Looking for someone who can do a Zoom presentation for your group? Let me offer something better! I won't just talk at your group for an hour; instead, I encourage participants to get started on their decluttering or organizing project during the presentation.
Let's face it, listening to someone talk about a topic can give you a lot of great ideas. But the challenging part is then doing something with what you learned. By including a hands-on component, I help people jump right in and turn their thoughts into actions.
Participants get how-to guidance and the opportunity to ask relevant questions about the process of organizing. I encourage a minimal mess method, so the hour doesn’t end with someone standing knee-deep in stuff.
I charge $100 for a 60-minute Zoom presentation to groups of 5-25 participants. I can do presentations for community or private groups. Yes, you can even wrangle a group of friends into a session of decluttering! Scroll down to see what programs I currently offer.
All presentations are currently done on Zoom for groups of 5-25 participants. Have a larger group? Just let me know.
Send me an email, describing your group; the number of participants; what topic you're interested in; what time, day of the week, and month you'd like (if you have specific dates in mind, fantastic!); and where you're located (so we can figure out the time zone thing, if necessary - I'm near Boston, Massachusetts, USA).
Want to get together with a group of friends or relatives for a decluttering session? Awesome! Fun, support, and plenty of friendly teasing from those you love - what could be better? Oh, yeah, you also get a jump-start on that organizing project!
Clear Your Thoughts; Clear Your Clutter - If decluttering was just about tossing things in trash bags, chances are that your home would be clutter-free. Instead, your thoughts and feelings get tangled up in your stuff, making it hard to let go of items that no longer serve you.
Along with discussing some of the most common reasons you may hold onto stuff, I'll take you through the process of creating motivating habits that will get you organized. I leave time to answer individual’s questions and encourage participants to share their knowledge of local resources for donating items.
Deconstruct the Junk (Drawer) – Learn the basics of decluttering and organizing by working in the microcosm “fondly” known as the junk drawer. While working through this drawer(s), you’ll learn the steps to tackling any decluttering project in your house, how to organize stuff, and, perhaps most important, how to prevent the clutter from coming back.
For this class, you’ll set up a device in your work area and go through the process while we discuss it! (If you have drawer organizers, great; if not, don’t buy anything until you see what you need.)
Declutter and Organize Your Closet – Intimidated by the idea of pulling everything out of your closet? Have no fear, we’ll use a minimal mess technique that allows you to declutter your closet without worrying about ending the night with your bed hidden by a pile of clothing you still need to sort through.
Set up your device near your closet (you don’t need to aim the camera into your closet) and get guided through the process of creating a closet that makes getting dressed take less time with less stress. We’ll also discuss shopping techniques that will save you from buying clothing destined to clutter your closet. You don’t need any special organizing products, but you do want boxes (or bags) that you can fill with clothing you want to donate or sell.
Organize a Practical Pantry – Your pantry is more than just a place to store food; it’s a space that can support your goals – from eating healthier, creating a snack station for kids, or stocking up on supplies without losing control of where everything is. A practical pantry doesn’t have to be Pinterest-pretty with dry goods decanted into jars with artful labels. It’s a space that allows you to see what you have available so that food doesn’t go to waste.
Set up your device near your pantry and go through the process while in class. We’ll use a minimal mess method so if you don't finish, you won’t be stuck with the contents of your pantry strewn over the floor. (No need to buy organizing products before class; you’ll see what, if anything, you need after you go through your pantry. Have a box available for donations, a trash can nearby, and cleaning supplies on hand.)
Organize Your Personal Library – Are your shelves crammed with books stacked vertically and horizontally so there’s no wiggle room? Do you own books that you’ve never read? Can you find the book you’d like to read?
Whether you want to prune or purge your book collection – or just get an idea of what you own, you can use this hands-on class to start creating order. Set up your device near your bookshelves and receive instruction while you declutter and organize using a minimal mess method (so the class doesn’t end with your floor covered by a maze of books). Have some boxes on hand for donations and cleaning supplies available if you want to wipe down shelves as you work.
Get Control of those Piles of Paper – Learn how to control and eliminate (or at least, greatly reduce) incoming paper, decide what papers you want and need to keep in your files (and what to do with tricky papers such as greeting cards, kids' schoolwork, and papers from old meetings and classes), and problem-solve your challenges with paper sprawl while learning how to create systems that help maintain order.
Although this isn't enough time to tackle all your files and piles, you’ll gain clarity on what you want and need to file, and you’ll know how to continue with the process.
Curate Your Sentimental Items -Throughout your life, you’ve saved items connected to a variety of events, experiences, and people. If you’re decluttering or downsizing, you probably realize that you can’t keep everything but you’re finding it a challenge to decide what to keep and what to release.
I’ll take you through writing activities that will start you on the process of curating your sentimental items so you can better tell the story of your life, highlighting the events and people most meaningful to you, while still making space for your present life and interests.