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

    Hi Friends! Today we have a special show for you. Last month I hosted What made the event so great, is that I invited an amazing panel of organizing experts to join me our first-ever virtual clutter clinic "quarantine edition". to answer questions, share thoughts, tips, and strategies with you.  We talked about:   Why more time at home doesn’t always translate into motivation How to maintain a sense of routine & organization when your house is a revolving door What to do (or who to vent to) when your spouse and kids aren’t pitching in to help How to avoid falling deeper into a clutter trap Resources to inspire and motivate you.  We had over 100 people register for the event which goes to show that during this time of covid craziness, people are still looking for solutions, permission to let go, and connection to others.  The content was too good not to share with my TOL community, so we turned it into a podcast episode. I hope you enjoy! And we’d love to hear from you, head on over to our fb group, TOL podcast, or shoot us a DM on IG to let us know where you are thriving and where you feel like a HOT MESS!         xo - Laurie         A special thanks to our good friends at CURIO-PRESS for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! They have an incredible line of personalized stationery, lists & notepads. Visit CURIO-PRESS.COM and enter the code ORGANIZED at checkout to receive 15% your entire order   *Please shop local when you can, small businesses have been greatly impacted by COVID-19 and appreciate your support.  For sponsorship inquiries and collaborations click here           Links Mentioned in this Episode CONNECT WITH OUR SBO PANEL OF EXPERTS | FREE CHECKLISTS |HELPFUL TOOLS & SERVICES LEARN MORE ABOUT HOSTING YOUR OWN CLUTTER CLINIC   Other Promo Codes for You! 15% OFF CURIO-PRESS WITH CODE “ORGANIZED” | 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE”   Please Support Us!  SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!    REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!  Struggling with Clutter? Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!     Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.  Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

Hi Friends! At the time of this recording, we were Pre-COVID, and although our day-to-day lives have changed, the topics discussed on this episode remain relevant.  Today I am joined  by Jenna Arvidson, founder of athomewithkids.com and host of The Simple Home podcast.  Jenna is also a mom &  photographer who thrives on organization and a slower, simpler life (can I get an amen!). She’s taught hundreds of moms through online courses and in person workshops how to take, curate and organize their photos.  I invited Jenna on the show to answer one of the questions that I get asked the most: “How Do I Organize Thousands of Digital Photos?” Technology has made it incredibly simple to take and accumulate photos, but doesn’t  teach how to declutter, and organize them once you have them. During my conversation with Jenna, we talk about: The differences between organizing physical and digital photos How to become proactive with photo editing Why guilt plays an important role when it comes to pictures Jenna and I also talk about her podcast, The Simple Home Podcast, and how she has created a successful business by blending her love of photography and organization.  Jenna removes the overwhelm and uncertainty, and leaves you with a sense of accomplishment. Make sure to check out the links below to connect with Jenna. She has also created a special link for her photo clutter course giving TOL listeners $60 off her regular price! Happy Photo Organizing! xo - Laurie A special thanks to our good friends at CURIO-PRESS for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! They have an incredible line of personalized stationery, lists & notepads. Visit CURIO-PRESS.COM and enter the code ORGANIZED at checkout to receive 15% your entire order *Please shop local when you can, small businesses have been greatly impacted by COVID-19 and appreciate your support. For sponsorship inquiries and collaborations  click here Links Mentioned in this Episode FREE PHOTO CLUTTER CHECKLIST | DISCOUNT LINK FOR PHOTO CLUTTER COURSE Other Promo Codes for You! 15% OFF CURIO-PRESS WITH CODE “ORGANIZED” | 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE” Please Support Us! SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week! REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show! Struggling with Clutter? Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz! Stop feeling like a Hot Mess! HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Connect with Jenna WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | PODCAST Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

