Author: jillmoore

Organized and Joyful Holiday Decorating

Organized and Joyful Holiday Decorating

Posted on by jillmoore

Decorating your home for the holiday season may be one of the most exciting parts of your holiday preparation. Of course, once you are elbow deep in tangled lights and the glitter begins to make its rather lasting appearance, frustration and overwhelm can take the joy out of this process. If you feel lost in a sea of storage containers and really not sure how you accumulated so much stuff, we can help! Our organizing strategies will help you deck the halls with organized ease. Let’s dig in!

Declutter Before Decorating

Before you begin pulling the totes out of storage, start by assessing the areas of your home you plan to add a festive touch. Declutter these spaces with the intention of creating room for your decorative set up. Have your handy donation and trash bins ready for any items that need to go. You will also need storage solutions for items that you will temporarily put away for the holiday season. These may be family photos on the mantel or books on a shelf. Creating an open, clean space allows your holiday decorations to really shine!

holiday decorating tips, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston Salem NC

Unpack The Bins

The primary purpose of this step is to unpack your holiday storage bins with intention. Keep those same donation and trash bins handy for this step too. Holiday decorations often have wonderful memories attached to them. There are likely handmade ornaments from your kids or special treasures collected from different adventures you’ve enjoyed along the way. But there may also be some that you’ve accumulated that you haven’t used in years or may not work properly. Sort those out as you unpack your bins, leaving only the decorations you regularly use and enjoy displaying in your home.

Craft Your Plan

Now that you only have the items you love using, you can plan a layout for your decorations. You know what you have, now you can choose where everything goes. Focus on the areas most used by you, your family and your guests. This is also a good time to see if you need to purchase anything to add to your decor. Maybe a favorite piece was broken last year, or that set of lights you use for the snow scene burnt out. Having a plan before you start will help you avoid buying duplicates and stuff you don’t need. It can also help you avoid that “over decorated” look.

holiday decorating tips, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston Salem NC

Let’s Decorate

And now the fun begins! Start and complete one room or space before moving on to stay focused and motivated. Try to blend your holiday decorations with pieces that can extend past the new year. Winter themed and neutral candles, vases and throws can give your home a festive, cozy feeling without having to completely redecorate after the holidays. Keep it simple to create a calm, balanced look. As you decorate, consider your storage needs when it’s time to take everything down. Plan ahead for this and have your clear containers and labels ready. You will love this when the time comes to put everything away until next year!

holiday decorating tips, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston Salem NC

If you need a hand prepping your home for holiday season, we’re here to help! 
Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and surrounding areas?
Contact Organized Jill for a complimentary consultation.

Schedule a Consultation
Organize to Lighten Your Mental Load

Organize to Lighten Your Mental Load

Posted on by jillmoore

Do you often feel like your brain is always “on”, with all of the things you have to do circling around in your mind? It can feel never ending with the responsibilities you have for family, work and your home. From making sure everyone is where they need to be everyday to planning meals to laundry, the list never feels done. It’s overwhelming and exhausting carrying around this invisible mental weight. The good news is you can reduce your mental load by simplifying your routines, schedule and home.

What is mental load?

Mental load is all of the things you are thinking about that need to be done. Whether you are physically doing them or not, they are always there silently running in the background of your mind. It’s like your brain has too many tabs open or is covered in sticky notes, reminding you to schedule that dentist appointment, buy milk, wash towels and plan dinner. It doesn’t matter that you just got out of bed and haven’t even had breakfast yet. Your system is overloaded so it slows down, things get forgotten and you become stressed and overwhelmed. Mental load is invisible clutter and just like physical clutter, it can pile up fast!

reduce your mental load with organizing strategies, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston Salem, NC

Ease Your Mental Load

So how do we take back control and reduce the mental clutter that’s dragging us down? The first and ongoing step is to get the list out of your head so your brain doesn’t have to remember everything. Write down what you need to do. You can create a family calendar, use a weekly planner or a simple notepad. Have multiple lists, if that helps, to separate what you need to focus on now and what can wait until later.

The key to having less to do and think about is to declutter. Work on decluttering all the things. Your spaces in your home, your schedule and your routines. It’s important to know it’s ok to reduce any unnecessary obligations that take up too much of your time. Once you’ve decluttered and removed what doesn’t serve you, you can switch gears and focus on creating systems and building routines to keep your home and life running smoothly.

