I often read a small town paper online called the Daily Herald. In the opinion section, there is something called Sound Off! The purpose is for readers to share comments about what matters to them, ranging from topics about life in the city, politics and personal pet peeves, to compliments and complaints. I thoroughly enjoy reading Sound Off! and decided to offer something similar to you, my faithful followers. I love it!! In Sound Off! readers are encouraged to stay on topic, be respectful and the use of foul or obscene language, personal attacks or uses of another's identity to post are not allowed. The rules for what I am calling "Let Go!! with Dr. DClutter™" are the same. Every Friday is our official Let Go!! w/Dr. DClutter™ day. I'll post your advice, ideas, stories and thoughts. It'll be a place for you to share your life management and organization issues as well as discuss life events that inspire, empower or bother you. You can "leave it all here", as long as you follow the rules I discussed above. All comments will be reviewed before posting. So get ready, get set and Let Go!! w/Dr. DClutter™.

Dr. DClutter™

Subscription for Clutter?

How many magazine subscriptions do you currently have? How many do you actually read? I know, I know, you're saving them for the weekend or your vacation. But how many weekends have passed or vacations have you taken without reading a single one? Cut your loses (time and money) and cancel those subscriptions. Some magazines are available in an online version, so that may be an option for you.

Dr. DClutter™

Cross Clutteration

C'mon and admit it. You know if you have a toaster in the bedroom and a bed pillow in the kitchen, you've committed cross clutteration. Aim to keep items in the places where they will be used.

Dr. DClutter™

Germ Aware

When I was a college freshman, my professor, Dr. George Cliette, told our class not to self-diagnose as we read our psychology books. The reason? He said it would be easy to find ourselves with symptoms of every psychological disorder in the DSM (that was the version way back then-I think). Skip ahead many, many moons and I still hear his voice each time I read about a psychological disorder. I don't think it's a secret that I am not a fan of dirt, grime and germs in general. So it was a hoot (yes, I used the word "hoot") to have this conversation with a colleague and arrive at the same conclusion. Neither of us considers ourselves mysophobic (Dictionary.com defines mysophobic (adjective) as an abnormal fear of or distaste for uncleanliness or contamination). The words of Dr. Cliette echoed in my head, but we decided that we would venture to claim that we were more "germ aware" than abnormally fearful (SMILE). It's ironic that my passion requires me, at times, to encounter situations that would make you want to don a biohazard suit and a gas mask, but I still love that part of my chosen field of work. Yes, I am a fan of hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and I love to clean. But germaphobic or mysophobic-not; I'm just highly germ aware!! What about you?

Dr. DClutter™

Watch Me on TV!!

Please, set your alarms, VCR's, and TiVo for Monday, March 1, 2010 @ 10 PM ET/PT to watch me on A&E's hit show, Hoarders. I will be the featured organizational expert for that episode. I'll keep you updated when future episode will air as well. Thanks!!

http://www.aetv.com/hoarders/



Dr. DClutter™

It's Just Not Me

Are there things that people want you to do that you just don't like to do? I don't mean things that will improve your functioning, health or position in life, but those things that you have just decided you don't want to do. As an example, I'm not a "telephone person", but I will talk on the phone when the mood strikes me or it's necessary. There are a special few to whom I "ease" my rule-my mother (of course); my best friend, Mother McClurkin, who is 95 years-old and with whom I spend every Saturday speaking with for at least an hour; my close family members; and for business clients and colleagues. Other than that I'm pretty content without telephone conversations. I think I'm pretty well adjusted and sociable, so that's not an issue. Do you find it humorous that people can become upset or offended if you don't want to do something that they want you to do? Oh, by the way, I don't "text" either. Let the "pressure" to do that begin. What about you? What's your "It's Just Not Me" issue?

Dr. DClutter™

I often read a small town paper online called the Daily Herald. In the opinion section, there is something called Sound Off! The purpose is for readers to share comments about what matters to them, ranging from topics about life in the city, politics and personal pet peeves, to compliments and complaints. I thoroughly enjoy reading Sound Off! and decided to offer something similar to you, my faithful followers. I love it!! In Sound Off! readers are encouraged to stay on topic, be respectful and the use of foul or obscene language, personal attacks or uses of another's identity to post are not allowed. The rules for what I am calling "Let Go!! with Dr. DClutter™" are the same. Every Friday is our official Let Go!! w/Dr. DClutter™ day. I'll post your advice, ideas, stories and thoughts. It'll be a place for you to share your life management and organization issues as well as discuss life events that inspire, empower or bother you. You can "leave it all here", as long as you follow the rules I discussed above. All comments will be reviewed before posting. So get ready, get set and Let Go!! w/Dr. DClutter™.

Dr. DClutter™

Can You Hear Me?

