Dear Red Hot Mamas- November 2017

By: Red Hot Mamas

Published: November 9, 2017

“Autumn carries more gold in its pocket than all the other seasons.”
-Jim Bishop

Dear Red Hot Mamas,

Autumn is my favorite time of year.  What a beautiful autumn we are having in New Jersey.  The fall foliage has been stunning.   I hope that all of you are spending each day this month savoring this beautiful season.  

 November is a busy month for a lot of us.  We’ve had to get out and vote on Election Day.  Making decisions on whom to vote for is sometimes challenging for me, as it may have been for you.  I hope you all voted and that your candidates won.

 Thanksgiving is on the horizon and we are about to go into another few months of activities that oftentimes can be overwhelming to us and can sometimes throw us off our game, leaving us feeling stressed and fatigued.  If that is the case for you, then it’s important to have a game plan to deal with the holiday season.  I have learned throughout the years the importance of taking control.  Sorting out details ahead of time helps me maintain a right state of mind.

 What stresses me out a lot is all the clutter I have around the house. I must confess that there are still remnants around my house from Halloween– then there will be Thanksgiving and Christmas to contend with.

 I’ve learned the importance of decluttering my house for the holidays.  That’s mental magic for me!  Parting with items and making space for new ones makes me feel less overwhelmed. 

 So, out with the overflow of strands of lights and items I haven’t used!  Use it or lose it!  If something hasn’t been used, the chances are that it won’t’ ever be used.  This year I’m going to donate them to someone who will actually put them to use.

 Here are a few ways to help you declutter for the holidays.  Donate, don’t trash!

 Food– Drop off to a local food bank items that you haven’t used, and which haven’t expired.

 Warm clothes– Drop off to a homeless shelter hats, scarves, gloves, socks and shoes – they are always needed and appreciated.

 Seasonal clothing – Bring to a local thrift shop Items that were received as gifts or that were purchased in the last several years but barely worn.

 Towels and blankets – Donate all those duplicates that you are not using.

 Pairing down your belongings to a manageable level, can sometimes alleviates a lot of stress.

 The holidays are a time to spend with friends and family and a time to be truly grateful for all that we have. Take control and sort out the details ahead of time so you are stress free and in the right state of mind to enjoy it all.

 Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Decluttering!

 Good Health to You All

 Karen Giblin