Don’t Forget Living Veterans on Memorial Day

While Memorial Day honors those who have made the ultimate #sacrifice in #service to the nation, it never hurts to support living #veterans, too. Many know the sacrifice personally, and lived to tell the tale. Some need assitance such as health care, financial support or simple companionship. That’s where ClothingDonations.org comes in: By collecting and reselling #donations of lightly used clothing, small appliances, furniture and other household goods, we help fund valuable #veterans programs throughout the country, helping all who served access housing, health care and benefits claims, as well as offering fellowship. #MemorialDay

Help Mom Get Organized for Mother’s Day

Sometimes the ultimate #clutter-free Mother’s Day gift is something that helps wrangle and #organize her #stuff, says Sensational Organizing. Gifts that add to #organization include a set of packing cubes to keep clothing grouped during travel, sets of matching and labeled kitchen containers, purse organizers and laundry carts. Or consider helping digitize family photos and videos that still exist in old media and get rid of the physical copies. Or you could spend the day actively helping Mom #declutter, and #donate any extra # clothing and household goods to ClothingDonations.org. #MothersDay

This Earth Day, Make Your Style More Sustainable

Earth Day 2023 is Saturday, April 22 — the 53rd edition of the annual celebration of Earth and its ecology. Why do we have such an observance? Because the human race has had the biggest impact on the planet, and we are the only species able to adjust our behavior as its stewards.

As we observe Earth Day, we must remember that the climate is in crisis. There’s no use denying it: While shifts in #climate have occurred naturally in the past, the success of a species that’s now over 8 billion strong is accelerating climate change.

We are nearing or beyond a tipping point where we can no longer expect to avert all serious problems. But individual and collective action can still mitigate disaster and lead to a more sustainable future.

One step everyone can take is to dress in a more sustainable way. Due to “fast fashion” — the cheap, trendy and basically disposable #clothing most of us buy and wear — people now have more garments than ever before and use them for shorter periods of time.

The apparel industry is responsible for greenhouse gas emissions equal to Germany, France and the U.K. combined, according to EarthDay.org, and it could account for more 26% of emissions worldwide by 2050. Just washing all of those clothes is poisoning waterways with microplastics.

Recycling is minimal. “And while there are innovative technologies that can break down the fabric of used garments to make new clothing, many await business investment to scale their systems to the colossal size necessary,” the site says.

You can spearhead #reuse, however, by scheduling a free #pickup and #donating your lightly used clothing to ClothingDonations.org. Once you’ve #decluttered, apply one simple principle of #sustainability to your wardrobe: Buy fewer items and make sure that the ones you buy are made to last.

As consolation, remember that you can spend a little more on #garments you’ll use for several years. These steps — reduction and reuse — are two tiny, personal steps toward #sustainability, but if enough people perform them, it can have a positive impact on the Earth.

For more ideas on creating positive change to benefit the environment and a listing of Earth Day observances nationwide, visit EarthDay.org.

Organize Your Wardrobe for a Perfect Summer

With the days getting warmer, it’s time to get your perfect summer wardrobe in order. Even if you have already #sorted and #stored your cold-weather clothing, says Lifetime Organizing, you’ll want to create a “capsule” wardrobe that suits you and your lifestyle. Look at the events and activities you have coming up, and sort out the garments that will work for them. Then, reorganize your closet to put those items front-and-center, limiting yourself to a specific number of mix-and-match essentials. Store the fall and winter clothing, and #donate any garments that no longer fit into the rotation to ClothingDonations.org. #PerfectSummer

Embrace the Promise of Spring (and Spring Cleaning)

Spring is here! The days are getting longer, the trees are starting to bud and the birds are chirping. It’s the season of rebirth — the time of year when life reawakens from its frigid #winter slumber and starts anew.

It’s also an excellent time for people to revisit their goals and establish new habits for the year. Start with a check-in: Make notes on where you are mentally and where you’d like to be. What do you value most, and are you able to satisfy those needs?

Next, write down a few intentions. Maybe you want to exercise more, meditate or pursue a new hobby. Or maybe you have an attitudinal goal such as being more forgiving to yourself or more patient with family members. Whatever it is, jot it down and revisit it regularly.

Be Meditation suggests a “walking meditation” to review your intentions while enjoying the spring air. Find a quiet path where you can appreciate new growth and encourage it in yourself, deeply “breathing in your intention.”

If one of your intentions is to become more #organized (and whose isn’t?), spring is the time to reclaim your space and experience the rebirth of a #clean, #healthy and #clutter-free life. It’s just one part of the reason #spring cleaning is a perennial ritual in so many homes.

Research shows that a #cluttered environment produces a cluttered mind. “Our brains can only focus on a limited amount of stimuli at a time,” says VeryWellMind. “If you’re surrounded by #clutter, the clutter can actually make it harder for you to think clearly.”

The Organizing Blog is here to help. Whatever your intention — be it a single #clean #closet or a top-down spring #cleansing — we’ve got you covered. We want to help you make this the year you let go of clutter and blossom into a healthier, happier you.

As always, you can #donate any extra #junk to ClothingDonations.org to share your rebirth with #veterans nationwide. Embrace the promise of spring — and #declutter your environment and mind for a brighter future!