Tidy Lifestyle gives clients back their time, space, and life by providing home organization services, decluttering, downsizing, and functional system set ups.
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!
Custom Systems in Rooms Include: Toiletry closet, Entry way walk in closet
Before & After Entryway Walk in Closet
unpacked boxes, loose items on shelvesboxes unpacked, items contained, see everything instantlyloose items randomly placedlike items contained together in boxesclothes in boxes and randomly placedall clothes hung and put away
Before & After Living Room & Dining Nook
items left outopen space with clear floors and surfacespacked boxes and items left outALL boxes unpacked with items put away in designated homescloser view of random items on floor and surfacesitems put away except art to be hungopen minimalist hallway
Before & After Toiletries
random linens, toiletries spread aboutlinens folded, toiletries contained by subcategory
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®?
People with hoarding disorder may or may not recognize that their habits and behaviors are negative. It’s important to acknowledge that the onset of hoarding usually starts from a stressful or traumatic event.
The exact cause of hoarding is unknown but it can be associated with ADHD and OCD.
Do you know someone who is hoarder and needs help?
Now serving the cities of: Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Orinda, Concord, Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, Daly City, Burlingame, San Mateo, Belmont, Redwood City, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, San Jose, Fremont, Hayward, Castro Valley, Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin
8 minimalist ideas to start your minimalist lifestyle today!
How can I be more minimalist with clothing?
Create a Capsule Wardrobe.
What is a Capsule Wardrobe? It is when your clothes are composed of interchangeable items that maximizes the number of outfits you can wear. Learn more about how to create a minimalist wardrobe.
How can I declutter books when I love reading?
Keep books that spark joy® when you see them or that you will read now. Be honest with yourself. If you haven’t read a book that’s been sitting on the shelf for years, will you really read it?
This sounds super old school but I recommend renting books from the library. I find that I actually read the books I get when I know I have to return them in 2-3 weeks. This also allows me to read all kinds of books (old and new) without them taking up space in my home.
How can I downsize paper in my house?
Stop the flow of paper coming in! It’s important to have a routine when it comes to mail:
Immediately toss advertisements/spam/junk (less paper accumulation)
Open envelopes and discard, only keep the important paper/letter (keep only what you need)
Place important papers, bills, letters in a pending box
Set a day to go through the mail once a week (no pile build ups)
If you haven’t done so already, automate all of your bills online and sign up for the paperless setting.
Is it possible to have a minimalist kitchen?
Yes. Although this category is probably one of the hardest for me personally. I maintain having less in the kitchen by:
Mindful spending: Less kitchen gadgets and more questions like, “What purpose does this item serve?”
Buy food you intend to eat now not later.
How can I have less cleaning products?
Honestly, the only cleaning product I use is vinegar. Vinegar is a natural antiseptic and a perfect solution if you have pets or kids in the house. I have 2-3 spray bottles each filled with vinegar that I keep in the kitchen to wipe tables/counters and in the bathrooms.
I’ve used vinegar for years and love the simplicity of having one product to clean everything.
How can I feel more minimalist with laundry when I hate folding?
It’s normal for laundry to be left in a basket for a few days. It is not normal when that is literally the place it lives and if it does – it better be in a designated spot in a closet. If you absolutely despise laundry and folding then I recommend –
Hang most/all clothes
Designate separate drawers for small items: socks, underwear, bras
Designate a spot for your hamper to live that does not create visual clutter
The key is to have a home for your clean clothes even if you don’t fold them. Simply toss items into drawers or on hangers. If you’re really lazy just leave them in the hamper but have a designated spot for that hamper to live. Create a system that works for you, is easy to maintain, and doesn’t disrupt the look and feel of your minimalist home.
Do I really have to declutter my sentimental items?
Absolutely not. It’s important to keep and display sentimental items throughout your home! If an item really means a lot to you then why not appreciate and look at it daily? Minimalism is about creating an environment that energizes and supports your lifestyle.
Ready to work with a professional organizer near me?
