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consulting-celiac-in-the-tardis · 6 years

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11 Things People with Celiac Disease Do That Seem "High Maintenance" But Actually Aren’t

New blog post! After you’ve recovered from the initial shock of a celiac disease diagnosis and started adapting to living gluten free, you’ll probably begin noticing just how much your chronic illness shapes your everyday life. You might even find yourself feeling guilty for being so “high maintenance” because of the new precautions you have to take for celiac disease.

This Celiac Disease Awareness Month, I want to kick that guilt to the curb. As soon as I read this post about seemingly "high maintenance" things people with chronic illnesses do, I knew that I had to write a post from the perspective of someone with celiac disease. So whether you have celiac disease and want to stop feeling self-conscious or guilty for the gluten free lifestyle you must follow or are a celiac’s loved one and want to better understand what it takes to live with celiac disease, keep reading to discover eleven things people with celiac disease do that seem high maintenance but really aren’t.

1. Traveling with enough gluten free food to feed a small army.

There’s a running joke in my friend group and family that I’m not high maintenance except when it comes to food. Whenever I’m traveling, I don’t need to bring a lot of clothes or personal hygiene products, but I almost always have at least one bag or suitcase full of gluten free food.

Thanks to the increase in popularity of gluten free foods in recent years, it is easier to find celiac safe food in more places. However, gluten free products can vary greatly in prices between one place and another, and different locations of the same grocery store chain might not sell the same gluten free products. I typically follow the “better safe than sorry” mantra and often pack more food than I actually need, and I imagine that many celiacs (especially newly diagnosed celiacs still figuring out where they can safely shop for gluten free food) adopt a similar strategy. So if our suitcases do feel heavier than the average bag, friends and family can rest assured that there is some solid logic behind our food stash!

2. Insisting that shared kitchen countertops be wiped down multiple times a day.

In my experience, the most challenging part of going gluten free for celiac disease avoiding cross contamination. People with celiac disease can get sick from a crumb of wheat or someone using the same plate or utensils to make a gluten-filled and gluten free meal. As a result, if someone with celiac disease is using a kitchen that also contains gluten, cleanliness is a super important ground rule to set.

Personally, I live alone in my own studio apartment during the school year, but when I’m at home for the summer, my parents’ kitchen does have gluten. I feel bad at times that my family has to change their routine and be extra vigilant every time they pour gluten-filled cereal or make a sandwich on regular bread. However, I try to remind myself that it isn’t my choice to need a gluten free environment; it’s a medical requirement. And if you have celiac disease or another medical reason to need a gluten free diet, the same can be said about you.

3. Spending five to ten extra minutes talking to a restaurant server or chef every time you eat out.

I love eating out gluten free and there are many safe gluten free restaurants to choose from nowadays. However, when you have celiac disease, talking to your waitress or asking to speak to the chef is a regular requirement when eating out. Even if I’ve eaten at a restaurant safely several times before, I always explain to my waiter that I have celiac disease and need a gluten free meal free of cross contamination. Sometimes I even ask to speak to the chef or restaurant manager if the waiter doesn’t seem to understand what a “gluten free diet” really is.

Some celiacs eve use special restaurant cards that explain the basics of celiac disease and the gluten free diet. These can be especially helpful if you’re traveling abroad. No matter how you explain your dietary limitations, however, it can take time...and this process feels one thousand times less stressful when your dining companions understand how important this conversation is to your own health and personal safety.

4. Insisting that there are separate condiment jars, toasters, etc.

When you first learn that you have celiac disease, you might not expect to have to buy your own toaster or keep your own gluten free labeled peanut butter jar or butter container. However, cross contamination can cause serious health issues in people with celiac disease, which means that precautions like these are often necessary when you’re sharing a kitchen with gluten-eaters.

How far you take the “separate gluten free” theme in your kitchen depends on your own comfort level and your family’s understanding of cross contamination. For example, some celiacs also have their own separate pots, pans and utensils. Personally, I share most cooking equipment with the rest of my family, but it’s always cleaned thoroughly and doesn’t have any scratches where gluten could hide. To learn more about how to set up a safe gluten-and-gluten-free kitchen, check out my post here.

