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ORGANIZING KINDNESS:

The Streamlined by Steven blog
Organizing for
​a kinder world!
​
#OKtogether

Using Your Calendar for Kindness

7/31/2018

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One wonderful way to spread kindness is to honor loved ones' special events: birthdays, yes, but also relationship anniversaries, accomplishments, and days of mourning. 

We strengthen relationships when we join with others in their joys, and show up, fully present, in their times of sadness. #JoinInJoy #ShowUpForSadness

Many people have come to rely on Facebook, which automates reminders for birthdays and some other events: e.g., "It's been two years since you and X became friends on Facebook!"

However, Facebook has significant limitations when used as a calendar:
  • Not everyone uses Facebook, and FB users don't always share their birthdays
  • Facebook's interface is primarily set to remind you on the day of the event, which isn't much time to plan a card, gift, or experience (e.g., tickets for a play)
  • Perhaps most importantly, Facebook doesn't include other important events: e.g., the day of your first date with your now-partner, or the day a close friend's mother passed away--when said friend would especially welcome a call from you

One solution is to create a custom Google calendar, specifically to plan for special events (which Streamlined can make quick work of, or you can do yourself!):
  1. Free
  2. Works whether or not you use Gmail for email, and even if your primary calendar is on paper
  3. Events can auto-repeat as often and specifically as you'd like: e.g., annually, every 2rd Monday of the month, every 3 months on the 19th day of the month
  4. Calendar can email you reminders, however far in advance of the event you'd like: e.g., send me emails 3 weeks and 1 week in advance
  5. Search within your calendar for upcoming events, share it with others, or set it to "private," so only you can see the reminders
  6. Import events from another e-calendar, or quickly enter them manually
  7. Alphabetize and color-code the calendar, which is especially helpful if you also use other Google calendars
  8. ... and more!

Do you have another calendar solution you use? What are its pros and cons? Comments welcome!
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Clothing donation for local impact-- or, think outside the Goodwill box!

7/30/2018

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Often, when people think of clothing donation, they think of Goodwill. Once you've sorted through clothes you don't wear, however, there are other worthy organizations that would be thrilled to receive them.

The organizations below won't sell your donated items; rather, they'll give them to members of our community who are most in need.

Your donations will make a huge difference for local organizations providing vital services! #StreamlineYourClosetANDSupportYourCommunity

1) Used professional attire: Contact organizations that help with job readiness, such as DC's Suited for Success (all genders) or Dress for Success (women's).

2) Used winter clothes, all ages and genders: Check your local homeless outreach organizations as cold weather approaches. (DC option: Thrive D.C.)

3) Outgrown school uniforms: Contact the social worker or guidance counselor at your child's school to see if they keep a clothing closet for families in need. 

4) Unworn women's and children's clothes: Did your baby outgrow clothing gifts before wearing them? Did your child or teen receive a gift of clothing that's not their style? Did you buy something you couldn't return--only to later realize it wasn't your style?
Your local domestic violence center is almost certainly looking for new clothes. In DC, try My Sister's Place.

Check here to learn more about what DC organizations accept which items.
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On self kindness + working with a professional organizer

7/30/2018

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Sometimes, people come to a professional organizer having heaped labels--often insults--upon themselves: "I'm a mess." "I'm disorganized, a pack-rat, a slob."

That is NOT how I see you. By contrast, I see you as competent, wise, and moving forward in a positive way!

If your ceiling was leaking, you'd call a roofer, right? You wouldn't expect yourself to automatically know how to fix it, let alone call yourself names.

Instead, you'd ask a professional, someone with years spent honing the necessary skills, to help you--and that would be a smart way to address the issue and get on with enjoying your life.
​
Hiring an organizer is no different. No one is born knowing how to implement customized organizing solutions, just as no one is born knowing how to assess roof damage.
​
​Please let me help--and please be kinder to yourself!
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    Author

    Steven Cohen is the owner of Streamlined by Steven, a professional organizing company serving Washington, D.C. and parts of Maryland.

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