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

Hi Friends,Today we are talking about one of the core parts to living an organized life…Calendars.Joining me today is the creator and founder of Artful Agenda, Katy Allen. Katy is wife to American Idol champion Kris Allen and a mom of 3 kiddos. After a life-long love affair with paper planners, Katy was looking for a solution to blend the convenience of a digital planner with the customization and style of a paper planner. I invited Katy on the show to share what makes Artful Agenda different from other traditional calendars like Google Cal or iCal.During our conversation we talked about:Her inspiration for Artful AgendaTime Blocking & PrioritiesBeing diagnosed with ADHD as an adultHow she designed the app to help her (and others) be more productiveSince recording our interview, I personally downloaded Artful Agenda on my laptop and iphone and have been using it everyday. I absolutely love how it seamlessly integrates with my existing calendars, and has the added functionality of allowing me to create my “top 3” priority list on the same screen. I’ve also had fun playing around with the different backgrounds, colors & fonts to make it more personalized.***If you are interested in trying Artful Agenda out for yourself Katy is offering a special promo code exclusive to TOL listeners. Visit artfulagenda.com and enter promo code TOL23 at checkout to receive 20% off!XOXO-LaurieP.S. Make sure to check out the links below for everything we talked about in this episode.CONNECT WITH KATYWEBSITE INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/artfulagenda/KATY’S RECOMMENDATIONS Procrastinate on Purpose ADHD for Smartass Women PodcastMake sure to check out our 2022 Reading List on Goodreads which has all of the book recommendations from previous guests!

Hi Friends,To start off 2023 I am joined by none other than NY Times Best Selling Author Jen Hatmaker. If you don’t know Jen, she’s written about a bajillion books including For the Love, Of Mess and Moxie, and Fierce, Free, and Full of Fire. Her latest book Feed These People is her debut cookbook that is filled with simple recipes for the whole family. She hosts the popular For the Love Podcast and Jen Hatmaker Book Club. Her online community has millions of women who relate to her witty, honest, and vulnerable approach to life. I invited Jen on the show to kick off 2023 to talk about mindset, goal planning and of course, the Enneagram!During our conversation we talked about:The importance of mindset when it comes to setting goalsNavigating the messy seasons of lifeWhat she’s learned about herself as an Enneagram 3 (aka the Achiever)We talked about the 3 types of clutter: Physical, Emotional and Calendar; Jen shares her dominant type of clutter-can you guess what it is? The start of a new year is almost always filled with expectations that we place on ourselves:Whether you are trying to lose weight, exercise more, declutter your house, get out of debt, read more, yell less… It all starts with mindset. We’re hoping this year you can be a little more kind and gentle with yourself. I encourage you to share this episode with someone who needs to hear it. And if you are not already subscribed to our show, we’d love to have you join our podcast community. Search for This ORGANIZED Life Podcast on apple podcast, spotify or wherever you choose to listen. We are also on YouTube at This ORGANIZED Life.XOXO-LaurieCONNECT WITH JEN HATMAKER: WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | PODCASTJEN’S BOOK RECOMMENDATION: Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for YourselfMake sure to check out our 2022 Reading List on Goodreads which has all of the book recommendations from previous guests!

Hi Friends,Each year we release our “Best Of”, and if you are new to our show, it’s a great way to binge the highlight episodes from other listeners. We include links to each episode we talked about, making it super simple to listen and share. Last week Kimberly and I shared some of our favorite episodes, and today we are sharing the top 10 listener episodes. It’s always fun for me to sit down and look at the topics and guests that resonated with you most. If you listened to last week, you will hear some overlap with our favorites and yours, but there were definitely some differences that surprised us!As 2022 comes to a close, I want to thank you for being part of my community. As we wrap up our 6th year, I am so grateful for the opportunity to sit down and have meaningful conversations with people who provide perspective and solutions for simplifying your life. On behalf of myself and our team at SBO/TOL-we wish you and your family a safe and happy New Year.Cheers to 2023!XOXO-LaurieTOP 10 Episodes of 2022Ep 265: Health and Habits with Mel RobbinsEp 267: Creating Systems with Brittany DixonEp 274: Closet Edit with Sarah SailorsEp 269: Creating a Legacy List with Matt PaxtonEp 271: Prep, Cook, Freeze with Caroline FauselEp 266: 4 Steps to Goal Setting in 2022Ep 278: Spring Organizing ChecklistEp 268: Partner Spotlight with Lisa EckerleEp 273: Divorce and Decluttering with The ExExpertsEp 276: Motherhood Simplified with Krista LockwoodP.S Make sure to check out our 2022 Reading List on Goodreads which has all of the book recommendations from this year's guests!https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/182327.This_Organized_Life_Podcast_2022_Book_Guide

