Posts by Jill Annis | Simply Organized
Try this if you hate sorting papers, decluttering, and making decisions
I hate this! {declared my client} Excuse me? This is NOT something I want to hear while organizing with a client. I saw she was overwhelmed, annoyed and frustrated about the boxes of memorabilia, mostly papers, we discovered. It felt like an impossible feat for her to sort it all out. She wanted to…
Read MoreOrganizing is emotional
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…
Read MoreBuying it, even when you like it, might not be the best decision
I was A F R A I D of this bike but I accepted my friend’s invitation to try it anyway. It’s not an ordinary bike, my friend owns an e-bike (electric). A bike with a throttle among other powerful features which scared me a bit. No one has ever called me a thrill-seeking daredevil.…
Read MoreAre you ready for overnight guests?
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…
Read MoreTime management: How to say “no” when you feel obligated to say “yes”
Are you saying yes when you really want to say no? It’s hard for most of us to say no, especially when a favor is asked and you don’t want to let someone down. What if you changed your perception from when you respond to a request with a “no” you are being callous and…
Read MoreHow to make decisions based on truth not fear
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…
Read MoreYour children are watching
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.…
Read MoreUse this checklist before you leave home on vacation
Vacations are much anticipated and often necessary to recharge and reboot. It can be stressful to prepare to leave, especially for adults with homes. There’s a lot to remember to do in order to ensure your home is ready to be unoccupied, yet appear occupied for a time period. Remove some of the pre-vacation stress…
Read MoreHow to declutter and decide to let go with confidence
Decisions are easy……said no one! As you declutter and downsize, you’ll be faced with lots of decisions. I’ve created a list for you to refer to when you’re undecided or you feel stuck. Use this list to guide you and help you let go of your excess things. Toss, recycle, donate or sell the item…
Read MoreSimple tips to declutter your overflowing email inbox
It’s not uncommon to have hundreds or even thousands of emails waiting for attention or action. My inbox comfort level tends to be about 15 emails. If you’re overwhelmed by hundreds or thousands of emails, use these simple strategies that I’ve found effective. Delete, delete, delete! Get rid of anything you don’t need. I check…
Read MoreHow to have an organized and clutter-free kitchen
Contrary to what you might think, your kitchen can be organized even though it’s a high traffic area and a drop zone. Clear countertops and tidy storage spaces might be a task you’ve put off and it will take an effort to maintain but it’s worth it. I find cooking is a bit more tolerable when…
Read MoreIdeas for organizing and storing artwork created by your children
What in the world do you do with the special art your children created? It piles up quickly, especially during their pre-school and elementary years. I’d like to offer you some options for saving artwork created by your kids or grandkids. First, be extremely selective by saving only the cream of the crop. Ask yourself, are all…
Read More3 vital organized habits you need to adopt to live a more organized life
Uncover the organized person within you. Believe it or not, we are all capable of living a more organized life. I’m going to reveal three vital organizing practices I teach my clients that may encourage you to embrace better habits. 1. Edit your possessions until they fit their intended space. When everything fits into your available…
Read MoreYou won’t believe what turns up while decluttering with clients
Has clutter concealed money in your home? You’ll find out once you start sorting through your papers, boxes, and piles. My clients have discovered thousands of dollars hidden among clutter in their homes. People are thrilled when we find sizable checks they thought were lost forever. We’ve also found loose change and bills. We once…
Read MorePractical tips for organizing your home maintenance records
If you own a home, you know that a home requires care and upkeep in the form of repairs, renovations and regular maintenance. There are systems you can put in place to organize home maintenance paperwork including receipts, service providers and projects. Your first consideration when organizing home maintenance items is to decide whether you…
Read MoreInstant decluttering tips for a cleaner home
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…
Read More7 winning 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…
Read More5 ways to start organizing when you’re overwhelmed
It’s not uncommon to dread the organizing process and feel paralyzed. I’m sharing my best tips to help you go from overwhelmed to organized in the next 3 blog posts. Start small. Choose a very tiny area to start, like one drawer, or commit to organizing for a short amount of time (15 minutes every week).…
Read MoreUnique holiday gift ideas for every person on your list
With gift-giving season upon us, you might like these nifty options that won’t add clutter to the recipient’s life. Requests: Ensure your gift will be put to use and enjoyed by asking the recipient for their wish list. If you don’t want to spill the beans and ask them directly for ideas, enlist the help of…
Read MoreWhat you definitely need to do before buying bulk quantities
Before you buy an enormous package of toilet paper or a colossal container of berries from your local warehouse club store consider these factors. Do you have room in your home to store your bulk purchases, including the frozen and refrigerated items? Carefully ponder where you will put each and every item you place in…
Read MoreA calm holiday season: Yes, it is possible!
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…
Read MoreHow 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…
Read MoreHow to transition you clothing closet for fall
Fall is here. Is your wardrobe ready for the changing weather? If the answer is no, use these handy tips to help you transition your closet into fall. Make sure you check your winter wardrobe before cold weather sets in. Try everything on, especially the pieces you have doubts about. Do all your pieces fit? Will…
Read MoreHow to downsize and declutter without being ruthless
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…
Read MoreChoosing the right hangers for an organized closet
Wire hangers aren’t your only options for keeping your clothing clean, wrinkle-free and off the floor. Let’s go over the different hanger options and their functions. Wire hangers, in my opinion, have one function, transporting clothing from the dry cleaner to your home. After the items are home, switch to another type of hanger if…
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