 Have you ever walked through your front door after a long day, dropped your bags, and looked at the pile of mail on the counter or the shoes in the hallway—only to feel your chest tighten? You are experiencing a physiological reaction. A recent article by Dr. Elizabeth Fedrick in Psychology Today titled "Clutter, Cortisol, and Mental Load" breaks down exactly why this happens. It’s a phenomenon I see every day with my clients. Mess in your home causes a chain reaction: seeing clutter raises your cortisol levels, leading to cognitive overload. Enough overload and you just shut down. This is what clients are expressing when they tell me, “I don’t even know where to start.” THE SCIENCE: YOUR STRESS HORMONE SEES YOUR SPACE The study found a direct link between how we perceive our homes and our cortisol (stress hormone) levels. Women who saw their homes as cluttered had high cortisol levels throughout the day. For those who felt their homes were organized, stress levels dropped during the day. Getting organized is the antidote to stress! THE ENDLESS TO-DO LIST
Why does clutter stress us out? Dr. Fedrick explains that clutter acts as an overwhelming stimulus, sending a signal to your brain that your work is never done. Essentially, the clutter becomes your endless To Do list. For most women—including me—the house “talks” to us. The pillow on the sofa whispers “fluff me.” The pile of laundry calls, “fold me.” The piles of clutter cry, “put us away!” But the piles can’t be put away because, as professional organizer Barbara Hemphill tells us, clutter is postponed decisions. You haven’t even decided yet what to do with the stuff or where it goes. This creates cognitive overload: Your brain is constantly processing unfinished tasks. This feeling of never being ahead of the game leads to irritability, anxiety, and even that "shut down" feeling where you just want to ignore it all. LET ME HELP YOU LOWER YOUR CORTISOL The good news? You don't need a "perfect" home to feel peace. You need a “good enough” home and a system that reduces your mental load. Dr. Fedrick suggests that "predictability and order" are the keys to reducing anxiety. Here are three steps to get there:
Are you feeling the "Cognitive Overload" of your space? Let’s tackle it together! Click here to book a consultation and we’ll turn that cortisol into contentment.
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 It’s amazing how often I’ll be working with a client, decluttering some long-forgotten corner that had piled up, and we come across a book about organizing. The client looks at it wistfully, gives a little shake of the head, and says, “I thought that book was going to be the solution.”
I get it! Wouldn’t it be great if just reading a book could declutter your home? Organizing books give us great ideas and techniques, but they lack the hands-on motivation of having a Certified Professional Organizer by your side—guiding you step by step as you apply the lessons right there in your own space. That said, organizing books can still provide wonderful inspiration. Whether they spur you on to tackle projects yourself or help you decide it’s time to hire a professional for some accountability and expertise, they’re motivating — even fun — reads. Many blend storytelling, humor, and practical wisdom that makes the process feel less daunting. Add an organizing book (or two) to your beach reads list this summer! Here are my top suggestions. Each one tackles the subject in a unique way—some with tough love, others with gentle encouragement or a touch of humor. Perfect for reading with your toes in the sand or on a shady porch.  April is a month of preparation, and I don’t just mean taxes! As we leave winter behind (soon, please!), we look forward to that first warm breeze of spring. This is the perfect time to get your home summer-ready so you can say “yes” to spontaneous beach days, backyard BBQs, and weekend adventures without hunting for the picnic blanket or digging through winter coats. I’ve created a simple but powerful 4-week challenge just for you. Each week starts off with a Mindset Challenge to motivate you and get your brain in the game. Then you’ll tackle two practical organizing or decluttering tasks (nothing overwhelming). Ready? Let’s make April the month your home feels light, functional, and full of summer possibility!  WEEK 1: SEASONAL CLOTHING & CLOSET REFRESHMindset Challenge: Find Your Sticking Points Getting your mind in the organizing and decluttering game starts here: Download my FREE Questions for Letting Go and determine your biggest obstacle to letting go of clutter. Is your sticking point emotional, practical, or financial? Recognizing what holds you back will help you release the excess with more ease and confidence. Organizing Challenge 1: Spring-Clean the Coat Closet Pull everything out: coats, scarves, hats, mittens, gloves, boots. Inspect for stains, damage, or items you haven’t worn in forever. Clean what you’re keeping. Store heavy winter items in a spare closet or in bins on a high shelf or in the basement. Swap in lightweight jackets, windbreakers, raincoats. Add a bottom bin for flip-flops, beach towels, sunblock, goggles—ready when the sun calls. Put donations in your car for your next drop-off. Organizing Challenge 2: Get Your Clothes Summer-Ready Sort tanks, shorts, dresses, and lighter pieces. Apply the one-year rule: If you didn’t wear it last year, are you really going to be excited this summer? Let it go! Shift heavy sweaters and pants to higher shelves or sides; bring summer items front and center. Tackle shoes: Pull out sandals, flip-flops, sneakers—try them on, keep only what fits and feels good. Finish with bathing suits and coverups: If it doesn’t make you feel fabulous (or the elastic is shot), release it.  WEEK 2: KITCHEN & PANTRY PREP FOR SUMMER ENTERTAININGMindset Challenge: Less Stuff = More Freedom Organization isn’t perfection, it’s about making things easier for yourself by letting go of excess. When evaluating something, ask, "Does this item serve my summer goals?" Use my FREE Keys to Letting Go to release what you don’t need and gain time, ease, and more joy. Organizing Challenge 1: Pantry & Fridge Refresh Toss expired items and old condiments from your fridge and freezer; wipe shelves. Plan to eat through the wintery comfort food you’ve stocked to make room for summer salads, grill items, and frozen treats. Organizing Challenge 2: Outdoor Dining & Picnic Station Gather picnic blankets, cooler, grilling tools, trays. Create a “Summer Entertaining Zone” in a cabinet or garage shelf using bins or baskets. Store paper plates/cups in a lidded bin, utensils/napkins in a caddy, grill tools in a portable tray—everything grab-and-go.  