It’s a great feeling to enjoy the lack of routine over the summer as I did on my vacation to Prince Edward Island. But when my holiday was over, I realized there’s something appealing about returning to established routines as autumn approaches. As children head back to school and work schedules become busier, routines can … Read more
I had an interesting conversation with a client recently. She mentioned how most people are afraid of change and try to avoid it. She was referring to the changes happening at her workplace. However, it made me think about making changes at home. In fact, when we work with clients on home organizing, decorating, and … Read more
Is “get organized” one of your goals for this year, but does organizing your entire home and life seem overwhelming? I suggest starting with something manageable and developing new habits around purchasing “stuff.” No matter how much decluttering and physical organizing you do, continuing to buy more stuff will thwart your efforts. S.P.A.C.E. The S.P.A.C.E. … Read more
I’m not usually one to look back and focus on the past. However, at the end of each calendar year, it is always a good exercise to acknowledge and appreciate everything that happened, good or bad. After all, reflection is the magic of a life well-lived. One of the lessons I learned after over two … Read more
Making lists is incredibly beneficial, especially during busy times like the holiday season. Here’s why lists are an essential organizing tool. Making Lists Provide Clarity and Focus Writing down tasks clears your mind and reduces the chance of missing important details. It also allows you to focus on one task at a time, so you … Read more
When creating a more functional and tidy home, most of us know that we need to declutter to get organized. While these two activities may seem like one and the same, they are not. In fact, these two processes are quite different. Understanding the distinction between decluttering and organizing can help you tackle your home … Read more
Over the summer months, most of us stray from our normal routine, and perhaps our lives are a little less organized, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. A break from routines can be a great time to rethink and reset. As we head into autumn and restart school schedules, consider adopting one or more … Read more
Are you struggling to have a cleaner, more organized, and beautifully decorated home? Maybe you keep moving things around, trying to achieve a cohesive, uncluttered look, and it doesn’t seem to work. And you feel the harder you try, the worse it gets. For over 20 years, I’ve helped clients turn messy, chaotic spaces into … Read more
Getting up earlier to try to get things done may not be the best idea. I’m willing to bet that all you night owls (yes, I am one) are absolutely thrilled to hear that. I don’t know about you but working from home (or at least trying to) during the pandemic has been an eye-opening experience … Read more
I was fortunate to do several interviews with news outlets to promote “The Big Downsize” documentary series. A few of them asked me about the pursuit of minimalism and living a life with less. I believe owning less brings you a sense of freedom and hopefully more money to enjoy experiences instead of stuff. During … Read more
In 2013, author Mikael Cho summarized some research about clutter and your brain. It is quite fascinating. He discovered that decreasing the amount you consume and reducing the amount of stuff you own can help you focus and be more creative. You will also have more time and money for the important things in life. … Read more
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 … Read more
Summer is all about relaxing your regular routine just a little. We enjoy later bedtimes and leisurely mornings, barbequing, camping, swimming, boating, and being outdoors. The power of routines is beneficial, so some people welcome the shift from a chaotic summer to more scheduled days. However, others find the change daunting. As hot, sunny days … Read more
A few years ago, I travelled to California, where I spent three days in Palm Springs, fueling my obsession with mid-century modern design. The following three days, I attended the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) conference. It was overwhelming – in a good way! Imagine, if you will, several hundred organizers who … Read more