Should You Host a Yard or Garage Sale?

10 Questions to Ask Before You Decide

One question I hear often from clients—especially those who are moving, downsizing, or getting ready to sell their homes—is this:

“Should I hold a yard or garage sale?”

It’s a great question, and like most things, the answer depends on your goals, your available time and energy, and the items you’re trying to sell.

Estate Sale vs. Garage Sale: What’s the Difference?

Recently, I helped organize a moving sale for clients in their garage who were deeply invested in making sure their belongings ended up with people who would appreciate them. It was important to them that things didn’t just get tossed or donated without thought.

Before we decided to move forward with the sale, I reached out to a few estate sale professionals I know. Why? Because sometimes a professionally managed estate sale can bring in better returns, with far less effort on your part.

But here’s the catch:
Estate sale companies are selective. They typically only agree to manage a sale if there’s significant cumulative value in the items—enough to justify their time, labor, marketing, setup, and sometimes hauling. While not every item needs to be “high value,” the total has to add up. Most pros won’t take on a sale unless they believe they can earn $20,000 or more from it.

In my client’s case, even though they had lovely pieces, there wasn’t quite enough to make it worthwhile for the estate sellers. So we pivoted to a moving sale—and it went well! But it also came with a lot of effort.

Lessons from a Recent Moving Sale

Here’s a quick snapshot of what it took to pull off the sale:

• 1.5 days of setup

• 1 full day of selling

• Post-sale cleanup, donation coordination, and leftover item removal

The sale featured high-quality household goods and furniture. In total, we brought in just over $2,300 (before my project management fees). Not bad! But it was physically demanding, and we ran into a few logistical hurdles:

• Limited parking reduced foot traffic

• Spotty internet made electronic payments difficult (thankfully, our client brought a portable Wi-Fi hotspot)

• We needed extra hands to help load furniture into buyer vehicles

It was a success—but it wasn’t effortless.

10 Smart Questions to Ask Before Hosting Your Own Sale

If you’re considering a yard, garage, or moving sale, here are 10 questions to help you decide if it’s the right move for you:

1. Where will you safely hold the sale?

Garage, lawn, porch, driveway, or inside your home?

2. Is parking accessible for buyers?

Will visitors be able to stop and shop easily?

3. Do you have large furniture to move?

If so, do you have people to help with heavy lifting?

4. Do you have enough surfaces to display your items?

Tables, shelves, or furniture can make your sale more appealing.

5. Do you have help?

Sales go smoother (and are more fun!) when you’re not doing everything alone.

6. Do you have standout items to attract attention?

Artwork, collectibles, jewelry, or unique décor pieces can boost interest.

7. Will you post prices or accept offers?

Having a clear pricing plan reduces confusion.

8. What’s your plan for unsold items?

Will you donate them, hire a hauler, or schedule a pickup?

9. How will you accept payment?

Cash only? Venmo? Do you have a Wi-Fi connection to process payments?

10. What would make the sale worthwhile for you?

Set a goal. Is it about earning a certain amount? Clearing space? Connecting with your community?

Bottom Line:

Hosting a sale can be a great way to clear space, earn extra money, and feel good about where your things are going—but only if the time and effort feel worthwhile to you.

Need help thinking it through? Or want support managing a sale from start to finish? I’d be happy to help you plan what’s right for your situation.

There’s no such thing as a stress-free move

One of the services I offer at LetsMakeRoom.com is helping my clients plan and manage their home moves—whether it’s across the country or just around the corner.

Let’s face it: Moving is rarely easy. While it might not rank as high as the death of a loved one or a major illness in terms of stress, it often follows other significant life changes that make it even more overwhelming.

Take my mother-in-law’s experience as an example. After losing her husband, she realized that managing the stairs in her longtime home was becoming too difficult. She made the decision to move into a retirement community—but not without facing a series of emotional and logistical challenges.

She had lived in that home for over 60 years. Deciding what to keep, what to sell, what to donate, and what to let go of was a monumental task. Then came the process of preparing the house for sale—handling repairs, updates, and staging to maximize its value. Even with support from family, she still had to make big decisions: where to move, when to move, and how to get it all done.

Finding reputable movers, getting quotes, packing up what she wanted to take with her—all while coordinating the logistics of the move—was no small feat. Someone needed to be present to oversee the moving day and ensure everything went according to plan. Her family helped her with most of this but not all people are that fortunate. Once she arrived at her new, smaller home, there was the work of unpacking, organizing, and settling in.

