Posted Dec 22, 2010
Dec. 20–If “clutter” is a frequent word in your vocabulary, you are far from alone.
In fact, the holiday season is rife with all kinds of clutter — from messy closets full of shopping bags and gift wrap to cars crammed with reminders of frazzled after-school errands.
But Lorie Marrero, author of “The Clutter Diet: The Skinny on Organizing Your Home and Taking Control of Your Life” is here to help with some more calming words.
“I say to people sometimes that when you think about brushing your teeth, you would never dream about brushing them 365 times a day and calling it done for the year,” she said in a phone interview. “Organizing is no different. You have to do it in an ongoing basis. When things start to get cluttered, that’s your cue to make time before it gets worse.”
Marrero, a professional organizer and mother who operates her Clutter Diet business from Austin, Texas, said the holidays are really a time to keep it all in perspective.
“Realize what it is exactly that you really love about the holidays and really pay attention to that,” Marrero said in a telephone interview. “When I asked my kids, it was drinking hot cocoa out of the Santa mugs that Grandma had, those little sweet things. They don’t really care that I had garland wrapped around the stairwell, so I quit doing that.”
Clutter is not limited to stuff, Marrero said. People’s needs — especially from those visiting holiday guests — can also enter into your clutter
equation. That’s why she suggests having a “tourist binder” for those out-of-towners in need of entertaining.
“I would always read things in magazines like 101 fun things to do in the summer, and so I started clipping articles like that,” she said. “I thought, these are not only great things to do with the kids but great things for me to remember. As I was clipping, I thought, ‘Why not put these in a binder.’ ”
Besides destination ideas, you can also add free tickets you receive to museums or gift certificates to restaurants. These are a good solution for entertaining relatives while you are back at work.
“Mainly, we have to remember that the holidays are a time you’re supposed to be joyful and happy, and you’re supposed to be spending time with your family,” Marrero said. “And it’s hard to be joyful if you’re feeling stressed.”
For more ideas from Marrero, visit tulsaworld.com/clutterdiet
Kim Brown 581-8474 kim.brown@tulsaworld.com
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