7 Signs to Know It’s Time for a Closet Declutter

streetsmartmasterclass

4 Aug, 2021

Our closet stores one of our basic life necessities—our clothes! Sadly, it seems that most of us take our closet spaces for granted. The good news is we do not need to be Marie Kondo to start organizing and decluttering closet. But how do we know if it is time to declutter? This article provides 7 signs you might want to look out for. Read on to know!

How do you declutter?

Decluttering is the act of removing items in your space that no longer serve their purpose. This is to make the space tidy and organized. Sure, decluttering can be made as easy as throwing away your old clothes. However, most of the time, decluttering demands some time to spare.

Tackling your closet may require you to go through each of your clothing pieces. In this way, you can decide whether to keep them or not. Interestingly, this process may also demand some reflection.

The KonMari Method

“When you’re choosing what to keep,
ask your heart…”
– Marie kondo

The KonMari M ethod is a mindful way to declutter. This method is focused more on deciding what to keep rather than what to throw away. It is as simple as this:

Empty your closet and put all your clothes into a large pile.
Pick up each of your clothing pieces one at a time.
Ask yourself: “Does it spark joy?”
If the answer is yes, keep it.
If the answer is no, gently bid farewell (and don’t forget to express some gratitude!)

This method isn’t only applicable to your closet but also in tackling other item categories in your house. You may want to implement this every time you declutter your home!

How to know it’s time for a closet declutter

Here are 7 signs to know it’s time to start tackling your closet:

It is just a complete mess

Open your closet. Does the mere sight of it distracts or overwhelms you? If the answer is yes, then maybe it needs immediate attention!

When your closet is messy, you cannot have a good overview of all the clothes you own. This may affect your everyday #OOTD decision-making! Also, this can indicate that you have A LOT of clothes. The more clothes you have, the more time and effort it takes to keep them organized consistently. And maybe that’s why they ended up being in a messy situation.

If your closet is a mess, you might want to start by sorting out your clothes into categories —shirts, tank tops, skirts, jeans, etc. Then, you can start decluttering! Lessening your clothes will make it easier for you to designate a closet space for each category. Just make sure to follow this system consistently, and you no longer have to worry about your closet being messy!

Your clothes are all over the place

Aside from your closet being messy, you might also want to check if it is already overflowing. This is another sign that you have A LOT of clothes! When all your clothes cannot fit inside your closet anymore, you’ll be tempted to throw them away in random places. The next thing you’ll know, you have completely forgotten about them.

If you have this problem, you might want to start by gathering all your clothes in one place. You can measure how much clothes will likely fit inside your closet. Then, you can consider this in making your decluttering decisions.

You always have “nothing to wear.”

Do you spend an hour staring at your closet filled with clothes, complaining about having nothing to wear? Or maybe you find yourself unconsciously picking the same pieces of clothing all over again? Well, this happens to most of us. In fact, the 80/20 Rule suggests that most people wear just 20% of their clothes 80% of the time. This means our closets may be filled with 80% clothes we don’t actually wear! Why keep them?

Now, imagine your closet is filled with only the clothes you love. Then, you won’t find picking an OOTD a struggle every morning! Decluttering won’t just save you closet space. It will also save you time in deciding what to wear. Knowing that you love each piece inside your closet might also help in boosting your confidence!

You notice your body has changed

Your favorite pair of jeans does not fit anymore? Maybe that’s a sign to start tackling your closet! You can start by trying on pieces according to their sizes. When your size 24 skirt still fits, you don’t have to try out the ones with the same size. This will make the decluttering process less time-consuming. Just keep in mind that sometimes, sizing may differ for each kind of clothing.

You can also start a system to track your body changes. This will help you know when it’s time to remove clothing pieces that don’t fit anymore!

Your lifestyle has changed

Started advocating for sustainable fashion? Decided to start a minimalist lifestyle? Or maybe you finally found out your personal style? These call for a closet decluttering session!

It is definitely a good idea to make sure our clothes somehow reflect our values and personality. This will make our closet spaces more special to us. And this will make us more inspired to keep it organized too!

You need some funds

Be it for an academic project or a new hobby you want to try, you’ll sometimes find yourself needing funds. This is a great time to maximize what’s inside your closet! You may find some pieces that don’t spark joy anymore but are still in good condition. You can use these to put up a small thrift store in your garage. Or maybe you can sell them online!

But aside from selling out your pre-loved clothes, you might also want to consider donating! You might not earn some cash, but the feeling is definitely worth it.

You’re feeling anxious

Study shows that having a cluttered space may have a negative effect on our mental well-being. Keeping our closets clutter-free will leave us in a clear headspace. Some people even find decluttering therapeutic. Just remember that decluttering is meant to make you feel a little better. So enjoy every step of it.