Only then—at age 85—could she finally sit in her favorite chair, take a deep breath, and start to feel at home again.

Managing a Move in 24 Hours

There is no such thing as a stress-free move. My sixteen years of experience have taught me that something will always go wrong no matter how much planning and preparation you do. If you know this going in, it helps to manage some of the stress.

This week, I oversaw a full-service move for a single client, coordinating every detail to ensure as little stress as possible. Here’s a breakdown of the time and tasks involved:

• 1.5 hours – Collected and reviewed moving estimates from two licensed professional moving companies, including client consultations

• 1.5 hours – Obtained “No Parking” permits to ensure movers would have clear access to the house and not get ticketed by the city (which would otherwise happen). This also included  multiple phone calls with the permit office and obtaining the permit in person

• 2 hours – Conducted a pre-move planning meeting with my client to understand her needs and goals

• 1.5 hours – Created and updated a complete inventory list of what was being moved and what wasn’t since some items were being sold or donated. My job is to be their agent and advocate in the moving process

• 0.5 hours – Collaborated with another colleague who was managing the “downsizing” process

• 1 hour – Two troubleshooting calls and one lengthy email with the moving company.

• 7 hours – Oversaw the packing day, ensuring all items were properly prepared for transport and reporting any pre-existing damage to clients as well as collecting information for claim related damage

• 9 hours – Managed move day operations from start to finish, including directing haulers to take away items that were being donated as well as e-waste and debris.

• .5 hours – Take photos of the empty house to serve as a record for the client. (This also included my time to pick up small bits of trash from the floor leftover by the movers – mostly box and tape debris)

Total time invested: 24.5 hours

My client hired me on April 29th. I said goodbye to her shortly after my last task. As I drove away I realized it was May 29th, exactly one month to the day she hired me.

One final tip

If you are moving out of state, and the mover is taking just your items, as opposed to combining them with other households, be sure your estimate includes the cost of a second vehicle if needed. This is because the Federal Department of Transportation (DOT) limits the weight of a “Class C” 26′ moving truck household goods capacity to 10,000 pounds. Anything above this will require another moving vehicle, either a van or a truck. This is an extra charge.  This applies even if the weight is only slightly over the 10,000 pound weight limit.

 A Guide to a Clutter-Free and Stress-Free Life

As our parents age, managing their household and daily activities can become increasingly challenging. A well-organized, clutter-free home not only enhances safety but reduces stress and also improves their overall quality of life. Whether they are downsizing, moving to assisted living, or simply trying to maintain their independence, helping them stay organized can make all the difference. Here are some essential organizing tips to assist aging parents in creating a clutter-free and stress-free environment.

1. Declutter with Compassion
One of the first steps in organizing is decluttering. However, it’s important to approach this process with empathy. Sentimental items may hold deep emotional value, so instead of insisting on immediate removal, encourage a gradual approach. Help them decide what to keep, donate, or discard by asking, “Does this item serve a purpose or bring joy?” Consider taking photos of sentimental belongings before letting them go.

2. Create Easy-to-Access Storage Solutions
Seniors should have easy access to their daily essentials without excessive bending, reaching, or searching. Store frequently used items at waist height and avoid placing important items in hard-to-reach areas. Use clear storage bins with labels for medications, financial documents, and household necessities. Drawer organizers, lazy Susans, and stackable containers can also be great tools for maintaining order.

3. Simplify Their Wardrobe
A cluttered closet can make getting dressed overwhelming. Assist your parents in curating a simple, functional wardrobe with comfortable and seasonally appropriate clothing. Store off-season items separately and consider using closet organizers to make outfit selection easier. If mobility is an issue, install easy-to-use hangers or lower closet rods.

4. Make the Home Safe and Senior-Friendly
Safety is a priority when organizing for aging parents. Reduce fall risks by securing loose rugs, keeping walkways clear, and installing grab bars in the bathroom. Ensure proper lighting, especially in hallways, staircases, and entryways. Label medications clearly and use a pill organizer to prevent confusion. Simple adjustments can create a more secure living space and enhance their independence.

5. Streamline Paperwork and Finances
Managing bills, medical records, and legal documents can be overwhelming. Help your parents set up a filing system for important paperwork. Use labeled folders or digital scanning apps to organize medical history, insurance policies, and financial statements. Automating bill payments can also reduce stress and prevent missed due dates.