Hi Friends,We’re in the homestretch of 2022…what a year it’s been! Every year we take the last 2 weeks of December to look back on the 50 episodes we released this year.This week, my producer Kimberly and I shared some of our favorite episodes, and next week we’ll look at the most popular episodes from all of you! (make sure you tune in to that!)It goes without saying that we love, admire and appreciate all of our guests, these just happen to be a few of our stand-out episodes.We included links to each episode, making it super simple to listen and share. Enjoy!Kimberly’s Faves:Ep 269: Creating a Legacy List with Matt PaxtonEp 284:Raising Simple with Zoe KimEp 275: Small Business Financial Organization with Melissa LeonEp 265: Health and Habits with Mel RobbinsLaurie’s Faves:Ep 306: Becoming Minimalist with Joshua BeckerEp 289: Summer of Enneagram with Enneagram 4 Leann DearingEp 300: Fair Play with Eve RodskyEp 309: Chasing the Brightside with Jess EkstromEp 305: Ask Me Anything with Josh & Laurie PalauMake sure to check out our 2022 Reading List on Goodreads which has all of the book recommendations from this year's guests! https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/182327.This_Organized_Life_Podcast_2022_Book_Guide

Hi Friends,Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa it’s crunch time! With only days to go for each of these major holidays, navigating clutter pitfalls is no easy task.The physical clutter of presents and wrapping supplies that are overtaking your closet, Christmas cookies and assorted treats that are covering your counters…To the calendar clutter of finding time to shop, wrap, bake, and attend holiday parties in addition to your “normal” schedule…Let’s not forget the emotional clutter of trying to keep everyone’s gift count “balanced”, and trying to create the “perfect” holiday for your family…It’s no wonder that we stress eat, get rundown, and dream of spending countless uninterrupted hours of laying on the couch binge watching Dead To Me.So as someone guilty of all of the above, I’m taking a page out of my personal playbook to share how I keep it all together during the most stressful time of the year.From Holiday Gift Trackers, to enlisting elves to help with some of the simpler, yet time consuming tasks like stuffing envelopes, I’ve found that the key to not losing it on everyone comes down to 3 things: PlanningCommunicationGratitudeFor all my fly-by-the-seat-of my pants listeners, this is where you roll your eyes.Hear me when I say, I have tried it your way, and it didn’t work.I’ve shoved unopened packages in random places only to discover them in February, or realize that one kid has 2 things while the other has 12.I’ve boycotted decorating the house until Team Palau pitched in to help. There were seasons when I’ve been resentful, tired, and overwhelmed, especially when my kids were small, that I was left doing all the heavy lifting alone.I want you to know that you are not alone. The holiday season is wonderful and stressful. It’s a both/and. Life is too short to not focus on what you can do, rather than what you can’t. We all have a limit-whether it’s a limit for our finances, time, space or emotional capacity. If you’re not sure where to start, let me help. Hit the PAUSE button, take a walk and listen to this episode. Next, map out a game plan of what needs to get done over the next week, and what can wait. Download our free Holiday Gift Tracker-it was a game changer for me and I know it can be for you. https://simplyborganized.com/free-downloads/You’ve got this friend, I’m pulling for ya!XOXO-LaurieCheck out our 2022 Book Guide: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/182327.This_Organized_Life_Podcast_2022_Book_GuideConnect with us @thisorganizedlifepodcast

Hi Friends,Joining me today is Amber Brandt. Amber is passionate about helping clients and families create spaces that not only reflect their values, but help them live smarter, cozier, and more intentional lives. She believes authenticity, connection, and true hospitality can change the world.Can I get an Amen!When we apply values-based thinking to our homes, it has the power to change everything -- how we decorate, what we buy, what we say yes/no to, and how we connect with others.As we are currently in the midst of the holiday season, our homes often become one big drop-spot. Between shopping, entertaining, and endless to-do lists, it’s understandable why it looks as though the eye of a tornado just ran through our living room.When we finally do come up for air, we’re often left feeling overwhelmed and depleted, rather than peaceful and rested.For many folks, the feeling of “house shame” isn’t limited to the holidays, but this time of year it’s often magnified when family and friends are likely to gather together.During our conversation we talked about the common roadblocks she sees from her clients: obligation, guilt, perfectionism, shame and the inability to make a decision–which are similar to our 5 clutter pitfalls. https://simplyborganized.com/2017/01/12/episode-003-identifying-the-5-clutter-pitfalls/We talked about how physical, emotional and calendar clutter each play a role in creating a cozy home, and Amber shares some simple tips to help you create the home you want. Something as simple as lighting a candle or wrapping yourself in a fuzzy blanket can help you find calm and peace amidst the chaos.What steps can you take today to make your home feel more cozy? Drop us a line and let us know!XOXO-LaurieConnect with Amber:Website http://www.thecozinessconsultant.com Instagram http://Instagram.com/thecozinessconsultantFacebook http://facebook.com/thecozinessconsultantOther Links Mentioned in this Episode:Amber’s Book Recommendations: Atlas of the Heart | The Art of Gathering***Check out our complete 2022 Reading List on Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/182327.This_Organized_Life_Podcast_2022_Book_Guide

