Letting Go of Stuff

"Picture Yourself Organized!"

Details By Shelly Fletcher - Organizing e-News

Issue: #25

January 2010

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In This Issue

GETTING ORGANIZED - Letting Go of the Stuff

TIPS, READS & LEADS - Medical Information Binder

ORGANIZING EVENTS - "Ask the Organizer" Day at IKEA ; Adult Education Classes

Happy New Year

Our family had a wonderful Christmas holiday. Nice and cozy by the fire, watching movies, eating too much good food. Lovely. Peaceful. Quiet. Of course next Christmas we will have a 7-month-old baby grandson crawling around creating chaos. Can hardly wait.

As I mentioned in my last announcement, my husband, John, was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer just before Christmas. We've been going to chemotherapy together and have been pleased with the results so far. However, this has challenged my organizational abilities to the max! Read here what I've done to keep my sanity while navigating the medical maze.

I put a hold on my speaking engagements and client organizing business activities and anything that required a commitment. In fact, I had my own professional organizer come help organize the organizer! Melinda Brovelli spent an afternoon helping me box up my office files and relocate them to my basement. She is a great friend and colleague. She's traveled extensively in Italy; of course we had to spend an hour looking at my Italy trip photos, but we got it all done. Thank you Melinda!!

I sincerely hope you find solutions to whatever challenges come your way in 2010. Stay focused and enjoy life.

Fondly,

Shelly

GETTING ORGANIZED in 2010

The start of a new year always triggers resolutions to make changes. In 2010 I will be offering you ways to make changes in your life, home and office. Now it's your job to try something new each month. Are you ready? This month I'm providing you with...

Tips for Letting Go

Remember: It's only "stuff".

Think about why you are holding on to the stuff. Does it define who you are? Does all this make you happy? Will you suffer for not having it?

Remember: Life is about choices. You do have a choice. Decide which items help you to live well and which merely weigh you down.

Do you pay so much attention to your stuff that you neglect life's treasures around you? Reexamine your needs.

Give it up without giving in. By having less stuff around you, you can have more in your life. Don't be afraid of empty spaces.

Think about if there are other ways to honor the memories of family or personal items. Can you keep one representative thing in a special place of honor? Can you give treasures to family members or friends who might like to preserve the memories?

Are there other people or organizations that would appreciate receiving your collections? Give to organizations that have personal meaning to you.

Isolate the stuff you are saving and look at it as though you were a stranger. Could you honestly say that the stuff is worth keeping? If not, let it go.

Items with a "perceived" worth have no true value until they are sold. If you are keeping them only because you "paid a lot for them" or "they are worth a lot of money", sell them and commit to not making unnecessary purchases in the future.

Remember: You are not your stuff. But your stuff says a lot about you.

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GOOD TIPS, READS & LEADS

MEDICAL INFORMATION BINDER

This particular organizing tool is a result of my current need to gather medical information quickly for doctor appointments, hospital visits, pharmacies, etc. However, these are good ideas for anyone at any time.

Get a binder. You might start with a 1/2 inch size so it's easy to carry with you; it can always be expanded.

Insert some plastic pocket dividers with tabs. I used Avery Insertable Dividers #11906. These have two pockets in each tabbed divider.

Print the tab inserts appropriate to your situation. I used Contacts, Doctors, Insurance, Procedures, Lab Results. You might have one for each family member, or for each doctor, or for each year. You can always change the tab inserts later.

Put all important medical papers into this binder (immunizations, test results, last physical, insurance information, etc). It doesn't have to be pretty, it's just a way to keep your medical information handy. You can three-hole punch or use plastic page protectors; or both! Now you can take the binder with you if you have to rush your child to the emergency room. Won't they be impressed!

Create a MEDICAL INFORMATION SHEET on yourself and each person you are caring for. (See my template by clicking here) Keep this in a secure place. If you create it on your computer, you might want to passcode protect it. Some medical group websites provide a personal history page for you. I use RELAY HEALTH provided by Hills Physicians Group.

Update this medical history regularly and take it with you whenever you see the doctor. I mean how many times have you been asked what you are allergic to, what medications you take, when was your last whatever??? Now when I get asked those questions, I just hand them the sheet. Put a current copy of this sheet in the front of your binder, along with a copy of your current insurance card.

For those of you involved in long-term care like we are, keep one steno pad handy to record all questions, instructions, notes from office visits, insurance contacts, offers for help from friends and much more. This is your daily record of progress and treatment. Be sure to date each entry or page. Now you have an informal record of treatment that is portable and complete.