6. Utilize Technology for Organization
Embracing technology can greatly assist in organization. Introduce them to reminder apps for medications and appointments. Smart home devices, such as voice-activated assistants, can help with setting reminders and controlling household functions. Teach them how to use online shopping and delivery services for groceries and medications to simplify errands.

7. Create a Maintenance Routine
Consistency is key to maintaining an organized home. Establish a simple cleaning and organization routine that they can follow. Enlist the help of family members or caregivers for regular check-ins and assistance with household tasks. Having a schedule for decluttering, grocery shopping, and medication refills can prevent things from becoming overwhelming.

Final Thoughts
Helping aging parents stay organized is a meaningful way to support their independence and well-being. By decluttering with empathy, creating accessible storage solutions, and implementing safety measures, you can help them maintain a stress-free and comfortable living space. Small changes can have a significant impact on their quality of life, making daily tasks easier and giving you peace of mind knowing they are in a well-organized environment.

If you’ve ever tried to declutter you know the process is often harder than just tossing items into the trash or donation bag. This is because our stuff can trigger different parts of our brains to act in certain ways depending upon how we typically look at our possessions.

You may for example want to tackle your garage when suddenly you are flooded with memories from that box of items containing your old school memorabilia.  Or you may get stuck culling things down in your clothes closet when you come across that gown you spent a lot for 8 years ago for a one-time event.

Sometimes, we see the potential in some object and think, I can use this “someday” but of course we don’t and it goes back into the pile of undecided stuff.

When we don’t know what questions to ask ourselves to help us make decisions, it becomes like moving the dust around the floor with a broom and calling it cleaning.

Today, I’m sharing a simple way to understand the four most common reasons we keep stuff and what to do about it when it’s time to declutter.  For each item, I include the common belief we have, how it shows in our behavior, examples of how it shows up and  recommended solutions. See if any of them sound like you. Chances are once you know what question to ask yourself, it will be easier to decide whether it makes sense to keep it or let it go.

Sentimental

Belief: Possessions and mementos are connected to memories. If I let it go, I will forget the person, event or memory.

Behavior: Things are kept not so much for their usefulness but for what memory or connection they evoke even if the thing has no value.

Examples: Ticket stubs, cheap souvenirs, tourist maps; useless, damaged or generic items that were previously owned by a family member or close loved one.

Solution: Learn to separate things from memories and experiences.  Take a photo if necessary. Curate your collection – only keep the things that you enjoy the most.

Ask yourself, “Does keeping this truly honor the memory of this person?” or,

“If it disappeared or were lost, would I really miss it?”

Useful

Belief: Everything is usable. Everything can be repurposed. Get rid of nothing.  There’s a “logical” reason for keeping it. Nothing should go in the trash. It’s okay if my home becomes a landfill.

Behavior: Things are kept ignoring how cluttered the space is or how negatively the accumulation has impacted your life and well-being.  You become “clutter-blind.” Everything is evaluated separately but not cumulatively.

Examples: Cardboard toilet paper rolls, dirty plastic cups, stained, torn or soiled clothing, broken or badly chipped dishes.

Solution: Just because something may be “useful” does not mean it has to be kept.

Ask yourself, “If I saw this at a thrift shop or in a store would I pay at least $1 to buy it again?” or “Have I used it in the past year and is it likely I will use it again?”

Perceived value vs. actual value

Belief: I spent money on it so I should keep it.

Behavior: Unable to let go of anything with perceived value even if facts point to the contrary. Holds onto things to quell fears of scarcity or not having enough. May be learned behavior from family of origin.

Examples: Clothing for which a lot was paid more than 5 years ago even though you’ll never wear it again. Old furniture that can’t be sold or re-sold given current market demands or interest.

Solution: Determine it’s real, market value. Learn to come to terms with fears about money and scarcity. Explore and challenge beliefs formed in early childhood that may no longer apply.  Accept the changing tastes of buyers.  Donate or gift to others through groups such as local Buy Nothing Group or online community. Leave on curb if possible.

Ask yourself, “What’s the easiest way I can find a new “home” for this without spending a lot of time?”

Creative Potential

Belief: Everything can be re-purposed. Sees the potential use in objects most would consider of little or no value. Or sees the “artistic” or “creative” potential in things.

Behavior: Positive: Tend to be very creative, energetic, innovative and deeply committed to art or hobbies. Negative: Often possess too much “stuff” that has never been used and no longer reflects the owner’s current ideas. Often has trouble managing time and priorities. Chronically late or unable to finish projects.  Feels guilty for not meeting goals.