If you have big home projects you can’t stop thinking about, create a plan that breaks that project down into smaller, manageable pieces. Again, write it down. If you want to declutter and organize your pantry, break that down into actionable steps like “toss expired items” or “organize snacks”. You don’t have to finish a task all at once, any progress is progress.

As you declutter and build routines, the systems start to do the heavy lifting for you. Labeled bins in the pantry, shared chore charts and a running grocery store list on the fridge isn’t just about being organized. It literally takes the pressure off of your brain. Planning your meals is easier because your pantry is organized and you have a weekly meal plan. You get to close the “don’t forget the appointment” tab in your head because you have it on the list now.

reduce your mental load with organizing strategies, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston Salem, NC

Gain More With Less

More Energy

Decision fatigue is real and really stressful. Carrying  a heavy mental load is draining. When your home and life is streamlined with systems in place, you reduce the number of decisions you have to constantly make. This naturally reduces the stress and overwhelm you feel when you are always scrambling and gives you more time and energy to do the things you want to do.

More Focus

With all those tabs open, it’s impossible to truly focus on any one thing. With less to think about, your brain has more space to give to the thing you are doing now, allowing you to more efficiently work on the task at hand. You will get more done in less time and be able to look past your day to day to plan and implement your bigger goals and projects.

More Control

When you reduce your mental load and create organized systems in your home, you will begin to feel more in control of your life and responsibilities. Your days run smoother, there’s less stress and more predictability. We all know we are not the best versions of ourselves when we are stressed. You will have more balance in your home that will be felt by you and your family.

When your home and life has organized systems that work, you and your brain can finally relax!

reduce your mental load with organizing strategies, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston Salem, NC

If you need a hand decluttering and organizing your home, we’re here to help! 
Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina & surrounding areas?
Contact Organized Jill for a complimentary consultation.

Schedule a Consultation
How To Organize Your Entryway

How To Organize Your Entryway

Posted on by jillmoore

Do your mornings often feel rushed and chaotic? We’ve all been there. It’s time (okay maybe past time) to head out the door and you can’t find the thing. Maybe it’s the car keys, that left shoe your kid is frantic about or that signed school note you know you took care of the evening before. This is a stressful way to start your day, both for adults and kids. If you find that you or your kids are often struggling to get it all together in the mornings, your home may be missing a simple, yet crucial organizing strategy. Cue an organized entryway! Creating a designated space for your daily essentials will reduce your morning stress and improve the flow of your morning routine. As we transition to back to school season, this is a great time to create a functional space that helps you streamline your routine to start and end your day stress free!

how to organize your entryway, professional home organizer tips, Organized Jill, Winston Salem, NC

Plan Your Space

The first step is choosing the space that will serve as a dedicated home for your entryway. Consider the primary way you enter and leave your home. If you always use your kitchen door, you wouldn’t want this space to be by the front door of your home. Also, think about how you need the area to function for you. The two primary questions you need to answer are who will use the space and what items need to be stored there. It’s important to remember you don’t need a large, elaborate space to make this work. Whether it’s a grand foyer or a small hallway closet, the goal is to establish a home for each item.

Choosing Your Organizing Products

Now that you have chosen the location and have a good idea of the types of items you will be storing here, it’s time to choose the products you need to make the space work. Hooks work well for coats, bags and keys. Baskets and bins are great for sunglasses, wallets, earbuds and other small items. Of course there’s always shoes to consider. You can use racks, baskets or even a shelf to store these. If you are working with limited space, think vertical! Maximize your wall space with floating shelves, pegboards and over the door organizers.

Pro-tip ~ Measure, measure, measure before you buy! Take a few moments to make sure the product will fit and work the way you need it too.

how to organize your entryway, professional home organizer tips, Organized Jill, Winston Salem, NC

Level Up With Labels

You can take this space from organized to really organized with the help of labels. If you have bins or baskets designated for small items, add a label for each family member. Apply the same concept to your hooks. This is super helpful if you have children. They have their own spot for all their things and should be able to easily grab and go AND put things back in the evenings.

Keeping it Maintained

As with all things organizing, you do have to put in a little work to maintain the magic. Set aside some time once a week to reset the space. Toss random items or anything no longer needed, remove any “junk” that’s found its way into your space and do a quick wipe down to keep the space clean. This quick reset will help keep your entryway organized and functional all year long!

how to organize your entryway, professional home organizer tips, Organized Jill, Winston Salem, NC

If you need a hand decluttering and organizing your home, we’re here to help! 
Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina & surrounding areas?
Contact Organized Jill for a complimentary consultation.