WEEK 3: OUTDOOR GEAR RESETMindset Challenge: Ask “Why do you have this?” Before you put anything back, run each item through my favorite filter: WHY (reason for having it), DO (do you actually use it now?), YOU (does it belong in your current life?), HAVE (are you willing to maintain it?), THIS (is it in good shape and serving its purpose?). Organizing Challenge 1: Weed Out the “Just in Case” Items Use my CALM method to tackle all that outdoor gear you’ve been saving on the off-chance you might use it. Clear out all your outdoor stuff from wherever it’s hiding. Assess it and toss anything that’s broken or too dirty to clean. Get real about the rest: What will you really use this year and what can you part with? Fill donation bags and put them in your car to drop off next time you’re out. Note: Most donation centers don't accept helmets. Instead, you can give them to someone you know or see if your local first responders will take them to use for training purposes. Organizing Challenge 2: Create Summer Gear Zones Continue CALM: Locate items into zones by sorting into categories: beach/pool, backyard games, sports gear, bikes/helmets. Hang what you can on hooks and stow the rest in clear, latch-top bins to keep it clean. Maintain your space by putting things away after use.  WEEK 4: READY TO HEAD OUT FOR SUMMER ADVENTURESMindset Challenge: Organization = Spontaneous Joy
Clutter drains energy. A clean car and packed bags turn “Let’s hit the beach now!” from stressful to simple. This week, remind yourself that you deserve that freedom. Organizing Challenge 1: CALM Your Car Have stray things found their way into your car? Clear everything, tossing trash immediately. Assess what stays: sunglasses, charger, emergency kit, grocery bags. Locate items logically, within easy reach or stowed securely. Maintain by adjusting after trips. Organizing Challenge 2: Stock Summer “Yes Bags” Prep family beach totes and kits: Each person gets a bag with flip-flops, sunglasses, goggles, towel, games, ziplock for wet suits. Use flip-top bins to create kits of sunblock, bug spray, baby powder (removes sand), ear drops, first aid. Store by the door—ready to say “yes” to summer adventures! By April’s end, you’ll have lighter spaces and a summer-ready mindset. Share before-and-after photos—I’d love to see them! Email [email protected] or tag me on Instagram or Facebook. If any week feels like too much or you want hands-on support, I’m here. Here’s to a beautiful, organized, adventure-filled summer!  During our recent visit to Ohio, my mother-in-law surprised me by saying she’d like us to help her with some decluttering. Yay! She’s an inveterate collector of anything antique and/or sentimental, so I was surprised she was ready to pare down.
While I helped Mom in the living room, my husband and his father checked out the basement. In a corner of the storage area, they came across an old-fashioned cardboard clothing box. Inside, Doug discovered an old military hat…but his father had never been in the military. “Dad, what is this?” he asked. “Oh, that’s Jim’s hat from the Air Force.” Jim? Who’s Jim? He’s Doug’s mother’s mother’s second husband’s brother, of course. So, Doug asked the logical next question: “Why do you have this?”  My client, Jenny* has a pristine, beautiful home. If you walked into her house, you would never think that she'd have any need to work with a professional organizer. But open a drawer, cupboard, or closet and you will discover Jenny's secret. She is a stasher. I have a deep understanding and sympathy for stashers because my mom was one too. If she had something she didn't know what to do with, she would stuff it into a cupboard or drawer, thinking she could decide about it later. If it was something she thought could be useful, then she saved it “just in case.” It was hard for her to let go of things, so it was just easier for her to stash them away and never give them a second thought…until the drawer was so packed that she couldn’t open it or the contents of the closet came spilling out onto the floor. Use my free downloads about LETTING GO to find your pain points and learn how to take action. Questions for Letting Go Keys to Letting Go
 I had just come home with a bag full of new yarn, excited to start knitting the sweater my daughter had asked me to make for her. All I wanted to do was cast on and start knitting.
 “Is it normal to be really nervous?” asked Rebecca* as she greeted me at the door. “I don’t know what to expect!”
Yes, it’s common to feel anxious the first time you have an Organizing Session with a Certified Professional Organizer.® Maybe you’re worried I’ll judge you because of your mess. Definitely not! Far from being judgmental, I’m impressed when someone takes the step of hiring a professional to help them get organized. Nerves also stem from being unsure of what exactly we’ll be doing. Will I be directing or doing the work with you? How exactly will we tackle your project? Let me demystify the Organizing Session by telling you exactly how it works.  After 8+ years of helping people organize their homes, you can bet I’ve seen it all. One of the things I love most about being a professional organizer is that every project is different, with varied homes and unique clients.
While each client has a specific reason for needing my help — just moved in, about to move, busy family life, inheritance, downsizing, new baby, and more — I’ve noticed some organizing errors that crop up in just about every home.  “How long will it take for me to get organized?” As a Certified Professional Organizer®, I get this question a lot.
Remember, your home didn’t get disorganized in one day, and it’s not going to get fixed in one day! How long your organizing project will take depends on 4 factors. 1. HOW QUICKLY DO YOU MAKE DECISIONS? If you need to reminisce and tell the story of each item before deciding whether or not to keep it or where to put it, the organizing process is going to go pretty slowly. If, on the other hand, you set some pre-decision guidelines, your project will pick up speed.  As we wind down 2023 and look ahead to a new year unfolding, I looked back to see which of my blogs resonated the most with readers.
Turns out, the 3 most popular blogs had a similar theme: helping you develop the mindset and give you the steps YOU need to tackle ANY organizing project. Each of these blogs will help you finish 2023 STRONG! |
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