This quote says it all: “Don’t let the past steal your present.“ As a professional organizer and interior decorator, I often see homes stuck in the past, rather than becoming beautiful, welcoming spaces that reflect and support homeowners’ present lives. What Are You Holding Onto? A lot of us hold onto items from the past. Sometimes … Read more
Minimalism sometimes gets a bad reputation. Perhaps it’s because minimalist décor is now considered “out,” and being out of style isn’t something most of us want. Many people also worry that choosing minimalism means giving up everything and living in a stark and uninviting home. Fortunately, that is not true. Here are a few easy … Read more
You may be surprised to hear a Professional Organizer say it isn’t worth the time and effort to achieve picture-perfect home organization. I’m talking about the images you see online or in your favourite magazine, where everything is flawless. In my opinion, you should let go of the idea that your home should look picture-perfect. … 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 you already have these problems, you can fix them right away and have a more organized … 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
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
As I have studied and tried to embrace a more minimalist lifestyle, my mind has often turned to our need for possessions and how they are related to what we buy, where we buy and how much we buy. How often do we stop and think about why we are buying something? Do we think … Read more
I’ve written about the benefits of bringing less stuff into your house, how you can do more with your life when you own less, and the connection between simplicity and minimalism. And now, a few thoughts to share on the concept of “a life with less.” In a podcast by The Minimalists, this important fact … Read more
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
I came across a blog post recently that was all about how we sabotage our own happiness. For instance, something that makes me happy right now is that it’s summer. Yippee! I know one thing right off the bat that might sabotage that happiness – a complaint that it’s too hot. I implore you, don’t do it. Enjoy the … 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
Alright, people, there is not much time left before the magic season is upon us. Gather your holiday mojo and get ready for my gift-giving tips. Have you ever noticed how this time of year, while full of joy and celebration, can also generate tonnes of clutter? I read a blog post from The Minimalists … 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
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