Tualatin residents weren’t the only ones participating in Tuesday evening’s Say YES To Less workshop. Couples, single moms and seniors from Tigard, Beaverton, Wilsonville and even Damascus braved the snarled traffic and nonstop rain. 35 eager folks gathered to learn practical and mindful ways of clearing out clutter. I love the dynamics of diverse community members coming together to learn, share and be inspired. Thanks again to Tualatin Library for sponsoring the workshop and for compiling a handy reading list for further insight on this topic. If you missed the class, click here to download the brochure: Tualatin Library book list. Explore over 20 titles available from your library including some E-book, Audio and Kindle versions. Note: Since books are one of the biggest challenges in clearing stuff – avoid purchasing new, pass along the old and always use your library as a reading resource first. Thank you!
Author: Jane Green
b-glowing Keeps the Giving Going
Congrats to b-glowing for being one of the first to do a CW collection drive in the new year. The online beauty product boutique – with thousands of loyal customers worldwide – has its heart in the community and eagerly signed up for a chance to give at the office. Community Warehouse delivered the collection bins to the company headquarters in downtown PDX and will pick them up in a few weeks. Thanks, b-glowing, for showing that giving to others brings out the beauty in all of us! Read more about CW, their mission and how to schedule a community collection drive.
Keep the Giving Going
Nonprofits typically see a big decline in donations following the holiday season. Why not start a new tradition and keep the giving going … and clear out your space while you’re at it. If you’re in the Portland area, host a collection drive at your office, school or neighborhood to support Community Warehouse. You pick the dates that work for you, CW delivers the collection bins and picks them up when the drive is done. Simple! (What a great way to regift that nice but not needed set of mugs from Santa.) Contact CW to schedule your collection drive. Note: Accepted items include new or used small household things like kitchenware, linens, etc. No clothing, food or personal hygiene items. Click here to get a detailed list of what they currently accept. Read more about CW and why I’m a fan. Happy Giving … and clearing!
TIP: Not in the PDX area? Use the nationwide donate/recycle guide at Earth 911 (another favorite from my Resources Page). Just put in your zip code and up pops a list of who in your area accepts what you what to donate. Easy!
ACP In the News
Prompted by next week’s workshop, Saying YES To Less (hosted by the Tualatin Public Library), the local Times did a nice feature on ACP. After the interview, I asked the reporter if he personally had experienced any issues with stuff. A young guy who recently went through a move, he admitted being surprised at how much he had accumulated in a short time and in finding things stored away that he had forgotten about. Yep. That’s a common tale. Dealing with stuff has no generation boundaries. It can get to the best of us … and bring out the worst in anyone. I love sharing the how to’s of getting and staying clear and the immediate relief it can bring to any space. And there’s no time like the present to start! Read the Times.
Save the Date – Say YES to Less
Sponsored by Tualatin Public Library. January 19th 6:30-8:00pm. FREE admission. An entertaining workshop offering simple steps to help get your space clear. Enjoy this unique “no blame/no shame” approach to tackling clutter and the challenges of too much stuff. Presented by Jane Green, author and creator of A Clear Place.
Learn where to start, how to sort, and who gets what. You’ll also learn the guaranteed litmus test for what to keep.
A great refresher to ACP’s popular STUFF-ication series, Say YES to Less by A Clear Place offers more tips, updated resources and new before and after shots. Come learn more about less!
Click here for location and map. Come early and enjoy the lovely library fire pit. You are welcome to bring refreshments.
Click on the Contact page to request information on workshops and consultations for your community or workplace.
STUFF-ication Relief
Make this the year to get clear! A Clear Place offers an entertaining and informative presentation using a unique “no blame/no shame” approach. Say YES To Less is a two hour workshop building on the concepts first presented in STUFF-ication in 2010. It’s perfect for brown bag lunches at the office, community groups or neighborhood meetings. Click here to read more about the workshop. Click here to learn about private consultation options.
House Call for Ailing Space
“No blame, no shame” guidance for whatever is ailing your space.
Clutter issues? Sharing space?
Downsizing? Stuffed rooms?
Out of ideas?
House Call to the rescue! Perfect for figuring out where to start and for getting a fresh perspective on your space. No nonsense, practical steps. The perfect gift for you or anyone on your list. Options include onsite or online consultations. Contact me or view packages and purchase at the ACP Etsy shop. Make it a happy green holiday!
Green Holiday Picks
Your wish list may not include dryer balls but if you don’t already have them it should. Find out why these spikey balls are the perfect gift. Note: Not all balls are created equal. I also share my favorite seasonal laundry soap along with this year’s pick for holiday reading. Click here to access Two Dryer Balls and A Partridge in a Pear Tree!
Where Stuff Matters
I just couldn’t share enough about this wonderful organization, so here’s a follow up to last week’s feature. Community Warehouse Communications Director, Rena Satre Meloy, took time from her busy schedule yesterday to give me the inside view of this bustling nonprofit. The warehouse was buzzing during my entire visit – a continual stream of donations coming in and going out. And just like their Tualatin location, everything was done with efficiency and a smile. Adjacent to the warehouse, we toured the Estate Store and as at their SW branch, I was impressed with the organization and clean and attractive displays. And such diverse items! Everything from a Murano glass chandelier to a nautical folding screen to a vintage doll complete with clothes and trunk. All at bargain prices with proceeds supporting the CW programs. Rena shared that an average of 40 families a week are outfitted with everything they need to set up house. An additional 20 families are serviced weekly at the Tualatin location. It’s amazing how much work can be accomplished by so few when the hearts are dedicated. Thank you, Rena, for being such a warm ambassador for a worthy and much needed cause. You guys are the real deal.
DONATE, SHOP & SUPPORT – Be mindful of stuff and get it/bring it where it matters. CW Estate Stores are open 7 days a week. Click here for address and hours. Watch here for more updates and ideas on helping our community by helping Community Warehouse. Don’t live in the PDX area? Visit the ACP Resources page or Contact me with your location and I’ll find an organization that can use your stuff. As always, thanks for making it a brighter world!
Furniture Bank Creates Win-Win
Getting rid of stuff is just one piece of the downsizing puzzle. There are many other components including where, how, what and who gets the items you are letting go of. Community Warehouse has been on my Resources Page for years as one of the best places to donate household goods and there are lots of reasons why. Their mission of “redistributing donated furniture and household goods to neighbors in need” continues to grow in demand along with the number of working class poor. The nonprofit is one of the few places that accepts mattress donations (no kings/always in need of twins), drop off is open 7 days a week AND they offer pick up service ($30 nominal fee).
I recently toured their newer Tualatin location and was impressed by its organized and efficient operation as well as the welcoming staff. Like its parent location in NE Portland, the warehouse is divided into two sections. The largest area contains about 90% of the donations and it’s where clients are outfitted with everything from linens and a set of cookware to dining chairs and a sofa. Their Estate Store sells select items at great prices to benefit the mission. It’s open to the public 7 days a week. CW networks with over 200 agencies between Portland and Corvalis and in 2014 helped over 7,000 neighbors in need. AND kept 550+ tons of stuff out of landfills. Now that’s a WIN-WIN!
Visit Community Warehouse to learn more about scheduling a pick up, location hours and items most needed. How you let go of your stuff matters. Contact me if you need guidance. As always, thanks for being mindful of where things go … and for doing your part in making our Earth a lighter place!
TIP: Not in the PDX corridor? Use the nationwide donate/recycle guide at Earth 911 (another favorite from my Resources Page). Just put in your zip code and up pops a list of who in your area accepts what you what to donate. Easy!
A Clear Place 