January 05, 2024

Smart Strategies for Storing Your Holiday Decorations

January 05, 2024/ Jeannine

As the holiday season winds down, many of us face the challenge of organizing and storing our festive decorations. With January 6th (in my homeland of Germany)- often celebrated as the end of the Holiday season - just around the corner, it's time to think about packing away our holiday cheer. Here are some tips on how to efficiently organize and store your holiday decorations, ensuring they stay safe, clean and ready for the next season.

Planning and Decluttering: The first step in this post-holiday ritual is planning. Begin by assessing all your decorations. Lay them out and categorize them. This process helps you understand what you have, what needs repair, and what might not be worth keeping. The mantra here is decluttering. If you come across broken lights or an ornament that no longer brings joy, consider letting it go. This not only frees up storage space but also simplifies your decorating decisions next year. Remember, effective organization is as much about removing the unnecessary as it is about neatly storing the essential.

Organizing Decorations: Once you've streamlined your collection, it’s time to organize. Group your decorations by type – ornaments, lights, wreaths, figurines. If certain items are specific to rooms or certain display areas, group them accordingly. This categorization makes unpacking next year intuitive and quick. Labeling is your best friend here. Clearly mark each storage box with its contents. It’s a simple step that saves a lot of time and guesswork in the future.

Packing Tips: Packing decorations properly is crucial for their longevity. For delicate ornaments, use tissue paper or bubble wrap to prevent breakage. Specialized compartmentalized boxes can offer additional protection. String lights, notorious for tangling, can be neatly wound around a piece of cardboard. For your artificial tree, if the original box is no longer an option, a tree storage bag is a great investment. Compressing and securing branches minimizes space and protects the tree’s shape.

Choosing Storage Containers: The right storage containers can make a world of difference. Opt for durable, moisture-resistant options to protect your decorations from environmental factors, especially if they're stored in places like basements or attics. Space efficiency is another consideration. Stackable containers maximize storage space and keep your decorations organized and accessible.

Storing Your Decorations: Selecting the right spot to store your decorations is as important as the packing process. Choose a cool, dry area to prevent any damage from humidity or temperature fluctuations. If you’re using spaces like basements or attics, ensure they are free from potential water damage or extreme heat. Also, think about the order of storage. Place items that you’re likely to use first next season in more accessible spots. This thoughtful placement will save you time and effort.

Storing holiday decorations might seem like a daunting task, but with a bit of planning and organization, it can be managed efficiently. The effort you put in now not only preserves your treasured decorations but also sets the stage for a smoother, more enjoyable holiday season next year.

November 17, 2023

How Organization and Cleanliness Foster Mental Well-being

November 17, 2023/ Jeannine

In our fast-paced world, the sanctity of our home can significantly impact our mental health. An organized and clean living space is not just about aesthetics; it's a foundation for a clearer mind and a more peaceful life. As a professional organizer with a background in psychology, I've seen firsthand how the state of our homes can mirror and influence our mental state.

The Psychology of a Clutter-Free Space: Clutter isn't just physical. It creates mental clutter as well. A study from the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute found that clutter overloads our senses, making us feel stressed and impeding our ability to think creatively and clearly. When we clear our space, we're also clearing our minds, allowing for better focus and productivity.

Organization as a Stress Reliever: Living in an organized space can significantly reduce the stress and anxiety that comes from feeling overwhelmed by our environment. A study by Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin found that individuals with cluttered homes experienced higher cortisol levels, a stress hormone. By organizing our spaces, we can create a sense of calm and control, which is especially crucial for those experiencing anxiety. Coming home to a clear kitchen counter can make all the difference in feeling motivated to cook a healthy meal vs. buying takeout because the kitchen clutter is in the way of a working space.

The Power of a Clean Home: Cleanliness goes hand-in-hand with organization. Regular cleaning not only maintains the physical health of our homes but also contributes to a more serene and mentally restful environment. The smell of your home can also contribute to feeling comfortable in it and some ways to keep a fresh smelling home are:

1.Open windows to let fresh air in and circulate throughout your home. This helps in reducing stale air and any associated odors.

