Distill Your Life: Downsizing as Adventure

The prospect of downsizing and preparing to settle into a new community can be both exciting and daunting. It can be exciting as a threshold into a new sense of security and freedom and also daunting as the accumulation of decades must be addressed and evaluated.

As we approach this transition it is important to realize that there are positive ways to prepare for and manage downsizing. Long before making decisions about what to keep we can begin to assess our belongings in a relaxed and less pressured way.

The key here is to first reduce clutter. Anything we can simply get rid of should be handled first, before making the harder decisions about gifts for people, things we want to sell, store or keep.

The basic steps of organizing can be used to break this into manageable projects.

The Preparation:

• Define a Reasonable Scope: a dresser or a closet, not an entire room.
• Schedule a time: Don’t wait for the right moment  it won’t happen!
• Decide how much time and energy you have. Try an hour just to start.
• Set up Out Containers: Donate, Recycle, Sell, Trash….

The Process:

• Sort things into broad categories…..without making decisions.
• Purge each category, putting things into Out containers.
• Contain what stays in efficient ways that match how you think and function
• Maintain: Use your new systems.change things if they don’t work.

By de-cluttering first you only have to face things you’ll keep or pass on to others.

It’s very important to realize that everything will go to another person, whether you gift them, donate or sell! It is simply impossible to gift everything we accumulate. It can be very hard to accept the fact that our treasures may not be meaningful to family members. Everyone will approach this differently; here are some ways to start.

First separate things that you have in mind for a particular person, and ask if they want them. If Yes, give it to them right away. If not, you need to move on. Try to avoid spending a lot of time asking a series of people, some of whom won’t respond in a timely manner or be willing to take it.

Instead group items for family members to select from. It is important to tell everyone that this opportunity has a time frame and that after a certain date these things will be donated or sold. Then stick to it! Only if you know there is contested item should you proceed to ask the next person.

This liberates you from managing multiple objects and people. Once you know that people want the special things you intend for them, try to consider that the rest will go to whoever cares enough to contact you and take them!

Once the time is passed, dispose of anything not being kept.

The easiest way is to donate, either to an organization that collects, or by delivering things yourself.

Selling possessions can be time consuming. Consider hiring a company to either run an estate sale or to sell things for you.

Remember that family members often have a hard time helping with the process of downsizing. This might also be time to call in an expert.

The job of a professional organizer should go beyond the objects to address the deep emotional connections each client has to their possessions. Their calm, detached, yet understanding support can often make letting go of items less stressful.

A gentle and non judgmental approach supports you to make healthy changes, and learn ways to organize both your spaces and time.

Paper and electronic information is another area where many people have trouble. There are simple, effective ways to process the huge volume of paper we all have, and systems to keep what really matters and find it again when it’s needed.

The goal is to make this transition one in which you distill the treasures and create a space that reflects your lifetime of experience in a powerful and supportive way.

Seasonal Transitions: November 2009 Newsletter

Welcome once again to dusky late afternoons, and drifting leaves. At a recent event up in the foothills of the Cascades I was treated to a sight I have never seen before. The early morning clouds were moving through the valley and hanging just below the crests of the hills. Beyond them the peaks receded in shades of green with great swathes of bright gold aspens. As the wind picked up the clouds moved along like scarves of mist across the shoulders of the mountain range – it was quite lovely!

And it reminded me of all the scarves that are tucked away, just waiting to be reviewed and used, now that the weather is turning again! Yes, it’s time again to take a look at what we have in our closets, and I highly recommend making it into an adventure of discovery rather than something that happens in about 5 minutes while dragging out a sweater that has been stuck underneath a teetering pile of its fellows.

This process of moving across a transition, in this case a season or the switch back to standard time, can be the perfect opportunity to see our possessions with fresh eyes. The challenge is to make this very act a conscious choice and one that serves us in a larger sense.

