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

Latest Episodes:

Tip of the Week-Make Your Bed Apr 03, 2023

Show notes

Hi Friends,
We’re kicking off our new series today with Tip of the week! It’s a new bonus episode of This Organized Life. If you only have a few minutes a week these are the episodes for you. Each week you can enjoy a few nuggets of wisdom or getting actionable advice to move you forward!
Obviously, if you've been with us for a while, you know that we talk about three main types of clutter.
The three main types of clutter are:
Physical- the stuff that you see
Emotional-the guilt and fear that holds you back from getting rid of things
Calendar-feeling or being overscheduled, not being able to say no to things.
In addition to that, we have other types of clutter. We have digital clutter, financial clutter, and relational clutter.
Today I wanted to start with something simple that I’ve been doing long before Simply B Organized and This Organized Life.
Make Your Bed.
Making your bed first thing in the morning allows you to have a little win right away and can help you feel a sense of accomplishment.
I look at the making of the bed as turning that page. You are turning the page to a new day, and then you are turning the page at the end of the day.
And so it gives you a starting and an ending. And in the realm of organization that is a really key.
If you liked this episode share it with a friend! And if you haven’t already, join our This Organized Life Facebook Group below!
Connect with Me
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK

Digital Hygiene with Kate Hufnagel | Ep 329 Mar 30, 2023

Show notes

Hi Friends!
We talk a lot about Physical Clutter, Emotional Clutter, and Calendar Clutter, but Digital Clutter is a very real type of clutter where many folks struggle. From photos to files, not to mention endless email-there is no shortage of information and content that floods our lives on a daily basis. Knowing what to do, or how to do it, can be overwhelming, but today’s guest is going to break it down for us.
Joining me today is Kate Hufnagel (aka The Digital Wrangler.) After spending 2 decades working in the High Tech industry, Kate decided to join the entrepreneurial world and now helps individuals and businesses across the country clean up, secure, and streamline their digital lives.
I invited her on the show to talk about things like:

Easy retrieval of files
Password Do's + Don’ts
Storage tips for your phones

We talked about generational differences with digital fluency, and discussed why incorporating a practice of digital hygiene is so important. From deleting your deleted, to reviewing your cloud storage, Kate shares her best practices with us!
Take a listen! Want to learn more about Kate and all she has to offer, check out the links below👇
XO-Laurie
P.S. Our new *TIP OF THE WEEK starts on Monday April 3, 2023. Now you’ll have 2 weekly episodes of TOL to listen or watch!
CONNECT WITH KATE
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE
KATE’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
THE BOOK OF BOUNDARIES | MEASURE WHAT MATTERS

Tip of the Week Mar 27, 2023

Show notes

Exciting News! Starting Monday, April 3rd we'll be adding a bonus episode each week to our podcast feed called Tip of the Week!
These episodes will be short and designed to give you a boost to start your week off on the right foot! This might be something that I'm doing in my personal life, or perhaps it's a tip that someone shared with me that I wanna pass along.
If you're already subscribed to This Organized Life Podcast new episodes will automatically show up in your podcast feed each Monday and our Regular full episodes will continue to drop each and every Thursday.
If you're not subscribed be sure to click the subscribe button and you'll receive both!
Have questions? Let us know at simplyborganized.com/questions and be sure to follow us @thisorganizedlifepodcast @simplyborganized.

Blending Homes with Kim Snodgrass | Ep 328 Mar 23, 2023

Show notes

Hi Friends,One of the questions that I often get from listeners is “how do I avoid conflict as we blend our households?”
Whether you are talking about physical stuff, which pots and pans should we keep?
To deeper conversations surrounding the habits and routines you plan on implementing in your new life together. Between the overflow of physical items, to the practical side of chores, expectations, and family dynamics-blending families is more than just organizing the linen closet.
Joining me today is one of our SBO Partners, Kim Snodgrass, founder of Rustic Home Organizing in Portland, OR. Kim is a mom to 3 girls and has first hand experience blending families-something she talks candidly about on the show.
During our conversation Kim shares her story of marriage, divorce, moving across the country and the importance of communication.We talked about the countless variables that make each situation unique;

The ages of kids
How often the kids spend at each house (are they here every week or every other week, or just in the summer and holidays?)
How involved your ex is in parenting
Do you have chores at one house but not at another?