        Hi Friends! Today we are in week 497 millionth of quarantine….and despite the uncertainty and frustration that many of us are feeling, there are parts of life that still must continue, and Spring Cleaning is one of them! I am so grateful to have my good friend, Rick Hall joining me today from Little Rock, Arkansas  to share his own organizing tips. We kick off the episode talking about Rick’s recent trip to NYC literally as “shelter in place” took effect.   He also shares his story of losing his job as a result of the pandemic, and how he is using this time to peel back the curtain and declutter his home.  We talk about what his decluttering process looks like How long it took him The hardest thing for him to purge What surprised him along the way His love of converse sneakers 🙂 And his take-aways when the project was completed   We also unpack Rick’s dominant type of clutter, which of the 5 pitfalls he gravitates to, and the lessons he learned from his mom. Rick offers some actionable strategies if you are feeling stuck in the middle or unmotivated to get started. It was so great to chat with my dear friend, especially during this time of social distancing and isolation. This conversation made me smile and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!         xo- Laurie       P.S.  If you are tackling a decluttering project, we’d love to see it! Feel free to post your pics in IG stories and tag @simplyborganized or in our Facebook group, This ORGANIZED Life Podcast     A special thanks to our good friends at CURIO-PRESS for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! They have an incredible line of personalized stationery, lists & notepads. Visit CURIO-PRESS.COM and enter the code ORGANIZED at checkout to receive 15% your entire order *Please shop local when you can, small businesses have been greatly impacted by COVID-19 and appreciate your support. For sponsorship inquiries and collaborations click here.           Promo Codes for You! 15% OFF CURIO-PRESS WITH CODE “ORGANIZED” | 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE”   Please Support Us!  SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!    REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!  Struggling with Clutter? Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!     Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.  Connect with Rick FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN  Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

Hi Friends! At the time of this recording, we were Pre-COVID, and although our day-to-day lives have changed, the topics discussed on this episode remain relevant.   Joining me today is Diana Gasperoni, a NYC Psychotherapist, Founder of BeWELL Psychotherapy and host of the podcast, BeREAL with Diana.  FUN FACT: Diana was a guest on TOL back in episode 14,  which I have linked to below. Today we talk about the link between physical clutter and emotional strongholds: Whether it’s taking comfort in our clutter Using distractions like shopping to make us temporarily feel better Placing an unhealthy value of ourselves based on stuff Diana shares her thoughts about how to identify the line between healthy and unhealthy clutter.   (i.e.: unopened mail b/c you’ve been out late every night, vs. unopened mail for months on end and that’s a pattern of behavior) We also talk about what to do if you suspect that a friend, spouse, child, or parent is struggling with emotional clutter. In the second half of our show we talk about Diana’s new podcast, BeREAL– (who knew at the time of recording that her clinical advice would be so timely in light of our current climate).  I have been listening to her show faithfully on my walks, and I suspect you will appreciate her honesty, perspective and vulnerability as much as I do. If you liked this episode,  make sure you check out the links below to listen and subscribe to her show! xo - Laurie A special thanks to our good friends at CURIO-PRESS for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! They have an incredible line of personalized stationery, lists & notepads. Visit CURIO-PRESS.COM and enter the code ORGANIZED at checkout to receive 15% your entire order *Please shop local when you can, small businesses have been greatly impacted by COVID-19 and appreciate your support.  For sponsorship inquiries and collaborations  click here Links Mentioned in this Episode EP 14: HOW HUGGABLE HANGERS CHANGED MY LIFE  Connect with Diana WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | PODCAST Promo Codes for You! 15% OFF CURIO-PRESS WITH CODE “ORGANIZED” | 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE” Please Support Us! SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week! REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show! Struggling with Clutter? Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz! Stop feeling like a Hot Mess! HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

