Introducing Structured Simplicity
I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving!! As we approach the holidays and reflect on the critical moments of this year, and start making goals for the new year, I wanted to take a moment to introduce you to Structured Simplicity, LLC. Using my passion for home and digital organization, as well as making memory books, I want to help others to gain control of their stuff (or files) and simplify their lives! This will be the first of my quarterly mailings where I will share articles, helpful tricks, and resources for you to take steps to have more time to spend doing what you love! Please feel free to pass this along to others and contact me to start your path to a more simple life!
I want to explain a little about what led me to plunge into my business! Now is the time of year that we take inventory of what we accomplished through the year, what our struggles were, and what we may want to adjust as we start the new year. I experienced so many incredible moments this year. My favorites were spending time with our families at the lake house and camping. I also love the day-to-day moments of watching Jordan and Kenzie navigate their worlds and the (most of the time) incredible relationship they have developed. My family also faced our struggles. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, had my thyroid removed, and underwent radiation treatment and isolation (away from my kids for ten days!!). This process was challenging, but I am now cancer free!
These challenges also helped us meet our family’s needs and goals. As my son started first grade and my husband's travel increased for work, we knew it was time for me to take action to do something that I love that serves others. And, let's be honest. The "C" word makes you quickly realize that life is short and seize the day! As this year ends, I could not be more excited about my direction! I am medically healthy and robust. I enjoyed the summer with my kids, and I have completed training and set up my business to ensure that I bring my clients the most up-to-date and valuable knowledge.
Information you can use!
Enough about me! Here are resources and ideas to make your life easier!
Christmas is approaching fast. . .
Are you still looking for that PERFECT gift to give? Whether for kids or adults, there are photo gifts you can provide that they will love and preserve the memories and stories of your loved ones! Here are some of my favorite ideas. Please contact me if you need help making any of the below, as time is running out!
Photo gifts are trendy, so if you are not picky about the details, I suggest looking for deals on Groupon, Living Social, or individual sites. Also, watch production and shipping times!!
Photo Books - Year in Review, Family Vacation, Sports Season, Baby Book, and many more! There are multiple sites and options depending on your price range and preferred style. This is one of my specialties if you need help creating it!
Digital Photo Frame - Nix Play Seed connects to wifi, and you can upload the photos through an app or email! (Great gift for a person not great at technology so you can update it remotely)
Puzzles
Calendars
Artsonia – make artwork into things.
Memory Game – My daughter received one made at Shutterfly, which is awesome!
Little Divinci art frames are perfect for grandparents!
Pando – family history game - start a new family tradition and learn about your family history simultaneously!
Who owns the rights to your photos?
Where are you storing your photos? Do you have a backup plan? How do you share them with your friends and family? Have you considered the agreements we all click through and what the fine print says? The internet has changed our lives and has made many things more accessible, but beware, those sites you use to share and store your pictures may have some downsides. The sites that are easy to upload your photos to that you think back them up may not be made for that! (Google: Snapfish and lost photos; you will see story after story of entire photo libraries lost). Other sites, like Amazon, say that anything you upload gives them complete rights to do what they wish! My APPO (Association of Personal Photo Organizers) colleague Caroline Guntur wrote a blog post with some more detail here.
Five Fast Fixes:
Turn every hanger backward (put it on from the back instead of the front) in your closet (and your kids’ closet). As you wear items, hang them from the front. Evaluate what is left backward every three months.
Whenever you pick up an object to put away in your house OR to purchase, stop and think - "Does this have a purpose or bring me joy?" If not, time to donate it or walk away from it. Not only does holding onto these items take up physical space, but they bring negative feelings!
Have a paper action file that is easily accessible to your whole family! It is not practical to think that every item you touch will be handled immediately. But have a dedicated space where everyone puts these items so that you are starting ahead of the game when you have some time!
Put a basket on the top and bottom steps of each staircase. Whenever you come across something that goes on the opposite level, put it in the stair basket immediately. Take it all to the other level and put it away at one time!
Keep your kids accountable! Having your children responsible for remembering their lunch, homework, water bottle, and dishes in the sink will save you a lot of time (and stress!)! We use two picture schedules, one for morning and one for night, for my son because he can't read yet. This also eliminates constantly answering the "what next?" question repeatedly!
Thanks for reading! Time for you to take action. Pass this along to friends; this could help. Are you ready for a more simplified life? Do you have suggestions or topics you want me to cover in the future? Contact me!
www.structuredsimplicity.space Click Here
Call or text me at 708-981-4790
Facebook link
Email me at Christy@StructuredSimplicity.Space
Structured Simplicity Services
(These were original services, and some are no longer available. Here are Current Services.)
Home Services:
Home Organization
Moving and Packing
Photo Sorting & Scanning
Digital & Picture Solutions
File sorting and organization
Memory Books
Displaying digital images