2.Regularly clean the garbage disposal, fridge, and oven, and take out the trash promptly to avoid food-related odors.

3. Frequently wash linens, blankets, and pillows, as fabrics can harbor odors. If you have a fabric sofa or carpet, I recommend hiring a professional carpet cleaner to shampoo them at least twice a year to avoid lingering odors from pets.

Creating Mindful Spaces: Organizing and cleaning our homes is more than a physical act; it's a practice in mindfulness. It's about making intentional choices about what we keep in our lives and why. This mindfulness can extend to other areas of our lives, encouraging us to live more intentionally and in the present moment.

The connection between a clean and organized home and our mental well-being is undeniable. As we strive for a balanced and fulfilling life, let's not overlook the power of our physical spaces. Remember, an organized home is not just about tidiness; it's a step towards a more peaceful and mentally healthy life.

July 07, 2022

Is Minimalism for you?

July 07, 2022/ Jeannine

If you want to live a minimalist lifestyle and be happier in the process, there are many things you can do. You don’t have to get rid of everything immediately—just start with one thing at a time! The point is not to spend so much money or take up so much space that it makes life miserable. Minimalism means living mindfully with what we have, sharing resources responsibly and valuing experiences over possessions.

Sustainability

The most obvious benefit of minimalism is that it's good for the planet. The less you own, the lighter your footprint on the environment. By reducing your carbon footprint, you're reducing your impact on global warming and other environmental issues like deforestation and water pollution.

Minimalism also reduces wastefulness: less stuff means less garbage to toss out after its useful life has ended. Minimalists can spend more time with their families instead of waiting in line at stores or sitting at home cleaning their house (or both). They have more money left over after paying bills each month because they don't have as much debt due to credit card purchases or payments for large items like cars or houses that depreciate over time. This frees up money for things like traveling experiences, which are far more valuable than possessions anyway!

Effortlessly tidy

Minimalism helps you to be tidy. It’s all about keeping things simple, and the less stuff you have, the easier it is to keep everything neat and tidy.

Minimalism helps you to be organised. By having fewer things, there are fewer options for where to put them – so it becomes easier to find a home for each item in your home or office when organising it.

Minimalism helps you to be more efficient because there is less clutter around your home or workspace which can increase productivity as well as make life simpler by reducing stress levels due to the constant need for tidying up after yourself throughout the day

Save money

Have you ever gone to the mall and looked at all the different things in the stores? Or gone online and looked at all the different options for a product? It can be overwhelming, especially when you don't really need anything.

But it's not just about having less stuff. It's also about saving money. When there's less stuff to buy, that means there are fewer items on your wishlist! With fewer items on your wishlist, that means there will be less money spent on unneeded products or services. This has a two-fold effect: one is that it helps keep costs down; two is that it reduces clutter and makes life easier overall (especially if you're short on space).

Happier

When you simplify your life, you have more time to focus on what is important.
Minimalism can help you live in the moment. You’ll be less distracted and more present with those around you.
If minimalism helps create a calm environment, then it may also inspire creativity, which can lead to more productivity at work or home.

Minimalism can help you live in a way that’s better for the planet, better for you, better for your budget and better for the future

Minimalism is a way of living that helps you focus on what’s important. It's not about having less stuff, it's about having less and focusing on what's important. Minimalism is about living a meaningful life, being present in the moment, and feeling at peace with yourself and with the world around you.

Minimalism can help you live in a way that’s better for the planet, better for you, better for your budget and better for the future.

Minimalism is a way of living that helps you focus on what’s important. It's not about having less stuff, it's about having less and focusing on what's important. Minimalism is about living a meaningful life, being present in the moment, and feeling at peace with yourself and with the world around you.

Minimalism can help you live in a way that’s better for the planet, better for you, better for your budget and better for the future.

January 04, 2022

The importance of taking a break and how it can help with motivation and focus

January 04, 2022/ Jeannine

When was the last time you took a break?

