Get help out of the cycle of depression and clutter

Houston Clutter Coaching June 2011 Meetup

Thursday, June 23, 2011
7:00–8:30 p.m.
FREE

Gayle Goddard facilitates the monthly meeting of the Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group.

Henshaw House (Nature Discovery Center)
Russ Pitman Park
7112 Newcastle St.
Bellaire, TX 77401
713-667-6550

Many people who report being overwhelmed by clutter also say they feel depressed about the state of their space. Which comes first, though—the depression or the clutter? We’ll talk about depression and its impact on cluttering…and vice versa. We’ll discuss ways to break the cycle and where to turn for help.

As usual, we’ll also open the floor to your questions, success stories, and tales of trouble spots.

We’ll provide refreshments, and don’t forget the drawing for a door prize or two! (You must be present to win.)

FREE and open to the public.

RSVP by visiting the Meetup page or by sending us e‑mail.

The Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group is a community of people who want to conquer their clutter and make more room in their lives for the things they love. Come learn tools and tips from an expert, and share your success stories and “ah‑hah!” moments…[READ MORE]

Thursday, May 26, 2011
7:00–8:30 p.m.
FREE

Gayle Goddard facilitates the monthly meeting of the Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group.

Henshaw House (Nature Discovery Center)
Russ Pitman Park
7112 Newcastle St.
Bellaire, TX 77401
713-667-6550

How clear is the boundary between you and your stuff?

The Clutter Fairy team had a great discussion recently about how stuff becomes an extension of our self-image. Our things become a part of us, just like our experiences and actions. When things are part of our self-image, it’s hard to let go of them.

At the May meetup, we’ll talk about how the lines between you and your stuff get blurred in the first place, and how to start seeing the boundaries clearly again.

As usual, we’ll also open the floor to your questions, success stories, and tales of trouble spots.

We’ll provide refreshments, and don’t forget the drawing for a door prize or two! (You must be present to win.)

FREE and open to the public.

RSVP by visiting the Meetup page or by sending us e‑mail.

The Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group is a community of people who want to conquer their clutter and make more room in their lives for the things they love. Come learn tools and tips from an expert, and share your success stories and “ah‑hah!” moments…[READ MORE]

FREE to members and first-time visitors

Gayle Goddard, professional organizer, will be the guest speaker at the May monthly meeting of the MOMS Club of Friendswood/Alvin, Texas. The topic of the presentation will be “Creatively Coping with Kid‑clutter Chaos.” Gayle will offer ideas for stemming the rising tide of children’s stuff and organizing your home with kid-friendly solutions. There will also be a Q&A session.

Living Stones Church Preschool Building
1407 Victory Lane
Alvin TX 77511

The MOMS Club of Friendswood/Alvin, Texas, is a chapter of the International MOMS Club® (MOMS Offering Moms Support®). They believe that being a stay-at-home mother is the most important job in the world, and members provide support for each other when they need it most. The club also provides a forum for topics of interest to mothers, helps children in the community, and performs service projects helping those in need.

Membership is open to residents of Friendswood and Alvin, Texas. Annual dues are $25. Participation in monthly meetings is free to members and first-time visitors.

Thursday, March 24, 2011
7:00–8:30 p.m.

Gayle Goddard facilitates the monthly meeting of the Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group.

Henshaw House (Nature Discovery Center)
Russ Pitman Park
7112 Newcastle St.
Bellaire, TX 77401
713-667-6550

How do you stay motivated to keep moving?

You’ve pushed yourself to get started and spent a whole afternoon digging out a space that was in terrible shape. Then you look up, and it seems nothing is different. What a discouraging feeling!

How do you stay motivated to keep going when you can’t see tons of progress right away? At the March Meetup we’ll talk about tricks to help you keep plugging away until you finish the project.

As usual, we’ll also open the floor to your questions, success stories, and tales of trouble spots.

We’ll provide refreshments, and don’t forget the drawing for a door prize or two! (You must be present to win.)

FREE and open to the public.

RSVP by visiting the Meetup page or by sending us e‑mail.

The Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group is a community of people who want to conquer their clutter and make more room in their lives for the things they love. Come learn tools and tips from an expert, and share your success stories and “ah‑hah!” moments…[READ MORE]

Thursday, February 24, 2011
7:00–8:30 p.m.

Gayle Goddard facilitates the February monthly meeting of the Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group.

Henshaw House (Nature Discovery Center)
Russ Pitman Park
7112 Newcastle St.
Bellaire, TX 77401
713-667-6550

Five simple techniques can help you get unstuck.