Schedule a Consultation
Mid-Year Home and Life Reset

Mid-Year Home and Life Reset

Posted on by jillmoore

July is in full swing and that means half the year is behind us and the busy fall season is just around the corner. While we are soaking up the summer rays of sunshine, we can also be slowly and deliberately prepping for the busy season ahead. We will be sliding back into school schedules, pumpkin spice everything and the holidays before we know it. This is a great time to tackle a few small home projects that will give you a jump start and make a big impact to set your home up for a smooth transition to the fall season. This is a perfect time to revisit and reset your goals and routines too! Find what’s working and shift what’s not. And no, you don’t need to set aside an entire weekend or schedule vacation time for these small, manageable tasks.

How are your spaces looking?

Take a look around your home, particularly your most used spaces. Think about how the space is working for you. Is clutter starting to creep back in? A reset can make all the difference in keeping things tidy and manageable. Try these quick wins.

  • Pantry ~ Toss expired or stale food items and reset the space to make room for school lunch staples and fall cooking and baking supplies. If you have kids, add a labeled basket with their name to keep their favorite snack and lunch items in.
  • Bathroom ~ Use drawer or countertop organizers to create a system for items you use everyday, and add under the sink or closet organizers to keep everything else out of the way but available when needed.
  • Entryway ~ Set up bins, hooks or shelves for those daily items like bookbags, shoes and jackets. Labels work great here too so everyone knows where their items go.
reset for fall season, tips to organize home and schedules for fall, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston Salem NC
reset for fall season, tips to organize home and schedules for fall, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston Salem NC

That One Room

Is there a room in your home you avoid because dealing with it feels overwhelming? Has it become a drop zone this summer? This feels like (and is!) a big job so we will tackle it one area at a time, chipping away at the clutter. Choose one area like a single shelf or the closet floor. Use the questions below to quickly declutter this room. When you have the time, return and tackle another area in the room. Before you know it your “junk room” will be decluttered, organized and ready to be used as a guest room, workout space, craft room or anything you desire!

Set a 20 minutes timer and ask yourself:

  1. Do I need this?
  2. Do I use this?
  3. Do I love this?

Any “no’s” go to the donate or trash box!

Simplify Your Everyday

The routines of summer do feel simpler, so this is a great time to leisurely begin to adjust for the changes that are coming soon. Make a brain dump list of everything you know needs to be done, maybe while you are enjoying your quiet morning coffee. Carefully review your calendar and commitments and ask yourself what you can say no to this fall to help you keep your schedule manageable. Reset, or create, your family command center. This is your hub for all things calendars, activity schedules, events and school paperwork. This is a great spot for your weekly meal plan too! Having a designated spot for the most important things will be so helpful in keeping you and the family on track and on time!

reset for fall season, tips to organize home and schedules for fall, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston Salem NC

Pro-tip ~ Quick declutter the kids’ closets before heading out for back to school shopping. Have them help and donate any items in good condition. This can be a fun rainy afternoon project.

Celebrate Your Progress

It can be easy to get caught up in finishing all of the projects or checking everything off your list, but it is important to reflect on your wins along the way, big or small. There will always be one more thing to do, right? Noticing and appreciating what you have accomplished will give you the momentum boost you need to keep going.

  • Can you now see the floor of your basement?
  • Is the laundry system you started actually working?
  • Is the snack shelf you organized in the pantry still organized?
reset for fall season, tips to organize home and schedules for fall, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston Salem NC

All wins matter and it’s ok to say not today. Prepping and being prepared is great, but so is simply living in the moment. Step away from all the things to do and have lunch with a friend, spend the afternoon at the pool with the kids or take an evening walk at the park.

If you need a hand decluttering and organizing your home, we’re here to help! 
Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina & surrounding areas?
Contact Organized Jill for a complimentary consultation.

