Organizing done for you: Come home to a tidy space!

With Dad working from home, and Mom busy with the kids, who’s got time for home organizing? “Do It For Me” organizing can be a great solution. (Photo: Keira Burton from Pexels.)

“Do I have to be here while you’re doing this?” said my client (a busy mom of three). I could hear the overwhelm in her voice.

“No, you don’t have to,” I replied.

“Oh,” she said, with a smile of relief, “that’s great!”

Two styles of home organizing

There are two styles of organizing that you may or may not be familiar with. There is “Do It With Me”, and then there’s “Do It For Me”.

“Do It With Me”. That’s where the professional organizer (me!) and the client (you!) work together, side-by-side. The client makes the decisions, as I guide him or her through the organizing process in a way that works for their space, their lifestyle, and their belongings. I’m there to help with decluttering and sorting, as well as the “where should I put this?” decisions that come afterwards. The end result: an organized space.

“Do It For Me”. That’s where I, the professional organizer, work unsupervised in a client’s home. I’ll do the organizing for them, based on the goals, preferences, and details they’ve has shared with me. Again, the end result is an organized space.

Sometimes you’ll hear talk about how the “Do It For Me” style isn’t as good. “Oh, the client always needs to be involved in the process! Otherwise it’ll all be for naught.” Well, sometimes that can be true. But to declare this as a blanket statement is both incorrect, and unfair.

First of all, although not everyone may have the skills or experience to create a system from scratch, many people do just fine following a system that’s been set up for them (ideally, after discussing their specific goals and needs with the organizer.)

Second, this blanket statement assumes that everybody has the ability to take time off to work with a professional organizer. This is not the case. A professional with a highly demanding job, an overwhelmed mom or dad, a caregiver for an elderly parent—these are just some of the folks who may not have the freedom to “Just take a day off”.

And yet they all deserve an organized, peaceful home that works for them.

The demands of your job may not leave much time for organizing. Giving up your hard-earned weekend to sort things into bins is not the only alternative! (Photo: Rodnae Productions from Pexels.)

How does “Do It For Me” organizing help you?

1) It saves you time. You don’t have to look at your busy schedule, figure out what day or time you can possibly take off, and then devote that time to organizing.

2) It’s convenient. It’s a bit like dropping your car off at the shop, then picking it up after work and the oil has been changed and the tires have been rotated. Only with organizing, it’s even easier because there’s no pickup or drop-off involved.

3) You don’t have to be physically present. I can work unsupervised in one room while you’re in another room working—or I can even work in your home while you are not home. I have clients who are able to buzz me into their home remotely, let me in before they leave for work, or provide me with a key (which is always kept in a secure place when not in use).

“Do It For Me” organizing is certainly not for everyone or every situation. If you feel you have too many things and need to declutter, that means making decisions about what to keep and what to let go. I can’t make those decisions for you, so you must be present and actively participating. On the other hand, if decluttering isn’t your top priority (but creating a system is) then “Do It For Me” can be a great solution for you.

How great would it feel to come home to a tidy space, take off your shoes, and relax? You deserve it! (Photo: Anastasia Shuraeva from Pexels.)

How does “Do It For Me” organizing work?

I don’t create a system in a vacuum, or based on a one-size-fits-all methodology, but only after a detailed conversation with you. During our consultation, I’ll ask you questions, including how you use your space and your belongings, your feelings about what is currently working and what is not working so well, your preferences as to “stuff out” versus “stuff away”, and your tastes as to how things look. I’ll listen carefully to your answers. I’ll also ask you to share photos of your space.

At your home, I’ll apply what you’ve shared with me to create a personalized system just for you. This will involve removing things from where they are stored, sorting things into categories, then replacing things in an organized way that is consistent with the goals and needs you’ve expressed to me.

And yes, I can recommend organizing products that are appropriate for the space, and that fit with your tastes and preferences. However, it’s important to remember that pretty boxes can always be added later. The majority of my clients are most concerned with having a space that works for them and makes their busy lives easier.

After I’ve done the organizing work, I will communicate to you what I’ve done, in writing and/or verbally as well as by using labels and photographs, so that when you return home, you’ll know where things are.

And that’s it! “Do It For Me” in a nutshell—and you get to come home to a peaceful, organized space where you can relax and feel good.

No matter which organizing style (or a combination) is right for you, I’m here to help you get the relief from clutter that you deserve. I’m Kammy, a Chicagoland-based professional organizer. Contact me or text (773) 756-5414 for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

Organizing tips for small kitchens

What to do when kitchen space is limited

Pantry shelves organized for visibility, accessibility, and frequency of use.

My client, a busy HR manager, loves her cosy one bedroom apartment in a historic Chicago neighborhood. The only problem? Space is at a premium, making storage a challenge—especially in the kitchen. We worked together to pare down and organize her kitchen cabinets, using these tips for small spaces:

Keep it visible

Narrow, deep cabinets make it easy to "lose" things when you can't see them. Make sure to store items in a way that lets you see what you have. A well-placed shelf riser can help. Another tip is to stack canned and boxed food items like stadium seats (taller items sticking up behind so you can see them).

Keep it accessible

Reserve the "prime real estate" spots in your kitchen (at eye level and in arm's reach) for the items you use all the time—everyday dishes, cookware, and food items. Holiday serving ware, occasional-use appliances, and other infrequently used items should be stored out of the way (such as in an upper cabinet).

When storing things, consider the item's size, weight, and whether you can reach it, lift it, and get it out easily. Large heavy items such as mixers are best stored on a lower shelf for safety and accessibility.

A prime location cabinet reorganized to store only the everyday dishes. Infrequently used items were relocated.

Keep it simple

Small spaces don't have room for lots of "pantry porn" style baskets and bins. Use a very limited number of well-placed containers to corral smaller items.

One well-placed bin can be just what you need to organize a small cabinet.

Also, limit the use of turntables. They do look nice and can provide greater accessibility, but there’s a trade-off in that their round shapes take up more room.

A great strategy is simply to have less. Be picky about the items you choose to have in your small space. For example, do you need 30 coffee mugs, or can you be just as happy keeping only your favorites? Think carefully about how many items you want to own that are only used once a year, or very infrequently. Examples include formal and holiday dishware, as well as “unitaskers” such as a breadmaker, panini press, or avocado pitter. (Of course, personal preferences vary widely. If you love your avocado pitter, by all means keep it!)

Keep it efficient

To get the most out of your limited storage areas, think vertically. Don't be limited by the default level of the shelves in your cabinets—in many cases, you can raise or lower the shelves to fit your needs. If your shelves aren’t movable, a shelf riser or under-shelf basket can create more vertical storage options. And store items upright whenever possible—the most space-efficient way.

Are you longing for an organized, peaceful living environment, but don't have time to figure out a system from scratch? Hiring a professional can be a game-changer! I'm Kammy, and I help Chicagoland's busy working professionals organize their homes to find peace and relief. DM me or text (773) 756-5414 for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

What is the Stuff Tipping Point?

There comes a point where no amount of “organizing”, no amount of cramming things in, no amount of playing Tetris is going to change the fact that you have too many things to fit in your house. I call this the Stuff Tipping Point.

How can you tell if your house is at the Stuff Tipping Point?

You might be there, if you’ve experienced one or more of these things:

This room can’t be used for its intended purpose (a bedroom or home office). Instead it has become a storage unit.

• You’ve accomplished washing, drying and folding all the laundry, but now there just isn’t enough room in your closet or dresser to put it all away.

• The pantry is at the bursting point, and you’re struggling to find someplace to put all the new food you just brought home.

• Your go-to strategy is to buy freestanding garment racks to hold more clothes, but you’ve now run out of floor space to park any new garment racks.

