Tidy Lifestyle gives clients back their time, space, and life by providing home organization services, decluttering, downsizing, and functional system set ups.
2025 Tidy Summer Freebies – tutorial videos on how to fold & free event!
Pocket Fold like a BOSS
I’m thrilled to kick off my updated Pocket Folding Video Series! 🎥✨ Over the next two months, I’ll be sharing a brand new folding tutorial every week on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook —each one focused on a different clothing item to help you stay neat, stylish, and organized. The series is already underway, and here’s what we’ve covered so far:
Our goal is to empower you with confidence and clarity to understand the downsizing journey so you can make informed decisions, not rushed ones.
Even if you can’t attend the event, perhaps your neighbor, friend, mom, aunt, or another loved one can benefit. We will dive into how to prep for a move, declutter, rightsize, and pack.
Estimate the organizing time for your next project. Before & After photos of closet organization, kitchen organization, dining organization, office organization and garage organization projects.
Nicole here.
One of my favorite activities is to shop at the local farmers markets! I find I spend less, eat healthier, cook more, and feel good about supporting locals vs. corporations. Win, win right?
When I’m not thinking about food… I’m all about organizing!
Perhaps one of the most intriguing parts of my job is seeing a space and evaluating how long it will take to FINISH a project.
Every estimate and quote is based on:
the size of your space
amount of possessions you own
type of items
time it takes you to make decisions when decluttering
organization approach: konmari vs. the home edit
What are the most popular projects?
Clothing (Closet)
Paper (Office)
Komono (Kitchen)
Komono (Garage)
Ready to see some examples from clients? I gotchu.
amount of possessions: cannot walk on floor, pile about 2 feet high off floor, hangers and shelves barely used
type of items: clothing, shoes, travel, linens
time to make decisions: quick (not attached)
organization approach: traditional (organizing by space)
For this particular project, I helped the client do a custom closet installation through The Container Store. Fun Fact: I get trade discounts from 20% – 40% off at The Container Store.
amount of possessions: piles on every surface/floor, cabinets mostly empty
type of items: cleaning, food, eating items, cooking items, bags, appliances, leisure gear
time to make decisions: quick (not attached)
organization approach: traditional (organizing by space)
After we finished organizing and decluttering, we spent time to make this home feel like a home. We brought precious artwork out from storage and finally hung it on the wall. We also purchased plants and installed a custom light fixture for extra light.
amount of possessions: 80% of floor with piles, 50% of cabinets full
type of items: home decor, tools, holiday, linens, clothing, school supplies, toys, artwork, sports equipment
time to make decisions: quick (not attached)
organization approach: traditional (organizing by space)
That pile in the before photo is a great representation of how overwhelming it can feel to start a project! The goal for this particular client was to help prepare them for an upcoming move.
I hope from these example photos give you a realistic concept of how long projects can take. Please note: every individual is beautifully unique and so is their time to finish a project!
Instead of spending months to years to finish. I recommend scheduling intentional time. For example, setting aside time to organize 1x a week over the next month.
If it’s been over a month since you started, feel free to snap and send a few photos to me 415-787-3865. I’m happy to give tips and advice, at no charge.
Your clutter is my bliss.
Business Partner Highlights
Do you want to look and feel like your best self?
Diane Covington, product consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics, empowers women to look and feel their best through personalized beauty consultations, high-quality skincare, and makeup products. Whether you’re looking for a fresh everyday glow or a glamorous makeover, Diane is here to support your beauty goals.
Do you know a licensed massage therapist or hair stylist?
Victoria Briskin is a Volunteer Program Specialist at Hospice of the East Bay. She helps to recruit, train, and support volunteers who provide compassionate care and companionship to patients and their families during hospice care.
Ready to Tidy Up with a Certified KonMari Consultant®?
Today, we pause to honor the women who shape our by offering some DIY tips for mothers.
Whether they raised us, mentored us, or simply nurtured us with their presence, mothers carry a love that anchors families and creates homes full of life, memory, and meaning.