Taking a break is more important than ever as we approach year-end deadlines, vacations and a new year. Many of us are also working from home which has distrubed many of the daily rhythms that might trigger taking a break. With that in mind, let’s take a look at why it’s important to take a break when it comes to your mental and physical health. Then we will learn how taking a break boosts motivation and focus.

Taking a break is important for your health

When you’re working, you slowly lose concentration and focus. In fact, studies show our attention span really only lasts anywhere from 15 to 40 minutes. We also slowly develop decision fatigue.

“Willpower and focus and concentration and working on problem-solving are all coming from the same pool of cognitive resources. More significantly, it’s really a scarce resource that’s easily depleted,” said expert Kathy Sierra.

Taking a break resets your baseline. When you take a break, your body can refuel your levels of concentration, problem-solving and focus. Without breaks, your brain is running on fumes.

While you’re working, you are under stress. Sometimes that’s healthy stress, sometimes it’s more severe. Either way, it’s clear that you, your body and your brain are not relaxed while working. Researchers have found that breaks can reduce stress and even prevent it if done right.

Taking a break is perhaps as important for you physically as it is mentally. For example, your eyes operate differently when looking at a computer screen for a prolonged amount of time. That means less blinking and more strain. So, taking a break allows the eye muscles to relax. Likewise, your wrists and arms from typing and using the mouse can become fatigued in unnatural positions and prolonged usage. Sitting too long is hard on certain muscles and can even raise the risk of a heart attack. On the contrary, if you can make active breaks a habit, you can really help your health.

“It’s clear that you, your body and your brain are not relaxed while working. Researchers have found that breaks can reduce stress and even prevent it if done right.”

Taking a break is a motivation hack

When you’re working, your brain is constantly engaged to help you achieve the task or goal at hand. That’s very taxing so when you take a break and let your mind rest, it renews your motivation all on it’s own. You gain motivation by switching your brain into a different mode. Our brains have two modes: “focused mode” and “diffuse mode.” The focus mode is where our brains are on a set path and mode of thinking. In diffuse, we allow our minds to wander and follow natural trains of thought. Both modes are good and necessary, but diffuse mode is often when we have breakthroughs (think of how often you’ve had a great idea in the shower or on a walk), improved creativity and when we solve problems. When something like that happens on your break, you’re more likely to go back into focus mode motivated and ready to tackle the task at hand!

Breaks can also motivate many people to focus and finish in order to earn a brief respite.

Need help focusing? Breaks are the answer

As we’ve seen, our brains and bodies do not have an endless supply of energy and power. They need breaks to reset and refresh. By mindfully planning and engaging in breaks, you are giving your brain the ability to focus by taking it off task, letting it wander a bit and then allowing it to refocus with renewed energy.

Taking a break is defined simply as “a brief cessation of work, physical exertion, or activity.” With that in mind, don’t over-complicate taking breaks, but be sure to work them into your day. If you need ideas for taking breaks, try the five ideas listed here.

December 15, 2021

Unsubscribe to get your email inbox organized

December 15, 2021/ Jeannine

If you are annoyed by never-ending spam emails, subscriptions and constant dings from your notifications, consider unsubscribing to declutter your mailbox and take your peace back. To manage your inbox and organize it, means to divide it into categories and start tidying, just like physical stuff. You want to say goodbye to clutter and only keep things that are important or spark joy. Ideally, your email inbox is empty and only has new emails that have not been read and/or emails that need to be answered. Here are some tips to get your email inbox organized:

Unsubscribe from subscriptions. Remember that one time you signed up at a store or inline to receive a discount? Well, the company has automatically subscribed you to their email list and is not authorized to send you advertisements daily. You can manage your subscription preferences either in your customer account by the company or unsubscribe through your email provider.

Spam emails. Mark as spam and delete them right away. If there is not an unsubscribe button and the sender keeps sending you unsolicited offers, you can block the email and/or flag them, so they won’t show up in your inbox anymore.

