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

Hi Friends, on this week’s tip of the week, we'll be diving into the difference between clutter and disorganization and how to effectively address each one. We discuss:-What is clutter?-What is Disorganization?-How to Identify the differences between themPlus learn tips for tackling your clutter and disorganization in different areas of your life. Don't forget to tune in to our next episode, where we'll be discussing work-life harmony with Tina Wells!

Hi Friends, If you are feeling overwhelmed, want to feel healthier, look better, but may not have a lot of time or money, I encourage you to listen to this episode! Joining me today is Kate Cherichello, host of Be the Good with Kate-a weekly podcast where guests share their journey to finding their passion and helping others along the way. In addition to her podcast, Kate is a NYC performer and certified fitness professional where she trains and coaches individuals in person and online. I invited her on our show to talk about incorporating fitness into a busy lifestyle.During our conversation, Kate and I discuss:The power of consistencyThe impact of removing the word “only” from your vocabularyHow our relationship with fitness evolves and changes over timeI vividly remember being a busy mom with younger kids trying to navigate motherhood, career and a household. During those years, the first thing that I abandoned was working out. Looking back now, I wish I had a different perspective on what fitness looked like and how I could fit it into my life. If you know someone who could find value in our conversation, please share this episode with them-they’ll be glad you did!Special thanks to our sponsor for this episode, Denise Albright Studios-a suite of organizing tools for parents and kids. Get 30% off your entire order with SIMPLY30 used at checkout on denisealbright.com XOXO-LaurieCONNECT WITH KATE WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PODCASTKATE’S BOOK RECOMMENDATION How to Win Friends and Influence People

My tip of the week for you is to go through the important people in your life and just add their birthdays into their contact information.Adding birthdays is a great way to automate part of your busy life, you can then set a reminder to send a happy birthday on their special day!If you liked this episode share with a friend!

Hey Friends,Today I’m joined by our Rhode Island SBO Partner, and fellow Professional Organizer Kate Bosch. Some of you may remember Kate from Episode 298 where she shared her journey to becoming a Professional Organizer. I invited her back on the show to talk about a topic that we have been working on behind the scenes. It’s something that is meaningful to most of us, but that we don’t often take the time to articulate–our CORE VALUES.“Your core values are the drivers that shape what’s most important to you.”During our conversation, Kate shares her core values, what she calls her 5C’s, and how she applies each of these to the physical stuff you have in your home and how you spend your time.ConnectionCreativityCompetenceConfidenceContentmentWe talked about the process she used to come up with her list, and the steps you can take to create your own list of core values.I always say that your home should reflect who you are, and what’s most important to you. If you’re feeling a disconnect between what your space looks like and who you want to be, this is a great place to start.My friend Sarah Dalton created a great free download to help you get started, which we’ve included in the links below.XOXO-LaurieCONNECT WITH KATEWEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAMCORE VALUES WORKSHEETKATE’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:The Number One Ladies Detective Agency SeriesBible in a Year Podcast with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Hi FriendsLaundry is an essential chore that we all have to do, yet it can quickly pile up and become overwhelming. Establishing a laundry routine can help make this chore less daunting and ensure that you always have clean clothes to wear.Having a laundry routine means that you can plan ahead and avoid a last-minute scramble to find something clean to wear. This can save time and energy in the long run, as you won't have to spend hours sorting through piles of laundry to find what you need.Regular washing and proper care can help extend the life of your clothes. By establishing a laundry routine, you can ensure that your clothes are washed and dried properly, preventing damage and wear and tear.A laundry routine can also help keep your home clutter-free. By washing and putting away clothes on a regular schedule, you can avoid piles of dirty laundry taking over your living space.Tips for Establishing a Laundry RoutineSet a regular day and time for doing laundrySort clothes by color and fabric type before washingUse the right amount of detergent and avoid overloading the washerHang or fold clothes immediately after drying to prevent wrinklesEstablishing a laundry routine may seem like a small task, but it can have a significant impact on your daily life. By saving time and energy, keeping clothes in good condition, and reducing clutter, a laundry routine can help you feel more organized and in control of your home.If you have a tip that you’d like to submit for our Tip of the Week episodes, visit simplyborganized.com/questions and you might be featured in an upcoming episode!

