Organizing Life’s Big Changes

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.

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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. 

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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.

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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.

Is It Time To Invest In A Professional Home Organizer?

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.

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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.

Reflect & Prepare ~ The Pro Organizer’s Guide to Goal Setting

There are just a handful of days left this year; can you believe it! As you move through the remainder of the year and begin to look ahead to the new year, this is a good time for reflection and planning. The start of a new year carries a sense of promise and fresh opportunities. Take time to evaluate your year. Do you feel you accomplished any goals you had? Are there areas of your life that you would like to see some improvement in? It can be an exciting time to reset and create goals that align with your plans. These steps will help you breeze into the new year with clarity, intention, and an organized plan.

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4 Steps to an Organized New Year

Reflect On What Worked & What Didn’t

Set aside a quiet time when you can really spend time thinking about the past year. Grab a notebook and pen or a digital planner. Ask yourself what has worked well for you. What systems or habits did you implement that made your life easier? What accomplishments are you proud of? What areas in your life have you feeling stuck or overwhelmed? Identifying what is working and what isn’t will help you pinpoint the areas that need adjustments to focus on with your goal setting. This provides a solid foundation for creating intentional goals that matter to you.

SMART Goal Setting

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A goal to “get organized” is great! But without a clear plan of action, you may find it difficult to reach your goal. SMART goal setting is a framework that creates specific, actionable steps. Taking the time to structure your goals will make sure they are well defined and help you stay motivated. When goal setting, it’s also important to set priorities. Choose 1-3 areas to focus on. This will help prevent overwhelm and burnout.

  • Specific: Define exactly what you want to achieve
  • Measurable: Set criteria to track progress
  • Achievable: Ensure the goal is realistic given your current circumstances
  • Relevant: Align the goal with your values and priorities
  • Time-Bound: Set a deadline to keep yourself accountable

Goal Example – Organize My Closet

  • Specific: I will declutter my clothes.
  • Measurable: I will sort through and donate at least 2 bags of clothing.
  • Achievable: I will spend one hour each weekend on this project.
  • Relevant: This will create a space that is more manageable for me to keep organized.
  • Time-Bound: I will finish this project by the end of the month.
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Support Your Goal

Goal setting is never a one and done. Most goals require dedication and commitment to complete the steps that will eventually get you to the finish line. One of the best ways to make your goals a reality is to develop and establish systems that support your goals and align with your lifestyle. Use an app, a calendar or whatever method works best for you to set reminders. Track your progress to stay motivated. Record your milestones and challenges in a journal. You can create a vision board to visually see your goals. This will help you develop habits to keep you on track. Consider tagging in an accountability partner. Do you share similar goals with a family member or friend? Work with them to help you both stay on track and motivated. Plan weekly check-ins to review how things are going and make adjustments as needed.

Celebrate & Reassess

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As you work toward your goal, celebrate all the big and small wins along the way. Once you have reached your goal, develop a plan to maintain your results. If getting your closet organized was the goal, what habits do you need to develop to prevent clutter and disorganization from returning? Most goals, once accomplished, will require some upkeep to maintain. This is also a good time to think about other areas in your home or life you would like to improve and begin working on your next goal.

Moving into a new year with a clear plan and thoughtful approach will allow you to work to create a life and space that feels lighter and more manageable. Always allow for adjustments, as there are bound to be bumps along the way. With a clear plan and the right mindset, you will be ready to tackle all of your goals!

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.

400 Professional Organizers Walk Into A Room

Mixing & Mingling

In September, I had the pleasure of attending the HT:Summit; one of the largest (and most fabulously hot pink and orange) Professional Home Organizers conference in Austin, Texas. It was truly the who’s who of Home Organizers. Women (and a handful of gentlemen) from across the country, (and from a few other countries) descended on the Lone Star state for a weekend of learning, connection, adventures, and the most Instagram-able three days I have ever seen. 

Upon arrival at the airport, I quickly reunited with my “organizing bestie” from Orlando. She and I had met years before in a business coaching group and have always kept each other on track and motivated throughout the years. Together, we navigated through the airport, picked up our rental car, and made our way to a “boujie” area of town where the conference hotels are in The Domain; an upscale walking district with shops, restaurants, hotels, and all kinds of sights and sounds. 

