Our daily lives are cluttered not only with possessions but with commitments and distractions. This overload can really be a burden, not only in our physical space but in our mental space as well. Over 20% of Americans currently rent self storage units, with an additional 15% planning to do so in the future. This costs an average of $100 per month per household. Why do we hold on to so many things that we aren’t even using? Through minimalism and organization,  we can work toward simplifying our lives by creating order and harmony.

Minimalist Mindset

Most people equate minimalism to living with less of all the things – possessions, commitments and distractions. While this is true to a point, it’s important not to take this concept to extremes. We can all benefit from living a simpler life, but it still has to work for you and reflect the needs of your daily life.

The best approach to a minimalist mindset is to shift your focus to what truly matters by eliminating the excess stuff. It’s about intentional living. We have to minimize in order to maximize all the areas of our lives. This allows us to make room, both physically and mentally, for what brings us joy and lights up our lives. This mindset requires asking tough questions about what you value and letting go of anything that doesn’t align with those values.

Essence of Organization

Organization is the art of creating systems and structures to efficiently manage our physical possessions along with our commitments and responsibilities. While minimalism focuses on reducing the number of possessions, organization focuses on arranging our items that we have and need in a manner that works for our family and  homes. You need to enjoy existing in your home and doing the things you love. This includes having what you need for the activities or hobbies that bring you joy. The goal is to have your home be soothing but not overwhelming.

Organization is a planned arrangement of your possessions (or commitments) that work to achieve your personal goals for your space or time. Everything should have a purpose and place that minimizes the time and effort you spend to find and use what you need. Organization creates a life of intention and clarity.

Finding Your Balance

Minimalism and organization aren’t opposing concepts. In fact, they can go hand in hand. The key is to find what works for you. Start by identifying what truly matters to you. Think about your long term goals and aspirations. This will help guide your decisions about what to keep and what to let go of. Use your minimalist mindset to declutter your physical space and simplify your commitments. Then use the power of organization to ensure that what you do keep is well-maintained and easy to manage. Finding this balance is an ever changing process. Such is life, right? There will be adjustments along the way. What works for someone else may not work for you, and that’s perfectly fine. This process is personal and really just needs to fill the needs of you and your family.

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.

Who gets excited to pack up their home for a move? Yeah, we didn’t think so. We can all agree moving is not the most fun thing to do. It’s a big job that requires a lot of time and work. There are ways to reduce the stress of planning and executing your move. We are sharing our tips to help make your move as smooth as possible!

Prep for Your Move

Before you start gathering the moving boxes and packing up, it will be very helpful for you to develop a plan. This will not only help with the packing process, but will prove invaluable when you and all your things reach your new destination and the unpacking begins.

• Create a moving folder to house all the documents related to your move in one, easy to access place. Remember, it’s about to get a little wild in your house.
• Create a moving checklist with a timeline with all the important dates and tasks related to your move. This will help you stay on task and not forget anything important, like changing your address or activating your utilities.

5 Tips to Declutter for Your Move

As you have likely figured out decluttering is a HUGE first step in all things pro-organizing. When it comes to moving, it may be one of the most important steps. Decluttering before your move will help you start fresh in your new space with only the things you actually need and want. This can be particularly important if you are downsizing. You will want to start this piece of the process early to give yourself enough time to do it properly without feeling rushed.

• Use a room by room approach
• Sort items into the keep, donate/sell & trash categories
• Consider the one year rule – if you haven’t used or worn something in a year, let it go
• Consider the size of your new home when deciding what to keep
• Digitize your paperwork & photos – you will have less clutter and a digital backup should anything get lost

Tips for Organized Packing & Unpacking

Finally, we are ready to start packing! Our rooms are completely decluttered and we are only packing our items we truly use and need. To help you stay organized during this process, we have outlined a step by step approach. We will use the same room by room approach that worked so well when we were decluttering.

1. For each room, clearly label each box with it’s contents and the room it belongs in.
2. You can use a color coded system as well. Give each room in your new home a color and use labels & tape with the corresponding color to mark each box. Direct movers to the carefully labeled boxes to ensure everything ends up in the correct room upon arrival.
3. Pack your most infrequently used items first & keep your everyday items separate to be packed last and placed in your personal vehicle for quick retrieval on day 1.
4. Don’t forget to plan for a smooth move for your pets too! Be sure to have their food & treats as well as a collar with your contact information. Place them out of the way of the movers so you won’t have any escape artists.
5. Take inventory of your items and snap a photo of any valuables just in case anything gets lost or broken.
6. Use removable labels for handling instructions for electronics & furniture if you are using a moving service.

