Looking For Space Productivity and Organizational Solutions

09/14/2021

Hello. It’s been a while.

As a small business owner, I wear many hats. Being mindful that our world is navigating through information overload, creating relevant content that adds value to my readers is of the utmost importance.

The mission of Looking For Space is to help others create a clearer path towards living their best life, so it's imperative that I stay true to that vision.

So even though you will no longer find me active on this platform, Looking For Space is growing and continuing to simplify lives.

I would love for us to find a more personal way to stay connected.

I invite you to check out my website where you can learn more about me, my credentials, and my offerings: www.lookingforspacesolutions.com.

I invite you to sign up for my quarterly newsletter. (Yes, only quarterly, which means I only send it four times a year!) You can sign up on the homepage of my website.

As I am passionate about finding homes for no-longer needed items, please visit my donations page if you are curious about the variety of donation solutions throughout Monterey County: www.lookingforspacesolutions.com/donations.

I invite you to reach out at any time you are looking to learn more about what it's like to work with a professional organizer or what a nature immersion experience is like: [email protected].

For now, I will l attempt to maintain an Instagram presence and do my best to share an occasional message of inspiration and simplicity through that platform. You can find me on Instagram at lookingforspace.organize.

Wishing you all the space you need to live your best life.

Keep it simple, friends. ❤️

08/25/2020

I've been behind in my writing. And that's ok. Bigger and more important things have been needing my attention. As I've spent the past few months sorting and rearranging A LOT of clutter in my mind, I've been reminded of how temporary everything is.

The message in this blog post is simple... By simplifying our spaces - physically and emotionally - we are better equipped to adapt to our ever-changing climate and control what we can.

Now, more than ever, simplicity is a necessity.

Keep it simple, friends ❤️

Make peace with your Stuff. If you love it and use it and it makes you happy, by all means, cherish it and appreciate it. If it’s taking up space and not prompting you to dwell in the life you are meant for, then perhaps it’s time to consider why you still have it.

08/11/2020

I've been receiving a lot of inquires lately from people wanting to know what donation centers are open in and around Monterey County.

And as much as I enjoy and support taking items to the Goodwill ~ yes, I am a regular visitor, and yes, it's super convenient, and yes, they are doing great work ~ it's become an overarching term that we use when we have bags and boxes of stuff we are wanting to part with.

What you might not know is that our community is riddled with considerable options on where to donate our stuff.

As a professional organizer, part of my mission and business model is to help people find new homes for their no-longer-needed items by connecting them with people/organizations who would love to have them.

I have found that when people have a positive experience and get the feels about where their items are going, they are more likely to feel motivated and inspired about parting with them.

Just last week I brought a box of no-longer-needed school supplies, which included books, paper, and pens, to a local nonprofit who is doing its best to establish a remote learning classroom for the children that reside in their community. The family who had parted with the items had no idea the impact this box would have and the delight in the faces of those receiving it.

Visit my website at: https://www.lookingforspacesolutions.com/donationoptions for a thorough and up-to-date list of local donation options as well as links to their websites.

Ps. The Goodwill donation trailer is open behind Ace Hardware in the Star Shopping Center every day from 8:30 am until 5 pm.

07/08/2020

Optimizing vertical space for the win!✨ A clean, clear bathroom counter can really give you all the feels. 💕

07/06/2020

✨According to the principals of Feng Shui, the Fortunate Blessings area of your home contributes to the flow of universal abundance into your life.⁣⁣
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✨If you are looking to attract blessings, make sure this area of your home is clear of clutter and nonsense. ⁣⁣
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✨This wooden cabinet is located in the Fortunate Blessings area of my home. On the top rests a photo my dear friends’ wedding. Inside the cabinet is a note of gratitude which sits beside a couple of small treasures that my boys gifted me. The rest of the cabinet is empty as I wanted to be sure to leave open space for the growth of possibilities. 🙏🏻⁣⁣
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✨To locate this area in your own home (using Western Feng Shui), while standing just inside your front door and facing your home, the Fortunate Blessings area will be located in the upper left.🏡⁣⁣
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✨It can be beneficial to make some adjustments to this space by making sure it’s clear of anything that could be holding back the harmony in your environment. 💕⁣
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06/30/2020

Don’t ever underestimate the power of simplicity. 💕

06/05/2020

Some donation centers in our area are beginning to open. 🙌 Others are not far behind. If you have spent the past few months simplifying but haven't been able to pass along your items, you can finally say goodbye to the Stuff that's been weighing you down. 👋

Visit my website at: https://www.lookingforspacesolutions.com/donationoptions for a thorough list of local organizations - as well as links to their websites - for donations options and suggestions.

