Did you know nearly 75% of people can’t put a car in their garage? I know, it’s shocking, isn’t it? I’m guessing that you had to have a garage to put the car in when you were house shopping. This is especially true of Canadians because clearing snow and ice off your car on cold, … Read more
Today I am sharing a few things clients have tried over the years. These are five organizing pitfalls to avoid because they don’t work. I’m telling you now so you can implement better solutions right from the start. If already have these problems, you can fix them right away. This will lead you to have … Read more
I hate to admit it, but September is here, which means Fall is upon us very soon. That means it’s time to revisit your wardrobe and do a good purge of your clothing closet. Here are some tips to help get you on your way. Start by pulling everything out of the closet – and … Read more
My organizing clients ask me all the time about selling or donating items that they no longer want or need. I know it is difficult to accept that most of what you paid a lot of money for years ago is no longer valuable. There are exceptions to that for sure. Here are some helpful … Read more
I am not a professionally trained stager, but after 20 years of helping my clients move, I do know that decluttering your home is the first step to preparing it for sale. Even if you’re not selling, pretend you are staging and see how it feels. It will definitely be more open and inviting and … Read more
Are you thinking of moving and getting super stressed about where to start? During my career as a Professional Organizer, I have helped dozens of clients prepare for their move, unpack, and set up their new homes. With that experience in mind, here are four things you should consider when planning your move to a … Read more
In Nova Scotia, we have just spent the last four months or so hunkering down and for some of us that means we collect stuff. After all, it’s only natural to squirrel away our belongings during the long winter months. But now it’s Spring and I’m not sure about you, but I’m feeling the urge … Read more
Have you ever had that feeling that some rooms you enter just don’t ‘feel right’? That is usually due to energy being out of balance. There should be a perfect balance of light and dark, known as Yin and Yang. Read more about it . . . I would like you to think about the … Read more
At some point in my 20 years of working as a Professional Organizer I began to notice just how much your childhood experiences with ‘stuff’ can affect your success or lack thereof with managing stuff in adulthood. It’s not an unusual phenomenon but it may be difficult to change your behavior and relationship with stuff … Read more
I was recently working with a client changing out seasonal clothing. We packed away summer clothing and brought winter wear out of storage. It got me thinking about the pros and cons of this process and how it might be simplified. The Benefits It’s an opportunity to take inventory and determine what fits, what’s worn, … Read more
You would think that someone such as myself who is considered by all accounts to live a fairly minimal existence would very easily be able to pick up and move. Well… much to my dismay that doesn’t appear to be the case. Yes indeed, I am moving after just over three years of living in … Read more
I am quite sure, like me, you know someone or many people who have kept everything that has come into their life for years and years and years. The cycle of collecting and discarding “stuff” has always fascinated me. We humans seem to be wired to collect things. All sorts of things. Things like: Those … 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
As I spend time talking to clients about letting go of excess and taking control of their stuff – and their lives, I become more fascinated with how we can do more with less. It seems counter-intuitive, but here are a few examples to explain. Healthy Eating I helped a client get rid of all … Read more
“Less house, more home.” –Joshua Becker, Becoming Minimalist In 1950 the average size of a family home was 1,000 square feet. That increased to 1,500 square feet by 1970 and to 2,200 square feet by the year 2000. If I do a calculation based on the average family with 2 adults and 2 children, for some reason 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
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