• You want to use the toaster (or the microwave, or the blender), but first you have to move the coffee maker (or the air fryer, or the food processor) out of the way

• You can’t find an item, so you buy another one. Later, you find multiples of the same item, (often hidden behind other items). You realize you’ve done this dance before.

• You are unable to access certain places in your home because of the pileup of stuff. This might mean a closet door you can’t open because stuff is blocking it, a shelf with things you’d love to use but currently are unable to reach, or a room you can’t use because it’s become a giant storage unit.

Just moving around this cluttered bedroom requires extra work. Note the “elf trails”!

Not only are you running out of space, but you’re also being forced to do extra work

What these experiences have in common is not only that you’re running out of space, but also that you’re being forced to do extra work. Living in a house that is at the Stuff Tipping Point is neither smooth, peaceful, nor seamless. You are always having to put in extra labor and effort, simply to go through the basic processes of living in your home. Whether that means taking detours around stuff because the straight-line route is blocked, spending extra time getting dressed in the morning because your closet is packed yet there’s “nothing to wear”, or losing essential items like keys, phones or important paperwork in the mess—the common denominator is extra work.

Even when you are sitting motionless in a home that is at the Stuff Tipping Point, you’re still doing more work, because visual clutter is literally more data for your brain to process. That’s one of the reasons that being in a cluttered space can feel so stressful, tiring, and overwhelming.

At this point, many people will decide they need to get organized. Unfortunately, a lot of folks will make their first step a trip to the Container Store to buy some of those lovely bins, boxes, and baskets. Why is this a mistake?

Don’t buy containers first

It’s a mistake because, if you think about it, containers are also stuff. As I discussed in a previous blog post, simply putting your stuff inside more stuff—without first deciding which stuff belongs in your life—does not magically cause you to become organized. It simply leaves you with a bunch of stuff inside containers. It’s very likely that in the future, more stuff will get put in front of those containers.

If containers aren’t the solution, what is? I always recommend paring down your belongings first. In a house that is at the Stuff Tipping Point, this can seem like an overwhelming, unsurmountable task. Here are some tips that can help.

What can help?

1) Do a quick first pass to clear out the “low hanging fruit”—any items that clearly need to go. This includes household trash, broken or damaged items, as well as expired food and medicine.  It shouldn’t take much (if any) decision-making power to select these things. If you find yourself spending minutes thinking about an item, set it aside and move on.

2) Next, break the big overwhelming decluttering task into manageable chunks by focusing on a category (type of item). Instead of “the entire living room”, you could focus on the mail, papers and magazines cluttering up the entryway. Instead of “the whole closet”, you could focus on just sweaters, or just button-down shirts. Gather similar items together—this will help you get an accurate idea of what you own.

3) Then make decisions. Let go of things you don’t use or need—whether you’ve never used it, or it’s been a long time and you’re unlikely to use it in the future. Let go of “just-in-case” items and “I might need it someday” items. (There are notable exceptions, such as first aid kits and fire extinguishers.)

4) Let go of things that make you feel bad. Whether it’s a gift from someone you’re no longer friends with, a piece of clothing that cost a lot but doesn’t fit right, or unflattering photos, let them go. Only have things in your home that make you feel good, are useful, or are necessary.

A cluttered pantry… before and after paring down.

If you did nothing else, simply reducing the amount of items you own will help—a lot!

If you did nothing else, simply reducing the amount of items you own will help—a lot! There will be less stuff to look at, less stuff to navigate (and clean) around, less stuff parked in front of the item you’re looking for. Let go of enough stuff, and you will have pulled your home back from the Stuff Tipping Point. That means less stress, less clutter, and less work just to go through the basic processes of living in your home. And you’re going to feel better.

Decluttering and discarding is the first step of organizing. Step two is deciding where to store things, in a way that works for you. See this article for help on where to put things, and what to put them in.

I’m Kammy, a Chicagoland-based professional organizer. If your home is at the Stuff Tipping Point and you’d like things to be different, but you don’t know where to start, I’m here to help. Reach out to me or text (773) 756-5414 for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

What to do about toy clutter

Photo: Victoria Art from @Pexels

Toy clutter happens! It's important to remember that just like grownups do, kids also feel overwhelmed by too much stuff.

As kids grow, learn and change, they outgrow older toys and move on to new toys. Toys and games break or lose some of their pieces, while the leftovers stick around as clutter. Birthdays and holidays bring new toys into the home. There might also be the generous grandma who brings new toys every time she visits, just because. Add the hand-me-downs from relatives and friends, and it’s easy to see how busy parents may be experiencing toy clutter overload.

Parents feel frustrated by the amount of toys kids have, the mess it creates, and the time it takes to tidy things up. Sometimes they'll comment that "the kids don't even play with these toys any more."

It's important to remember that just like grownups do, kids also feel overwhelmed by too much stuff. Instead of bringing joy, a huge amount of toys can turn into a source of stress, something we definitely don't want for our kids!

What can help?

Photo: Yaroslav Shuraev from @Pexels

Pare down! Rather than feeling deprived, having fewer toys actually allows kids to more easily focus on and enjoy the toys they have. You may do a toy purge while kids are in bed or at school, but it’s best to involve kids in the process whenever possible. Kids may enjoy choosing which toys they’d like to gift to someone less fortunate.

Strategize. Plan toy purges and donations to occur before birthdays and holidays, when new toys will be entering the home.

Create zones. Have an area for arts & crafts, an area for dress-up, an area for building toys like blocks and legos, a reading area with cushions and stuffed toys.

Involve kids in keeping things tidy. Choose a home (such as a bin or basket) for each kind of toy. Teach kids how to put toys back in their homes after playing with them.

Toy rotation can help keep toys manageable. Create sets of toys (involve kids in the choosing process!). Have one set available to be played with, while you store the other toy sets out of sight. After a while (weekly, monthly, or seasonally) put away the current set and bring out a new toy set.

Rather than feeling deprived, having fewer toys actually allows kids to more easily focus on and enjoy the toys they have.

Sometimes we think of kids as preferring things to be messy. But I’ve seen over and over how kiddos love it when their play area is tidied up. Instead of feeling overwhelmed or bored by clutter and excess, they’re excited to play with their toys. Just like grownups, an organized space has a positive effect on them.

I'm Kammy, a professional organizer serving Chicagoland's hardworking professionals. If you're a busy parent with kiddos, I'm here to help you make your playroom a joyfully organized place where your kids can truly thrive. Reach out to me or text (773) 756-5414 for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

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"The kids were so excited to see the room, and they played with the toys!"

—my client after her daughters’ playroom was tidied up

Before doing a toy purge…

… and after!

Organizing kids' clothing

Parents, are you overwhelmed by the task of organizing and managing kids’ clothing?

Organizing kids’ clothing can be a challenge for several reasons. Unlike most grownups, kids are continually growing, which means they’ll outgrow the clothing they’re wearing today, and will need bigger sizes in the future. To make things more complicated, individual kids can grow at different rates at different times. And if you have more than one child, and you’d like to put aside one child’s outgrown items for the next child’s future use, there’s the additional problem of where and how to store these things until they are needed. It’s easy to see how organizing and managing kids’ clothing can get overwhelming for parents.

Here’s a simple system that can help.

Here’s an example based on a client of mine who has two daughters. The system works the same if you have two boys. If you have a boy and a girl, you’ll likely want to modify the system to account for the fact that some clothing items are unisex & can become hand-me-downs, while others aren’t. If you have three or more kiddos, you can also modify the system accordingly.

Step 1: Sort

The first step is to take all clothing out, and sort it into these categories:

1 - Clothes that currently fit Kid 1
2 - Clothes that currently fit Kid 2
3 - Clothes that are too small for either kid
4 - Clothes that are too big for either kid (future clothes)
5 - Clothes that Kid 1 has outgrown, but are too big for Kid 2 (in-between clothes)

Then sort Category #3 into these subcategories:
3a - Donate
3b - Sell
3c - Sentimental items to keep

Step 2: Purge

In step 2, we’ll purge all the categories from step 1. 