Eating a gluten free diet while living with people who eat gluten can be challenging and requires a lot of open communication and compromises. However, your health should come first, and your loved ones or roommates should hopefully understand that.

5. Turning down offered food, even when someone claims it is “gluten free.”

Just picture this: you’re at a neighborhood BBQ, armed with your own safe gluten free food. Then, a kind neighbor surprises you: she made gluten free brownies with you in mind! However, the more you talk to her, the more you realize that she doesn’t understand how sensitive celiacs are to cross contamination. What do you do?

As awkward as it feels, I often end up politely turning down the food in these kinds of situations. When I can’t be sure that the baking mix, spices, cooking utensils, etc. someone used in a “gluten free” dish are actually celiac safe, being polite isn’t worth getting glutened and feeling sick for at least a week. I’m sure that this is frustrating to some people, and they may think I’m overly paranoid or a picky eater...but I shouldn’t have to apologize for looking out for my health, and you shouldn’t either.

(Source)

6. Extensively researching any new restaurants or places you’re visiting.

After I learned I have celiac disease, going out to eat became a lot more complicated. No longer could I just wander around town and eat at whatever restaurant sounded good. Now, I often relied on research done before I even left the house.

It can definitely feel frustrating to lose some of the spontaneity and flexibility you used to enjoy. Friends and family might also struggle with you not being able to “go with the flow” like you used to. However, if you explain that researching gluten free options ahead of time makes your trip a lot less stressful and more enjoyable in the long run, I’m sure most companions will appreciate your extra work.

Plus, you can try to make a list of several options for gluten free food that way you can still have some in-the-moment freedom with choosing. Beyond handy-dandy Google, the Find Me Gluten Free app (and website) is my favorite research tool.

7. Turning down some social invitations.

One of the “celiac symptoms” I wish my doctor had warned me about after my diagnosis is the isolation that can result from dietary restrictions. Like or not, many social activities - especially in college or work - involve food.

When you can’t eat the free pizza or your co-worker’s birthday cake like everyone else, social events can feel a little awkward and even less enjoyable at times. As a result, you may - for better or worse - find yourself turning down social invitations where you know there will be tons of food and little people or activities you actually enjoy spending time with or on.

(Source)

I certainly don’t recommend avoiding every single social event that involves gluten. I’ve gone to countless parties where I can’t eat a thing, and by eating ahead of time, bringing my own food or just enjoying the company instead of the food, I’ve still had a blast. However, you also shouldn’t feel guilty for saying “no” every once in awhile, whether it’s because of celiac disease complications or other reasons.

8. Spending extra money on particular brands of beauty or hygiene products.

Some celiacs are fine using any hygiene products they find in their closet; others, like me, prefer using only gluten free products, especially if they run the risk of being accidentally ingested (as with lipstick and face wash). If you fall in the latter group, you might find yourself spending more money than you used to on beauty and hygiene products. That’s often just the reality of using high quality, allergy friendly makeup or cleansers.

Like with food, there are ways you can save money on gluten free beauty products. Although I used to use Cleure (and still love their products), I eventually found gluten free shampoo and conditioner for a fraction of the cost on Amazon. If you do splurge on gluten free hygiene products, though, know that doesn’t automatically make you “high maintenance” or “picky.” You’re doing what you feel you need to do in order to live safely with celiac disease...and as long as you have room in your budget for these extra costs, that peace of mind is definitely priceless.

9. Getting upset over little things like not being able to eat the cake at your work’s office party.

It happens. You might go weeks, months or even years eating gluten free with no problem...and then you’re having a bad day, you walk by your old favorite bagel place or you just wake up craving a “real” slice of pizza. And it hurts.

When those kind of moments happen, I encourage you to embrace those emotions and let yourself cry if you need to. As I explain here, you might feel “silly” for crying over a sandwich or pasta salad, but you’re crying about much more than just food. Most likely, you’re really upset about losing the freedom to eat whatever you want, not to mention the less complicated lifestyle you probably once had.

Times like these are when having a solid support system who understands (or at least tries to) can make a huge difference. I always feel fortunate that my mom went gluten free with me. Although she doesn’t have celiac disease, my mom’s gluten intolerance means she can understand the social isolation, cravings and sad days that can come from dietary restrictions...as well as the joy I feel when I find a new gluten free food or recipe I love!

