This Organized Life

Hi Friends, This year I decided to give up two things for lent: vodka (because I love a good martini like it’s my job) and all non-essential shopping.For the sake of today’s podcast, we’re focusing on the latter.  The scope of my shopping hiatus included any in person shopping aside from the grocery store and ALL online shopping.  Today I’m sharing what I learned during those 40 days!Whether you observe lent or not, every now and then it’s good to take a break, hiatus, or detox from the things that clutter our lives. If done with intention, you’ll be able to walk away with some clarity and perhaps a new perspective.To all who celebrate, wishing you and your family a Happy Easter!XOXO-LaurieThanks to Our Sponsor:Factor Meals: factormeals.com/organizedlife50  *use code organizedlife50 for 50% P.S. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and looking for some specific strategies to help you or your family live a more organized life, hop on my calendar for a 1-hour strategy session: https://simplyborganized.as.me/StrategySe

Hey Friend,Today, we're tackling the topic of managing household chores (womp-womp!) Whether you live alone, with roommates, or have a houseful of kids, we often get overwhelmed with all the things that need to be done to keep our household moving.Below are some quick tips to help you stay organized when it comes to household chores:List all the things-what are the tasks on your to-do list (think laundry, dishes, vacuuming, dusting, cooking, shopping…)Is there anything you can outsource?-Are you able to hire a house cleaner or  lawn service? Maybe you hate to cook, so you decide to use a meal prep service. List the frequency of each task. Some things like dishes and walking the dog fall under daily, for some people cleaning or laundry is a weekly chore, and things like lawn care might be seasonal.  Mapping these details out allows you to craft out a schedule that works for you without any surprises.Now here’s where the fun begins-it’s time to divide and conquer!  What chores do you share? Which do you own? Do

Hi Friends,We talk a lot about donations around here, but what do you do with the stuff you can’t donate-like single socks, stained t-shirts or clothing with holes?  Instead of throwing those items in the trash and adding to our overflowing landfills, my guest today is here to offer an alternative solution. Joining me is Lisa Sciannella, Chief of Staff of  www.helpsy.co. a certified B-corp dedicated to recycling textile waste. It's the norm to recycle plastics, glass, metal and paper but sadly clothes, shoes, and accessories have long been ignored. During our conversation we talked about:The staggering amount of unwanted clothes that end up in the trash (spoiler alert: it’s over 85%!)How to turn your old clothes into a fundraising eventThe average lifecycle of clothing-Fun fact!  95% of all textiles can be reused!***After our recording, I scheduled a donation pick up from helpsy.co and it was seamless!  I have since recommended them to a friend who also had a great experience. Here’s a quote from a friend of

Hey Friend!For today’s Tip of the Week we’re delving into a common struggle faced by many parents: finding the balance between teaching your kids how to do certain household chores versus doing everything yourself. The two biggest pushbacks I hear from parents are: wanting things done “right” and wanting them done “quickly.”As a somewhat Type-A mom, I can totally relate. Even now that my girls are grown-ish, I find myself wanting to swoop in and offer a solution, even though I know they are capable independent young women.How much you outsource is going to vary based on age, ability, and family dynamics.This episode addresses questions like:How to involve children in household chores from a young age.Setting clear expectations and providing guidance without micromanaging.Using incentives to help motivate kids through gamifying strategies.Allowing your kids to take ownership, even if it means accepting imperfection.How to resist the urge to jump in and do it.Today’s challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to

Hey Friends,Today we're diving into a topic that we all struggle with from time to time – staying on track when you just don't feel like it.Whether it's decluttering a closet or tackling a daunting project, we've all had those moments when we'd rather do anything else other than what we are “supposed to” do. I'm here to share five actionable strategies to help you stay on track, even on the toughest days. Remember, the key is to find what works for you and adapt as needed. If you need some extra accountability, I’d love to help. Click HERE to hop on my calendar for a clutter strategy call https://simplyborganized.as.me/StrategySessionHappy OrganizingLaurieThanks to Our Sponsor:Factor Meals: factormeals.com/organizedlife50  *use code organizedlife50 for 50% off

Hey Friend!Today we’re delving into the benefits of scheduling family meetings.When it comes to staying organized both at home and with our schedules, having everyone on the same page helps to significantly reduce conflict and improve communication.Below are some key benefits that can come from regular family meetings:They prevent overlap, overscheduling, and things from being overlooked.Allows you to redistribute responsibilities to ensure that no one is shouldering more than they can handle.Family meetings provide a platform to ask for help where you might need it.Regular family meetings demonstrate the importance of teamwork, open communication, and managing shared responsibilities. When you’re solely focused on your own to-do list and deadlines, it’s easy to lose track of the importance of checking in with the other people in your household-I know it may sound crazy, but it’s more common than you think.If you’re feeling overwhelmed and looking for some specific strategies to help improve communication wit