If you want to change your decluttering game, you can also download decluttering apps like Clutterfree. This won’t just make your decluttering sessions more efficient. Using decluttering apps can also boost your motivation as they serve as trackers and accountability partners. They are also helpful when you declutter your home.

Does one of these 7 signs resonate with you? Then, what are you waiting for? Open up your closet and start your decluttering journey now. We have also prepared a closet declutter task list to help you in the process! Be sure to get a copy here.

Closet-Declutter-Tasklist Download

5 Simple Tips to Build Habits

streetsmartmasterclass

3 Aug, 2021

Habits are not just something you do every day.

While it’s true that habits are repeated behavior, regularly doing something is not enough to be considered a habit.

The psychology of habits explains that habits are the specific actions one automatically does in particular situations. Moreover, it should:

occurs repeatedly
triggered by a specific cue
occurs with little to no conscious thought.

Why build habits?

Habits determine your trajectory in life.

While setting goals is essential, our habits set what we do and who we become. Plans allow us to envision what we want but do not necessarily equip us with the necessary tools to arrive there.

On the other hand, habits allow the compounding of small, repeated actions that will eventually yield significant changes.

How do habits work?

A recent study suggests that a three-part neurological loop exists at the core of every habit: cue-routine-reward.

A cue can be any trigger that causes the routine — location, emotional state, or thought.

Routine can be any physical or mental action triggered by the cue.

The reward is the positive reinforcement that continues to drive the habit pattern.

Where do you start?

There isn’t one formula for changing and building habits. Different triggers drive each person’s habits, so the specifics of diagnosing and changing them differ from person to person. With time and effort, almost any habit can be reshaped.

Here are five simple tips that can help you in creating new habits:

Establish and commit to your why

A habit is an action done repeatedly with little or no thought. Unlike routines, which are uncomfortable and require the active application of effort, habits are part of our daily life.

In creating new habits, one must first establish them as a routine. From there, the amount of time one would take to develop it into a habit varies. It may take you 21 days, or 66, or even more.

It is crucial to recognize your why in this process because it won’t get formed independently. Establishing and committing to your why and how this habit is essential to you helps you stay on track and motivated.

Think big, work small

Thinking big allows you to anticipate growth. However, a grand vision does not necessarily entail grand actions. Starting small can be your first step.

Starting and working small entails less energy, making the task more manageable. It allows you to build your momentum incrementally. Habits are not formed overnight but are products of gradual change. The more you do it, the better you’ll be able to become at doing it.

Keep it sustainable

Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Stick with realistic goals. Unreasonable goals, when unachieved, may leave you disheartened and unmotivated.

Habit formation is a time-taking process. Give yourself time to get used to it. More than discipline, it takes patience to stick to a routine and ultimately to a habit.

Charles Duhigg, the author of The Power of Habit, once said, “The key to victory is creating the right routines.”

Commit to easily adaptable routines. That way, you can practice the habit more and incorporate it into your daily life.

Get ready to fail

Habits require a lot of repetition. In creating a habit, it is essential to keep practicing and give yourself grace for failing.

When you develop habits, expect that it won’t be easy. You may have to face a lot of failures before successfully turning the practice into a habit.

Failures are part of the process, and slipping off the tracks is normal. However, don’t let these failures hinder you from bouncing back.

Allow yourself to make mistakes from time to time, consider them as humbling moments, and carry on.

Leverage on small feats

Wins create momentum. By focusing on daily successes, one tends to get inspired and do better.

As James Clear, author of the award-winning Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, wrote, “We all want better lives for our future selves. However, when the moment of decision arrives, instant gratification usually wins.”

Small wins make us feel good, especially when we’re stressed or discouraged. You could use this experience to fuel yourself in pursuing your goal.

Celebrate these small victories and reward yourself. It doesn’t need to be something grand. It could be buying yourself the food you’ve been craving or watching that movie you’ve been putting off.

To summarize, goals help you visualize where you want to go, but they’re not very good at helping you get there. Instead, building habits is the key to achieving your goals. If you want to build a habit, start small and stick with it. Reward yourself on small wins and allow yourself to fail once in a while but bounce back stronger.

Less is More: Online Shopping With Vouchers and Discount Codes

streetsmartmasterclass

3 Aug, 2021

Online shopping is on the rise for providing ease in getting hold of day-to-day needs and wants. Not only does it allow your most-anticipated finds to be right at your fingertips, but it also ensures that you are making informed decisions by offering tools and valuable suggestions. Vouchers and discount codes add to the hype by allowing you to access cheaper deals with no compromise.

