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

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Ep 312: 2022 Holiday Gift Guide Dec 01, 2022

Show notes

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=90
Body & Skincare
-Vellum Street Soap Company: https://vellumstsoapcompany.com/
-Dionis Goat Milk Skincare: https://dionisgmskincare.com/
-Odele Beauty: https://odelebeauty.com/collections/all-hair-products
CODE: SIMPLYBORGANIZED20 you’ll receive 20% off one-time order
-The Spinster Sisters: https://spinstersistersco.com/
CODE: TOL25 to receive 25% off your order
Stocking Stuffers & Tidbits
-Zkano Socks:
https://zkano.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw5P2aBhAlEiwAAdY7dMtFPc4A6k4l8rjggmyzP7E7_8geD_m2P6VbcjJ2Jyt0i6nIEfzVVhoC06sQAvD_BwE
CODE: organizedlife10 to receive 10% off your purchase
-Coiley Cables: https://coilycables.com/ CODE: CHAOS to receive 10% off your entire order
Experiences & 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 Service
Every 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

Ep 311: Giving Thanks with Tim Kenny Nov 24, 2022

Show notes

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 life
How 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-
Laurie
P.S. Special thanks to today’s sponsor, Denise Albright Studios https://denisealbright.pxf.io/c/2541003/1215985/15085
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.
Links Mentioned in This Episode:
St. Baldrick’s Foundation:https://www.stbaldricks.org/
Tim’s Book Recommendations:
Chasing Daylight
The Power of Positive Thinking
The Bible
Find more book Recommendations from all our previous episodes here: https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/182327.This_Organized_Life_Podcast_2022_Book_Guide

Ep 310: Partner Spotlight with Leigh Genkinger Nov 17, 2022

Show notes

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 organized
Why she focuses on pre-planning before starting any project
The importance of leaning on others
How to edit with intention
Tips to help you stay organized during the holiday season
Of 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/2541003/1215985/15085
XOXO-
Laurie
Connect 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=11019017
Multi-Purpose Bins https://www.containerstore.com/s/THE-HOME-EDIT/the-home-edit-all_purpose-bin/od?q=home%20edit&productId=11010524
Swag 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_BwE
Moonlily Apothecary: https://www.moonlilyherbs.com/#/

Ep 309: Chasing the Bright Side Nov 10, 2022

Show notes

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 7042289495
Website: https://jessekstrom.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jessekstrom/
Twitter: @jess_ekstrom
Instagram: @jess_ekstrom
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-ekstrom-59160342
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jessekstrom/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jessekstrom
Other Links Mentioned in This Episode:
Jess’ Book Recommendation: Stop Living On Autopilot
DeniseAlbright.com: Use code SBGIFTS and receive 25% off your order (offer valid through 12/15/22)

Ep 308: Time Blocking for the Holidays Nov 03, 2022

Show notes

Hi Friends,
Before we get started into today’s episode, we would like to thank our sponsor, Denise Albright for sponsoring this episode. 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 order.
We’d also love for you to check out the new look of our website. There you will find links to past episodes, tons of free resources and downloadable checklists, plus you can easily connect with our trusted SBO Professional Organizers in a variety of cities across the US and Mexico. Now more than ever we are here to help you in your decluttering journey!
Now for today’s episode, I know that the time between Halloween and New Years can be stressful and overwhelming. Those 60 days seem to happen overnight, leaving you feeling like there is never enough time to get it all done.
Today we are talking about all of it:
The feeling of drinking from firehose
Increased mental load
Maxed out Budgets
The rise in Calendar Clutter on top of Physical Clutter
Forget about your regular list of TO-DO items, and heaven forbid you throw a birthday in the mix to add to your already overflowing plate. (thanks Josh for being born on Dec 17th!)
All of this can easily lead to a spectrum of emotions, spanning from snippiness to a complete mental shut down. So today we are here to give you some actionable steps, spread some grace, and share some words of encouragement during this time. I will walk you through exactly what I do on a daily basis to help prioritize the important from the urgent.
By getting in the practice of doing this everyday, you will begin to:
Make decisions based on intention rather than by default.
Recognize that some tasks take longer than expected while others can be completed quickly.
Set realistic expectations on what you can and cannot accomplish in a day
Learn the natural rhythms of your personal peak productivity time and when you need to recharge
Learn to say “no,” or “not now” based on the facts rather than feelings
I have been Time Blocking for years and last year I started my Top 3 List which has been a game changer. It forces me to prioritize what I need to do versus what I want to do.
As you embark on this fun, yet stressful time of year, I hope you can take a moment to exhale and enjoy the ride. Show yourself grace, give yourself permission to pause, and recognize that Superwoman is a fictional character.
You’ve got this, and I am here to help you every step of the way.
XOXO-
Laurie
Links Mentioned in This Episode:
Top 3 Download
Time Block Template
If you are a professional organizer or thinking about turning your passion into a profession, click HERE to learn more about our partner offerings

