Now where did I put that?

Do you waste a lot of time looking for items that somehow get “misplaced” in your home or office? I know I sure do (family and coworkers can confirm). Do you feel you do not have enough storage space? Does your lack of organization cause you stress? If so, now is the time to take charge and declutter your environment.

For many people, as they approach their mid-life years, they take stock of where they have been and where the future may lead them. Fifty years or more of living gives people many opportunities to buy and inherit a wide range of stuff!

The dictionary defines “clutter” as “to litter or pile in a disordered state”. Whether piled, jammed into a closet, or spread about on a surface or the floor, research shows disorganization and clutter can cause negative stress. Have you ever felt a release of stress after cleaning the garage or a closet? People who do not accumulate “stuff” lead more simplified lives.

Clutter can be classified into the following categories:

• Travel clutter. Do you keep souvenirs of every place you visit? Is it really necessary to keep every item?

• It-once-was important clutter. Do you have keys, clothes or toys that were part of another period of your life? Some items actually may be obsolete, such as old electronics, VHS camcorders, computer software and old cell phones. Why hang on to them?

• Inheritance clutter. All of your grandmother’s linens fit this category. Think about this, do your children really want great-grandmother’s stuff? Some may, others will not.

• Bunny clutter. Some clutter just seems to multiply. Magazines, collections and craft items are a few. Before you know it, they have taken over.

• Get-to-it-someday clutter. Are you really going to finish all those projects someday?

• I-might-use-it-someday clutter. Do you have garden tools, appliances or furniture stored in the garage that you will use if you have more time or move elsewhere?

• Memory lane clutter. Every piece of paper or time has its own story, and you’re not ready to give it up. Is it necessary to keep everything or only the really important ones?

• Garage sale clutter. Those boxes in the garage are going to be ready when you have another garage sale. Will it be obsolete by the time you get around to having that sale?

• Valuable clutter. The silver and crystal that were wedding gifts. When was the last time you used any of your sterling silverware when entertaining?

• To-look-at clutter. All the figurines, collectibles and pretty items that are displayed but need constant dusting cause clutter and eat-up precious time.

• Mystery clutter. There is a drawer in every home that is full of items or parts from items that no one in the family can identify. Disorganization, not lack of space, is the cause of clutter in most homes. Many people do not have a strong skill for organization. In this case, you may need to ask for help from a friend or family member who has the skills to help you get started.

Organizing and getting rid of things my result in less housework and more time for you and your family which can reduce stress levels as well as improve family communications.

Keep in mind that life does have a time limit. A sad story is of a woman’s family who, after she died, rented two trash bins and cleared out her entire home in one day. Stuff is valuable to some people only if they can use it. Family members may not place the same value on your stuff as you do partly because they do not have the same emotional “tie” to it.

To help you get started downsizing or decluttering, ask yourself these questions:

• Does your “stuff” benefit or hinder your quality of life?

• Will organizing, simplifying or downsizing add time and enjoyment to your life?

• How much space and what is the value of that space (space equity) needed to store your possession?

• Can that equity be better spent?

If you answer “yes” to those questions, it may be time to get organized. Start in one area. Tackle that area before moving on.

Consider putting aside those items that you know someone in your family would cherish. Gift the item when family and friends gather for the upcoming holidays. As you get organized, remember to recycle and donate your discarded items. There are many organizations that can benefit from your donations.

For more information on managing stress or organizing important paperwork, contact the Saline County Cooperative Extension Service at 501-303-5672 or visit our office located in Benton at 1605 Edison Avenue, St

15.

The information for this article was adapted from a similar article from University of Florida Extension.

Recipe of the Week - Applesauce Muffins

Looking for an afterschool snack or morning breakfast idea? Try these muffins. Involve your kids in making them! Be creative and add walnuts, coconut, or dried fruit to the mixture before baking.

2 large eggs, at room temperature

1-½ cups applesauce

1 cup honey (or sugar)

½ cup vegetable or canola oil

1-½ cups whole-wheat flour

1-½ teaspoons baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray or use paper liners. Set aside.

Mix eggs, applesauce, honey (or sugar), and ½ cup oil in a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Add in walnuts, coconut, or dried fruit, if using.

Combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients. Mix well. Spoon the batter into the cups of the muffin tin to fill them about ¾ full. Bake until the tops are brown, and the muffins feel firm on top, 25 to 30 minutes.

Serve warm or let cool and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Yield: 12 muffins.