Schedule a Consultation
Guest Blog~Organizer + Designer Collaboration

Guest Blog~Organizer + Designer Collaboration

Posted on by jillmoore

Sometimes a space needs a little makeover before we work our home organization magic. I recently had the opportunity to collaborate with the fabulous Kendall Sharpe Designs on a home renovation project. The only thing better than organizing a kitchen and pantry is getting to do it in a freshly renovated space. I had the best time helping this client organize their belongings back into a pantry with new shelving and freshly painted cabinets. They have so much more storage with pullout base cabinet shelving, hidden corner pullout shelving and the addition of new cabinets. Kendall and Kaylan do it right!

home home organization, organize kitchen, organize pantry, Organized Jill, Winston-Salem, NC
home home organization, organize kitchen, organize pantry, Organized Jill, Winston-Salem, NC
home home organization, organize kitchen, organize pantry, Organized Jill, Winston-Salem, NC

Read Kendall’s take on this fun collaboration below and get her top tips for your kitchen!

Pretty Isn’t Enough: 5 Kitchen Organization Tips to Make Your Space Work Harder
Kendall Sharpe with Kendall Sharpe Designs

Design a Kitchen That Looks Beautiful—and Functions Even Better

When remodeling a kitchen, it’s easy to get swept up in finishes, tile selections, and paint colors. But no matter how stunning your space looks, if it doesn’t support your everyday routine, it’s going to cause frustration.

At Kendall Sharpe Designs, we believe that a well-designed kitchen should be just as functional as it is beautiful. That’s why we always incorporate professional organization into our kitchen remodels. With guidance from Jill Moore of Organized Jill, we help homeowners set up systems that make their kitchens easy to use, maintain, and enjoy long after the remodel is finished.

Here are five smart tips we used in a recent project that can help you transform your kitchen into a practical, peaceful, and organized space:

1.Design Storage Around How You Live
The first step in creating a functional kitchen is planning around your daily routine. Rather than designing storage based on trends or aesthetics alone, think about how you actually use your kitchen.

Tip: Break your kitchen into zones—such as prep, cooking, cleaning, and serving. Then organize each zone so items are stored right where you use them. For example, keep utensils in drawers beside the stove, place dishwashing supplies under the sink, and set up your coffee station near an outlet and mugs.

2.Use Interior Organizers to Maximize Space
Cabinets and drawers can hold a lot, but if you can’t see what you have, things get lost—and cluttered—fast.

What We Do: We use clear bins, drawer dividers, pull-out trays, and lazy Susans to make items easy to find and keep organized.

Tip: Use containers to group similar items together (snacks, baking supplies, spices) and label them. Opt for clear materials so nothing gets hidden in the back of the cabinet.

3.Make Daily Items the Most Accessible
You shouldn’t have to dig for the things you use every day. Organizing by frequency of use keeps your kitchen intuitive and efficient.

Tip: Place your most-used items—like silverware, cutting boards, and mixing bowls—at waist or eye level. Store special occasion items and seasonal serveware higher up or in a different storage area altogether.

4.Plan a Place for Everyday Clutter
Even the most organized kitchen needs a spot to collect life’s little messes. Instead of letting clutter take over your countertops, plan for it.

What We Recommend: Add a drawer or cabinet specifically for mail, keys, chargers, or school papers. Use bins or drawer inserts to keep it contained but still accessible.

Tip: Think of it like a “junk drawer—but intentional.” Giving clutter a home keeps the rest of your kitchen looking clean and feeling peaceful.

5.Organize as You Unpack—Not After
One mistake homeowners make after a remodel is throwing everything back into the new cabinets without a plan. Taking a few extra steps during the move-in process can make a big difference in how the space functions.

Tip: Organize as you unpack. Don’t just place items wherever they fit—create systems that support your lifestyle. If the process feels overwhelming, a professional organizer can guide you through setup and help you maintain it over time.

A Kitchen That Works for You
A well-organized kitchen doesn’t just look good—it saves time, reduces stress, and helps your whole household run more smoothly.

At Kendall Sharpe Designs, we always incorporate functional planning and professional organization into our kitchen remodels. Because a kitchen should support your life—not slow it down.

home home organization, organize kitchen, organize pantry, Organized Jill, Winston-Salem, NC

If you need a hand decluttering and organizing your home, we’re here to help!
 
Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina & surrounding areas?

Contact Organized Jill for a complimentary consultation.

Schedule a Consultation
home home organization, organize kitchen, organize pantry, Organized Jill, Winston-Salem, NC
Prepping for a Lighter, Brighter Season

Prepping for a Lighter, Brighter Season

Posted on by jillmoore

Oh, sweet summertime; I can feel you coming this way! The season that gives us the freedom to live a little lighter. As we excitedly shed our sweaters for tank tops and boots for flip flops, it’s important to help your spaces feel a little lighter too. The seasonal shift is a natural time to reset and refresh your home. This is also a perfect time to prepare for the influx of traffic in your spaces (hello pantry) with the kids home from school. So let’s dive into simple decluttering and organizing projects that will have your home feeling breezy and ready for sunshine and fun!