Take the time MAKE the time….to examine those sweaters and scarves and ask, What makes this item worth the real estate it takes up in my limited physical space? I think the reason I hear most often is, because it’s already there.
I submit that this is not good enough. It is possible to recognize that an object has ceased to please me and still honor the things intrinsic value. A sweater that was once the perfect expression of my taste, or felt like comfort made manifest can over time become, well, less so!
It honors neither ourselves nor the object to hang onto it. Especially if we decide yellow is just a bad idea, or the cuffs will never cover our wrists again.
Every time you put that sweater on you are saying, I value this object more than my own real opinion of it.
Instead, by assessing the relationship we have to the sweater NOW, I can let it go and move on. Set that sweater free!! By donating clothing that does not REALLY make me happy, I offer the objects back to the world. And create space for what does feel good.

Another idea: Consider using the time change as a reminder of other pesky household chores. Some that come to mind are:
Replacing smoke detector batteries
Getting gutters cleaned out
Sweep the fireplace ashes  get good and dirty while doing it
Flipping the mattresses (twice a year probably isn’t enough, but better than forgetting it entirely as I found out recently  yes, I too avoid certain things)
And so on..I am sure you can find lots of other seasonal tasks listed in the paper.

I invite you to just walk around your home and observe. It’s about your relationship to your space, not following a list or making it into a chore  instead explore what your environment is saying. Mine recently let me know that a certain stack of books was just not important enough to keep on the side table at my elbow, and they needed to be either put away or sold off.

Polish any silver long before holiday meals. Oops, I didn’t mean to mention holidays yet!!
Ok, maybe making a list of your typical preparations could be a good thing.
But remember: the real point of doing that would be to clear your head and go jump in a pile of leaves.

Warm Regards,
Rebecca

Sorting it All Out: August 2009 Newsletter

Greetings from The Composed Domain

Since we are having a nice lull in the hot weather I’ll settle down here at the laptop and share some news and ideas for the change in season ahead. Most of us can relate to the idea of reducing clutter, streamlining our schedules and getting to that point where we trust that the really important things in life are being handled, right? Oh, but which thing to tackle first!? How can I take on any major decisions when just the daily email keeps tugging me away from what “should” be my priority, like exercise, or just taking time to enjoy the clouds passing overhead? Julie Morgenstern calls this a “point of entry”. Where can get my toe in the door?

It may help to start by using one of the tried and true organizing skills that I use in homes and offices.

SORT first….. and identify some categories without having to make decisions.

The categories that come to mind for the example above also come from Julie Morgenstern’s book,”When Organizing Isn’t Enough”. Try separating the expectations you have for yourself into some simple categories:

• Schedule Clutter: I find it is much easier to see the “entry point” for a particular project if I know I have already sorted out my schedule priorities. What ARE my time commitments? Have I really set aside the time for what I expect to happen??
• Habit Clutter: When things don’t magically start happening , I ask…what habit or unconscious pattern is getting in my way? Am I spending too much time on non-crucial email…..not getting enough sleep….spending money without thinking?
• Physical Clutter: And third, am I fighting some physical clutter, some unmanaged mess that makes it next to impossible to do what I say I want to do? Is the issue that I am missing tools, being distracted by paper, or lack of room? What has to change?

Having a framework for change can jumpstart the process, and reduce the wheel spinning and guilt of feeling overwhelmed by projects and the demands of a busy life.

I hope you all enjoy a wonderful September ahead!

Warm Regards,

Rebecca

Beyond Home Make Overs

More people than ever are committed to living and working in attractive and functional spaces. The popularity of makeover shows, feng shui books and lifestyle simplifying continues to draw those who want to make changes. The challenge is finding time and energy to realize these goals in an already busy life.

Hiring an expert can solve the problem, but for most of us, some simple and conscious choices can jump start the process. The key to making rooms that really work is awareness.

Start by looking at how the space is used. This step requires honesty about what you do in a room, and some thought about what you d like to change. Is the dining room a dumping ground for paper? Would you REALLY like to eat dinner there? Perhaps it would make a better Family Office?

No change will be lasting if you create a space that does not meet your real needs.

