It can be difficult to overcome emotions when decluttering and organizing your home. Emotions can come up like sadness, anxiety, overwhelm, and guilt. Here we’ll break down these emotions and give you some ideas of how to move through them and on your way to a clutter-free and organized home. Overwhelm & Anxiety Overwhelm […]
You know how it goes. You come home carrying the stress of a long day… as well as your purse or briefcase, keys, mail, bags, and more. You kick your shoes off, drop your coat on the nearest chair, and dump what you’re carrying on the nearest table. You’ll deal with it later, right? But […]
According to a study out of Duke University, 45% of the activities we do in a day are already a habit. Think about when you get up in the morning. Most of us are still waking up but have still managed to put the coffee on, have a glass of water, feed the […]
“A failure to plan is a plan to fail” Benjamin Franklin If you’re the type to jump into a decluttering project without thinking it through fully, this blog is for you! Here are some mistakes to avoid when taking on your next decluttering project. Not having a “decluttering” plan Like all projects, things go […]
Do you know how to prepare for a productive week? If you’ve ever picked up a good planner, one of the first things it’ll prompt you to do is reflect on your previous week. Although an important piece in how to prepare for a productive week, it is not the only piece. Start your week […]
Letting go of our clothes can be difficult. We’ve all been there. No matter how hard we try, we can’t seem to let go of that pair of shoes or that cute dress we bought years ago. Maybe it brings back old memories, or perhaps you think, “Oh, they’re too cute to give away.” Whatever […]
‘ It can be tough when you’re the only one in the family who’s focusing on organizing and decluttering the home. It’s time to bring on reinforcements! Here are some quick tips to help get you and your family on the same page. Children & Spouses If you have children, it’s important and valuable […]
When most people think of minimalism, they think of owning as few things as possible. But what’s the real impact of having less in your home and your life? Financial Adopting a more minimalist lifestyle can keep dollars in your wallet! Not only do you save money because you’re buying less, but it also […]
What do you think of when you think of self-care? Most of us can agree that the self-care we enjoy most is a day at the spa with our besties, a nice bath with candles or finally reading that novel we bought three years ago! But there’s also a different kind of self-care. The kind […]
Do you feel the effects of clutter? Are you living in more clutter and disorganization than you’d like? You’re not alone. Fifty-four percent of Americans are overwhelmed by clutter. And, 78% percent of them aren’t sure what to do with it. Thanks to the ease of online shopping and smart advertising, we find ourselves […]
Fifteen years ago, we had two places to look for a digital file- on your laptop or desktop. Today, we can store files on our computers, in the cloud, in an email, on our phones and more. These incredible technologies have made it easier for us to store limitless information, but most of us […]
Are you thinking about Spring clearing? Spring has sprung here in Canada. Our days are getting longer, we’re opening our windows for the first time in months and we’re feeling a sense of renewal in the air. The “Spring is in the air” feeling instinctively pushes many of us into a spring cleaning frenzy. […]
Selling your home can be a lengthy and involved process. Even before any offers are made or contracts are signed, there can be months of prep and work involved. However, if you’d like to make the sale of your home as swift and as smooth as possible, AND get the highest return, try to remember […]
Failing to find a healthy work-life balance can have disastrous consequences on your physical and mental wellbeing. Working more than 55 hours a week has been linked to anxiety and depression. But don’t worry! You can take a few simple yet effective steps to help minimize your risk. Continue reading to learn four practical ways to improve work-life balance. […]
Decluttering can be hard! Has this ever happened to you? You wake up one morning and decide, “Today is the day I’m going to declutter my home!” So, you jump out of bed- excited with visions of a completely decluttered and organized home in your head, and you immediately start pulling everything out of your […]
What is a home inventory? A home inventory is an up-to-date list of your possessions or belongings with an approximate financial value of those items. Why it’s necessary “Hope for the best, plan for the worst.” Lee Child Most people have trouble remembering what they had for breakfast, so in a moment where you’ve lost […]
Have you ever scrolled through Pinterest and seen beautifully organized homes where everything has its place? Blankets rolled up in stylish baskets and every kitchen utensil sits nicely in a drawer perfectly sectioned off and easy to find. Do you secretly laugh to yourself and think, “That’s not what my kitchen utensil drawer looks like”! […]
We don’t complete a task or reach a goal unless we put ourselves in the right mindset to achieve those goals. The same is true for organizing your home. Here are some mindset shifts that will help you reach those home organization goals you’ve set for yourself this year. Old mindset […]
The new year is like a renewal, a chance to try something new or a time for transformation and growth. But the best way to get clarity and get organized for the future is to look to the past. Below are some tips to help you use what worked and what didn’t in 2021 […]
The holidays are a wonderful time as we make time for those important to us. But, they can also be a very stressful time. Here are some EASY tips to help get you get organized for Christmas and get through the holiday season without the hustle and bustle. 1. Make room It’s a good idea […]