Examples: Old furniture (or any object) that needs refinishing or repair to be useable. Small fabric scraps. Art and craft supplies for hobbies you no longer do.

Solution: Wait until you have the project in mind then find only what you need. Take advantage of Established limits and boundaries. Donate items to non-profits in your area that accept teacher or educational supplies. If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, you can donate to the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse in Oakland or SCRAP in San Francisco. Donate good quality fine art supplies to 333Arts in Walnut Creek. Just be sure to check ou their donation hours first and what they will/won’t accept. Doing so will save you time and fuel.

Ask yourself, “Is this project a priority for me right now?” Or, do I have suitable storage and workspace for this?

Feeling overwhelmed by your decluttering project? Schedule a free, no obligation, discovery call with me and I promise, you’ll come away with actionable ideas you can use right away.

photo by Lis Golden McKinley

Did you know January is Get Organized & Be Productive (GO) Month? There’s no better time to consult an organizing or productivity professional.

Clutter and disorganization can drain your energy and contribute to unwarranted stress, frustration, and anxiety. Ready to start the new year off right by getting organized and increasing productivity?

Here are six of my favorite tips for getting organized and feel more productive at home or at work.

Decide what needs organizing the most and how it will benefit you.

Getting organized is not a one time event. It’s an ongoing habit. Just like you don’t brush your teeth once, or drive your car once, you have to have reason to do it or understand the consequence if you don’t. If you have diabetes and you keep eating sugary and processed foods and don’t exercise that’s entirely your choice but you – and perhaps your family – will probably experience the consequences sooner rather than later.

Write down three positive reasons for getting your home, office or a specific area organized

Here a few examples:

• • I will enjoy coming home at the end of a busy day and feel less stressed.
  • I’m able to file my taxes on time and get a refund sooner.
  • Getting dressed will be easy so I can start my day more calmly.
  • Cooking for myself or my family will feel fun again and I will be able to make healthier choices.

Start with a small area that impacts your everyday life

Know that how you organize one thing is how you organize everything.  My method for organizing physical clutter is the same whether I’m organizing a single drawer or an entire home.  If you are not sure where to start, the best place is always with things on the floor, especially if they are blocking  your access to other important areas such as your bed, your kitchen sink or a doorway exit.

Identify what you love, use or would miss the most.

Decision-making is the most powerful tool you have. Sometimes I imagine leaving my home and what I would absolutely want to take with me if I only had to fit everything in my car.   Have you ever known anyone who lost their home in a flood or fire?  Talk to them about what they miss the most.  What would help you function most easily on a day to day basis if you had to?  In addition to an emergency kit write a list of items you would have to grab if you had only a few minutes and keep that list on your phone or someplace you could easily see it so you won’t have to remember.

Understand why you keep things

Hint: Not everyone is the same. Some people keep things for sentimental reasons, that is the item is strongly associated with a person or memory. Others keep things for their usefulness or potential. This is especially true for creative people or people who have lived through periods of austerity or not-having enough. There are also people who keep things for their perceived value. This is because they once spent a lot of money on an item and in their minds giving it away means throwing that money away even if it no longer has real market value.

Get help when you are overwhelmed or have no idea where to start.

If you can’t physically declutter or get organized because of a physical or brain-based challenge or you simply don’t have the time or wherewithal, consider hiring a professional organizer or professional move manager who is trained to partner with you to help you get organized at home, at work or help you to move.

As a member of the National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals (NAPO), and the National Association of Senior and Speciality Move Managers (NASMM),  I work to improve my clients’ lives by helping them create environments that support productivity, general health, and well-being. Working with us is no different than choosing an accountant, personal trainer, doctor, or other service provider!

Are you planning to move? You’ll want to read this because not all mover’s estimates are created equal. It is common to get a wide spread of estimates.  This is why, as a professional move manager,  I always recommend getting a minimum of two estimates, if you are moving locally (under 50 miles), and at least three if you are moving long distance, otherwise called an Interstate Move.

Local movers charge by the hour.  They also add on the cost of materials such as boxes and other surcharges such as fuel and tolls. Their estimates tend to be simpler to read.

Interstate movers charge by weight. Materials such as boxes and labor are calculated together based on the estimated weight of your household items.  Never assume a quote by phone is accurate. Whenever possible get a virtual or in-person representative to do a written estimate.

Here’s what you need to look for to compare moving costs. I always recommend you use the professional services of licensed moving and storage companies.