And if you're feeling like you are the only one on the planet that didn't get your kitchen organized or your garage cleaned out during the past few months, I promise you are not alone. Send me a message, I'd love to help. 🙋‍♀️🏠

05/14/2020

While talking with a friend recently, she courageously shared that her nerves were running thin having everyone home 24/7. I reminded her she's not alone. No one saw this coming.

Right now there are some people we never get to see, and other people we are seeing waaaayyyy too much of. Breathe. You've got this. You just need a little planning.

If you also find yourself feeling a bit overwhelmed having everyone constantly up in your space, this quick read will provide you with some super-simple and actionable suggestions to help you and your family stay happy and remain liking each other through the upcoming months.

And if you need some additional assistance implementing these tips, please reach out as I'm here to help.

Keep it simple, friends. ❤️

With everyone at home currently in each other’s space considerably more than anyone could have ever anticipated, let’s begin to identify some techniques and strategies to help keep the happiness factor alive and flowing.

04/29/2020

Mirror, mirror on the wall... ⁣⁣
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The entrance to your home is an important area. It’s where people (and their energy) enter a space. ⁣✨⁣⁣
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Having a mirror in your entryway can expand a small or dimly lit space and can help it feel more welcoming. If positioned correctly, they can reflect nature and invite it in. They are also practical for one last look before you head out the door.⁣⁣⁣
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Generally, you want to hang your mirrors at eye level. Believe it or not, the more of yourself you can see reflected in the mirror, the better. You will feel more powerful in your life if you see yourself reflected with room around you. ⁣⁣⁣💕✨
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04/28/2020

To-do lists can get long and feel unmanageable at times. ⁣⁣🙄
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When you feel overwhelmed, rip your list in half and do only the top three. Focusing on and completing fewer tasks helps with a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment rather than beating yourself up for what you didn’t do. ⁣It’s always important to stay positive and take pride in what you did do. ⁣🙌🏻🌟
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04/25/2020

You are never too old or too grown up to have a teepee fort in your bedroom. 😊⁣
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This was handcrafted from a few branches, a canvas drop cloth, and some twine. Finishing touches consisted of Christmas lights and all the extra pillows in the house. ⁣
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Sometimes you just need a little peace, love, a blanket, and a place to hide. 💕⛺️⁣
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04/24/2020

Let this little nugget be a gentle reminder that we don’t have to spend every minute of every day trying to figure things out or “doing something.” It’s ok to just be. ⁣
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It’s when we finally pause long enough and allow space that we are able to give voice to our souls rather than our thoughts. It’s in those moments we are able to find clarity. ⁣
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Peace and good vibes friends. 💕

04/22/2020

As I don’t have a before photo of this space, I wanted to share this “after” as it speaks volumes. 🙌🏻⁣
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Love that this room is a true representation of the occupants and has a peaceful, easy vibe.🌵⁣🐶
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Enjoying the balance between the wall of spirits and the simplicity!🍷🌟⁣
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04/17/2020

So happy to finally share my latest blog post. I hope you find a little inspiration as you navigate your search in defining your essentials. Sending you peace and love.

Simplify. Simplify. Simplify. ❤️

You see, it’s during moments of uncertainty when you are challenged to self-reflect and define your values and fine-tune your direction and your personal mission. Yes, it can feel messy and uncomfortable, but when you muddle through the chaos, you create space for clarity. By getting rid of noness...

04/07/2020

When Easter is right around the corner and your friend’s chickens finally begin laying eggs and he shares them with you...⁣🐥⁣
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This generous delivery made my heart happy. ⁣⁣⁣💕⁣
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It really is the little things. ⁣⁣⁣😊⁣
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(Not to mention... they are magically in my brand colors, and he knows me well enough to bring me three of each so they match.) 🙌🏻⁣ 🌸
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04/02/2020

Back to Basics Tip #14

You’ve Totally Got This.

That’s what I had to tell myself all day yesterday. (Yes, yesterday was supposed to be day 14 of our daily projects, but today is now day 14 because yesterday the Universe decided to challenge me repeatedly to see how I would navigate its roadblocks. Plus, all the days are running together anyway so it’s ok that today is day 14 rather than yesterday because right now no one really knows if it’s Thursday or Sunday or if it’s the 87th day of March.)

EVERYTHING (it seemed) I attempted to do was like running into a brick wall. My computer and my printer teamed up against me. My printer decided it didn’t want to be wireless anymore; my computer decided it wanted to do updates, on its own, when it wanted to do them. I couldn’t link my website to my email lists, files I thought I had saved disappeared…. blah blah blah. I spent waaayyyyy tooooo much time sitting at my desk wasting precious time getting extremely frustrated and questioning everything instead of listening to the prompts telling me to Just. Let. It. Go.