My mom, maternal grandmother and me in Hawaii where my mom grew up.
Mothers are the ones who: Remember the tiny details that make our lives run smoothly.
Hold space for both the milestones and the messy, everyday moments.
Keep traditions alive through photos, recipes, and stories.
Give unconditionally, so their families can grow, thrive, and feel safe.
They juggle schedules, soothe worries, celebrate achievements, and manage an invisible load that often goes unnoticed — but not unappreciated.
As a professional organizer, I’ve witnessed how mothers often carry not just the physical items of a household, but also the emotional and mental threads that bind it all together.
Today, we celebrate you, Moms.
Your love is woven into every corner of your home.
Your care echoes in the routines and rhythms you create.
Your patience and strength shape futures in ways words can’t express.
So whether you spend your special day relaxing, laughing with loved ones, or simply taking a quiet moment for yourself — know that you are seen, valued, and deeply appreciated.
Enjoy my gift to you: DIY tips to simplify your daily routine.
Streamline Laundry!
Contain small items like socks and underwear in mesh laundry bags. This keeps all the like items together for quick washing, drying, and putting away. It also prevents you from losing socks!
💡 Tip: Shake mesh bags before loading in the dryer so all items dry thoroughly.
When folding laundry, group similar items together first, then fold each category in bulk. It’s a simple way to save time and keep everything organized.
Make maintenance tasks like laundry and dishes as enjoyable as possible by playing music, making it a family event, or getting comfortable on your bed/couch and turning on your favorite show.
Clothing Declutter Hack
Each time you wear an item, simply turn its hanger to mark it as worn. After a month, take a look and see what you’ve reached for — and what’s been left untouched. For anything unworn, ask yourself: “Do I really need this?”
Define a Drop Zone
Store your essentials near the door you use most often. This helps prevent misplacing items and makes it easier to head out quickly when you’re in a hurry:
Purse
Keys
Jacket
Shoes
Sunglasses
Incorporate Kids
Alleviate some of your tasks by empowering kids to participate and take ownership of their things/activities.
💡 Tip: Involve kids by offering choices (“Would you like to put away books or sort the toys today?”) and praising their effort, not perfection. Systems work best when they match their developmental stage.
We hope these tips are helpful to your and your family!
Happy Mother’s Day! You are the heart of the home. 🌸
Business Partner Highlights
Looking for an inclusive community to workout and be inspired in?
Alejandra Adaui, owner of TFX Fitness Studio, is on a mission to create a space where health isn’t just about the weight you lose but the joy you gain. She believes in nurturing balance, strength, and positivity in every aspect of life by offering group fitness classes and 1:1 nutrition coaching.
Ready to pamper yourself through facials, makeup, and waxing?
Jazmine Simpson, owner of Beauty & Beyond, creates luxury experiences where every woman feels like a queen! From start to finish you will feel relaxed, beautiful, and empowered.
Ready to Tidy Up with a Certified KonMari Consultant®?
Meet Nicole Sachiko – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nicole Sachiko. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Looking for a beautiful jewelry piece for this Spring?
Fariba is an expert at making women feel beautiful. Her offerings from Touchstone Crystal change seasonally to match today’s style and trends.
Do you need help writing content for websites, newsletters, blogs?
Lori’s Tora Writing Services provides writing and editing services for professionals who want to establish or expand the written proof of their expertise.
Ready to Tidy Up with a Certified KonMari Consultant®?
Do your finances match your lifestyle and future goals?
Yvonne Ceresa is a Fiancial Advisor with Edward Jones. She helps to empower individuals and families to save and grow their wealth so they have the financial resources to live their dreams.
Ready to Tidy Up with a Certified KonMari Consultant®?
I want to express my gratitude and appreciation for your presence in the Tidy Lifestyle family. As a family member, I think it’s important to check in and ask you – How are you? Really?
Is there anything I can share, talk about, or do to add joy in your life? I really value your input and want to ensure that the content I create is meaningful to you.
