As a Professional Organizer with 20 years experience, I have been asked many times what to do with the china collection that has never been used. After all, it’s a collection and those aren’t actually meant be touched at all, are they? Well, that’s an ongoing debate if you are trying to become more organized … Read more
If you are embracing a minimalist lifestyle and are obsessed, like I am, with tiny homes, small spaces and living with less, this post will definitely be of interest to you. After all these years working in design and helping clients declutter and organize their lives, I know that less definitely gives you more. More … 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
In the winter do you normally hunker down and wait for spring before you tackle any major decluttering projects? I wonder if you drag yourself up off the sofa and take a look around the house for some of those ‘clutter hotspots’ and work to banish them once and for all. Before you do that … 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
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
If you haven’t watched it, I’m sure you’ve heard people talking about it. “Tidying Up” with Marie Kondo is a Netflix series that has been viewed by millions, millions of her books have been sold and she has even introduced her own line of storage boxes. Hmmm….isn’t that adding stuff back into your life? And now there’s … 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 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
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
Every once in a while, I discover a new obsession when it comes to buying, keeping, and organizing stuff. If you are a regular reader, you will know that I discovered The Minimalists a couple of years ago and have been a faithful follower of the movement ever since. I continue to embrace minimalism in … Read more