You might probably be so used to shrugging this off. But the disappointment from finding out that another store sells a product you have just purchased for cheaper hits differently. It is as if the world mocks you from being outwitted.

What if you can pay less than what is on the price tag?

What are vouchers and discount codes?

One of the beauties of online shopping is the possibility of comparing the prices of similar products across various platforms. The availability of cheap clothes online is always within your reach. In this way, you can ensure that you are always getting the best deal.

As sketchy as it sounds, vouchers have been around for longer than you are probably alive. It is a tested marketing strategy that benefits both parties. Through the years, vouchers have come in various forms. Starting from in-house discount coupons, a page from a brochure, and now just a string of codes you can use to pay less? This thing ages like wine!

Vouchers and discount codes are promotional mediums designed to encourage consumers to buy at a lower price. Even in the virtual world, these promos are diverse. Cash backs, discounts, free shipping, or buy-one-take-ones, the possibilities to strike a better deal are endless!

Where to get vouchers for online shopping?

In this day and age, there are running vouchers all year round. However, the availability increases on holidays or following a culture practiced by companies.

Knowing when to make a purchase is as crucial as knowing where to buy. Observing local holidays and seasonal promotions will increase your chances of outplaying your favorite online boutique.

Most vouchers are accessible through online shopping platforms. There are dedicated areas across your chosen shoe website where you can view available promos. Just make sure not to expect that they are applied automatically to your purchase. Some online stores require you to pick which ones you would want to utilize.

E-commerce giant, Amazon, needs consumers to enter a gift card, voucher, or promotional code on its checkout page by themselves. Meanwhile, platforms limited to a set of countries offer more organic options. Shopee and Lazada which are mostly available for southeast Asian countries feature readily redeemable vouchers.

For a more advantageous experience, knowing which sites to look into is the ultimate game-changer. Some promos cannot be readily seen in online shopping apps, but do not fret for a few clicks on the web will do the trick.

News and blogging websites have a dedicated section for discount codes and sought-after deals to boost traffic. The Verge, which is Vox Media’s tech-review arm, has its listed approvals on Verge Deals. The site offers lower prices from major retailers for your next gadget. It is a great habit to check the sites below from time to time.

Memberships from commercial institutions, insurance policies, and banks involve incentives such as exclusive deals and discounts. Credit and debit cards have their own perks depending on the issuing bank and the nature of the card. These perks are usually made known to cardholders through personal messages and emails.

Answering surveys from start-ups or as a form of feedback is also an excellent way to garner personal vouchers. Feedbacks are essential to any starting business, so companies are willing to compensate those who share experiences on dabbling with their platforms.

How to use vouchers and discount codes?

1. Have the right mindset

Always think that you can get it for less. It is easy to get overly excited and just check out your orders quickly. However, e-commerce works by giving you products of similar sorts to those you’ve just checked. Most often than not, you will encounter the exact same item once again, so it is best to make everything you can and cut yourself a better deal.

2. Check for applicable promos to your purchase both in-store and platform-wide

Sometimes, a few more scrolls won’t hurt. Platforms have a great way of promoting their promos by creating marketing trends like sales on days similar to the order of the month. Brands also work on selling their products. In-store promos can be redeemed just like any vouchers as long as minimum requirements are met.

3. Scan third-party websites for vouchers and discount codes

News and blogging websites along with some coupon companies are life-savers when it comes to discounts. Make sure to check them for some exclusive deals. Additionally, stop and think if you have received recent incentives from your memberships. Quickly look into your emails and personal messages.

4. Make sure to apply these vouchers when checking out

All your collected vouchers will go in vain if you will not click and apply them. You are lucky if they automatically did it for you, but it is not the case most times. For discount codes, you will have to copy and paste them.

5. Check out!

Enjoy your waiting game calmly and guilt-free knowing that you have just made yourself into a certified online shopping savvy.

Pro-tip

You can use multiple vouchers in one purchase! If there is anything better than a discount, that would be an additional discount. Terms and conditions apply to vouchers, so it is good practice to check if it is possible.

It can go lower than the price tag!

Bottom line, there are a lot of ways to pay cheaper than what is stated. E-commerce did the job by providing ease and tools in making your shopping experience less of a hassle. Just as you think that it will not get any better, there are many vouchers and discount codes across the internet that are waiting for you to enjoy. By paying less, you can focus your hard earned-money on affording things that matter more.

Check out these links for more exclusive deals!

The Art of Productivity: Ways on How to Avoid Cramming

streetsmartmasterclass

2 Aug, 2021

At the beginning of every semester, cram fighters often get in the hang of procrastination simply by binge-watching series, hanging out with friends, or even scrolling through their phones. But let’s admit that this is an unhealthy habit for everyone that can lead to cramming.