Hi Friend,You are in for a treat today! By now you know that clutter comes in many forms aside from physical stuff. It shows up in our calendars, on our devices, and our relationships.But have you ever stopped to think about how your clutter is tied to your identity? Maybe it represents who we once were, or perhaps it’s who we want to be.From books, to hobbies, and even that old varsity jacket tells a story.Joining me to talk about the topic of Identity Clutter is Dawn Madsen, host of the Minimal Mom podcast and YouTube Channel where she reaches over 1M women per month with practical tips to simplify and declutter.During our conversation Dawn shared:What happened when she and her family gave up 85% of their belongingsThe one line in a podcast that changed her lifeSpecific strategies you can use to work through Identity Clutter I know that decluttering can be overwhelming which is why we’re here to help you wherever you are in your decluttering journey. Feel free to leave us a comment, and if you’re looki

Today I’m talking about how having a command center can really be a game-changer for your household organization. It's not just about finding a spot to put your stuff—it's about creating a central hub that keeps everything running smoothly.I’m giving you practical tips like:Having designated spots for storing your devicesSetting up an action file system to prioritize paperworkUsing calendars and bulletin boards to keep everyone on trackAnd bonus: keeping a utility drawer stocked with all the essentials - paper, pencils, markers, stamps and envelopes can help to keep the family moving.By putting these strategies into action, you'll be well on your way to creating a command center that's not only efficient but also tailored to the unique needs of your household. So grab a cup of coffee and let's get organized together!Happy OrganizingLaurieNeed help organizing your command center? Hop on my calendar: https://simplyborganized.as.me/StrategySession

Hi Friend!Since leap year only comes around every 4 years, I thought it would be fun to focus today’s episode on leaping into the unknown.Regardless of whether you're going through a major life transition or thinking about a career change, stepping out of your comfort zone is never easy.It requires courage, resilience, and a willingness to pivot, but I want to assure you that you are not alone.In the episode we focus on the 3 major areas where change impacts us most:FinanciallyLogisticallyRelationallyIf you are in a period of change, either personally or professionally this episode is for you!Here’s my special invitation for you:Whether you’re tired of the stress that comes from having clutter in your home, or you’re ready to start that professional organizing business you’ve been dreaming of, I’d love for you to book a strategy session so we can work through it together.Hop on My Calendar! https://simplyborganized.as.me/StrategySessionThe first step is always the hardest, but it’s easier when you’ve got some

Hi Friends!We’ve made it to the end of February, which if you’re a parent, likely means that you’re sick and tired of looking at toys everywhere and ready to take a big trash bag and dump everything inside it.But before you do…you’re going to want to listen to today's mini episode where I talk about:.Why the winter is a good time to tackle kids toysMaking some executive decisions as a parentThe importance of setting boundaries and getting your kids involved in the process.Remember that kids struggle with decision fatigue and overwhelm too! If they can’t find their toys or are overstimulated with too much stuff, it can lead to unnecessary stress, anxiety, and a desire to avoid their play area entirely.If it stresses you out, there’s a chance it stresses them out-they might just not have the language to articulate it.Happy Organizing!Laurie

Hi Friend!Today we’re talking about how to organize all the 1099’s, w-2’s and other documents needed to prepare your taxes.If you’re like me, this is less than exciting stuff to talk about, but thankfully my guest today is here to help!Joining me is Samanta Besnoff who has been a CPA for 22 years and recently named one of the Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs Women to Watch. She hosts a podcast called Your Financial Maven and her speciality is helping individuals and small businesses with all of their tax needs. I invited Samantha on the show because not only is she super knowledgeable, but she simplifies what can be a complicated and overwhelming process.During our conversation we talked about:How long we really need to keep old documentsHow to best organize all of the necessary tax documents in prep for April 15thWhen she recommends beginning the process of gathering your tax infoHow to avoid missing important documentsSome do’s and don'ts when filing your taxesWhether you work with a tax professional or file

Hi Friends!On today’s Tip of the Week we’re talking about Mindful Consumption. Mindful consumption helps you avoid impulse buying and focus on acquiring things that truly enhance your well-being. In other words, before making a purchase, ask yourself if you really need the item.The timing of this episode aligns with something going on in my personal life. I decided that for lent this year I was going to give up all “non-essential shopping.” What does that look like?No more candles from Home Goods, Lip Gloss from CVS or late night amazon purchases.I’m documenting my experience over the next 40 days so I can report back to you in a follow up episode. Pro Tip: Whether you want to join me on my shopping sabbatical, or practice being more intentional about what you’re bringing into your home, tell a friend! Having some external accountability makes it easier to stay on track when you feel the urge to slip up! Happy Organizing!Laurie

Hi Friend!Regardless of how organized you might be with your closet, kitchen or garage, the one area that most folks find hard to keep up with are photos.If you’ve been around me for a minute you know that I always talk about “the ease of retrieval” when it comes to organizing, and photos are a prime example of where people waste hours of time looking for those precious memories! Between boxes and bins of “old school” photos that you’ve collected over the decades, VHS tapes and CDs with who-knows what on it, to the tens of thousands of digital photos on our phones, computers and social media-it can seem next to impossible to create a system to keep it all organized.My guest today is Darla DeMorrow, a certified photo organizer, author, and owner of HeartWorkOrganizing where she helps her clients gather, preserve, organize and maintain a system to easily find and enjoy the important moments in their lives.During our conversation we talked about:The 2 universes of photo storage3 places not to store photosHer fav

