I was asked the simple question, “What is clutter?” and I had difficulty finding the words. It’s a huge concept in my brain, but I couldn’t articulate it with words. There are dictionary definitions that use words like “untidy,” “crowded,” and “disorderly.” I’ve heard ubiquitous definitions from professional organizers like, “anything you don’t love,” and “things that don’t … Read more
Marie Kondo’s best-selling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, has been quite the phenomenon. Here were my quick take-aways: Many of the concepts are not new, but she uses language that sounds enchanting and fresh. It’s written from a “one size fits all” perspective, (as most self-help books are). Much of … Read more
I’ve written in the past about how important labels are. They help us figure out what we’re looking at and where to put things, so that we don’t have to think too much. Recently, I had an “aha” moment about another way that we use labels. We don’t just use them to identify our stuff, … Read more
Stumbled across this hilarious video where Conan O’Brien stages an organizing intervention for one of his producers. In general, I’m not in favor of ambush organizing, but this was just too funny. Although this was done for the entertainment value, it’s quite accurate! The office looks pretty typical of a lot of creative types. The … Read more
I came across this article describing the use of body doubles. No, a body double isn’t someone to stand in for you when you have your picture taken, at least not in this context. A body double is a person who stays present with you while you do tasks that you know how to do, … Read more
The stereotype of the organizer with a label maker in her holster isn’t too far from the truth. Labels make such a huge difference. Reading one or two words on the outside of a container helps our brains to figure out exactly what’s inside, even if the contents are clearly visible. But I think the … Read more
Managing the mail (and all the other paper that regularly enters your home) doesn’t have to a dreaded chore. A mail management center gives you places to stash those papers so they don’t have to clutter up your kitchen counter or get lost behind the sofa. I recommend your mail management center go as close … Read more
Many organizers follow the same basic process, but Julie Morgenstern articulates it brilliantly in her classic book, Organizing from the Inside Out. When I get overwhelmed or stuck, I still fall back on Julie’s S-P-A-C-E formula: Sort, Purge, Assign a Home, Containerize, Equalize. I teach clients the same thing, always crediting Julie, of course; but I assign a … Read more