10. Often preferring to eat from your “safe list” of foods or restaurants instead of trying somewhere new.

It’s true that there appear to be more gluten free options than ever, whether you’re walking around the grocery store or looking for a nearby restaurant to dine at. However, “gluten free” unfortunately does not mean “celiac safe,” and many restaurants’ gluten free options are cross contaminated and therefore not appropriate for people with celiac disease.

As a result, eating out gluten free can honestly feel a little scary. Even though we don’t go into anaphylactic shock like someone with food allergies, eating gluten can majorly hurt people with celiac disease. Personally, I experience stomach issues, extreme fatigue, insomnia, brain fog and several other symptoms for at least a week after being glutened.

So once I do find a restaurant that can do gluten free right, I often like to stick to that restaurant instead of trying new places, and I’ve heard from many other celiacs that they feel the same way. This doesn’t make us “boring” eaters or mean that we’ll never ever try new places; it’s just a natural reaction to finding a safe gluten free haven in a world full of gluten.

11. Asking for help with simple things when you’re glutened.

The last “high maintenance” trait I’m talking about today refers to the time during which people with celiac are probably the most “demanding”: when we’ve been glutened.

Like I explained in the point above, accidentally ingesting gluten can cause major problems in people with celiac disease. Some celiacs even have to go to the hospital to receive fluids or other care after they’ve been glutened.

So when a dietary mistake does happen, we’ll probably need even more help than usual, whether it’s with small things like warming up some gluten free soup or bigger chores like doing the laundry or grocery shopping. It can be easy to feel “lazy” or “stupid” when you’re glutened and your brain and body isn’t functioning properly. However, feeling guilty about asking for help won’t make you heal any faster...and I can say from personal experience that many family members and friends will do anything that can to help you feel better.

(Source)

And once you do recover from being glutened, nothing says “thank you” more sweetly than baking some GF goodies for the friends and family who gave you a helping hand!

The Bottom Line

Even though it’s been five years since I received my celiac disease diagnosis, I still sometimes find myself apologizing for the quirks celiac disease gives me. I apologize to travel companions for always packing a ton of food; I apologize to friends for limiting our restaurant choices; sometimes I even find myself apologizing to waiters for my “complex” order.

This Celiac Awareness Month, though, I’m challenging myself to stop apologizing for traits or factors that are out of my control. If you find yourself saying “I’m sorry” too often for celiac-traits traits, I hope you join me on this challenge as well. After all, we did not choose to have celiac disease, and we did not choose to need to eat a gluten free diet. Not to mention that celiac disease has actually given me several hidden blessings, and I’m guessing most celiacs can say the same thing.

So this May, let’s change the mindset around celiac disease (and other chronic illnesses) from “high maintenance” to “worth the work.” Because it’s worth the work of being gluten free when it lets us thrive with celiac disease...and, chronic illness or not, we’re worth the work others might have to do to have us in their lives.

Do you ever find yourself apologizing or feeling “high maintenance” for celiac-related obligations? Or how do you view your chronic disease with a positive mindset? I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments!

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stemcellee · 7 years

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Ok so I know a lot of colleges have already started (unless you are on the quarter system lmao) but here’s another “let’s talk about” blab post. Also kind of in honor of me moving into the dorms again in exactly two weeks :C

Read the one about staying healthy here!

Or, just read this one. Let’s talk about your life in the dorms (or maybe you sleep in the campus library but that’s on campus housing too, isn’t it?)

Things to Ask Your Roommates Did you go random? Did your school give you your roommate(s)’s contacts before moving in? If so, then try to contact them before moving in. It’s really exciting meeting the person(s) that you will be living with for the school year! And most of the time, they’re super excited about meeting you as well. If you are meeting them for the first time the day you move in, then these questions will still probably be great ice breakers for that first night.

Where are you from?

