MOVE IT OUT!

Are you deep into the winter doldrums? Are the overcast skies and dark mornings creating a blah-ness that permeates not only your mood but your home?

Well, shake it off with a 10 minute trash purge!

Take a fresh 13 gallon garbage bag (not the flimsy little ones you get at the grocery store) and turn up some fast music that makes you dance.

Start in your bathroom medicine cabinet and collect all lotions, facial scrubs, spot treatments, and eye wrinkle creams that you haven't used in three months. NOW THROW THEM OUT.

Next, pull back the shower curtain or open the shower doors and look at all the bottles and tubes you have amassed there. THROW OUT THINGS YOU ARE TRYING TO USE UP BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE THEM. Who said you have to use something you don't like? Pitch 'em.

Now go to your sock and pantyhose drawer. ANYTHING WITH HOLES BELONGS IN THE TRASH. Do it. Toe holes do not bring a smile to your face. All they do is pull you down further by nagging you to either use them up 'til they fall apart, or go buy new ones. Well save yourself 50% of that stress by throwing them away. And schedule a shopping trip to replace your socks and hose. Do it this week,

Pilled and faded sweaters depress you. The little metal shavers don't work. Re-dying clothing is too much trouble. THROW THOSE OLD CLOTHES AWAY. The charity thrift stores would have to do it for you if you donated those sweaters to them. They don't sell junk, and you shouldn't have to wear it, or keep it either. You would be taking money away from your favorite charity if you donate pilled and faded sweaters because they have to pay for disposal costs for unwanted or un-salable merchandise. Why pass the cost of disposing of your trash onto charities?

Throw those sweaters in the bag.

And if you still have that live evergreen wreath hanging on your front door, take it down NOW and pitch it. It is NOT "the holiday season" anymore. It's January, and spring is just around the corner.

OK, 10 minutes are up. Tie that bag and take it out to the trash cans/dumpster/trash chute. That wasn't difficult! And I bet you feel better now, too.

These mini-purging sessions are addictive. We'll do more soon. In the mean time, keep warm and keep smiling!

NEW DECADE, NEW JUNK

Happy 2010!

Is your Christmas tree still up? Is there a holiday wreath on your door? Did you take down the inflatable Santa?

If not, don't beat yourself up.

Most people who are not professional home organizers still have most if not all of their decorations still out and up and decking their halls.

My halls are ready for spring. Before January 1st, I un-trimmed my tree, de-wreathed my door, packed away the silk poinsettias, and boxed up the stockings. And it took less than 30 minutes to do.

Time yourself this year when you take down your decorations and pack them away. You might be surprised at how little time it actually takes to clear out the old year to make way for the new one.

While you're at it, GET RID of at least ONE decoration that has seen better days, that you really don't like anymore, or that brings sad memories to you.

You deserve to live in a home that brings joy to your heart, at every season of the year!