Hi Friends!Today I am joined by my good friend, Martha-Carol Stewart, founder of Chaos Organizing in Baton Rouge and together we are bringing you our long awaited Holiday Gift Guide episode.Every year we look forward to sharing our ideas with you, while shining a spotlight on smaller brands who are doing great things.This year we have broken down our gift guide into the following categories:Food & Beverage-Fire Department Coffee: https://www.firedeptcoffee.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwteOaBhDuARIsADBqRejqbGZA_iSczoz3pHBUwlAKmosHvi8z_nPvUYzVXF7NXAc1RzRQFR4aAkhCEALw_wcB CODE: FIRSTTIME 20% off first order-Sahill Coffee: https://www.sahilcoffee.com/collections/tos CODE:TOL15 for 15% off entire purchase-PLUS!!! special selection just for TOL listeners-V Smiley Preserves: https://www.vsmileypreserves.com/?utm_source=simply_b_organized&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=special_offer CODE: SIMPLYBORGANIZED 15% $35 or more-Naked Chocolate: https://www.nkdchocolate.com/-Dot Winery: https://www.dotwinery.com/Home & Lifestyle-Blankets-Bearaby: https://bearaby.com/-Candles Waxed Candle Company: https://www.waxedcandlecompany.com/ CODE TOL20 for 20% off your entire order-Net Zero https://www.netzerocompany.com/collections/all CODE: GIFTING2022 20% off- Denise Albright: https://denisealbright.com/ CODE: SBGIFTS25% for 25% off your entire order-Aloha Bags: https://aloha-collection.com/?utm_source=thisorganizedlifepodcast%2F&utm_medium=influencer&utm_campaign=podcast&platform=grin&link_id=1184194&token=LRNH5PjKum65DSIqH3rcYnRaZrMCdJK7&contact_id=d15209b9-d4ba-4025-9270-8b4569ded242&attribution_window=90Body & Skincare-Vellum Street Soap Company: https://vellumstsoapcompany.com/-Dionis Goat Milk Skincare: https://dionisgmskincare.com/-Odele Beauty: https://odelebeauty.com/collections/all-hair-productsCODE: SIMPLYBORGANIZED20 you’ll receive 20% off one-time order-The Spinster Sisters: https://spinstersistersco.com/ CODE: TOL25 to receive 25% off your orderStocking Stuffers & Tidbits-Zkano Socks: https://zkano.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw5P2aBhAlEiwAAdY7dMtFPc4A6k4l8rjggmyzP7E7_8geD_m2P6VbcjJ2Jyt0i6nIEfzVVhoC06sQAvD_BwECODE: organizedlife10 to receive 10% off your purchase-Coiley Cables: https://coilycables.com/ CODE: CHAOS to receive 10% off your entire orderExperiences & Services-Wine Tasting-Local City Food Tour-Spa (massage, facial, day of pampering)-Classes: Art, Cooking, Yoga-Show Tickets-Lawn Care/Snow Removal-Car Detailing-Cleaning ServiceEvery item on this gift guide has been sourced from our team! Any support of these products will be going to help a small business and for that we thank you in advance.As you shop this holiday season, remember to edit what you have and aren’t using, support local, and buy with intention. If you like this episode, please share it with your friends!XOXO-Laurie

Hi Friends,Happy Thanksgiving! For this special episode we are focusing on gratitude, giving back, and using your superpowers to make a difference.Joining me is my friend, Tim Kenny, founder of The St. Baldrick’s Foundation-an organization that is near and dear to my heart.If you have been around our show for more than a hot minute, you have probably heard me talk about the work we do to raise awareness and funding for pediatric cancer research. My IRL community has been impacted by the loss of several kids to various types of cancers-and having a front row seat to how it impacts a family alters the way in which you see the world.At the time of this recording, The St. Baldrick’s Foundation has donated over 465 million dollars to pediatric cancer research, making them the leading non-profit organization dedicated to pediatric cancer research. They are “the behind the scenes” heroes responsible for funding grants to researchers in institutions including St. Jude’s, Dana Farber, and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (to name a few).I invited Tim on the show to share his personal story of growing up on a farm in Ireland, the oldest of 6 kids, coming to the US with $200 in his pocket, and building a life here (the true American Dream).During our conversation, Tim shares: The origin story of St. Baldrick’s, and how a brainstorm with some buddies over a couple of beers changed his lifeHow St. Baldrick’s got its name (spoiler alert: it’s not a real saint!)Stories about how kids and adults of all ages have been impacted by the work they do.In a season where many of us are stressed and overwhelmed, this episode focuses on hitting pause on your to-do list and pressing play on how small gestures can make a difference in someone’s life.After listening to this episode, my hope is that you feel inspired to share it with your friends, show gratitude for the people in your life who matter, and continue using your superpowers to make the world a better place.I am grateful for all of you.XOXO-LaurieP.S. Special thanks to today’s sponsor, Denise Albright Studios https://denisealbright.pxf.io/c/2541003/1215985/15085Check out her entire catalog of products, including her gratitude journal and take advantage of a special offer exclusive for TOL listeners. Use code SBGIFTS and receive 25% off your entire order.Links Mentioned in This Episode:St. Baldrick’s Foundation:https://www.stbaldricks.org/Tim’s Book Recommendations:Chasing Daylight The Power of Positive ThinkingThe BibleFind more book Recommendations from all our previous episodes here: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/182327.This_Organized_Life_Podcast_2022_Book_Guide