What’s your major? (typical question for literally everyone)

What are your sleeping habits? (as in, lights on/off, noises, temperature of the room, TIME, if they snore or something)

How do you feel about guests? (only have visitors are certain times, visitors welcome anytime, no preference, no overnight guests or etc etc)

How do you feel about alcohol/smoking? (most universities have strict rules but you know. it’s good to share preferences and stuff)

What are your study habits? (sounds, times dedicated to studying)

What’s your class schedule look like? (my roomies and i always printed up our schedules and hung them in the dorms. It’s actually super useful)

What are you bringing to the dorm that we can share? (aka stuff like microwaves, fridges, water kettles, irons, yknow the basics)

What side of the room/What bunk bed do you want?

Should I wake you up for your class if your alarm doesn’t go off?

Things to Bring to the Dorms (not at all a comprehensive list lmao needs change and are different)

Obvious stuff: Clothes, undies, bedding

Your electronics (laptop, chargers, tablet, phone, etc)

Bath necessities (toothbrush and paste, towel, toilet paper and what not)

Shower shoes

FLOSS, NAIL CLIPPERS

Tape and push pins

FIRST AID KIT

Your immunization records, your identification

Money

Snacks that have a long shelf life in case of emergency or just hunger (like dried or canned food)

A flashlight

WATER and refillable waterbottle

Sunscreen

Extension cords

Napkins/tissues/ziplock bags

Mirrors as needed

an Extra Set of sheets

General pain medication (like Advil), cold medicine, and your allergy/other personal medicines

Portable charger for your phone

Scissors!!

A refrigerator, microwave, hot water kettle, coffee maker, clothes iron, or something you realize will make your life easier

Laundry detergent

A seat cushion for your desk chair

Things that remind you of home/good times

Plates, bowls, utensils

Dealing With Problems Living on campus can suck sometimes for various reasons. However, see them as learning experiences that will prepare you for the real (Real) world when you leave college.

Getting sick: see this post

Roommate problems: sometimes, you and your roommate might not get along. It’s honestly nothing to be ashamed of because y’all are different people. But if they are doing something you really don’t like (like bringing people over when you are sleeping/studying, being loud, using your stuff, whatever), you have to be firm and tell them because sometimes, they won’t know what they’re doing wrong. Approaching them nicely and being clear is important. As roommates, you will have to accept that you all live in the same area and the space does not belong to just one of you. Make boundaries clear in the beginning, and be open to anything your roommate says to you. Peaceful roommate politics is the way to go.

Homesickness: living away from home can get to you. You might miss things that you never even thought you would miss. Dealing with homesickness is something the majority of college students living away from their home will experience, so it’s important to remember that you have others who feel the same way and you are not to struggle with the feeling alone. Calling home, writing emails/letters to home, or even planning what you want to do the next time you visit home are ways that help cope with homesickness.

Being safe: when you live away from parents or you live with a bunch of other people that you probably didn’t know before coming to campus, things can get overwhelming. Always be aware of your surroundings when you go out, or sometimes even in your residence hall. Keep your belongings safe by locking your door before leaving, or having a safe in your dorm. Wear your shower flip flops because the communal bathrooms can be gross. Always remember consent and remind others of consent. Know your limits with alcohol. This might be the first time that you live independent from guardians so you will be making every decision for yourself. Make sure your decisions keep you in a safe position!!

Report any issues with your dorm (malfunctions, theft, plumbing, electricity) to the front desk or to the housing authority immediately (this place is your home and hopefully you will love it like your home!)

Be courteous of others, like your neighbors/floormates. Respect each other and have fun!

Resources Here are just rando things that I learned to do while living on campus lol

Take a few extra napkins from dining halls and store them in your room. Napkins are useful and this can save you money (i mean in the end you are paying for dining hall services so might as well use the napkins)

Same thing with disposable utensils

Get to know your floormates because they might have the same classes as you and you can study with them!

Always have your roommate(s)’s number saved in your phone

Learn the best (or most private) times to use the bathrooms (lol)

Take advantage of the free stuff (we always got free stuff from our resident assistants/the school because of special events. I got free mason jars, free SUCCULENTS ((that died bc I can’t take care of them)), free FOOD, free shirts etc)

Have a REallly long phone charging cable and a little hanging bucket/hanging bag if you have a top bunk. It makes life easier.