A few hours later, our organizer friends from Palm Springs arrived and we were able to meet them in person for the first time after months of zoom calls and texts.  As the hours passed, groups of organizing friends reunited in the hotel lobby and later at the meet-and-greet cocktail party. Women who had met at previous conferences, women who only knew each other online, and some who were there all by their lonesome, bravely introducing themselves. If you have ever attended a professional conference, you know that it can be a challenge to approach a group of people and join the conversation, especially when the conversation is so loud that it is hard to hear anything at all. 

Video Credit: Home + Sort

Right then and there, I was in the room with some of the biggest names in Home Organization. Women who run multi-million dollar organizing teams up and down the California coast; women with tv shows and product lines, women who have organized for a slew of celebrities; women whose businesses I have looked up to and admired while building and growing my own business jumped off the phone screen and into real life in a sea of hot pink dresses and orange business casual pant suits. What can I say, we’re an on-theme dressed group. When I say that I was a little intimidated and overwhelmed, that would be an understatement. 

When we were leaving the cocktail party with our swag bags, we ran into a few gals outside. One who asked me, “Are you Organized Jill?”. I answered, “You know me?! Oh my goodness.” I was absolutely shocked that anyone besides my small group of organizer friends knew who I was. When she told me her name, I remembered that we had connected online years ago, and it was such a delight to meet her in person. There are definitely times when I have a little bit of face blindness and it can take me a minute to connect faces to names. 

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Getting Down to Business

The next morning, we jumped right into business with presentations from our hosts (Home + Sort based in California), a presentation from the CEO of Erin Condren (planners, stationery products, and all things organization), and a presentation about implementing technology and systems. The more I listened and absorbed, I could feel the imposter syndrome that I had long since parted ways with try to creep in. In the back of my mind, intrusive thoughts whispered, “What was I thinking quitting my job (4 years ago…)? What business did I have being here? I’ve made a huge mistake thinking I can run a business.” 

I had to quickly brush away those thoughts to remember that I had worked non-stop for the last four years to build my business and have had the privilege to help hundreds of people transform their homes. I had to remember the actual blood, sweat, tears, and sleepless nights that went into growing my business. After a few moments of uncertainty, I regrouped and refocused while taking all sorts of notes for two straight days. 

By mid-day, we were ushered to outside tables to get a little fresh air and have time to make new connections. I spoke with dozens of women, small business owners all with a spark and dream. Organizers from all over the country, running all different businesses. Everyone from luxury home organizers, to organizers who focus on neurodivergent clients, senior downsizing specialists, corporate relocation directors, organizers who are also interior designers, photo organization specialists, paper organization lovers, and everyone in between. People who are solo- organizers, ones who have small teams in their cities, and ones who orchestrate large teams in multiple cities and states. 

And as I listened to women from New Jersey, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Florida, California, Kansas, and beyond speak, I realized that even though we all started our businesses for the love of Home Organization, that our personalities,  beliefs, methodologies, results, business goals and sizes, were all SO different. 

My Why for My Clients

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It made me think about my clients and their personalities and what had made us a good fit, why they had been drawn to me. Was it because in a room full of Type A’s that I am a Type B? Did that message come across on my website? Did my passion for color-coded closets and happy pantries resonate with my audience? Did my delightful small team look like nice people who they’d want in their homes folding their underwear drawers? Did my clients know that they could feel safe with me in their most vulnerable states? Did my clients feel reassured that I personally would be there in their homes, at every organizing session, right by their side to help them through the decision-making process? What message did I want to continue to spread or change, what connections did I want to seek out upon my return to North Carolina. 

One of the most important pieces of all the information that I absorbed over the weekend was that there is no one “right” way to run an organizing business. There were 400 people in the room all running 400 vastly different businesses. What was most important is that I stay true to who I am, be myself, focus on my own business, and help my clients achieve their home organization goals. 

I realized that I just need to continue to focus on providing services that make my heart sing, the things I was put on this earth to do (organizing closets, kitchens, pantries, playrooms, and garages…. with the occasional custom closet design & installation so I can use my power tools and feel super empowered) and not worry about what other folks are doing. 

Running a small business is not for the faint-of-heart or thin skinned. I am celebrating all the fears that I have overcome to get where I am today. I am in the homestretch of the end of year 4 in my business and I am looking at year 5 with a rejuvenated spirit and a happy heart. And I am wishing a final farewell to any residual imposter syndrome, kicking doubt to the curb, and going to keep on going.  

If you need a hand decluttering & 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.

Why Hire a Professional Organizer?

Does it feel like you are in a constant state of clutter? If you find that you are overwhelmed with the amount of stuff in your home, it may be time to consider working with a Professional Home Organizer. Professional organizing is a service provided by individuals who use their talents and skills to transform clutter into organized, useful spaces for your home and your family.

