Tips for Conquering Clutter

Anyone renting or owning a home has been faced with the ongoing struggle of organizing their living quarters and closet spaces. It’s a never-ending cycle as we evolve throughout the seasons of life. We add more to our intimate spaces and during that process often debate among ourselves which items need to be removed, struggling with donating or getting rid of items that should no longer be used. After pondering my own internal struggles with organizing spaces in the home, I ran across an amazing article that totally renewed my perspective on a topic I thought needed no explanation.

Deborah Cabral, founder of The Declutter Coach, suggests organizers fall into 4 personality types: tidy, social, multitasking, or visual. According to Deborah, “No one type is messier than another; they’re just different”. After reading the article, I started to ask myself questions about how I viewed my own clutter. Is my clutter situational? Is my clutter a reflection of my booked and busy schedule? I was determined to explore and share such concepts, especially if it could lead to a, less is more mentality.  Maintaining a clutter-free home starts with the individual(s) within the space. This clutter-free home guide is really simple to building new skills to keep spaces tidy on a regular basis. Below you can discover if the personality theory is as helpful as I found it to be. Depending on what’s happening in your life you may find useful tips that can be applied all year around using all 4 clutter cleaning profiles.

7 Habits to Keep Your Home Tidy All Year Round (realsimple.com)

De-clutter Your Home Office

Workspace clutter is distracting. It may look different depending on the person, but no matter how it accumulates in our spaces we have to actively monitor the items we collect, display, and neglect in our production areas. As the year is winding down and we prepare for the holidays, we should take a few minutes daily to reevaluate our active working spaces. So, before you start feeling overwhelmed, too busy to make immediate action, or unwilling to prioritize your work clusters breathe deeply and release the pressure of perfection. After all, project planning may not be apart of your job title but when it comes to managing your work tasks you are the best one for the job.

Work organization strategies are personalized to help us function in our optimal strengths. Without question, there are ways to improve existing systems that we incorporate into our daily conversations of ‘how to do’ processes. However, keep the systems that work and focus on ways to better streamline tasks by removing the access items. Look around your space and (without negative critique) make a list of all the things out of use and no longer needed actively occupying essential space. Determine what the essential items are for completing necessary tasks within your workspace. Remove items that are not actively in use. If needed, consider reaching out to your leadership team to optimize your work ergonomic space to ensure that you’re balanced in your work focus. Be open to discussing decluttering strategies with peers as well and you may discover allies for managing large scale projects or detailed tasks.

Polaroids are for Privacy and Instagram is for Everything Else

Image has always been everything and over the past 30 years that becomes increasingly more true. In the 90’s, it was all about chat rooms and connecting with complete strangers. The objective: to meet new people, learn new things, and figure out what’s really going on with the pulse of people and the trends they follow outside of the music videos and the mannequins in the window displays at the mall. Let’s keep it honest. If your house didn’t have dial up internet, you were going to find out where to go to get some screen time. Let’s not forget the days of the internet cards, timed computer stations and internet cafes. If you were lucky, you had AOL or a best friend with endless computer access. Those were the days, when we as a culture redefined culture because we were forming relationships and creating new realities with people we’d never met in person. The early days of viral were arguably more dangerous, but the excitement and intrigue has always been there. It’s the closest thing to teleportation or time travel that we have so far, if you follow my drift. And wow! Has it evolved.

We are in the most highly documented period of humanity and whether you believe it or not it stays on ‘the cloud’. The internet is all about documenting the experience and getting the photo. Sometimes a photo or video requires no thought; it’s important to capture the moments that matter and define our lives. But if were being honest…we can all think of a few moments where we wish we could remember who has an original photo for the sole purpose of deleting it so that it can never be resurfaced again. It could be anything capturing an embarrassing awkward moment to anything unflattering or just unexplainably goofy, shameful, and weird. So, since that’s the reality of the reality we record and create, culturally we need to start caring more about the images we post, share, tag and pose for. Afterall, if a picture is worth a thousand words. It could be terrifying if the wrong one went viral.