If you’re the kind to plop into bed and be unproductive, consider top bunk. It sucks having to climb in and out so you’ll probably stay out of it (luls)

I’ve exhausted all that I can really think of for now, so I hope that helps! Living in the dorms is supppperr exciting and fun if you make the most out of it!

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shawierich-blog · 6 years

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New Year, New Home: How To Declutter And Organize All Year

This is your year. You're going to start fresh and figure out how to declutter and organize your home (and keep it organized) once and for all. You should be able to get that figured out in a month or so, right?

Not necessarily. Once the calendar flips, you'll find yourself rudely reminded of your responsibilities at work, the tangle of schedules for the kids and a longing for new personal adventures (like finally committing to that morning yoga class). Suddenly, your infallible home organization system seems hopelessly flawed.

Don't get stressed out! Here's a plan you can actually stick to. We created a month-by-month checklist culled from the smartest home organization experts we could find to help you get your act together at the leisurely pace of a full calendar year.

Declutter and Organize Your Home, One Month at a Time

Month One: Tackle your laundry room.

Let's go right to one of the trouble spots as we decide on the best ways to declutter and organize your home. Your laundry room is one of the hardest-working spaces in your home. Since it sees a lot of action, start your organization project by removing everything but the washer and dryer. Give all surfaces and baseboards a nice cleaning and then sweep or vacuum the floor. Then:

Add a drying bar: Rather than hanging your wet delicates from random spots in your house (we've all been guilty of using the shower, doors and chairs), install a drying bar right in the room. Mount a shower rod, bath towel holder or extension rod underneath a shelf, giving you a great spot for a row of hangers.

Contain your supplies: “Instead of having bottles of detergent all over the top of your machine or all over the floor, use a rolling cart,” Bonnie Dewkett from The Joyful Organizer advises. “It slides in between your washer and dryer or along side the unit. It is plastic and easy to clean when detergent spills.”

Organize your clothes: Laundry bins full of dirty clothes can easily crowd your floor. Use a hamper, baskets or bins to pre-sort dirty clothes (one for whites, lights and darks). When it's full, you'll know to do the wash.

“Have a spot for miscellaneous items,” Bonnie adds. “Misfit socks, items you find in pockets, and small toys that have fallen into the laundry basket can all clutter up your laundry room. Purchase a bin or jar and put all of these random items in there. Let your family members know where to look to find their stuff. Every few months, clean it out.”

Month Two: Give your mudroom a makeover.

Your mudroom is the entry to your home, which means it could be the first thing people see when they come over. Whether you have a spacious room or a cramped doorway, chances are this space could use a little love.

“Only things that you truly need as you're coming or going and that you use on a daily basis should be kept in the area,” Steph from Modern Parents Messy Kids explains. “A safe rule is: if it can possibly go somewhere else, it should.”

Include seating: A small bench is a smart addition to any entryway, since it offers a place for people to safely put on or take off their shoes. And added bonus? You can use the space underneath to store shoes.

Install hooks: Hooks work great for entryways that lack a closet space. Even a short rack can hold your guest's coats, purses and other accessories.

Allocate space: Purchase a basket for each family member, and allow them to use it for their shoes, gloves and scarves or small sports items.

Month Three: Simplify your bedroom.

“In order to get the most restful sleep, the bedroom should be a serene, uncluttered environment,” Kirsten Fisher from Imagine Home Organization says.

You can't figure out how to declutter and organize your home if you can't get a decent night's sleep! To simplify your bedroom, Kirsten suggests:

Being consistent: Give your room a unified look by purchasing a complete bedding set that includes a bedframe, skirt and shams. Commit to taking three minutes each morning to make your bed.

Maximizing storage: Use bedside tables with drawers and add behind-the-door shelves. If you find you need extra storage, place a trunk or long ottoman at the end of the bed.

Keeping surfaces clear: Avoid messy floors and table tops by establishing a “home” for every item in your bedroom. Nothing should be left lying around!

Staying clean: Place your clothes hamper in an easily accessible location, this way dirty items can go directly from your body to the laundry without stopping on the floor or bed.

Month Four: Rearrange your kitchen pantry.

Along with the laundry room, the kitchen probably gets the most work out of any room in your house- - which is why organizing it can be so hard. While you probably clean out your fridge and scrub your counters regularly, you may be guilty of avoiding your pantry.

