Do you have ongoing disagreements with your partner about the level of organization or lack thereof in your household? We all have different expectations for how tidy our home should be. These expectations can often be a result of the environment in which we were raised. Was it cluttered or tidy? If you grew up … Read more
It suddenly occurred to me as I was putting away a few things in my own home that not everyone is a fan of putting stuff away. I mean, really, why put something away if you are just going to use it again? How do you know whether to put something away or leave it … Read more
I hope this post finds you all safe and healthy during this challenging time. I know that many of you are home following the guidelines set by our government and health experts as we all work to overcome this virus together. I am willing to guess that some of you may be feeling stressed and … Read more
Do you find that some days your stuff weighs you down? You’re not alone. When I work with a client for a significant amount of time, whether several days in a row or spread out over several months, it seems like we’re shifting the weight and feeling lighter as we declutter and organize. During these … Read more
I can organize pretty much anything. The exception are cords and cables for electronic and computer devices. It’s as though I have a mental block when it comes to turning that tangled mess beneath the desk. Usually, when I see chaos, I can’t wait to dig in, sort, purge and set up a nicely organized … Read more
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
I was able to tag along on a trip to the world’s largest furniture market. In three and a half days, we visited thirty showrooms, and that was less than ten percent of the total. Yes, indeed, that is a lot of home décor! It was certainly a quality experience in many ways. Twice a … Read more
When people find out I’m a Professional Organizer, they often ask me, “So, do you work with hoarders?” First of all, the correct term is hoarding disorder. (We don’t label people). I believe it’s very important for all of us to understand that hoarding disorder is a mental health issue. In fact, collecting, shopping and … Read more
I attended an excellent presentation at the Nova Scotia Interior Decorators Association. As part of our Annual General Meeting and Professional Development Day, our guest speaker was Andrea Smith, Executive Director of Teichert Gallery in Halifax. Andrea shared her knowledge of how to introduce original art into our lives, general rules for hanging and lighting … Read more
Over a few weeks, I worked with a family on a downsizing project. It made me reflect on the importance of focus. In this situation, four siblings cleared out the family home their parents lived in for 50 years. Recently, one parent passed away, and the other can no longer live alone. The family home … Read more
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
Over the years, I’ve worked on many big organizing jobs and designed and renovated some significant spaces. But sometimes, small, satisfying projects have the most impact – especially a client is super excited about a new closet. Who would have thought that a six-foot closet makeover could change someone’s day-to-day life? Well, you use your … Read more
Everything in life seems to come back to deciding what matters most. As long as your home and office are organized ‘enough’ so that you can function effectively and enjoy your space, forget about what others may think and go with what works for you.