The more decluttered and organized your are as you prep and pack up your current home, the less stressful the unpacking process will be.

Moving is a big job! If you don’t want to do it alone, we can help! Check out our Packing & Unpacking services.

Schedule a Consultation

Have you had your home professionally organized? You may be wondering, “How do I keep this magic alive?” During your organization session, you likely had systems implemented to keep the space in good shape. Sometimes, despite our best efforts, spaces become cluttered and disorganized over time. The reality is we actually live in our homes and use all our things, right? Maintaining the organized space will require an ongoing effort and a commitment to the cause. So how do we do that?

5 Ways to Maintain Your Organized Space

1. Create a Routine
   • Establish a regular, consistent time to revisit and refresh the space. Some spaces, like your kitchen & pantry, may require daily attention.
2. Designated Homes
   • Return items in your home to their proper places after each use.
3. Declutter Regularly
   • Set aside time as needed to consistently declutter your spaces. This can be monthly or even seasonally.
4. One In, One Out
   • For every new item that comes in, one must go out. Putting this rule into practice will help prevent clutter so you can spend less time decluttering. This is also the difference between getting organized and staying organized
5. Review and Adjust
   • Life is ever changing so be flexible. Allow room for adjustments of your organizing systems needed.

– Pro-Tip from Organized Jill –

I like to “put the kitchen to bed” every day. In the evening, I make sure the dishwasher is loaded, the sinks are emptied and sanitized, the countertops are wiped clean, and any trash is disposed of. Having a clean slate to start the next morning fresh has such a calming effect.

Existing in an organized home environment is essential for productivity, mental clarity, and overall well-being. If you establish good habits and incorporate good strategies, you can be successful at maintaining your space. Stay focused on your goals and celebrate your progress along the way.

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

With the spring planting season soon upon us, you’ve no doubt spent some time outside preparing your flower beds and gardens: removing leaves, clearing out fallen branches, and pulling weeds. But just as our plants need an ordered space to thrive, so too do we as people need an organized home. After all, a house is like a garden.

Spring offers the opportunity to not only clean your cottage, but a chance to clear your clutter. Sometimes it can be difficult to identify where that clutter is. Take for instance the junk drawer.
Somewhere along the line, we collectively decided that all kitchens should have what is affectionately referred to as the “junk drawer”. But why do we insist on keeping items that we’ve deemed as “junk”? Why not use the space productively to store items that we need to have within convenient reach? Do the kids like to color in the kitchen?

You can easily turn the junk drawer into a small art supply space for crayons and markers with a few simple organizers. Now, expand that concept beyond the junk drawer. What other spaces in your home could serve a better purpose instead of being filled with items we don’t care for or need.
Throw out the rules when it comes to what should live where and instead set up your home in a way
that works for you and your family. Reduce the distance from the storage area of an item to the usage
area for the item. For example, one of my clients exits her home on a daily basis through the basement
out to the garage. Everyday, she was carrying her shoes up two flights of stairs to be stored in her
bedroom closet just to bring the same pair of shoes back down the two flights of stairs the next day to
head back out to her office. By relocating her shoe storage system to a freshly decluttered closet in the
basement, she reduced the amount of time spent each day moving the shoes up and down throughout
the house. A conveniently placed hook nearby the shoe storage created a simple “drop zone” for her
purse and jacket.
So how can you get started today? Think about the amount of time spent each day looking for an item,
how many items have to be moved out of the way to access the one item in need, and how many of
those moved items you can probably live without. Imagine how easy it would be to flow throughout your
home if it was simplified and decluttered.
One tip that I share with my clients is to start small. For instance, instead of decluttering the entire
bathroom, declutter the shower. Remove empty product bottles, dull razors, unraveling loofahs, old
toothbrushes, and forgotten bath toys. Making a big impact on a small area can often inspire you to
continue the decluttering process.
If you’re not sure where to begin, or how to go about the sorting, decluttering, and organizing process,
or need an extra pair of hands and a fresh perspective, a professional home organizer can be an
invaluable investment that will pay dividends for years to come as you enjoy a soothing, simplified space.
I hope your spring will be a wonderful time spent enjoying your home, and your garden, without the
stress of weeds and clutter.

If you need help with your decluttering journey, we’re here to help! Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and surrounding areas? Contact Organized Jill to schedule your complimentary consultation.