Have you been thinking about adding a recycling system in your home? Systems keep us sane, save us time and make us more efficient. They work best when they’re well thought out, leaving no stone unturned and every question answered. Have you ever asked yourself, “Does this go in the garbage or the blue […]
It’s that time of year again; cooler days and nights mean warmer sweaters, thicker socks, comfort food, cozy fires and soft blankets. It also means that it’s time to get your home organized for Fall/Winter. Here are five ways that can make life easier in the transition to cooler months. 1) Pack […]
Looing for ways to save time and save money? According to the United Nations, the average Canadian household wastes 140 kg of food per year. That’s not only a lot of food waste but a lot of money wasted as well. Below are tips to keep your fridge organized to help minimize waste and lower […]
Are you constantly looking through “junk” drawers, pulling boxes from storage, retracing steps to find things that have been “lost” in your own home? As humans, we like to, and even need to surround ourselves with so much stuff for various reasons: 1. Didn’t have much Maybe you didn’t have much growing […]
It’s important to determine what purpose the bedroom will serve before you begin organizing. A bedroom can be many things, including a home office, a room to relax and watch TV, a place to read, or it can be solely a place for sleep. If it needs to be something more than just a place […]
This week I had the pleasure of talking to one of my Calm the Clutter members (you can catch the podcast episode HERE). We discussed her personal journey with the program and how she went from disorganized to organized and how she’s doing today. When Elana was packing to move from her small […]
Trouble maintaining an organized bathroom? Are you the type of person who walks into the Pharmacy with the intention of picking up one thing and walks out with the latest lipstick or face cream in tow? Are you tired of wasting time rummaging through bathroom drawers to find what you’re looking for? If this […]
Labelling 1.Brother PTH110 Easy, Portable Label Maker– The first of the organizing products I recommend are label makers. A good amount of clutter comes from items that don’t have a home. Labelling a container that houses the item tells everyone in the home where that item belongs. Once labelled, it not only has a […]
Are you tired of paper clutter and constantly picking up papers, shoving them in drawers and thinking you’ll deal with them later? Do you ever miss important deadlines for bills or events because you’ve lost track of the document? Is it time to get rid of paper clutter for good? First, you’ll need […]
Are you organized while working from home? This past year we’ve had to rethink everything from how we do groceries to where we do business. For many of us, that meant we were ditching the commute and setting up offices in our home. But working from home can also mean more distractions and less productivity. The […]
Live Abundantly With Less We live in a world of more; more shoes, more furniture, more things. But does all this stuff mean that we’re actually living more abundant lives? Not necessarily. Stuff only makes us happy for a short time- and what truly creates long-term happiness aren’t the material things […]
Get Motivated Getting motivated and staying motivated can be difficult. Do you ever find yourself inspired to finally clean out the bedroom closet after listening to a home organizing podcast? Many of us have great intentions when starting a project, but think twice about it when the work involved seems too overwhelming. So how […]
It’s that time of year again! Spring can mean a time to declutter and organize your home. These words are often used interchangeably, but they have very different meanings. In fact, to successfully organize your home, it’s important that you declutter before you organize. Decluttering Your Home What is clutter? It may seem like a […]
10 Simple Tips To Organize Your Kitchen & You For Healthy Eating These 10 simple tips to organize your kitchen will have you and your family eating healthy without feeling overwhelmed. In fact, eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated; it requires three key elements: Getting organized Shopping the outside aisles of the grocery […]
Become More Organized in 20 Minutes or Less! You know what I love about 20 minute organizing? Doing 20 minutes a day adds up to over 2 hours a week and over 120 hours a year. That is 120 hours a year of productivity that only took 20 mins a day. How great is that […]
Being well organized takes lots of time and effort and there is a lot to remember. Below are 10 great tips to help you to remember it all: 1. Jot it down. With the many details that you have to remember in any given day, why should you try to keep it all in […]
Here are 7 ways being organized can change your life! 1. More time to do the things you love to do: When your home is organized, you spend less time looking for things, and less time going out and buying something you already have but cannot find. Also, if you tidy up on a regular […]
Home Organizing During Covid-19 The last thing that may be on your mind right now is home organizing during covid-19. The Coronavirus has taken a real toll on our society, and I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe. Why now is a good time to get organized! Now more than ever […]
Let’s talk downsizing the right way. Moving can be stressful but when you are moving, and you need to downsize it is even more stressful. You can’t take everything you have even if you wanted to. You are forced to let some stuff go, and at times you are forced to let a lot of […]
The Christmas season is fun and exciting especially when you are spending time with family and friends. However, getting ready for Christmas can be stressful and time consuming. We’ve come up with 7 easy to follow tips to an Organized Christmas to help you save time, be organized and enjoy a peaceful holiday!
