Organize – Jackie Layton

I walked into my office this morning and cringed. I’ve spent the last couple of weeks promoting Clutter Free and brainstorming a new book. It didn’t occur to me that my desk had gotten out of control.

This would require fortification, so I made my second cup of coffee then got to work. I filed marketing notes, moved paperwork not related to the new book, and threw away unnecessary items.

I kept a few notes on the new book, and I decided shifting my laptop to the left might make it easier to take handwritten notes on my right. I also have two new history books to keep nearby. So for now, I have my computer, sticky notes, pens, and reference books close by. This may only last a day, but for this rainy morning, I feel organized and ready to write.

How about you? Can you write at a messy desk?

Today, I’d like to welcome my new friend Heather Kinder. She’s a professional organizer. Whether you need help organizing or it’s your passion, I think you’ll enjoy meeting her.

My name is Heather Kinder and I am a professional home organizer. I started a company called Creating Harmony to help do just that. We help people make room for the things they love by organizing, decluttering, and simplifying storage spaces.

The things that we own can be important and valuable. They can make life more comfortable, easier, and even more meaningful. Clothing, furniture, collectibles, family heirlooms, can all add value to your life. They can also overwhelm and distract you from focusing on your priorities.

Since I started organizing professionally, I’ve learned a few things. First, we tend to value all our belongings equally based on from who we acquired them, or how we acquired them. Grandmothers’ pearls might not hold the same value as her favorite spatula. It’s okay, let the spatula go. Or keep the spatula and give those family heirloom pearls to a daughter or niece. This is also true for items that we spent a lot of money on but now don’t use. The same goes for items we got for free. Regardless of the cost, let them go. They will find a good home and be put to good use by someone who needs them.

Secondly, I find people struggle with making decisions on what to keep and what to give away. I don’t ever presume to make decisions for my clients, I just try and make the decision as simple as possible. Step 1: I remove all items from the closet/drawer/room and place all like items together. Step 2: Move quickly through the items and divide them into 3 piles Keep/Give/I Don’t Know. Step 3: Put the Keep items back neatly (Use containers! I’ll save that discussion for another time.) Step 4: Donate or give away the Give items ASAP. Don’t put them back or give them a new home in your house. Step 5 Tackle the I Don’t Know pile.

The key is the I Don’t Know items. Often, we get stuck on an item because we don’t know what to do with it and we stop the whole organization process. It’s okay not to know, place it to the side and come back to it later. Most people know very quickly what to do with most of their items. Move quickly through the easy items and come back to the ones that take more thought. I think you’ll find that the I Don’t Know pile is much smaller and easier to tackle than it seemed at the beginning.

There is something so satisfying about being organized. You feel balanced, fresh, and ready for whatever comes next. You are free to focus on what really matters to you: family, career, hobbies, or just relaxing. Regardless of the state of organization in your house, let yourself off the hook. There should be no guilt or shame involved in how much stuff you have; you are not alone. Most of us have too much stuff and not enough room to store it. Take heart and start small. You can do it!

Heather, thanks so much with sharing these great tips.