Presentations on Decluttering and Organizing
Decluttering and organizing are ever popular topics, but particularly so during the start of the new year, in spring, and in the fall. Since the pandemic, I primarily do Zoom presentations which allows me to schedule programs with locations across the U.S. (I live in Norfolk, MA. If you happen to be within 30-minutes of my town we may be able to schedule an in-person talk!)
Whatever the topic, I start by asking questions so I can tweak my talk to meet specific interests. And I always encourage participants to ask questions throughout my talk which I enhance with slides. I also offer participants a link to a downloadable PDF at the end of the talk.
My most popular topics to date are:
I charge $125 for a 60-minute Zoom presentation to groups of 5-50 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. Ask about discounts if you want to schedule a series of presentations.
Whatever the topic, I start by asking questions so I can tweak my talk to meet specific interests. And I always encourage participants to ask questions throughout my talk which I enhance with slides. I also offer participants a link to a downloadable PDF at the end of the talk.
My most popular topics to date are:
- Declutter and Organize Your Closet
- Curate Your Sentimental Items
- Organize a Practical Pantry; tied with Clear Your Thoughts, Clear Your Clutter
I charge $125 for a 60-minute Zoom presentation to groups of 5-50 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. Ask about discounts if you want to schedule a series of presentations.
Choose the Decluttering or Organizing Topic for Your Presentation
All presentations are currently done on Zoom for groups of 5-50 participants.
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).
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Declutter and Organize Your Closet
Learn four different techniques for decluttering your closet that accommodate different schedules as well as levels of energy. Discover what you can let go of to make an immediate difference to your closet.
We’ll also discuss shopping techniques that will save you from buying clothing destined to clutter your closet.
We’ll also discuss shopping techniques that will save you from buying clothing destined to clutter your closet.
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!
Develop the Habits for Staying Organized
It’s easy to think that if you put in the time and energy decluttering and organizing your home or office then everything will stay tidy. But organizing your desk or kitchen counter isn’t the same as keeping those spaces in order.
The necessary ingredient for staying organized is habits. But forming habits isn’t as simple as telling yourself, “just do this.” During this hour, we’ll go through the process of designing habits that work for you and your life. Not only can habits help you become an organized person, but they can also help you become more productive by streamlining your actions at home and in the office.
The necessary ingredient for staying organized is habits. But forming habits isn’t as simple as telling yourself, “just do this.” During this hour, we’ll go through the process of designing habits that work for you and your life. Not only can habits help you become an organized person, but they can also help you become more productive by streamlining your actions at home and in the office.
Get Control of those Piles of Papers
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.
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.
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.
Organize Your Kids' School Papers and Artwork
Get control over all the paperwork associated with your kids - from schoolwork to artwork. Create simple systems (that you can keep up with) for dealing with both the current influx of school papers and art projects (and their digital counterparts) as well as memorabilia for each year of your child’s life.
Learn how to curate and organize these items with simple, practical techniques.
Learn how to curate and organize these items with simple, practical techniques.
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'll learn how to sort through one of the most challenging possessions you own.
Whether you want to prune or purge your book collection – or just get an idea of what you own, you'll learn how to sort through one of the most challenging possessions you own.
Organize Your Photos
Curating your photos allows you to tell a story about your, your children's, or your family's life. While it seems to make sense to hold onto all your photos, trying to look through a glut of print and digital photos can be overwhelming and actually encourage viewers to spend less time looking at the images and reminiscing.
In this program, I'll discuss how to sort photos into groups; make decisions about which images to keep; and how to best organize your photos to highlight the people, events, and activities in those images. Some methods apply to both print and digital images. I'll also address special concerns for both those groups.
In this program, I'll discuss how to sort photos into groups; make decisions about which images to keep; and how to best organize your photos to highlight the people, events, and activities in those images. Some methods apply to both print and digital images. I'll also address special concerns for both those groups.
Downsizing to Simplify Your Home and Life
Downsizing to a smaller house or apartment is an opportunity to simplify your life. With less space and fewer items, you won't be burdened by regular housekeeping and organizing tasks. But to enjoy your new home and experiences, you need to do a deep decluttering of the things that fill your current home.
While letting go of so much stuff can sound scary, in this presentation you'll learn how to identify your most meaningful and useful belongings. With clear goals in mind and a plan for how you'll disperse your belongings, you'll enjoy having more time for family and friends, travel, hobbies and interests, volunteering, and whatever else matters to you.
While letting go of so much stuff can sound scary, in this presentation you'll learn how to identify your most meaningful and useful belongings. With clear goals in mind and a plan for how you'll disperse your belongings, you'll enjoy having more time for family and friends, travel, hobbies and interests, volunteering, and whatever else matters to you.
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Susan McCarthy is a former teacher who made a midlife career change to professional organizer. She is a member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals. Through NAPO University, she has earned specialist certificates in Life Transitions, Residential Organizing, Household Management, and Workplace Productivity.
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