matter. After all, plenty of important decisions are being made without regard to their feelings and input.

Being compassionate, but the firm is one of the best ways to guide them through these big changes. Make sure that you are communicative and eager to answer their questions.

Explain the reasons for moving and why these changes have to be made. At the same time, however, you have to let them make their own decision wherever possible.

For example, let them know they will pick the diner for the move-in night. Or, maybe they can choose their own room or the color of the walls. Organizing a move with kids can even be a bonding experience if you know how to approach it.

These do not have to be some big decisions, but so long as there are some, it will make them feel more confident and less opposed to your moving plans. After all, nobody likes to feel like their opinion does not matter, regardless of age.

Is There Clutter In Your Home Causing You Stress?

Let’s face it, the idea of an organized home sounds appealing to both homeowners as well as renters.

But we must be honest with ourselves.  Many homeowners in the United States indeed have cluttered homes.  In many cases, the clutter in their home is causing them everyday stress.

In fact, according to an online survey Eight-Four percent of currently stressed Americans said they worry their home is not organized enough.

Furthermore, among all the people that said they experienced some level of stress about home organization.  Nearly a third of them also said they were very or extremely stressed by their homes.

Reduce Stress By De-Cluttering Your Home

It has been proven, by decluttering your home you will indeed reduce the stress in your life.

Unfortunately, the majority of people experiencing stress from clutter simply do not know where to start.

So to help you out a little, WOW Professional Organizing has decided to write this article to help you out.  Today, we will share with you 10 easy to follow steps that will help you organize as well as declutter your home starting Today!

So get you a note pad and pen and get ready to learn how you can start to simplify your life…Right Away!

10 Tips To Help Declutter Your Home

1. Don’t Overwhelm Yourself, Star With 5-10 minutes a Day

The worst thing you can do is try to get your entire home organized and de-cluttered all in one day.

In fact, this will do nothing but overwhelm you even more.  This is result will most likely cause you to stop your De-cluttering project altogether.

Keep it simple, start with one small area of the house and spend a simple 5-10  minutes a day decluttering that area.  Before you know it that area will be complete.

2. Find A Way To Get Rid Of One Unwanted Item A Day

Every single one of us is guilty of keeping things and we truly do not need.  In fact, when you start de-cluttering your home.  I can almost guarantee you will find something that you cannot even remember buying.  Or even worst, an item that has never been used.

Hanging on to items like this does nothing more than cause more chaos in our lives. Not to mention leaving us feeling overwhelmed and stressed even more.

You can start simplifying your life by giving one unwanted or needed item away each and every day.  Just think, if you give one item a day away you will have gotten rid of 365 items in just one year.

Removing this amount of items would leave you with a lot more space as well as a couple of well de-cluttered rooms.

3.Place All Clothes You Don’t Wear In A Trash Bag.  

Go through your closet as well as drawers in all the rooms in your house.  Collect all the clothes that no longer fit or you do not wear.

Once you have all of the clothes collected place them in a trash bag.  Don’t worry you will not be trashing them, you will be donating them to others in need.

4. Donate Clothes To Local Charity or Homeless Shelter

Find a local charity or homeless shelter to donate to.  Unfortunately, there are many people in the world that truly need clothes for warmth and comfort that cannot afford them.

By donating the clothes that no longer fit you or that you simply no longer wear.  You in reality killing two birds with one stone. 

In fact, you are helping someone in need as well as reducing the stress in your life at the same time.

5. Create A Checklist Of Areas That Need To Be De-Cluttered

Go through your home and decide on each and every area that is cluttered and needs help.  Document each area or room that needs help as well as make notes about what needs to be done.

By creating this declutter your home list you will be creating a visual representation for yourself.  This will help you better see and understand which area of your home needs to be decluttered first.

6. Create A Declutter Your Home Challenge For Yourself

Create a challenge decluttering that will help motivate as well as push you to get rid of things.  For example, the WOW 10 challenge.