Seasonal Switch Out

Now is the time to pack away your bulky winter wear. You likely won’t be needing those heavy coats and snow boots anytime soon. Remove them from your closets and store them away to open up your closet space and make room for your summer clothing. Use labeled bins or vacuum bags to store your items in. Place those bins or bags on a high shelf or use the space under the guest bed for storage. This helps free up your main closet space.

Pro-tip ~ Have a donate bag or box ready as you switch out your wardrobes. If you haven’t worn an item all winter, it’s time to let it go!

tips to declutter and organize home for summer season, professional home organizer Organized Jill, Winston Salem, NC

Eating Lighter

Summer seems to bring with it a menu filled with lighter dishes. Simple and fresh are the themes and you may enjoy more outdoor cooking. Do a quick sweep of your kitchen, fridge and pantry to declutter and make room for summer favorites. Toss any expired items or anything that is opened and won’t be used. Bring the picnic and grilling items front and center for easy access. Create a summer snack station in your pantry for the kids to easily grab and go while they are home during the day.

Pro-tip ~ Don’t forget to check those easily overlooked, often forgotten about shelf condiments in the fridge!

tips to declutter and organize home for summer season, professional home organizer Organized Jill, Winston Salem, NC

Tame the Catch All

Your garage likely serves many purposes outside of simply parking your car. The summer season tends to bring with it more outdoor equipment that finds itself hanging out on your garage floor. First things first – declutter and remove anything broken or no longer useful. The best way to maximize this space is to sort everything by category and create zones. Think gardening, sports equipment, outdoor toys and lawn care. Vertical storage is the best friend of a garage. Use organizing products like hooks, shelves and labeled bins to maximize your storage space and clear your floors.

Pro-tip ~ If your garage serves double duty as the main entrance into your house, create a drop zone with labeled bins for each family member to place all their summer essentials.

tips to declutter and organize home for summer season, professional home organizer Organized Jill, Winston Salem, NC

Hello Outside

The warm air and sunshine beckon us outside to play, relax or entertain. Check your outdoor living spaces for anything that is broken or simply not used. Last year’s toys may not hold the same excitement for your kids. Those planters you got from the clearance shelf in the winter may not work well for your space after all. Donate anything you can, and repurpose or discard the rest. Use storage solutions made for outdoor weather to keep all of your items dry and in good condition. If you have children, invest in an outdoor toy box they can toss everything in when they are finished playing. You will love this when it’s time to cut the grass!

Check out our Guide to Patio Design for even more outdoor space tips!

tips to declutter and organize home for summer season, professional home organizer Organized Jill, Winston Salem, NC

Remember decluttering and organizing your home is not about perfection. It’s about creating room and space for you and your family to enjoy all of the fun of summer and beyond. When your space is clear, your mind is too and you are able to fully immerse yourself in all the special moments!

If you need a hand decluttering and organizing your home, we’re here to help! 
Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina & surrounding areas?
Contact Organized Jill for a complimentary consultation.

Schedule a Consultation
Organizing Life’s Big Changes

Organizing Life’s Big Changes

Posted on by jillmoore

One constant thing we can count on in this game of life is change. It may be a happy change that brings joy to your life like welcoming a new baby. It can also be an unexpected change filled with heavy emotional weight like a breakup or the loss of a loved one. No matter the type of change, it’s almost guaranteed to bring forth a little chaos and upheaval into your life, routine and physical space. One powerful way to offset the chaos and reclaim a sense of control is to declutter and organize for the change. Let’s explore strategies to help you stay organized through life’s big changes.

Craft a Plan

When life feels out of control, you may feel the need to attempt to tackle everything at once. This will likely cause you more stress and overwhelm. Take a step back, a few deep breaths and create a plan of attack. Create a checklist and set deadlines as needed to stay on track. Whether it’s packing to move, making space in your home for a blended household, adjusting to an empty nest or downsizing after a loss, creating a plan first will help you stay organized through the process.

tips to stay organized through life's changes, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston Salem, NC

Sort & Declutter

Whether you are prepping for more people and stuff in your home or working to have less of all the things, decluttering is always the best place to start. You will feel the Power of Decluttering as it lightens your physical and mental load by letting go of all the things you don’t need or want. Start small and sort with a purpose. Ask yourself if the item is something that you will need in the next phase of your life. Are you keeping it out of guilt, habit or genuine need? Be honest with yourself and make your decisions to keep or let go quickly. Try not to second guess your decisions.