Do you find that you need to be involved in every decision or task? I wrote about being a controlling personality (January 26, 2009), but I had to revisit my own thought. I admit, I need to feel involved in the process if it involves my family or my business. I'm sure at times, it may appear that I have "control issues" (maybe slightly), but I like to have things done correctly the first time. Yes, I know mistakes happen, but if everyone would just listen to me, we could eliminate that. I AM JUST KIDDING-please don't write me about that; it's a joke. Seriously, if you tell someone that you prefer to work a certain way, they agree to work with you, and then totally ignore how you work, are you the one with the problem? I think not. But more importantly, what do you think?

Dr. DClutter™

Luggage Tales

Here's the story. When I pack, I put all of the zippers in a certain position on my luggage for ease of access and so that I can tell at a glance if my bags have been opened. No, that's not obsessive-it's my method. Okay, to some it might seem obsessive, but it works for me. Back to the story. On my last trip, as my bags slowly wound around the conveyor belt, I noticed that my zippers were "out of place". When I got home, I found a nice placard from the TSA-Notice of Baggage Inspection. My unmentionables had been violated!! What had they seen? What had they said about what they'd seen? What had they touched? Egad!! The placard stated that the contents may have been searched and returned to your bag. Really?? I'm sure that was a feat of modern science and technology. My bags are packed with such precision and order; akin to putting together one of those 2000 piece jigsaw puzzles, that I feel the need to apologize to the poor agent upon whose shoulders this task fell.

Dr. DClutter™

Image: Francesco Marino / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Plane Truth

Unlike Whoopi Goldberg and Aretha Franklin (if still true), I don't have a fear of flying. It's not my favorite mode of travel (I like trains), but is the quickest (if you don't count the three hours of prep to get to the airport). Of course turbulence is no joy, nor is paying for my bags to fly with me, or the loud talking, bear snoring, armrest hoarding passenger who is inevitably seated next to me. But sitting next to me may not be a day in the park either. My ears always hurt when I fly, so I'm constantly opening and closing my mouth to relieve the pressure. Don’t suggest chewing gum it doesn't work. I'm sure the poor soul who happens to catch a glance at me probably thinks I have a major physical disorder, but no-just stuffy ears. What about you? What's your plane truth? The funnier and wackier, the better.

Dr. DClutter™

The View

Marvelous Mountains

Let's take a break from the snow and visit the mountains.

Since I'm traveling more now, I enjoy taking pictures of my adventures, especially when I have a room with a view or am able to see the majesty of the world from my hotel room. Enjoy the mountains and sky of Tennessee.



Sky and Country





Dr. DClutter™

I often read a small town paper online called the Daily Herald. In the opinion section, there is something called Sound Off! The purpose is for readers to share comments about what matters to them, ranging from topics about life in the city, politics and personal pet peeves, to compliments and complaints. I thoroughly enjoy reading Sound Off! and decided to offer something similar to you, my faithful followers. I love it!! In Sound Off! readers are encouraged to stay on topic, be respectful and the use of foul or obscene language, personal attacks or uses of another's identity to post are not allowed. The rules for what I am calling "Let Go!! with Dr. DClutter™" are the same. Every Friday is our official Let Go!! w/Dr. DClutter™ day. I'll post your advice, ideas, stories and thoughts. It'll be a place for you to share your life management and organization issues as well as discuss life events that inspire, empower or bother you. You can "leave it all here", as long as you follow the rules I discussed above. All comments will be reviewed before posting. So get ready, get set and Let Go!! w/Dr. DClutter™.

Dr. DClutter™

The Snowquelard

Well, well, well, another 12+ inches of snow as indicated by my old trusty measuring stick!! Even for my mathematically challenged self (we all have our weaknesses), that's about 43 (and counting) total inches of snow. Wow!! Let's see which one best fits: "Super Blizzard 2010";"Super Blizzard 2010, the Sequel"; or "Snowquelard 2010"? I wonder if my new word Snowquelard-Snow-sequel-blizzard) will make it into the mainstream vernacular? You can say you saw it here first.




Dr. DClutter™

Snow Response Reporting System

If you're in DC and want to see if your street is in line to be (or has been) plowed or salted, here's a site that is supposed to provide that information www.snowmap.dc.gov. You put in your address and a time-lapsed animation shows the areas treated and what service was provided. Sadly, there weren't too many pop-up bubbles on my street, but oh, well. Since there's more snow on the way, it's really a moot point, but a nice piece of information to have.

Dr. DClutter™

Snow, Snow and More Snow!!

Well, the snow had ended (Saturday night), but will start again (Tuesday) and the cleanup will begin after that. Based on my non-scientific measurements (a detached broomstick), we (in my yard) had a whopping 31 inches from the first storm!! It felt like much more as I tunneled my way out. I can actually see my steps and the gate can once again swing open freely!! We can get out of our yard, but have no plans to go anywhere; we're hunkering down for the long haul, and the new storm. For those of you who have to get out, please be safe!!

