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

Hey friends,In our last episode, we tackled the thrilling topic of updating insurance info (I know, riveting stuff!). Today, we're talking about something that might be lurking in your home – empty boxes.Now, we've all been there, right? Holding on to shoe boxes, luxury jewelry boxes, and goodness knows what else, just because they look nice or make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.But here's the deal: these empty boxes are like little emotional clutter bombs.So, I'm challenging you, to take a look around your place and really evaluate those empty boxes. Sure, repurposing is great, but what about those boxes from big-ticket purchases? You know, the ones that make you think, "What if I need to return this?" or "What if something bad happens?"Well, here's my take on it. If you haven't needed that box in the past 60-90 days, it's time to let it go. Trust me, the world won't come crashing down, promise!And if you're not quite ready to say goodbye, set a time limit to make the parting a bit less painful.Empty boxes, they're just placeholders from the past, and they're taking up precious space in your home.And don’t forget about our Free Webinar on September 20th! There’s still time to secure your spot! Register here.

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 kicking off a new series about the 5 Clutter Pitfalls (Procrastination, Indecision, Guilt/Fear, Overwhelm & Time). Over the next 5 weeks we are going to look at why each of the 9 Enneagram types struggles for different reasons.Joining me today is Brittany Thomas. Brittany is a certified Enneagram coach and educator. She is also the founder of the popular Instagram account @eneagramexplained.Today’s topic is all about PROCRASTINATION.During our conversation Brittany opens up about her own struggles with procrastination as an Enneagram 1 (the perfectionist).We talk about clutter and organization in her home as a parent of 5 kids ranging in age from seventeen to eight.Brittany walks us through each of the types and shares her insights into how procrastination looks with all nine types.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 BRITTANYWEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK BRITTANY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATION:The Complete Enneagram by Beatrice Chestnut

Happy September! It's the perfect time for a fresh start in the year. Today, we're diving into the importance of updating your insurance policies. It's a smart practice to review your policies annually and make necessary changes to avoid future complications.Have you had any significant life changes, like adding a family member, expanding your home, or relocating? If so, revisiting and adjusting your insurance policies is essential.Here are some policies that should be reviewed annually:1. Home Insurance2. Auto Insurance3. Life Insurance4. Renter's InsuranceThe key takeaway is to prevent being caught off guard during a crisis with outdated or inadequate coverage. In today's digital age, accessing and updating your policies is convenient and easier than ever. So, take a moment to ensure your insurance is current and suits your current circumstances.And speaking of a fresh start, be sure to register for the upcoming free webinar: 5 Ways to Make Money as a Professional Organizer. You can get on the list here.If you liked this episode, give us a 5-star review to help us reach more people!

Hi Friends!Joining me today is Emily Nichols. Emily is the host of the popular podcast Habit Hack Your Health—which helps working moms and entrepreneurs habit-hack their health in less time, guilt-free.From her own struggles, Emily finally found that women have to do habits differently, and she's sharing the solutions on how to live a healthy lifestyle that doesn't feel overwhelming or complicated but rather sustainable and empowering through the power of HABIT HACKING! Think of this as Atomic Habits For Women!Emily is on a mission to redefine what health means and equip other women with these sustainable habit hacks to help transform your life from the inside out, starting by putting yourself first without the guilt.She's also a wife, boy mom, and Taco Tuesday enthusiast! During our conversation, we talked about:The "All or Nothing" MentalityHow to incorporate a Healthy Habits Calendar into your scheduleEmily's 5-step habit change methodRegardless of where you are in your life, this conversation is filled with some great take-aways! I'd love to hear some of your habit hacks in the comments!XOXO-LaurieP.S. Just a reminder that we have an upcoming FREE 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 EMILYWEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | PODCASTEMILY'S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:Tiny Habits by BJ FoggAtomic Habits by James Clear

Hi Friends,Today, I'm diving into the concept of choosing your hard and how it plays a role in every corner of our lives, even organization. Let's talk about those tempting shortcuts and how they might seem like a breeze now, but trust me, they often lead to more hassle down the road.Think about it – polishing off that bowl of ice cream might bring instant joy, but the health aftermath? Not so great. Same goes for leaving those videos unsorted – it's a headache to locate them later. So, what's the key? It's all about the bigger picture.I'm really putting emphasis on the long game. Sure, it might mean some extra elbow grease now – like making that bed or resisting those impulse buys. But believe me, this groundwork paves the way for a simpler, more serene life later on. It's like choosing a challenging trail that prevents chaos further down.Remember this: Choose your hard, make those intentional choices that declutter your life.XOLauriePS if you're enjoying these talks, hit that subscribe button, drop a review, and share the wisdom. Plus, swing by Simply B Organized for extra tips. Thanks for tuning in – catch you on the flip side

Hi Friends!It’s that time of year when routines kick into high gear. Parents are dealing with mixed emotions-from doing a happy dance that the kids will be out of the house, to feelings of dread knowing what’s to come for the next 10 months— school lunches need to be prepped, uniforms need to be washed, and alarm clocks are going off before we are mentally ready to face the day.Joining me today is Jenny Layton, a leading organization expert, mindset coach and the creator of the Life Organized podcast. She is also a mom to 5 kiddos so she is no stranger to the Back to School woes. I invited her to sit down and share some strategies on how to keep everyone afloat during the “Back to School transition”.During our conversation we talk about:The power of Brain Dumping to address internal clutterThe 5 “themes” she uses to keep her home/life organizedScheduling Family Meetings, open communication and setting expectationsI loved this quote from Jenny: “The more you want to do, the more organized you need to be”You don’t have to do this alone! Jenny has an organizing bootcamp that might be just what you’re looking for. Check out the link in our show notes and use code TOL to receive your first month FREE!XOXO-LaurieP.S. Just a reminder that we have an upcoming FREE 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 JENNYWEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOKJENNY’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:THE POWER OF HABIT | 7 SPIRITUAL LAWS OF SUCCESS