Boutique Beauty Loves Polaroid Instant Photos for Privacy

Recently an oldie but goodie made a comeback and frankly, it’s a Boutique Beauty favorite. Remember Polaroid!?! Rediscover a classic (that never really left) that’s available in stores and online. Don’t shy away from the camera and stop hiding every time someone is ready to take a picture if it’s not on your phone. Aside from the enhanced privacy aspect of instant photos, it’s also a great way to practice how to take a great picture (because we know the best photo’s only come from your selfie angle). Plus, you need to learn how to nail it the 1st time without holding a mini photoshoot every time you snag a photo during an event. Don’t worry. You could always post a pic of your polaroid to your profile or just keep it private.

For those who set new standards and trends across social media feeds kudos. Your perspective, inner voice and awesome angles keep your circle engaged and inspired. However, for those of us who at times feel underwhelmed by our own posts a great way to enhance your posts is to spend more time understanding who you are and how you share your truth. We all have a story to tell. Get clear and concise about the moment in the photo especially if you’re in it. Because let’s face it, social media is here to stay so post with confidence and be intentional.

LIST YOUR TOP FIVE GOALS

Create a top 5 list in the areas of self-improvement and self-talk. It can be a very effective tool in measuring the ways we subconsciously show up for ourselves, our communities and vibes we exude in our photos. Take a mental note. Emotional maturity is the key to completing a realistic list that allows you to make improvements. Reevaluate the narrative that you tell yourself and share with others. Also, welcome the opportunity to debunk any preconceived notions projected by others that limit your potential. Zoom in on your core values to make sure they are where they need to be. Remember, you are an original beauty who has somewhere to go, and people are waiting for you to get there. So, you must always show up in your best form to compliment every occasion. Bravely try something new. Just do it authentically. Stick to the process of reformation and you’ll start to see the undeniable results in your perspective. Before you know it the glow-up will start to flourish in your photos and social media profiles. And remember, there’s no rules for how often you should update your posts.

Additional Articles:

What your social media says about you | MamasLatinas.com

21 Things Science Says Your Facebook and Instagram Feeds Reveal About You | Entrepreneur

Beauty Affirmation

Get ready for the week. Regardless of the unexpected, expect to be your best. Today’s post is simple. Be vibrant every day in your favorite lip tint.

5 Reasons People Embrace Natural Skincare

In a world where synthetic ingredients dominate the skincare industry, there is a growing need for us to pause and reflect on the importance of using natural skincare products. Our skin, being the largest organ of our body, deserves to be treated with utmost care and respect. By turning to natural alternatives, not only are we enhancing our beauty routines, but we are also embracing a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle. Let us explore the compelling reasons why we should prioritize natural skincare products in our daily regimen.

1. Gentle and Nurturing:
Natural skincare products, laden with plant extracts and organic ingredients, offer a gentle touch to our skin. Unlike their synthetic counterparts, which often contain harsh chemicals, natural products provide a nurturing and soothing effect. This gentleness helps in maintaining the natural balance of our skin, promoting its overall health and radiance.

2. Non-toxic and Safe:
One of the main concerns surrounding synthetic skincare products is the presence of potentially harmful chemicals. Parabens, sulfates, and phthalates are just a few examples of these harmful substances. By switching to natural skincare, we can avoid exposing ourselves to such toxins. Natural ingredients derived from nature's bounty are generally safer and pose minimal risk of negative reactions, making them suitable for people with sensitive skin.

3. Effective and Long-lasting:
Natural skincare products may not promise immediate results, but they offer a lasting impact on our skin's health. They work in harmony with our body's natural processes, allowing our skin to rehabilitate itself from within. Regular use of natural products can lead to improved skin texture, reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and a more vibrant complexion. Although the effects may take time, the natural approach reaps long-term benefits.

4. Environmentally Friendly:
Choosing natural skincare is not only beneficial for our skin but also for the environment. The production of synthetic products often involves excessive energy consumption, pollution, and the release of harmful chemicals into the ecosystem. With natural skincare, we can contribute to sustainable practices by supporting brands that advocate for eco-friendly manufacturing processes, minimal packaging waste, and the use of biodegradable ingredients.

5. Ethical and Cruelty-free:
Natural skincare products are often associated with cruelty-free practices, as they focus on harnessing the power of botanicals and organic sources. Many natural skincare brands do not test their products on animals.

Embrace the power of your timeless glow and unlock your skin's true potential to help you look and feel your best. Don't let time define your beauty. Always remember to hydrate and protect your skin daily.