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

Latest Episodes:

Ep 282: 15 Minute Formula with Cara Harvey May 05, 2022

Show notes

Hi Friends,
Today I’m talking with Cara Harvey about her new book, The 15 Minute Formula. Some of you might recall my conversation with Cara on episode 222, when we spoke about why she started her podcast, A Purpose Driven Mom. and how she helps thousands of women each week through her online community.
During this conversation, Cara shares her 3 step method: LEARN, PLAN, DO and how you can apply it in both personal and professional situations.
We also talk about GUILT, the elephant in the room for many of us, and why it’s important to incorporate rest and fun into our hectic schedules.
We talk about the power of community, why mentors are important, and how to re-frame routines from boring and mundane (insert eye roll!) to a path to freedom and joy.
Make sure to check out the links below for everything we discussed in this episode.
XOXO-
Laurie
CONNECT WITH CARA:
WEBSITE: https://apurposedrivenmom.com/
FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/findyourawesome/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/apurposedrivenmom/
PODCAST: https://apurposedrivenmom.com/the-podcast/
OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
CARA’S BOOK RECOMMENDATION: The Compound Effect
SORTIFI:The only custom design tool for Professional Organizers: Use code SBO15 for 15% off
SBO PARTNER PROGRAM: https://simplyborganized.com/sbo-partner-program/
SORTIFI: Make sure to use code SBO15 to take advantage of this offer.

Ep 281: Partner Spotlight with Mary Cornetta Apr 28, 2022

Show notes

Hi Friends!
Joining me today is Mary Cornetta. Mary and I met several years ago when I was starting the SBO Partner Program. At that time, she was launching her company, Sort and Sweet Inc, a professional organizing service based on Long Island, NY as a one-woman-show. Since then, Mary has grown her business to include a team of talented and skilled organizers who are all passionate about helping folks declutter and get organized. .
The past couple of years have brought a lot of change in Mary’s life both personally and professionally. During our conversation we talked about:
Moving from New York to Savannah, GA
How she pivoted and expanded her business during the Pandemic
What it’ like being an Enneagram 7
We spoke about her childhood and how clutter and organization impacted her development, relationships and future career
Her own personal clutter roadblocks and how she naviages clutter that she can’t see.
I loved this conversation and hope you do too!
If you are a professional organizer (or thinking about becoming one) and would like to learn more about our SBO Partner Program, click here to schedule a call so we can learn more about you!
XOXO-
Laurie
CONNECT WITH MARY
Sort and Sweet
Organized Over All
Instagram Sort and Sweet
Instagram Organized Over All
MARY’S BOOK RECOMMENDATION
ATOMIC HABITS
OTHER LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Listen to Mary’s past episodes on TOL
SORTIFI: Make sure to use code SBO15 to take advantage of this offer.

Ep 280: Couples and Clutter with Elizabeth Earnshaw Apr 21, 2022

Show notes

Hi Friends!
Today’s topic is one that is widely discussed as a source of tension in relationships: Clutter & Stress between Couples. It typically results when one person carries the majority of physical and mental load and is left feeling resentful, frustrated, and depleted both physically and emotionally.
Joining me today to discuss this topic is one of the leading and most trusted relationship teachers, Elizabeth Earshaw. Liz is a Gottman trained Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and one of the founders of Ours, where she works to make couple's counseling mainstream and accessible. She also owns A Better Life Therapy in Pennsylvania and New Jersey supporting a team of clinicians working with couples to strengthen their relationships.
Some of you may be familiar with her Instagram @lizlistens where she works to normalize the stigma surrounding couples therapy. She is an ally of the LGBTQIA+ community and works with both married and unmarried couples.
Her debut book, I WANT THIS TO WORK, released in November 2021 is a must-read for anyone looking for tools to strengthen their communication skills with their partner.
I invite Liz on the show specifically to discuss the hidden truth behind Couples and Clutter.
During our conversation we talked about:
Why clutter and household responsibilities in general is a leading cause of stress and anxiety in a marriage
How to communicate your “clutter tolerance” to your partner when it’s different from theirs.
Strategies to help start the conversation, and why passive-aggressive behavior doesn’t work.
Why expecting our partner to be mind-readers is a losing game
I encourage you to listen to this episode which is filled with personal stories and actionable strategies that you can start using today.
Make sure to check out the links below for links to topics discussed during our interview.
XOXO-
Laurie
CONNECT WITH LIZ
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM
BUY HER BOOK: I WANT THIS WORK
LIZ’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
FAIR PLAY | FED UP | GOTTMAN BOOKS
EXCLUSIVE LINKS FOR OUR LISTENERS:
SORTIFI: ****USE PROMO CODE SBO15 for 15% off!
10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE”