Items that are ripped, stained, worn out, or otherwise damaged should be discarded. Too-small items (category #3) that are in good condition can be donated, taken to a consignment store, or sold online. A limited selection of too-small clothing can be kept as sentimental items. I suggest choosing a joyful way to store these items, such as a special box or bin, and also using that container as the limit for how many sentimental items to keep.

Step 3: Organize and Store

Store the clothes that each kid can currently wear in their respective closet and/or dresser. Future clothes for Kid 2 or for both kids can be sorted by size and season, then placed in labeled containers for storage until needed.

Step 4: Maintenance

Once the initial three steps have been done, all that remains is to keep the system running by doing regular maintenance. Keep an empty bin in each kid’s closet to accumulate outgrown clothing. 

In spring and fall, empty the bins. Discard, donate, sell, or store (sentimental) the too small items. 

In spring and fall, put away in-between clothing (category #5). And bring out future clothing (category #4) for kids to start wearing.

More helpful tips to organize kids’ clothing:

One of the easiest ways to simplify your clothing management is to have less clothing. Decide on the needed amount of clothing for each kid based on how often you do laundry.

Reduce time spent folding by hanging everything you can hang. 

Eliminate time spent matching pairs of socks, by having only one (or at most, a few) kinds of socks. Then just throw them in a drawer—no matching needed.

If a kid’s closet has a double closet rod, use the top rod to hang off-season clothes. The kid can choose and hang up their own current-season clothing on the more accessible bottom rod. If there’s no second closet rod, store off-season clothing in a bin in the closet or a separate location.

Using a small transparent plastic chest of drawers (rather than traditional dressers) makes it easier for kids to access and put away their own clothes. Keep only one type of clothing in each small drawer, and label each drawer (“Shirts” “Socks”, etc., or with a picture for younger kids).

***

I’m Kammy, a professional organizer helping Chicagoland’s busy working parents organize their homes to find peace and relief. I’ll help you create a system that works for you—so you can enjoy more quality time with your kids. Reach out for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

Clothes for the future when the kids grow into them. Sorted by size and season.

Off-season clothing storage in bins on a top shelf. The bottom right bin is there to collect outgrown items.

A paper management strategy for "stuff out" people

Storing papers horizontally in piles is a recipe for clutter and distraction.

A client said to me, "I'm drowning in paper. I need help!"

When I arrived at her home, I saw papers—and lots of them! There were papers in piles, papers inside folders (also piled), and also some papers in folders stored upright in open plastic boxes. She explained that she had several big projects going on right now, including job applications, medical arrangements for a family member, and a project related to a vacation rental property she owns.

"My problem is that I need to have things out," she said. "If they're put away, I'll forget. But then my papers are everywhere. I put them in folders, but I still can't find things and feel overwhelmed."

There are “stuff out” people, and there are “stuff away” people.

Right away I understood that there were a few different things going on here.

1) My client was a "stuff out" person.

There are “stuff out” people, and there are “stuff away” people. Putting everything away and having an empty desk like you live at Ikea doesn't work for “stuff out” people. They need visual reminders of what they have. This is not some kind of a character flaw. It’s simply that some people’s brains work differently than others.

Sometimes it seems like the rules are created for “stuff away” people. We're taught that we organize papers by putting them in folders—and then putting those folders away so your desk is "clear". But putting everything away can trip up "stuff out" people, because things are hidden from them.

2) Not all papers are created equal.

Some papers are "one and done", single tasks. Other papers are part of a project. Projects were a big an issue for my client. As a “stuff out” person, she needed her active project papers to be "out" at all times. But the way they were out was causing clutter and confusion, making her feel like she was up to her neck in paper.

3) She needed a system.

The folders & plastic boxes was an attempt at a system, but it was incomplete and not working for her. There were multiple instances of folders with the same name that she'd created at different times. Papers related to current tasks were mixed up with completed papers and paid bills. This necessitated a constant process of churning and rediscovering which tasks needed doing.

She did also have a filing cabinet, but she wasn't really using it, except as a place to store extra office supplies left over from an old job.

A system that doesn’t hide your papers from you.

Creating a system that doesn’t hide your papers from you

To begin, we sorted all of her papers into two categories:

Current papers such as bills to be paid, correspondence to be answered, and ongoing projects.

Done papers such as paid bills, letters already answered, and completed projects.

We agreed that done papers were cluttering up her active workspace. How should they be handled? My client said she'd feel OK about putting away done papers in her filing cabinet. They'd be there if needed, but they were no longer "out", creating clutter and distraction. She also decided to donate a large proportion of the extra office supplies she'd been storing in the file cabinet for several years. "I'm never going to use all that stuff, but the school would love to have it."

Tasks versus projects

Now, what about current papers? This was where we needed to make a distinction between tasks and projects.

A task is a “one and done” item. For example, the electric bill. Pay it, and it's done.

We placed the “one and done” tasks in a single In Box*. No folders, just loose papers in a box which would sit on the counter where she could see it. She could go through this box daily, complete tasks one by one, then file the task paper in the cabinet.

*The In Box is also known as the Action Required File. Tasks requiring action should be placed in this box as soon as they enter the house. See this article for more help with paper management.

A project contains more than one task. It can also have reference materials associated with it. This means it's not “one and done”, but will be sticking around for a while, until all tasks that make up the project are finished. Storage in folders is helpful here, but it's best to use as few folders as possible.

A simple system for projects

We created a simple system for projects:

Labels are important visual reminders. Keep your label names simple and obvious..

1. Each project got its own folder with a label (for example, Job Applications)

2. Within the project folder, we created 3 labeled subfolders: Tasks, Tasks-Done, and Reference.

3. Completed tasks can be moved from Tasks to Tasks-Done.

4. The entire project folder is stored upright in a plastic box.

5. When the project is done, the entire project folder gets filed in the file cabinet.

We used the open plastic boxes and folders my client already owned. Without lids, the labeled folders were always visible. The boxes themselves would live on the counter where my client could see them.

After our session, my client still has her papers out—but with a difference.

The difference is that they're no longer in piles, or hidden in folders that aren't part of a system. They're organized in a way that works for her: easy to access, and stored in plain sight, where they'll always be top of mind. She's gone from feeling overwhelmed, to feeling in control of her papers and her life.

Overwhelmed by papers? I'm a Chicago-based professional organizer. Whether you're a "stuff out" person or a "stuff away" person, I'll work with you to create a paper management system that's right for you. Contact me for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

"I don't know where to put things."

When nothing has a home, then everything lives on the counter—or the floor.

Are you somebody who has trouble deciding where things should "live" in your home?

You're not alone! “Where to put things” is a challenge that many people face. It commonly causes clutter, for two reasons: (1) it's unclear where items belong, or (2) it's difficult or inconvenient to return them to their homes.

The result: things wind up wherever they get put down, often covering every surface.

What can help? First, pare down.

It's important to remember that in the organizing process, storage is the very last step. There's no point in trying to find a home for everything you own, before you have decided whether you really need or want to own all of it.

So pare down first. Letting some things go will free up space and reduce clutter, even if you did nothing else.

Have you heard the saying “A place for everything, and everything in its place”? It’s a simple but powerful concept!

Eliminate the uncertainty of where things belong.

Choose a home for each item, and make it a habit to return it to its home after use.

Not sure where to put it? Store it close to where you use it. Example: I keep the cat food in a cabinet near the cat's food & water bowls.

Still not sure where to put it? Don't sweat it. Just put it somewhere, and see how that works. If you decide the home you've chosen doesn't work, you can always change it.

