This Organized Life: Decluttering Tips for Moms, Entrepreneurs and Professional Organizers

Hi Friends,If you’ve ever planned a vacation you know how much work goes into making it memorable. From picking the destination, to figuring out where to stay, where to eat, what sights to see and excursions to do-the options can easily become overwhelming.Joining me today is Angela Gillmeister-a custom vacation designer and the founder of Wild Hair Travels,  and host of the podcast, Happy Women Travel More where she brings a breath of fresh air to vacation planning by offering high-touch and highly personalized services designed especially for busy professional women.As we embark on spring/summer here in the US, people are busy trying to plan travel-from day trips to long adventures and Angela is here to help share some of her best tips on how to avoid decision fatigue throughout what should be a fun process.During our conversation we talked about:Connecting your vacation to a purpose-do you want to relax, reenergize, seek adventureEstablishing your Budget-how and where do we want to spend our moneyAngela’s favorite travel tips that you can use today!Whether you’re planning your next big adventure, or daydreaming about relaxing on a secluded beach you’re going to want to listen to this episode.Make sure to check out our show notes for links to everything we discussed in today’s episode.XOXO-LaurieP.S. Got a burning organizing question? Join us on our show and let's tackle it together! Dive into our new Ask An Expert Series now:https://simplyborganized.as.me/askanexpertLinks Mentioned in this Episode:Happy Women Travel More Podcasthttps://wildhairtravels.comhttps://instagram.com/wildhairtravelshttps://facebook.com/groups/happywomentravelmoreAngela’s Book Recommendation:  Last Child in the Woods https://amzn.to/4a76Rim

I love going away, but packing…not so much.  I am always on the hunt for a way to simplify and streamline the process to make it less overwhelming.If I am being honest, making sure that my bag or suitcase has room to spare is always in the back of my mind since there’s a strong likelihood that I’m picking up some sort of souvenir or gift during my travels.Below are 3 of my favorite packing tips:My favorite packing tip is what I call NESTING. Essentially you’re taking a bunch of smaller items and “nesting” them inside a larger item.  Shoes, Boots, and Sweatshirts are great to hold anything from undergarments to toiletries. You will be amazed at how many socks you can fit inside a boot shaft!If you’re doing any sort of air travel, I recommend keeping any MUST HAVE items with you at all times. This includes medicines and any other items that would truly impact you if they were lost.  If you’re a chronic overpacker, try the 3 to 1 model.  For every 1 bottom, pick three tops that go with it. This allows you to mix and match without having to pack 3 separate outfits.If you have an organizing question, we’d love for you to be part of our show!  Check out our new Ask An Expert Series! https://simplyborganized.as.me/askanexpertXoxo-LaurieP.S. Use Code MOTHER and receive 20% off a 1 hour strategy session! Valid through May 9th! https://simplyborganized.com/clutter-coaching

Hi Friends, First of all I’d like to personally invite you to be part of This ORGANIZED Life with our new segment ASK AN EXPERT! During our 20-minute interview you can get your questions answered about clutter, organizing, or the Enneagram! Hop on my calendar here. https://simplyborganized.as.me/askanexpertNow onto today’s episode, if you’re anything like me, this time of year is hectic to say the least. During this busy season I wanted to give you some practical and actionable tips to organize your calendar and effective time management strategies. Let's talk about priorities, open communication, and seeking support when needed. Life can throw curveballs, but it's all about adapting and staying flexible.Now, when it comes to meal planning during hectic times, I've got you covered with some top-notch tips. From convenient takeout options to quick grab-and-go meals, and yes, even breakfast-for-dinner ideas!Happy Organizing!LaurieP.S. If you’re struggling with clutter, hop on my calendar! For a limited time you can get 20% off a single strategy session with code MOTHER https://simplyborganized.com/clutter-coaching/

Hey Friends,As we wrap up April, I wanted to talk about decluttering cosmetics. This includes make-up, hair care, and skincare.During this quick tip episode I’m sharing:When to get rid of old cosmeticsHow often to assess your inventoryThe “right” amount of products for each categoryIf your guilty pleasure is make-up, face products, hand and body lotions, shampoos, conditions, styling products, etc. this episode will help you decide what to keep and what to toss.  Bonus: if you’re a parent of a tween/teen it’s a great episode for them too!XOXO-Laurie***NEW SEGMENT!***  Ask An Expert Do you have a question about organizing, decluttering, or any of the other topics we discuss on This ORGANIZED Life-now you can ask me directly! Click on the link below to ask your question and schedule a time to be on our show https://simplyborganized.as.me/askanexpert

Hi Friends,Digital Clutter, or as I like to call it, “invisible clutter” is one of the leading culprits of time management and  productivity struggles.Today we’re looking at 4 pain points caused by digital clutter and how to combat each:1. Distraction2. Overwhelm3. Decreased Efficiency4. Increased Stress Try Clean Email for FREE using our promo code: https://cleanemail.com/organized  (feel free to share this code with your friends!)There’s no denying that digital communication can be both a blessing and a burden, but if we continue to practice strategies and use tools to keep organized you’ll be able to focus on what’s most important.XO-LaurieP.S. Curious about our clutter coaching services? Click here: https://simplyborganized.com/clutter-coaching/ to learn more and see if it's the right fit for you.