The WOW 10 challenge is where you find 10 items to throw away, 10 times to donate as well as 10 items to return to their proper place.

This will not only help declutter and organize your home.  It also helps maintain the organization of your home once your decluttering project is complete.

7. Picture Your Home As If You Are A Visitor

This is actually a very important step to take.  By looking at your home as a new visitor it will allow you to notice things that normally you would not notice.  

Step out of your house and the walk back in.  Once you walk back in, view your home as if you have never been there before. Take notice as well as notes on areas of your home that need organizing as well as cleaning. 

This will help you narrow down to areas of your home that need decluttering and organized first. 

8. Use Before & After Photos As Encouragement

This step is a very good way to motivate yourself.  Find a small area in your home that has pretty intensive clutter.  De-clutter and clean that area right away. 

This will allow you to envision first-hand just how good your entire home would look organized as well as de-cluttered.

The key is to make sure it is a very small area.  If you start with an area that is too large you may overwhelm yourself.  This could very well result in you quitting your decluttering and organizing project.  

Unfortunately, this will lead to only more stress!

9. Use The Box Method To Declutter Your Home

The box home decluttering method is very simple and only involves four boxes.

All you have to do is to gather four boxes and label each box.  You will label each back as follows: trash, give away, donate, and find a new location or relocate

Once you have your boxes labeled all you have to do is enter into a room with all four boxes. Star placing items in that room in the box that it belongs to.  It is extremely important that you do not skip any items in that room.

It is important to understand, this could take some time.  For example, days, weeks, or even months.  So do not get discouraged if you are not finished in 3 or 4 hours.

10.  Ask For Organizing & Decluttering Help

Do not be afraid to ask for help.  You can ask family and friends for help.  But unfortunately, if they do not have decluttering knowledge, there is a chance you with both starts feeling overwhelmed.

If you are not certain exactly what to do or need motivation.  I highly suggest contacting and possibly hiring a professional organizer in your area.

Professional organizing and decluttering companies not only have the knowledge and wisdom it takes.  They also have experienced just about every situation possible so there is no need to feel embarrassed.

If you are ready to speak with a professional organizer you can Click HERE and set up a FREE Phone Consultation with WOW Organizing Services.

Owner & Founder Ann Custer will be more than Happy to answer any questions you may have based on her 20 Plus Years of Decluttering and Organizing experience.

Looking For More Decluttering & Organizing Information?

If you are in search of more information on how to create a well organized and decluttered home.  Be sure to take a look at the following related articles.

Related Articles:

Declutter Your Home Office With Theses 11 Must Use Steps

Benefits Of An Organized Home Office

House Organization & How To Achieve It On Your Own

2020 Home Organization Tips & Guide

6 Professional Organizer Tips For Your Next Move

Does the Clutter in your Home Office have you Feeling Overwhelmed?

During the current COVID-19 crisis the home office has become an extremely important place.  Working from home has become the new norm for many Americans as well as the rest of the world.  We all know, it is almost impossible to be productive in a cluttered office.  If you have thought to yourself “how do I find decluttering services near me”  do not worry…you are not alone.

With the working from home trend currently taking place and not looking like it will end anytime soon.  The home office is just going to become an even more important part of life.  Unfortunately, if one of the most important areas of your life is cluttered you can rest assure chaos and stress are to soon follow.

To help Simplify Your Life, I have decided to provide you with the following 11 Tips.  By following these tips you will be able to keep your office organized as well as reduce the stress in your life.

1. De-Clutter Your Home Office By Taking It One Area At A Time

Trying to tackle an entire area all at one time can be a bit overwhelming for most people.  Focus on one area of the office at a time.  For example, concentrate on your desk area one day.  The next day work on organizing papers.  The key is to try and do a little each day.

2. Make All Your Documents Digital 

We often tend to allow the paper to clutter up on our desks.  This resulting in the everyday feeling of overwhelm due to having to dig through the clutter of papers all day.

