Organizing is emotional

compassionate organizing

I noticed there was a change of plans when my client met me at her door with two outdoor seat cushions and a cup of coffee in her hand. She needed time to enjoy the beautiful morning and chat for a bit.  I realized organizing was gonna have to wait. Doing nothing is a challenge for…

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Are you ready for overnight guests?

remove clutter in spare room

She had a sofa for a guest to sleep on but let’s just say the guest room was a bit neglected.  Here’s the thing…. guests were due to arrive and she was paralyzed by overwhelm.  She was feeling the external pressure to transform that space. I was thrilled she reached out for my help clearing…

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How to make decisions based on truth not fear

how to make decisions about your stuff

The decision-making process, or determining what to keep and what not to keep, is fundamental to the organizing process. Many things are kept because of good intentions but when the truth be told, it was kept knowing it would never be used, looked at again or even thought about. Do these situations sound familiar? You’ve…

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Your children are watching

organizing habits

RANSACKED, or at least turned upside down….that’s what I thought when I looked into our teenage daughter’s bedroom. My solution……..keep her door closed. I’m a PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER who helps clients declutter their homes. I know, it doesn’t make any sense. We wanted to give her some autonomy with her space. Here’s what I could control.…

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Instant decluttering tips for a cleaner home

decluttering tips

This is the last my series of tips to help you start eliminating clutter and take you from overwhelmed to organized. Apply the “one-in, one-out” rule to your home. For every item you bring in, one should be donated or discarded. This may need to be modified to one-in, 10-out until your home feels comfortable. Give…

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7 winning organizing strategies

organizing strategies

This week I’m sharing more of my top strategies to help you go from overwhelmed to organized. 1. Use containers while de-cluttering instead of creating piles. You’ll need these clearly labeled containers next to the area you are de-cluttering: donate, sell, trash, recycle, items to keep but go elsewhere and shred. 2. Find a home for…

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A calm holiday season: Yes, it is possible!

holiday organizing

The holiday season is approaching. Here are five things to do now to prepare for the holidays to avoid feeling frantic. Plan: It’s a busy time of year between traveling, work parties, school events, social activities, guests and all the other events that happen during the holidays. Schedule these activities in your calendar so you don’t…

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How to banish bathroom clutter

These common organizing mistakes make it more difficult to banish bathroom clutter. Buying too many health and beauty supplies in advance or making duplicate purchases. I know it’s hard to resist a sale or a lotion with an appealing aroma. You’ve probably found yourself testing new products and before you knew it they were in your…

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How to downsize and declutter without being ruthless

downsize

As a professional organizer, I’ve often used the expression “be ruthless.” My clients and those who follow me are urged to be ruthless while decluttering and making decisions about stuff. After discovering the true definition of ruthless is uncaring, cruel, and cold-blooded, I’m now hesitant to use it. Let’s focus on a kinder expression while…

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