Clean my bedroom closet! It is too overwhelming? Help!

Organizing Ideas to Get You Motivated

By: Merle E. Givens

I am overwhelmed by my closet, help!

Getting motivated to clean a full to the excess closet can seem like climbing Mt. Everest, but do not fret.  There are many easy ideas to get you moving on the project of removing the excess amount.  Have fun too in doing so and you soon can enjoy your made over closet in no time.  Here is some organizing and cleaning ideas for your bed room closet to get you ready.

Do not let a too full closet overwhelm you.  You can do it in segments at a time.  

The first day you begin, remove unneeded blouses, the next day, work at removing skirts or pants, on third day all shoes, and so forth.  Once you get the excess out of the closet, you can then organize it much better.  That is the first main step to motivating yourself when overwhelmed with too much to see.  Once you remove the unnecessary items, you can see what you actual need to have to sort and store with too. 

If you still feel overwhelmed then a good idea to work with is to have a close friend, one that can cheer you on and help you to think through the process.   Having a friend to help is fun too.  Maybe the two of you can set of a cloth swap party and have fun with other friends who want to clean out their closets too.  Or, if you are looking to make some fast cash then have, a few friends set up a garage sale together.  

Now go get prepared, find a friend, watch the videos, and have fun getting started in cleaning and feeling better about your new bedroom closet and not feel overwhelmed.

Also go see my spring cleaning article with tips here in the link just below.  

This article also includes a video from Better Homes and Gardens to get you started on moving out clutter and making space for a better happier you.

http://megsorganizing.blogspot.com/2011/02/spring-makeover-for-your-bedroom-closet.html  

For more additional information on bedroom cleaning ideas go to these articles found on Today's Cleaning Service Plus blog.

How to Spiffy Spring Clean Your Bedroom


Picture found at Microsoft.com

Where Do I Recycle This?

The Beginning of Simplifying by Recycling
By: Merle E. Givens


Recycling is a great commodity in today's world.  Green living is the in thing to do.  But, where do I recycle things?  That is a good question.  Here are a few areas that I have looked up and found to be helpful. even for myself.  I hope you find them handy as well. My information is mainly for the United States area.


Old batteries you can recycle at area Radio Shack stores, or a local Office Depot store.  Go to Office Depot to find your nearest store. Car batteries can possibly be recycled at a retailer that sells auto batteries.


If you have an old computer, there is a place called Nextsteprecycling.org and they fix broken computers also and then give them to schools with little funding, they help needy families too that need a computer.


For old CD and DVD you want to swap with others you can try this place I found to be of interest.  It is called Zunafish.com.


These are just a few ways to recycle your stuff laying around your home and make your life and help the environment some.  


For 50 more ways to recycle you will find this site of interest too.  It is called '50 Ways to Recycle' by TheGreenerMe at her Squidoo site. http://Squidoo.com/Recycle-Everything.  
If  you scroll down on her site it leads you to other links to greening and recycling.


Image found at Microsoft.com

The Simpler Times of the 1950's

The 1950's

Simplicity of Life
By: Merle E. Givens Meg Simplifies


I go back to the simple life. Well, I found an unusual way to do so and may be turning aside to this blog many a time. It is call the "The Apron Revolution" and it kicks of the late 1950's.  Follow the '50sGal' through her experiment of being in this era and learn more about the lifestyles of this era.

http://my50syear.blogspot.com

As of date, today is March 27, 1957 to be exact. Turn back the time and join me as we see how to organize, enjoy some good old 50's music and great musicals of the day.

Audrey Hepburn shows her style in "Funny Face" and "Think Pink" is the in style now too. See link below to watch 'Think Pink' video.

50s times: 21 March 1957 “Think Pink: Madison Avenue to Beatniks”

Tonight would be the 29th Annual Academy awards, and the movie, "Around the World in Eighty Days" is the winner.

As you turn back time, learn organizing advice from the 1950's period, at her blog, ‘The Apron Revolution'.  Listen to some advice from a guest blogger as she too shows you some closet organizer advice that is great for us as well.

I look forward to seeing much more of this site as it goes through the end of one era to the coming of the years of the sixties.  But for now, live the simpler life of the fifties and take time to slow down and enjoy it while you read her wonderful blog.

Image found at Microsoft.com

Sentimental Clutter - Clutter Corn Connection – Frame It

Sentimental Clutter

Clutter Corn Connection – Frame It

By: Merle E. Givens – Meg Simplifies

Yeah, what can you do when you got old farm supplies that you just cannot remove?  Well, I say if you cannot let go and if it is that sentimental then frame it up and plaster it on the wall.  I never thought of this idea though until I saw this site. Click link below and see the picture that caught my eye and inspired me.  

I have seen a clock with seeds on it, and I have made seeded art in my youth.  But this is something new and different.  It works real well for that country look some like.

