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

Today's tip: the fridge clean-out. Every week, it's as simple as tossing expired items and giving those surfaces a good wipe-down. Carve out an hour to empty, clean, and reorganize your fridge for a deeper cleanse. Take the time to check those expiration dates as you go. It's worth it.Consider using turntables or bins to streamline condiments, and remember to label containers for easy identification. And remember, zoning your fridge makes life a lot easier—group similar items together for a more organized space.Regular deep cleans, around four times a year, will keep your fridge fresh and organized. It's a chance to take inventory, swap out that baking soda to keep odors at bay and maintain a well-organized space.After cleaning, quickly check for expired items and make a shopping list. Clean up any spills or drips to keep your fridge looking its best. And speaking of keeping things tidy, labeling is your best friend. Use labels on shelves, drawers, and containers to keep everything in its place.If your fridge is due for some TLC, take the time to organize it. It's a simple path to a more organized life. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a friend, and please consider leaving us a review. Your support means the world. Thanks for tuning in!

Special shout out to our sponsor for today's episode: MYLIO PHOTOS. A safe, simple and practical platform for storing all of your digital photos and more! Visit mylio.com/TOL to create your free account!Hi Friends,Today we’re talking about a topic that many of us can relate to-Anxiety. Joining me today is Dr. John Delony. John is a mental health expert and host of The Dr. John Delony Show. He is the author of the bestselling books Own Your Past, Change Your Future, Redefining Anxiety and his latest book, Building a Non-Anxious Life, which was just released. During our conversation we talked about:The connection between Clutter and AnxietyThe 6 daily choices that can help us to build a non-anxious lifeWhy Living in a culture of abundance is contributing to our anxiety alarmsJohn opens up about his own personal struggles with anxiety and clutter. Together we walk through what steps he’s taken to live a more organized life. This is an open and honest conversation that I hope sparks conversations for you to have with those closest to you.XOXO-LaurieP.S. If you liked this episode will you please click the share button and if you feel so inclined, leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ reviewLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Find out what colors look best on you- https://yourcolorguru.com/affiliate/LauriePalau/Stay in the know! Our email community is the first to know about events, offerings, happenings both on the Podcast and with SBO. Get a personal summary of each episode delivered straight to your inbox! Click HERE to subscribe https://simplyborganized.activehosted.com/f/110CONNECT WITH JOHNWEBSITE| INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBEJOHN’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONSDanny Champion of the WorldI Don’t Want to Talk About ItFight Club

Today's tip is all about tackling that mountain of old books. We've all got them, right? Those books that have sentimental value or an "I'll read it someday" mentality. But it's time to make some tough decisions.First, ask yourself if the book is still relevant. Let it go if it's a technology book from the Stone Age or a textbook from your college days. Information evolves, and so should your bookshelf.Next up, be honest about whether you'll ever read those books you've been collecting. We've all been there—buying with good intentions, but they gather dust. Consider letting them find new homes if you'll unlikely dive into them.Now, what to do with these books? Donating is a noble path. Libraries, schools, and even your local doctor's office can often use them. You might also find second-hand bookstores that accept donations, but check their criteria first.Decluttering isn't a one-time gig; it's a way of life. Spice it up by hosting a book swap with friends. Declutter while bonding over books, and it's a win-win! Plus, you might discover some hidden gems in your pals' collections.And remember, supporting fellow authors is a beautiful thing. Swapping books can be an eco-friendly alternative to buying new ones. I once traded a stack of Garfield books with a friend who adored the lasagna-loving cat—no cost involved.Of course, if books are left after the swap, have a plan B. Arrange for a donation pickup or take them to a donation center. The goal is to share knowledge, connect, and declutter.That's it for today's tip! Declutter those old books and make room for new adventures.Be sure to Check out our Free Resources Here

