Tag: donate

More Reasons Fall Is America’s Favorite Season

Posted on by Jordank

Fall begins today, Sept. 22, 2026, and we at The Organizing Blog are thrilled. To be sure, the season has a few wistful elements — going back to school, saying goodbye to warm weather and the outdoor and leisure time  it allows, and getting down to brass tacks at work.

But fall has its own rewards, including multiple #holidays to celebrate; the leaves changing color; fall produce such as squash, cranberries and apples and hearty comfort foods; football and tailgating; and pumpkin spice everything.

The weather alone is something that many people — especially those in hot and humid areas — appreciate. One friend of the blog is reluctant to go outside when it swelters, preferring air-conditioned environs such as movie theaters until sweaters come out of #storage.

A Rasmussen Reports survey says that fall continues to be America’s favorite #season, with 40% of respondents. Summer is second, with 24%, and spring is third, with 22%; just 10% like winter best. Regardless of favorites, 50% said that fall’s arrival improves their mood.

Much of that positive feeling stems from childhood, Mental Floss says. The thrill kids get from starting school, seeing old friends and shopping for new clothes sticks with people. The season also represents a reset from summer — back to routines and productivity.

Fall stimulates the senses and encourages better sleep, The Healthy adds. You can see it on the trees, smell it in the air and feel it on the skin. “Sights and sounds of fall trigger the reward center of the brain and release dopamine, which makes us feel cozy, calm and nostalgic.”

As you get your #fall #clothing out in preparation, figure out what items are going to deliver that warm fall feeling — the clothes that will keep you cozy and optimistic through the change of season. #Donate anything that no longer serves that purpose to ClothingDonations.org.

#Resale of your #donated items will help share those fall feelings with the nation’s #veterans by helping #fund #holiday events, health care and more. Donate fall and #winter clothing, and you can help families stay warm and reduce #waste. Here’s to a happy (and productive) fall!

Know When to Purge Your Possessions

Posted on by Jordank

Do you feel like you’ve outgrown your home because of all the #stuff inside it? Do you wonder if leasing a storage unit, buying a new set of shelves or organizers, or putting more things in the garage or basement is the answer?

Do you have trouble finding your wallet, keys or important documents? Do you ever set things down in the kitchen or on the dining room table only to search for them again in five minutes? Have you ever bought anything again when you couldn’t find the original?

Does the thought of others seeing the piles of stuff inside your home make you not want to have people over? Does all of that extra stuff get in the way of routine housecleaning tasks, making your home look dusty, dirty or unhealthy?

Do you have a #closet that’s bursting with stuff or a #junk drawer, or is every closet and drawer in your home like that? Are there parts of the home that are just too crowded to use? Do you find your home to be a relaxing sanctuary, or do you feel anxious, overwhelmed, distracted or depleted?

If you answered yes (or YES!) to any of these questions, you might need to do a complete #purge and #decluttering. All of that stuff is getting in the way of your life.

“There’s a whole body of research that shows how #clutter can actually negatively impact our moods and levels of stress,” says Minimalists Managed. “Clutter can make day-to-day life even harder [and] more difficult to manage when we’re surrounded by too much stuff.”

You can’t go on like this! Pick a single room, closet, drawer or shelf and start #decluttering. Sort goods into #keep, #donate and #trash piles; put the keepers where they belong and the trash into the bin. It isn’t easy to get started, but success in one area can help you move to others.

When you collect enough lightly used items to #donate (it will happen fast), put them in boxes and bags and contact ClothingDonations.org for a #free #donation #pickup. Those items will be resold to benefit the nation’s #veterans, while you gain a new, #clutter-free lease on life.

The more you #declutter, the more calm and fulfilled you will feel. Do yourself a favor and get started today!

Why Storing Your Extra Stuff Isn’t Always the Answer

Posted on by Jordank

Storage is big business. A wide variety of “storage solutions” on the market promise to help you #organize your #stuff by purpose and season, from the underbed box of out-of-season sweaters to the huge green bins designed to hold holiday lights and decorations.

What’s more, about 10% of U.S. households lease a #storage unit to contain bins, boxes, boats, cars and other #things they just can’t cram into their current homes. Self-storage is a $44 billion industry in the U.S., and it’s growing fast.

But storage is rarely the answer to one’s #decluttering and #organizing needs. “Just because it’s out of sight doesn’t mean it’s out of mind,” says Miss Minimalist. “Your clutter is still there, hanging over your head, piled beneath your feet, lurking in the dark corners of your home.”