There is a simple solution to this problem though, it is to move everything over to digital.  Make files with all important documents and save them somewhere safe on your computer or a USB drive.  Both are actually recommended, that way you have a backup.

For items like bills, invoices, as well as receipts you can do the same or you can download the Quickbooks app.  It is cheap to create an account and allows you to track all financial transactions.

3.  Create A Station For Mail Only

In order to prevent the paper from cluttering back up on your desk in your home office, create a station for mail only.  One of the best methods I believe is to use file folders.  Create a file for incoming mail as well as outgoing mail.

You can do the same thing for bills.  Create a folder for bills paid as well as bills owed.  Just simply repeat this until you have a folder for all the important documents.  The key is to go through each folder every week and get rid of what you can.  For example, once a bill has been paid record the payment digitally and throw away the paper.

4.  Find Storage For All Old Paperwork Still Needed

The sad truth is no matter how much we want or how hard we try there is just some paperwork the must be kept.  Important documents like leases or old business contracts must be kept but oftentimes get in the way.  

To prevent them from getting in the way box them up and store them somewhere safe.  Also, make sure to store them somewhere that is easy to gain access to just in case you do need them in the future.  

This will help free up some space in your office.

5.  Remove Everything That Does Not Belong In The Home Office

One of the smartest things you can do to declutter your home office is to start taking items out of your office that do not belong there.  I promise you, if you take your time and scan your office you will find items that belong in all areas of the house.  Just simply return them to the area they belong in and mission compete.

Golf clubs are another big cause of clutter in home offices.  In fact, you do not need your entire golf bag in your office with you.   If you want to practice putting just leave the putter in there with you.  The rest of the clubs can go in the garage or closet.

6.  Organize Items Into Separate Piles

It is no big secret that when you start to declutter your home office you will find many items.  In fact, you will find items that you have been needing for some time as well as items you no longer need. Separate these items into piles.

The items that you do indeed need and want to keep gather into one pile.  For those items, you no longer want or need put into a separate pile.  The items you no longer need you can either sell, donate, or even give to someone special in your life.

In fact, the key is to keep the items that we no longer use or that are simply not needed down to a minimum.  This will help you keep organized as well as declutter your home office.

7.  Utilize Wall Space Properly

This is a step that many people neglect to do.  If truly want to declutter your home office you need to utilize your wall space.  The wall space in your home office can be used to hang calendars, for filing systems, shelves as well as whiteboards.

Not to mention your walls are a great place to family pictures as well as inspirational quotes.

There is no need to try and cram everything into a corner in your home office when you have plenty of wall space available.

8.  Organize & Detangle All Power Cords

This is a step that we are all guilty of not following.  I am pretty sure that everyone that has ever owned a desktop computer has encountered the tangled mess of computer and extension cords.  It is extremely important to keep the cords untangled so that you do not create a walking hazard inside your home office.  

Also, store all the extension cords that are not needed along with extra cords needed for computer devices in a small storage ben.  Trying to store these inside your desk or in a small space will only create more clutter. 

9. Start Using Drawer Dividers

Instead of just throwing small items into a drawer leaving you having to swim for them later, use a drawer divider.  A drawer divider will help you keep all the small items you need organized.  This in return will help keep the stress level down when you need a paper click and you can’t find any for all the rubber bands in the way.  

10.  Perform A Deep Clean On Your Home Office

Once you have decluttered your office by removing all the items you no longer need as well as storing the important things, it is now time to clean.  Make sure you vacuum the carpet if you have carpet in your office.  Move around all the furniture including the desk so that you can get as much dirt and dust out as possible.  

Also, be sure to dust and clean all the furniture as well as computer items in your office.  Keeping your home office clean can provide a more energetic atmosphere for you resulting in you in being more productive. 

11.  Maintain Office Organization

The final step is hands down the most important as well as the most difficult step to accomplish to declutter your home office. Maintaining the organization of your office is the true challenge that is at hand.  Many people are able to enjoy the feeling of not being overwhelmed by clutter for a few weeks and then their office is worst off than before.