Special shout out to our sponsor for today's episode: MYLIO PHOTOS. A safe, simple and practical platform for storing all of your digital photos and more! Visit mylio.com/TOL to create your free account!Today we are wrapping up our series about the 5 Clutter Pitfalls with the one thing we never seem to have enough of…TIME.I invited my friend Christa Hardin to join me for this one because of her unique perspective of how she uses the enneagram with couples.Christa hosts the popular Enneagram + Marriage podcast, and has helped thousands of couples find refreshment, joy, balance, and connection together.I know first hand that although we all have access to the same 24 hours, how we choose to spend it looks different for each of us-which often results in a breakdown of communication, frustration and even resentment.For many, this disconnect shows up as CLUTTER.During our conversation, Christa and I talked about:Why couples are often talking about the same things, but communicate differentlyHow each of the 9 types views TIME differentlyThe importance of articulating shared goals and painting a picture what that looks likeOne of the biggest takeaways from learning about The Enneagram, and specifically this series, is that we often assume that everyone views the world the way we do-but they don’t.Our methods may be different and that’s ok! I hope this series has shown you that there is a path for all of us, to reduce the clutter that stands in the way-regardless of our clutter pitfalls.The Enneagram continues to prove as a powerful tool to help create conversations about how we think, feel and act. Having that shared language helps us communicate where we are struggling so that others can offer a lifeline for support.If you want to begin living an organized life filled with peace, calm, and connection, we have a bunch of resources to help you get there! Click HERE to learn more.XOXO-LaurieLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:Find out what colors look best on you- Contact Your Color Guru to learn more:https://yourcolorguru.com/affiliate/LauriePalau/Stay in the know! Our email community is the first to know about events, offerings, happenings both on the Podcast and with SBO. You’ll also get a personal summary of each episode delivered straight to your inbox! Click HERE to subscribe https://simplyborganized.activehosted.com/f/110Connect with Christa Website | Instagram | PodcastChrista’s Book Recommendations: Jane Austen Lord of the Rings

Hi Friends,Let's dive right into today's tip—it's more relevant than you might think, especially with the holidays approaching. Today, we're talking about digitizing old videos, those VHS tapes or DVDs packed with cherished memories.Here's the deal: Many of us no longer have the means to play these old tapes, and finding a conversion service can be tricky. My recommendation? Find a local photo shop that offers in-house conversion. This way, you reduce the risk of mailing your personal videos, and you get immediate access to the digital files.Apart from being a fun project, it makes a unique gift, especially for aging parents. By making their old videos accessible on their devices, you declutter their digital lives and preserve memories for future generations.Join our email list for more tips, and subscribe to our podcast for past episodes and bonus content. Share the love by sharing this episode and find us on YouTube and Instagram atThis Organized Life podcast. For more resources, visit simplyborganized.com. Cheers to an organized life!

Hi Friends,Special shout out to our sponsor for today's episode: MYLIO PHOTOS. A safe, simple and practical platform for storing all of your digital photos and more! Visit mylio.com/TOL to create your free account!Raise your hand if have ever felt overwhelmed by clutter 🙋If so, then you are definitely going to want to listen to my conversation with powerhouse Tracy O’Malley. Tracy is a highly sought after Master Performance Coach who has done consulting for companies like Google, YouTube, Amazon + John Deere. She is also the host of the podcast Lead with the Enneagram.She also happens to be a fellow Enneagram 8 😀.I invited her on the show to talk about the 4th clutter pitfall in our series, OVERWHELM. During our conversation we talked about:Her personal struggle with addictionHow stress and overwhelm can lead to shame, fear and angerWhy overwhelm looks different in each of the 9 typesIf you want to learn more about the core motivations of each of the 9 types, I’ve created a quick cheat sheet for you that you can download HERE. XOXO-LaurieP.S. If you’re not already subscribed to our show, now’s a great time! (And we’d be so greatful if you’d take a moment to leave us a 5-start review)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.CONNECT WITH TRACY: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | PODCAST TRACY’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: The Gifts of ImperfectionThe Energy BusOTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Find out what colors look best on you- Contact Your Color Guru to learn more: https://yourcolorguru.com/affiliate/LauriePalau/ Stay in the know! Our email community is the first to know about events, offerings, happenings both on the Podcast and with SBO. You’ll also get a personal summary of each episode delivered straight to your inbox! Click HERE to subscribe

Today, I thought I'd share a little life hack - keep an eye on your passport expiration date! It's so easy to overlook, right? One day you're planning a big trip, the next you're scrambling to renew your passport. I've seen it cause some real headaches for my clients. Think of your passport as a safety net. No travel plans right now? Doesn't matter. Life loves to throw curveballs and that passport might come in handy. Here's a fun fact: some countries won't let you in if your passport expires within six months. So, it's not just about renewing before your trip, but way ahead of time. Finally, give your passport the respect it deserves! Chucking it in a kitchen drawer? Big no-no. Keep it safe—you never know when you'll need it. Happy traveling!XOLauriePS. Subscribe to our newsletter to get these tips straight to your inbox!