#Storage systems can help people #organize. You #sort items into a brand-new box or bin, label it and put it on a shelf. If you return to that bin knowing that it holds what you’re looking for, so much the better! But if you don’t, all you’ve done is hide your junk.

The same goes for a self-storage unit. You likely overestimated the value of the goods stored and/or the likelihood of using those things again. And you’ll do anything to avoid making a decision about that stuff, including continuing to pay the monthly fee.

Self-storage units can be useful in the short term if you’re transitioning between homes or downsizing. But most units are just a replacement for #decluttering. Reconsider renting if you don’t really need most of what you want to put in there.

“Because your #clutter is stored in an off-site location, there’s a greater chance you just won’t bother dealing with it,” says Garage Living. “Before you know it, years will have passed, the #junk in your storage unit will collect more dust, [and] your bank account will be emptier.”

Before you waste money on a bunch of new organizers or a self-storage unit, #declutter. Figure out what you aren’t using now and how likely that is to change. Reduce the sentimental items to only most treasured and put them in a truly safe place.

Then, contact ClothingDonations.org for a #free #donation #picukup. On the appointed day, a driver will pick up the things you no longer need and help you reclaim space in your cleaner, more streamlined home.

Gearing Up for America’s 250th Birthday

Posted on by Jordank

#America is about to #celebrate its 250th birthday. It’s the anniversary of the publication of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and its subsequent reading in each of the 13 original colonies — a momentous event in the history of the world.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

That call was truly revolutionary — a radical shift away from the top-down monarchies of the past that eventually helped cement democratic rule in nations throughout the world. That’s something to celebrate.

Planned observations may not rival the Bicentennial’s 200-year celebration, when kids (including your author) painted their fire hydrants red, white and blue; Johnny Cash served as Grand Marshal of a huge parade in the nation’s capital; and the Freedom Train roamed the country.

But there are still plenty of ways to observe Independence Day with reverence and patriotism. You can celebrate by learning about some of the courageous individuals who contributed to the United States’ separation from Britain; kids will find their stories inspiring and you’ll have conversational tidbits for your next cookout and fireworks display.

America 250 is inviting communities to join America’s Block Party, a two-day festival with a flagship live event in Los Angeles starring Queen Latifah, Chris Stapleton and The Smashing Pumpkins. The party will promote a Giving 4th, a new tradition created to make Independence Day an annual day of #charitable #giving.

Speaking of charitable giving, there may be no better way to honor #freedom and #liberty than to #donate to the #veterans who fought to preserve it. ClothingDonations.org makes it easy by #picking up lightly used goods and reselling them to fund valuable #veterans programs throughout the country.

Whatever you choose to do in #celebration — be it a #parade, fireworks/drone display, cookout or a day of rest — you will be exercising those inalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Have a safe and happy Fourth!

Spending Time Outdoors Is Good for You

Posted on by Jordank

#Summer has (unofficially) begun! And the warm weather will urge most people to spend a lot more time outdoors. And whether it’s at the pool, on the beach or in the backyard, time spent in nature has positive effects on the mind and body.

The outdoors improves cognitive function, according to UCLA Health. Research says that time spent in nature boosts curiosity and mental focus, and any time passed in a green space can help reduce stress and improve heart health.

For city dwellers, a park can represent a break from the overstimulation of urban environments, says Heather Eliassen, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “Exposure to green space results in mental restoration and increased positive emotions and decreased anxiety and rumination.”

Neuroscientist Rachel Hopman suggests the 20-5-3 rule, Reconnect With Nature reports, to maximize the benefits. It says you should spend 20 minutes outdoors three times a week, five hours per month in a semiwild outdoor location and three days per year in nature.

Outdoor time doesn’t have to be an extreme sport, though. “You don’t need to climb a mountain or drive an hour to a national park to benefit from nature,” says Becoming Minimalist. “Reading a book in a local park, walking your dog, riding your bike or eating lunch on a picnic table are all great ways to connect with the outdoors.”

Build outdoor time into your schedule. You may find that you prefer to be outdoors in the morning, before peak temperatures. And many things you do indoors — having a cup of coffee, checking your phone, and so on — can be done outdoors when the weather permits.

If you wish to spend the day outdoors and want to accomplish something that will shore up your well-being long-term, #clean out the #garage, #yard or #shed. Take whatever you don’t need and #donate it to ClothingDonations.org by scheduling a #free #donation #pickup.

Eventually, you can make outdoor time a habit. A short walk after dinner or a brief mindful meditation can work wonders for your psyche — as can the power of #decluttering. Try one or both this summer; you will be glad you did.