The key is to establish a good system for organizing your papers as well as important documents.  Then make it a note to clean as well as go through all folders and bens at least once a week.  Try to throw away any items that you may not need.  If something does not belong in your home make sure to return it to its rightful place.

Start Getting Your Home Office Organized Today!

Don’t let yourself be miserable one more day in your home office.  Start following these tips you learn here today right away.  If you follow these tips I promise that you will find working from home to be much more enjoyable and a lot less stressful!

Not sure how to get started or would like to ask some question to a professional organizer.  Contact WOW Organizing Services…Today at (540) 420-8225 or, you can Click HERE & Set up your FREE Consultation.

Owner & Founder Ann Custer will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.  If you are looking for more information on how to organize and declutter your home and office.  Be sure to take some time to read the following related articles.

Related Articles:

2020 Home Organization Tips & Guide

How To Organize & Simplify Your Life During COVID-19

House Organization & How To Achieve It On Your Own

Are You Feeling Stressed During COVID-19?

I bet you have never thought to yourself “I should probably hire one of the decluttering services near me to help reduce stress & get organized”.  Do not worry, most people have not.  Many people simply are not aware of how getting organized can truly simplify their life.

With the current COVID-19 pandemic going on, many people are finding themselves stuck at home more often than not.  Unfortunately, more time spent at home oftentimes results in us becoming more comfortable…also known as lazy!

Our comfort oftentimes results in the clutter in our homes. Of course, more clutter in our life usually results in more depression as well as stress.

Today we are going to talk about how as well as why you should start getting organized during this COVID crisis.  We will also discuss how starting to declutter your life will help reduce the stress in your daily life right away!

How Getting Organized Can Relieve Stress

Many people are not aware of how much of an impact clutter can have on one’s mental health.  We have all experienced the feeling of everything closing in on us.  For example, when the kitchen counters are covered. Or maybe, you can hardly walk through the hallway due to the clutter on the floor.  The problem is that closed in feeling is going away on its own.

Studies have even shown that women who described their homes as “cluttered” or “full of unfinished business” suffered from side-effects.  Among those side-effects were depression, fatigue as well as higher signs of the hormone cortisol.

This was completely the opposite of those women who described their homes as “restful’ or “restorative”.  These women showed no signs of stress nor fatigue.  Their cortisol levels were much lower as well.

We do not want to see anybody feeling stressed or have their health fading.  So we have decided to include the benefits of organizing has on both your mental and physical health.

Reduce Stress & Depression

Coming home to piles of clothes or a to-do list that is not even close to being finished can cause some serious stress.  That is not all though!  It could even prevent the natural decline of cortisol.  This is result could have a negative impact on your mood, sleep as well as health.

So by taking the time to declutter and organize you can prevent yourself from future unwanted stress. Performing tasks as simple as folding that pile of laundry. Or even just straightening up a stack of papers can leave you feeling happier and more relaxed.

Not only will you feel more relaxed, but you will also have time to catch up on your favorite TV show. Or even go out and catch a movie with a friend.

Can Help Improve Your Eating Habits

A study that can be found in the journal Psychological Science revealed something very interesting. The study showed that individuals who worked in a neat space for 10 minutes or longer were more likely to choose an apple over a chocolate bar. The same study revealed that those individuals that worked in cluttered space for 10 minutes or longer chose the chocolate bar over the apple.

Clutter has been proven to be very stressful on the brain. When we have that extra unneeded stress on our minds we are more likely to choose coping mechanisms over wise choices. This oftentimes results in us overeating or choosing comfort and fatty foods over those healthier choices.

By getting organized you are more likely to plan your meals. You are also most likely to stock up on nutritious foods as well as prep healthy snacks. The preparation will help make eating healthy more likely to happen. As well as easier to do!

Become More Productive

It is not a big secret, to most of us, clutter is very distracting.  Studies and researches have shown that clutter can actually have a negative effect on our ability to focus.