Hi Friends!One of the most popular questions I get asked as a Professional Organizer is “Is it Worth it to Sell My Stuff?”On today’s Tip of the Week I’m going to walk you through the process I go through with my clients to help them determine the right answer for them. We talk about some general guidelines I like to follow including:What types of items typically hold their value When to consult an expertWhen to donate vs sellIf your goal is to simplify your life, and your stuff is holding you back, you’re going to want to listen to this episode.Happy Organizing!Laurie

Hey Friend,If you’ve ever been through any type of renovation you know that budget can be a sticky subject.On today’s episode I’m sharing with you: the different factors that contribute to renovation costsWays you can save money on your projectThe importance of getting a breakdown of product and laborHow to determine how much to spend on a projectIf you are thinking about doing any home reno projects OR if you are a professional organizer wanting to learn how to have the budget conversation with your client-this is the episode for you!Curious about your relationship with clutter? Dive into our brand-new Enneagram & Clutter workbook! It's the perfect tool to bridge the gap between understanding the Enneagram and applying it in your daily life. Let's declutter your space and your mind together! Get it here →Enneagram & Clutter Workbook https://simplyborganized.podia.com/enneagram-workbook

Hey Friend!For today’s tip we’re talking about High Impact Areas. What do I mean by a High Impact Area?I’m referring to making time for any room or obligation that has a direct impact on your life currently.Many people make the mistake of focusing on what’s loudest, messiest, or right in front of them, but that approach often comes at the expense of the things that are most important.During the episode you’ll learn:When to determine something as a High Impact AreaHow to create Action Steps for following throughWhy I constantly comparing my time to a closetIf you are in a season (or entering one) that has you feeling overwhelmed, this is the episode for you!Curious about your relationship with clutter? Dive into our brand-new Enneagram & Clutter workbook! It's the perfect tool to bridge the gap between understanding the Enneagram and applying it in your daily life. Let's declutter your space and your mind together!Get it here →Enneagram & Clutter Workbook https://simplyborganized.podia.com/enneagram-wo

Hi Friends, In today's episode, we're diving into downsizing, staging, and moving. Linda and Betsy have mastered the art of decluttering and staging homes over the past six years, especially during the pandemic real estate boom. Their approach starts early, two months before moving, allowing ample time for decluttering and organizing.They're all about creative storage solutions within the home, making the moving process smoother. Their color-coded labeling system and precise packing techniques save time and hassle.But it's not just about stuff—it's about stories. Linda and Betsy take the time to listen to their clients' tales, uncovering fascinating treasures like an invitation to JFK's inauguration.Having a support system during decluttering is crucial, keeping distractions at bay and maintaining focus. Linda and Betsy encourage staying in one space and surrounding yourself with supportive friends.To connect with Linda and Betsy, find them on Instagram as @CuratedSpacesOrganizing or visit their website at cu

Hey Friend!I don’t know about you, but It’s been a crazy month-not necessarily bad crazy (thank goodness) but lots going on! I am actually writing this from ☀️ Florida where I’m speaking at the 10th annual PodFest Conference all about Creating a Content Calendar.But I digress….Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at not one, but TWO career day fairs about life as a Professional Organizer and a Podcaster. One was for our HS students, and the other was for our elementary students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade.If you’ve ever sat down with kids 8-10 years old, you know that they speak their minds-and boy did these kids not hold back!Check out this quick 10 min episode that talks about their different takeaways, and why it was a great reminder that you can say the same thing 4 different times and get 4 different responses.We often take for granted that when we say something, that everyone hears the same thing, but as the Enneagram has taught me, that’s so NOT the case! If are a parent, partner, or professional org

​​Joining me today is my dear friend Amy Revell, host of popular podcast The Art of Decluttering, leads the largest Professional Organizing company in Australia, and is the author of the book Simply Organised (yes, that organised with an S-remember, she’s from Australia!) Amy is happily married to her husband Cal and together they have 2 sons Jesse and Elijah. Back in the summer when we released our series on adult ADHD, Amy reached out and we spoke about her own ADHD adult diagnosis, and how it affects her life as a wife, mom and entrepreneur.I said, “wait” we need to share this with our TOL community! And she graciously obliged

Hi friends, Today we’re discussing strategies for better communication around clutter. When we feel overwhelmed by physical things, mental load, or calendar clutter it can often trigger a Clutter Spiral. The 5 phases of the Clutter Spiral include: Anxiety, Frustration, Anger, Resentment, and Shame.The first step in reducing (or ultimately removing) the Clutter Spirals from happening is to write down how clutter makes you feel and what you want your home to feel and look like. To get started you can grab our free worksheet to help you identify how clutter makes you feel. I encourage you to name the desired feeling then work backwards to identify action steps to align reality with your ideal vision.This self-reflection exercise can provide clarity and motivation for decluttering. Clutter is more emotional than physical, so self-knowledge is critical for lasting change.Happy Organizing!XO LaurieLinks Mentioned in this episode: FREE WORKSHEET: Clutter Spiralling & Communication Starters https://simplyborganiz