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Aug 14
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Organizing Products I Don’t Buy

By Blog, Home Office Organization, Simple Living No Comments

It’s not always easy to learn how to pick functional products that last!

 

In the quest for a well-organized living space, we’ll often invest in and try out many different organizing products to keep things tidy. However, not all products are made with the same level of functionality. Some may even end up causing more harm than good!

 

As a Professional Organizer with over 20 years of experience, I have seen my fair share of products that don’t function well and can’t stand the test of time. A lot of the time clients will see a pretty bin or a uniquely-shaped turntable and just based on the look of it, they’ll buy it. Only to get home and realize it doesn’t fit in the desired space, may scratch the finishings, or not even work as intended!

 

Below, I’ll share some of the most commonly bought organization products I see and explain why I avoid them.

 

We’ll also go over some alternative options that are both highly functional and have a nice appearance, so you can get organized without wasting your time and money!

 

 

Organizing Products I Don’t Buy

Over-the-Door Blowdryer Organizer

 

These organizers may look and sound convenient at first. But in reality, they can cause damage to both the door and the items they hold. If the top piece is too thick the door will also not close.

 

Hot tools tend to slide around and poke through any gaps, too. And let’s be real – blow dryers, brushes, and curling irons often don’t get neatly wrapped up and put away after each use, a lot of people prefer to quickly put them away and adjust later, if desired.

 

Functional Alternative: For these reasons, I recommend just storing them in a larger space. Use a large container, bin, or basket that can be neatly tucked away in your cabinet. Or simply store them in a drawer if you have the space. There are many ways to keep these items organized without damaging your door or frame!

 

Acrylic Makeup Organizer with Small Sections

 

While these organizers look great initially, they are easy to scratch and not easy to clean. This leads them to get very grimy with makeup and dusty over time. To clean the acrylic, you will need a special acrylic cleaner or soap and water, but the latter runs the risk of it drying with streaks.

 

Functional Alternative: To avoid wasting money on replacements, opt for drawer organizers with fewer and larger sections made from materials that are easier to clean. Even better, look for models with the flexibility to move the dividers around yourself.

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Drawer Dividers for Clothes

 

Drawer dividers with fixed, unadjustable sections are just not functional and can cause daily friction in the long term. They won’t accommodate changing storage needs or different sizes of item groupings inside the drawer.

 

Functional Alternative: Use expanding drawer dividers instead. These will fit in most drawers around your home and can be moved around really easily. Or if you prefer a more contained look, try organizers that offer adjustable sections. The goal here is to ensure your clothes stay both organized and easily accessible.

 

Stacking T-Shirt Organizer

 

Stacking shirt organizers may look easy and appealing, but they are often just the opposite. They will slide all over the place and require a lot of effort to fold and fit back inside the organizer. This makes it challenging to keep the shirts inside neatly.

 

Functional Alternative: Instead, consider folding and stacking your t-shirts vertically on a shelf. If you want to keep them in containers, file fold them in a drawer or large bins inside a drawer or on a shelf. Another great idea to keep them from falling over if you’ve got a large collection is to use sweater dividers. This method allows for clear visibility of your collection and makes it more approachable to put away freshly done laundry. For kids’ t-shirts, I recommend file folding them in a drawer or large container. This is easier for them to see what they have and put them back on their own, even if not perfectly folded. 

 

T-Shirt Folder

 

If you really want to have every shirt perfectly folded and have the time to do this, then by all means, go for it! But let me tell you about most households that I’ve organized over the past two decades… Laundry is often piled up to be done and more is waiting to get folded and put away. Good intentions just don’t cut it in reality! I’m all about simplifying life, making things functional, and having a “good enough” attitude vs. trying to attain a perfect standard.

 

Functional Alternative: If you really want to use a folding device, get a larger one with more flaps for folding. This way you can use it for all clothing items and not just tops. It could also be a fun way to get the kids to help out with laundry! Test it and let me know 6 months later how it’s going 😉

 

Office Drawer Organizer

 

White or light-colored drawer organizers may look sleek, but they tend to get dirty quickly and are challenging to clean. Additionally, organizers with large and non-customizable sections may not suit your specific storage needs. To make a functional purchase, declutter the drawer first, plan where items will go, take measurements, and then invest in drawer organizers of various sizes that can fit well together.

 

I’m all for drawer organizers, but they need to be highly functional and easy to clean! White or light-colored drawer organizers may look sleek, but they tend to get marked up quickly. The sections in a lot of these organizers are often too large to sort items into groups and are not customizable.