There are huge numbers of books on how to deal with clutter, and naturally if this is part of your issue, it is time to dive in. Julia Morgenstern’s book, Organizing from the Inside Out is a great starting place.

This inspirational book can show you the ways that we tend to sabotage our own best intentions.

As Sally Kempton said, It is hard to fight an enemy who has outposts in your head.

Being willing to question your reasons and stories is a crucial component to letting go of clutter that accumulates. This awareness is the cornerstone of making new decisions about the stuff in your environment.

Once you have the volume of possessions under control another aspect of making rooms work is the spatial layout. Remember that spatial design is not an inborn skill in all people. Just as some of us don’t relate to cooking or gardening, many people simply need some help with seeing how space works.

One option is to recruit the advice of friends with spaces that you enjoy. Ask yourself what you appreciate about the way that do things and consider inviting them to share their take on your newly ordered rooms. Sometimes another set of eyes will reveal options that you had not considered.

The deepest level on which change occurs is entirely subjective. This is the realm of feeling and awareness.

This is not about having some sort of special sensitivity, it is a skill that all of us can foster. The information that our environments tend to hold can originate in nature, as in the earths electromagnetic field, or in strong emotional patterns left by people or events.

The way these remnants affect us can vary widely, but they are there to be recognized and shifted with awareness.

Begin by recognizing what you are feeling in a room, and maintaining a grounded sense of your own boundaries. We unknowingly hold these patterns in place with our attitudes and reactions to them. The change in a disturbing charge is brought about by consciously giving awareness to what is experienced, without judgment, fear or sense of ownership.

In these ways, using simple awareness you can begin to align the places you live and work to your inner world. Change from the inside out can take you far beyond a make over to what truly supports your life.

Rebecca Ross and The Composed Domain address the practical and subjective qualities of HOW SPACE FEELS. An architect for 20 years, Rebecca creates functional rooms that support each client. She clears space energetically, teaches organizing and time management at PCC Natural Markets and speaks for ADD Resources support groups. Please visit www.composedomain.com or call (206) 546-8535

Photo Restoration: May 2009 Newsletter

Spring Showers, May Flowers, and….Greetings from the Composed Domain

I would like to introduce you to an amazing service for anyone wondering what to do with those boxes of precious family photographs.

A recent new client of mine, Marjorie Osterhaut, has a company called Family Treasure Box.

I was so impressed by the examples of her work that I want to spread the word!

She re-touches for clarity, corrects lost color…but what really got my attention were the books she creates with CLOSE UPS pulled from those incomprehensible group photos taken on the school steps or at family gatherings in 1902. You can actually see the expressions on the faces of those great aunts and uncles!

Marjorie also does genealogical searches, and we all know how much we wish we had time for that! Read on….and take a look at some examples!!

The Group Shot

Family Treasure Box

PRESERVING FAMILY PHOTOS AND TREASURES

Every family seems to have at least one box of old photos tucked away in a dusty closet, a damp basement, or a hot attic. We have the best intentions: Someday we’ll sort them all out and label them. Someday we’ll spread them out and figure out who all those sepia toned people are. Someday we’ll put them in albums. Someday.

The problem is that while we’re waiting for someday, those old photos continue to age. Tintypes flake and turn black, turn-of-the-century portraits fade into yellow, and the color in those charming mid-sixties photos doesn’t do the psychedelic era justice. Sadly, the deterioration isn’t limited to photos. Great-grandpa’s love letters are probably already fragile and starting to crumble, cloth turns yellow with age, and old needlework rips every time it’s handled. Careful scanning is the best way to stop time in its tracks. It’s also a great way to share photos among several family members, so that everyone gets a complete set.