Do you multitask? Most of us do but is it a good idea?
We discuss why we multitask, the problems with multitasking, how we can learn to minimize distractions, and how to manage when we do get distracted.
Do you ever open your closet and think “I have nothing to wear!” even though there is no shortage of clothing, shoes and accessories? Here are a few simple, budget-friendly ideas to help you sort through the clutter, get organized and break out of the “nothing to wear” cycle!
If you have young school age children then you know what it is like to have your child come home from school each day with a handful of crafts, art work, papers, quizzes, and homework. Read on for tips on how to keep it all organized!
I can’t believe that the Canadian Thanksgiving weekend is almost here! This often means hosting friends and family, something I do to celebrate Thanksgiving and my son’s birthday. Are you hosting a Thanksgiving dinner? We have some great tips to help you organize and prepare for your Thanksgiving dinner. Some of us are natural hosts […]
Tiny houses have been around for a while, and the trend doesn’t seem to be fading away anytime soon. The tiny house lifestyle may not work for everyone, but it’s worth considering if you are looking to truly simplify your life.
New Year’s Goals I was going to write about New Year’s resolutions but instead decided to focus on New Year’s goals this time around. Some people don’t make New Year’s goals. Why do you think that is? Because they are afraid they won’t complete them? They feel guilty or inadequate if they don’t […]
I have the best Christmas Storage products and they really help me be organized for Christmas. I find using quality Christmas storage products makes it easier to find my decorations and gift wrap supplies while also protecting my fragile items. Here are a few of my favourite Christmas storage products: 1. Wreath storage container – […]
3 Proven Ways to Reach Your Goals! I am going to share a goal of mine and how you too, can reach your goals. Let me start by saying happy 5 year anniversary to me!!! It’s hard to believe that it was 5 years ago today that I had a little idea that I wanted […]
Spring is a great time to get organized and do a deep clean in your home. I’ve got some spring cleaning tips to help you do this. I always suggest being organized throughout the year. I know, easier said than done right? For those of you that struggle to stay organized year-round, I suggest you […]
Be Highly Productive by Following These Easy Steps Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night with that “How am I going to get it all done” panic? It happens to most of us at some point or another, and for some it happens more often than not. Without quality sleep, our […]
I get asked quite often about how I started my business so I thought I would share my story. I started by waiting for that phone to ring and wondering if I had made a big mistake, to not giving up, and to where I am today. Here is my journey. I started my business […]
5 Organizing Tips When Selling Your Home! 1. Start Early. Give yourself plenty of time to find a reputable real estate agent, lawyer, mortgage broker, professional organizer, painter etc. 2. Declutter at least 3 months before you plan on moving. Start with one area or room and decide what you want to keep, donate, […]
Do you struggle with organizing your home because you want it to look perfect or feel like you can’t do a good enough job when organizing your home? Often my clients say they don’t know where to start and they feel overwhelmed, and that is very true, but sometimes what is holding them back from […]
Do you crave to be less stressed and more productive? Do you find there is not enough time in the day? Is your life or work spinning out of control? Do you lack energy to get everything you want done? If so, you are not alone. I am hearing this from my clients […]
I often get asked, “What kind of clients typically call you for organizing help?” The answer is about 1/3 of our clients are seniors or those with health problems, 1/3 are busy professionals and the remaining third are those who are chronically disorganized. But there is another common factor that my clients often have. I […]
11 Best Time Management Tips for Students Summer is flying by and before you know it, students will be heading back to school. A few years ago, I was an instructor at a local college and I also held Time Management workshops for first year students. Having strong time management skills can reduce stress and […]
Overwhelmed! How do I start to organize?Do you ever walk into a room that has clutter and feel overwhelmed? Do you feel stressed and want to tidy up the clutter but do not know where to start? I hear this often from my clients. They don’t know where to start so they walk back out […]
