Certified Professional Organizer Alison Lush shares her gentle approach to organizing. Topics discussed include organic organizing, dealing with clutter, organizing different zones in your space, honoring memorabilia, and creating a personalized decor. They also touch on saving money on subscriptions and meal preparation, managing work-life balance during the pandemic, and setting boundaries. A brief discussion about Alison Lush and an advertisement for 'Mom in Mind' podcast are included.
Prioritizing well-being and comfort in organizing leads to more effective and meaningful results.
Using a zone-based organization system based on frequency of access helps maintain a clutter-free environment.
Recognizing and honoring different life phases reduces stress and promotes a healthier relationship with belongings.
Deep dives
The importance of a person-centered approach to organizing
Allison Lush, a professional organizer, emphasizes the significance of a person-centered approach to organizing. She believes that the focus should not solely be on the physical belongings, but also on how a person feels in their home. By prioritizing the individual's well-being and comfort, organizing becomes more effective and meaningful.
Zone-based organization system for efficient living
Lush introduces the concept of a zone-based organization system. Zone 1 includes items within arm's reach, Zone 2 consists of easily accessible items across the room, and Zone 3 involves longer-term storage for infrequently used belongings. By categorizing belongings based on frequency of access, individuals can create personalized solutions and maintain a clutter-free environment.
Recognizing and honoring different life phases
Lush highlights the importance of recognizing and honoring different life phases when it comes to organizing. Priorities and needs change over time, and what may be important in one phase may not hold the same significance in another. Having realistic expectations and aligning the organization strategies with one's current life phase can reduce stress and promote a healthier relationship with belongings.
Creating Containers and Legitimizing Items
The podcast episode discusses the importance of creating containers and legitimizing items in our homes. The host shares personal stories and examples of how she transformed her relationship with certain items by giving them a specific purpose and space. For instance, she shares how she used a dish rack to contain dirty dishes, making them less overwhelming and more manageable. Similarly, the host encourages listeners to categorize and legitimize items that they are indecisive about, allowing for a sense of control and organization. The idea is to shift the focus from getting rid of things to creating a functional and meaningful home environment.
Recognizing Emotional Connections to Belongings
The podcast episode explores the emotional connections people have with their belongings and how it affects their decluttering process. The host emphasizes that our past experiences, such as childhood instability or adverse events, can contribute to the difficulty of letting go of certain items. She suggests acknowledging and honoring these emotional attachments rather than judging them. The host also shares strategies for navigating this process, including creating visual reminders of safety and stability within our homes and finding ways to express personal style and meaning without the pressure of perfection. The focus is on understanding and working with our emotional connections to belongings rather than forcing ourselves to purge everything.
Do you have too much stuff? As you look around your home, is it crowded and cluttered? Does your space make you feel burdened, unhappy, and frustrated? If you said–or shouted–YES, you can’t miss today’s show. Join me to learn more about gentle organizing.
Alison Lush is a Certified Professional Organizer, Certified Virtual Organizer, and Master Trainer. After a 20-year catering career, Alison knew she needed better organization and management skills for her home and personal comfort. She learned to live and shop intentionally, creating and protecting the space in her home. Now she puts her expertise to work in helping others by empowering them and teaching them to put themselves at the center of their organization efforts.
Show Highlights:
How Alison became an organizer with a gentle spirit
Why our interactions with our home, space, time, and belongings form the foundations of our lives
Why Alison’s focus is on “organic organizing”
Alison’s answer to a question sent in by Samantha about dealing with clutter, letting things go, and the functionality of her space
How to organize your space by using Zone 1, Zone 2, and Zone 3—and consider the frequency of access for each item
Ways to keep, honor, and display memorabilia by identifying the risk level in letting items go
How to consider the purpose of items in our lives in deciding to keep them or let them go
Alison’s answer to a question from Kitty about decorating, a sense of style, and learning to feel good about her space
How to reframe what might look crappy and rundown to you as a life well-lived, meaningful, and full of love
Why your decor should fuel you and recharge your batteries
Alison’s answer to a question from Aria about separating and managing work life and home life
How to legitimize, categorize, and systemize your space for the best functionality
Why the professional organizing industry has the reputation of telling people to “just get rid of your stuff”