Before we get started a quick reminder: We have an upcoming FREE webinar on Sept 20th called 5 Ways to Make Money as a Professional Organizer. Spots are limited, so make sure you sign up (even if you can’t make the live event) we’ll be sending out the replay, but you MUST be registered first! Now on to the show!Today, we're diving headfirst into the fascinating concept of selective minimalism. Let's set the record straight from the get-go: while minimalism has taken the world by storm, you don't need to go all Marie Kondo to rock an organized life. It's about finding your own rhythm, and that's what we're about to explore together. As the years have gracefully passed me by, I've found myself drawn towards simplicity, eager to untangle my physical surroundings to free up space in my mind. And guess what? You can do it too, in your own unique way!So, here's the scoop: I'm here to encourage you to hop on the selective minimalism train. It's like minimalism's cool cousin, and it's all about focusing on areas of your life you'd like to simplify. Maybe it's your closet, your footwear collection, or even your trove of housewares. The trick is to pinpoint specific categories within these realms and gradually pare them down. Let's declutter the items that have overstayed their welcome – think old kitchen gadgets, snarled cords, ancient electronics, and those gardening supplies that have seen better days.But here's where the magic truly happens: as you embark on this journey of selective minimalism in one area of your life, notice how it ripples through other aspects. Trust me, that tidy closet might just lead to a clearer mind and a more organized day-to-day. I'm all ears for your success stories! Share your selective minimalism tales and give us a shout-out on social media.XOXO-Laurie

Hi Friends!Joining me today is a New York Times best-selling author of 10 books and host of the Slow Living podcast, Stephanie O’Dea. I invited her on the show to talk about what it means to SLOW Down (you’d think it's simple, but we all know how hard it can be to put it into practice!) During our conversation Stephanie shares how she transitioned from “The Crock Pot Lady” where she built a brand and business sharing crock pot recipes, to now teaching people how to slow down in their everyday lives.While society is promoting bigger, better, newer, faster, Stephanie is advocating for a slower more intentional way of living.She walks us through her SLOW acronym which stands for “SIMPLY LOOK ONLY WITHIN.”Her Peace Pyramid covers 5 areas that we all need to achieve peace in our lives:Time ManagementHealthFinancesOrganizationRelationshipsStephanie has a ton of resources on her website including a daily worksheet with guided prompts to help you intentionally slow down where you need it most. Make sure to check out the links in our show notes for everything mentioned in today’s episode.XOXO-LaurieJust a reminder that we have an upcoming FREE webinar on Sept 20th called 5 Ways to Make Money as a Professional Organizer. Spots are limited, so make sure you sign up (even if you can’t make the live event) we’ll be sending out the replay, but you MUST be registered first!CONNECT WITH STEPHANIEWEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOKBOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: 21 Secrets of a Self-Made Millionaire Beach Read

On today's tip of the week, it's important for you to declutter your digital spaces, specifically your computer. Let me emphasize the significance of digital detoxing in reducing invisible clutter and improving ease of retrieval for you. Let's start with the first tip: delete old files. You've probably been using the same computer for a while, which means there are likely unnecessary files that can be deleted. Just like decluttering a physical space, consider when you last accessed those files and if you truly need them.Furthermore, take a look at old drafts or multiple versions of files and feel free to delete them to free up storage. If you have larger files, especially related to video content, I recommend moving them to cloud-based platforms like Dropbox or Google Drive. This will help you create more space on your computer. To simplify your digital life, it's crucial for you to declutter your inbox as well. Get rid of old files, unread emails, notifications, and emails from sources that are no longer relevant. By doing so, you'll create a more organized and manageable digital space tailored to your needs.Join the waitlist for the highly anticipated Free Webinar: 5 Ways to Make Money As A Professional Organizer

Hi Friends,You are in for a treat today! Joining me today is Janet Taylor, founder of Totally Organized, a company she started back in 1994 after leaving her corporate job. Since then, Janet has gone on to help hundreds of clients declutter and get organized, earning her the title “Clutter Free Queen” when she appeared on the Rachael Ray Show! Janet is also the host of the “Got Clutter! Get Organized! podcast.I invited Janet to come on TOL to talk about a topic that has a huge impact on our habits and behaviors, but one that is often overlooked–Organizing Tips that You Learned from Your Mom.We often underestimate the things that we deem as “normal” and it isn’t until we grow up and live with other people that we realize not everyone does things the way we do.During our conversation we talked about the countless things that Janet’s mom, Ida taught her such as:Labeling freezer food with datesCreating a grocery list the follows the layout of the storePurging before purchasingWhen to add syrup to the grocery listIn the second half of the show we turned to YOU, our listeners and followers who shared your own tips (both good and bad!) that you learned from your mom (or other family members!)If you enjoyed this episode, please do us a favor and share it with your friends and family. It’s a great way to start a conversation with your own family about organizing habits.If this is your first time tuning in, make sure to click the subscribe button so new episodes will get downloaded each week. Or head on over to YouTube to watch the conversation.XOXO-LaurieP.S. Don’t forget to get on the waitlist for our FREE Webinar on 9/20 on 5 ways to make money as a professional organizer. Spots are limited so make sure to get on the list!CONNECT WITH JANET WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | LINKEDINJANET’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONSWho Moved my CheeseDisruptive Thinking