Hi Friends,Special shout out to our sponsor for today's episode: MYLIO PHOTOS. A safe, simple and practical platform for storing all of your digital photos and more! Visit mylio.com/TOL to create your free account!Today we are continuing with our series on the 5 Clutter Pitfalls: Procrastination, Indecision, Guilt/Fear, Overwhelm & Time (If you haven’t listened to the other episodes in this series, I encourage you to go check them out after this!). Joining me today is Steph Barron Hall. Stephanie is a certified Enneagram practitioner, author, and host of the Enneagram IRL podcast. You can also follow @NineTypesCo where she shares Enneagram insights to a community of over 275k people. I invited Steph on the show to talk about the roles of GUILT & FEAR within the 9 core Enneagram Types, and how they impact our relationships with clutter.During our conversation we talked about:The impact of Emotional Clutter on our stuffThe importance of open communicationWhat living an organized life looks like to her (as an Enneagram 3)If you want to learn more about the core motivations of each of the 9 types, I’ve created a quick cheat sheet for you that you can download HERE. XOXO-Lauriep.s.If you’re not already subscribed to our show, now’s a great time! (And we’d be so greatful if you’d take a moment to leave us a 5-start review).CONNECT WITH STEPH: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | PODCASTSTEPH’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: In the Realm of the Hungry GhostRomantic ComedyCOLOR GURU https://yourcolorguru.com/affiliate/LauriePalau/

Hey there, and welcome back to "This Organized Life"! I'm absolutely thrilled to have you joining us for another episode. First off, I want to extend a massive thank you for your continuous support. It's mind-blowing to witness the growth of our show, and we're truly grateful for you being part of this incredible organizing journey.Now, let's jump into this week's tip: the eternal struggle of forgetting passwords. We've all been there, right? Whether it's Netflix, your email, or work-related accounts, password chaos is frustrating. But fear not, we've got a solution: centralize your password management. No more jotting down passwords on paper or digging through old notebooks. Instead, go digital with password management apps or tools like Google Sheets. These not only keep your passwords secure but also offer the convenience of access from anywhere with an internet connection. Plus, sharing passwords becomes a breeze!Remember, update your password list regularly for accuracy. Instead of hitting "forgot password," maintaining an organized system will save you heaps of time and frustration.Before we go, please share this episode with anyone who might find it helpful. Your support means everything and helps us reach more people. And if you're loving "This Organized Life," leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your feedback keeps us going.Thanks for tuning in! We're incredibly grateful to have you as part of our organizing community. Stay organized, and we'll catch you next time!

Hi Friends!Special shout out to our sponsor for today's episode: MYLIO PHOTOS. A safe, simple and practical platform for storing all of your digital photos and more! Visit mylio.com/TOL to create your free account!We are continuing our series on the 5 Clutter Pitfalls (If you haven’t listened to last week’s convo with Brittany Thomas, I encourage you to go check it out!).Today I am joined by Evan Doyle, an expert in the areas of leadership, people development, teamwork, conflict resolution, and personal growth. His work can be found at Enneagram Gift.com an online publication, and Enneagram with Evan and Evan Doyle Thinks YouTube channels.I invited Evan on the show to talk about how INDECISION shows up in each of the Enneagram Types and how that can have an impact in how we navigate (or avoid) clutter and organization in our lives.During our conversation we talked about:Life as an Enneagram 5 (The Investigator) and how he navigates IndecisionWhy Trust is a huge factor for several typesWhy mental paralysis can be a roadblock for navigating clutterIt’s so rare that I get to have Enneagram 5’s come on my show! It was so great to listen and learn from Evan. I hope you find as much value from this conversation as I did!If you want to learn more about the core motivations of each of the 9 types, I’ve created a quick cheat sheet for you that you can download HERE.P.S. There are a few spots remaining for our upcoming webinar on Sept 20th called 5 Ways to Make Money as a Professional Organizer. Spots are going fast, so make sure you sign up today! If you can't make the live event, not to worry, we'll be sending out the replay to all registered attendees. CONNECT WITH EVANWEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN EVAN’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:Start with Why Leadership and Self Deception