Archive Important emails. Emails that are important, such as order confirmations, client correspondences or anything else that you need to get back to in the future . The Archive action removes the message from view in the inbox and puts it in the All Mail area, in case you ever need it again. When you archive an email, you file it away for future reference. And if someone responds to an email that was archived, it will reappear in your Inbox. Archiving is the best solution for emails that you want out of the inbox but for which there's a good chance you might need them later.

Maintaining your inbox. Be cautious about revealing your email address. It is a piece of personal information that scammers like to get a hold of, some even sell it to third parties that keep the spam coming. Alternatively, you can create a “throwaway” email account to sign up for offers and discounts or use a temp email service to keep your personal information safe. Schedule some time (15-30min) each month to edit and organize your inbox to keep it neat and tidy.

December 11, 2021

Six Eco-friendly gift ideas for your enterpreneur, mom or zero waste friend

December 11, 2021/ Jeannine

Only two more weeks until Christmas and if you still have some gifting to do, look no further. We made a list of six sustainable and green gifts to give this season that won’t break the bank and do good for the planet. These gifts are great for the hardworking entrepreneur, busy mom or your zero waste-oriented friends. Whether they live in San Diego or Chicago using these items will reduce waste and make sure to spark joy.

Laundry detergent sheets. Say goodbye to single-use plastic jugs and packaging that pollute our landfills and oceans; even the package is made from natural materials, is recyclable, and is septic safe. The concentrated sheets have strong cleaning power and are biodegradable. They work in all water temperatures and are compatible with front and top-loading, high-efficiency washing machines. 
Reusable straws. Whether you choose metal or bendable silicone straws, they are both eco-friendly alternatives to one-use-only plastic straws. One set of reusable straws can be used for years, replacing hundreds or thousands of plastic straws. They usually come with a travel bag, cleaning brush and are dishwasher safe. 
Mesh produce bags. Skip the plastic bag in the produce isle and use these lightweight high-grade organic cotton bags with double stitching that can carry over 20 pounds. These kitchen reusable grocery bags are zero waste and fully biodegradable. Forget about any plastic or heavy metal toggles and closure beads. Use these drawstring mesh bags hundreds of times and they will still retain their quality. Each reusable bag is safe for the storage of food. The mesh allows for easy identification of contents and provides excellent air circulation. You can hang full bags of onions, potatoes, and garlic by the drawstring for extra pantry space. 
Reusable Make up remover pads. Ever wonder what happens to all the disposable cotton rounds when you throw them in the garbage? They take several years to degrade and impact our environment. These washable cotton rounds not only save you money but make a substantial reduction in waste.  
Beeswax food wrap. These reusable food wraps are ideal for any family that packs a lunch for school or work. They are not only environmentally friendly and highly sustainable but also make sure your food stays fresher for longer.  
Eco-friendly beauty bars. Over 40% of the plastic comes from product packaging; 80 Billion plastic bottles disposed of around the world each year are from shampoo & conditioner alone. Beauty bars are made for the hair, face and use biodegradable ingredients and compostable packaging so all solid bars leave no trace.

October 20, 2021

Simplify and Streamline: Tips for Downsizing Your Home

October 20, 2021/ Jeannine

Downsizing your home can help homeowners in many ways. Whether you’re selling your home or not, downsizing offers many benefits. It’s a great way to simplify your life by unloading the burden of accumulated possessions and creating a new living space. And if you have decided the time is right to start looking for a smaller home, or if you intend to begin researching senior care facilities in the area, shedding unneeded items will make it easier to attract a buyer and allow you to make a fresh start in your new home. If you're planning to sell your home as a means of downsizing, check these items off your list to get the most out of selling your home.

Start purging

Prospective buyers want to see a home with good flow and plenty of space, an environment they can envision making their own. Going room by room, make a list of things you’ll throw away, donate, or give away to others, and arrange everything based on that criteria. Make a point to get rid of anything you don’t need anymore, especially any duplicate items. Don’t forget to move out any excess furniture or decorative items that make it difficult to move around easily or make your home’s interior too busy. Remember, you want buyers to see your space through their eyes, not yours, so do as much as you can to create space. If you keep your interior as simple as possible, you should be in good shape. You can always put things into storage while you’re showing your house.

