by Erika A. McCarden
- Can’t park your car in the garage because it’s full of boxes?
- Take ten minutes or more to find your keys every morning?
- Ever purchase something only to later find that you already have it?
- Do you own a stack of magazines that date back six months or more?
If you’ve answered "yes" to any of the questions above, you might need to call on dClutterfly for help!
Pictured: Tracy McCubbin at the Altadena Library. Photo by Erika A. McCarden
“Clutter gets in the way of things you want to do. It’s basically delayed decision making,” said Tracy McCubbin, owner of dClutterfly. “Open up that closet. Take a look at all the things you’re not using,”
McCubbin presented a free, two-hour workshop, “What’s Under the Clutter?” to an overflowing room at the Altadena Library on Sat, Jan. 29. The daughter of hoarders, she knows all too well the effects and stress caused by disorganization at home and work.
“dClutterfly basically started because I was really frustrated that I couldn’t help my father," McCubbin said. "And I had a strong point of view in seeing what hoarding did to him and our family.”
With an accounting and personal assistant background, McCubbin opened dClutterfly four years ago to help people organize their homes and offices, creating a system for livable and maintainable organization. Today, the company services over 500 clients.
“This year I really need to turn things around and stop holding onto so much old junk. I’ve come to hate walking into my house,” said attendee Valarie Williams. “I need to make room in my life and move forward. This workshop really was an eye opener to how much stuff I keep.”
Declutter? McCubbin's lecture was packed with listeners. Photo by Erika A.McCardin
So, what’s behind all the clutter?
“There are different types of clutter. The clutter that has sentimental value; the clutter that makes us mourn; the clutter we keep because it might be useful someday; and then there’s the clutter that was free,” said McCubbin. “In all honestly, none of it makes us any happier. It’s simple, control it by getting organized and staying organized, but start small. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to get it all done at once. Designate one hour to tackle something.”
A few of McCubbin’s tips to controlling clutter:
1. Purge!
2. Donate! There are several nonprofit organizations that need your old clothes, makeup, books, furniture and appliances.
3. Don’t let any junk mail in the house! And shred mail as you read it!
4. File Away! Only keep paperwork you need to touch in the next six months or less. Make up a regular “appointment” with yourself to manage paperwork and bills, and be sure to label and create a designated place for your files.
5. Let go! Get honest with yourself by asking three questions: “Do I love it?” “Do I use it semi-annually?” “Does it make me money?”
“I really came for inspiration from Tracy and I got it,” said attendee Margaret Amestoy. “There’s stuff I’ve had for more than seven years and I’m drowning in it. It’s nice to know that there are places I can donate my things to and they can be of use to someone in need.”
Ready to rid that clutter? Here are some places where you can donate:
- Local Animal Shelters: They need your old blankets, sheets and towels
- Local Library: Will take your books and magazines
- Goodwill (Goodwill.org): Accepts used computers and printers
- Whole Foods: Accepts batteries and cell phones
- The Covenant House (covenanthouse.org): Accepts beauty products and clothes for homeless youth
- Out of the Closet (outofthecloset.org), Chrysalis (changelives.org), and Casa de Las Amigas (casadelasamigas.org): Accept clothing and shoes for homeless, and also women recovering from alcohol and drug addiction
- Habitat for Humanity (Habitatla.org): Accepts furniture to build and restore homes for less fortunate families
- St. Judes Ranch (stjudesranch.org): Recycles Christmas Cards to raise funds for abused and abandoned children
- S.A.F.E. (800-98-TOXIC): Collects household hazardous items
Open that closet and clean it out!
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Erika A. McCarden is a local writer/producer, who has worked as a marketing and public relations executive for entertainment, sports, news and nonprofit. She is a kickboxing champion, practices Tae Kwon Do, enjoys hiking and running with her dogs Jordy and Pepper, and is working on a suspense novel.