Although everyone has a different story, there are some universal challenges and I asked Kim to share a few practical tips for anyone listening who might be in the process of blending households. All of these interpersonal questions add a layer of complexity to making a smooth transition to combining multiple families.

Create Clear Zones that are easy for everyone to adapt-from shoe drop spots to simplifying laundry routines.
Ask first. Don't assume that you know what to keep or get rid of.
Consider the stage of life for all parties involved. Setting ground rules for a 5 year old is different than for a 17 year old.
Have Patience. Give people time to adapt to new rules, expectations and living situations.
Forgive. You are going to make mistakes and so are the members of your new family. Have grace, be kind and keep an open line of communication.

There are so many great reminders and new take-aways that Kim shares, I encourage you to listen and share this episode with someone who might need to hear it.
XO-Laurie
P.S. Prefer to watch the convo? Head on over to our YouTube Channel
CONNECT WITH KIM WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK
KIM’S BOOK RECOMMENDATION BORN TO SHINE
***LOOKING FOR A PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER? CHECK OUT OUR NETWORK FOR SOMEONE NEAR YOU!

Swedish Death Cleaning with Kelly Brask | Ep 327 Mar 16, 2023

Show notes

Hi Friends,
Today we are talking about a specific method of decluttering called Swedish Death Cleaning. The concept was first introduced by Margareta Magnusson in her bookThe Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning: How to Free Yourself and Your Family from a Lifetime of Clutter and now practiced all over the world.
She explains this as a process to "remove unnecessary things and make your home nice and orderly when you think the time is coming closer for you to leave the planet, “ so that your loved ones have the freedom to grieve without the added burden of decluttering your belongings.
Joining me today is Kelly Brask, a Certified Professional Organizer in Chicago who specializes in the method of Swedish Death Cleaning.
During our conversation we talked about how SDC differs from more conventional decluttering methods, specifically:

Why this is seen as part of the journey and not something morbid or sad
How the process of SDC is often slower and completed over a series of months
When to begin the process, and how to bring it up to loved ones

Kelly talks about her personal journey into studying Swedish Death Cleaning and why she chose to incorporate it into her business.
She shares some stories from clients and gives examples of things you can do at home if this is something you would like to explore.
I’ve also linked to all things Kelly below, so if you have any questions about the process you can connect with her.
I learned a lot from this conversation and I hope you do too!
XO-
Laurie
CONNECT WITH KELLY
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
THE POWER OF HABIT
{ANYTHING BY} MALCOLM GLADWELL
SWEDISH DEATH CLEANING
OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
AIRTABLE
SBO PARTNER PROGRAM

Keeping it Simple | Ep 326 Mar 09, 2023

Show notes

Hi Friends,
We just wrapped up a room by room organizing series, and if you haven’t had the chance to listen, I encourage you to go back and check each of these out!

As I looked back through each episode, there was one central theme that kept popping up-SIMPLICITY.
It isn’t the use of a magical bin or basket, sure those can help, but the throughline from each expert, in each space, starts with reducing the amount of stuff you own–(I call that volume), followed by the system you choose to maintain an organized space.
The system might be a bin by the door to place your muddy boots, or a drawer that holds all of your knives and cutting tools.
It could be adding a turntable in your refrigerator so you can easily see what’s in the back, or perhaps it’s adding cubbies that can double as storage and a nightstand.
The combination of less stuff coupled with a simple system increases the likelihood of keeping a clutter-free home. As a general rule, I recommend no more than a two-step process for any space or area. Remember, the simpler the better!
Tip: Whenever I am at a crossroads, I always come back to “the ease of retrieval.” How quickly can I find and access what I am looking for?
The third part to the equation is COMMUNICATION. This is especially important when you live with other people-whether roommates, partner, spouse, kids or aging parents. We often assume that other people know exactly what we mean when we say things like “clean up” or “I need your help”, but that’s not always the case.
Setting clear expectations, explaining the process along with “so that…” paints a picture of WHY an organized home is important.
So that…we have more time to play.
So that….I am not stressed when I walk through the door.
So that….I don’t waste time looking for something I know I have but can’t seem to find.
I know first hand the freedom that comes with keeping things simple. The older I get, the less stuff I need or want. However I get that you might be in a season of life filled with kids toys, sports equipment, art projects and more. If that’s you, it’s all the more reason to find SIMPLE where and when you can. Life is chaotic, unpredictable, and coming at us at a million miles an hour. Personally, I want my home to be a place where I can literally shut the door (even if that’s the bathroom door), and slow down for five minutes.
If that seems impossible, I’m here to walk with you-one step at a time. We’d love to hear from you, and know where you might be struggling.
Please send in your questions to https://simplyborganized.com/questions/