Ridding yourself of things you no longer use or need shouldn’t limit you to the kitchen, your basement, or attic. Take a broader view and get rid of old clothes and shoes, as well as any worn furniture that doesn’t fit in anymore. Old dresses and suits take up a lot of space and can make your closets look overwhelmed and disordered. Consider giving them to Goodwill or placing them in consignment. And remember, you can do the same thing with the furniture you no longer need or want. A good rule of thumb is to unload anything you can do without or that doesn’t have considerable emotional significance for you and your family.

Start early and plan ahead

Sorting through your belongings can be a difficult and emotional task. It’s not something you want to be doing at the last minute or if you’re up against a looming deadline. Take your time and do it right by planning ahead and starting as soon as possible. It’s also a good way to avoid making a mistake and purging or losing something you want to keep.

Timing

Connect with your agent to check the market conditions before committing to selling. The last thing you want to do is head down that path if it means your chances of getting top value are less than ideal. You may find that you’re unlikely to even cover your current mortgage. Check out recent sales to see if similarly sized and priced homes have sold in your area. That will help you make a final decision and establish a selling price.

The condition of your home

Another key criterion is the state of your home. If your roof needs to be repaired or replaced, or if there’s a problem with your foundation, you may need to shift priorities and invest in some needed renovations before you can place your home on the market. It’s a considerable investment, but a new roof will make your home much more attractive to potential buyers who are apt to look elsewhere if they’ll have to pay for repairs later.

Opportunity for a fresh start

Downsizing is an important task if you’re moving to a smaller home or care facility, simplifying your life, or just trying to be environmentally responsible. Do it in your own time and at your own pace, bearing in mind what you want your home to look like once you’ve finished. Whatever your motivation, see it as an opportunity to make a fresh start.

Are you in need of a professional organizer to help tidy up your place? Tidy Closet provides home organization, workshops, retreats and other resources to help declutter and clarify your living spaces. Contact us today

April 29, 2021

Weekly, monthly and annual cleaning check list

April 29, 2021/ Jeannine

Hi Tidy Friends,

Remembering when to clean and what to clean, can be a daunting task when you don’t have a routine schedule for home management. The biggest lie I tell myself every day is that “I will remember that”. If this reminds you of yourself you might find the lists I created below helpful in scheduling home cleaning tasks. They are suggestions on when to clean what, but of course, they can be personalized to your own needs. Let me know what you think, I hope they will help you stay on top of things!

Happy cleaning,

Janine

“All time management begins with planning ”

— Brian Tracy

Free Download here

February 03, 2021

How to create a visionboard and get inspired for your ideal life

February 03, 2021/ Jeannine

Have you ever set yourself a goal at the beginning of the year and then life happened and you forgot all about it? You are not alone. Just mentally taking a note on something that you would like to accomplish someday is not very convincing to your brain or your memory. Studies show that writing down your goals and creating a vision board often lead you to actually accomplish them. If you have never made a vision board here are some important tips on how to create one that reflects your ideal life:

Things you’ll need
I highly recommend making a physical vision board (a virtual one will do too if you keep it in sight) and there are some things you’ll need: Foam Board or Poster Board, (old) Magazines, Construction or Scrapbook paper, Scissors, stickers, markers, glue stick, washi tape, etc
Get creative
There is no wrong or right way to organize your vision-board, it can be collage-style or have borders, it can be goal-specific or have goals from different aspects of life, it can be colorful or monochrome, whichever sparks most joy for you. Cut out words and pictures that speak to you and that align with the goals you have in mind.
Hang it somewhere where you can see it
Oftentimes our craft projects end up somewhere stored in our closets or garages until we find “the perfect place” to put them. Do not put off hanging your vision board up right away. I recommend hanging it in your closet where you can see it at least twice a day so you will be reminded subconsciously and you can manifest your goals in your daily life.