A company called ‘The Great Frame Up’, here in Creve Coeur, Missouri showed me a new way to keep this old clutter from fading.  Whether it is seeds or seed bags, they can probably frame it.

Photo at site: http://twitpic.com/4ao8l4

For you all farmers the art of farming has just begun.  Long live farming now in the art world.  Simplify that clutter and keep the memories by shadow boxing or framing it.  Thanks to the person that framed this seed bag, you have kept the dream alive and made farm art a treasure.

Image above right found at Microsoft.com

Family Fun Night made Fun

Family Fun Night made Fun
By: Merle  E. Givens

Many of us today become so busy in our daily lives to sit down and enjoy being with family.  How can you bring together your family, get them talking and enjoy having some good old fashion fun?

First, plan a particular night when all can gather around the table. Make you meal simple and easy, make the evening enjoyable by not talking about negative things, and keep it light and simple.  Play a game, as you will learn in the video provided.  Every one in the family will enjoy this special meal and you have brought your family a little closer in a simple way.

Here are some clever ideas and some simple quick to do recipes from Traci Metro of Kraft Kitchen, as shown on this video from howdini.com. In the video, she shows you how to make it easy and simple to get the family back together.  She shows some fun games too, to play at the table, and follows the meal with a simple delicious dessert idea your young ones will enjoy.  

Howdini Kraft Kitchen - Family Night Dinner Ideas - Quick Easy Dinner Recipes

Simple and easy it is to bring your family together when applying these ideas. And begin drawing closer in your family relationships.  So, have fun starting your family fun night and enjoy an evening well spent.

Photo by: Microsoft.com

Be a Good Hearted Human

Be a Good Hearted Human

By: Merle E. Givens

Today is the day to simplify your health. It is important to have a good heart; a good-hearted person is a person that is willing to be kind to others, even when the going is tough at times.

So is the same with our physical heart. We eat food that is unhealthy because of a faster paced day. We have more sedentary jobs now than was the case years behind. More stress, less sleep. Is your heart a good one? Only your physician can truly tell you. Ask your physician how to improve & maintain good heart health and to get a good exercise program for you.

Today start a program of walking or doing light exercising for 10 to 15 minutes a day, go slow and build up your heart. Your heart will say thanks by giving you more energy so you can enjoy the days of your golden years.


Having a good heart benefits the whole body. It pumps oxygen to the brain too. You might think clearer then. It gives your muscles oxygen, and this oxygen helps your muscles, so you can tone and stretch them for easier movement. Your heart, it also is a muscle too and needs a workout so it can pump better, which can lower blood pressure and even help with swollen ankles some.

For menopausal women exercising can help your cardiovascular health and ease the symptoms of it as well.  Watch this video from  Healthnation.com for information on menopause.

http://video.healthination.com/usnews/menopause.html

So, get up and just move, even walk in place for those 10 minutes a day to give you energy and help you to work on being a good-hearted human. A healthy life simplifies and betters your spirits too. So, enjoy becoming stronger and making your life a little easier.

Clip art courtesy of Microsoft.com

Spring Makeover for your Bedroom Closet

Makeover for Closet Crying for Space
By: Merle E. Givens

Do you want to remake your bedroom closet? Take the time to remove all the clothes you no longer wear. Do not be reminded of clothes that do not fit, you want to move forward, so if it does not fit your style or fit your physique let it go. Start with a new way of thinking. Get rid of old worn shoes. And, if you have shoes you have not worn in over a year, rethink. Now is the time to simplify life, begin removing the items you no longer need in your daily life now.  

If you need help to get you started with your closet then, see this helpful advice by Ellen Damashchino, of “Neat”. 

On Better Homes and Garden site, from the show 'Get Organized - Organizing Gadgets', Kimberly Maus shares advice from Ellen Damashchino of “Neat”.  Here, Ellen shares tips to organize Brooke Carlson's bedroom closet, she shows easy ways to get the closet organized.

Better Homes & Gardens video on You Tube site
http://www.bhg.com/videos/m/32064137/organize-your-bedroom-closet.htm

Have a happy spring makeover for your bedroom by trying these tips in the video provided.





Photo courtesy of Microsoft.com

Simple Ways to Connect with Others

Simple Ways to Connect with Others

By: Merle E. Givens

Simplify your life by easily sending a card to a loved one or to a business client. Show you love or appreciate someone by sending a card with your own special saying. Or to just say thank you.  Today we need an easy way to connect with others.

Find and send a card that is recyclable made and better your environment too. 

Help to Increase your relationships on the personal side.  Also, help to gain customer potential. 

See how Today's Cleaning Service of St. Louis, MO tried this method. You might gain new clients and help a person remember you.

Link to Living 4 Each Day and see their shared above experience. 

Keep it simple and easy and show clients and loved ones you care

Photo by: Merle E. Givens

Simple Ways to Say You Care

Simple Ways to Say You Care

By: Merle E. Givens

Is it hard for you to say I love you or I miss you, sometimes even to the very one you care about?  I find that many a man and even a woman sometimes need a little help along the way.  

If you want some inspiration to get you started try this simple ideas:

• Sweet message in with their lunch
• Send a card just because you care
• Give them a hug 
• Go for a walk together
• Give a sincere smile
• Write a small poem
• Wash the dishes or do a chore they normally do
• Fix or buy them breakfast one morning
• Be spontaneous and do something fun together

Remember to share how you feel to the one you love.   Your life will be happier and so will the ones you care about in your life.

Photo by: Merle E. Givens

Declutter 101: Moving the Mess

How to Begin Moving out Clutter
By: Merle E. Givens - Meg Simplifies Living-

Today starts the beginning of another race on clutter.  Start with the ‘clutter relay race’ first as shown in my other article to get you started.  You are first simplifying and on your way to moving the mess and seeing the space and the new found freedom of having less to clean.  

Organize into categories the items you have remaining.  Do small areas so as not to get overwhelmed.  Do one shelf of books or a drawer you want sorted one at a time. Put books or items such as DVD’s in groups that work for you. Books put in genres such as computer, business, hobbies, fiction, non-fiction, etc.

For any items not with a place to put them, you may have to buy or make a container to keep them in.  By doing the sorting first, this gives you a point to start with; therefore, you can see what containers and sizes you may need for organizing items better. 

Accessorize and treat yourself to a new container or make your shelf area different by painting or decorating it.  This gives you a sense that things are new and fresh.  It uplifts your spirits when you see something new.  It is a way of rewarding yourself for your hard work.

Now clean your area and you can begin to organize items onto or into their special locations.  You now can find your items with ease and your room is ready for the last step.  Clean the main areas and put any final touches or additions to your area.

Step back and now enjoy seeing your freshened new space.  Sit and take in the enjoyment of having less clutter in your room and in your mind as well. 


Find Time to Organize: http://meg-simplifies-life.com/2011/07/14/finding-time-to-organize/


For more organizing, and clutter removal click links below:
http://www.meg-simplifies-life.com

To organize your teens closet:
http://megsimplifies.blogspot.com/2011/06/teenagers-closet-what-clothes-do-i-keep.html


Photo from: Microsoft.com

Remove Clutter: Get Ready! Get Set! Go!

By: M. Givens

How do you tackle clutter?  Like a short relay race, a few yards at a time. 

You may read in many an organizing book to take a whole weekend or a whole day to declutter.  For some of you this may work, but the majority of you have busy days.  You want to relax on the weekends after your busy workweek.

Are you overwhelmed and going blank in the head when it comes to clutter?  You do not have to stare at your clutter like the deer seeing headlights.  Here is how to begin.  Just use ten minutes to get started. 

Get ready! First, pick a place that just irks you the most.  Go get a trash bag and a medium sized box.  The box is for give away items.  A medium box works best because it is easier to carry and put into the trunk of you car.  You take this to your nearest charity of your choice.

Get set! Set your alarm for ten minutes.  Go!  Look for trash items first, and then look for any give away items.  When the alarm goes off, stop.  You have finished your first relay race to declutter. If medium box is full then take it to your car.  If not full, keep, put it near this spot and tomorrow begin another relay race to remove more clutter.  You can start another ten minutes if you like or keep doing this relay race each day until you can see the room or area is clutter free.  The objective is not overwhelming you.

There is no actual cleaning involved yet.  You are just removing clutter.  Keep removing clutter for just ten minutes a day in your worst areas.  You have accomplished five hours of removing clutter in just 30 days.  You will surprise yourself and you did not have to ruin your weekend plans. 

This is just the first step to winning the race in decluttering and simplifying your life. Have fun running the clutter relay race.

A Simple Eyed View on Life

That is what 'Meg Simplifies Living' is about.


Do you want a more simplified and organized life in your home, office or personal areas?  Most of us do in our hectic day to day living.  If you want more time then learning to live on less is an easy way to find the time.  The more excess we have in our lives, the more bogged down life becomes.  We worry and fret about all we have and how to support and keep it up.  We think about and begin to want the latest things.  Then we go out and buy them.  Does this truly always make us happy?  It takes time and effort to support and learn how to use the gadgets or items we buy and more stress if added to the list. 


Here you will find ways to improve, simplify and organize your life in your personal, home and office areas.  Use these tips to improve and make your life easier so you can do the things you love to do.  Green your home and personal life and make our planet a happier one and help you to be a healthier one.  Recycle where you can and inspire others to follow in preserving the environment. These are just a few of the many ways to lead a simplified life. 


So remember to enjoy leading a simple eyed approach to life and gain the benefits of having a happier and better you.


A Simple Eyed Life to You,
Merle