Considering the fact that cramming is what students usually do before their exams, it is deemed ineffective. Pulling an all-nighter can result in stress, anxiety, and poor retention of learnings.

If you want to get rid of this character, then worry no more! Here, we will introduce to you cramming — its definition and adverse effects. Also, this article will revolve around tips on how to overcome it during exam season.

Cramming, in the light of studying

The cram definition, according to a dictionary, is to prepare for an exam abruptly until it is due to begin. With limited time to study, learners usually tend to overload themselves with information.

This technique might be too overwhelming for some. Since students need to comprehend all of the learning in such a short period of time, they end up memorizing rather than understanding the material.

As much as we incorporate this method in studying, the cramming meaning also encompasses various downsides that can affect our well-being. Some of these include tiredness, unable to concentrate, bad sleeping and eating habits, and incapable of understanding the topics.

Ways on How to Avoid Cramming

In cram definition, effects rendered by exam-cram can be highly dreadful to our overall health condition. Luckily, there are numerous tips on how to avoid cramming, and these are considered student-friendly and time-effective.

Don’t procrastinate at all costs

According to cramming meaning, procrastination is the root cause of cramming among cram fighters. Not only studying is the biggest challenge among students, but also when do they begin to review.

The best way to recalibrate your procrastination level is to start early. Reviewing immediately maximizes your ability to learn the concepts proficiently. Students can be productive as they start to do things early, regardless of the degree of their progress.

Manage your time wisely

In considering all aspects of our daily routine, time is considered as the most essential one. Time management can aid you in organizing everything in place. Devoting most of your time to one task can be too overwhelming, as you need to accomplish other work.

When reviewing, it is best to effectively distribute your schedule into parts— as consuming time on a big scale might be too exhausting especially in exam cram. Also, include beneficial strategies, such as the Pomodoro technique. These strategies provide helpful impact as it provides partitions between schedules.

Organize and plan ahead

Having a ton of workload is exhausting, especially for cram fighters. And not knowing what to start first can cause panic to us even if we start early. That’s why organizing and planning ahead is the first step in studying effectively.

Start by listing all of the activities you would want to accomplish, and rank them according to priority. It is highly recommended that you balance the workload each day so that it will not be tiring for you. Also, organize and plan your activities wisely, or else you will end up procrastinating.

In doing this, you might want to purchase a planner— if you prefer spending money and writing your plans with a pen. Creating your digital planner in an application like Notion can be an alternative if you like doing it through a gadget.

In rewriting and annotating, we trust

Reviewing is not always about reading and comprehending, rewriting and annotating should be considered too. Usually, we read information-heavy notes, and this can be time-consuming on our part. These two are highly effective strategies to retain information easily.

In rewriting, it is vital to not write everything down. Choosing the main ideas, important concepts, and summarizing are the key points in productive note-taking. In addition, making use of graphic organizers, and mind maps are advantageous in connecting the relationships of the concepts.

On the other hand, annotation usually begins with scanning, skimming, and reading the material. Through this process, you can conveniently mark all the necessary points by underlining and encircling. Try using vibrant colors for various kinds of information, if you are going to highlight them.

F is for focus

One of the enemies of students while studying is they easily get distracted. In this case, their attention is diverted into something rather than reviewing. If you opt to stay away from this habit, then focus on your studying sessions.

To concentrate while reviewing, avoid all distractions that may hinder your productivity. Social media, game applications, and mobile phones are some examples of it.

To deal with this kind of dilemma, you may turn off your mobile phone or even do a social media detox. Finding a study space with a calm environment is efficient for an individual as it is conducive to learning.

Studying smarter than ever

As the popular phrase goes, studying harder to pass, is overused and debunked as it requires you to invest more time in studying. Since this is deemed to be more ineffective, an individual must focus on studying smarter.

Incorporating resourceful tips while reviewing can be a big help to alleviate your difficulties. For instance, if you find yourself struggling with the memorization of terms, creating flashcards is an appropriate instrument for you to practice.

Through determining which approach is suitable for your studying habit, it will aid in decreasing the time you allot in learning.

The mindset of cram fighters tends to incline towards cramming as a significant practice in digesting the learnings. Although exam cram is popular these days, it can result in poor academic productivity and risk in well-being as time goes by. One must incorporate smart and healthy habits in studying.

Are you aiming to be productive every day and you are browsing the internet on what to do? Luckily, in our article, we are providing you a printable planner for your daily schedule to keep on track.

Daily-Planner Download

Weekly-Planner Download