Hi Friends! Today I am joined by Kristen Manieri who is a writer, mindfulness teacher and host of the 60 Mindful Minutes podcast. I invited Kristen onto our show during this crazy time of COVID-19 to talk about how mindfulness can help to reduce stress (something we are all dealing with during quarantine!). During our conversation, we talked about: Kristen’s journey into mindfulness How mindfulness has given her coping strategies to become a more patient mom What to do if you struggle with quieting your mind, or even finding the time to get started Helpful tools to keep inside your “toolbox” How to keep from passing your anxiety onto your kids or spouse The link between outer order and inner calm Resources, including books and apps to guide you along the way (see links below) Kristen shares advice for parents who have younger kids who miss their friends, and are tired of being cooped up at home, but may not have the language or maturity to articulate how they are feeling. Today is a great day to begin your mindfulness practice. Kristen’s recommendation: start with 5 minutes per day and work up from there. Make sure to check out all the links to help you get started, including her free 5-day course! xo - Laurie  A special thanks to our good friends at CURIO-PRESS for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! They have an incredible line of personalized stationery, lists & notepads. Visit CURIO-PRESS.COM and enter the code ORGANIZED at checkout to receive 15% your entire order *Please shop local when you can, small businesses have been greatly impacted by COVID-19 and appreciate your support.  For sponsorship inquiries and collaborations  click here Links Mentioned in this Episode Insight Timer App  | Bliss More | True Refuge | The Untethered Soul | Desiderata poem Promo Codes for You! 15% OFF CURIO-PRESS WITH CODE “ORGANIZED” | 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE” Please Support Us! SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week! REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show! Struggling with Clutter? Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz! Stop feeling like a Hot Mess! HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Connect with Kristen WEBSITE |  INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK| PINTEREST Free Five-Day Course Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

A special thanks to our good friends at CURIO-PRESS for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! They have an incredible line of personalized stationery, lists & notepads. Visit CURIO-PRESS.COM and enter the code ORGANIZED at checkout to receive 15% your entire order *Please shop local when you can, small businesses have been greatly impacted by COVID-19 and appreciate your support. For sponsorship inquiries and collaborations  click here Hi Friends! On today’s show I am joined by repeat guest, Logan Palau (my 16 year old), and we are talking all about being environmentally conscious. Logan also shares her favorite web browser that is actually helping to clean the ocean! Listen to the episode to hear what it is! Did you know that April 22nd marks the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day? Below is a list of 10 things you can do (or not do) to help make a difference in your home and community: 1. Rinse your bottles and jars, cans – clean empty and dry. 2. Pizza box recycle – you have to rip off the grease part of the box (I know a lot of people like to recycle the pizza boxes). 3. Don’t “Wish Cycle” – putting non recycling objects in recycling bins ~ because then we contaminate the bin. 4. Don’t recycle anything smaller than a credit card. Thinks like paper clips and staples can jam the recycling machine. 5. Make sure to dispose of things like electronics, paint cans, excess building supplies, properly. 6. Carry a reusable water bottle. 7. Keep reusable bags in your car so you can have them with you (or keep them by your door). 8. Shop Smarter: take inventory of what you have and don’t buy more than you need refrain from buying “disposable items” (because of boredom, b/c its cheap, or b/c you like it) 9. Consider Eating Plant Based Food: The UN reports that the meat industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. It’s estimated that over 1800 gallons of water are used to produce a single pound of beef. 10. Plant a garden with the kids and let them help to care for it.  Although COVID-19 may have quarantined us, there are virtual events taking place globally throughout the day.  Visit earthday.org to learn more or find a virtual event near you (and don’t forget to use the #earthrise) xo - Laurie Please support us! SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week! REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show! Struggling with Clutter?  Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz! Stop feeling like a Hot Mess! HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Links Mentioned in this Episode LISTEN TO LOGAN SHARE HER STORY |  OCEAN HERO Promo Codes for You! 15% OFF CURIO-PRESS WITH CODE “ORGANIZED” | 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE” Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

