Posts

Mom’s Boxes Part 3: Trip down memory lane

By Hazel Thornton | August 28, 2017 |

My brother, Mike, and I have agreed there’s something about going through Mom’s boxes that we hadn’t fully bargained for: Going down Mom’s memory lane includes going down our own memory lanes. This can be heartwarming, and great fun…and also embarrassing, sad, and exhausting. It feels like my life is flashing before my eyes in…

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Public Speaking: 6 Ways to Calm Your Nerves

By Hazel Thornton | August 8, 2017 |

Do you ever have to teach a class? Make a presentation? Give an interview? Appear on radio or television? As an introvert (especially if you are also shy), do you relish such public speaking opportunities? Are you always cool, calm, and collected? Ack, me neither!

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The Downsizing Decision Matrix + Your Personal Inventory

By Hazel Thornton | August 6, 2017 |

  Face it, everyone downsizes their worldly possessions at some point, either voluntarily or involuntarily. You either do it before you die, or after you die. And you either do it yourself, or someone else has the burden of doing it for you. Which do you choose? Here is a tool to help you decide.

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Mom’s Boxes Part 2: Panning for gold

By Hazel Thornton | July 31, 2017 |

When my mom died, in 2001, she left us 33 boxes of scrapbooks and other memorabilia. Not 33 scrapbooks; 33 moving boxes full of them. In Mom’s Boxes Part 1: The Shed I described what we did with them for 16 years, and why I’m finally going through them now with my brother Mike.   We’re making progress….. I’ve been…

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Container Store

The Container Store: Mixed feelings + 7 shopping tips

By Hazel Thornton | July 10, 2017 |

At long last, a miracle has occurred! A Container Store has opened for business here in New Mexico. Cue the Hallelujah Chorus! Fire the canons! Pop the champagne corks! Release the confetti, doves, and balloons! Albuquerque, prepare to feast your eyes — and open your wallets! It was a huge step down for me, in…

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Mom’s Boxes Part 1: The shed

By Hazel Thornton | July 3, 2017 |

When my mom died, in 2001, she left us 33 boxes of scrapbooks. Not 33 scrapbooks; 33 moving boxes full of them. By scrapbooks I mean albums, binders, and notebooks full of memorabilia — photos, cards, letters, memoirs, and souvenirs. And who knows what else? These are in addition to the scrapbooks and photo albums she…

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How to organize your family tree at any budget

By Hazel Thornton | June 26, 2017 |

Genealogy research can be an expensive hobby if you factor in computer programs, tools, memberships, documentation fees, research trips, books, seminars, and conferences! (Hmmm, wonder how much I’ve spent over the years? Not to mention the time invested…) But it doesn’t have to cost a penny. I want to help everyone who’s interested in discovering, organizing,…

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www.org4life.com

Organized for Life….and beyond?!

By Hazel Thornton | June 1, 2017 |

Everything has a life cycle. People. Things. Businesses. My business has been changing, and I’ve been updating my website accordingly. It’s a work in progress, as are we all, but I invite you to take a look and let me know what you think. Is it more clear what I have to offer these days…

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Networking for Introverts

By Hazel Thornton | May 11, 2017 |

If you are an introvert who hates business networking, this blog post is for you! I recently attended the annual National Association of Professional Organizers conference, NAPO2017, in Pittsburgh, PA, where I presented a session called Networking for Introverts. It was inspired by Susan Cain’s 2012 TED Talk, The Power of Introverts. UPDATE: This 85-minute…

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Do you organize the right way?

By Hazel Thornton | April 24, 2017 |

When faced with a pile of papers, or a closet full of clothes, do you struggle with how to organize them? Do you sometimes procrastinate because you are afraid of doing it wrong? In this context I am using “organize” synonymously with “categorize”. The process of creating more space in your life also includes purging the things…

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Hazel's Books

Book cover: What's a Photo Without the Story? How to Create Your Family Legacy

What’s a Photo Without the Story? How to Create Your Family Legacy

Cover of "Go With the Flow! (The Clutter Flow Chart Workbook)"

Go With the Flow! (The Clutter Flow Chart Workbook)

Cover of "Hung Jury: The Diary of a Menendez Juror"

Hung Jury: The Diary of a Menendez Juror

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