Keep all items of the same type in the same place. Example: There's only one place where batteries live in my house: a certain kitchen drawer.

If you live with others, designate a storage place for each person. Try to focus each person's storage in one spot, such as a closet or cabinet. Avoid having numerous storage spaces throughout the house (for example, a situation where Dad's socks and underwear live in the bathroom, his shirts in a closet, and his pants in a dresser in a different room).

Reserve "prime real estate" locations for everyday, frequently used items. Example: My coffee machine lives on the counter but my waffle maker is stored in a cabinet.

Make it easy to put things back.

Store items in a way that makes them easy to put away. (Don't worry about making things easy to get out. When you need them, you will get them out.)

Have the simplest system possible. Avoid spending lots of money on clever-looking "storage solutions". Not everything needs to be in a bin or a container. As I said in a previous post, containers don’t make you organized. For things that do need to be containerized, try to use a box, bin or basket you already have.

Notice what’s already working in your home, and build on it. Example: Do you file-fold your T-shirts in a drawer? Try doing the same with your dish towels.

Taking care of your home feels good! This helps reinforce positive habits.

Build positive habits.

When things have a home, they're much easier to put away, because where to put them doesn't require a decision. The decision has already been made. It can feel satisfying to return things to their place, because you're taking care of your home. This feeling can help build and reinforce positive habits that will keep your home tidier and you happier!

Longing for an organized, peaceful home? I'm a Chicago-based professional organizer and I'm here to help. Reach out to me for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

Containers don't make you organized

So many beautiful baskets and bins. Sometimes it's like they almost might have magic powers!

"Look at these great bins. If I had these, I just know I'd be more organized!"

With all the beautiful bins, boxes, and baskets available for purchase, it can sometimes be hard to remember one important thing: Organizing is the process of sorting, making decisions, and finally choosing a home for each item. It's not the process of putting items into containers so they look pretty.

Organizing has two parts: Deciding what to have, and deciding where to put it.

This means that decisions come first. You'll choose to keep things that you love, need, and use, while discarding things that are not serving you. When you're done deciding what belongs in your life, that's the time to choose where to put things, based on when, where, and how often you use them. Storage is the very last step in the organizing process.

I know how tempting it is to rush out to the Container Store or Target when you've decided you want to organize your home. There are some seriously lovely containers out there—sometimes it's like they almost might have magic powers. You're certainly not alone if you've ever thought, "Look at these great bins. If I had these, I just know I'd be more organized!" But simply putting all your belongings into containers as a first step, will only give the illusion of organization. I have been in many homes where there are plenty of containers, yet there is not a system that works.

Here are a few common container errors.

The wrong type of containers being used, so that it actually creates more work rather than making things easier.

• Example: using containers with very high walls inside a narrow, deep cabinet. It's difficult to reach into the container to retrieve items, so they sit there not being used. When more items are purchased, they get put in front of the containers, not in them. The result is duplication and clutter.

• Example: using opaque containers instead of clear in situations where you need to be able to quickly see what's inside (to determine how much bird seed you have left, or printer paper, or whatever). This may be more important to you if you're a very visual person.

• Example: very large containers used to store heavy items such as books. You wind up with a very heavy and bulky container that's difficult to move.

Containers or other storage solutions that seem like a clever idea, but don't fit the space.

• Example: a client had purchased a "gravity can feeder" (the wire kind, where cans are placed sideways so they can roll forwards). But when they put it together, there was not one cabinet or shelf in the entire kitchen that was big enough for this storage item to fit.

Allowing the size and shape of a container, rather than the contents and frequency of use, to dictate where you'll store something.

• Example: Super tall clear acrylic canisters didn't fit in any of the logical places a client wanted to store frequently-used baking supplies. They then began to explore storing the containers sideways, or in a lower, more distant cabinet. Eventually they agreed that these canisters, while very pretty, just didn't provide the functionality they needed in their kitchen.

Have a clear idea how new containers will be used. And measure first before you go to the store!

Tips for buying containers:

• Sort and discard first, so that you know what and how much you need to store

• Consider if you can use a container you already own instead of buying new

• Have a clear idea how new containers will be used

• Before leaving the house to go to the store, measure the space the containers will go in

• Consider whether you want clear or opaque containers. How important is it to see the items inside?

• Pay attention to the height of the container walls. How important is it to be able to reach in and retrieve items?

With a little thought and planning ahead, and remembering that storage comes last, common container errors can be avoided and you can create a home that's functional as well as beautiful.

Bins don't have the power to create a system

Final thoughts: One of the biggest challenges in organizing is that many items can have emotional significance. This includes containers. Buying aspirational containers can be an expression of our desire to have things be different, to live a more organized life. It's important to remember that bins don't have the power to create a system. Nor do they have the power to change your habits, shopping patterns, ways of thinking, or other factors that may be contributing to feeling cluttery and overwhelmed. Only you have that power!

Looking for guidance in your home organizing journey? As a professional organizer, I'm here to help. Reach out for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

A simple system to manage your papers

Many people dread dealing with papers. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

A client said to me, “I need help dealing with papers when they enter the house. I’m good about paying bills right away. But the rest of it ends up in piles near my front door.”

I worked with him and we developed a few simple rules to help him deal with his papers.

First we talked about why papers pile up. It’s when we’re not sure what to do with them. The solution is to have a rule for each type of paper that enters the house—thus eliminating paper pile-up.

Rule 1: Process all incoming papers near your front door.

Don't bring papers any deeper into the house. I recommend having a station with an Action Required file, a Shred box, a Trash container, and a Recycle container. These don't have to be giant bins. You can use any container you choose, such as an attractive basket with sections, or even drawers in a cabinet or other piece of furniture.

Rule 2: Deal with action required papers as soon as they come in.

My client was already on top of this. I find that most people already have some part of their system working. The idea is to build on what’s already working, so that you end up with a complete system that works for you.

Get in the habit of completing action required papers right away. If you can't complete the action immediately, put the paper in an Action Required file or box, and deal with it as soon as possible.

If you have papers that aren't action required items, but information you intend to read, you can also put these in your Action Required file. Alternatively, have a designated spot for them. In my house, reading material such as magazines and newspapers live on our coffee table.

To avoid pileups of "To Be Read" material, I recommend limiting subscriptions and keeping only the current issue ("One In, One Out"). You can also switch to digital subscriptions.

Reduce the volume of incoming paper by using a service like Catalog Choice to opt-out of catalogs and other paper mail.

Rule 3: Papers that need to be kept (after completing an action, or for reference) get filed as soon as possible.

Avoid filing unnecessary paper by only keeping papers that have a specific purpose. If you can find the information online, it's OK to let go of the paper.

Another common pitfall is thinking that you need to create a complicated filing system. I recommend using the simplest filing system possible. Use as few folders as possible, and name each folder something obvious, such as “Bills”, “Medical”, or “Auto”. If you are in doubt as to what to name a folder, name it the first thing that comes to mind.

Another roadblock that gets some people is what to do when you need a new folder in your filing system. If this is you, keep a few blank folders ready in your file box. You can even keep a pen in there to label new folders. Don't let the supposed necessity of creating a fancy label be an obstacle to filing items promptly.

Rule 4: Place a Shred box near where you process the mail.

Anything to be shredded, goes into the box. It doesn’t have to be shredded immediately, just when you have time. Or it can be taken to a shredding service, if you have a lot. Office Depot/Office Max offers secure shredding by the pound.

Rule 5: Place a Trash container near where you process the mail.

Anything to be discarded, goes into the trash right away. It never gets any further into your house than that. (You can also separate trash and recyclable paper into two separate bins.)

Papers can be a tough category to deal with, because they rarely bring joy (although they may bring usefulness). Having a lot of paper clutter around isn't only annoying and unsightly, it can cause you to miss or misplace important papers that need attention. Understandably, many people dread dealing with papers. But it doesn’t have to be that way. My client found that all he needed was a few rules to help make sure he controlled his papers, not the other way around.