Here are a few tips from Family Treasure Box, a Seattle-based service that specializes in preserving old family photos:

• Don’t use an automatic feeder! Flatbed scanners do a fine job, but an automatic feeder can shred fragile, old paper.
• Scan small photos at a resolution of 600 to 1200 dpi (dots per inch). Larger photos should be scanned at 300 to 600 dpi. This allows you to see small details such as wedding rings and other jewelry that may help identify the subjects or the sources of family heirlooms.
• Use the zoom feature on the scanner to zoom in on far-away subjects. You’ll get much better detail than if you enlarge the photo using image-editing software.
• Wear white cotton gloves when handling older photos to prevent the oil on your skin from causing further damage.
• When scanning 3D objects or memorabilia, use a transparency sheet between the object and the glass to prevent scratches on your scanner. A piece of black velvet laid on top of the object is a great substitute for the scanner’s flat lid.
• Store original photos in acid-free archival boxes. If you’d like to display some of them, consider storing the originals and displaying the scanned and printed images.

Of course, if you think someday isn’t arriving quickly enough, Family Treasure Box can sort, scan, and store your old photos for you. They can also restore faded images and digitally retouch damaged ones. Other services include genealogical research, written family histories, and transcriptions of old correspondence. For more details, see the Web site at www.familytreasurebox.com.

Have a fine Spring and as usual …I would be ever so happy to assist with any organizing projects that are waiting in the wings!

Being at Home in Rooms that Work

Have you ever walked into a place that just felt right and wondered what makes that room, house or apartment feel so good?

The myriad books on Feng Shui, clutter and awareness of sacred space offer part of the answer. But after all the bubbling water fountains have lost their appeal, and the wealth corner cures have grown dusty, what is it about a space that continues to makes it work? One approach is to consider three layers of focus for designing an environment.

The first is the sense of order and how the space is used. What is this room about and does it support the activity that happens in it? Can you see the counter to cook a meal, for example?

The second layer is that of spatial layout. This is the realm that is addressed by the basics of Feng Shui. On the simplest level it looks at furniture layout, color, and arrangement. It also represents another layer of subtlety, and includes energy.

The third layer of focus is the purely energetic.

Unfortunately, most people today are either too busy too tackle the job, or simply don’t have the skills to create the effect they want. It does not seem to boil down easily to a prescribed set of instructions or formulas! However there is a way for each of us to start making positive changes in our environments.

The key to designing spaces that truly support you is awareness. Enhancing awareness can be approached by addressing the three layers of focus described above: Order, Spatial Layout and Energy.

Order: Start by simply noticing how you live NOW. How many knick knacks make a home, how many pairs of shoes signify prosperity? Until you really examine your personal sense of order and attachment to possessions and the ways you live amongst them, no change will be lasting.

Another important part of the process is to understand HOW you use your space and belongings. Are you rushed in the morning and habitually spend time looking for the same things over and over? Are you holding on to objects that no longer validate who you are?

Being willing to question your reasons and stories is a crucial component to letting go of clutter that accumulates. This awareness is the cornerstone of making new decisions about the stuff in your environment.

After any practical changes are made, the donation van is called and order restored, the next layer of focus comes into play.

Spatial Layout: The position of your furnishings and the arrangements of art, books, and personal treasure has been the subject of many books. Using the skills of a recommended professional can be the answer. Another option is to recruit the advice of friends with spaces that you enjoy. Ask yourself what you appreciate about the way that do things and consider inviting them to share their take on your newly ordered rooms. Sometimes another set of eyes will reveal options that you had not considered.

Remember that spatial design is not an inborn skill in all people. Just as some of us don’t relate to cooking or gardening, many people simply need some help with seeing how space works.

Energy: We exist in a world filled with energy, which can be seen simply as information. Animals tap into this field of data before storms, and take shelter. No one argues with the existence of radio waves! Most of us accept that information can be stored in ways that we can’t see or perceive without training or instruments. Awareness of energetic fields existing in the environment and generated by living organisms is no different. This information and its effects are there to be perceived, recognized and understood.
Whether generated in nature, originating in electronic equipment or left by human experiences, energetic disturbances can affect our health and well being.
The process of clearing and rebalancing these pattern starts, again, with awareness. Begin by recognizing what you are feeling in a room, and maintaining a grounded sense of your own boundaries. We unknowingly hold these patterns in place with our attitudes and reactions to them. The change in a disturbing charge is brought about by consciously giving awareness to what is experienced, without judgment, fear or sense of ownership. Conscious design combined with simple, personalized organization and balanced energy can turn any room into a place you love to call your own – one that supports you rather than drains you.

