Resources
Organization Tips
- Never organize before you have decluttered. Why make space for items you don’t want or need to keep.
- If you really want to be successful and stay organized, take the time to reflect on what habits created the clutter to begin with.
- Make space! When getting organized, it is best if you can set up a physical space to work on. This could be simply the kitchen table or even the bed. By dedicating space, you can more easily see your items and make decisions.
- Organizing takes time! Set aside uninterrupted time for decluttering by scheduling it in your calendar or setting a timer. This will allow you to stay focused and on task.
- Minimize distractions by having a To-Do-List. As you are organizing, thoughts will come up (ie, I forgot to call my sister). Simply capture it on your to-do-list and get back to organizing. You won’t have to worry that you won’t remember when you are done.
Kitchen & Pantry
- When putting items away in the kitchen, use shelves that are comfortable for you to reach. When using higher shelves ensure items are lighter and not stacked too high. If you find it difficult to bend, don’t use the lowest shelves.
- General rule of thumb when organizing a pantry is to keep regularly used items at eye level and easily accessible. However, this doesn’t work for everyone. If you have a problem with items expiring on you, try putting these items where you can’t miss them.
Bedroom
- When organizing your closet, try to use the same type of hangers (we personally like the felt covered hangers as the fabric hangs much nicer and the felt keeps items from slipping off.) All your garments will hang at the same height making all items visible to the eye at a glance. All your garments hang at the same width. If you choose a thinner hanger, it saves space.
Paper
- Are bills, receipts and other papers piling up on your kitchen counter at your front entrance? Tackle newest piles first. Address each piece of paper and make a decision. If you come across an item you have no idea what to do with, don’t get hung up on it, put aside and keep going with the next item.
Does the idea of throwing away items you no longer need seem wrong? I agree! Don’t just throw away items that can still be used. Share them with friends, donate them to a local charity or recycle what you can.
As part of my services, at the end of your session(s), if you have any items to donate, I will be happy to take them to a place of your choosing. Here are some of the places I have taken donations.
- Edmonton’s Food Bank – https://www.edmontonsfoodbank.com/ways-give/give-food/
- Bissell Centre – https://bissellcentre.org/get-involved/in-kind-donations/
- FIND – https://findedmonton.com/pages/what-we-accept
- Goodwill – https://www.goodwill.ab.ca/what-to-donate/
- More Than a Fad – https://morethanafad.ca/pages/donate
- The Mustard Seed – https://theseed.ca/edmonton-urgently-needed-items
RECYCLING
- Edmonton’s Eco Station – Eco Stations accept household hazardous waste, electronics, recyclables, yard waste, bulky items and more. https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/garbage_waste/eco-stations
- Edmonton ReUse Centre – The Reuse Centre accepts various items from Edmonton residents free of charge, making them available to organizations and individuals for reuse, diverting them from the landfill.
https://www.edmonton.ca/programs_services/garbage_waste/reuse-centre-accepted-items
Professional Organizers in Canada – Professional Organizers in Canada is the national association that represents professional organizers across the country. It provides a supportive environment for its members to share ideas, network and exchange referrals.
https://organizersincanada.com/
Becoming Minimalist with Joshua Becker – A blog written for those inspired to embrace minimalism and intentionally pursue owning fewer possessions to make space for your greatest passions.
https://www.becomingminimalist.com/
Marie Kondo KonMari Method – A popular organizer from Japan, Marie Kondo suggests that the key to getting organized is to organize by category, not location. Keeping only those items that that spark joy, she has a very specific order and approach to organizing.
https://konmari.com/
Mind Over Clutter – A fellow POC organizer, Julie Stobbe started Mind Over Clutter in 2006. Her online blog covers topics like back to school, moving, office organizing, photo organizing and more.
https://mindoverclutter.ca/blog/
Fly Lady – Marla Cilley, (aka the FlyLady) is an online organizer who inspires people through her online resources, books and videos. She teaches simple routines for getting your home organized!
http://www.flylady.net/
Inspiring Reads
- Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff by Matt Paxon with Jordan Michael Smith
- Love People Use Things by Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus
- Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin
- Organization The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo
- Organizing from the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern
- Spark Joy by Marie Kondo
- The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning by Margareta Magnusson
- The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin
- The More of Less by Joshua Becker
- The Organized Mind by Daniel J. Levitin
- The Recipe For An Extraordinary Life by Emilio Jose Garcia Rodriguez and Samantha Kristoferson
ADD/ADHD
- ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life by Judith Kolberg & Kathleen Nadeau
- Organizing Solutions for people with ADHD by Susan C. Pinsky
- The Disorganized Mind: Coaching Your ADHD Brain by Nancy A. Ratey
Chronic Disorganization and Hoarding
- Buried in Treasures by Tolin, Frost and Steketee
- Conquering Chronic Disorganization by Judith Kolberg
Digital Organization
- Declutter Your Data by Angela Crocker
Paper Organization
- Taming the Paper Tiger by Barbara Hemphill