Community Magazine March 2016

O R G A N I Z E D KEEPING IT Making Time to ORGANIZE MARIE TORGUEMAN Organizing your space doesn’t have to be an overwhelming experience. Organizing is about efficiency, reducing stress, saving time and money, and improving your quality of life. We make time to take care of ourselves and our families, and we should make time to take care of our living spaces as well. It’s amazing how a person can run a marathon but consider fifteen minutes of organizing a chore. Organizing doesn’t kill time; it actually saves time in the long run. A messy desk can drain your brainpower. Having too much stuff in your line of sight can make it harder to focus. Here are some tips to get you started. Your frazzled brain will thank you! "Organizing doesn’t killtime; itactuallysaves time in the long run." Organizing Tips: • Don’t attempt a whole-house overhaul at once. • Take on one drawer or shelf and completely empty it. Only put back what you know belongs there. You’ll be surprised how quick and easy it was (and amazed at all the garbage you got rid of!). • Move to take on another drawer or cabinet at your convenience. Each task should only take up to 5-10 minutes so you never feel overwhelmed. Move to a larger area or closet only when you feel ready, still doing just one shelf or drawer at a time. • Avoid getting distracted. Only set out to do what you have time for, or you may end up leaving a mess behind. • Create a “lost and found” basket for all “misplaced” items that you want to keep but need to put in a better place later. • Get others involved. Let family members help you sort and put things away. Make small tasks a “game” for small children. Marie Torgueman is a Professional Organizer and the owner of Hangers Plus. If you would like more information or need professional organizing services, call 917-797-3057. Style SPIRIT & FORTHEWOMANOFTODAY Create a “lost and found” basket for all “misplaced” items that you want to keep but need to put in a better place later. 54 COMMUNITY MAGAZINE