“I’ll deal with it later” is a phrase that folks commonly use to dismiss or avoid an important organizing task they don’t want to face at the moment. But “I’ll deal with it later” is also a subtle form of procrastination and has a tendency to contribute to a disorganized lifestyle. I offer a simple, (albeit … Read moreHow to handle “I’ll deal with it later”
Sensational organizing shows on TV and magazines like RealSimple and Martha Stewart Living can make us set expectations for ourselves way too high. We get discouraged because we can’t seem to make our homes look that amazing and be that perfectly organized. Organized chaos In reality, I believe it is absolutely okay and normal for … Read moreLiving with organized chaos
I like having a clean home, but I utterly detest cleaning. Most people are surprised to hear this. Especially because they know how much I love organizing. In fact, I frequently find myself in conversations in which I’m pointing out the differences between cleaning, tidying and organizing. In my mind, all three are entirely distinct … Read moreCleaning vs. Organizing
When you want to declutter but only have 10 minutes, use a laundry basket. Grab hold of a laundry basket. In a five minute period, make one circle around the house, picking up and putting into the basket everything that doesn’t belong. Now recirculate around the house one more time (5 additional minutes), delivering … Read moreDecluttering for beginners
Clutter, disorganization and unhappiness. Sound familiar? If yes, it might be time for an intervention. Here’s my prescription: Watch The Story of Stuff, an informative way to spend 20 minutes. It will get you thinking about your own role in the consumerism cycle. Stop watching television. TV makes people want more things. People who live … Read moreHow to stop being addicted to stuff
Crystal says, here are the Five Holy Organizing Principles: 1. Do not buy stuff you don’t need. If you won’t be using something immediately or in the very near future, chances are you shouldn’t be buying it. And sales are a death trap. The moment you start using words like, “Someday that could come in … Read moreFive fundamentals for avoiding a cluttered house
I’d like to go so far as to say that organizing requires no money at all. TV shows like Real Simple and Web sites such as Simplify 101 offer helpful organizing advice, but they tend to prey upon disorganized people by appealing to a typical false belief: that people can be more organized if only … Read moreOrganizing myth #1: It takes money to be organized.
Do you need organizing help? If you’re in the Raleigh-Durham, NC area, I recommend me, of course. However, if you live elsewhere, you can find an organizer in your area using the National Association of Professional Organizer (NAPO) directory. Not sure if a particular organizer is right for you? Check them out on Angie’s List, … Read moreHow to find a professional organizer
Think daily about the stuff that you or others intend to bring through your door – mail, shopping bags, boxes, etc. The biggest clutter mistake is to bring stuff into the house, figuring you’ll “deal with it later”. Solution: If there is something that you suspect will only just pile up (rather than be absolutely … Read moreStop clutter before it comes through the door
One of the better articles I’ve read about organizing is “Oops! The Top 10 Organizing Mistakes” by Pamela Kramer. I cannot agree more with her on Mistake #7: Buying Containers Too Soon! We all do it. We get jazzed about organizing and rush out to buy an assortment of bins and racks. Then we get … Read moreOops! Top 10 Organizing Mistakes