Get an inside scoop and learn more about why Nicole loves being a professional organizer!
Over 200+ hours of professional organizer experience!
One thing I love about the new year is that it helps set a specific point in time for you to reflect.
I KNOW. There’s big talk about resolutions and all the possibilities ahead. What makes a resolution actually happen? How do you stay committed to the process and goal?
By creating an action plan! For example:
Instead of, “I want to organize my closet.”
Say, “Every Thursday afternoon from 2-4pm I will tidy my clothing in the konmari order.”
Set a goal for each day and a goal date to complete home organizing.
Add the events in your calendar and execute.
One of the best ways to maintain organization is to schedule intentional time for specific tasks. Start small by committing an hour then two hours then three hours… It is important to #1 build the habit and #2 make it as enjoyable and easy as possible.
What tidying project will you tackle this year?
Friend must buy one organizing package.
Must copy and paste on ALL review platforms.
Friend must buy two organizing packages.
8 signs of when to ask for help for clutter and hoarders who live in a hoarder home.
A hoarder house typically has –
A hoarder can have a low threshold for living standards. It’s important to be aware if the hoarder can still meet their basic needs in the home.
If you answered yes to the above questions, I recommend asking the person(s) if they want help.
If health and safety is in question then now is the time to help.
One of the key signs of hoarding is when the person(s) keep items of little to no monetary value:
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.
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!
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.
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.
Stop the flow of paper coming in! It’s important to have a routine when it comes to mail:
If you haven’t done so already, automate all of your bills online and sign up for the paperless setting.
Yes. Although this category is probably one of the hardest for me personally. I maintain having less in the kitchen by:
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.
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 –
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.
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.
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
Free Tips & Tricks about how to maintain a Tidy Lifestyle after Tidying!
For more detailed guidance I recommend reading The Home Organizing Workbook.
Less is More! Especially when it comes to prepare for moving!
Moving is the perfect opportunity to Joy Check each and every item we own. After-all, the less we have, the less we have to move! This not only allows us to have less items but also frees space for new items – perhaps more tasteful furniture, updated appliances, in style clothing, and more.
My partner and I have always dreamed of living abroad. We’ve made so many memories traveling to various countries meeting locals, eating street food, exploring cities and adventuring outdoors. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic we put off traveling and moving all together to stay safe.
Over the past few years we slowly began to prepare for a big move abroad. When we envisioned moving, we identified with the concept of getting rid of most of our things. Instead of going through the headache of packing and shipping items to another country, we decided to take a different approach. Most of our possessions – furniture, appliances, etc. were given to us by family and friends over time. This was VERY ideal for us, as we valued:
This situation may sound a bit extreme to most. You may be asking yourself – but why do you have to get rid of most of the things you own? Honestly, I don’t HAVE to. I WANT to!
Sparking Joy to me personally is less about the things and possessions I own and more about the experiences and memories I create. By letting go of almost all the material items in my life, there is a sense of freedom. Freedom to have only what I love. Freedom to not have many objects to be responsible for. Freedom to Spark Joy in the ways that mean the most to me. Plus having less is ultimately less to organize and maintain! Win, Win!
In our consumer society and high tech world we literally don’t have to leave our home to survive! With amazon, food delivery, grocery delivery, and the many other services and applications we can not only survive but buy anything at the click of a button! As amazing as technology is, it also encourages us to spend. Anywhere you go on the internet markets specifically tailored ads to you – companies learn your interests, habits, desires, and take full advantage to get us to buy buy buy! Some buy for comfort, necessity, or for status symbols of wealth or luxury. Think about your spending habits – What items are worth fixing, moving, and saving? What items are meaningful to you? Why?
It is not things that give us true joy. When we grow old what will we remember? What will we say? “I have no regrets because I’m happy I did…” What will resonate with us most are the memories we have of experiences throughout life. Be sure to create your own, each and every day.
Have nice things and also keep in mind there is so much more out there in the world than possessions. No one is holding you back from picking up and moving or traveling and seeing the world. The world is your oyster.
What sparks joy for you?
Step by step guide for how to declutter using the KonMari method©
Clarify why you want to tidy and identify the lifestyle you want to live once you have finished.
When we skip this step it delays the whole tidying process and puts you at higher risk for rebound.
How do you know if an item sparks joy and you should keep it?
How do you don’t love an item and should say goodbye?
Pick an easy category to start with – I recommend clothing.
Pile all items in one spot so you can see everything in that category at once. Example: pile ALL shirts throughout the home/car/office/storage unit on your bed.
Creating a physical pile gives us that “WOW” moment and helps us make informed decisions once and only once.
Find one item in the pile that you love.
You know you love something because the instant you see and hold it, you feel warm and fuzzy inside. Sometimes items are less about happiness and more about practicality, usefulness, and function. Example: the blue shirt that goes with everything and is always washed regularly.
Be aware of how your body reacts to each item. You know you love something because that feeling is immediate. If you pause or have to think about an item – ask yourself, why?
Pick 2-3 similar items and compare them.
Really feel the item in your hand and think deeply about what purpose it plays.
Have the courage to let go and stop all thoughts of “What if-?” Remember your goals and think of how each item you keep or discard contributes to your ideal lifestyle.
Try not to focus on-
Instead focus on-
Every item you keep is a possession that brings you joy and/or makes life better.
Every item you discard is an opportunity to learn more about yourself and who you are today.
If you keep it then…
Please note items discussed on this post were from the Marie Kondo books and KonMari networking group. Find more resources here.