 

Functional Alternative: Before you go shopping, save yourself the hassle of returns by decluttering the drawer first. Then lay out where you want the remaining items to go, measure the drawer, and take a photo. Once you’ve done that, you can go shopping! Look for drawer organizers of different sizes so you can make a square or rectangle with them in the drawer. They won’t slide around when they fit comfortably in a grid. Choose organizers with small sections.

 

 

 

Investing in functional organizing products can be a game-changer in maintaining an organized home or office!

 

However, it’s crucial to avoid products that don’t function well or stand up to the test of time. By steering clear of products that won’t perfectly serve their desired purpose, you can save both time and money.

 

Consider swapping for these functional alternatives and you’ll achieve a clutter-free, beautiful, and calm environment. Enhance your overall organization and productivity today. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

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Jun 30
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10 Things I Don’t Buy as a Pro Organizer

By Blog, Home Office Organization, Home Organizing, Simple Living No Comments

What if I told you that if you stop buying these 10 things, you could free up a lot of space in your home? I can also guarantee you’d free up some time in your schedule!

 

And who doesn’t want more time these days?!

 

As a professional organizer, I see a lot of people’s stuff and I can tell you, no one really needs (or uses!) all those fancy, trending little home gadgets. Maybe I’ve just been scared off of them after seeing so many mass collections, but these 10 things I don’t buy anymore honestly just tend to overflow and become clutter in a home. And when something’s spilling over, it’s definitely a sign that area needs to be reorganized!

 

Did you know the average home has over 300,000 items? That’s a lot of stuff to maintain and organize!

 

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your stuff and looking for ways to simplify your life? Then stick with me because I’m going to share some time-saving strategies to keep your home organized… the simple and easy way 😊

 

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10 Things I Don’t Buy as a Professional Organizer

 

My husband and I live in a smaller home, about 1500 square feet. I know that when a space starts overflowing with stuff, it’s time to corral that corner and declutter the area!

 

So let’s dive into today’s topic.

 

1 / 10

 

Starting off at number one, I don’t buy new kitchen appliances without a pre-determined space. I do see things that I would love to have, but if it doesn’t fit, something’s gotta go to make room for it first.

 

I remember one time, my husband came home with a salad spinner and I literally had nowhere to store it 😂 I had to reorganize the kitchen above our stove and the storage around our hood fan to make room for this salad spinner.

 

I’ve always been very conscious of how much space I have. If I’m going to buy it, then something’s gotta go. I follow the one-in-one-out rule.

 

2 / 10

 

The second of 10 things I don’t buy anymore are tall spice containers and large oil bottles. These are things that I just don’t buy anymore because they can’t easily fit into my cupboard. I have a lower cupboard where, on a turntable, I store my oil bottles. But there’s only so much height in there.

 

You may be someone who likes to buy bulk amounts of spices, oils, vinegar, and sauces. This means you need to make sure that you have space to put it all away. And whatever amount of space you’ve allocated for it, you need to make sure that the bottles are going to fit height-wise, too. And don’t even consider storing them on their sides unless you want to clean up an oily, drippy mess!

 

3 / 10

 

Next up is organizing products that don’t function well. I use a lot of organizing products and I test them all as well. I’ve found that if it doesn’t have multiple purposes and doesn’t function as intended, then I don’t even want it.

 

It’s way too easy nowadays to waste money on trendy products that promise us simplification but don’t deliver. So it’s crucial that you do your research (or check our product recommendations!) before purchasing dodgy items.

 

While the quality of each product is a big factor in its functionality, sometimes buying random items before planning how you will organize the space can create problems too. For example; a basket that cannot physically fit in a space, a turntable that’s too wide for a cupboard, spice jars that are the wrong shape for your rack, drawer organizers that are too tall so the drawer won’t close, weak shirt hangers used for coats can break, and so on. This is why I always make my plan to organize a space and then work on finding the products that are going to function the best for that project 👍🏼

 

4 / 10

 

The next of 10 things I don’t buy as a professional organizer are souvenirs from concerts and vacations. I’m someone who likes to keep these items to an absolute minimum because I don’t like how they clutter up my space.

 

How many times have you gone to an event and come home with pamphlets, books, maps, tacky t-shirts, keychains, magnets, and the like? Don’t worry, I won’t make you actually count 😂

 

If your kids go to camps or play sports where you need to purchase those t-shirts, think of a way you can give the item a second life. Whether that’s reusing them as rags after they’ve outgrown them or turning them into a memory pillow!