I am looking to improve and bring you the best content possible. But to do that, I need your help. Your feedback will help me address relevant topics and answer questions that truly matter to you.
Please share your ideas by filling out our 2 minute Poll!
What topics would you like to see covered in future blog posts? Are there any specific questions or challenges you’re facing that we can help with?
Thanks again for your support and time. I’ll be going through all your suggestions and can’t wait to start working on content that reflects your ideas. Stay tuned for exciting new posts based on your feedback!
I’m excited to continue this journey with you. Together, we can make this blog an even more amazing resource for everyone!
What is the purpose of a gift? Learn how to receive and give gifts of joy not guilt.
The purpose of gifts extends beyond the material value of the item itself. Gifts are powerful tools for communication, connection, and emotional expression.
Expression of love and affection: a common love language in American culture is gift giving
Celebration: holidays, birthdays, weddings, and other special occasions as a way to mark the significance of the event
Gratitude: giving gifts can be a way to express gratitude for someone’s help, support, or kindness
Custom and Tradition: gift-giving is deeply ingrained in customs and traditions. It’s a way to uphold social norms, strengthen relationships, and foster a sense of community.
Surprise and Delight: giving and receiving gifts can bring joy and excitement, especially when the gift is unexpected or particularly thoughtful. It adds an element of surprise to relationships and occasions.
Let’s dive into how gifts impact our life, organization at home/work, and decluttering.
The purpose of a gift as a receiver is to receive the gift. Once you have received the gift, you have fulfilled its purpose. Now that the gift is in your possession, it is up to you to decide what to do with it.
Reflect on Your Values: Consider what’s important to you and your living space. Reflect on whether the gift you received align with your values, interests, and lifestyle. This reflection can help you prioritize which gifts to keep and which ones to let go of.
Assess the Gift:
Do you love it?
Will you use it or enjoy looking at it if it is displayed?
Does it hold sentimental value or evoke positive memories?
Does it align with your current needs and lifestyle?
Have the Courage to Donate it: The last thing the gift giver would want is for you to hold on to something the adds negatively to your life. Perhaps, he/she actually wants the opposite – for you to feel happy, content, and at your best, regardless if you keep the gift or not.
Express Gratitude: Even if you choose to declutter a gift, take a moment to express gratitude for the thoughtfulness and generosity of the giver. You can thank them sincerely for the gesture while acknowledging that the gift may not fit your needs or preferences.
When you decide to keep a gift, fulfill its purpose by deciding if it is to be used (practical) or displayed (joy):
Practical
It makes life easier
It supports you in a specific way
It is useful
Place the item in a storage place with intention where it will be used and is easy to access
Display
Sparks positive feelings when you see the item
Adds aesthetics and visual appeal to your space
Triggers a memory and experience you want to remember
When we declutter, all of our energy and time should be focused on the decision of what to keep and discard.
One of the biggest signs that you don’t love and should not keep an item is when you want to gift it.
We love to distract ourselves in different ways and one of the main ways we procrastinate during the decluttering process is when we have the desire to gift or give items away to loved ones.
What we don’t realize is that this reaction is an excuse to not let go. Instead of giving a gift of joy, we are giving a gift of guilt. The guilt that we feel about an item is then transferred to the person we give it to. Ultimately creating a vicious cycle of gifting and guilt. Common items we have the urge to gift:
Items we never used
Perceived high value: expensive, rare, unique
Sentimental value: association with specific memories, experiences, or relationships.
Gifts we have received and kept out of guilt or obligation
Fear of offending the gift giver
Attachment to material possessions: attached value to physical objects that give a sense of security or identity
Have the courage to let go. When we let go we are are also streamlining the entire organizing process by simplifying it to two piles: what to keep and what to discard.
Please see this list of donation centers and the causes they support. Pick a cause you truly care about. It will be easier to let go and give you peace of mind when you know your precious items will help those who are truly in need.