Ep 307: Partner Spotlight with Angela O'Brien Oct 27, 2022

Show notes

Hi Friends,
Joining me today is Angela O’Brien, founder of Your Space Reclaimed in Dallas, TX. Angela is one of our incredible SBO Partners and I invited her on the show to talk about motherhood, organizing and all things Enneagram!
I specifically asked Angela to visit our show in October as we recognize Down Syndrome Awareness Month. As a mom of 2 grown-ish kids, Angela shares her story of finding out her daughter was born with Down Syndrome and what she wants people to know about the Down Syndrome community.
During our conversation we talked about:
Life transitions, knowing when to pull back and when to lean in.
Her personal discovery into the Enneagram and how it led her to becoming a certified Enneagram coach and finding her passion as a professional organizer at the age of 51.
The importance of teaching independence, providing support and building confidence for all kids, especially those with Intellectual Disabilities.
How she gives back and supports the Down Syndrome community in Dallas
We also talked about her struggles as an Enneagram 9 (The Peacemaker) and what strategies she has put in place to help her live an organized life.
Make sure to check out the links below for everything we talked about including Angela’s fav organizing products, book recommendations and special promos for our TOL listeners.
If you know someone who could benefit from this episode, please take a moment to share it with your friends.
And finally, if you are a Professional Organizer, or thinking about becoming a Professional Organizer, we would love to talk with you about our Group and Individual Offerings. Click HERE to learn more!
XOXO-
Laurie
P.S. If you are curious about finding your enneagram type, here’s a link to a free assessment:
https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test
***(note: online assessments have a high rate of inaccuracy. Assessments can prove helpful in giving insight, but we believe that the best way to determine your Enneagram type is through self-discovery and learning about each of the 9 types. Learn more)
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
CONNECT WITH ANGELA
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK
ANGELA’S FAVORITE PRODUCTS:
Lazy Susans | Deep Acrylic Bins with Wheels
ANGELA’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
You are a Badass | The Gift of an Ordinary Day

Ep 306: Becoming Minimalist with Joshua Becker Oct 20, 2022

Show notes

Hi Friends,
Today I am joined by Joshua Becker, founder and editor of Becoming Minimalist, a website dedicated to intentional living. He is also a best-selling author of five books, including The Minimalist Home, The More of Less, Clutterfree with Kids, and his most recent book: Things That Matter.
Joshua is also the Creator of Simplify Magazine and Simple Money Magazine.
It comes as no surprise that he is one of the leading voices in the modern simplicity movement based on his thoughtful and intentional approach to minimalism.
Currently, he lives in Peoria, AZ with his wife and two teenage kids.
I invited Joshua on the show to share his story of how he was introduced to minimalism 14 years ago, and what has transpired since then.
During our conversation we talked about:
How a conversation with one of his neighbors changed his life
The power of leading by example
Choosing Time over Stuff
Setting Boundaries
The one question that you should ask yourself while you are decluttering
We also talked about The Hope Effect, a nonprofit organization that Joshua founded, which is changing how the world cares for orphans.
Make sure to check out the links below for everything we talked about in this episode.
If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with your friends! If you are not already subscribed to our show or YouTube channel, please hit the subscribe button so new episodes will be downloaded to you every week!
One final request, if you enjoy our show, will you please take a moment to click the 5-star button and leave us a review. It helps others find our show, and your opinion matters!
Xoxo-
Laurie
CONNECT WITH JOSHUA:
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE | INSTAGRAM
JOSHUA’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
MONEY, POSSESSIONS & ETERNITY | THE 100 THING CHALLENGE