 

My preference is to take photos of everything, I find that I look at the photos a lot more. This way, I can also display them or share them with others. You could turn them into photo books too, or you can just remember the vacation and the experience. You don’t necessarily need to bring home “things” to remember the experience 😊

 

5 / 10

 

The big number five is reusable water bottles! It’s so fun to collect all the different types… until you get home and have nowhere to keep them. So how many of these do we really need? Let’s break it down 👇🏼

 

For myself, I use 3 – 4 water bottles every single day. I have hot and cold drinks plus protein shakes that I take to client projects each day.

 

So yes, you do need some to take with your lunch or pack in kids’ lunches. But how many does one household actually need? When I go through coffee mugs, thermos’, and water bottles at clients’ homes, I’m always amazed! In the average home, I’m seeing usually 25 to 40. Sometimes even 50+ containers for hot and cold drinks! No one needs this many, even if you’re a family of five. Depending on your frequency of use, you should keep 1 – 2 per family member.

 

I recommend you narrow down your water bottles to only the favorites and the ones that you use all the time. Donate the rest!

 

6 / 10

 

Here we are with 10 things I don’t buy at number six with office supplies. More like excessive office supplies, like in those pretty impulse sections at Staples!

 

I like to keep pens around the house in useful spaces, like in my office, the laundry room, a couple in my car, and some in the kitchen. I also have one by my nightstand and in the bathroom, along with post-it notes next to them. And what I’ve noticed about myself is that I love how quickly I can jot something down.

 

I do have some extra office supplies in case something runs out, but the reality is, I don’t need a hundred pencils. I certainly don’t need a bunch of different colored impulse-buy pens!

 

Sadly, I see this in home offices quite often. Another clutter-encouraging habit is bringing home pens from events and hotel rooms. They will just keep collecting. Just stick to your favorite, fail-proof office supplies and have a few extras of the things you use most frequently on hand. Make sure you organize them in one place.

 

If you need specialty papers or mailing supplies like envelopes and stamps then create an area for those supplies, and be realistic with yourself. How much do you really need?

 

Don’t forget to think about when the kids are in school too, as they’ll be coming home with their backpacks full of papers each day. Plus, at the end of the year once they’ve emptied out their locker from school, stay one step ahead. Avoid clutter overwhelm by weeding through all of their locker contents as soon as it comes through the door so it doesn’t end up piled on your office supplies.

 

You can donate extra supplies to organizations who are looking for them, and sometimes schools will take things too. But when pens and pencils are small or worn out, it’s time to say goodbye and let those go.

 

7 / 10

 

Number seven is excess cleaning supplies! I included this in the 10 things I don’t buy because my preference is to buy multi-purpose cleaners that do more than one thing so I can save storage space (and money!).

 

I have cleaning supplies on each level of my house, and I do this on my clients’ projects as well. That way there’s always something close by for cleaning upstairs, downstairs, and in the garage. I just find that it’s simple and easy.

 

Another tip is to buy a concentrated solution so you can water it down in your own bottles. You will be amazed at the amount of cleaning supplies you can cut down on by implementing these few tricks! You could probably cut that down by half at least, and you’re going to free up so much space. And bonus – it’ll be easy to find what you need when you need it!

 

8 / 10

 

Number eight is round food storage containers.

 

The reason is, when you have different shapes that need to fit in your fridge drawer, it makes it extra difficult. The square and rectangular containers can sit nicely next to and on top of each other, but throwing circles into the mix just won’t work as smoothly. I’m all about simplifying life, so I have no extra time to wrangle with inanimate objects!

 

So make sure that the containers you’re buying will work for your space and consider purchasing some extra so that if any of the glass ones break, you can easily replace them.

 

Now I do buy small round containers for my lunches, to keep sauces and salad dressings in. And for kids’ lunches, you will also need some small ones. However, as a general rule, when I’m buying food containers for use in a fridge or freezer, I won’t buy round. I just find they’re harder to stack and they take up more space. I want to maximize the little amount of space that I have in my fridge, my freezer, and in my food container drawer, so these are a no from me!

 

9 / 10

 

Nine is label tape that is not laminated. What do I mean by that?

 

There are some big differences between paper and laminated tapes. I can immediately tell if something’s been labeled with paper tape, especially on a binder, shelf, or container. The edges get visibly curled and when you peel it off it leaves a filmy residue behind. This is probably my most-avoided product on the list of 10 things I don’t buy because they are just terrible.

 

Why’s laminated tape so special? It won’t curl. It will also last you many years, and it’s weather resistant. You can put them in a freezer, store them in a garage, and even use them outside.

 

So make sure when you’re purchasing a label maker that you look for one that is compatible with laminated label tapes. In the long run, it will save you money, too. You can thank me later 😉

 

10 / 10

 

And last but not least at number ten, we have uncomfortable shoes. Need I say more?