Now that you have step by step instructions on how to create your vision board get on it. I have made one every year and it is amazing to see how far you have come when you look at it year from now. I would love to see your board; tag me on your social media account @tidyclosetsd to share your creation if this article inspired you <3

October 14, 2020

Fifteen Kitchen Organization Ideas

October 14, 2020/ Jeannine

The center of every home is the kitchen. That’s because people have to eat and food is a fun, celebratory, communal and ritualistic part of our human experience. So, whether you’re a world-class chef or just have a world-record in being hangry, having your kitchen organized is essential to maximizing this memory and meal-making space.

There’s a lot going on in the kitchen between food, prepping, cooking and storing so there are many ways to tackle getting it organized. Let’s look at 15 ideas that will help you get your kitchen organized.

1. Decide what to keep category by category. You might instinctively choose to organize your kitchen drawer by drawer or cabinet by cabinet. Instead, consider tackling each and every item according to the category it belongs to all at once. In this way, you’ll go through all your utensils at once. You’ll go through all of your appliances at once. You’ll even go through all of your food items category by category. When doing so, gather every like-item and create the pile so that you can use the “Power of the Pile” when deciding what to keep. The “Power of the Pile” happens by seeing all items in one category at a time, piled together. It helps lessen the pang of getting rid of stuff because there is so much visually apparent, but the pile also helps you to see and eliminate duplicates.

2. Store things category by category. You’ll also do well to store your items category by category. In this way, when you go to choose a pot, tupperware container, spice or condiment, you’ll see all of your options at once. Storing things this way helps you and your family to be more efficient when using things and reduces the effort needed to put things away. That’s because everything in each category goes with all of it’s category members, making it a “no-brainer.”

3. Don’t use surfaces for storage. The temptation can be to store appliances or other items on your counters, but you need that surface space for the art of cooking and preparing food! If you can find a home for everything in your kitchen while keeping your counters clear, you’ll be amazed at how much easier and freely you’ll be able to work. By keeping your counters clear, your kitchen will be more functional and you’ll have less visual clutter. An added bonus is your kitchen will be easier to keep clean if the surfaces are clear. A clean kitchen is a happy kitchen! Plus, studies have shown we eat more the more clutter and messes there are in the kitchen!

4. Remove unnecessary visual clutter. Speaking of visual clutter, consider purchasing items to house your soaps, oils, and other items that will allow you to eliminate the unnecessary visual clutter and will instead spark joy. Visual clutter competes with your ability to focus on what’s important and it wears us out. If you can’t purchase items for your kitchen liquids yet, you may consider removing labels from these items while they are in use in your kitchen until you can afford to replace them with containers that add to your delight while in your kitchen.

5. Simplify the gadgets and appliances. Take a look at the tools and kitchen gadgets you have. Is there a simpler way that you perform a task than what your gadgets and tools call for? For example, do you actually use the apple slicer or do you use a knife? Do you need the grilled-cheese sandwich maker or do you cook them on your cast iron skillet? If you prefer to perform a task in a simpler way than what your gadgets or tools call for, it’s time for them to go.

6. Ditch the duplicates. Many times we have more than one thing that we don’t need. You might have two can openers, five round pie pans and three crock pots. If you’re honest with yourself, you probably have a favorite of every duplicate that is your go-to, the one that you always reach for, even though you have options. While you’re being honest with yourself, you probably can admit you don’t need more than one. Ditching the duplicates will give you the space to store things easily and eliminate the need to make decisions about which of the duplicates to use! It’ll be a win-win.

7. Make things easy to put away. When organizing your items in cabinets and drawers consider Marie Kondo’s advice that storage should reduce the effort needed to put things away. Situate your cabinets and drawers in such a way that everything is easy to put away when clean. That means every item has a specific home that is easy to get to.

8. Give the most used items the best real estate. Store things that you use daily in the easiest-to-get-to spots. While you’re at it, make sure those spots are close to where you’re going to use them, i.e. pots near the stove and coffee cups near the coffee machine. Save the step-stool-needed spots for items you’re only going to use just once or twice a year.

9. Maximize drawer space. Drawers are useful and helpful in a kitchen but it is up to you to ensure you use your drawers to their full potential. This means no drawers with loose items! Instead, each drawer should have containers or separators allowing the space to be organized and functional.

