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
Each new year gives us yet another chance for a fresh start. Maybe now is the time to ask yourself how you can live the next year in the best possible way. What goals can you set to help you have a happy and successful year? And more importantly, how can you make time to … Read more
Most of us face dealing with other people’s possessions at some point in our lives. It could be our parents’ stuff if they need move to a senior care residence. It could be another family member’s belongings if they sadly pass away. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to help many of my … Read more
It’s done. The move is behind us. Moving is one of the top three most stressful events in your life. I don’t know how some people move over and over and over. We are absolutely exhausted and don’t want to do it again any time soon, that’s for sure. There are so many moves in … Read more
Small space design, especially on a budget, requires a creative approach to blending esthetics and functionality. When my boyfriend sold his four-bedroom house and moved into a 500-square-foot apartment, I enjoyed the challenge and opportunity to help him style his new home. The only things he took from the house were a double bed and … Read more
Have you found something in your home and asked yourself, “You kept what for the last 30 years?” The habit of collecting, storing, and struggling to discard “stuff” is incredibly common, and honestly, quite fascinating. In fact, humans are naturally wired to collect things, even though they might not be particularly valuable or meaningful. These … Read more
As you begin your decluttering and downsizing journey, setting yourself up for success is very important. Positive thinking can help. Downsizing can be a challenging process at times because there is a lot of mental and physical work. You’ll also deal with various emotions – yours and those of your family members. Focus on making … 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
I think there is life-changing magic in the most basic of organizing principles. It’s known as “a place for everything.” Since I started working as a professional organizer in 2003, I have shared this phrase as one of the keys to successfully organizing our homes, offices—and lives. We “professionals” tend to glibly throw out these … Read more
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
The Minimalists posted an essay on their blog entitled “Prepared to Walk Away.” I have been reading their work for a few years, but for some reason, this piece struck a cord. I started thinking and asking myself the same question. Could I walk away from everything in my life? Well, no, I can’t. Could you? I could … Read more
When you put something down as a reminder to do something, do you eventually walk past it without noticing it? Perhaps you have piles of magazines in your office to remind you to read them, but you no longer “see” them. In fact, they seemingly blend right in with the furniture. Maybe stepping over the … Read more
In 1950, the average size of a family home was approximately 1,000 square feet. By 1970, it had increased to 1,500 square feet and to 2,200 square feet by the year 2000. In 2023, it was just over 2,400 square feet. So, the question is, how much room does one person really need? If we … Read more
“It’s so much more than just a move… Making a move at any age can be difficult and stressful. After 30, 40, or even 50 years in your current home, the process of rightsizing and relocating to a new home is overwhelming.” ~ NASMM I used to assume that people who downsized to a smaller home, condo, … Read more
If you haven’t watched it yet, you’ve probably heard people talking about it. Tidying Up with Marie Kondo became a Netflix sensation. The mini-series has millions of viewers, and Kondo has sold millions of books. She even has her own line of beautifully designed storage boxes. (Yes, I see the irony too… aren’t we trying … 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
All the talk about the necessity for creative storage solutions in tiny houses is true. I have had to use some innovative thinking for a challenging storage project I’m working on. A friend has a small home (about 700 square feet) with tiny rooms. The only storage areas are a four-foot-wide closet in her bedroom and a … 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
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 absolutely love furnishing tiny spaces to maximize storage and functionality. However, finding furniture pieces that fit is often challenging. I’ve been hunting for a 12-inch-wide bedside table with a drawer and shelf on the bottom for several weeks. It’s amazing how much time a person can spend looking for the right piece, especially if … Read more