Ep 279: Life Coaching for Teens with Kim Worrell Apr 14, 2022

Show notes

Hi Friends! Joining me today is Kim Worrell, founder of KBW Coaching. Kim is a lifelong athlete and has been a competitive rower for over 15 years. She has spent almost 2 decades coaching middle and high school student-athletes and is a mom of “bigs” like me!
Kim’s passion is mentoring teen girls, and has taken her experience as an athletic coach, and combined that with her expertise in coaching teen girls on some of life’s complex issues. We hear about adults hiring life coaches and career coaches, but what about our young adults who need some direction and guidance?
Kim shares some data about teen emotional wellness and dispels the myth and stigma that you need to be in crisis to warrant some outside support.
During our conversation we talk about the following:
The difference between a therapist and a life coach.
Signs to look for that might indicate your teen could use this type of support
How to broach the subject with your teen without putting them on the defensive
How working with a coach like Kim relates to the world of organizing.
Why our standards and way of doing things, don’t always have to translate to what works for them.
We talk about setting healthy boundaries with teens for keeping their room clean, to helping them navigate their time. Whether you are a mom to teens, or not quite there yet, this episode is filled with lots of great info!
XOXO-
Laurie
CONNECT WITH KIM
Website
Instagram
LinkedIn
KIM’S BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS
UNTANGLED | GIRLS & SEX | THE SLIGHT EDGE
EXCLUSIVE LINKS FOR OUR LISTENERS:
SORTIFI: ****USE PROMO CODE SBO15 for 15% off!
10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE”

Ep 278: Spring Organizing Checklist Apr 07, 2022

Show notes

Happy April everyone!
Technically, Spring is here (although in the North East it doesn’t quite feel like it) and you know what that means….time for some Spring Cleaning Tips.
On today’s episode I walk you through my Spring Organizing Checklist for both inside and outside the house. Some of these you may want to outsource to a professional, others you can tackle alone or with the help of your family. Do a little at a time or block a whole weekend. The purpose of this is to help give you a roadmap to follow.
Download a copy HERE
Spring is a great time to reset routines & reorganize rooms. I hope this episode gives you the motivation you need to get going!
Happy Organizing!
Xoxo
Laurie

Ep 277: Partner Spotlight with Kristy Potgieter Mar 31, 2022

Show notes

Hi Friends!
We’re back today with another Partner Spotlight Episode! We started this series back in January, and I hope you’re loving it as much as I am. Each month I sit down with a different professional organizer to get a “behind the scenes” look at their lives. From growing up, to learning about what they did prior to starting their professional organizing journey, we’re giving you a glimpse into their worlds and learning a few organizing tips along the way!
Joining me today is Kristy Potgieter, founder of KLP Organizing. Kristy has been part of our SBO partner program for over 2 years and one of my favorite people!
About a year ago, during one of our mentor calls, Kristy came to me with an idea she had for developing an online tool to help streamline and simplify the design & layout process for spaces like pantries, drawers, and cabinets.
I thought it was an incredible idea,and something that could be a huge time saver for both homeowners & professional organizers. So Kristy, along with her husband, Riian, did what most of us only talk about doing…saw a gap in the marketplace and created a solution.
I asked Kristy to come on the show today, to talk about her new business baby, Sortifi, the only design tool specifically for professional organizers which officially launched last month.
During our conversation we talk about:
Kristy’s life prior to becoming a professional organizer
What it’s like starting a business with your husband
How being an Enneagram 1 (the perfectionist) can be both a blessing and a challenge in the world of organizing and entrepreneurship.
The goal of Sortifi, including who it’s for, and how it works
She is offering an exclusive promo for our listeners. Make sure to use code SBO15 when you sign up for your free trial to take advantage of this offer.
If you are a professional organizer (or thinking about becoming one) and would like to learn more about our SBO Partner Program, click here to schedule a call so we can learn more about you!
xoxo
-Laurie
P.S. If you prefer to watch the episode, head on over to our YouTube channel!
CONNECT WITH KRISTY:
KLP ORGANIZING
SORTIFI ****US E PROMO CODE SBO15 for 15% off!
IG
FB
LINKEDIN
KRISTY’S BOOK RECOMMENDATION:
EVERYTHING IS FIGUREOUTABLE