Quote from Jill Moore owner of Organized Jill, a professional home organization company serving Winston-Salem, North Carolina and surrounding areas.

A professional organizer can assist you with tackling the job of decluttering and organizing the spaces in their home. They are skilled at optimizing your spaces and creating more functionality in places like your closets and pantries. They can assist you with sorting through all your “stuff” like clothing, toys, collections and everything in between. The end result is a tidy, organized and functional space you may not even recognize was hiding under all that mess.

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Five Benefits of Working With a Professional Organizer

  1. Professional organizers have the expertise and experience to efficiently declutter and organize your spaces. They can implement effective organizing techniques and storage solutions. Additionally, their approach is tailored to your specific needs and preferences.
  2. A professional organizer brings an objective perspective to the process. They have no emotional or sentimental attachment to your things. This allows them to guide you in making decisions on what to keep and what to let go of. This can be a tough process made easier with the help of a professional.
  3. Working with a professional organizer can be a big time saver for you. While it may seem feasible to tackle organizing projects on your own, the process can be time-consuming and overwhelming. A professional organizer can streamline the process as they know how to prioritize tasks and work efficiently to help you achieve your goals.
  4. Working with a professional organizer will provide you with accountability and motivation to keep focused through the process of decluttering and organizing. They will offer guidance and encouragement to help keep you on track, and ensure that you achieve your organizing goals.  
  5. The long term benefits of working with a professional organizer can be very impactful. Your organizer will optimize your space, maximize storage and create systems that are easy to maintain in the long run. Once the work is complete and your space is decluttered and organized, you’ll likely experience increased productivity and overall well-being.

Pro-Tip from Organized Jill

When searching for a home organizer, check to see if they are professionally trained or certified. Jill Moore, owner of Organized Jill Professional Home Organization in Winston-Salem, advises that training and education is advisable for this industry.

A professional organizer will be well worth the investment, both for your home and you. You will likely find that you can breathe easier in your organized, efficient and stress free environment. You deserve to enjoy the time you spend in your home!

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 for a complimentary consultation.

Home Organizer, Winston Salem, 27106, Buena Vista, Organized Drawers, Organized Closet

Getting the Band Together

Assembling a Professional Home Organization team is a lot like getting the band together. Everyone’s instrument has to be in tune with each other for successful outcomes for our clients. We have to work together in perfect harmony to stay on task and flow through our organization sessions. I want to shine a light on the wonderful people who I get to spend my workday with. My incredible Home Organizer team who I cannot live without. One of the most frequently asked questions that I get from my clients is “How did you start working together?” I think it’s time I shared the tale. 

Starting with my original team member, Leah. When I was a brand new “baby” organizer in November 2020, I had terrible imposter syndrome, horrible fear of failure, and inability to believe in my god-given gift of organizing. So, as you do when you are new to an industry, I trolled the internet joining all the Professional Home Organizer facebook groups across the country that I could find. Shortly thereafter, I saw a post from Leah. It said “I’m an Interior Designer in Winston-Salem and I’d love to team up with a Home Organizer in Winston-Salem”. I thought to myself, “well, I’m a Home Organizer in Winston-Salem”, so I sent her a message and the rest is history. 

A few months later, when I was still working my office job and moonlighting as an organizer, we came across a client who needed our help packing her home to move. Her sweet brother Jamie was there and I really liked the way that he worked with us to help his sister sort, declutter, and pack all of her important items. I handed him my phone and told him to put in his number. About 6 weeks later, I left my office job to organize homes full time and I sent him a message. Jamie is now my Custom Closet Installation Lead and truly my knight in shining armor. He even came to my rescue when I blew out a tire on the side of the interstate. 

Shortly thereafter, along came Ashley. Ashley and I were Insta-following each other and she sent me a message. Ashley is a full time Realtor and organizing is a way for her to relax. From the get-go, Ashley proved that she has natural abilities to see a space and make it function to its best potential. She is so driven and is such a hard worker. Her level headedness and keen eye for business has given me excellent guidance as my business has continued to grow and develop. 

I am so grateful and thankful for my home organizer team and I am so blessed to have them all in my life. I hope you all will have the opportunity to meet and work with them on projects in your homes soon. I know they will leave you with a space that you will love for a lifetime. Are you local to Winston-Salem, North Carolina and surrounding areas? Contact Organized Jill to schedule your complimentary consultation.