Got piles of paper? I understand it can feel overwhelming. I'll work with you to tame your papers and create a system that works FOR you. Contact me for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

The high cost of office clutter—and what to do about it

Do you believe that office clutter increases creativity?

It’s actually quite the opposite. Studies show that workplace clutter can be harmful to your physical & mental health, your workplace performance, and your employer’s bottom line. It's time to ditch the clutter and create a peaceful workspace that works with you, not against you.

It's time to ditch the clutter and create a peaceful workspace that works with you, not against you.

A cluttered workspace forces us to waste time looking for lost items and information. We may end up doing duplicate work to replace what we can't find. And wasted time means wasted money.

When we’re distracted by a cluttered environment, we lose our focus. The result: errors, reduced productivity, the loss of our creativity and our ability to problem-solve. In other words, clutter makes it harder to get things done, and can lead to reduced quality of work.

Clutter also affects how others perceive us. A messy office (seen in person or via Zoom) by coworkers & supervisors could be viewed as a sign of a poor work ethic or poor time management skills. This could result in a lack of confidence and trust, and could adversely impact your career.

Clutter can lead to negative feelings about work, according to a recent study. Feeling stressed or burnout at work can also lead to clutter. Clutter can be part of a vicious cycle. Stress leads to an office that is cluttered, which leads to more stress because of not being able to find things or keep track of work progress, which leads to not having the mental energy to tidy up, and the clutter may worsen.

With many people working partly or full-time from home, our living spaces are often forced to do double duty. It’s even more important to stay on top of clutter and maintain an environment that supports us and makes our work days easier, not harder.

What can help?

Just like with home clutter, office clutter happens for one of two reasons: We fail to return items to their home, or it’s not clear where the items belong. To tidy up, use these steps: Sort items by category, use a container to keep similar items together, and choose where the items should be stored. Use labels to make it easier to find things, and as a reminder to return things to their places.

Common types of office clutter

Office supplies: Only keep what you’re currently and regularly using on your desk. Choose a home for these items, whether it’s a drawer or a container. Find another home for “back stock” (such as in a shelf or cabinet)—again, using containers to keep similar items together.

Paper clutter: Only print when you really need a hard copy. Have a designated inbox for incoming papers. Shred or recycle duplicates and outdated papers as soon as possible. Make sure each paper has a home. Discard papers that have no clear purpose.

Make filing easy by having file folders readily accessible nearby. Some people get hung up on not being able to file anything until the folder is labeled. If this describes you, keep your labelmaker (or a sharpie) close at hand for this purpose.

Clutter under the desk: Extra supplies, old technology items, and miscellaneous objects too large to keep on your desktop may tend to accumulate under your desk. Revisit this area on a regular basis to make sure it doesn’t become a dumping ground. If other people are dropping items off at your desk, have a designated box or bin for this purpose.

Drawer clutter:  To avoid having drawers full of miscellaneous office clutter that you must then rummage around in to find things, use the containment strategy. Contain office supplies and other items by category, using small bins, baskets or boxes inside a drawer. Rubber bands and ziplock bags can also be helpful. If you have a number of drawers that need tidying up, pick one a day and use the basic tidying procedure under “What Can Help?” above.

Personal items: Many people display personal items on their desks, such as family photos, childrens’ artwork, mementos from professional conferences, funny gifts from the last office party, and other personal items. These items feel important to us, but they can also contribute to clutter and distraction in our workspace.

One strategy is to remove them temporarily, and try working for a week or two without the items visible. Many people are surprised at how much less distracted and more peaceful they feel. It can also help to limit personal items to just a few really important ones, or to periodically rotate the items you display.

Banish clutter and reclaim your workspace

Clutter isn’t just superficial. It hurts us physically, mentally and emotionally. It affects how our colleagues & supervisors see us, can negatively impact our performance and our job satisfaction, and can even affect us financially. But there’s hope! Using simple organizing tips and skills, we can get clutter under control and reclaim a more peaceful and productive workspace. 

Want to banish office clutter and create a workspace that works for you? I’m here to help. Reach out for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

Clutter hurts your wallet!

Keeping unused items actually costs you money

Does keeping things because “I might need them someday” seem like the thrifty option? Think again—keeping unused items actually costs you money. 

If you have a storage unit, you’re not alone—one in ten Americans pays for self-storage. And we’re collectively spending $38 billion (yes, billion!) per year on self-storage. Most of that figure is from households—not companies. That’s an average of $2000 per person per year.

Even if you don't have a storage unit, clutter in your home could be costing you money. Home storage of unused items is estimated to cost an average of $10 per square foot. Or divide your monthly rent/mortgage by home’s square footage to get the cost per square foot for your particular space. Then figure out how much space is being taken up by unused items and multiply to find your personal clutter cost!

The average American spends 2.5 days per year searching for lost items

Clutter also costs us when we waste time searching for lost items amid household disarray. The most commonly misplaced items are: TV remotes, phones, car keys, shoes, & wallets/purses. The average American spends 2.5 days per year searching for lost items. Think of what you could do with an extra 2.5 days—or what you could do with the money you earn in 2.5 days of work!

More money is wasted when those lost items need to be replaced with new purchases. It’s estimated we collectively spend $2.7 billion a year on replacement purchases. Two-thirds of Americans will spend up to $50 a year replacing lost things.

It’s time to rethink holding on to items you don’t use, need, or love

Here are some other ways clutter can cost you money: 60% of people have been late to work or school because they were searching for a missing item. 50% have missed an appointment or a meeting. Think of the potential consequences: missed work hours, maybe even a lost job or promotion, and the money that would have come with it.

It’s time to rethink holding on to items you don’t use, need, or love. Here’s the bottom line: Clutter hurts your wallet!

Ready to let go of unused stuff (and save some money while you’re at it)? I’m here to help. Contact me for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

"But how do you throw away memories?"

Photo Inga Seliverstova from Pexels

"But how do you throw away memories?" somebody asked me once. We'd been talking about sorting and tidying photos.

Don’t start your tidying journey with photos

First of all, don’t start your tidying journey with photos! Photos often have great emotional significance. Tackle them before you're prepared, and you will almost certainly get stuck. Instead, build your decision-making skills and your sensitivity to joy by completing the other KonMari categories first. That way, when you do begin tidying your photos, you'll be ready.

Before making decisions, sort your photos (chronologically or by event). Tidying family photos? Consider working on it together. Remember you're choosing what to keep, not what to discard. Think Quality over Quantity. Which are the joyful photos that belong in your Hall of Fame?

Think Quality over Quantity

Discard blurry or unflattering photos. Let go of photos that bring negative feelings. Remember you are not required to keep them because “it happened and you can’t erase history”, because “so-and-so would want me to keep them”, or to “maintain complete documentation”. Duplicates can also be discarded (or given to someone else who might treasure them).

Reconsider whether you need a photo to remind you of every single thing that’s ever happened to you in life. Yes, that ice cream cone was yummy. Does the image of it really need to be stored for posterity? Sometimes the best part of a photo is the moment of joy when taking it. For vacation photos, consider keeping a small number of representative images per day.

Don’t tidy your photos if you are feeling tired or not in a good frame of mind. Put them aside and come back later when you’ve had enough sleep and are in a good mental space.

Photos aren't really memories—the memories live within us

Lastly, try to reframe (no pun intended!) the idea that you are throwing away memories. Photos aren't really memories—the memories live within us. So think of it as the process of selecting the very best images that will help you remember and enjoy the memories and experiences that are and will always be part of you.

