​Starting a new year can be intimidating with so many unknowns; who knows just what 2021 will bring? You can’t control everything that comes your way, but you can make the year go smoother with some small changes around your daily home and workspace. If you’re like most of us, you have spent a lot of time at home throughout Covid-19 and have learned that there are parts of your home that you don’t enjoy or make the best use out of. To use each space to its fullest, you will often find yourself first decluttering in order to see its full potential.
 
Decluttering did you say? I mention this word to most friends and family members and get immediate gagging and eye rolling. Most people dislike spending time on decluttering activities but completing just one small task a day will make life much simpler in the long run. It’s so gratifying to complete a task in one attempt, and when we break decluttering our home down into smaller tasks, we won’t be so quick to give up.
 
This month I challenge you to join me and declutter one area of your life. For ideas and inspiration, follow me on social media @amploorganizing (@amplo-organizing on LinkedIn) for my daily tip. We jumpstarted our month by burning and throwing away old candles. So many of us have a drawer of almost-useless candles (why do we do that?). By burning or throwing out old candles, we can clear a drawer or other space to utilize in a better way. We also cleaned out our purses and bags. You never know what you may find at the bottom of your purse if you are not cleaning it out regularly!
 
If you’ve been following along and have completed the tips thus far, give yourself a hand. If you have only completed one, or plan on starting tomorrow, give yourself a hand anyway! Last year was tough for many of us and we are still just getting started into the new year. Simply pick up where you left off or skip to today to get back on track. We aren’t done yet! There’s 28 days of this challenge, and I guarantee that following each daily tip will help you to shed the burdens of 2020 and feel encouraged and refreshed for what 2021 may have in store. Here is to a great, uncluttered, more peaceful (no matter what happens) 2021!

No, this is not a joke. October 17th is actually National Clean Your Virtual Desktop Day! Do you remember the day when you first bought your computer or laptop? Your desktop screen was pretty much empty. As time goes on, some of us tend to put things in a quick access area where they are easily visible...the desktop. Over time our desktop ends up looking like this...

or even worse, this...

In honor of National Clean Your Desktop Day, today is the day to regain your desktop and add some much needed organization to your virtual life! Check out the following tips on how to clear the clutter from your desktop:

Delete what is not being used - right-click on any icon on your desktop. If the last date modified is a year or older, chances are you don't need it anymore. Delete it off the desktop and if you ever need it again, you can restore it to your desktop from your recycling bin.

Make folders for similar programs/files – putting common programs and files in a folder will clear up and organize your desktop. It will also help you save time when searching for what you need.

Organize files in alphabetical order – sorting your icons in alphabetical order will help keep your desktop organized and make them easier to find.

These tips also work for your cell phone and tablet. No more swiping back and forth through screens trying to find your apps.

Clearing a cluttered desktop will also help your device with space and speed, giving you more time to be more productive throughout the day.

So what are you waiting for? Start celebrating this day with a clean desktop and a fresh start!

Happy New Year from Amplo Organizing! We hope that Santa was good to all of you and that you are as glad as we are to once again hear the squeaky brakes of the school buses. Christmas can be hectic in our house, and with new gifts come an overabundance of wrapping, boxes and clutter. Although I am not a fan of new year's resolutions, I do recognize that there's no time like the present to make improvements and de-clutter our environments. Now that the holidays are over and we are getting into the swing of the new year we are in the perfect season to make these resolutions happen. Lucky for us, January is the National Association of Productivity and Organization's (NAPO) 'Get Organized & Be Productive' (GO) month. Check out some of the great tips and information that NAPO has to offer by visiting their website at www.napo.net/page/NAPOGOMonth19. It's time for us to reclaim our schedules, money and spaces, pull everything back into working order and start 2019 in the driver's seat as our best selves! Visit our website today at www.amploorganizing.com to explore how we might help in the process.