 

I don’t buy any uncomfortable shoes anymore, and here’s why. I’m so tired of breaking in shoes for months on end that never turn comfortable. My husband and I also do a lot of walking and I can’t stand the never-ending blisters I get while wearing them. Even when we go out on vacation, we do a lot of walking. There’s nothing worse than trying to keep up with my husband and friends in uncomfortable shoes. So I will only buy shoes that, when I try them on in the store, are comfortable.

 

Do yourself a favor and go through all of your shoes. Anything that isn’t comfortable ask yourself, do I really wanna keep these? Is the pain worth it? Will I even wear them again?

 

Now, you may have a few pairs of shoes that you wear once or twice a year to special events. For those dressy shoes, I’m now making sure that even they feel nice because I’m just at that point in my life where I want to be comfortable!

 

So look at all those shoes in your closet that you don’t wear. If they’re not comfortable or something doesn’t feel like it fits you right, let’s donate those, consign them, or pass them on to a friend.

 

 

+1 Bonus Tip!

 

And here’s your bonus tip: just because something is free… doesn’t mean you need to bring it home! When you go to a cosmetics counter and they want to load you up on free samples, simply don’t take them! Though these freebies may not be things I don’t “buy” anymore, they are certainly things I don’t bring into my home. The reality is you’ll likely never use them and they’ll just clutter up your bathroom drawers and counters until you throw them out a couple of years later.

 

When you go to a live show or event with free stuff being handed out, stop and ask yourself, do you really want to bring this thing home? Do you want to clutter up your house with more stuff? Remind yourself it’s okay to say no.

Remember, anything that you bring into your home, you’ll have to create space for it. Then find a home for it, and maintain it for the foreseeable future! Save yourself some time and energy by only bringing home the things you will dearly love, use, and that are purposeful in your day-to-day life.

 

Watch the video!

 

I’m curious to know what items you are going to stop buying or bringing into your home! Comment below 😁👇🏼

 

 

 

 

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May 26
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How to Rebuild Your Life in 30 Days

By Blog, Inspiration, Simple Living No Comments

Thinking about how to rebuild your life seems daunting, and even more so when your mind has been swimming in the digital world for too long. The routines and responsibilities that consume our days certainly can take us off track, too.

 

Regardless of any current circumstances, it’s never too late to start living the life you have always wanted! This could mean changing careers, taking personal leave for traveling, changing your education path, switching your diet, or anything!

 

But now is definitely the time to break free from our comfort zones.

 

Today is the day you can begin taking action and making conscious habit adjustments toward the life you want to be living, not just dreaming about.

 

Don’t forget to take some notes as you read through our collection of empowering ideas and actionable steps. Then put them into play and start rebuilding your life today for a smoother, more efficient tomorrow!

 

How to Rebuild Your Life in 30 days:

 

1. Get out of your comfort zone. Book that class you’ve always wanted to try, reconnect with old friends, or take yourself on a date to that new restaurant you’ve been wanting to try. Do something to shake up your usual routine today!

2. Do something great for your community. A community is deemed successful when every member participates in its success. Check your nearest charitable shelter and see if you can donate any of their most-needed items or clean up any trash in your own neighborhood today!

3. Prioritize your own well-being. As a mother, provider, or just an all-around busy person, our own needs often get left unmet. Take today to do something you’ve been procrastinating about doing for yourself as a step to rebuild your life.

4. Random acts of kindness. Nothing feels better than going out of our way to make somebody else’s day, or even week. Today, do something generous for someone else without them having to ask. They will appreciate it tenfold!

5. Assess the people in your life. Take some time today to think about your inner circle and acquaintances. Do they lift you up? Are they ready to support you when you need it most, or do they dampen your success because they aren’t happy with themselves? In order to rebuild your life, you’ll need to edit your circle accordingly.

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6. Wear your heart on your sleeve. If you see something – say something! Who doesn’t love a random compliment? Open up to those around you and say what is truly on your mind today.

7. Walk around your neighborhood. We often don’t appreciate our environments enough in our busy day-to-day lives. Take some time to enjoy the little things in your own community today.

8. Forgive those who have wronged you. Anger, resentment, and bitterness only affect the one experiencing them. If you’ve been long holding onto an old grudge, use today to think about forgiving them (even if only in your own mind).

9. Write what you don’t want. At times, you may not know what you want when you start to rebuild your life, so it’s easier to start with what you don’t want. Today, write a list of the habits you want to improve, and then make your action plan from there!

10. Assess your career. Do you have any unfinished goals from last year? Are you happy with the position you have now? Take today to think about what you can pick up and continue on, or how you can improve where you aren’t currently satisfied in your workspace.

