Organizing

A Common Organizing Client Question: “Is This the Worst You’ve Ever Seen?”

Published: February 12, 2020

After years of organizing homes and offices, I’ve helped hundreds of people to declutter, organize and simplify their lives. During that time, one of the most common question that I am asked is, “Is this the worst you’ve ever seen?” or “Have you seen worse?” or the question of “How does my home or office compare to other spaces you’ve worked in?”

As a Certified Professional Organizer®, I have a non-judgmental approach, and I am not comparing your space to my other clients’ spaces. However, the fact that this is such a common question, means that many of my clients are comparing themselves to what they see on social media, or perhaps at homes that they visit for social events (when the host has had time to clean and hide clutter in preparation for guests). Everyone has a different definition of what organized means to them, but unfortunately, many of my clients feel shame that they are not “perfect” and want to know where they stand on a scale of best to worst.

Almost everyone (not including those who are minimalists) has some clutter, some stuff that is disorganized or overwhelming to them in their lives – this can be physical clutter, or a cluttered schedule. It is normal to be overwhelmed by disorganization, and as long as you, as my client, are willing to put in the time, effort and investment toward professional organizing services, we can work through the clutter together and dig you out toward a baseline that feels organized for you.

There are so many reasons why people become disorganized: life transitions, family situations, illnesses, mental health challenges, and more. There’s no reason to have a contest as to who’s home or office is the worst. If you want to change and are willing to do what it takes to make that transformation happen, your living or working space (and life) can improve, and that’s how I help my clients.

When I work with my clients, I talk to them about their spaces and how or why they may have gotten to the point where they’ve called in my help, but I never judge or compare them. I am there to find the quickest, easiest, and right solution for that particular person’s life. Know that your friends and neighbors are not perfect, and most of what you see on social media is staged (or cleaned up in advance). I’ve been in real homes and I’ve seen how people really live, and it is not really a question of best or worst, it is a question of how can we get this space to work best for you?

If you live in the Raleigh, North Carolina area and need hands-on organizing assistance or want a do-it-yourself plan, I’d love to help you. If you live elsewhere, I offer virtual organizing services via FaceTime and Skype to help you with any size organizing project. Please contact me for a free phone consultation to get started.

Decluttering & Organizing When Moving in Together

Published: October 16, 2019

I help many people to declutter and organize when they are going through life transitions. One big transition is when a couple first moves in together. Decluttering and organizing with a professional organizer’s help can help to reduce conflicts and make sure couples are starting off on the right foot when it comes to cohabitation.

Whether you are moving into a place already occupied by your significant other, or renting or buying a new place together, setting up organized systems and creating a home for everything can certainly improve harmony in your place together.

When I work with couples to help set up these organized systems, here are some of things we focus on:

Determining What to Declutter

Usually, when you move in together, you will want to declutter some belongings from your past to make room for your new life together. A professional organizer can help you on either end, before you move out of your current space, or when you’re in your new space starting to combine belongings, to systematically go through and declutter what you no longer want or need, and organize the items you are keeping.

Layouts of Rooms and Furniture Selection

Once you have the measurements of the place you are moving into, you should determine exactly how much furniture will fit in the space. You may have to pick and choose who’s kitchen table or sofa you use, or buy something new altogether. Either way, too much furniture can lead to a cluttered room. There will be compromises as you determine what furniture looks and fits best in your new space.

Closet Choices

Clothing storage is one area where couples may have conflicts. Discuss the closet space available, determine if you’re going to share a closet, or each have your own. You will probably need to sort and cull your clothing during this process. I recently had some home organizing clients where the man moved his clothing into the guest room closet, so the woman could have the bigger closet space in the bedroom! Compromise is key!

Laundry Processes

Determine a laundry process of who does the laundry, where dirty clothing is collected, when it is done, and how and when clean clothing is put away. Also, the dry cleaning drop off and pick up process should be determined as well. Setting up a system like this can reduce conflict.

Kitchen Set-up

One place where couples may have two of everything is in the kitchen. In this room, it is important to sort through and choose the best kitchen supplies, cookware, dishes, utensils, etc. that will work in your kitchen together. Keeping two of everything will just lead to clutter and disorganization.