Organize What’s Next

Now that you have crafted your transition plan and decluttered all the things, you are ready to move forward into your new chapter. We have a few tips for some of the major life changes you may experience. 

tips to stay organized through life's changes, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston Salem, NC

New Baby – One sure thing about bringing a baby into your home is their stuff will end up everywhere. Create mini baby zones in the areas you use most, like a changing basket in the living room with the essentials for a quick diaper or outfit change. 

Downsizing – Measure your furniture to make sure it will fit into your new space before the movers take it. Assess your clothing as you may not have the same amount of closet space. The same concept applies to your kitchen items as well as you will likely have less cabinet space.

Blending Households – Ensure each family member has space for their personal belongings. Shared spaces, like the kitchen and bathroom, may require implementing a system. Have everyone join in to create a system with boundaries. This keeps everyone on the same page and working together. 

Moving – If a move is involved in your transition, we have our Tips for a Smooth Move, to help you with the packing and unpacking process. If your move is due to a loss in your life, it’s important to allow yourself to feel all the feelings and grant yourself grace during this process. Have a bin ready to hold any sentimental items you are not ready to let go of. Plan to revisit and reassess the bin when you are ready.

Embrace the New

Change is hard, whether it’s a happy change or maybe a little sad. The process can leave you feeling mentally and physically exhausted. Start fresh and begin establishing new routines that align with your new normal. Be flexible as you get settled in and tweak as you go. Be kind to yourself and remember the goal is not instant perfection, but simply creating a space that supports your new lifestyle and gives you peace of mind.

tips to stay organized through life's changes, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston Salem, NC

If you need a hand decluttering and organizing for a big life change, we’re here to help! 
Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and surrounding areas?
Contact Organized Jill for a complimentary consultation.

Schedule a Consultation
Spring Into Organized Simplicity

Spring Into Organized Simplicity

Posted on by jillmoore

Spring has arrived! The birds are singing and everything is blooming. There is something about the longer days and abundant sunshine during this time of year that seems to spark a desire to open up the windows, doors and drawers and clear out the clutter. This is the perfect season to release what no longer serves you. Think beyond your physical possessions into your habits and routines. Spring is a time of renewal that you can use to breathe fresh energy into your home and life.

organizing tips for spring, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston-Salem, NC

Lighten Your Physical Load

As we change seasons, this is a great time to focus on decluttering your spaces. Being surrounded by too many things affects your mental clarity. When your home is filled with items you don’t need or use, it can be hard to focus beyond all the visual clutter. Spring is a great time to walk through your home and work on letting go of what no longer serves you. 

As you work through your spaces, ask yourself:

  • Have I used this in the past year?
  • Does this reflect my current lifestyle or future goals?
  • Does this item add value or ease to my daily life?

If the answer is no, let it go! Remember, it’s important to start small, finish one space before moving to another and allow yourself plenty of time. This will help prevent overwhelm and reduce the chances of giving up. Check out our Top 5 Items to Declutter to help you get a jumpstart!

organizing tips for spring, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston-Salem, NC

Releasing Mental Clutter

The mental load of too much can be quite heavy. You may find your stress and anxiety goes well beyond your physical space. Mental clutter is a very real thing. Just like the spaces in your home, your calendar and schedule can become cluttered too. That long list of unfinished to-do’s, managing everyone’s schedule, planning all the meals, trying to show up for all the things and the list goes on and on. 

Try this:

  • Write down your three top priorities for this season. Maybe it’s planning a  trip for uninterrupted family time, spending some creative time completing a project or simply scheduling quiet time for a little peace.
  • Identify ONE thing you can eliminate from your schedule or calendar. Think about the things you are obligated to, any habits that may be slowing draining your time (and you!) or any self-expectations that can be altered or dialed down. Consider your top three priorities here and focus on anything that doesn’t align with those things you want and deserve.