Ep 305: Ask Me Anything with Josh & Laurie Palau Oct 13, 2022

Show notes

Hi guys,
Thanks to everyone who sent in questions for our Ask Me Anything episode. We tried to answer as many questions as possible, and encourage you to continue submitting questions to info@simplyborganized.com for future episodes.
Below are a few of the questions that you asked:
What is the best bin or basket to use?
What are simple ways to declutter everyday so the mess doesn't pile up?
How do you start your day?
What is your top organizing tip?
What books have inspired or had an impact on your life?
What organizing product are you loving these days?
Where do you feel the most organized?
Where do you feel like a bit of a hot mess?
XOXO-
Laurie
P.S. ***If you are a fan of our show, would you take a moment to leave us a 5-star rating & review so others know how awesome we are? 😊

Ep 304: Living As Neighbors with Shannan Martin Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

Hi Friends,
To kick off October, I had the opportunity to sit down with a very special guest. Joining me today is Shannan Martin, author of The Ministry of Ordinary Places and Falling Free. I have been a long time fan of her work and had the pleasure of reading an advance copy of her new book, Start with Hello, which is due out on Oct 11th (but available for pre-order today!)
Shannan writes and speaks about the simple things we can do to build community. For many people, clutter is a roadblock to welcoming people into their homes, and we are here to help remove the shame and embarrassment you may be feeling by sharing some simple ways to start the conversation.
During our conversation we talked about:
The power of community
Living with intention
Pushing past fear of awkwardness to build something new
Prioritizing what matters
I loved this conversation and hope you discover some nuggets of wisdom from my chat with Shannan!
Make sure to check out the links below for things we talked about in this episode.
XOXO-
Laurie
Connect With Shannan:
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK
Other Links Mentioned In this Episode: Divided Lazy Susan
Shannan’s Book Recommendations: Tattoos on the Heart | The Catalog of Elizabeth Bird | This Here Flesh

Ep 303: Partner Spotlight with Courtney Wilson Sep 29, 2022

Show notes

Hi Friends!
Today we are back with another one of our incredibly talented SBO Partners. Joining me today is Courtney Wilson, founder of Simpli Sort in San Diego. Courtney started her career as a graphic designer turned stay-at-home mom to her 3 kids who are now “bigs”.
Like many, when Courtney’s kids started getting older, she began to look for an outlet that afforded her the flexibility to be able to juggle a household, motherhood and a career. Courtney found her passion in professional organizing and officially launched her business in 2019.
Her mission is simple: “helping clients turn stress into calm one project at a time.”
Courtney is in the process of downsizing, and is faced with making the decisions of what to keep, something she is used to doing alongside her clients. During our conversation we talked about:
Asking yourself tough questions, like “what is my life like now?”
“Am I holding onto this because it reminds me of my old life?”
The importance of establishing and maintaining systems in your home
Courtney shares some specific examples from her own life, and drops so many nuggets of wisdom- I can’t wait for you to listen!
We wrapped up the show by asking her what her favorite organizing products she is loving these days and you are never going to guess what they are? (hint! The links are in the show notes 😉)
If you or someone you know is thinking about starting a professional organizing business, we would love to hear from you. Click HERE to learn more about our SBO Partner Program and how we can help you get started.
XOXO-
Laurie
CONNECT WITH COURTNEY:
WEBSITE www.simplisort.com
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/simplisort/
ETSY https://www.etsy.com/shop/SimpliSort?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
COURTNEY’S FAV PRODUCTS:
Bamboo Drawer Organizers | Chip Clips | Timer Cube

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