I loved your newsletter about experiences over things. About five years ago, I decided to throw out my shopping lists. Instead, I got out my planner and arranged...theater tickets for my spouse and I, a special breakfast in a fancy hotel for my grandkids, art museum tickets for our family to enjoy with my sister's family, and so on.

Experiences are the best gifts of all in my mind. Giving them as gifts doesn't add to anyone's clutter, and they're what memories are made of!

This fabulous reader tip was submitted by...

Lois S.
Rockville, MD

If you struggle with panic attacks and/or anxiety, you're not alone.

And it doesn't have to continue. Check this out today:

www.getorganizednow.com/rd-panic-miracle.html

Scroll down below for more details on a resource that provides an excellent solution for eliminating panic attacks and anxiety.

Thank you so much for the newsletters. I love them.

I wrote to you earlier in the year when I did a major overhaul and organizing of my house. Well, this past Halloween, we had our annual Halloween Haunted Hayride, hot dog roast, and chili supper. Even though the party is outside, we always have people come in to use the bathroom or get warm or just hang out.

For the first time ever, I was not a nervous wreck about people seeing my house.

I usually spend a week cleaning ahead of time and the day before cooking the hamburger that will be used for the chili. Since I organized, I only did the normal sweeping and cleaning...and I was not even stressed.

We have had this hayride party at our farm since 1988. I am just thinking of all the stress I could have saved myself if I had only organized sooner.

Thank you for your tips!!!

Submitted by...

Pam Devor

A GON Reader Asks

OK, so here it goes. I am repurposing my back room into an art studio. Here is my challenge. I am an educator with Loreal Professional, which means I have lots of products and marketing materials, and get more each month. I also teach creative classes, which includes everything from painting to planting and everything in between. So I am sure you can imagine ALLLLLL the stuff I have. These things I need access to on a pretty regular basis, plus I like to try a lot of new things. I am in need of some options for organizing all this stuff without it stacking all up!!

--Keasha Willingham, Bakersfield, CA

Maria Gracia Responds

Hello Keasha and thank you for your question.

You are lucky to have a whole room to dedicate to an art studio. But even if you are reading this and you don't have that option in your house there are lots of organizing suggestions and products to help contain all your craft supplies. Finding the right option to match both your available space as well as your particular craft supplies can take time.

The key is to use your space efficiently so that you can find your supplies quickly. It should also look good so that it inspires your creativity.

Group Like-Items: Since you have lots of different supplies I suggest grouping like-items together. Find all your paint (organize by color or type) into an appropriate sized container. Group all of your Loreal supplies. Group other major categories. In doing so, you'll be able to visualize how much space you need for each major category.

Label: Assign your supplies a specific home. Label all your containers so that you can easily put items back.

Zones: Divide your room into zones based on different activities that you will work on within your space. For instance, one full corner for your painting supplies...another corner for your business supplies, etc. Or, maybe you don't need a full corner for everything. For instance, perhaps your planting items can all fit on one dedicated shelf.

Think Up: Utilize all your space by using vertical storage such as a shelving unit or cupboards. You can build in units or make your units removable which allow you more flexibility as your needs may change over time. An armoire can be used to hold a sewing machine or computer. Look at modular furniture that you customize to suit your specific needs (such as stackable shelf and drawer units. Look for combinations of cubby holes, drawers, open shelves, and units with doors so that you can hide away some items. Even an old bookcase or dresser can provide lots of storage space.

Current Supplies: For current projects, put your supplies in small containers (1 to 3-gallon size) so that you can quickly grab your current supplies. These containers can stack neatly on shelves or in a closet. Milk crates can also be used and stack easily.

Hanging: Don't be afraid to use the back of a door by using a hanging shoe organizer. A pegboard hung on the wall or the back of a door can be useful storage for your art tools. Bulletin boards allow you to hang up pictures of projects to complete and other inspirational materials.

Smaller Items: For smaller items such as pom-poms, sequins, and brads, sort by color and shape in small Ziploc baggies or small baby food jars. Clear glass jars allow you to easily see what is inside.

I also like using multi-compartment boxes (often used for nuts and bolts) or a tackle box to organize my buttons and beads. You could use a mobile tool box for larger tools such as glue guns, pliers, wire cutters, etc. This might also be useful to take marketing materials with you when you teach a different class.

Papers: Organize your marketing materials in file folders in a filing cabinet. Better yet, ask for all of your marketing materials in digital form. This way, you can print what you need when you need it, rather than having tons of new papers month after month.

Think Portable. You might also use a vertical stand on wheels to hold some of your supplies to easily move around in your studio.

Since I craft, one of the most important items for me in my craft room is a large, empty work surface...because this is where all the magic happens. I never leave anything on my work table at the end of whatever I'm doing. Everything is always put away, so I have a fresh start when I'm ready to work on something next.

Hope this gives you some ideas you can use.

Maria

GON Article: 5 Tips for Finding the Energy to Declutter
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GON Guest Article: Christmas Clutter: 6 Expenses You're Probably Overspending On

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GON My Life: Being organized is... Here's a new perspective

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Dirty Little Secret: I do this one thing, just for me, on Christmas morning every year...
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Mini Challenges: Even though Christmas is coming, it's important to stay organized in your normal day-to-day life. Here are this week's mini challenges.
getorganizednow.com/organizing-challenge-batch-christmas.html



In ADDITION, on our home page, you'll also find lots of NEW and featured STUFF including...

Social Media Spotlight: What's your storage style? Behind closed doors.or in cabinets and drawers? Comment and let us know.
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Theme of the Week: Peanuts. Not the legume...and lovable characters. Check out our home page quotes that reflect our theme.
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GON Monthly Checklist: It's easier to be jolly when you're organized. Start today with our December 2017 Organizing Checklist
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What do 19 year olds and 60 year olds have in common? Find out. Also learn how many hours kids are sitting in front of a screen. The answers to both are on our home page.
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The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
--Helen Keller


I'd love to hear from you.
Comments, suggestions, or just to say hello. Just REPLY to this email with a short note.

And remember...Being organized creates a happier, healthier, more fulfilling life!

Warmly,

Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!

getorganizednow.com

Stop Panic Attacks and Anxiety Today

Are you struggling to treat your panic attacks or general anxiety? Are you frustrated, in pain, or feeling constant worry and stress for not being able to properly deal with your anxiety despite all your efforts ? Are you tired of the way your panic attacks and anxiety make you feel?

Are you avoiding situations, or things that you wish to do or participate in because of your fear and anxiety? Do you feel that life is passing you by? Do you fear leaving the house, making holiday plans, or business travel? Do you fear situations where you are asked to speak in front of people, or getting stuck in traffic?

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This is some of the most important information you'll ever read on how to stop panic attacks and anxiety, and start living a calm, happy, panic-free existence. Visit:

www.getorganizednow.com/rd-panic-miracle.html

(c) Copyright 2017 by Maria Gracia, Get Organized Now!

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