Home Office Organization with Stephanie Shalofsky | Ep 325 Mar 02, 2023

Show notes

We are wrapping up our room by room series with arguably one of the most overwhelming areas to organize-HOME OFFICES.
Joining me today is Stephanie Shalofsky, founder of the The Organizing Zone which she started 14 years ago as a means to provide organizing and productivity services to small companies and individuals in NYC.
If we learned anything from the pandemic, it’s the importance of having a dedicated workspace in our homes. What once was considered a luxury has quickly turned into an essential part of the home. Whether you have a separate room or you’re working from the kitchen table, we all need systems to keep paperwork, files, and supplies organized.
During our conversation we talked about common pitfalls she sees with her clients, and Stephanie offers some solutions for organizing your home office including:

Adopting a mobile workspace. Keeping all of your essentials in one central location is key to staying organized. The benefits of having your workspace mobile is that you can work from anywhere in the home and easily tuck it away when you are done working for the day. (fyi we love rolling carts!)
Double-Duty Storage. In Stephanie’s case, her home office also serves as a den/guest room. Incorporating products that don’t scream “papers everywhere!” are a great way to keep your space streamlined and confidential information private.
Establishing Retention Guidelines. In other words, a checklist that details “how long do I need to keep that?” One of the main reasons that we hold onto files and papers is because we fear that we might need it. We don’t always take into consideration the impact that this excess clutter can have on our productivity. Establishing clear guidelines based on legal and practical regulations (ie: what are the odds I will need this?) removes the guesswork for you.

In my world, we do a deep-dive once a year for our personal files. Each year, more and more documents are accessible online which allows me the freedom to keep less physical paper. Stephanie has created a free download which has some best practices for Home Office Organizing-make sure to check out the link below to grab yours!
Happy Organizing!
Laurie
P.S. If you found something valuable in this episode, please share it with a friend!
If you feel so inclined, please click the 5-star button ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave us a review so that others know our show is worth listening to. My friend Angie Griffith created this short video teaching you how to do it!
CONNECT WITH STEPHANIE WEBSITE | YOU TUBE | LINKEDIN
FREE DOWNLOAD: HOME OFFICE ORGANIZING & PRODUCTIVITY BEST PRACTICES
STEPHANIE’S BOOK RECOMMENDATION PLATONIC: HOW THE SCIENCE OF ATTACHMENT CAN HELP YOU MAKE AND KEEP FRIENDS

Welcome to This Organized Life Mar 01, 2023

Show notes

If you're struggling with clutter and want to simplify your life, you are in the right place. I'm Laurie Palau, founder of Simply Be Organized, author of the book Hot Mess, A Practical Guide to Getting Organized and Host of the Weekly Podcast, This Organized lLfe. After over a decade of working one-on-one with people in their homes, I've learned that for a lot of people, clutter is their dirty little secret, but it doesn't have to be.
Let's face it. Life can be complicated, but getting organized shouldn't have to be. I started this podcast seven years ago as a place to offer ideas. Tips and strategies to help you simplify daily tasks so that you can live a more organized life. We not only talk about physical clutter, which is the stuff that you see, like piles of paper, overflowing closets and mountains of toys to emotional clutter, which is the guilt or fear that keeps you from letting things go to calendar clutter, which is the overwhelming need to say yes or overcommitting yourself, which is my personal pitfall.
Each of these roadblocks can deter you from living the life that you want, whether you are a busy. A budding entrepreneur, an empty nester, or maybe you fall somewhere in between. There is something here for you. Each week we share practical tips, chat with experts like Matt Paxton and Rachel Cruz to bestselling authors like Gretchen Rubin and Joshua Becker.
To thought leaders like Mel Robbins and Ive Rodsky and everyday folks who offer guidance, advice and perspective on what it means to live an organized life. It's my hope that by sharing our stories, you will feel a little less alone and a little more empowered to tackle the areas that are holding you back.
So if this sounds like what you're looking for, make sure to follow our show. And if you'd like stalk us on social media at This Organized Life podcast, now let's get started.