Spring is a great time to review your weekly commitments and tasks. Make a decision on what is essential and work on removing anything that is draining. Writing things down can help you see where improvement is needed and help you create space for what is most important to you and your family.

organizing tips for spring, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston-Salem, NC

Refresh Your Routines

With the shifting of the seasons comes a shift in our routines. Your energy levels may go up and schedules will change with the longer days. This is a great time to revisit your morning and evening routines and make adjustments to support your daily habits. You may not want to be doing inside tasks in the evening now that the sunshine is lasting longer. And your task list will change with the addition of more outdoor activities.

This is a great time to ask yourself:

  • Does my current routine support what I want to do each day?
  • Where, in my day, am I losing time or feeling stressed?
  • Where can I make changes to allow me to make the best use of my time?

Set aside 10 minutes each evening for a quick prep for your next day. You can get your clothes, meals and bags ready. This will feel so good and help you turn your brain off at night to rest!

Learning to let go and understanding the power of saying no will help you begin to craft a home, life and schedule that supports you and your family. Release the weight of the guilt and what if’s and know that you deserve to live in a space, and mindset, that brings you joy!

If you need a hand decluttering and organizing your home, we’re here to help! 
Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and
surrounding areas?
Contact Organized Jill for a complimentary consultation.

Schedule a Consultation
organizing tips for spring, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston-Salem, NC
Is It Time To Invest In A Professional Home Organizer?

Is It Time To Invest In A Professional Home Organizer?

Posted on by jillmoore

Do you find yourself constantly searching for lost items? Are you digging through piles of clothing to find what you need to wear each day? Are you pretty sure that there are canned goods from three years ago buried in your pantry? Being constantly surrounded by clutter and disorganization is stressful and overwhelming. Maybe you have a nice list of organization projects you hope to get to…someday. Despite your best plans and efforts, you simply aren’t making progress. And the clutter remains. The good news is you don’t have to tackle those home organization projects alone. Let’s explore why investing in a Home Organization Professional may be the best decision you can make for your home and your sanity.

6 Signs You Need A Professional Organizer

Your Life is Transitioning

Big life changes often bring with them a long to do list. Maybe you are welcoming a new baby, downsizing your home, or moving to a larger space. Your life and home can feel chaotic during these transitions as they tend to trigger major organizational challenges. 

You Are Overwhelmed

The thought of attempting to declutter and organize your things brings on immediate feelings of anxiety. The amount of items you have makes you feel like any organizing project would be too big and difficult to accomplish.

Decision Fatigue

When you try to declutter, you find the decision making process on what to keep and what to let go of exhausting. Maybe many of your items hold a sentimental value. It can be very difficult to overcome the emotional attachment you have with your possessions.

the benefits of investing in professional home organization, Organized Jill, Winston Salem, NC

DIY Has Failed

You created a plan to declutter and organize. Maybe you watched lots of how-to videos or read books to help. You even purchased organizing products. However, you haven’t had success with creating organizing systems that work for your space and your family. 

The Storage Unit

You have a storage unit filled with your stuff you haven’t visited in a long time or your storage space in your home is reaching its limit and you are considering renting a storage unit. Either way, a storage unit is meant to be a temporary option, not a permanent expense on your budget.

Functioning Inefficiently

Your morning routine is stressful and getting everyone ready to get out the door is overly complicated. You can’t find what you need when you need it. You make a purchase only to come home and realize you already had that item. You often find yourself showing up late or missing important appointments all together.

the benefits of investing in professional home organization, Organized Jill, Winston Salem, NC

How a Professional Organizer Supports You

  1. Fresh Perspective – When you live in your space, you may become “clutter blind” to the piles of mail or overflowing closet. A fresh set of eyes, particularly those of a professional organizer, will help. We can pinpoint problem areas and help discover inefficiencies you aren’t able to see. 
  2. Customized Systems – We are experts in decluttering and organization, bringing years of experience to each project. This allows us to efficiently plan and execute your home organization project designed and tailored to your lifestyle, needs and habits.
  3. Accountability & Support – We know decluttering and organizing on your own can be difficult. It can be hard to maintain momentum. We provide the structure and motivation to complete your projects, along with emotional support for those tough decluttering decisions.
  4. Time & Money – A disorganized home costs you both time and money. An investment in professional home organization will pay for itself through less wasted time, intentional purchasing habits, and elimination of storage fees. 
  5. Peace Of Mind – This may be the most valuable outcome from working with a professional organizer. When your home is in order, you will have increased mental clarity that will transform your anxiety into calm. You will create a more open physical and mental space to enjoy the things you love.

