I was recently working on some organizing projects in a writer’s home, and before we started I explained to her that the process would be a creative endeavor. I do not know all of the answers right when we start… I have to wade into the project and get my hands in the “stuff” before… Read more »
General
Two Voting Favors- Please Help!
Dear Readers, I would love to win at least one of these two awards. I really think that 2009 is "The Year" for the Clutter Diet program (which is a gigantic, separate thing apart from this blog, if you haven't checked it out). I have worked really hard on this for 3 full years… It would be… Read more »
Rearrange Your Furniture…Virtually
One of the things I have done as a Professional Organizer is advise clients who are building homes, telling them how to get the most storage space into their plans, consulting on closets, and putting in maintenance-saving ideas. My family and I have also built 4 homes ourselves along the way, and one of the obstacles you… Read more »
What Your Stuff Says About You
I have been in hundreds of homes and offices in my capacity as a Professional Organizer, and over the years I have definitely learned how to size up people fairly well from their "stuff." Bookshelves in particular are a real window into a person's interests and beliefs, for example. And seeing a person's desk in its natural state tells me… Read more »
Recalibrate Your “Enough” Meter
It's November already, and Thanksgiving is coming right up (first we all have to VOTE- don't forget)! I have grown to like Thanksgiving almost more than any other holiday, because it's when we focus on gratitude. I just wrote my monthly article for Connections for Women, which is abridged here. Click here to read the article… Read more »
New Clutter Vocabulary Words, 2008 edition
Based on the popularity of last year's New Clutter Vocabulary Words post (and because I just like lexpionage, the sleuthing of new words and phrases), here is the latest edition of organizing-related buzzwords. These are collected from uber-cool sites Wordspy and Urban Dictionary. trashout n. The disposal of the entire contents of an abandoned house. Garage… Read more »
Divide and Conquer?
"Divide and conquer" is one of those old sayings that makes a lot of sense, but I feel the opposite can be true when you start organizing projects. I often like to CENTRALIZE first. A project can feel overwhelming when things are scattered all over the place. I like using a staging area like a big dining… Read more »
The Economics of Organizing, Part 3: Hidden Gains
Here's the third and final post of our 3-part series about the many ways organizing saves you money and puts you back in control: Part 1. The Stuff You HavePart 2. The Stuff You Don't WantPart 3. Hidden Gains ==========================Hidden Gains Getting organized offers obvious financial benefits as we've covered in our previous two posts,… Read more »
The Economics of Organizing, Part 2: The Stuff You Don’t Want
Here's the second in our 3-part series about the many ways organizing saves you money and puts you back in control: Part 1. The Stuff You HavePart 2. The Stuff You Don't WantPart 3. Hidden Gains ==========================The Stuff You Don't Want We discussed reviewing and organizing your belongings in Part 1, and when you do… Read more »
The Economics of Organizing, Part 1: The Stuff You Have
Given the current economic situation, it's important to regroup, evaluate, and streamline our lives. Getting organized benefits you right in the pocketbook! So I am writing a 3-part series to cover the many ways organizing saves you money and puts you back in control: Part 1. The Stuff You HavePart 2. The Stuff You Don't… Read more »