Now serving the cities of: Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Orinda, Concord, Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, Daly City, Burlingame, San Mateo, Belmont, Redwood City, Palo Alto, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, San Jose, Fremont, Hayward, Castro Valley, Alamo, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin
Reframe to the positive and embrace how each and every item serves a purpose and adds value.
Closet Tips
Remove clothes from plastic! Mold and moths can be trapped inside plastic covering your clothes. I recommend reusable & washable cloth garment bags.
Create a beautiful closet with matching hangers: it’s a simple yet effective visual appeal when you open your closet daily
Simple Kitchen Organizing
Try to store everything out of sight, inside cabinets and drawers
Install a wall basket on the inside cabinet under the sink to store soap & sponges
Store less frequently used appliances in low, easy to reach cabinets
Toss less joyful items like disposable silverware and chopsticks
Store food in air tight containers to preserve quality and for a lovely visual
Store loose dry items in bins
Snack bin: popcorn, chips, nuts, crackers
Canned: soup, beans, chicken broth
Sauces: ketchup, soy sauce, hot sauce
Health foods: protein powder, supplements
Back stock: backup cereal, energy bars, coffee
Keep joyful tools and organizers: high level of function, easy to wash/clean, and aesthetically pleasing
Atmosphere
Dedicate a “to-do” area.
Place a “pending” box for all incoming mail you want to open
Hang a calendar for all chores, appointments, reminders
Designate a work area for projects you’re working on
Create a drop-zone: this is usually near the front door where you can leave a pair shoes, jacket, mask, and wallet. It’s important to only leave one or time items of each category to avoid visual clutter.
Areas for daily rituals need to be easy to access: drop-zone, coffee & tea station, pet zone, workout zone, and more!
Storage Tricks
BINS ARE YOUR BEST FRIEND! Kitchen, Bathroom, Closet, Garage – no matter what space you are trying to organize try to CONTAIN all Like-items together!
Labels, labels, labels! Label’s help everyone in the home know where items belong and where to put them back.
Utilize all storage areas efficiently
Store large items first, place smaller items around
Install shelves on empty wall spaces
Store items of the same category together and label the shelf and/or box
Check out these book recommendations to help you start organizing!
Marie Kondo Book Recommendations
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up: This is such a great book to inspire you! After reading this I just knew I had to hire Marie to help my parents with their hoarder home. Soon after I signed up for her Organizing Consultant Program to start organizing on my own! This is where my professional organizing journey began. In this book she describes the deep impact of how organizing can enhance our lives. After all, don’t we all want to live our best lives?!
Joy at Work: Organizing Your Professional Life: What I love most about this book is how she explains how to organize your digital life. I swear before I read this I had soooo many old photos, documents spread all over my desktop, and absolutely no order to all my files. She also goes into detail about how to maintain a tidy workspace.
Organizing Book Recommendations
The Home Edit: A Guide to Organizing and Realizing Your House Goals: Clea and Joanna transform spaces to be practical and aesthetically beautiful. They tidy for clients instead of with clients. They love purchasing organizing containers to display everything beautifully and in rainbow color.
Free Tips & Tricks about how to maintain a Tidy Lifestyle after Tidying!
Kitchen
Spices & Herbs
Always return seasonings back to their designated home
Preserve flavor and quality by storing all spices and herbs away from light and heat
Replace after six months
When you run out of a spice: discard container and write down the item on your shopping list
Pantry
Always place items where you found them
Keep a writing pad handy in the kitchen so you can write down foods to replace
Sort through the pantry every 2-3 months to do inventory, make adjustments, and discard expired foods
Place labels on shelves so every member of the household can put things back where they belong
Refrigerator & Freezer
Always return food back to its category
sauces on the door
cheese in the drawer
milk on the tallest shelf
proteins on the lowest shelf (typically coldest area of the fridge)
Try to sort through the fridge & freezer every 1-2 months, before going grocery shopping
Check what you have and need to buy
Toss spoiled and expired foods
Reorganize so you can see everything
Living Room
Photos
Go through old photos every year. If you haven’t gone through photos in years, be honest with yourself and ask if they are worth keeping? Perhaps, switch photos in frames out with those in albums or boxes.
