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Once we organize a space, how do we keep it from getting cluttered again? 1 Stop buying unnecessary things It's not cheaper if it costs us our peace of mind. It's not a good deal if it adds clutter and stress. When shopping we can take an extra moment to think about our future selves and ask, "Do I really need this? Do I have a place for this? Does this serve the life I want to be living?" If this sounds overwhelming, doesn't all that stuff add up to be overwhelming later?

Create "zones" to make getting and staying organized easier If you look at your garage and feel like barfing because of all the clutter, you're not alone! Let me be a beacon of hope: I once felt overwhelmed by all the clutter in our garage and couldn't find a hammer to save my life. Now my hubby and I BOTH park in the garage, can find everything we need when we need it, and, most miraculously... We're both inspired to put everything away and keep it organized! Whaaat? Yes, it

Using vertical space for storage opens up a new world of possibilities! This is my garage...my hubby and I are proud! (this definitely didn't happen overnight!) A huge part of making space in the garage, or anywhere else, is using vertical space for storage - it can be a complete game changer all over the house, but especially in garages. If you're one of the millions of people with a messy garage, know that you CAN fit a ton of things into your garage, we just need to be cre

Have you ever looked at your clutter and thought (or yelled): "I feel so overwhelmed!" "I don't know where to start!" "This is too hard! I can't do this!" I hear at least one of these from nearly everyone who comes to me for help with decluttering and organizing help. I have a confession: when I first look at a room (or whole house) full of clutter, I get overwhelmed...and I've been a professional organizer for years! But it only lasts for a moment - it really is true when I

Let's all uninvite shame from the party of our lives, shall we? I have two of the neatest, cleanest people I know coming to my house today. I told myself I wasn't going to care, but this morning I found myself running around cleaning, tidying, tucking things away... And yesterday I went to a neighbor's house to talk about watching their pets and they kept apologizing for the mess, which I honestly did not see, promising to have it clean before I came to pet sit. Why would I c

How to use the word should as fuel instead of as a boxing glove to our brain. As an organizing coach I regularly hear people shoulding on themselves: "I should do that, I shouldn't do that, I should've done that years ago..." Here's what I think: This is my favorite quote - I keep it next to my desk in clear view Do. Or Do Not. There is no Should. Should is a word to hide behind, to procrastinate with, to show we see the problem but aren't willing to do anything about it. Sho

Is there a voice in your mind keeping you from being happy? Around the time I began working with life coaches and practicing meditation, a cruel voice jumped out from the noise in my mind. When I paid attention, I realized it was a nearly constant nattering, like a mosquito in my ear. Even when I thought I was doing my best, she'd say, "It's not good enough!" Even when I was giving it my all, she'd tell me "You can give more!" She'd tell me I don't do enough, have enough or l

Does your brain say, "This is too hard"? Here's a way to break through... Every day I coach people who at one time thought, "This is too hard!" and I see their homes (and thoughts) being transformed. And I coach myself on "this is too hard" allll the time... What actually is too hard is to do it ALL at once. When we look at our messes like a big puzzle, then pick ONE section to focus on, it's not so hard. Our brains have likely been figuring out the puzzle all along, we just