Hazel Thornton

The 21 Day Habit Myth (Don’t Break the Chain!)

By Hazel Thornton | November 4, 2019 |

I hate to be a party pooper, but I just don’t believe it takes 21 days to create a habit. Or 30 days. Or however long people are saying. It’s true that you can’t simply do something for only 3 days, or 10, and expect it to “stick”. And the effort required to create a…

Read more...

Organizing for Stressful Times

By Hazel Thornton | October 21, 2019 |

These are stressful times. And I think we’re all feeling it one way or another. (I originally wrote this post during a specific national crisis, but really, every day is stressful for someone, isn’t it?) Are you remembering to take care of yourself? I forget sometimes, so I’m writing this for myself as much as…

Read more...

Do you need to change your settings?

By Hazel Thornton | October 7, 2019 |

Are you frustrated with your life? Or, maybe your life is pretty good, but you’re annoyed with a few aspects of it? Maybe you just need to change your settings.

Read more...

Are your keepsakes a legacy, or a liability?

By Hazel Thornton | September 30, 2019 |

Have you inherited keepsakes you don’t know what to do with? I can’t tell you how many of my clients have had a garage or storage unit full of stuff they inherited from a loved one. These items represent a mix of emotions – memories good and bad; guilt over secretly wanting to reclaim the…

Read more...

The Procrastitivity Zone

By Hazel Thornton | September 19, 2019 |

Sometimes I think procrastination gets a bad rap. Most articles I’ve read (and written) focus on the negative consequences of delaying a task or project. They also talk about how we trick ourselves into feeling productive by accomplishing one thing while we’re delaying doing another. I call that procrastitivity. And I don’t think it’s always…

Read more...

Why you need a Project Box & a Master To-Do List

By Hazel Thornton | September 9, 2019 |

          . Do you have unfinished household projects lying around? I can tell what my clients’ projects are at a glance – there are light bulbs that need changing; clothing that needs repairing; pictures that need to be framed and hung; and gifts that need to be wrapped. They are sitting…

Read more...

10 Ways to Trick your Family into Being Organized

By Hazel Thornton | August 26, 2019 |

Are you the organized one in your family? Does it seem pointless to try to stay organized, with everyone making messes right behind you as you go around the house tidying up? Here are some sneaky ways to get them onboard with your organizing systems.

Read more...

Are your files backed up?

By Hazel Thornton | August 19, 2019 |

I originally wrote this post for World Back Up Day (Don’t be an April Fool – Take the Pledge!) But…really, shouldn’t every day be Back Up Day? (Click to view video: “What Would You Do if You Lost Everything?“)

Read more...

Thornton Farmstead: Home of the Iowa State Fair

By Hazel Thornton | August 13, 2019 |

I’ve never attended the Iowa State Fair. I gain weight just reading the 2019 Food On A Stick menu! But I did visit the fairgrounds a number of years ago on a genealogy research trip with my dad. Why? Because the land formerly belonged to my 2nd great-grandfather, Calvin Thornton. Prior to that, it belonged…

Read more...

What are you worried about? Don’t worry – Take action!

By Hazel Thornton | July 29, 2019 |

What are you worried about? I think we all worry sometimes, don’t you? We worry about our health, and the health of our loved ones. About our appearance, and how we measure up to others. About money, and how our businesses are doing. About whether or not we’re being good parents. We worry about (fill…

Read more...