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Issue: #56September 2011

 

 

Room to Breathe Home Organizing & Staging 

 

 

Simplifying Life.

 

In This Issue
Take It Back, Take It All Back!
Before and After Photos

Rewards

Do you dread going home?
 
Do you feel tense prior to entering your own home?
 
Do you fear friends or family surprising you with a visit to your home?
 
If you answered 'yes' to one or more of these questions you'll want to check out the Rewards Zone at the bottom of this page!

Join Our List

Join Our Mailing List

 We Love Our Clients and They Love Us Too!

"Hi Jessica,

5 months later we decided to list our home for sale and used your plan to enhance our property. WOW!   We sold it in 36 hours at almost full price, and we are in a higher price range than average.
We followed your plan and the rest is history.
Thank you so much!"

Bob and Debra, State College

 

 
 
Simply.

It's how we do things.

Product of the Month

wendy treadmill 

Room to Breathe client is looking to sell her like new treadmill.

 

NordicTrack Durasoft Solaris II

 sold

Only used a couple of times, like new and in excellent condition

 

Paid over $800

Only Asking $399 or best offer

 

Contact Us for More Information

814.360.1063

Greetings!        

WANTED:  Your most challenging organizing and/or home staging questions!  We know you have them...


We are double dog darin' you to challenge our knowledge...send us your questions today! 

   

Simply,

Jessica Dolan
 Bringer of Order
 
 
  


P.S.  If you call today to get your free 30 minute consult and find out how we can best work together to ensure your success.
Take It Back, Take It All Back!

Whew, listening to the schedules of our organizing clients is just plain tiring!  We can barely keep up with listening let alone imagining doing all the running around ourselves.  To be honest, it actually makes us feel a bit stressed and wonder if it may be affecting you that same way too.  Sometimes you don't notice the stress until it's gone.  Could this be your family?

 

Where has life gone?  Who and when was it decided that families must run constantly, be "connected" 24/7, and that it's not okay for parents to take a little time for themselves?

 

We'd like to be the ones to create change for you and your family.  We want you to take back your lives.  Take it all back; it's yours and you deserve it.

 

Remember when weekends were for hanging out, relaxing, maybe seeing some friends or taking a little road trip?  It seems like now they are bore, whoops, we mean chore days.  Do the laundry, clean the basement, soccer game, gymnastics meet, mow the yard...please make it stop!!! 

 

Many of you are worn out before the weekend gets into full gear.   It's no wonder you feel totally depleted by Monday morning.  If you think back to your last weekend, can you remember at least three moments of pure joy, happiness, calm, or relaxation?

 

While we can't change modern technology we can take steps to managing our activities and living the kind lives we desire.  We have the ability to decide what and when we do things. 

 

We have the authority to decide who we spend our time with and who we don't. 

 

We don't have to say yes to everything asked of us. 

 

Are you ready to take it back?  Read on...

 

Do A Little At Time.  We preach it.  We practice it.  Spending just 15-20 minutes a day doing little tasks can save you hours on the weekend.  Try smaller loads of laundry, dusting a shelf here and shelf there, put toys away each night, lay out the things you need the next day, etc.  Get the kids involved too! 

 

Don't underestimate young children's abilities to help.  Start teaching them good habits at a young age; not only will you enable them to be self sufficient, you'll also help yourself in the process.

 

Failure to Plan=Planning for Failure.  Perhaps the biggest improvement you can make to your family stress levels is learning how to effectively plan and then doing it on a regular basis.  This can be tricky if you're not in the habit of doing so. Too many are used to that chaotic, last minute panic and almost thrive off of it...until it goes away. 

 

Take a few moments to meet with your family (in person, not via text, email, Facebook) and discuss what's happening in the coming week.  Make sure there are elements of fun, carefree family time scheduled as well.  Those moments are just as important, and probably more important, than the day to day list of to do's you feel must be done, but don't necessarily have to be.

 

Take Back Your Time and Ultimately Your Lives.  Decide what you truly want for yourselves.  Look for creative ways to work in items you feel you need to get done.  For example, do you really need to go to the gym or could you go on a long hike/bike ride with the family?  Do you really need to go to that charity event or could time with your family be your charitable cause?  Do you need to reply to every email, text, status update when these could be moments spent asking your kids or spouse what's important or special to them?

 

In my house, Sunday's are referred to as NO TECHNOLOGY SUNDAY FUNDAY!  There is absolutely no geochronology used for the entire day.  No checking email, no checking voicemail, no answering the phone, no computer use, nothing technology related is permitted.  I've been doing it for about a year now and it's the most glorious day of the week (after working with clients that is)! 