Our January meetup discussed the psychological roots of clutter. Armed with new insights about why we clutter, the logical next step is to get moving! But if you’re completely stuck and overwhelmed, getting started can seem impossible. For February, we’ll introduce five simple techniques to help you get unstuck and start reclaiming your space.

[See the Program Notes for this meetup.]

As usual, we’ll also open the floor to your questions, success stories, and tales of trouble spots.

We’ll provide refreshments, and don’t forget the drawing for a door prize or two! (You must be present to win.)

FREE and open to the public.

RSVP by visiting the Meetup page or by sending us e‑mail.

The Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group is a community of people who want to conquer their clutter and make more room in their lives for the things they love. Come learn tools and tips from an expert, and share your success stories and “ah‑hah!” moments…[READ MORE]

Gayle Goddard facilitates the January monthly meeting of the Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group: The Psychology of Clutter: A Therapist’s Point of View.

Henshaw House (Nature Discovery Center)
Russ Pitman Park
7112 Newcastle St.
Bellaire, TX 77401
713-667-6550

How do we clear the clutter from our minds, bodies, and spirits?

At the January meetup, our topic will be “The Psychology of Clutter: A Therapist’s Point of View.” Our guest speaker, Liz Kampf, LMSW-ACP, LMFT, is a psychotherapist and life coach who has been helping people for more than 20 years. Liz will discuss how our cluttered homes and offices may be mirrors reflecting the chaos and stress in our lives. She’ll talk about clearing the clutter from our minds, bodies, and spirits.

As usual, we’ll also open the floor to your questions, success stories, and tales of trouble spots.

We’ll provide refreshments, and don’t forget the drawing for a door prize or two! (You must be present to win.)

FREE and open to the public.

RSVP by visiting the Meetup page or by sending us e‑mail.

The Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group is a community of people who want to conquer their clutter and make more room in their lives for the things they love. Come learn tools and tips from an expert, and share your success stories and “ah‑hah!” moments…[READ MORE]

Gayle Goddard, professional organizer, will be the guest speaker at the January monthly meeting of the Bay Area Mothers of Multiples. The presentation will address “Five Common Organizing Mistakes” and “Creatively Coping with Kid‑clutter Chaos.” Gayle will offer ideas for stemming the rising tide of children’s stuff and organizing your home with kid-friendly solutions. There will also be a Q&A session.

Medical Center Professional Building
450 Medical Center Blvd. #420
Webster, Texas 77598

Bay Area Mothers of Multiples (BAMOM) is a nonprofit organization for moms, guardians, and expectant moms of multiple-birth children. BAMOM’s goal is to provide the opportunity for social contact with others who share their interests and problems. BAMOM understands that the challenges of caring for multiples are different from those of a single birth.

BAMOM has been serving mothers in the Galveston Bay Area since 1977, including the communities of Alvin, Clear Lake, Dickinson, La Porte, Manvel, Webster, El Lago, Friendswood, Houston, League City, Pasadena, Pearland, Texas City, Santa Fe, and Seabrook. Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month. Meetings are for moms only; after all, this is meant to be time away from the kids. Visit the BAMOM web site for more information.

Gayle Goddard facilitates the December monthly meeting of the Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group: Clutter Review and Resolutions: Learning Lessons and Setting Goals.

Henshaw House (Nature Discovery Center)
Russ Pitman Park
7112 Newcastle St.
Bellaire, TX 77401
713-667-6550

Celebrate your successes, look for lessons in setbacks.

At the December meetup, we’ll check in on the project we introduced in October: “’Tis the Season to be…Decluttering!” Come tell the group about your progress and we’ll share hints about how to keep moving forward.

We’ll also introduce our new topic: “Clutter Review and Resolutions: Learning Lessons and Setting Goals.” We’ve spent 2010 working our way through all the rooms of the house. Now the year is winding down, so it’s time to take a look back. What have you learned about yourself and your clutter this year? We’ll celebrate our successes and look for lessons in our setbacks as we choose some new goals for 2011.

As usual, we’ll also open the floor to your questions, success stories, and tales of trouble spots.

We’ll provide refreshments, and don’t forget the drawing for a door prize or two! (You must be present to win.)

FREE and open to the public.

RSVP by visiting the Meetup page or by sending us e‑mail.

The Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group is a community of people who want to conquer their clutter and make more room in their lives for the things they love. Come learn tools and tips from an expert, and share your success stories and “ah‑hah!” moments…[READ MORE]

Gayle Goddard facilitates the November monthly meeting of the Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group: ’Tis the Season to be…Decluttering!.

Henshaw House (Nature Discovery Center)
Russ Pitman Park
7112 Newcastle St.
Bellaire, TX 77401
713-667-6550

Let go of the old to make room for the new.