To declutter and organize your pantry, start by removing everything and giving it a good scrubbing. Then, take a look at everything you have stored inside, and dispose of anything that is expired or will never be used (did you need that much cream of mushroom soup?).

Limit your pantry to the necessities. Donate anything you won't use to a food bank, and move doubles to other cabinets or even the basement.

For the remaining items, Abby from Just a Girl and Her Blog recommends swapping out bulky packaging for containers or bins that can sit on top of one another. She also suggests using cabinet risers to hold things like spices and soups, which give height to items in the back and make them easier to locate.

Month Five: Declutter and organize your shed.

“In order to maximize storage in your shed, you need to provide a storage system,” Kirsten says. “A large empty cube is the least efficient method of storage, so you need to create structure.”

Remove everything from your shed. Eliminate items you no longer use or aren't in the best condition. Organize everything into categories, such as sports gear, gardening equipment, tools and decorations.

“The best solutions utilize the full height of the wall and overhead space,” Kirsten adds. “Organization says minimizing the number of things you have to have on the floor. Utility shelving is excellent and one of the best systems for flexible wall storage for tools is ELFA sold by The Container Store.”

Month Six: Condense your entertainment.

Although the world seems to be becoming increasingly digital, many of us still hold on to our beloved hard copies of DVDs, Blu-Ray Discs and even VHS tapes (nostalgia, right?). Instead of letting those bulky plastic cases take over your living room, invest in a multimedia shelving system.

Before deciding on the size of your unit, take a look at your inventory and omit anything you don't need. When is the last time your teenage children watched those cartoons? Figure out what your family still uses, and donate or store the rest.

Once you've established your new library, create a system that determines how you organize your media on your shelves. You can get as specific as you want (by album title, artist name or genre). If you're wondering how to organize your home and are really short on space (and don't mind ditching the cases), opt for a simplified setup.

“When storing movies, DVDs and CDs, it's really helpful to remove the DVDs and CDs from their packaging and store your movies and music in a DVD binder instead,” Lauren Kim from momhomeguide.com says. “A DVD binder has several sheets of plastic sleeves that can store at least 200 DVDs and CDs. I moved my family's movies into a DVD binder, and now instead of storing our movies in a big ottoman, we can store our movies in a slim binder that fits easily into our TV entertainment unit.”

Month Seven: Revitalize your bathroom cabinet.

Although it's commonly referred to as a medicine cabinet, you're better off using this space for your beauty products.

“Consider moving drugs to a different location, such as a high kitchen shelf,” Alice Daniel from Better Homes and Gardens suggests. “High humidity and heat can cause some medicines to lose their potency. Wherever you store your medicines, make sure they are out of reach of children.”

Only the most-used items should be stored in your bathroom cabinet. If you don't use it daily, put it in the closet or under your sink. To organize your remaining items:

Use jars: Clear jars make it easy to quickly find whatever you are searching for. Use them to hold your cotton balls, Q-tips, band-aids and small lotions or ointments.

Add trays: Thin desk trays double as the perfect organizer for small items, like nail polish, tweezers and other tools.

Place by popularity: To avoid adding time to your already hectic morning, organize your supplies based on how often you use them. Place most-used product at eye level, and less popular ones on higher shelves.

Month Eight: Focus on your furry friends.

You may not be able to train your four-legged friends how to declutter and organize your home, but you change a few things to make it easier to keep them safe and organized.

“Just like with children, it's important to weed out your pet's playthings from time to time,” Sarah Soboleski from Classically Organized advises. “Your pet most likely has a favorite chew toy and preferred stuffed animal, so work on letting the rest go. And, of course, you should have one central location to keep their playthings. A bin or basket or even a diaper caddy could work well to corral their items.”

It's also a smart idea to buy an inexpensive rubber mat to put under your pet's food and water bowls. This will keep it from sliding around, protecting the floor from scratches and spills.

Just like you, your pets have a unique list of special needs. Type up relevant care instructions, like medicines, allergies, contact information and directions to the nearest animal hospital, to put with your family's records. This way, whoever is in charge of your companion will know what to do if anything was to happen.

Month Nine: Purge your playroom.