 

There is nothing like disconnecting completely for a little bit.  It puts focus on the items you truly enjoy doing and allows you to be free of thinking of all the things you need to be doing or responding to.  I encourage you to give it a try and let me know what you think.

 

Society has gotten into a very bad habit of expecting people to be constantly available whether for work or personal life.  And once we start allowing ourselves to be readily available, we open ourselves to being taken advantage of even on our personal time.  It's up to you to stop the insanity!  :)

 

 

 

Axe the Activities.  We know you've heard it all before...quality not quantity, but do you believe it's true?  We get that it's important for kids (and adults) to be involved with character building activities.  What we ask you to consider is when is too much too much?! 

 

Dizzy Up Date Night.  Now!  With divorce rates higher than ever it's a fantastic time to re-commit to your loved one.  Shake yourself out your date night ruts and dare to do something different!  What nurtures your relationship?  What re-energizes it?  If you don't know, find out...we think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the result.

 

 

What are you and your family waiting for you?  Take back your lives today!

Ask the Organizer
jessica w/ papers 

Jessica,

I have been to a couple of your presentations at the Women's Leadership Conference, and I like receiving your emails. You are helping me, and my husband, to de-clutter our home -- thanks! My question is - can you suggest places around State College to donate items - mostly unwanted kitchen gadgets, dishes, small furniture items, etc.

Thank you,
Sally H.
                                                                                    

 

Hi Sally,

Thanks so much for your email!  
 
 

I typically take items to St. Vincent DePaul in Westerly Parkway.  However, if you have furniture or other large household items in good shape, there is a consignment shop next to St. Vincent's called Pete's Used Furniture (art, decorative items, complete dish sets, etc).  He takes 50%, but that's better than sitting around collecting dust, right.  ;)

 

I take women's clothing to Clothes Mentor.  Things must be in great shape, relatively new and stylish.  The items they can't accept I take to either St. Vincent's or the State College Women's Club on Allen Street.

 

Centre Peace is another place that takes furniture and household items.

 

Restore/Habitat for Humanity will take old house repair stuff...doors, tools, wood, fixtures, plumbing, etc.

 

I hope that helps!

 

Simply,

 

Jessica


 

 

Where is Room to Breathe Speaking?

 October 5: EWE
Seats Still Available
 www.EWEsc.com
  
October 11:
Susquehanna Health System Life Center

Making The Move

Are you overwhelmed by the thought of downsizing? We'll show you how and where to start.

Selling a house? Learn what's new since the last time you moved to ensure a quicker sale at top dollar.

Stressed by the moving and downsizing process? We'll share tips and ideas to get you on your way to your new retirement home.


October 16: Lotus Center Yoga
Topic TBD

October 29: Susquehanna Health Systems-Spirit of Women Hospital

Topic to be determined

November 9: Dragonfly Therapeutic Massage and Day Spa

Holiday Happiness

The holiday buzz starts early! November is the time to get started on our holiday preparations. Not only do we need the time, but it's fun to stretch out the holiday spirit. But there is no reason for it to overwhelm you. Come learn some easy tips and tricks to keep this holiday season memorable and not miserable.

 
 

First Time Home SELLERS Workshop
For the first time a free workshop for first time sellers! Come learn the ins and outs of preparing your house for successful sale and the selling process.
Location/Date/Time TBD
Contact us for information!



Scheduling Fall 2011 Speaking Engagements Now!


 

 
New Feature---Before and After Photos!

Many of you have been asking for Before and After photos...we'll be featuring new photos each month and you can find more on both our website and our Facebook page.  

 

Thank you valued clients for giving permission for your spaces to be shared in hopes of helping someone else live simply organized!

 

outer before
Before: A mix match of furniture and old decor didn't invite the home owners in and certainly didn't encourage organization.
outer after
After: New furniture and repurposing decor from other areas created a very warm and inviting environment. And because it looked so nice it more easily encouraged family members to keep it more organized!

  
 



 
Rewards Zone!

If you struggle to relax in your own home because of clutter and chaos or are embarassed to have friends over it's time to reward yourself.
  

 
Kick the clutter habit today by starting a 2 hour
Begin to Breathe organizing session.   

                                      Buy Now
Offer Expires:  9/30/2011-Must use time witin 30 days of purchase.  Homes 15 miles beyond 16801 will have small travel fee.