 The holiday season is full of joy, cheer, and...STUFF. Stuff. Stuff. So much freaking stuff! Everywhere, all the time, in your face. Enough is enough! It's hard to get away from it all when you are being bombarded by all the presents and goodies. It's okay to buy presents for people, but I say it's about time we set better boundaries. From Amazon Prime and the increase in online shopping, it has never been easier to accumulate massive amounts of things! For so many of us living in these times we are ruled by the things we purchase, whether we realize it or not. Not to mention, people are spending beyond their means. Let's shift the narrative - we need to stop overspending and essentially going into the new year with consumer debt because that's how we want to show people we love them. I am not saying that you should never buy anything for anyone ever, but instead be mindful of each purchase. It will save you money, time, and the headache of the receiver - we need to stop giving people stuff for the sake of giving them stuff. Our well-being and our general health are so interlinked with our consumption habits, and yet oftentimes our initial instincts are not to reduce our spending in order to feel better, but instead to buy more - and this isn’t only during the holiday season, but can become a lifestyle habit that is hard to break. Over consumption is not just an individual choice, but it’s a symptom of something much larger. We live in a society where overproduction fuels over consumption and people accumulate things to emulate the feeling of accumulating wealth - which in our world today, is falsely equivocated to feeling happy. Unfortunately, as we all know, our obsession with things can make us truly unhappy. Your clutter and disorganization have a very real impact on our total health, including our mental health. With 2020 around the corner and 2019 coming to a close, self reflection during this winter season can become a key to unlocking the deeply ingrained patterns of clutter, over-consumption, and self-neglect that negatively impact our mental health and can lead us into a brighter, more positive new year (and new decade!).
For many Canadians, the holiday season is extremely stressful. As heart-warming as it can be, it can bring up feelings of loneliness, exhaustion, anxiety, and depression. Winter in Canada is incredibly difficult - so much so that about 15% of Canadian experience some form of the winter blues. A smaller percentage experience these feelings more intensely and can be named as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). These symptoms can be further exacerbated by being cooped up inside all day long. And if your home is looking more like Santa’s workshop than a serene and calm space for baking cookies and spending time with family, it can all feel overwhelming. But this time indoors, surrounded by all of your stuff can be a blessing in disguise. Envision your space and what it could look like for the new year, the new seasons to come and the new goals you have for yourself. As cliche as it may sound, it’s time to turn the page and leave behind the clutter, the material objects, and all those unused gifts you’ve received throughout the years. Resolutions are resolutions for a reason. It’s a recognition that something along the way has not gone as great as you’ve planned and it’s a conscious decision to move forward in a new and different way. By addressing your surroundings, your environment and the immediate space that you live in, you will be better able to tackle all of the other New Year’s resolutions that you set for yourself. As successful as resolutions may be in the very beginning, we all know that they begin to wane as the months go by. And often that is because we forget that making promises to ourselves is not that easy. We forget that in the busyness of a new year, resolutions become back burner ideas once again, instead of true habit changing decisions. The truth is, we need systems in place to keep us true to our word. To keep that new year fresh, we need to get off on a fresh start. Get Sorted will be that guide to get going and begin anew. Sometimes, all it takes is someone else to help you stay accountable to yourself and to the promises you made to lessen your load - both physically and mentally. In the same way that over-consumption can lead to feelings of deep sadness or denial, the act of letting go by giving can be a cathartic and helpful way to start the year off on the right foot. Get Sorted will help you begin and complete the process of sorting, decluttering, and setting up realistic systems. It's a way for you to get rid of the things that no longer serve you, have a non-judgmental person hold you accountable, and also guarantee your donations are sent off to those who actually need them. It is also the opportunity to move forward into the new year with the mentality that less is more. If you’ve been waiting for the sign to know when to move forward, this is that! Take advantage of this reflective and rejuvenating energy during these winter months and reach out for support to begin again anew for the upcoming decade! A fresh space, free from clutter and disorganization will be the stepping stones of a bright year ahead! Still unsure what to get your loved ones this holiday season? Here are some amazing clutter free gift ideas: 
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What is wellness? Wellness is an active process of becoming increasingly aware of and making choices toward a healthy and fulfilling life. Wellness is more than being free from physical or mental illness, it is a dynamic process of change and growth. We often compare our lives to others...We look at people in the room and see the person with great financial success, with millions of social media followers, with the fancy car, the big house, and feel..."I want that". The measure of success seems to be symbolized through great physical possessions. The mentality of when I achieve this level of possessions, i'll be happy. Yet, depression and anxiety rates are high in North America. According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, Two-thirds (67%) of Canadians have had experience with depression or anxiety, with 36% saying they have suffered from it themselves. Instead, why not look at the person in the room who is truly happy - and think, "I want that". Think of someone in your life who brings joy to others and generally holds joy within themselves. According to Laura Crooks, a registered nurse and certified wellness coach, “We need to address and find our own balance or harmony between our body, mind, and spirit to be well (wellness goes beyond absence of disease),” she said. “Our individual balance changes through the life stages.” Crooks has seven tips to help people achieve success in the eight dimensions of wellness:
My approach to my business, Get Sorted, is more than picking up stuff off the floor - it is where organization meets wellness. When your office is organized you can work, create, and be much more productive. When your kitchen is organized you can cook, replenish, and feel more nourished. When your bedroom is tidy you can get ready for your day and sleep much easier. There is an old saying “you are who you surround yourself with,” and that includes your environment. Healthy-minded individuals seek healthy-minded environments. Sometimes we don't even know what that looks like - it takes time to unpack unhealthy habits and mindsets to reach the full rounded home that you desire. Environmental wellness inspires us to live a lifestyle that is more respectful of our surroundings. Everyone can have a strong environmental conscious simply by raising their awareness. Again, it isn't about perfection, but simply making the effort to grow, evolve, and shed what no longer serves you. My services provide the opportunity to have more focus to work on your business, more energy to invest in your family, and more time to do things that you love! The clutter is a symbol of a mental block. Professional organizing provides a light when we tear down the initially perceived, 'infinite', wall of stuff, it can also evolve into breaking down the mental clutter. Learning to let go of the physical items that no longer serve you is relatable to letting go of negative perceptions or setting boundaries with friends or family who no longer bring you joy. Decluttering your life so you can keep moving forward and achieving your goals. What is your definition of wellness? Do you notice a difference in your mental health when your home is disorganized and messy versus orderly and tidy?  As an enthusiastic professional organizing expert, Kelsey aims to help people release their limiting beliefs and emotions surrounding clutter. Kelsey believes that when there is organization there is wellness. With a degree in Social Work and a background in visual arts, Get Sorted is the perfect blend of Kelsey’s strengths, and she is thrilled to bring the joy of uncluttered living to Toronto, ON.
