What I've Learned In My Years of Organizing
Happy Anniversary to Life Simplified
When I started my business three years ago August 28, 2013 (wow where did the time go!!)
I never imagined the roller coaster journey that I would be on. It has been such a worthwile and never ending learning experience. I’m happy to share. Below are the Top Ten Things I’ve Discovered on this Three Year Journey…..
- People having an excessive amount of empty organizing products (bins, containers, bags, or anything else that is used to hold things) causing clutter These products laying around not being used can add additional clutter to an already cluttered mess. Organize 1st then purchase organizing product.
- People like to use the word HOARDING or HOARDER, not realizing the psychological harm it can do to an individual. Just because someone might have a lot of clutter or might be disorganized doesn’t make them a Hoarder. Clutter can be created by an individual having a very busy lifestyle, it can be situational disorganization or chronic disorganized. The definition of Hoarding/Hoarder is: the compulsive purchasing, acquiring, searching, and saving of items that have little or no value. The behavior usually has serious effects—emotional, physical, social, financial, and even legal. A hoarder has persistent difficulty discarding or parting with possessions such as trash, newspapers, magazines, paper and plastic bags, and cardboard boxes. Is suspicious of other people touching possessions. Has obsessive thoughts about possessions: - Fear of running out of an item and needing it later. - Checks the garbage to see if an item was accidentally discarded. Also he or she may have - Loss of living space inside the home (no place to eat, sleep, or cook)
- Online buying and wholesale stores can lead to excessive buying which can lead to an individual becoming disorganized and cluttered. THINK LESS IS MORE
- Busy lives, no routines, and disorganized home = stressed out children, which can equal to children having multiple meltdowns, backtalk, disrespect, and misbehaving.
- Many people are afraid to ask for Help or too embarrassed to ask for help. Clutter= stressful, loneliness,depression, loss of time & money. HELP= success, happiness, extra time, and freeing!
- It’s not as bad as one would think. Many people describe their clutter worse than it really is when speaking with me on the phone. As organizer I provide patience, compassion and experience to get the person through the process. You can tackle disorganization one pile or one small corner at a time.
- Everything needs a home. Before you decide to buy more things decide where these items will go. Put systems in place to help maintain organized spaces.
- Time management =success in staying organized. Take 5-10 minutes every day p keep things organized. Take 30 minutes a week to see if there are things that can be eliminated/tossed away. Take 1 hour a month to organize a different room in your house/office/garage.
- Do Not Throw Out Anyone Else Stuff Without Asking! This is especially true for a hoarder. You might think you’re helping but you are actually causing mistrust and resentment.
- Meeting so many fabulous and wonderful people. Having amazing and appreciative clients and family members of clients! I love to watch my clients grow. Listening to each client unique stories.
Thank You for All the Amazing Years!
Hello friends, When the calendar flips to January, we’re suddenly flooded with possibilities of fresh starts, clean slates, and promises to ourselves that this is the year we’ll finally get organized. Organization isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating systems that make your life easier, calmer, and more intentional. 1. Start with on small space Instead of tackling the whole house, choose a single drawer, a nightstand, or a pantry shelf. Small wins create momentum. 2. Set realistic, measurable goals Replace 'Get organized' with specific, achievable goals. 3. Do a quick purge of everyday clutter Spend 10 minutes collecting items you no longer need. Immediate relief! A visual timer helps. See link below for a timer recommendation: https://a.co/d/jjDKhoB 4. Create homes for your most-used items A home for everything keeps chaos away. 5. Simplify your daily routines Prep the night before. Make mornings calmer. 6. Embrace the ‘One In/ One Out’ rule Maintain clutter-free spaces all year. 7. Use Visual Systems Labels, clear bins, color coding - especially helpful for kids and busy families. Kids do well with pictures and word labels. Link for products below: https://a.co/d/8uFMLzw 8. Schedule your organizing time If it’s not scheduled, it won’t happen. Consistence is key! 9. Ask for help when you’re overwhelmed Support accelerates success! 10. Celebrate progress, not perfection Every organized drawer is a success! Here’s to a simpler, lighter, more organized year ahead! Life Simplified is here to help you every step of the way!
Don't stress! Follow these helpful hints to stay organized and enjoy your time with family and friends. Hosting Holiday Meals Ask your guests to help Lists! Lists! Lists! (grocery, menu, etc.) Remember the batteries Use disposable pans & Plates as much as possible Consider Grocery delivery Service Also, support any local farmers markets or farms by buying any produce from them! Stay focused, Hydrated & keep that protein level up! Have 10 quiet minutes? Wrap a present! Grab a glass of wine Turn on a Christmas movie Be sure to have your camera ready but don’t forget to sit back & enjoy the moments Set the coffee to automatically brew. You'll love having a hot cup of coffee to start your day! Most Importantly... Enjoy this time with your family and friends . Yes, it can be stressful; yes, it can be overwhelming, but it can also be fun! Allow yourself to enjoy it - stress and all!
How long do you leave your holiday decorations on display in your home? We hear from a lot of people that they continue to enjoy their holiday decorations well into the new year . We’re all for squeezing every last drop of joy out of the season and we think you should leave your decorations up as long as you’d like! However, when the time comes to un-decorate, we highly recommend that you downsize holiday decorations: take the time to sort and organize them before you put them away. Always edit your collections before you store them. This concept is harder than it seems, but if you decorate your home for the holidays and still have more decor in storage, you may want to donate or re-home anything you didn’t display this year . If you’re ready to apply this principle, try this method: 1) Pull out ALL of your holiday decor and supplies at the start of the season. 2) Decorate your home and set up your gift wrapping area, holiday supplies etc. 3) Box or bag anything that didn’t make the cut this year for decor and supplies. 4) Retain any storage containers that could be useful to better organize the items you want to keep for next year. The pros recommend clear containers so you can see what’s in there! If you’re downsizing or short on space, consider: Choose unbreakable and easy-to-store options when you can. Fragile decorations that need a lot of protection take up a lot of space in storage. We know some downsizers who have chosen to go all-natural (as much as possible) with live garlands, wreaths, tree trimmings, floral arrangements, etc. so that there is less to store at the end of the season. You can always choose fewer areas to decorate , focusing on the spaces where you will most enjoy your holiday trimmings. When it’s time to store: Use the right container for the job . Specialty ornament containers may cost more, but they will protect delicate items. Consider off-site storage . We’re seeing more and more specialty storage solutions for small-space dwellers, including services that will pick up and deliver your holiday supplies on demand.