Ep 276: Motherhood Simplified with Krista Lockwood Mar 24, 2022

Show notes

Joining me today is Krista Lockwood, founder of the blog and podcast Motherhood Simplified where she teaches decluttering for moms who don’t want to be a full-blown minimalist. As a mom of 5, she knows how overwhelming life can be. Between “stuff” and schedules, Krista has built a business helping moms find the sweet spot of simplicity by recognizing the distraction that comes from clutter.
During our conversation we talked about:
The adventure of a cross-country move from Alaska to Florida with only one suitcase for her and husband
Re-framing decluttering to “what to keep” vs “what to donate”
How to be more intentional with connecting with our kids from toddler to teens
One thing that Krista kept coming back to was delegation and empowering her kids to have ownership of household responsibilities.
Quick side note: If you head on over to YouTube to watch our conversation, you will likely get a glimpse of some of her littles in the background who are too cute!
xoxo
Laurie

Ep 275: Small Business Organization with Melissa Leon Mar 17, 2022

Show notes

Hi Friends,
Today we’re talking all about how to keep your business finances organized. Joining me today is Melissa Leon, founder of Two Sense Consulting where she helps sma ll business owners make sense of how they are using their time and spending money. Melissa also hosts the Efficiency B podcast, and on the personal side of things, she lives in Phoenix, AZ with her husband and 3 small kiddos.
Keeping your finances organized is an important part of living an organized life.
We’ve done episodes talking about your personal finances (check out my episode with Rachel Cruze), but this is the first time we are d oing an episode geared for the small business owner.
As an entrepreneur, I know first hand all of the hats needed to run a successful business. Finances can be both intimidating and overwhelming (not to mention boring) for many of us.
As someone who works with a lot of entrepreneurs, mompreneurs, and folks with a side-hustle, I was surprised to learn how many business owners aren’t looking at their P & L (profit and loss statement). Some are ashamed to admit that their financial organization strategy is limited to how much money is currently in their bank account.
If that is you, not to worry! We are not here to shame anyone. This episode is here to help give you some simple strategies to help get your business finances under control and organized.
From understanding the difference between cash flow vs profit
Gross income to Cost of Goods
To how often you should be looking at your financials
We can’t all be experts in everything, so surrounding yourself with the right people who can guide you in the areas where you are unsure is a critical piece to living an organized life.
Make sure to check out the links below for everything we discussed in this episode including Melissa’s free tax prep checklist.
Prefer to watch? Check out our YouTube Channel!
XOXO-
Laurie

Ep 274: Closet Edit with Sarah Sailors Mar 10, 2022

Show notes

Joining me today is one our SBO Partners, Sarah Sailors Founder, of Styled by the Wave . Sarah is on a mission to end the mindset of “I have nothing to wear” by teaching women how to maximize their closets and their confidence.
Whether it’s decluttering your closet, personal shopping or styling fresh new looks with the pieces you already own, Sarah helps her clients create a lifestyle look that is synonymous with your personal brand.
Sarah is based in Athens, GA where she lives with her husband and their little girl.

Ep 273: Divorce and Decluttering with The ExExperts Mar 03, 2022

Show notes

Hi Friends,
Today we are talking about Decluttering and Divorce. This is a topic that I’ve wanted to address for some time, and I have the perfect guests for y’all! T.H Irwin & Jessica Klingbaum are best friends, podcasters and founders of the exExperts, a free online community for women going through divorce.
We kick off the show by having them each share their personal experiences. What I found so interesting is how they lived very different lives, with parallel stories. Although both TH and Jessica navigated their divorces separately, together they found comfort in helping each other along the way.
Out of their personal stories and professional experiences, The ExExperts was created. Their website is the go-to resource on everything you need to know about divorce–from parenting, to finance, you can find support where you need it. What I love most is their no-nonsense, honest approach to walking alongside their community because they have “been there,done that.”
As someone who has never been through a divorce, I was curious to know how each one approached the decluttering process which can be overwhelming in itself, let alone separating households.
During our conversation I asked them questions like:
Was there more or less emotional clutter when you were separating your homes?
What were the items that were easy to part with?
What items did you choose to hold onto from your married life?
How did you navigate the back and forth logistics of clothing, activities, and homework?
I feel like we only scratched the surface, I could have spoken with them for hours! If you’d like us to continue the conversation make sure to leave us a comment or tag us on social media!
If you or someone you know is going through a divorce, do them a favor and encourage them to listen to this episode or watch on our YouTube channel. Don’t forget to check out the links below for everything we discussed on the show.
XOXO-
Laurie
CONNECT WITH THE EXEXPERTS
WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | YOUTUBE | TIKTOK
BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS:
JESS: YOU’RE A BADASS & THE ARRANGEMENT
T.H.: ATOMIC HABITS

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