Here are 5 habits that will set you on the path to success: 1. DECLUTTER YOUR PROFESSIONAL AND LIVING SPACE + MAINTAIN IT The more clutter and disorganization in your work or personal space, the more likely you will procrastinate, feel overwhelmed, and feel unmotivated. As a professional organizer I see the drastic inner transformations take place because of de-cluttered and organized spaces. Have a 'home' for everything so that when you need it, you know exactly where it is. Your mind will be clearer, calmer, and present. By maintaining general tidy habits you set the tone for your professional and personal development.   2. BE AWARE OF YOUR MONEY SITUATION I am not a financial adviser, but what I do know is that ignoring your financial situation will get you nowhere near your goals. Part of remaining organized includes knowing exactly where your money is spent, how much you're earning, and how you can make the most out of your earnings. Develop a system for tracking where your money is going. If you don’t know where to start, simply start with an excel spreadsheet. Being organized with your finances gives you control, confidence, and ultimately, preparedness. Organize your finances so you can protect yourself and your family! Hire a financial adviser, go to your local bank to check out your options, talk to your partner or someone you trust that will encourage you on the right track. 3. WRITE EVERYTHING DOWN Write down e v e r y t h i n g. Your goals, your ideas, your fears, your motivations. You are more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down than if you don't. It may sound cliche, but it works! Whether you have a bucket list of fun to experience or you want to grow your business - write it down. Pin in your office and remind yourself what you are working for. Writing things down doesn’t just help you remember, it makes your mind more efficient by helping you focus on the truly important stuff.  4. CREATE A REALISTIC ROUTINE FOR YOURSELF Hard work is undeniable - routine and consistency is what will take you places. Start with your why. Set your alarms, set your meetings in the morning or first half of the day (because you have more energy), work-out or go for a walk, make healthy choices that will set the tone for your day. Allow yourself to rest so you don't quit. Procrastination will make reaching your goals much more difficult - so if this is something you recognize as a weakness, work on it. Find an 'accountability-buddy' to keep on accountable for what you need. Be realistic with yourself at the beginning by setting small goals and build up from there. 5. TURN YOUR NEGATIVE SELF-TALK INTO POSITIVE SELF-TALK Easier said than done? Trust me, I KNOW! But, the work is worth it. It takes more than simply recognizing you have negative thoughts about yourself and your abilities. It takes unpacking your negative thoughts, why you are saying them, and why you want to transform your mind to be your biggest cheerleader instead of your biggest critic. “It all begins and ends, with inner core beliefs that match their idea of who they are.” We all have unique experiences of blessings and hardships - it doesn’t matter what trials you've endured, you can work through nearly any mindset if you believe in yourself and give yourself the chance to thrive. You can transform your internal language. I know you want it - you wouldn't have read this far if you didn't! Share your favorite success habits in the comments section below!  As an enthusiastic professional organizing expert, Kelsey aims to help people release their limiting beliefs and emotions surrounding clutter. With a degree in Social Work and a background in visual arts, Get Sorted is the perfect blend of Kelsey’s strengths, and she is thrilled to bring the joy of uncluttered living to Toronto, ON. A common misconception is that professional organizers only work with celebrities and 'rich people'. That may have been the case years ago, but not anymore! 
An organizer can provide tips and long-term solutions to ensure your home doesn't regress to its previously cluttered state. It is also very important to feel comfortable letting that person sort through your personal items with or without you. If you don't feel comfortable letting that person open your pantry or closet then you won't enjoy working with them. Phone or on-site consultations are beneficial for you to ensure you will feel comfortable working with a professional organizer.  As an enthusiastic professional organizing expert, Kelsey aims to help people release their limiting beliefs and emotions surrounding clutter. With a degree in Social Work and a background in visual arts, Get Sorted is the perfect blend of Kelsey’s strengths, and she is thrilled to bring the joy of uncluttered living to Toronto, ON. |
Photo used under Creative Commons from nodstrum