Which then led me to the message that I’m sharing with you today, that came in the early hours of the morning, which must have been more important than the original message I wanted to share with you yesterday.

When I finally surrendered to the fact that my computer and I couldn’t be friends right now, I reached for my pencil.

We are in the midst of a shift.

Our jobs have shifted. Our schedules have shifted. Our access to others has shifted.

For some everything from their income to where they are going to live to what they are able to feed their families to what keeps them up at night has shifted.

And it’s a really big deal.

And we need to be kind, not only to others, but especially to ourselves.

When everything around us seems as if it’s spinning at an accelerated rate, it’s really important to practice patience and self care. It’s really important to remain centered and mindful.

It’s ok to stop what you think you should be doing and listen to your inner compass. It’s ok to slow down. It’s ok to lean into the pause.

I’m not always good at taking my own advice. I think too much. I am working on trusting the inner promptings. I am working on giving myself permission to live a full and creative life under my terms.

Sometimes the Universe stops whispering. Sometimes the Universe stops gently nudging you. Sometimes the Universe forces you into unchartered places that you didn’t really want to go. But here you are. And you have a choice.

“Forces beyond your control can take away everything you possess except one thing, your freedom to choose how you will respond to the situation. You cannot control what happens to you in life, but you can always control what you will feel and do about what happens to you.” Viktor E. Frankl

No matter what happens in our lives, we ALWAYS have control over how we respond.

I hope you have enjoyed these 14 daily-small-projects-with-super-sized wins.

I hope they have helped you feel some sense of control. I hope they have added some focus and structure. I hope they have brought some simplicity to your life.

So, for today’s project, I encourage you that no matter what you are experiencing during this time of uncertainty to remain kind to yourself. I invite you to focus on what is good. I invite you to exercise a compassionate viewpoint towards others and, especially, to yourself.

Today I will not be at my desk or answering emails or trying to figure anything out. Today I am going to walk away from what I think I should be doing. Today I am going to remember that it's ok to walk away sometimes. Today I'm going to listen to my soul and grab my pencil instead.

Look inside for your inner riches.

Simplify. Simplify. Simplify. ❤️

03/31/2020

Back to Basics Tip #13

First aid 👩‍🔬

Let's make sure your medicine cabinet is up-to-date, first aid is organized, and you have the basic home supplies you need to help keep your family safe and healthy. ✨

Especially right now… kids are home ALL THE TIME, more families are spending a lot of time in the kitchen (where many accidents occur), and we currently may not have the luxury of running to the local pharmacy or just a quick trip to the physician. We need to be prepared to take care of basic manageable situations.

1. If your medicines, vitamins, supplements, and first-aid supplies are in different locations throughout your house, gather them all into one place.

2. Inventory what you have. Properly dispose of any expired medications (including your pets).

3. If you have multiples that are about to expire, such as cold medicine or aspirin, perhaps a neighbor or friend could use them.

4. Make sure your first aid kit is properly stocked and you have everything you need for treating minor emergencies and common illnesses in your home. 🏥

5. Confirm everyone in your home knows where the first-aid kit is located. Keep obvious items safe and protected from the little ones. 👍

We are in a unique time. We don’t have 24-hour access to all the things we are accustomed to. We don’t want to have to worry about whether we have bandages on hand, or calamine lotion for that poison oak, or have to go on an all-out search to find the tweezers to remove a splinter.

Let’s do our part at home to stay safe and healthy. 🙌

Simplify. Simplify. Simplify. ❤️

03/30/2020

Back to Basics Tip #12

Gifts 🎁

Sometimes we receive amazing gifts. Sometimes we are given gifts that just don’t fit our style or suit our taste. (Sometimes we are given gifts that make us wonder if the person who gave it to us knows anything about us at all.) Sometimes gifts outgrow their usefulness but we would feel guilty if we gave them away.

The t-shirt your neighbor brought you back from his trip to the Grand Canyon that you’ve never worn. The figurines your aunt gave you every year for your birthday that now sit in a box in the garage. The vase your best friend gave you in a color you would never choose.

At the time you receive a gift, you accept its intention, its meaning, and its value. The transaction has already been made.✨

At no point did they ask you to hold on to it for all the days of your life until death do you part (and if they did, well, that’s another conversation for another day.) They gave it to you because they wanted to add value to your life. If it’s not adding value and you’re hanging on to it out of guilt, you’re giving your power away, and I’m certain that the intention of the giver was not to add any more stuff (or guilt) to your life.

When you give a gift, give it with love and let it go.

When you receive a gift, accept its intention. If you love it, honor it. If someone else might love it more, give yourself permission to pass it along.

It truly is the thought that counts. 🎁

Simplify. Simplify. Simplify. ❤️