A special thanks to our good friends at CURIO-PRESS for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! They have an incredible line of personalized stationery, lists & notepads. Visit CURIO-PRESS.COM and enter the code ORGANIZED at checkout to receive 15% your entire order *Please shop local when you can, small businesses have been greatly impacted by COVID-19 and appreciate your support. For sponsorship inquiries and collaborations click here Hi friends! Parents of school-aged kids, you are in for a treat today.  Joining me (via zoom) is Dr. Amanda Benolken, Supervisor of Educational Technology and Innovation at New Hope-Solebury School District.  Throughout the past 12 years, Amanda has held positions as an elementary teacher and instructional coach, and in addition to her “day job,” she currently serves as an adjunct professor at Gwynedd Mercy University teaching graduate leadership and curriculum courses and a dissertation advisor. So needless to say Amanda is no joke. In addition to her impressive resume, Amanda is mom to a 4th grader, so she is navigating DISTANCE LEARNING as both administrator and parent. So guess what folks? She is in the weeds with the rest of us! I invited Amanda to join me, to help provide some direction, and share some insight for parents who are feeling overwhelmed, and underprepared to take on the role as teacher. Amanda also shares how she is juggling work and parenting in her own home while we’re under quarantine. During our conversation we talk about things like: What is a reasonable expectation for how long kids should be focused on academics each day? Advice for parents who are panicked that their educational development is resting on their shoulders Overcoming the technology hurdle if you’re unfamiliar with platforms like Zoom, Google Classroom, or Canvas We also talked about non-traditional learning opportunities, like cooking a meal or writing letters and how they MATTER! We wrap up with some resources for parents and students to help add extra support outside of the classroom, so be sure to check out the links at the bottom of the show notes. This is uncharted territory for everyone, and  rest assured that your kids education WILL be ok. Stay healthy. Stay safe. xo - Laurie  Please support us! SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week! REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show! Struggling with Clutter?  Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz! Stop feeling like a Hot Mess! HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Links Mentioned in this Episode Khanacademy.org | Commonsensemedia.org Links For High School Juniors  Scoir.com | Collegeboard.org Suggested Vetted SitesS, Tools & App For This School Closure Period Wide Open School Mystery Science America’s Test Kitchen Kids Duolingo Some Of Amanda’s Favorites Scholastic Learn at Home Storyline Philadelphia Zoo at 2 Virtual Museum Tours Visit the Musee d’Orsay Visit the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum Visit the National Gallery of Art Promo Codes for You! 15% OFF CURIO-PRESS WITH CODE “ORGANIZED” | 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE” Connect with Amanda TWITTER Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

A special thanks to our good friends at CURIO PRESS for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! They have an incredible line of personalized stationery, lists & notepads. Visit CURIO-PRESS.COM and enter the code ORGANIZED at checkout to receive 15% your entire order *Please shop local when you can, small businesses have been greatly impacted by COVID-19 and appreciate your support. For sponsorship inquiries and collaborations  click here Hi Friends! How is everyone doing?  April is here, and I can pretty much bet that in your wildest dreams you never thought you’d be kicking-off Spring quarantined in your house. Today folks, you’re in for a treat because I have the better half of the Palau duo joining me today;  The one and only, laundry loving, note card taking, sneaker loving Josh Palau! BTW, if you haven’t listened to his past episode appearances, I’ve included links in the show notes below. In light of our current climate, today we are talking all things Marriage, Work and Social Distancing when Josh answers the following questions: 1. How are you handling working from home and not having the physical interpersonal connection with your team? 2. As someone who typically works outside of the house, how has COVID-19 impacted your work/life balance? 3. You manage a team of people, many of whom are now faced with homeschooling as well as keeping up with working remotely-how are you helping them to navigate expectations etc.? 4. What (if any) impact do you think this has had on our relationship? 5. What advice do you have for people who are not used to this much together-ness? 6. I would suspect that many marriages (not ours of course) are experiencing stress from the financial impact of the CORONA, care to share any thoughts for our listeners who may find themselves feeling overwhelmed as a result of the unknown? 7. What is the first thing you are going to do when the pandemic is over? 8. As an introvert, what are your take-aways from forced social distancing? 9. What is one thing positive that has come from this experience? During the uncertainty, we are all faced to pivot, change and adapt. Let’s all continue to work together to stay healthy and safe. CONNECTION  is more important than ever, so please connect with us on your social media platform of choice for tips, inspiration, and support. We also have a team of organizers who are willing and able to help you organize virtually Click HERE to find someone who can help! xo - Laurie   P.S.  Make sure to check out the links below for more great info! Please support us! SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week! REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show! Struggling with Clutter?  Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz! Stop feeling like a Hot Mess! HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Check Out Josh’s Past Episodes EP 86: THE TELL ALL EPISODE |  EP 87: LIFE, MARRIAGE & THINGS LAURIE DISLIKES | EP 142: THE CO-PARENTING EPISODE Promo Codes For You! 15% OFF CURIO-PRESS WITH CODE “ORGANIZED” | 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE” Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

