Hack the Litter Box 

The litter box is going to be your biggest challenge if you own a cat. Fortunately, a lot of outlets now provide self-cleaning litter boxes. Purchasing one of these will reduce the frequency of your trips to the dumpster. There are also many stylish litter box designs that you can find which help to "hide" the litter box in plain sight. Don't forget the accessories like a mat for your kitty to wipe its feet.

Storing Pet Food 

Speaking of blending in, those big and bulky sacks of pet food don't exactly go with the decor in most Chicago apartments, do they? Plus, where do you store those big sacks? You can purchase sealable plastic cereal containers and divide the food up to those. This will help keep your pet's dry food fresh and allows you to tuck the containers away out of sight in a cupboard. For a bigger investment, you can find stainless steel containers that are airtight and specifically built for pet food. 

Pet Hair Hacks

​​​​​​​If you have a pet that sheds, here are some tricks for dealing with pet hair. Purchase a paint roller and wrap some duct tape around it with the sticky side out. This gives you a much bigger surface area than a lint roller, so you can pick up stray hair much faster. Some brands of disinfectant wipes are now made specifically for hair as well. They're great for wiping down windowsills and countertops where you might not normally see stray pet hair. Plus, these pick up a lot of pet allergens in your apartment.

Pets are extremely common in apartments in Chicago, so chat with other pet owners to learn additional tips. And if you know someone looking for an apartment right now, don't forget to refer them to the leasing office at 866-473-1997.

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Less Is More 

Discarding things is always going to be one of the worst parts of cleaning a closet. Despite the fact that you haven't used something (or even thought about it) for years, it can be tough to let go. After Marie Kondo's theories went viral, everyone's been asking themselves if their things "spark joy." This question is a great way for you to make up your mind about whether to keep something or get rid of it altogether. If you're not immediately feeling positive about the item, it's best to trash or donate it. (You can also consider reusing it for something else.) If you're still having a really difficult time sorting things out, consider dividing everything into piles. Turning a big mess into a smaller mess can make it easier to tackle one thing at a time. 

Rearrange and Prioritize 

Look for places in your apartment other than your closet in which you can store things. For example, you can put your clothes in storage containers and pop them under the bed. Or put your board games in your living room, where they're more likely to get attention. Use hangers and shoe racks to save space and spare your clothes and footwear: Hangers limit the number of wrinkles, and racks save your shoes from being piled on top of one another. You can also thread your scarves through shower rings in an effort to both separate them and put them on display. 

Cleaning out and organizing a closet may take some time, but you'll be glad when you're no longer confronted with a major mess confined to one area of your apartment. If you're looking for a place in Chicago, Illinois with an even bigger closet, give North Harbor Tower a call today. We can help you find a new home to call your own.

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1. Commit to Your Routines 

Whether you want to learn another language, master your kitchen or pay your bills on time, you have to set standing routines. The point of a schedule isn’t to constrict you; it’s to get you in the habit of doing things that you may not want to do. Routines do take some degree of experimentation to get right, but all people need to utilize them to get more done. Try limiting your use of technology during your productivity blocks, so you’re less likely to veer off course. 

2. Take Breaks 

Taking breaks is a way for you to give your brain a rest when you’re starting to feel resentful of the task in front of you. And while you need to be careful that your breaks don’t cause you to abandon the project altogether, a little freedom can go a long way toward increasing your overall productivity. Ideally, you’ll take breaks around the same time every day (according to your routines), but the reality is that breaks can’t always be on a regular time schedule. 

3. Be Nice

Productivity at home is a lifelong pursuit, and that means you have time to get it right. No matter how many times you fall off the wagon and how many projects fall by the wayside, the point is to get back up and keep trying. You’ll learn more about which hobbies fulfill you and how you can work them into your daily life. 

The apartments in Chicago are always going to be more valuable if you’re taking time out for yourself. If you’re looking for an apartment complex that values self-improvement as much as you do, call North Harbor Towers today. We can help you find a space that will put you in the mood to do more.  

The post 3 Tips to Reduce Stress and Improve Your Productivity at Home appeared first on North Harbor Tower Blog.

1. Start Small

The bigger your plans, the more likely you are to get overwhelmed and abandon ship early on. If you're trying to hit the gym more, try to go once or twice a week until you feel confident enough to increase your visits. If you're trying to quit smoking, understand that most people don't quit cold turkey; they wean themselves off cigarettes slowly.

No matter what you're trying to do, you'll likely be more successful if you start slowly.

2. Seek a Friend With Similar Goals

Accountability is huge when you're trying to change the way you do things in life. Having someone who understands what you're going through can mean the difference between giving up and trying harder.

If no one in your immediate circle shares your goals, look online for groups of people who are going through the same things you are. Online support groups can literally save your resolution if you find the right folks to talk to.

3. Be Accountable

What does it take to make you stick to your plan? Maybe you need to write it down on actual paper. Perhaps you need to set reminders on your phone.

Everyone's accountability factors are different. By finding accountability measures that resonate best with your unique personality, you'll ensure greater possibilities for success.

4. Let Some Stuff Slide

You can't be perfect all the time; if you were, you wouldn't be human. Don't beat yourself up about the small stuff. Instead, celebrate the moments when you've really made a difference. You can make up for the stuff you didn't get done another day.

Don't let 2019 pass you by without obtaining an apartment that's perfect for your lifestyle. At North Harbor Towers, our community was built for busy people like you. Stop by our Chicago apartment homes for a personal tour of your new home. We can't wait to meet you!

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