The Problem with “Only Handle It Once”

I understand the good intentions behind the “Only Handle It Once” (OHIO) rule. Clutter exists because someone couldn’t decide what to do with it, so the OHIO rule tells us to force a decision by vowing to only handle each item once. Unfortunately, this rule has one very big unintended consequence: paralysis! I’ve had many … Read more

What can College Freshman Teach Us about Getting Organized?

Setbacks are normal and common when taking on a project such as decluttering or learning better organizational habits. They happen in all areas of life, and they don’t mean we are incapable of reaching our goals. Researchers found that helping college students to see setbacks as temporary may help them academically and in overall well-being. … Read more

50 Ways to Lose Your Clutter

Several years ago, I heard some great advice from a registered dietitian. She had a list of 50 ways to improve eating habits, and encouraged her clients to choose one or two new habits to implement per month. This was much less overwhelming, and ultimately more successful, than adopting a totally new dietary regimen overnight. … Read more