“A thing that's important in any organizing endeavor,” Stacy Erickson, a child development specialist and professional organizing blogger for Home Key Organization, says, “is to have the least amount of stuff possible. Less stuff equals less to clean/put away which equals more time.”

Kids are constantly getting new toys and games. Before jumping right into your organization project, take the time to donate your child's unused toys.

“Reducing the amount of toys in your space not only makes things less overwhelming for you, but it can also help your child focus better and become more engaged in independent play,” Stacy explains. “Try putting half of the toys that are out right now away in a safe storage spot. Carefully observe your kids for a couple of days after that and see what happens.”

Organize toys based on similarity, and store them in clear bins for easy visibility.

Abby recommends labeling everything - this will help you or your child find things quickly.

Use wall storage and stackable bins to keep your floors clear of clutter.

Following this system will help encourage them to be active themselves in decluttering, regardless of their age.

Month 10: Establish a recycling system.

Americans generate about 254 million tons of trash. That's a lot of garbage! As you figure out how to organize your home, minimize your family's ecological footprint by creating a recycling center right in your own home.

The best way to stay consistent with your recycling is by sticking to one place. Determine an area in your home that can hold the extra storage (the garage, laundry room and kitchen are popular areas), and clear it of any existing clutter.

Then, purchase matching containers. Every area recycles differently, but it's safe to say you'll need at least three options: one for metal, one for plastic and one for paper. Depending on space, you can hang bags from your wall, stack bins on top of each other or place cans next to one another.

“Designate and clearly label containers for your recyclables,” Jill Annis from Simply Organized, LLC says. “Have the containers easily accessible in your kitchen or pantry to prevent recyclables from cluttering counters.”

Month 11: Declutter and organize your home office.

Start this new habit in the new year to significantly declutter and organize your office. “Reduce paper clutter by scanning documents and storing them electronically when possible,” Bryn Huntpalmer of unclutter.com explains. “Organize your electronic files into clearly labeled directories on your computer hard drive and get in the habit of backing up all your files to an external hard drive at least once a week. You might also consider automatic backup to Cloud storage.”

To organize your physical papers, create a color-coded filing system. Each category (medical, financial, insurance, warranties, etc.) should have a unique color or pattern. This will allow you to keep everything in place and easily found in the case of an emergency.

When it comes to the rest of your office goodies - focus on simplicity. Invest in a few boxes and drawers to hold supplies, and be sure to label everything so you know what is inside. Play with fun colors, photos of your loved ones or your favorite quotes. This is a place of creativity - you'll want to surround yourself with a little inspiration!

Month 12: Manage your makeup.

Sick of running late because you couldn't find your go-to red lipstick? Yeah, we've all been there. Take this month to manage your makeup:

Ditch: Even though your makeup hasn't run out yet, it may still be time to ditch it. All makeup has a shelf life, and ignoring it can make your face a breeding ground for bacteria. Dispose of anything that is past its time (do you really need three black mascaras, anyway?).

Divide: “Now that you're left with the products you want to keep,” Sarah Soboleski from Classically Organized says, “start putting things together in categories. Keep your brushes all in one place, your moisturizers together, and your lip glosses grouped with one another. This way you always know where to find something and you can see your collection at a glance to know if you're getting low or missing a certain color.”

Designate: Place each item in a designated space, and commit to keeping it there. Depending on the setup of your vanity, use drawer dividers, acrylic drawers, plastic containers or over-the-door organizers to hold your products.

And don't forget about those brushes! Just wet your brush, swirl it in baby shampoo, rinse and lay to dry overnight.

Too much stuff, not enough space?

You wanted to figure out how to declutter organize your home, and you succeeded - that's great! But now you're left with a ton extra things you're not ready to get rid of, but they don't necessarily have a place in your home.

Our solution? Self-storage. Life Storage offers a variety of storage options to protect even your most delicate belongings. Visit our website to find a storage unit near you. You can even learn more about how you can receive a free rental truck.

How do YOU tackle clutter year-round? We'd love to hear your tips and tricks. Let us know in the comment section below!

This post originally appeared on the Life Storage blog on 1/5/16 and was revised on 12/31/18 to provide new information.

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