Top Tips for a More Organized Home

You may often not even realize how much clutter affects your day-to-day life, the way you interact and engage with others, or how focused you really aren’t. Getting your home in better order may seem like a daunting task—you don’t know where to start, it’s too overwhelming, and there isn’t enough time in the day. But there are ways to get around this and make the task at hand easier than you ever imagined.

“When was the last time you used or wore the item?

If you haven’t worn or used it in 6 to 12 months, you can likely dispose of it. Does the item make you feel happy? If your immediate reaction is no, get rid of it.”

—Chelsie Kirk

Making the decision to purge, declutter, and detoxify your environment is one of the best decisions you’ll make in your life. Once you reap the benefits of a clean, organized, well-functioning home, you’ll ask yourself why you didn’t do this sooner!

You can always start small, with that linen closet, for example. And once you see how this change affects your life, concentration, and overall mood, you’ll want to keep going. Maybe the next task will be your master bedroom, storage area, or basement.

No matter where you begin, there are some tips and tricks you can follow to help you optimize your time and enjoy the process along the way.

Be Accountable

If you’re easily distracted and/or overwhelmed, have someone in your life hold you accountable. Let them know you’re working on cleaning out your closet and want to be done with the task within two days. Ask them to check in or send you some motivation/positive vibes!

Set reminders on your calendar or a timer so that you dedicate and allot enough time to your project.

Remain honest with yourself about what you really need to keep and what should be thrown away or donated. When was the last time you used or wore the item? If you haven’t worn or used it in 6 to 12 months, you can likely dispose of it. Does the item make you feel happy? If your immediate reaction is no, get rid of it.

Come Prepared

• Bins and garbage bags: Create keep, donate, and throw-away piles. Keep track of how many bags you’re donating or giving away. Someone out there can use the items that have been sitting in your closet for years. These items are going to make someone else happy, and that should bring a smile to your face!

• Broom and vacuum cleaner: Cleaning as you go will make the task more rewarding and you’ll more quickly and easily see the progress you’re making.

• Timer and music: Set your timer for 2 hours or even 30 minutes—whatever amount of time you can give to the decluttering process that day. Add in some upbeat music to keep the motivation going!

Stay Focused on One Area at a Time

As you’re purging, stay in one area or room of your home. If you find something in that room that belongs elsewhere, simply put it aside for the time being. Once you’re done with the project for the day, pick those items up and move them to their new homes. This will help keep you from getting distracted during the decluttering process.

Staying focused on one area means you’ll see progress, which is very motivating. If you move from room to room, you’re more likely to leave the original project/goal unfinished.

Old and unused items, disarray, and general disorganization can be toxic to the energy of your home and how you function every day. Follow these tips and tricks to start immediately reaping the benefits of a more organized home and life. You won’t believe how much lighter and happier you’ll feel.

Chelsie Kirk is a home organizer with a passion for minimizing clutter and creating beautiful spaces that bring joy to your life. She can be reached at chelsie@cchomeorganization.com or by phone at 860.510.1431.

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Did you know that what we eat affects our gut bacteria and can cause weight gain or weight loss resistance? In fact, your weight may be controlled more by your bacteria than by what you eat. Gut bacteria thrive on what you feed them.

Research has suggested that we have about 100 trillion bacteria—about three pounds!—living inside our gut (microbiome), playing a huge role in our health and disease. The good bacteria in our gut flora promote healthy gastrointestinal functions, providing protection from infection and regulating metabolism, and comprise more than 75% of our immune system. Researchers believe an overgrowth of bad gut bacteria plays a big factor in the metabolic diseases that plague us today, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity.

Our dietary habits have a dramatic impact on the mix of good and bad bacteria. What we eat dictates the kind of bacteria that grow in our gut. Here are some simple steps to take to support a healthy gut.

1. Omit Processed and Refined Foods

A diet that’s high in highly processed, high-sugar, high-fat, and low-fiber diets significantly alters the bacteria that generally grow in our digestive tracts, and the change has been linked to weight gain and diabetes. These types of food allow those undesirable gut bacteria to thrive.

2. Avoid Sugar

Studies have shown that a diet high in sugar can lead to an overgrowth of yeast species and other pathogenic bacteria. For good bacteria to thrive, they require complex carbohydrates like vegetables, beans, and whole grains—not sugar. When you get too many calories from sugar the good bacteria will go hungry and eventually die off, allowing for an overgrowth of the bad bacteria.

3. Eat More Fiber

Eating fibrous plant foods is an important strategy for improving the robustness of gut bacteria. These plants provide the raw material to feed the bacteria through a process called fermentation. The diversity and number of plants you eat will be reflected in the diversity and number of bacteria in your gut—the more, the better. Aim for at least 25 to 35 grams of fiber a day.