Studies have shown that looking at too many things at once overloads your visual cortex.  This in result, interferes with your brain’s ability to process the information.

The Journal of Neuroscience released a statement regarding the clutter in one’s life.  They stated that the simple de-cluttering and organizing your work desk can result in a positive impact for the rest of your life.

The Journal states that by being more organized at work you are able to be more productive.  An increase in productivity can lead to you finishing your work early. As a result, you will have more time for yourself as well as time to enjoy your favorite activities more often.

Results In Better Sleep

Did you ever stop to think about how the clutter in your life is affecting your sleeping habits?  Don’t worry you are not alone, most people haven’t.

Studies show that individuals that make their bed every morning are 19% more likely to get a goods night’s sleep.  Also, 75% of individuals reported getting a better night’s sleep when their sheets were fresh as well as clean.

The experts at the National Sleep Foundation even recommended staying organized up until bedtime.  They said that chaos throughout your day can lead up to bringing last-minute tasks into your bedroom.  For example, paying bills or writing as well as responding to emails in bed.

Of course, the end result of you paying bills or responding to emails is staying up later.  Furthermore, once again you will have lost sleep and be tired the next day just because you did not stay organized.

3 Steps For Organizing Your Life During COVID-19

1. Start Getting Rid Of Clutter

The first step to reducing stress as well as getting your life organized is quite simple actually.  Unfortunately, many people find it very hard to complete the first step as well as one of the most important steps in getting organized.

That step is to simply start de-cluttering your home. This can simply be done by starting to get rid of the things you no longer use nor need.  I guarantee if you were to look around your home or office you could find plenty of clutter.  It could be anything from unopened mail to an empty soda bottle.

Just the simple clearing out of junk in your life that you will never need can reduce the stress in your life.  Clearing that junk out not only de-clutters your home…it helps de-clutter your mind as well.  Seeing that clean and empty space that was not there before will give you a sense of accomplishment as well as freshness.

2. Organize All Of Your Paperwork

I want you to stop and imagine just what it would be like to have all your paperwork organized.  Think about the ease of finding everything important without having to tear through all the clutter on your counters or kitchen table.

Imagine never having to be stressed because you cannot find an important piece of paper needed “Right Now”.  Think about not having to blame your wife or husband for misplacing the information.

All this can be accomplished quite easily believe it or not.  It all starts by stop throwing all your mail into one single pile.  Instead, try sorting incoming paperwork as you receive it.

Recycle the stuff you do not need.  Then group the remaining paperwork into categories based on the different things that need to be done.   The true key is to take some time every day to go through your paperwork and keep it well organized.  This will leave you with more time doing something else you actually enjoy.

3. Organize Your Time Properly

Do you ever find yourself forgetting important meetings or appointments?  How about do you oftentimes find yourself running out of the house forgetting something pretty important?

There is a simple solution to this feeling of overwhelmed…it is called time management!  Believe it or not, but by organizing your time you will feel much less stressed.

Simply take a little time out of end of each day and plan for the next day.  I suggest preparing for something that you will need first thing in the morning.  Maybe lay some clothes out or set the timer on the coffee pot.

Taking the time to prepare for the simplest little things can even save us time.  When we have more time for ourselves we automatically feel less stressed as well as overwhelmed.

It also helps start the day off on a good note, which never hurts!

Start Simplifying & Organizing Your Life Today!

Stop letting the COVID-19 blues get to you. Start simplifying your life by reducing the clutter in your home, office and mind today. You now have the materials you need to get started organizing right away.

Instead of just sitting there and thinking about it and letting the feeling of stress build up more every day, roll your leaves up and jump on in.

Not comfortable doing it yourself and need a little help?

Do not Stress…Contact WOW Organizing Services Today! (540) 420-8335

Owner & Founder Ann Custer will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.  Or, you can set up your FREE Consultation for any date that you like… just simply Click Here.