Hey Friends,Today’s challenge if you choose to accept it, is to go through old sheets and towels. During this quick tip episode I’m sharingMy rule of thumb of how to determine the number of sheets and towels per personWhere to store seasonal linensWhat to do with the items you no longer want Spring is a great time to hit the linen closet and I hope this episode gives you the boost you need to get motivated!Xoxo-LaurieP.S. Looking for some personal clutter coaching? Let’s chat! https://simplyborganized.com/clutter-clinic

Hi Friends,You are in for a treat today!  In honor of Spring Organizing, I invited my friend Jeannie Stith to join me to talk about simplifying the clothes in your closet so you love and wear what you have.Jeannie is the founder and CEO of Color Guru where her team analyzes your hair, skin, and eye color to match you with your ideal color palette for clothes.Color Guru has been featured in VOGUE magazine, Apartment Therapy and if you’re a long-time listener you might remember Jeannie from ep 163 of TOL.During our conversation we talked about:  The biggest mistakes people make when they go shoppingHow to simplify shopping regardless of your age, size, or season of lifeSpecific strategies you can do to eliminate unflattering clothes in your closetI have personally used her services and can tell you that it’s changed the way I shop. I no longer struggle with decision fatigue or overwhelm, (fyi this is not a paid endorsement!)I have a special link for all our TOL listeners visit https://yourcolorguru.com/affiliate/LauriePalau/   Your Color Guru 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE” Happy OrganizingLaurieP.SSpecial Thanks to Our Sponsor Clean EmailWelcome Simply B Organized listeners! We are inviting you to try Clean Email, a privacy-first online service that helps you clean your Inbox, stop unwanted emails, and automatically organize new mail going forward. https://cleanemail.com/organized

For today’s tip of the week I’m sharing 5 simple hacks to instantly help your closet be more organized.  The best part is that most of these are all free and don’t cost a dime! Remove Dry Cleaning Bags-Not only do those plastic bags carry harsh chemicals, but they clutter up your closet!  By removing them your space your closet will immediately look more organized.Create a Hanger Hangout- (thank you @getorganizedbystephanie for the catchy phrase!) Choose a spot at the front or back of your closet where you group all of your empty hangers together.  This makes it easier to put clean clothes away rather than searching through a sea of clothes to find an empty hanger.   Organize by Category- Grouping like items together, ie:shirts, tanks, pants, jackets, etc makes getting dressed easier because you know where everything is. PRO TIP: *for an added bonus you could add clothing rack dividers https://amzn.to/3Q02jmvOrganize by Color-This is for my ROYGBIV lovers!  There’s something about a monochromatic color scheme that is soothing and calming to our emotions.  It also makes it easy to put stuff away!Streamline Hangers-One of the easiest and inexpensive organizing products that give you a big bang for your buck are simple thin streamlined hangers.  When all of your clothes sit at the same level it creates a cohesive look.  These are my personal faves https://amzn.to/3TQbo2oRemember that getting organized doesn’t have to cost a lot of money or take a lot of time. It’s little steps each day that help you to live an organized life.Xo-LaurieP.S. This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.Please note that I only recommend products or services that I personally use and believe will add value to my listeners and readers.

On today’s show we are talking about how to find the right Professional Organizer for you.  One  that fits your project scope, personality and budget.There are lots of people who have the technical and tactical knowledge to do the job, but hiring an expert who is the right fit requires an entirely different skillset.Whether you are  a professional organizer, or someone looking to hire a professional organizer, 2 of the most important indicators of any successful relationship are communication and clarity. If you’re interested in working with me or our team, visit simplyborganized.com Happy OrganizingLaurieP.S. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and looking for some specific strategies to help you or your family live a more organized life, hop on my calendar for 1-on-1 Clutter Coaching! https://simplyborganized.com/clutter-coachingWelcome Simply B Organized listeners! We are inviting you to try Clean Email, a privacy-first online service that helps you clean your Inbox, stop unwanted emails, and automatically organize new mail going forward. https://cleanemail.com/organized

Happy April everyone!  Technically, Spring is here (although in the North East it doesn’t quite feel like it) and you know what that means….time for some Spring Organizing Tips.Some of these you may want to outsource to a professional, others you can tackle alone or with the help of your family.  Do a little at a time or block a whole weekend.  The purpose of this is to help give you a roadmap to follow.Download the Spring Organizing Checklist Here https://simplyborganized.myflodesk.com/springchecklistSpring is a great time to reset routines & reorganize rooms. I hope this episode gives you the motivation you need to get going!Happy Organizing!XoxoLaurieThanks to our sponsor for this episode Clean.Email:Welcome Simply B Organized listeners! We are inviting you to try Clean Email, a privacy-first online service that helps you clean your Inbox, stop unwanted emails, and automatically organize new mail going forward. https://cleanemail.com/organized