Open the Door: March 2009 Newsletter

Greetings from the Composed Domain

The days are getting noticeably longer, and buds are beginning to swell on the plum tree outside my window. And sure enough, Oprah and Peter Walsh, the super star organizer from down under, are zipping around the county in a team of VW bugs, looking to clear clutter in the homes of the unsuspecting! I am also noticing more and more articles in the paper focusing on Spring cleaning and clutter, many of which are addressing the powerful EMOTIONAL components as well as the “how to”s of the process.

Last year I mentioned a book by Sarah Susanka, “The Not so Big Life”, which offers a lovely way to change our thinking about our belongings as well as where we spend our energy and time. I am recommending it again, because I see more and more people looking for ways to address their WHOLE lives. Susanka outlines exercises and techniques within a metaphor of a house remodel along with a very useful appendix that serves as a handbook for the whole book. It makes using her suggestions much easier than many such books, as you can go back and read specific steps and reminders without having to hunt through the entire text.

There is another great book out these days by one of my favorite organizing authors, Julie Morgenstern, called “When Organizing Isn’t Enough”.  She too is on the bandwagon of looking at our “stuff” as a link between our outer worlds….and WHO WE ARE.

She, like many of us in the organizing business, tries to make it all go down easier with an acronym: SHED.

It goes like this:

Separate the Treasures

Heave the Trash

Embrace Your Identity

Drive Yourself Forward

In this latest book she takes her well known organizing approach and enlarges the scope to a review of what really matters to each person.

The first step is focused on re-discovering the treasures in our lives, BEFORE we start heaving in desperation. This process includes recognizing the real nature of our attachments, those to things, as well as relationships and habits.

Many of my clients wonder how on earth they are going to actually use and maintain the systems that we set up. The real glue in those solutions is whether they reflect the person accurately. This requires us to look at the real life situations they face and how they think about their time and energy. Morgenstern’s book  looks at how to raise awareness of those factors, as well as your goals and dreams.

As a tickler for you I will summarize Morgenstern’s advice on how to:

Improve Your Attention

1. Write down your goal and priorities: This breaks the paralyzing tendency to NOT DECIDE what matters most. This step is not about being right or wrong, or even getting things in the “right” order. By writing things down you  create the opportunity to actually SEE what needs to happen,and you can adjust your sights from the start!

2. Tie up Loose Ends: In my classes I call this “Scanning the Scene” – take care of the attention stealers first. Morgenstern suggests that unresolved issues pull at your ability to focus on any projects, and I agree – even if they are as small as a sink full of dishes.

3. Avoid Obsessing over Negative Emotions: Learn to limit the things that trigger the inner critic, or the outside messages of doom and gloom. Come with ways to release these attention grabbers – maybe it’s exercise, even just a short walk….less TV…..talking to people that are positive.

4. Move towards Positive Relationships: Was that a repeat?? Yes, and an important one! Become aware of how we reinforce our experiences. All that stuff about attraction is a powerful force in our lives…and we can each harness it.

While making these connections we can also:

5. Ground your expectations with a Reality Check: Rather than focusing on inner messages that perpetuate a situation, get outside feedback, talk to other people, or join support groups which will help you gauge what is reasonable.

In addition to the steps above I would recommend

Practice on Focus…become more aware of HOW you are pulled off track, and when it is likely to happen. What time of day is worst? What kinds of interruptions can you simply not resist? How long is really reasonable for YOU to work on a task?

If filing never happens, maybe that is due to expecting yourself to do it for an hour!! Perhaps 10 minute chunks will get the job done instead?

That’s probably enough food for thought this month! I hope you are all well and ready for another season, whether it’s taxes or spring bulbs.

And if not, I would love to assist with any organizing projects or support you with energetic adjustments.