Bathroom Layout

Again, if you’re sharing a bathroom together for the first time, you will need to designate areas for each of your belongings. If you have more than one, you may each want to claim your own bathroom to give you more space and reduce arguments.

Mail Systems

Simply considering who picks up the mail, and where it is placed so the other person can receive and respond to their mail is extremely important. This will prevent missed events or unpaid bills and other arguments.

If you live in the Raleigh, North Carolina area and are moving in together and need hands-on organizing assistance or want a do-it-yourself plan, I’d love to help you. If you live elsewhere, I offer virtual organizing services via FaceTime and Skype to help you with any size organizing project. Please contact me for a free phone consultation to get started.

16 Reasons to Organize Your Bedroom Closet

Published: September 25, 2019

A disorganized bedroom closet can cause chaos in your life from the very start of your day. Here are some great reasons to organize your bedroom closet:

1.To get ready faster in the mornings

With your closet better organized, you will all be able to quickly retrieve items, which will result in getting dressed faster.

2. To find things more quickly

You will be able to find clothing, shoes and accessories faster with everything organized.

3. To save money

An organized closet means no more buying items you already have but cannot find. You may save money by not repurchasing items you already own.

4. To improve the laundry process

When every piece of clothing has a place, it will me easier put away clean clothes.

5. For a cleaner room overall

Better organization and less clutter mean less to pick up, clean and dust. Creating a place for everything in your closet can help to declutter parts of the bedroom, making chores, such as vacuuming, easier.

6. To make it easier to fall asleep

Cluttered spaces often cause anxiety. A decluttered bedroom will help to create a more calm and peaceful feeling, possibly making it easier for you to sleep.

7. For a healthier sleeping space

When a space is decluttered, it is easier to clean, and will result is less dust and bacteria in the sleeping space. This can relieve some allergies and give you a healthier sleeping environment.

8. To make it easier to process dry cleaning and clothing to be tailored

By making a place for incoming and outgoing clothing that needs to be dry cleaned or tailored, you will simplify this process.

9. To streamline swapping out clothing

By setting up an organized system for off-season clothing, and various sizes of clothes (if you change sizes frequently) will streamline the process of swapping out clothing as needed.

10. To reduce arguments between couples with shared closets

If you share a bedroom closet with your significant other, setting up separate and organized storage areas in the closet for each person’s belongings can help prevent disagreements.

11. To create sections for different categories of clothing

Separating your clothing in your closet by categories such as formal wear, business wear, and casual wear, will help you save time getting dressed, and give you a better view of exactly what types of clothing you own.

12. To keep pairs of shoes together, and make them easier to find

A shoe without a mate can be a common concern in a disorganized closet, creating homes for pairs of shoes will eliminate this problem.

13. To set up storage systems for accessories such as belts, ties and scarves

When unorganized, these small accessories can easily be lost or overlooked. When you set up an organized system and have one place to look, you’ll be able to see all of your accessories when needed.

14. To safely store keepsakes

Keepsakes are often stored in bedroom closets, by organizing them, you’ll be able to make sure they are all safely stored and easy to find.

15. To make packing and unpacking easier

If you travel frequently, setting up a storage system for luggage in your closet will make both packing and unpacking easier.

16. To find clothing to sell or donate

As you go through the decluttering and organizing process, you may find items you’d like to sell or donate. You could possibly make some money selling items, or you could help someone else through your donations of clothing.

The main benefit of organizing any area is that you and your family will save time searching for items resulting in less stress and chaos. If you live in the Raleigh, North Carolina area and need hands-on organizing assistance or want a do-it-yourself plan, I’d love to help you. If you live elsewhere, I offer virtual organizing services via FaceTime and Skype to help you with any size organizing project. Please contact me for a free phone consultation to get started.

Why Fall is a Great Time to Get Organized

Published: September 18, 2019

Why Fall is a Great Time to Get Organized
People often are inspired to declutter as part of spring cleaning or want to get organized as part of a New Year’s resolution, but actually, the fall season is one of the best times to get organized, and here are some reasons why:

Fall brings cooler weather and lower humidity, making it more comfortable to organize garages, sheds, attics and basements.

It is a good time to declutter clothing that children have outgrown over the summer.

With children back in school, you may have uninterrupted time available to organize your home, if you have a flexible schedule, or can take a weekday off from work.

Fall is a good time to organize your garage so you can easily fit your vehicle inside it, to protect it from the upcoming icy and snowy winter weather.

Organize your kitchen and dining room in early fall to prepare for hosting events like Thanksgiving dinner or Christmas dinner.

To better organize your pantry, so grocery shopping and cooking will be easier, and maybe you can donate unused, unexpired food to a food pantry before the holidays.

To declutter your guest bedrooms and bonus rooms before overnight guests of friends and family visit for the holidays.

To set up an organized space for indoor hobbies you may spend more time on during the winter months, such as crafting, sewing, knitting, scrapbooking or painting.

The hectic holiday schedule creeps up quickly, usually by early November, so getting organized before then can help make the holidays less chaotic.

To find new gifts you’ve collected throughout the year, and put them in one place so you can easily give them away over the holidays.

To get your gift wrapping supplies in order ahead of the holiday season.

Remember, resolutions don’t have to start on New Year’s Day, resolve now to end the year more organized!

My Favorite Products for Organizing Toys

Published: July 17, 2019

Keeping toys organized can often be a challenge. The right organizational systems combined with the right storage products can make it easier to maintain an organized playroom or toy area. Here are some of my favorite products for organizing toys.

Life Made Better Doll Toy Box

Fashionista Barbie Doll Storage Case

mDesign Plastic Portable Craft Storage Organizer Caddy

Sorbus Toy Chest

KidKraft Austin Toy Box

Tot Tutors Kids’ Toy Storage Organizer with 12 Plastic Bins

Titan Mall Stackable Storage Bins

Sterilite Stacking Drawers

MiniOwls Toy Storage Hammock

ECR4Kids Birch 5-Section School Classroom Storage Cabinet

Cube shelving

Fabric bins

Choosing the right storage product for you often depends on the layout of the room, the amount of toys you want to contain, and the age of the child playing with the toys. If you’d like assistance and guidance in organizing your family’s toys, please contact me for information on my in-person or virtual organizing services.

On Task Organizing, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com

7 Ways to Stay Motivated While Decluttering and Organizing

Published: July 10, 2019

7 Ways to Stay Movitated While Decluttering and Organizing

Taking on the task of decluttering and organizing any space in your home or office can be a challenge. It can be even more overwhelming if you’re trying to declutter and organize an entire home in a short timeframe. Whatever your situation, you may lose motivation during this sometimes lengthy process. Here are some tips to help you stay motivated.

Motivate with music

Listen to music while you work on decluttering. If you like music in the background, this will help keep a rhythm and keep you going.

Take breaks

Decluttering and organizing involves a lot of decision making. To avoid decision fatigue, take a break regularly.

Remember your priorities

For example, if you priority is to declutter the guest room so your grandchildren can visit, keep a photo of your grandchildren nearby, and think about the fun things you’ll do when they visit. Remind yourself why you’re doing this.

Realize it will take time, but you’ll get there

Know that it probably took months or years for your space to get this way, and you’re doing great! Unlike reality TV, you may not see big changes in an hour, but keep chipping away at it, and you’ll get there!

Treat it as an archeological dig

Did you find a pile of Christmas cards from 2012 or a hotel brochure from 2009? What parts of your life history are you digging up? What good memories do you want to hold onto? Recognize that you are digging into your past as you declutter.

Tell a friend for accountability

Going through this can be a personal process, so you may not want a friend to help, but you can ask them to hold you accountable. For example, tell them, “I am decluttering my pantry on Saturday, please check in with me on Sunday so I can tell you how it went.” Just knowing someone is checking in may help.

Hire a professional organizer

For expert advice, assistance and help, you can hire a professional organizer like myself to work with you in-person or virtually. Please make sure the organizer is trained, experienced, insured, and part of NAPO (The National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals).

Organizing

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