When you're done, store your treasured photos in an album you really love, where it'll be easy to take them out and enjoy them any time. Or frame them and display them—with the joy and respect they deserve. 🌱

Six Spring Cleaning Tips from Professional Organizers

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

March is here and with more sunny days and warm weather, spring cleaning vibes are in the air. Sometimes getting motivated is the hardest part when you don’t know where to start. Here are six spring cleaning tips from Professional Organizers that anyone can do.

Kammy Lee from Organized by Kammy:

My top spring-cleaning tip comes with Grandma's stamp of approval: The best way to clean windows is with newspaper. 

Unlike paper towels, newspaper won't leave behind any lint. And the dense fibers of newspaper are free of silica or calcium carbonate which may scratch surfaces. Most newspapers in the U.S. have been using smear-free soy-based inks since 2000, so you needn't fear creating black streaks on your windows. (If in doubt, test your paper by holding it between thumb and finger for at least one minute. Stained fingers indicate the paper uses petroleum-based ink, and shouldn't be used for cleaning.)

A 50-50 mix of vinegar and water is an inexpensive and eco-friendly alternative to chemical cleansers. Lightly spray the window using a spray bottle, then wipe with newspaper. (You can also use a mix of dish soap and water as an extra first step to remove the dirt from very dirty exterior windows.) Your windows will be clean and streak-free. Newspaper is also great for cleaning mirrors and chrome fixtures. 

A 50-50 mix of vinegar and water is an inexpensive and eco-friendly alternative to chemical cleansers.

Photo by Skitterphoto from Pexels

Petra Pupich from Root of Joy:

This spring give your washing machine extra attention. First start by cleaning it all together, remove      

• the detergent drawer,

• the filter (usually at the bottom),

• outside of the machine - with diluted white vinegar (spray bottle filled with half vinegar half water)

• inside of the machine - with empty, long, hot cycle with 3 cups of baking soda (directly in machine)

For cleaning use old cotton t-shirt, not microfabric cloth because it leaves microplastic behind in our oceans, sea world and on our table.

When you finished cleaning it, stop for a second and revisit the decision about your laundry detergent and softener. Are they harmful for your clothes and consequently for your skin? Are they harmful for the nature around you? 

Solution number one: you don’t need softener

Even if you have hard water, I challenge you to try it without it.  If your towels do come out little rough, look at them as peeling accessories because they will easily remove the dead skin while you dry yourself after the shower and then you can slip into nice bathrobe.

There is of course financial upside of this and you also have more storage room in your bathroom.

Solution number two: Choose an eco, plastic-free, vegan and cruelty free laundry detergent 

Some new habits are too hard for us, but some, like this one, are the step in right direction we can easily take. Here is the list of some companies that checked all criteria: Dropps, Tru Earth, Green and Frugal, Earth Breeze, Blueland, Seventh Generation, Country Save, Sheets laundry club.

To keep your machine last a long time, remember to always:

• Leave the lid or the door slightly open as well as detergent drawer to help them dry properly

• Remove the access water from the rubber band with old cloth after ever cycle

Photo by Anete Lusina from Pexels

Heather Banks from Tidy Life:

Spring cleaning would be a misnomer if it didn't involve cleaning, but my number one tip isn't actually about cleaning. My number one tip is to go around your home and discover what needs to be repaired or replaced since the year before. 

I don't know about you, but I'm prone to hibernating during the cold months and sometimes the long dark days can lower my motivation which leaves a lot of things undone. The fresh air and sunshine can be invigorating so I take advantage of this energy! 

Usually, light bulbs start to burn out so I'll pick up some extra bulbs to have on hand.  It's a good time to check for holes or worn spots in your clothes, especially outerwear like gloves. I like to wear the stretchy gloves and my nails inevitably burst through the fingertips. Go ahead and launder everything first, then spend a couple minutes with a needle and thread to repair any small holes before tucking them away in storage. This way they will be ready when you need them next year. 

Take a moment to follow up on any winterization improvements. Did your windows feel extra drafty this year? Did something break over the winter that you haven't found time to fix? This is the perfect time to reset your home so that you can relax and enjoy the warmer months to come.

Kristin DeCou from Modern Refresh:

"Use cleaning products that invigorate the senses. If they smell good, look good, and are good for the environment, you’ll FEEL good every time you clean. You might even look forward to cleaning those kitchen countertops!

You can even invigorate the senses while you clean. Start with what's easiest for you and find ways to make it fun:

1. Listen to your favorite podcast or playlist.

2. Treat yourself to your favorite beverage and enjoy while you clean. 

3. Light a candle or essential oils to refresh your space.

Don't work to clean, make cleaning work for you. 

Use cleaning products that invigorate the senses. If they smell good, look good, and are good for the environment, you’ll FEEL good every time you clean.

Selina Mills from Restful Space:

The sun has appeared in England for the first time this year so I’ve been in my garden, sewing veggie seeds and surrounding myself with lots of lovely plants.

My home is also filled with plants and much as I love them, they do require time and energy, watering, re-potting, and critically: dusting. 

The ones with the tiny leaves are tricky but here’s my tip. In the spring, on a day when the temperatures are not too dissimilar to indoors but when a bit of rain is forecast, take your plants outdoors and let them get thoroughly showered! A light breeze is no problem but of course avoid windy days, and your plants will feel as though they’ve been on holiday.

When they’ve dried off, remove dead or untidy leaves, pot up any that are outgrowing their pots, and replace. (They might need different homes in their new, bigger pots!)

You can, of course, achieve the same in the bathroom shower, but it can make a mess and there’s way more romance doing it outdoors!

Photo by Liza Summer from Pexels

Janine Morales from TidyCloset:

My number one tip for spring cleaning is get your closet cleared out. If you have ever walked into your overstuffed closet and still felt like you have nothing to wear, you are not alone. The reason we default to wearing our to-go comfy clothes is because it is often overwhelming to have to go through a closet that is cluttered. By taking the time to minimize your wardrobe to only items you love, chances are you will be wearing more spark joy clothes more often and feel great about yourself. 

• Step one: Take out all of your clothes and pile them on your bed

• Step two: Touch every single item and ask how it makes you feel. If it sparks joy keep it, if it does not say thank you and goodbye.

• Step three: After joy checking your clothes arrange them by type and put them neatly back into your closet.

• Step four: Drop off your donations at your favorite charity.

After you complete these steps you will have a more manageable amount of clothes in the space and you will get inspired to actually wear your beautiful feel good pieces because you can actually see them. 

---

This blog post was originally posted by Tidy Closet owner and founder Janine Morales, a professional home organizer and certified KonMari Consultant based in San Diego.

What to do when "spark joy" isn't helping you decide

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

When we declutter and organize with the KonMari Method, we use the test of "Does it spark joy?" to decide which of our belongings to keep. But what if that question leaves you scratching your head? Or doesn't inspire you? Or you just can't relate?

Consider a broader definition of "joy"

Joy doesn't always have to mean an intense feeling. Our most prized possessions might make us want to jump up and down for sheer delight. But sometimes joy can be much more subtle and low-key.

One example is the plain white soap dish in my kitchen. It's shaped with a small spout, allowing any water in the dish to drain directly into the sink. Does this make me want to sing my heart out? Not really, but it does save me from having to periodically clean out a wet, messy soap dish. It's just one small thing that contributes to my life in a positive way.

Don't get too hung up on the exact question

Maybe the question "Does this spark joy?" simply does not resonate with you. It can help to remember that this phrasing is just an approximation. In Marie Kondo's books, "spark joy" is a translation of the Japanese word tokimeku ("to flutter" or "to beat fast", like an excited heartbeat). In other words, when you touch the item, you feel something. You could try alternative questions along these lines, such as:

Photo by cottonbro from Pexels

• "Is it beautiful?"

• "Do I feel something when I touch this item?"

• "Am I excited to use or wear this item?"

• "Does this item make me happy?"

