Let’s Be Neighborly

The month of December is Hi Neighbor Month. While I would hope that we could be neighborly all year round, December is a time where we could go the extra mile.

I know we are all incredibly busy right now but taking just a little bit of extra time to connect could mean a lot to someone.

We could:

· Send neighbors a holiday card. While we are doing our cards that are on our regular list, add your neighbors that live near to you. Slip in a note about how glad you are to be in the neighborhood. With so much junk mail coming in, what a pleasant surprise to find a card!

· Take over some cookies or other holiday treat. When you are doing your baking, do another dozen or so and put the treats on a simple festive plastic dish that they don’t have to return and take them to some of your neighbors. I always do this for my neighbors on each side of me and across the street.

· Help a neighbor out. For older neighbors, bring their trash cans back from the street for them. If you see a neighbor struggling with putting up lights or decorations, give them a hand. I know I couldn’t do it alone but am lucky enough to have a son I can call on.

· Have a neighborhood party – roast marshmallows around a fire or have an open house.

· Give a call to check in to see if they need an errand run or help of some sort. Last year during a power outage, our next-door neighbor on one side still had power. When she realized we did not have power, she strung a power cord over to us and brought over a space heater. Then she came back with a thermos of hot coffee. What a difference that made to us!

· Decorate your home and leave those lights on when school children are out walking to the bus in the dark or neighbors are taking off early to go to work. I like to think that it will start their day off just a little bit better. I know it makes me smile.

By choosing one or more of the ways to brighten a neighbor’s day you will also brighten your own.

Happy Holidays!

If you want help or just some accountability in organizing a project or setting up for the new year, join Diane Quintana and me on our Clear Space For You clutter support group.

Jonda S. Beattie, Professional Organizer owner of Time Space Organization, and co-owner of Release, Repurpose, Reorganize. She is based in the Metro-Atlanta area. As presenter, award-winning author, as well as a retired special education teacher she uses her listening skills, problem solving skills, knowledge of different learning techniques, ADHD specialty, and paper management skills to help clients tackle the toughest organizational issues. Jonda does hands on organizing and virtual organizing. For more of Jonda’s tips connect with her on Facebook.