Spring is here and while the end of the school year is still a few months away, now is a good time to think about transitions with teens.
  Sometimes transitions can be difficult depending on what's happening.
  It might be the end of term, graduation, going to a new school, or just moving into summer.
Transitions are often opportunities for getting better organized.
  Teens may be looking forward to what's ahead and need to get their space organized to better support them in those new activities.
  It's possible, too, that there is some reluctance to let go of the past.
  Creative options can help! Here are some tips to help teens get their rooms better organized: Pick a metaphor:  Help them Identify with what they want and who they are.
  Making it fun can energize the experience.
Encourage your teen to pick a metaphor or name an "action hero or heroine" that identifies who they want to be or imagine they are.
  Add to "the story" by identifying what they need for the role and why it's important.
  This starts the sorting process.
  Staying with the image will help them to set aside what they don't need and can pack up or toss out.
  Maybe creating another metaphor or story for the person they were can help them separate out the things they won't need in their new life going forward.
Create "time delay capsules".
  Creating TDCs can help in the transition, especially if your teen is not quite ready to let go of things.
  Putting long loved items into a box and storing them in the basement or attic can often be the stopgap that helps teens through the transition.
  This way things can get moved out of their (crowded?) room and are just placed on hold.
  The idea is that you date the box and also set a date to open it.
  A year is a good time frame, but whatever they agree to is fine.
  When the open date comes around, they can decide if they are ready to let go of the stuff or set a new check in date.
  Seasonal swap.
  A simple tip for clothes hanging in the closet is to switch out clothes in the spring and fall.
  Have your teen review and toss out what they don't wear and can let go of.
  "Use it, love it, can't live without it" is the motto.
As they hang things up that they plan to keep, reverse the hangers so that the hooks are on the rod backwards.
  Next fall, they can see what they have worn or not by which way the hangers are placed.
  Try these ideas with your teens to help them through transitions and get better organized.
  Making it fun will make it easier for you and your teen!