Hi Friends!In honor of Earth Day, today’s episode is all about responsible recycling.We’re looking across 10 of the most popular areas and sharing the do’s and don'ts while sharing some resources of places for you to take your unwanted goods without adding to your carbon footprint.Tech & ElectronicsClothingFoodPaperStuffed Animals & ToysMedicineBatteriesPaintBuilding MaterialsFurnitureThis episode is chock full of insight into both WHY we often struggle letting go, as well as the practical side to decluttering your home.Make sure to check out the links below for the resources we mentioned in the episode, and if you prefer to read the transcript, click here. Happy Spring!XOXO-LLINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEStaples Recycling ProgramBoston University Article on Clothing Consumption Vox Article on Food Waste Reducing Paper Usage Stuffed Animals for EmergenciesTerra Cycle for Toy DonationProperly Disposing of Unused MedicineDrug Take Back Days Article from EPA on How and Where to Dispose of Batterieshttps://www.call2recycle.org/locator/Lowes Recycling Centers How to Properly Dispose of Paint (state specific)Junklugglers1-800-Got Junk

Today we’re talking about homework. Giving your kids a "Homework Hub" a designated area where your child does his/her homework on a regular basis. It can be anywhere from a desk in their room, a home office, or the kitchen table.For us, it made the most sense to use our breakfast bar in our kitchen as the girls' hub. There is plenty of room for them to spread out to do their work, they have a designated area to store their supplies and best of all I am literally 5 feet away. It enabled me to easily prepare dinner, check email, while allowing them to ask me questions about their homework or engage in a conversation about their day.Most importantly, it created a routine. They quickly learned where to go when they came home, and what to do. They had everything they needed within reach so that they could work independently.Let me know if you try it! Happy Organizing!Xo Laurie!Links Mentioned ROLLING CARTCheck us out on FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM |

Hi Friends,Joining me today is Jennifer Ford Berry, best-selling author of the Organize Now! Series, national speaker, creator of the Created Order Neighborhood and host of the podcast, The Make Room Show (check out my recent convo on her show HERE).I invited Jennifer on the show to talk about her latest book: Make Room: take control of your space, time, energy & money to live on purpose.During our conversation we talked about:The evolution of the professional organizing industry (since Jennifer is an OG like me!)How we know if we are being held back, or weighed down by our possessionsWhat we lose every time we bring new “stuff” into our homesThe impact on our TIME, ENERGY and FINANCES and how that affects our livesNavigating emotional and calendar clutter throughout the different seasons of lifeJennifer also shares how her life has evolved as her kids have grown, and gives some words of wisdom for younger moms as you look to discover your purpose.Make sure to check out the links below for everything we talked about in this episode.XOXO-Laurie P.S. Did you know that we are now releasing 2 episodes of TOL per week? Every Monday we’ll release a new TIP OF THE WEEK to give you a little extra boost as you kick off the week. Then on Thursday’s we’ll continue to bring you our regular episodes filled with great guests!***Make sure to click the subscribe or follow button wherever you get your podcasts.CONNECT WITH JENNIFERWEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTERESTOTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEMAKE ROOM PODCASTTHE PHOTO STICKJENNIFER’S BOOK RECOMMENDATION: GOAL GETTERS

Today’s tip of the week is the 2 minute rule: If you can do something in 2 minutes or less, do it rather than procrastinating.Simple tasks like opening the mail, putting the dishes in the dishwasher, hanging up your coat, folding the blanket on the couch-are little wins that have a larger impact.We underestimate the negative impact on our mood or stress levels from neglecting to do these simple tasks.So the next time you are about to procrastinate on something-ask yourself “can I complete this in 2 minutes or less?” and if the answer is YES, then push yourself out of your comfort zone and as Nike says- JUST DO IT.If you have a tip that you’d like to submit for our Tip of the Week episodes, visit simplyborganized.com/questions and you might be featured in an upcoming episode!

Hi Friends,Back by popular demand is my good friend, Matt Paxton! I invited Matt on the show today to talk about a question that I get asked all the time .... “Am I a Hoarder”.Matt Paxton is one of the top cleaning, downsizing, decluttering, and hoarding experts in the country. He was a frequent regular on A&E’s Hoarders for 12 years and now hosts the Emmy-nominated PBS show Legacy List with Matt Paxton. You also might remember Matt from Episode 269 of This ORGANIZED Life, where he talked about Creating a Legacy List and his book Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff.During today's conversation we looked at:The psychological side of hoarding and how it differs from general clutterThe difference between hoarding and collectingThe role of trauma, specifically, divorce, death, and abuse as it relates to hoardingIs hoarding permanent or can you be “cured”?How to help someone who you might suspect is struggling with a hoarding disorderWhat NOT to do, that can actually cause more harm than goodMatt shares some personal stories about working with hoarders, his time on the show, and why he has dedicated his life to helping those who are most in need of getting rid of “stuff”.There is so much shame around clutter and there doesn’t have to be. If you know someone who could benefit from this episode, please pay it forward by sharing it.XOXO-LaurieP.S. Did you know that we are now releasing 2 episodes of TOL per week? Every Monday we’ll release a new TIP OF THE WEEK to give you a little extra boost as you kick off the week. Then on Thursday’s we’ll continue to bring you our regular episodes filled with great guests!Make sure to click the subscribe or follow button wherever you get your podcasts.CONNECT WITH MATTWEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | LINKEDINOTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODEEp 269-Creating a Legacy List with Matt PaxtonMatt’s Book Recommendation: Die with Zero