My Story – Q&A With Professional Organizer Kathy McEwan When working with my clients I usually get to know them really well. We go through many of their personal belongings and they often tell me some wonderful stories. Now I want to share my story, so that you can have a better understanding of who […]
8 Teen Bedroom Organizing Hacks You Will Love I have been organizing quite a few teen bedrooms lately and wanted to share some ideas that may help you with your teen bedrooms. Teaching your teens to pick up after themselves, clean and organize their rooms will be a different blog all together, but these ideas […]
Best Organizing Advice You Will Ever NeedI love organizing and I love helping my clients get organized. While working with clients, I often give them advice and little tips to help with the organizing process. I thought I would share some of them here to help you get organized and stay organized. 1. Start small. […]
The Real Cost of Clutter Did you know that there could be a high price to pay when your home is full of clutter? I am not talking about the cost of hiring a professional organizer to help you declutter and organize your home, although hiring a PO is not usually cheap. Most of us […]
7 Back to School Organizing Tips Your Child Should Know Fall is here, let the back to school organizing begin! September is going to be here before you know it and the kids will be heading back to school. Start this school year off right by being organized. Here are a few back to […]
Organized Road Trip with Kids-11 Fun Tips! Where has the month of June gone? I have been very busy organizing my clients homes and offices, and helping them pack and unpack, that I haven’t had time to write a new blog. The following blog is one that I wrote last year. It has lots of […]
5 Wild Emotions When Dealing with Clutter While working with clients who have clutter, I have noticed the many different emotions they go through. This week, one of my clients was crying from feeling so overwhelmed. I had a business lunch planned but quickly cancelled my attendance because I knew she needed me to be […]
Bedroom Closet Organizing, The Right Way! Does your closet overwhelm you when you walk into it? Do you have a hard time finding your items? Do you wear the same clothes over and over again even though your closet is full of clothes? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may […]
Time is flying by. The first month of 2016 has already passed and I am reflecting on what has transpired during the month of January. I sit here with mixed emotions. I am mourning the loss of a musical genius, David Bowie, who was my all-time favourite rock star. Although Bowie’s death has me feeling […]
Do you want to reduce mind clutter and gain clarity? Most of us do at some point. You are thinking about your finances, having to drop off your kids to their sports activities, what to make for supper, how to organize your home, all the work you need to do at your workplace, calls you […]
If you have young school age children, or older, you know what it is like to have your child come home from school each day with a handful of crafts, art work, papers, quizzes, and homework. The questions that my clients often ask me are, “What do I do with all this and should I […]
Learning To Let Go of Your Stuff! I often get calls from clients saying that they have too much stuff. That they lack space in their homes and because they have too many items, nothing feels organized. Letting go of items can be challenging so here are a few tips on how to take a […]
8 Tips for Time Management in the Workplace Minimize distractions Do you check your email and go onto social media often throughout the day? What about every time you hear a “bing” on your phone, computer, IPad etc., do you quickly check to see what it is? If so, this could be causing a major […]
11 Tips on How to Downsize with Too Much Stuff!! “I feel so overwhelmed.” ”I don’t know where to start.” “My family member is downsizing and he/she has too much stuff.” These are often the comments that I hear from my clients when they call for downsizing help. I understand. I really do. Moving alone […]
5 Organizing Tips When Selling Your Home! 1. Start Early. Give yourself plenty of time to find a reputable real estate agent, lawyer, mortgage broker, professional organizer, painter etc. 2. Declutter at least 3 months before you plan on moving. Start with one area or room and decide what you want to keep, donate, sell […]
Father’s Day is around the corner and here are a few gift ideas to help celebrate the special day! You will notice that I couldn’t help but include a few items that will help keep Dad organized! 1. Diaper Dude Messenger Diaper Bag What a great way to keep your child’s belongings all organized and […]
8 Top Downsizing Tips! Moving can be a very stressful time, but add downsizing to the situation, and it can be even more stressful. Whether you are an empty nester, senior, or someone who is in a 3 bedroom condo moving to a studio apartment, there are lots to consider when downsizing. Here are 8 […]