Or perhaps fluttery feelings aren't your thing, and you're focused more on practicality. Try asking:

• "Does it have a purpose?"

• "Do I use it often?"

• "Does this item help me do the things I want to do?"

• "Does this item make my life easier?"

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

"I just don't know what I feel!"

If you feel undecided, ambivalent, or "blank" about an item, Marie Kondo suggests that you try praising it. Tell the item how much it improves your life. What features do you appreciate about it? Can you find something nice to say about the object's functionality, durability, design, color, size, or safety features?

If you can, then keep it with confidence. And if you really can't think of a single good thing to say, then feel free to let that item go (with gratitude).

Trust your instincts

Very often, it's when we start second-guessing ourselves and spending a lot of time ruminating that we come up against the wall of indecision. Try asking yourself, "What's my first impulse about this item?" and use that as your decision-making test.

In the end, "spark joy" is just shorthand for learning to listen to yourself and to trust your instinctive feelings about what belongs in your life and what doesn't. Find a way that works for you, and you can’t go wrong. 🌱

Tidy up your books with the KonMari Method

In the KonMari Method, the first step in tidying books is to take them off the shelves. This might seem like unnecessary work, but there's a good reason for it. Over time, books on a shelf can become dormant. Your eyes will tend to glance over them, seeing them as a wall of spines. Removing the books from their customary place allows you to see them with fresh eyes.

In my client's case, in addition to books stored on shelves, he had books in plastic bins up in the attic. These were brought downstairs and added to the book pile.

After de-shelving, the next step is to sort your books into subcategories. In my client's case, the subcategories included:

• novels

• writing

• games

• history

• religion

• educational and reference

• self-improvement

• travel

• law

• business

• film

Next, it's time for joy checking! (If you come across sentimental books, set them aside.)

Touch or hold each book, treating each one as an individual as you make your decision. Then ask yourself:

✨Does this book spark joy? Is it useful? Is it beautiful?✨

You'll often know right away when something is a keeper. You can feel it. The longer you stand there ruminating, the more likely it will be that the item can be let go.

Here are some additional questions that may help if you're having trouble deciding:

✨Return to your vision. How does this book fit in with the reason(s) I have for tidying up my home
✨Does this book reflect my current interests and/or values?
✨Have I read this? If not, do I want to read it? Would I be excited to start reading it today?
✨Or does this book feel like an obligation? Like a "should"?
✨If I let it go and then changed my mind, could I easily get another copy?

By the end of our session, my client had pared down his book collection considerably. His shelves are filled with only joy-sparking titles now. As for the rest, they were donated, with gratitude for the knowledge and usefulness they had brought him. For a book-lover, this can be such an important part of the tidying process: knowing that while not all of your beloved books may be keepers, you're giving them safe passage to a new home.

Want a tidy and joyful home library? As a KonMari consultant, I'm here to help. Contact me to learn more. 🌱

Removing the books from their customary place allows you to see them with fresh eyes.

You'll often know right away when something is a keeper. You can feel it.

Tidy tip: How to deal with "clirty" clothing

Tidy tip: "Clirty" clothing refers to clothes that are neither dirty nor clean--for example, the jeans you've worn once or twice, or the Zoom shirt you wore for a few hours this morning. Clirty clothes are a common source of clutter. They belong neither in the laundry hamper, nor in the closet or dresser with fresh clothing, so they tend to pile up in strange places.

The solution is to give these items their own home, such as a basket, a special drawer, or a hook. Voila, no more "transitional" clothing piles!

Do you have a designated spot for "clirty" clothing? 🌱

Should you tidy first or clean first?

Photo by Gabby K from Pexels

Happy New Year, everyone! Many cultures have New Year's cleaning rituals where the house is cleaned top to bottom. Ideally, this serves as a "reset button", clearing away the past year's dirt (both physical and spiritual) and allowing us a fresh start for the coming year. However, if there is clutter in our path, we may never reach the goal of making our homes truly shine.

Think about the extra work involved in wiping down a surface where many objects "live". We have to move each item out of the way, wipe away the dust, then return the item to its original spot. Perhaps we'll discard a few items deemed unnecessary as we randomly come across them, but the end result—though it might be cleaner—hardly looks much different than it did in the beginning.

Photo by Crema Joe on Unsplash

This is why it's ideal to tidy up first, then clean afterwards.

"Tidying" and "cleaning" are often used interchangeably, but as Marie Kondo explains in her book Spark Joy, the meanings are really quite different. When we tidy, we move items and put them away, whereas when we clean, we are removing dirt.

Dirt and dust tend to naturally accumulate, without us doing anything at all. It's a law of the universe. But often you will hear people talk about items "piling up", or "finding their way in". The truth is that objects don't grow legs and walk into our homes. We bring them in. The responsibility for clutter lies with us.

This means that while cleaning is about confronting nature, tidying is about confronting ourselves.

Cleaning (unfortunately!) is a process we'll have to do over and over again. But tidying is different. Once you've gone through the process of deciding which of your possessions spark joy, and then deciding where to store your joyful things, you'll never have to do it again. Your relationship with your home and the belongings in it, as well as the way you shop and acquire things going forward, will be permanently transformed.

Photo by Karolina Grabowska from Pexels

Which brings us back to cleaning. People who have completed their tidying journeys often remark that cleaning hardly takes them any time at all now. Some folks even enjoy cleaning, now that it's been made simple because they don't have to do all the extra work of navigating around stuff and clutter.

Whether or not you'll become a person who actually enjoys dusting and mopping, one thing is clear--if you want a clean house for the New Year and beyond, it makes sense to tidy up first.

🌱Ready to embark on your tidying journey? I'd be honored to be your guide. Contact me to get the conversation started.🌱

Clutter free gift ideas from KonMari organizing professionals

Buying the right gift for someone can be stressful and 2020’s COVID crisis makes it even more challenging. Whether you don’t want to wait in long lines, go to the stores, or have a minimalist mindset, you have to come to the right place for inspiration. Christmas is right around the corner and here are some favorite, meaningful, clutter-free gift ideas from KonMari organizing professionals. 🌱

Photo credit: Pixabay

Kammy Lee from Organized by Kammy:

Here's a clutter-free holiday gift idea for the loved ones on your list who haven't yet discovered the joy of listening to podcasts. Choose just the right podcast, one you know they'll enjoy, and provide them with simple instructions to start listening. It's a great gift for people who are hard to buy for, or simply don't want more things, and it's budget-friendly too.

To make giving a podcast even easier, visit this link: giftofpodcast.com (thanks Gretchen Rubin!) The site lets you download a PDF gift certificate (which you'll personalize with the name of the podcast your recipient will love and why), along with easy instructions for how to listen on iPhone or iPad, Android phone, or smart speaker.

Sandy Park from Tidy with Spark:

There is no better season than Christmas to share your love for deliciousness. Baking for friends and family during the holidays is my number one hands down best clutter free idea. It’s my go-to present and it’s really for me just as much as it is for the receivers. You see, I love to create delicious treats and it is a creative extension that is low cost, fun and won’t clutter up anyone’s home because my treats never last. Whether it’s cut out sugar cookies or easy peasy drop cookies, delight those on your Christmas list with this clutter free gift idea. Over the years I found that rarely people will remember my store bought gifts, but they always remember personalized homemade cookies. This mindful gift won’t break the bank and won’t clutter up the homes of those you love. It’s really a win-win gift idea. Try it today and thank me later.

This mindful gift won’t break the bank and won’t clutter up the homes of those you love.

