Well-being

Don’t Miss Season 2 of “The Big Downsize”

As we enter our third month of dealing with COVID-19 and we try to process  the horrific events of the April 19th weekend in Nova Scotia, I am sure, like me, you are all struggling with staying positive and feeling hopeful for a better future. Now, more than ever, perhaps you need to escape from … Read more

Clutter and Your Brain

I recently came across an article I saved from 2013 about clutter and how it affects your brain.  I have most certainly written about this topic before but some of the research cited by the author of the piece, Mikael Cho, is quite fascinating. He discovered, as I and many of my clients have, that reducing … Read more

Why is stuff on the floor?

I’m wondering…if I was to take a peek in your garage, basement, storage room, or even your closets, would I see stuff strewn all over the floor?  I’m willing to bet in many cases I would.  It’s like the stuff exploded and then grew as it lay there seemingly without you doing anything.  I know, it’s kinda freaky. Well, … Read more

Are You Wasting Time on the Latest Tool?

I don’t know about you, but the more I learn about technology and tools for organizing and productivity, the more confused I become. Sometimes I feel like I’m wasting time on the latest tool. Do you have a tendency to download the newest one, try it for a few days, and then give up? I’m sure I … Read more

Can You Take a Break from Holiday Traditions?

In the last newsletter we wrote about getting back into routines.  This month, as I think ahead to the Holiday season, I am going to ask you to consider breaking from routines or traditions. Don’t get me wrong, if you have traditions that you truly enjoy, please stick to them. What I want you to ask … Read more

The Weight of Stuff

Do you find that some days your stuff weighs you down? When I have the chance to work with clients for a significant amount of time, whether that’s several days in a row or spread out over a number of months, it does feel as though their home gets lighter.  During these decluttering projects we may … Read more

Simplifying Thanksgiving

It seems like suddenly it’s October and time to tackle Thanksgiving.  I know, the expression “time flies” is such a cliché, but sometimes it seems like to really does fly.  For some of us holidays can be quite overwhelming, especially when we’re already so busy with everyday life events and a busy job or home schedule.  One … Read more

A Shift in Seasonal Routines

Summer is all about relaxing your regular routine just a little. Later bedtimes and easy mornings.  BBQing, camping, swimming, boating.  Just being outdoors.  While some welcome the routines of the late summer with the return to work and school, others find the end of summer daunting at best.  As summer draws to a close, the following tips may ease … Read more

I Can’t Get Organized!

I came across an article I’ve been saving that really has nothing to do with organizing, “I won’t I won’t I won’t – you can’t make me” by Carl Duivenvorden.  However, the point he makes about the difference between “can’t” and “won’t” has everything to do with organizing. So many times clients have said to me, … Read more

Out of Your Mind

“If you think unruly and unfocused committees in your company or your community can be a frustrating waste of time, try the one in your head.” ~ David Allen According to statistics, busy professionals have an average of 200 hours of uncompleted work at any one time.  Wow. Add to that all of the commitments we … Read more

Turns out . . . it’s not just about the stuff!

“You can never get enough of what you don’t really need . . .” ~ Eric Hoffer A few years ago, I travelled to California where I spent 3 days in Palm Springs fueling my obsession with mid-century modern design, and the following 3 days attending my first National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) conference … Read more

Tidying Up and The Big Downsize

If you haven’t watched it, I’m sure you’ve heard people talking about it.  “Tidying Up” with Marie Kondo is a Netflix series that has been viewed by millions, millions of her books have been sold and she has even introduced her own line of storage boxes.  Hmmm….isn’t that adding stuff back into your life? And now there’s … Read more

Clutter + Stuck = Letting Go

I believe that all of the physical objects in your life have an energy, either positive or negative. Therefore the energy of the objects in your surroundings affects how you feel and how you live your life.  As you release objects with negative energy, the energy in your space shifts and you are able to change … Read more

Too Messy to be a Minimalist?

I watched a video of a girl who felt she was too messy to be a minimalist, then she “Tried Minimalism for a Week.” She interviewed Ryan and Josh, The Minimalists, to better understand what a minimalist lifestyle means. Next, she packed up everything she owned except a few essentials and set off on her … Read more

Finding the Right Motivation

Yes, I know that you know that getting enough exercise and enough sleep are good for you. Why on earth do I need to bring it up again? What if you’ve been struggling with checking things off your list, moving projects forward at home and work, and generally being productive? Perhaps the latest apps, the … Read more