Small Space Living with Dani Sticka | Ep 324 Feb 23, 2023

Show notes

Hi Friends!
Today we are talking about small space living-—the good, the bad and how to make the most of your space. Joining me is Dani Sticka, founder of Imperfectly Tidy and host of the Imperfectly Tidy Podcast. Dani is also one of our SBO Partners in Portland, OR where she lives in a 1100 square foot house with her husband and twin 14 year old girls.
During our conversation we talked about both the pros and cons of small space living. From having less to clean and maintain, to getting creative with furniture that may have to serve multiple functions.
Dani opens up about what it was like to move a lot as a kid, and why she and her husband choose to stay in their small home for the past 17 years, rather than “upgrade” to something larger.
Dani shares some practical tips and advice for others who want to minimize clutter and maximize space when square footage is an issue.

Reducing the amount of linens so that she has more space in smaller closets
Avoiding bulk shopping to minimize having to store back stock items
Using a butterfly leaf table to save on space when they are not entertaining

There is a level of intentionality that comes from living in smaller spaces, but it also allows you to prioritize quality time with the people in your home. Creating a cozy environment doesn't have to mean cluttered.
If you live in a small space, what are some of your greatest tips?
Leave us a comment to let us know!
We’d also like to thank our sponsor for today’s episode, EveryPlate. The most affordable meal delivery service, without sacrificing quality. Best of all you will save valuable time shopping, planning, and prepping because everything is done for you! Talk about reducing calendar clutter!
Get started with EveryPlate for just $1.49 per meal by going to EveryPlate.com/Podcast and entering code tol149 to take advantage of our exclusive offer!
XOXO-
Laurie
CONNECT WITH DANI
Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Podcast
DANI’S BOOK RECOMMENDATION
Soulful Simplicity by Courtney Carver
*LISTEN to my 2- part conversation with Courtney Carver on TOL
Part 1: https://simplyborganized.com/2018/10/25/ep-098-creating-a-capsule-wardrobe-with-special-guest-courtney-carver-part-1/
Part 2: https://simplyborganized.com/2018/11/01/ep-099-project-333-with-special-guest-courtney-carver-part-2/

Playrooms & Kid Spaces with Janelle Azar | Ep 323 Feb 16, 2023

Show notes

Hi Friends!
Today we are talking about one of my favorite things-Kid Spaces and Playrooms. I’m super passionate about this topic because it involves teaching young ones the foundational skills that are necessary for living a balanced and organized life.
Joining me today is Janelle Azar. our SBO partner in the Detroit Metro Area. She is the founder of A Meaningful Space (some of you might remember her from episode 255 when we talked about Travel Tips), but today we are diving into the world of toys, books, games, and how to keep playrooms and kid spaces organized.During our conversation we talked about:

When to begin getting the kids involved in clean up and donations (it’s earlier than you think)
How much is too much?
The role of Emotional Clutter, for both parents and kids
How to determine what is a keepsake
How and what to hold onto for siblings

Janelle shares 3 common roadblocks that hold people back from getting started.

Not knowing where to start
Parents think that their kids play with all the toys (or that they will miss them when they are gone!)
Fear of causing an argument

We also dive into the fun stuff, including Janelle’s favorite products (we’ve linked a few below!)
The most important takeaway from this conversation was when Janelle posed the question “How much inventory do you want to manage?” The more stuff you have, the more time it takes to clean up.
Starting these life skills for your kids is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. Write to us at info@simplyborganized.com to let us know what your favorite takeaway was from this conversation.
XOXO-
Laurie
P.S. Make sure to get your free kids decluttering guide HERE!
CONNECT WITH JANELLE
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
3 Tier Rolling Cart
Fabric Bins from MDesign
Storage Cubes
Janelle’s Book Recommendation: SOUNDTRACKS

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