When we look back on our life when we are old, what will we remember? Will we remember the designer pants or fancy kitchen appliance? Probably not. We will think fondly of the memories, experiences, hobbies, pets, and people who made a mark on our lives.
When it comes to giving gifts, give the gift of experience. An experience or excuse, to spend quality time with your loved ones. Time is our most precious asset in life. Life goes by so quickly and it is even more important to schedule intentional time with those we care about.
Have the courage to let go and embrace the most important thing we have in life: each other!
Business Partner Highlights
Do you own artful portraits of yourself and your loved ones that you absolutely LOVE?
Brady Thomas, owner of Brady Thomas Photography, creates legacy images that you and your loved ones will cherish every day on your walls right now, and for years and years to come.
Are you ready to lose weight and keep it off for a lifetime?
Linda Witnov has a masters degree in clinical psychology and is the owner of Rise Up, Slim down.
Linda coaches clients by crafting a plan that fits your life: your schedule, your food preferences, your health needs, your activity level, your commitments, and your overall lifestyle with a gradual habit-change method.
Ready to Tidy Up with a Certified KonMari Consultant®?
Find and support a local business in Contra Costa County. All service providers on this list have been personally vetted, referred, and used by myself and/or clients. Please let the business owners know Nicole referred you. If you have used anyone on this list that did not leave you satisfied, please contact nicole@tidylife.style
Today we will talk about how to declutter sentimental items specifically related to family history. First let’s dive into what sentimental family history really means.
Family history and sentimental values often intertwine to create a rich tapestry of personal identity and heritage. Each family carries its own unique story, shaped by the experiences, traditions, and values passed down through generations.
We as humans preserve this family history and memories by keeping:
heirlooms
photographs
letters
antiques
recipes
other artifacts
These items hold material significance and emotional weight, connecting individuals to our past and to those who came before us. These tangible reminders serve as bridges between generations, allowing stories to be shared and cherished.
Letting go doesn’t mean forgetting or devaluing memories, experiences, or individuals. Instead, it can be a liberating act that frees up physical and emotional space for new experiences and connections.
So how do we declutter family history?
Set yourself up for success: Letting go is a gradual process. I recommend organizing in category order from easy to difficult (clothing, books, papers, komono, sentimental) so that when you get to the hardest category, you are that much more confident about who you are and what you value (or don’t value.) This also allows for time to process your emotions.
Declutter by category, start with the easiest: subcategory examples of sentimental – photos, antiques, paper, furniture, etc.
Acknowledge feelings: Recognize and honor the emotions attached to the sentimental items. It’s okay to feel sadness, nostalgia, or even guilt when considering letting go of something meaningful.
Evaluate the significance: Assess the true importance of each item. Consider whether it aligns with your current values, lifestyle, and space constraints. Some items may hold more sentimental value than others, making them worth preserving.
Preserve memories, not things: Remind yourself that memories are not tied to physical objects. Take time to reminisce and reflect on the experiences associated with the items before parting with them.
Donate or repurpose: Find new homes for sentimental items by donating them to charity or repurposing them into something practical or decorative. Knowing that these items will be appreciated and used by others can make the process of letting go easier.
Create a legacy: Rather than keeping all sentimental items for yourself, consider selecting a few key pieces to represent your family’s history and values. Be sure to display these items to be enjoyed! This curated collection that can be passed down to future generations, preserving the essence of your family’s story.
Have the courage to let go, celebrate, and move forward. Every step our ancestors took represents an opportunity for us to live our best and most fulfilled life today.
What if you could read a letter from the perspective of a loved one you wish to remember?
Aviva Black, owner of Family Love Letters, writes letters that offer the opportunity to celebrate and honor our loved ones, creating lasting connections between generations.
Do you need help putting together your family history? Dawn Kosmakos is a genetic genealogist and owner of Sunrise DNA. She helps individuals:
Build their family tree
Solve their DNA mysteries (who is my grandfather?)
Scan, upload & and validate paper records, photos, etc. to tree and connect to correct ancestor.
Ready to Tidy Up with a Certified KonMari Consultant®?