    A special thanks to our good friends at CURIO-PRESS for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! They have an incredible line of personalized stationery, lists & notepads. Visit CURIO-PRESS.COM and enter the code ORGANIZED at checkout to receive 15% your entire order *Please shop local when you can, small businesses have been greatly impacted by COVID-19 and appreciate your support. For sponsorship inquiries and collaborations click here     Hi Friends! At the release of this episode, many of you will be on week 2 of quarantine. How is everyone holding up? It’s crazy to think about how COVID-19 has affected the things we take for granted, like the freedom to work, play and socialize without restriction. But rather than focus on the negative, I invited SBO Partner, Mary Cornetta to chat about how we can all pivot with grace during these unprecedented times. To look at the brighter side of things, let’s take a moment to highlight some things that we now have permission to do as a result of self-quarantine. 1. PJ days 2. Sleep In 3. Take a Walk 4. Look up Recipes 5. Eat a meal together 6. Binge-watch something on Hulu or Netflix 7. Write a letter to someone If you are feeling anxious or stressed about being surrounded by clutter, Mary shares how to work with a virtual organizer while under quarantine. Virtual Organizing is proving to be a great alternative for people who crave the personal support, knowledge, and accountability of a professional organizer, by allowing you to work together via zoom, Goggle hangouts, or a good old fashioned phone call! Most, if not all of our SBO Partners are offering virtual sessions to their clients.  In an effort to continue to support local, I encourage you to visit our partner page to find an organizer near you. Stay healthy everyone!       xo - Laurie         Please support us!  SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!   REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!  Struggling with Clutter?  Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!    Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.  Links Mentioned in this Episode  5 DECLUTTERING TIPS WHILE UNDER QUARANTINE  Connect with Mary WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | PODCAST  Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

Hi Friends! Everyone is on high alert, and with good reason.  From quarantines, to bare shelves, and indefinite school closures, everyone’s schedules have turned upside side. Working Parents are now finding themselves without childcare, and parents of school aged kids have been thrust into the world of online/homeschooling. Let’s not forget to take into account all local and small businesses who rely on clients and customers to pay their bills, who are impacted, (either by people not using their services, or from having to temporarily close)— adding a layer of financial stress to an already complicated equation. Despite unprecedented uncertainty, one thing is for sure, you are not alone in this. In times of crisis, we’re often faced with the unknown which can be incredibly frightening and overwhelming. It’s in these moments that I recommend first hitting the pause button. This may seem counter intuitive, especially if you are someone who is a DO-er.  Instead of turning to panic, consider taking a step back, to re-evaluate, re-adjust and re-prioritize how, what and when we are doing. If you don’t know where to begin, I’ve come up with 5 simple steps to help you get started: 1. Write down everything that needs to get done. 2. Look at the list and see what can be delegated (use your kids to help around the house with the laundry, cleaning, meal prep). 3. Time Block (set specific times of day for checking email, working on projects, and other times to take care of family and household obligations). 4. Set realistic expectations (you are more than likely going to have to cut back somewhere, we can’t add in hours to our day, so don’t set yourself up for failure). 5. Communicate (let your boss know when you’re available and when you’re not, and the same with your kids). We’re all in a similar boat, in unchartered waters, so let’s do our best to stay positive, be smart and have some grace with others and ourselves. xo - Laurie “The true test of adversity isn’t what’s thrown at you, but how you respond to it.” A special thanks to our good friends at CURIO-PRESS for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! Please don’t forget to shop local when you can, small businesses are greatly impacted in times of crisis. They have an incredible line of personalized stationery, lists & notepads. Visit CURIO-PRESS.COM and enter the code ORGANIZED at checkout to receive 15% your entire order For sponsorship inquiries and collaborations  click here Please support us! SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week! REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show! Struggling with Clutter?  Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz! Stop feeling like a Hot Mess! HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST