A Legacy of “Stuff” (Part 2)
July 14, 2011
This week we continue with the difficult subject of being overwhelmed with the “stuff” left behind by a loved one who has passed away.
(You can read Part 1 here.)
The struggle is that we are trying to find practical ways to survive having someone’s lifetime-of-stuff joining our own lifetime-of-stuff, while also trying to survive all the emotions that come with this deep painful loss.
Based on the huge number of emails I received after Part 1, last weeks post resonated with many of you. One woman told the story of how for seven years, all of her parents’ belongings were stacked to the ceiling in her basement – furniture, clothes, stuff. So much so that they could not even make a path through it all. Continue Reading
A Legacy of “Stuff” (Part 1)
July 7, 2011
Emails arrive so often describing how — in addition to all the heart-rending emotions of a death — there is the overwhelmed experience of not knowing what to do about all the “stuff” of a beloved person who has passed away.
One woman wrote that her usually uncluttered home is filled with all the items she cleared out from her mother’s house after her mom died. She said she often bursts into tears seeing paths through this new clutter in her house yet she doesn’t know what to do with any of it. She was clear that she did not want or need the stuff but she knew these were things her mother loved Continue Reading
Organize a Baby’s Changing Table
July 6, 2011
we just got back from visiting family in Minnesota. My sister-in-law and her husband are expecting their first child, and I had the opportunity to offer them some organizing tips for their nursery.
One of the most critical areas to get organized during your baby’s first year is the changing table. You will spend a significant amount of time here, and you need many things right at your fingertips. Each year accidents happen when a caregiver steps away from the changing table to get something they need. Here are some things to keep in mind when setting up the changing table:
- Convert a Dresser – Today’s changing pads make it easy to convert a dresser into a changing table. Given all of the drawers, you can have all of your essentials within reach. If you are not able to do this, you can use wicker baskets or plastic baskets to divide and organize some of the different items.
- Use a Basket for Diapers – If your changing table is long enough, I recommend having diapers and wipes in a basket on the dresser top. If not, you can use a top drawer or shelf to store them. Other diaper changing necessities to keep close by include a burp cloth, creams and/or ointments which can be stored in the same drawer and kept separate with drawer dividers.
- Include a Wastebasket – Keep a wastebasket close by. If you are using disposable diapers, consider purchasing one with a lid to reduce odors.
- Include a Hamper – Don’t forget a hamper. You will be amazed at how much laundry your little bundle of joy will produce.
- Store Clothes in Drawers – Use the drawers or baskets for storing your baby’s “everyday” clothing, including onesies, pants and socks. A closet works well for storing dress clothes and clothes for your baby to grow into.
I hope these tips help you to organize your baby’s changing table. By preparing this central area before you bring your baby home, you will ensure an easier transition.
– Donna Lindley, Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Rochester Hills, MI-based Organize Your World, Inc.