11. Recite positive affirmations. This may sound silly at first, but stay with me. Repeating positive affirmations each day helps to stick them in your brain. From here you can manifest the life you desire by believing you are already living it. Try writing 3 of your own today!

12. Identify what your talents are. Do you have an underdeveloped talent? If there is something you’ve always had an inkling you’re a natural at, today’s the day to book a class, a workshop, or just practice improving that skill!

13. Be open to compliments. When receiving a compliment on something personal, work you have done, or anything else – learn to wholly accept it! Just say “Thank you, I really appreciate that” and end it there! Embrace the parts of yourself that others see as admirable. See yourself through anothers’ eyes today.

14. Define what success means to you. Sometimes we measure ourselves against one another, which is detrimental because our version of success will never match with another’s! Take some time today to think about what success means to you, and how you can chase more of that.

15. Look for mentors around you. Our mentors can be found in many unexpected places. Think about the people you admire and why you admire them. Then send a message today to connect with the person that first comes to mind.

16. Write it all out. Remember those “pros and cons” lists? That’s our exercise to rebuild your life for today! List out everything that isn’t working in your life right now and convert each negative into a positive, actionable step.

17. Find a support network. Plan a lunch date with your besties or catch up with family today. If you don’t have a direct support network, try reaching out to community groups online or in your area.

18. Read a book. We might think we have all the answers, but we certainly never will! Today, look at your problems through the lens of a professional by picking up a book for your most pressing personal challenge.

19. Embrace unexpected change. Have to move homes last minute? Got laid off from your job? Is something shifting in your life or business? It might not feel okay now, but life will always go on! Sometimes the most unnerving changes lead to the best chapters of our lives yet. Look at a negative situation from the bright side today.

20. Give back to those who’ve helped you. Has someone been there for you through a very critical time in your life? Reach out to them today even if only to express gratitude once more, but also check in with them to see if they’re needing any support, too.

21. Get away from everyday life. Everyone deserves a break every now and then! If booking a relaxing international trip is not feasible for you right now, use today to look into how you can book a getaway in a neighboring city. Or do what I’m doing today and work from your car overlooking the river! A change of scenery once a week may be all you need.

22. Turn your passion into profit. Do you have a hobby that intrigues others? Research ways you can turn your passion into a side hustle today and enjoy a little extra income each month!

23. Quit the excuses. If you notice a little voice in your head putting down everything that excites you, today is the day to nip it in the bud. Write out the excuses (with no shame!) that are holding you back from being able to rebuild your life and notice how they’re usually not even rational to begin with.

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24. Set your new goals. Goals can be tricky to stick to after that first month of the new year. If you’ve passed on some of your goals, accept that they weren’t for your current path and move forwards with new goals in sight today.

25. Track your progress. Don’t let yourself get so busy that you don’t see the big moves you’re making! Today, be sure to make a habit tracker or designate a location to track the progress you’re making. And celebrate it!

26. Get your body moving. It’s not a myth that movement is one of the best things for anybody. Prioritize exercise or simple body movements throughout today to get your blood and mind flowing.

 

27. Cross off some to-do’s. If you’ve had a to-do task on your list for way too long, take a step toward getting it done today. It will feel so good to have that weight off your shoulders as you rebuild your life!

28. Declutter your environment. “Stuff” has a phenomenal impact on our mental and physical health, and not always in a good way. Choose a space in your home to focus on today, and declutter anything that doesn’t serve a purpose. I woke up last weekend with the thought, “It’s time to get rid of some research papers in my office!” and that’s exactly what I did. I only spent 5 minutes on that task, plus I felt lighter afterward!

29. Identify time-sucking distractions. Nowadays, many people get sucked into the virtual world and hours can fly by without notice. Today, objectively assess your day and see where you can minimize distractions, implement timed-use rules, and start focusing your energy on what really matters.

30. Allow yourself to be happy. So many of us feel guilty for enjoying a slow, beautiful moment. We often think there is something we should be doing instead, and this takes away from us really living our lives. Today, focus on allowing yourself to embrace the in-between moments throughout your day.

 

 

As you reflect on these various ways to rebuild your life, remember that all changes begin with a small step and shift in mindset. Commit to prioritizing your personal and familial wellness, nurturing positive relationships, and pursuing your passions.

 

With each new day, you have a unique opportunity to alter the direction of your life and make a positive impact on your community.

 

Take advantage of these opportunities to rebuild your life now, life is too short not to!

 

Which tips will you be practicing today? Comment below!

 

 

 

 

 

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