Photo credit: Jill Wellington from Pexels

Aparna Sundar from Global Mindful Journey:

Ever since my family and I began our minimalist journey, we have become mindful of not only what we give to others but also of our requests for gifts. We focus more on experience-based gifts and/or those that serve the needs of the less fortunate in our communities. The idea is to cherish the memories from these experiences. When we do decide on ‘product-based’ gifts, we look at supporting local businesses, a ‘need’ that requires to be fulfilled, the versatility of the item and/or if they are sustainably produced. That being said, even if a gift we receive doesn’t necessarily “spark joy” to us, showing gratitude to the people who love and think of us when they gift us something is important. Our children will also learn from us to give relationships far more significance than to worry about what enters our homes.

Victoria Nicholsen from My Wardrobe Zen:

Photo credit: Daria Sannikova from Pexels

I love art and like to gift annual membership to art galleries so friends and family can enjoy beautiful pieces without cluttering up their homes.  It’s also fun to pair a museum or gallery to the recipient, for example, science museum membership for a nephew, film museum membership for the movie buff in your life. It’s a gift that keeps giving and supports these amazing institutions.  

Selina Mills from Restful Space writes:

My all-time favorite clutter-free gift are home-made vouchers and let me tell you why:

1. They can be handmade, simply or in artistic detail, by any member of the family.

2. They can be made out of recycled bits of colored paper or whatever’s lying around so are truly zero monetary cost.

3. They are a great creative project in themselves for children.

4. They are a lovely exercise in connecting with what family members genuinely treasure as individuals.

5. They make a super (small!) keepsake – I still have a “Kitchen Tidying Voucher”, a “Dog Care Voucher” and even a “Love Voucher” from my children. I use one under my home office cuppa.

6. They can incorporate a heartfelt message easily and who doesn’t love one of those.

7. They can be for ANYTHING!

Related: On Clutter-Free Holiday Gifting

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This blog post was originally posted by Tidy Closet owner and founder Janine Morales, a professional home organizer and certified KonMari Consultant based in San Diego.

12 Household Organizing Ideas for the Holiday Season

🌱 Today’s post is a collaboration with 11 other professional organizers from across the USA, including fellow KonMari consultants Dr. Jessica Louie and Megan Spillman, and fellow NAPO Chicago member Amy Trager. So glad to participate!

Photo credit: Redfin

The holiday season is in full swing, which means decorating your home with lights and ornaments galore.

But with all this winter cheer and seasonal décor, you might be struggling to keep your home organized. Don’t worry, we’ve consulted with organizing experts across the country and they’ve revealed their best household organizing ideas for the holiday season. So whether you’re living in sunny Sacramento, CA or chilly Philadelphia, PA you’ll want to know how to keep all your holiday items organized this December and for many years to come. 

1) Set intentions on what decorations are most meaningful and spark joy for you. Ask yourself – do I want to store these decorations year-round? Do they take up valuable space in my home? Would I rather rent or borrow decorations to limit the number I own? Remember, the less stuff we display, the more meaning we find in each piece. – Dr. Jessica Louie, Host of The Burnout Doctor Podcast & Master-Level Certified KonMari Consultant 

2) Let go of any holiday decorations that no longer spark joy. By making intentional choices about which holiday decorations you keep and display, you let the decorations that you really love shine. As you are putting away decorations, ask yourself, will I be happy to see this again next holiday season? Write a “note to self” and tuck it away in your decorations as you pack up for the season. The note could include highlights of the season and suggestions for next year. – Megan Spillman, Peace and Tidy

3) Reuse what you have and make sure to label. When packing away holiday décor, save the used, ripped tissue from gift-giving to wrap and protect fragile items. When packing multiple bins or boxes you’ll use, be specific: label “Mantle & Staircase” or “Blue & Silver Décor” instead of “Hanukkah.” When putting all the décor away, if there’s anything that didn’t make it out this season, consider donating it if it no longer fits your aesthetic. – Amy Trager, CPO® 

Photo credit: Redfin

4) Clean out your storage closet for the season. The winter season is a great time to declutter and organize your storage closet(s). Sorting light bulbs, batteries, and Command hooks into separate clear bins and adding labels, help make holiday decorating a breeze and put away a cinch too! You may also consider moving these items down to a convenient shelf (at least temporarily) for easy access during the winter. – Melissa Rogers, Modified by Melissa

5) Decide what to donate before decorating. Before you bring gifts into the house, set a timer for 15 minutes, put on fun holiday music and skim the house for things you can donate. Thrift stores need items at the holidays and now more than ever that’s where people are shopping. Reduce reuse recycle. The kids can get involved, too! Make it fun by letting them know other families will love their hand me downs. – Amy Fritz, Thoughtful Organizing

6) Donate items you no longer display. For much of the year, your winter holiday decorations are out of sight and out of mind. When you’re getting out your festive décor for the holiday season, that’s a perfect time to let go of items you no longer display. Not only will this leave you feeling lighter, but by donating your excess decorations before rather than after the holidays, you could help make someone else’s celebration a little brighter this year. – Kammy Lee, Organized by Kammy

7) Store ornaments by shape and size. When storing tree ornaments, keep similar sizes/shapes together! Keep flat ornaments separate from balls and round ornaments, as it is more space-efficient and they will fit better in boxes. Wrap any delicate ornaments in tissue to avoid damage. – Adeilah Dahlke, Jigsaw Organizing Solutions

8) Reuse boxes to store your ornaments. Save money by using wine boxes from a local liquor store to preserve holiday ornaments. The dividers keep ornaments from breaking, and even heavy ornaments are safe in these sturdy boxes. – Barbara Reich, Life Organized

Photo: Kaboompics .com from Pexels

9) Plan for next year. Declutter your holiday décor as you are returning it to storage bins, purging the items that year after year don’t make the cut. While it’s easier to ball up the lights and toss them in a box, wrap them around a piece of cardboard or invest in a light storage reel to make future setup a breeze. – Azure MacCannell, Live Composed

10) Clean your holiday items as you store them. Dust and clean all holiday items as you put them away. As you excitedly open the boxes next year you are all good to go and don’t have any housekeeping to do. Just decorate for your holidays and enjoy! – June Carter, GYST* Solutions

11) Store seasonal décor so you can see it. Keep all seasonal decorations in clear bins (not orange for Halloween or red for Christmas!) When everything is in a clear bin, you can see what’s inside and then label the outside!  Make sure to get rid of anything you don’t use this year, so that you don’t accumulate clutter. – Whitney Tevis, The Organized Nest, LLC

12) Make storage a breeze. We are all getting ready for the winter holidays pulling out decorations and clothing we have not used since last year. We recommend using clear containers is a great way to go for storage. Searching through the attic space or garage can become less of a chore if you can see what was packed a year ago. We also suggest when packing up the use of dry packs of Silica Gel which will absorb the moisture to keep the damp and musty smells from your keepsakes for the following year. – Kathleen Dahan, Uncluttered Places

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This blog post was originally posted on the Redfin Blog.

Gratitude makes it easier to let go

"Have gratitude for the things you're discarding. By giving gratitude, you're giving closure to the relationship with that object, and by doing so, it becomes a lot easier to let go." - Marie Kondo

In the world of decluttering and organizing, you will often hear: "Let's get rid of this crap!" or "This is junk. Trash it!"

It's helpful to avoid this kind of negative language. The KonMari Method is all about joy, respect, and gratitude. When you let go of one of your possessions, thank it--for the usefulness it has provided, for a lesson it has taught you, or perhaps for the value it will bring to somebody else.

Our stuff is never just stuff; it has feelings and emotions attached. When we let go of an item, we are often letting go of a part of ourselves, such as:

✴️ a former identity or role
✴️ a phase of life we are no longer in
✴️ goals that no longer fit us
✴️ an old job or position
✴️ an obligation we seek release from
✴️ a relationship that no longer serves us
✴️ a gift that doesn't suit us

By showing respect to our discarded belongings, we are also respecting ourselves.

Ready to embark on your tidying journey? I'm here to help. Contact me to get the conversation started. 🌱