Hi Friends,Before we get into today’s episode, my good friend Gail stopped by the show to recap our SBO Partner Retreat in Scottsdale. Huge shoutout to our incredible organizers who joined us from all across the country, our roster of speakers, and to our sponsors who gifted each attendee with some cool swag! (If you have FOMO, we’ve included links below for all the goodies!)Today we are back with another partner spotlight episode, talking with Leigh Genkinger, founder of Orderleigh Home in Little Silver, NJ. Like many of us, she is a busy working mom with 3 kiddos at home and juggled a corporate career with motherhood. She shares her story of how she turned her passion for organizing into a flourishing career that also affords her the opportunity to be present for gymnastic meets, school events, and soccer games.During our conversation Leigh talks about:Her “must-haves” products to keep her and her family organizedWhy she focuses on pre-planning before starting any projectThe importance of leaning on othersHow to edit with intentionTips to help you stay organized during the holiday seasonOf course this conversation wouldn’t be complete without Leigh sharing her must-have go-to products (hint-hint: we’ve included links in the show notes below).If you or someone you know is thinking about starting a career as a professional organizer, we’d love to chat! Click here to learn more about our SBO Partner Program, or if you are looking for a Professional Organizer, click here to find someone near you. Special thanks to today’s sponsor, Denise Albright Studios .Check out her entire catalog of products, including her gratitude journal and take advantage of a special offer exclusive for TOL listeners. Use code SBGIFTS and receive 25% off your entire order. Visit Denise here: https://denisealbright.pxf.io/c/2541003/1215985/15085XOXO-LaurieConnect with Leigh:Website: https://orderleighhome.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orderleighhome/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orderleighhome/Other Links Mentioned in This Episode:Plastic White Handle Bins https://www.containerstore.com/s/plastic-storage-bins-with-handles/d?q=white%20bins%20with%20handles&productId=11019017Multi-Purpose Bins https://www.containerstore.com/s/THE-HOME-EDIT/the-home-edit-all_purpose-bin/od?q=home%20edit&productId=11010524Swag Bag Sponsors:Aloha Collection: https://aloha-collection.com/Carefree Spirits: https://carefree-spirits.com/Dionis Skincare: https://dionisgmskincare.com/Fire Dept Coffee: https://www.firedeptcoffee.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwpqCZBhAbEiwAa7pXeTJXSBs1-fQWXjD-AUA_aGMjEtTLeC2EJhj4XbLGy1PJEFCa2_H7sBoCV64QAvD_BwEMoonlily Apothecary: https://www.moonlilyherbs.com/#/

Joining me today is Bestselling author of Chasing the Bright Side, Jess Ekstrom. Jess has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The View, Vanity Fair, People Magazine, Business Insider, Huffington Post and Forbes.After starting and growing her multi-million-dollar company, Headbands of Hope, in her dorm room, her speaking and writing career took off. But Jess realized that her success wasn’t about how far she can reach—but how far she can help other women reach.She helps women uncover the value in their story through her popular Mic Drop Workshop®, so they can make a living and a difference at the same time. She, her husband and her 70lb fur baby reside in Raleigh, NC.During our conversation you’ll learn:Jess’ origin story-what prompted her to start a business while being a full time college student.Life living in an Airstream-how she paired down her things and how they stayed organized on the road.Entrepreneurship-how she manages her time while running multiple businesses.CONNECT WITH JESS:Text “HYPE” to 7042289495Website: https://jessekstrom.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/jessekstrom/Twitter: @jess_ekstromInstagram: @jess_ekstromLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-ekstrom-59160342Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jessekstrom/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessekstromOther Links Mentioned in This Episode:Jess’ Book Recommendation: Stop Living On AutopilotDeniseAlbright.com: Use code SBGIFTS and receive 25% off your order (offer valid through 12/15/22)