At the November meetup, we’ll check in on the project we introduced in October: “Making Room for Holiday Guests.” Come tell the group about your progress and we’ll share hints about how to keep moving forward.

We’ll also introduce our focus for December: “’Tis the Season to be…Decluttering!” Christmas and Hanukkah are on the way, and they come bearing gifts! So December is a crucial time to clear space. Teach your children a timely organizing lesson by encouraging them to recycle unwanted toys and games to benefit the less fortunate. And children of all ages can get into the spirit of the season—you and your spouse can also let go of the old to make room for the new

We’ll provide refreshments, and don’t forget the drawing for a door prize or two! (You must be present to win.)

FREE and open to the public.

RSVP by visiting the Meetup page or by sending us e‑mail.

The Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group is a community of people who want to conquer their clutter and make more room in their lives for the things they love. Come learn tools and tips from an expert, and share your success stories and “ah‑hah!” moments…[READ MORE]

Gayle Goddard facilitates the October monthly meeting of the Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group: Making Room for Holiday Guests.

Henshaw House (Nature Discovery Center)
Russ Pitman Park
7112 Newcastle St.
Bellaire, TX 77401
713-667-6550

Create an inviting space for your guests.

At the October meetup, we’ll check in on the project we introduced in September: “Oh Joy, It’s Holiday Decorating Time Again.” Come tell the group about your progress and we’ll share hints about how to keep moving forward.

We’ll also introduce our focus for November: “Making Room for Holiday Guests.” Holiday visitors will be on the way soon. Now is the time to get into that multipurpose room that’s part craft space, part office, and part junk room—your guest room. Clear out a year’s worth of accumulated stuff and create an inviting space for your guests, with room to hang up clothes and a place to store the luggage.

We’ll provide refreshments, and don’t forget the drawing for a door prize or two! (You must be present to win.)

FREE and open to the public.

RSVP by visiting the Meetup page or by sending us e‑mail.

The Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group is a community of people who want to conquer their clutter and make more room in their lives for the things they love. Come learn tools and tips from an expert, and share your success stories and “ah‑hah!” moments…[READ MORE]

Gayle Goddard facilitates the September monthly meeting of the Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group: Oh Joy, It’s Holiday Decorating Time Again.

Henshaw House (Nature Discovery Center)
Russ Pitman Park
7112 Newcastle St.
Bellaire, TX 77401
713-667-6550

The holiday decoration season is upon us.

At the September meetup, we’ll check in on the project we introduced in August: “Deep Storage—Forgotten Is Not the Same as Gone.” Come tell the group about your progress and we’ll share hints about how to keep moving forward.

We’ll also introduce our focus for October: “Oh Joy, It’s Holiday Decorating Time Again.” Halloween is around the corner, the kickoff to two months of festivities, fun, and household chaos. Every holiday comes with its own set of decorations to put up and take down. Since you’re getting them out anyway, why not sort, purge, and store them together? Getting organized can put the joy back in your seasonal preparations.

We’ll provide refreshments, and don’t forget the drawing for a door prize or two! (You must be present to win.)

FREE and open to the public.

RSVP by visiting the Meetup page or by sending us e‑mail.

The Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group is a community of people who want to conquer their clutter and make more room in their lives for the things they love. Come learn tools and tips from an expert, and share your success stories and “ah‑hah!” moments…[READ MORE]

Gayle Goddard facilitates the August monthly meeting of the Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group: Deep Storage—Forgotten Is Not the Same as Gone.

Henshaw House (Nature Discovery Center)
Russ Pitman Park
7112 Newcastle St.
Bellaire, TX 77401
713-667-6550

Deep storage isn’t a real solution to your clutter problem, and it comes at a cost.

At the August meetup, we’ll check in on the project we introduced in July: “Blenders and Peelers and Whisks, Oh My! Decluttering the Kitchen.” Come tell the group about your progress and we’ll share hints about how to keep moving forward.

We’ll also introduce our focus for September: “Deep Storage—Forgotten Is Not the Same as Gone.” We’ll talk about the resourceful places that people hide their excess stuff—storage units, parents’ houses, second homes, backyard sheds, attics, basements, and so on. These stashes aren’t a real solution to your clutter problem, and they come at a cost: the time, money, and effort of warehousing a big heap of deferred decisions. We’ll unpack ways to get the deep-storage monkey off your back.

We’ll provide refreshments, and don’t forget the drawing for a door prize or two! (You must be present to win.)

FREE and open to the public.

RSVP by visiting the Meetup page or by sending us e‑mail.

The Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group is a community of people who want to conquer their clutter and make more room in their lives for the things they love. Come learn tools and tips from an expert, and share your success stories and “ah‑hah!” moments…[READ MORE]

Gayle Goddard facilitates the July monthly meeting of the Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group: Blenders and Peelers and Whisks, Oh My! Decluttering the Kitchen.

Henshaw House (Nature Discovery Center)
Russ Pitman Park
7112 Newcastle St.
Bellaire, TX 77401
713-667-6550

Is your kitchen so full of gadgets that there’s no space left for cooking?

At the July meetup, we’ll check in on the project we introduced in June: “Squeaky Clean Organizing Strategies for Your Bathroom.” Come tell the group about your progress and we’ll share hints about how to keep rolling.

We’ll also introduce our focus for August: “Blenders and Peelers and Whisks, Oh My! Decluttering the Kitchen.” It’s the heart of the house, the traditional family meeting space, and the most popular room at every party: the kitchen. But too often, it’s so packed full of “must-have“ gadgets, stained Tupperware, and antique ingredients that there’s no space left for cooking. We’ll delve into the notion of “usefulness” and define a more honest standard for deciding what belongs in your perfect kitchen.

[See the Program Notes for this meetup.]As usual, we’ll also open the floor to your questions, success stories, and tales of trouble spots.

We’ll provide refreshments, and don’t forget the drawing for a door prize or two! (You must be present to win.)

FREE and open to the public.

RSVP by visiting the Meetup page or by sending us e‑mail.

The Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group is a community of people who want to conquer their clutter and make more room in their lives for the things they love. Come learn tools and tips from an expert, and share your success stories and “ah‑hah!” moments…[READ MORE]

Gayle Goddard facilitates the monthly meeting of the Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group.

Henshaw House (Nature Discovery Center)
Russ Pitman Park
7112 Newcastle St.
Bellaire, TX 77401
713-667-6550

The Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group has found a new home at Henshaw House, the Nature Discovery Center in Bellaire’s Russ Pitman Park. It’s easily accessible from the Bellaire Blvd. exits of West Loop 610, with off-street parking, kitchen facilities, and plenty of room for our group to grow.

Get the bathroom organized as quickly as you can say, “Calgon, take me away!”

At the June meetup, we’ll follow up on the project we introduced in May: Refuge or Rat’s Nest?: The Master Bedroom. Come tell the group about your progress and we’ll share hints about how to keep rolling.

We’ll also introduce our focus for July: Squeaky Clean Organizing Strategies for Your Bathroom. Bathroom products seduce us with their lovely colors, soothing fragrances, and promises of supple skin, shiny hair, and restful soaks. Before you know it, the countertop, the drawers, the edge of the tub, and the back of the toilet overflow with jars, bottles, tubes, and accessories. Relax! We’ve got tips to get the bathroom or powder room organized almost as quickly as you can say, “Calgon, take me away!”

[See the Program Notes for this meetup.]

As usual, we’ll also open the floor to your questions, success stories, and tales of trouble spots.

We’ll offer refreshments again this month, now that we’re settling into our new space. And don’t forget the drawing for a door prize or two! (You must be present to win.)

FREE and open to the public.

RSVP by visiting the Meetup page or by sending us e‑mail.

The Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group is a community of people who want to conquer their clutter and make more room in their lives for the things they love. Come learn tools and tips from an expert, and share your success stories and “ah‑hah!” moments…[READ MORE]

Gayle Goddard facilitates the monthly meeting of the Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group.

At the May meetup, we’ll follow up on the project we introduced in April: The Garage Is Also a Place to Park Your Car. Come tell the group about your progress and we’ll share hints about how to keep rolling.

Your bedroom can be a sanctuary.

We’ll also introduce our focus for June: Refuge or Rat’s Nest?: The Master Bedroom. You spend a third of your life there, so wouldn’t it be great if your bedroom were a place of sanctuary? We’ll talk about what needs to be in your inner sanctum and what doesn’t, and we’ll discuss how to craft a floor plan that fits your lifestyle.

[See the Program Notes for this meetup.]

As usual, we’ll also open the floor to your questions, success stories, and tales of trouble spots. And don’t forget the drawing for a door prize or two! (You must be present to win.)

Please note our new location this month:

Henshaw House (Nature Discovery Center)
Russ Pitman Park
7112 Newcastle St.
Bellaire, TX 77401
713-667-6550

FREE and open to the public.

RSVP by visiting the Meetup page or by sending us e‑mail.

The Houston Clutter Coaching Meetup Group is a community of people who want to conquer their clutter and make more room in their lives for the things they love. Come learn tools and tips from an expert, and share your success stories and “ah‑hah!” moments…[READ MORE]