Dr. DClutter™























Dr. DClutter™

Snow Day Organization Party

Who says you can't have fun and practice life management tasks at the same time? Okay, you're stuck in your house and can't go anywhere because of the Snow-a-Thon Blizzard of 2010. This is the perfect time to tackle those projects you've been avoiding!! You know you're probably guilty, but now is a great time for redemption (and to be productive). Have you taken pictures, but they're still on you camera or SD card? Is this you? Have you not taken the time to organize them based on subject? Today is the perfect time for that project. In the interest of full disclosure, I did it-three SD cards cleared and pictures arranged into folders. Now I have space for thousands of new memories!! Here are a few more tasks you can tackle over the next few days:

Closets-perfect time to get rid of clothes and donate or discard.
Inventory-clear out your food pantry and rid it of expired food (if you have any).
Junk drawer-tackle the clutter of the "hidden treasures" that lurk in this space.
Paper clutter-make your shredder your new best friend and shred, shred, shred!!
Reconnect-call friends and family to swap stories about your snowbound activities.

Make it a party and prepare some of your favorite dishes. Even those items that in normal circumstances would be avoided should be included (as long as you spend some time working off those snow-bound calories).

What were you able to accomplish? Please share your stories!!

Dr. DClutter™

Snow, Glorious Snow-Again!!

Measuring Stick
Here we go again and I'm loving it. Look at God in all of His splendor and glory!! It's beautiful now-in a few days, not so much-but right now, BREATHTAKING!! When I ventured out at 7:15 AM, we had about 15 inches.

The Trooper











Heavy Laden Bush
Not supposed to touch the ground; weight of the snow has taken it down.




Dr. DClutter™

I often read a small town paper online called the Daily Herald. In the opinion section, there is something called Sound Off! The purpose is for readers to share comments about what matters to them, ranging from topics about life in the city, politics and personal pet peeves, to compliments and complaints. I thoroughly enjoy reading Sound Off! and decided to offer something similar to you, my faithful followers. I love it!! In Sound Off! readers are encouraged to stay on topic, be respectful and the use of foul or obscene language, personal attacks or uses of another's identity to post are not allowed. The rules for what I am calling "Let Go!! with Dr. DClutter™" are the same. Every Friday is our official Let Go!! w/Dr. DClutter™ day. I'll post your advice, ideas, stories and thoughts. It'll be a place for you to share your life management and organization issues as well as discuss life events that inspire, empower or bother you. You can "leave it all here", as long as you follow the rules I discussed above. All comments will be reviewed before posting. So get ready, get set and Let Go!! w/Dr. DClutter™.

Dr. DClutter™

Stop. Start.

This seems so simplistic as I write it, but honestly, it's deeply profound (to me anyway and I hope you will agree). Stop doing the things that hinder your success and start doing those things that promote your success.

Dr. DClutter™

How Did I Get Like This? Part 2

In my book, Dr. DClutter’s Wiseisms and Truthisms™ Daily Inspirations, Observations and Humorous Musings, I write about the joy of having three brothers (I may have embellished on the joy part, just a bit), but they were great brothers (I have to say that as they or my mother may read this-just kidding). Here's an excerpt from the introduction:

As a child I kept my toys neat, orderly and in place. It was a battle because God blessed me with three brothers, who I will identify as the terminator, the destroyer and the explorer. THE TERMINATOR would decapitate my dolls with a noose and invite me to watch as he snapped their heads off and made a “popping” noise with his mouth (no I did not require therapy from this experience); THE DESTROYER wanted to see how things worked, but at that time did not have the skills to put things back together. Thus, my Show and Tell didn’t have chance of survival. Finally, THE EXPLORER was interested in the cause and effect of everything. So naturally, he wanted to see what would happen if he poured milk into the mouth of my favorite Happy Birthday Tender Love doll. For a trip down memory lane, she came with a birthday cake with a candle that she would “blow” out if you squeezed her stomach. Well, imagine the smell of that birthday wish with two-week-old milk in her belly. Why do I tell you this happy family memory? I tell it so that you will know why I’ve probably always been an organized person. It was out a need to survive!! Seriously, I’ve always had “the gift” of organization. Note that I did not say that I've ALWAYS used it to the best of my abilities or enjoyed it, but it’s been a part of my life.

Thanks to Joyce, www.timewarptoys.com, for the Show and Tell pic!!

Dr. DClutter™

Happy Birthday Malinda!!

Join me in wishing my dear friend, Malinda Simon a Happy _ _th Birthday!! She can fill-in-the-blanks. Enjoy the cake-it's calorie free!!




Dr. DClutter™

Flittering

What do you, birds and banners have in common? It's called flittering. It works for birds and banners, but for you, not so much. Do you find that you jump from task to task or from one project to another, without finishing? Yes, some would call that multitasking, but if you're not seeing results, it's just plain flittering. Try focusing on the completion of a task before moving on to the next one. Don't fret, you don't have to do this forever, just give it a few days. Note if you find that you're more or less successful in competing tasks and whittling down your to do list. Please share your results.

Dr. DClutter™