10. Consider vertically folding your kitchen linens. Speaking of drawers, consider folding your kitchen towels, napkins and other linens vertically inside drawers. Doing so allows you to see everything at once when opening the drawer and it better maximizes the space in the drawer. When folding vertically, you will fold an item width-wise in thirds, then in-half lengthwise and finally in thirds. This will allow you to find the perfect rectangle shape that will balance in your drawer.

11. Keep things that spark joy. Everything in your kitchen should spark joy. Is that surprising? Well, it’s true. Your dishes, appliances, foods and containers should contribute to the peace and happiness you feel when in your kitchen. As you go through items from your kitchen category by category, feel free to let go of items that do not make you feel that way. In some cases, you might have to keep items that are important and functional but do not spark joy. Keep those only until you can afford to replace them with items that serve the same function but spark joy.

12. Don’t be a Monica. You may remember Monica from friends keeping separate special dishes for guests. If your special dishes bring you joy, consider using them everyday. We are looking to spark joy in our home, in our kitchen and at mealtimes. If the special dishes do that, why wait for a special occasion to use them? Life is short, every day is a special occasion, so use the dishes you love and ditch the ones you don’t! Consider downsizing any dishes that don’t spark joy.

13. Consider clear storage containers. Clear storage containers for your spices, bulk items and any other applicable food item are a great way to organize your kitchen. The matching clear containers reduce visual clutter and “word pollution” from labels and logos. They also allow you to see clearly what’s in the container and how much remains which will help when grocery shopping. Consider adding small, neat and matching labels with the names of items inside.

14. Help the kids help you. If there are kids that are consuming food from the kitchen and contributing to the mess and they’re able, we want to enlist their help. That means storing their items like snacks, dishes and lunchboxes in places that are easy for them to get out and easy for them to put away. Consider that concept when assigning homes to your items in cabinets, drawers, pantries and fridges.

15. Remember, space is okay. As you minimize then organize your kitchen, feel free to leave margin and space in the drawers, cabinets, pantry and fridge. In your cabinets, it’ll mean it’s easy to put things away and get things out. In your pantry, it’ll mean you can see what you have when you get ready to go grocery shopping. In your fridge, it will mean you have room for leftovers and meal prep. Overall, it’ll mean your kitchen is spacious, enjoyable to be in, easy to use, and easy to maintain

Most of us have fond memories in the kitchen and all of us have reasons to be in the kitchen. If that’s true, why not strive to make the kitchen a joyful and functional place to be? These 15 organizing ideas can help you do just that. By being mindful about what we keep, how we keep it and where we keep it, we can all make our kitchens places we want to be.

March 29, 2020

I am challenging you to a 10 WEEKS OF DECLUTTERING CHALLENGE!!

March 29, 2020/ Jeannine

San Diego Professional Organizer Konmari Consultant 10 Week tidy home challenge folding el cajon lakeside marie kondo

Is Corona virus leaving you stuck at home? Now is the time to get organized and stay that way. Join us on our 10 week spring de-cluttering challenge, where we as a community get organized together. No matter if you live in San Diego, Antarctica or Germany, this is for everyone that is willing to give it a try.

During these 10 weeks you will:

Figure out what your ideal lifestyle looks like
learn to decide what sparks joy and what does not
learn to let go with gratitude
organize in an efficient and practical way
create a effortlessly tidy home
be able to apply these principles to all aspect of life

Pre-Organization: Create a Vision for your ideal Life
WEEK ONE: CLOTHES: (timeline 3-6 hours)
WEEK TWO: Books: (Timeline 1-4 hours)
WEEK THREE: Papers/Office supplies (Timeline 4-6 hours)
WEEK FOUR: Bathroom/Beauty supplies (Timeline 3-6 Hours)
WEEK FIVE: Electronics (2-4 Hours)
WEEK SIX: Kitchen (Timeline 4-8hours)
WEEK SEVEN: Cleaning Supplies/Linens (Timeline 2-3 hours)
WEEK EIGHT: Toys/Pets (Timeline 2-4 hours)
WEEK NINE: Hobbies (2-6 Hours)
WEEK TEN: Sentimental's (Timeline 2-4 Hours)
Post-Organization: Permanent Storage Solutions

This Challenge will start on May 4tth. I will guide your through all the categories and give you helpful tips on how to de-clutter and organize efficiently and permanently.