Why Choose Organized Jill

  • Professionally Trained – Jill is a graduate of the QC Design School, and is an Advanced International Organizing Professional. She is also a member of a national professional organization- ASPO, the American Society of Professional Organizers. She is also a member of the Carolina Organizers.
  • Established & Experienced – Organized Jill has been successfully providing decluttered and organized homes for happy clients since 2020. See our client reviews here.
  • Simple Yet Effective – We listen, understand and implement smart, practical & sustainable solutions tailored to your unique needs and lifestyle.
  • Judgement Free – Clutter and disorganization in your home can cause feelings of shame and embarrassment. We can help. Rest assured, this is a judgement-free zone.
  • Compassionate Approach – We know decluttering and organizing can be a challenging process for you. We will be by your side to guide you through the decision making process.
  • Continued Service – During your session, Jill will share tips, tricks, and organizing methodologies that you can continue after the organizing sessions to maintain order in your home.
the benefits of investing in professional home organization, Organized Jill, Winston Salem, NC

If you need a hand decluttering and organizing your home, we’re here to help! 
Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and
surrounding areas?
Contact Organized Jill for a complimentary consultation.

Schedule a Consultation
Curating a Sustainable Wardrobe

Curating a Sustainable Wardrobe

Posted on by jillmoore

Do you stare into your closet full of clothes and feel like you have nothing to wear? You have so many items to choose from, maybe things are a little cluttered, that you struggle to decide on your outfit each day. Here comes the stress and overwhelm, right? You know we are all about decluttering and organizing, but it’s important to understand the concept of a sustainable wardrobe. You are working toward having a wardrobe that has clothing items that are made with care and last a long time. A well-organized closet isn’t just about looking pretty, although that doesn’t hurt. It’s also about making intentional shopping choices and streamlining your items in a way that keeps your closet working for you with less stuff. Let’s explore the steps to take your closet from chaotic to functional, sustainably.

Start Where You Are

We won’t be tossing everything and starting over, but knowing what you have is a key piece of this process. Pull back on shopping and making new purchases while you take the time to inventory your current wardrobe. Take everything out of your closet and place them in categories. Think t-shirts, blouses, shorts, slacks. As you sort through the categories, consider how often you wear each item. Does it fit? Do you feel good when you wear it? Is it in good condition? For anything you don’t like or wear, it’s time to let it go. Donate or sell as much as you can to reduce what goes to the landfill. You may be surprised how much space you actually have once you remove the items you don’t use.

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Organize & Care

Having a closet that is decluttered and organized helps you see and know what you have. Use an organizing system that makes sense for you. Maybe you sort and hang by category or you love your items sorted by color. Finding and using a system that you like will help you maintain it. Plan to declutter seasonally. This is a great time to sort through and make sure you are only keeping what you wear before switching your wardrobe for the new season. Choose breathable storage options when putting away seasonal clothing items. Extend the life of your clothing with proper care. Use quality hangers, fold delicate items and avoid over washing. Line dry when possible to avoid extra wear and tear from the dryer. Bonus – you save on energy costs!

curating a sustainable closet, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston-Salem, NC

Shop Intentionally

 A little retail therapy just feels good sometimes. When it’s time to add some new items to your wardrobe look for pieces that lean more toward versatile and less trendy. Choose items that are well-made and durable. They will last longer and you can easily mix and match for variety in your outfits. Consider secondhand shopping. Thrift stores and consignment shops are great ways to add to your wardrobe. Don’t forget the “One In, One Out” rule! For every new item you bring in, you let one go. This rule can benefit you throughout your home, not just your closet. Shopping can be fun, but doing so mindfully will help you keep your clutter under control and save you money!

Curating a sustainable wardrobe has so many positive benefits. You will remove the stress of choosing what to wear or even just putting the laundry away. Shopping mindfully will help you continue to enjoy your clutter free space and save you money and time. All while contributing to a more sustainable environment. Start with small, intentional changes toward a more organized and sustainable closet. When it comes to clothing, less really can be more. After all, we can only wear one outfit at a time, right?

curating a sustainable closet, professional home organizer, Organized Jill, Winston-Salem, NC

If you need a hand decluttering and organizing your home, we’re here to help! 
Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and
surrounding areas?
Contact Organized Jill for a complimentary consultation.

Schedule a Consultation