Books
Joy Check books every year. When did you read each book? If you haven’t most of the books in the past year or more consider other options – Kindle, Ebooks, or go to the library. (Yes, I still go to the library! It’s a wonderful way to read new releases without having to wait or store more books at home.)
Children’s toys
Ensure bins are categorized and accessible to encourage the little kiddos to tidy up
Categories can be broken down by:
Balls
Legos/Duplos
Trains, Trucks, Small Toys
Play food, Cookware
Stuffed Animals
Arts/Crafts
Dining Room
Sort through the dining room sideboard once a year and donate items that haven’t been used in the past 12 months
Refrain from using the dining table as a resting place for paper and projects
Place fresh flowers in a vase or another centerpiece. This visual appeal reminds family members that this is a space to gather.
Dust and clean the table weekly – this can help from clutter building
Place frequently used items in the sideboard nearby
Coasters, trivets, and napkins in easy to access drawers
Home Bar
After a party, put glasses and liquors back where they belong
Inventory the liquid cabinet before holiday and event shopping. Add items to your shopping list.
Home Office
Mail
Recycle junk mail at the mailbox
Have a designated place to temporary hold mail if you can’t get to it immediately
Sort through mail daily and as soon as you can
Shred sensitive mail
Place bills and other important documents in a pending box
Replace old magazines with new ones, especially if you have a subscription
Papers
As you receive important documents be sure to file them away in their appropriate category within a file cabinet or file folder
Place must-do items in a pending box, typically located on top of the desk or in a drawer
It’s natural for papers to be left out: don’t stress! You’re human! File papers once a week or on a regular schedule so nothing builds up.
When you receive notices such as wedding invitations: add it to the calendar immediately and then toss the paper.
Clean out files every year.
Tax records have to be saved for 3 years in California
Dispose of any unused manuals
Shred old bills, receipts, checks, etc.
Digital
Every 4 months: Go through file folders and add documents left on the desktop or other places that are not categorized
Ensure all documents are in useful categories
Projects
Personal
Travel
Medical
Financial
Tax
Important
Trash old and irrelevant documents
Every 4 months: Sort photos and delete duplicates, screenshots, junk
Take this opportunity to increase phone storage, sync photos to the cloud and/or computer
Create a photo screensaver slideshow on the computer! Change the background photo on your phone! This is a great way to enjoy your photos and relive your memories each day!
Bedroom
Clothes
Always put clothes back where it belongs in a closet, dresser, or drawer
Sort through clothing storage spaces periodically, perhaps every 6 months
When seasons change, replace and store clothes with the appropriate season
Discard or donate unworn clothes.
*Every item we keep and discard teaches us a lesson*
Designate a lazy drawer: Have a safe space to hold the pajamas currently being used or other clothes you intend to wear again. This is also a great place to hold clothes when feeling too tired to fold.
Designate a laundry bag for dry cleaning
Utilize drawer organizers and dividers if your clothes feel cluttered and disorganized regularly
As soon as you empty the dryer, find a peaceful place to fold clothes and take some time for yourself. This can become a relaxing ritual. Don’t forget to involve family members or to place clothes in labeled baskets within their personal spaces for them to get to.
Don’t have time to fold? Set clothing basket aside, near your closet as a “pending” activity.
Nightstand
Make it a habit to return all books inside the nightstand
Always put medicine in the drawers of the nightstand
Have in-bed hobbies? Place contents in a bin stored under the bed
Keep a small dish on the nightstand for hairbands, rings, or earrings
Bathroom
Reorganize your bathroom every 6-12 months
It’s normal for clutter to build up on bathroom counters. Make it a point to clean counters regularly to avoid scum and dust build up. Take this opportunity to tidy up!
Medicine
Check the dates of your medication every 6 months
Over the counter medication typically expires every 6-12 months
Store medicine in a cabinet or designated bin with a lid, out of reach from kids
Garage & Utility Room
Label all bins and shelves to ensure you always put items back. This also helps encourage family members to put things back.
Clean and fix equipment, tools, and recreational items every season before storing