If you would like to accept this challenge and get your home in order once and for all come join our 10 Week Challenge Facebook group to participate via our online platform.

Join Challenge

March 18, 2020

Organizing a schedule while being confined at home

March 18, 2020/ Jeannine

San Diego professional organizer KonMari Consultant organizing tidying virtual sessions el cajon

With many San Diego schools, businesses and events being cancelled, we are now getting the gift of time. Time at home with our kids, time to finish the one or two projects we have started or maybe even to organize and deep clean our homes.

Here are some tips from a local San Diego professional organizer and KonMari Consultant on how to handle scheduling and hire help during the social distancing period.

Set yourself (and your kids) some goals for the day:
Clean out the fridge or getting your daily steps in by taking a walk, make sure you give yourself a goal to accomplish to feel productive. Your kids should have their goals too; finishing homework, doing their chores and maybe work on a project together (maybe learning how to prepare a meal?)
Make sure to get some sun:
One hour per day should be set aside for outside time. Play some soccer with the kids or take your bike out for a ride. Research shows that going outside is good for your health, lowers depression and it gives us a break from these overwhelmingly negative news on TV.
Time out for screens:
Make sure to turn off the screens and read a book that you have been wanting to read or play a board game with your family. Puzzles can be a great alternative for activating your memory and increasing focus.
Support small business:
Especially in times like these it is more important than ever to keep supporting small business. Even though we can’t physically go into crowded places and attend events, we can still order a to go meal from a local restaurant, buy a gift card from a local store online or take advantage of online classes/ virtual sessions offered.

March 02, 2020

3 Ideas on how to make de-cluttering fun

March 02, 2020/ Jeannine

Getting organized when you feel overwhelmed can be hard. Finding time to start, when you are busy is challenging. An organizing marathon is not for everybody. If you are like me, challenges make it fun. Get together with a friend or join an online community like the KonMari+Dave Ramsey Facebook Group to find motivation, inspiration and accountability. Here are some ideas and fun challenges to help you enjoy the process.

Make a vision Board of your perfect lifestyle and hang it up in your closet to remind you of the why.
When you have a visual of the things that you value and desire, you are more likely to think about them. Make sure you create your vision board around how you want to feel in all areas of your life such as home, career, relationships, money, travel or personal growth. Once you know what’s important to you, you can delegate your time into achieving your goals. Visualization can be one of the most powerful exercises you can do and there is research to prove t too. Psychology Today reported that a study looking at brain patterns in weightlifters found that the patterns activated when a weightlifter lifted hundreds of pounds were similarly activated when they only imagined lifting. In some cases, research has revealed that mental practices are almost effective as true physical practice, and that doing both is more effective than either alone.
Play the Min-Game Challenge!
The rules are easy. You have 30 days to de-clutter and it starts with one item on day 1, then two items on day 2, three items on day 3 and so on. The further you get into the moth the more challenging it gets. At the end of the Month you have gotten rid of about 465 items! The great thing about this challenge is that it does not take a lot of time and once you get into it, it is hard to stop. There is also a whole community playing this game online and sharing their progress, you can find them on Instagram with the hashtag #minsgame to join.
Make Money!
It does not matter if you are moving, just moved in or have lived in your home for a couple of decades, making money is always helpful. Many of my clients plan to hold a yard sale at the end of their organizing journey. Make sure you set yourself a date and advertise it to hold yourself accountable. Through the process of de-cluttering your home you might even come across some unused gift cards, gift certificates or even checks that have not been deposited. The thing to remember is to price your items that they will sell. The money is already gone and you have decided that all these items are going, so remembering that all of it is going to donations afterward anyways, should give you a realistic outlook on money goals. Any money you make is going to be a profit.

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