There are local agents for most interstate moving and storage companies in every state or city. If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area and want to see my preferred list, click here. If you call a van line’s 800 number they will likely connect you with a local agent in your zip code.

Though I’m not covering self-moving options here, if you are planning to pack and move yourself, or plan to use a freight forwarding service, or portable storage unit, sometimes called a POD,  you will need a different type of estimate.

For self-moving, you may need to hire a separate company to pack and load your items on both the origin and destination ends of your move.  You will also need to make sure the portable storage unit company can deliver to your address. Not all trucks can make it to rural or mountain road areas. Check first to make sure they can pick up and deliver to you!

How to read an Interstate Moving Estimate

1. Confirm your name and address. Review the information for both where you are moving from and where you are moving to is correct. You don’t want your household items to go to Smith Avenue when you live on Smith Street!
2. Check and confirm the dates for packing and moving are correct. A typical 3-bedroom, 2 bath home will take a day or less to pack and another day or less to wrap furniture and load.  Ideally these should be consecutive days.
3. Find the column that refers to the estimated weight of your household items.  Most of the other associated costs will be determined by this weight estimate.  If one moving company estimates a much higher or lower weight, (more than a 1,000 lb difference) you should ask your move estimator to explain. Most movers will estimate conservatively – that is a little higher than what they expect the actual weight will be.
4. Review the estimated delivery range or window.  Typically Interstate movers can guarantee they will get your items to you in three weeks or less. Some may be able to get it there sooner. Ask your van line driver to give you an estimated arrival date when they come to load your items. Also, be sure to exchange phone numbers with your driver in case of delays.
5. Whenever possible opt for packing services.  Check the estimate for how much your mover is charging for packing services.  You can also opt for “unpacking” services but this means the items will only be removed from boxes and placed on available surfaces such as counters, shelves, closets. They won’t be organized for your preferences. For that, you will need to seek the services of a professional home organizing company or move management company that offers home set-up or unpacking service to you locally, such as my company in the San Francisco/Bay Area.
6. Decide what type of valuation you want. By law movers have to provide a minimum of .60 per lb but I always recommend my clients opt for Full Value Protection which promises repair or replacement of any items damaged or lost in the course of the move based on a particular coverage and deductible amount.  IMPORTANT: Don’t assume this applies to items you pack, otherwise known as “packed by owner” or PBO.  I recommend fragile items be packed by your movers to be sure they are covered.  Movers are not liable for damaged items packed by you or someone else. The only exception to this is if your homeowners insurance covers the cost of moving.
7. Look for “accessorial charges” which generally means the cost of bringing in a smaller shuttle truck to transport your household items to and from your old and new homes.  Movers can search your location for photos to determine if a shuttle will be needed to get your items to your front door or unloading area.
8. Read the notes for extra charges! This is where you will find charges that may or may not be included in the overall estimate. For example, if you require a third party to build a crate for high value items such as art work. heavy mirrors or sculptures. There may also be extra charges for removal of items secured to the walls or ceiling such as artwork, TV mounts or appliances.
9. Get the sales representative’s name, company and contact information. Contact them immediately if you have questions about your estimate. If something needs to be corrected or you plan to do any significant decluttering or downsizing prior to your move that could affect the weight, let them know, as this could lower the overall cost of your move.
10. Read the total estimated charges and all the line items associated with those charges. Note if the total includes all or any of the following: Packing/Unpacking charges; Transportation Services, and the Accessorial Charges, mentioned earlier.
11. Confirm with your move representative whether you are receiving a “binding,” “non-binding” or “assured price estimate.” Binding estimates can not go up but they can not go down either. You agree to pay what the estimate states. The only exception is if you change your load or unload dates which could negatively impact your final cost. A non-binding estimate will give you an idea of what it may cost you to move but it is not a guarantee of total charges. Never sign off on a non-binding estimate.  Assured pricing means your estimate could come down if the actual weight or tariff – measured by the driver at a truck scale – is lower than the estimate.  If this happens, you would be charged the lower of the two.

Don’t forget to ask if your moving company offers any special discounts.

• Military/first responders/Teachers
• Triple AAA members
• Members of affiliated professional associations such as NASMM or NAPO
• Senior discounts
• Free storage
• Off-season discounts

Good luck with your move! If you are in the San Francisco/Bay Area, schedule a FREE, no-obligation phone consultation with me, here.

Photo by Erica Islas

It’s a new year. A fresh start.  “This is the year I will finally get organized!” You promised yourself you’d do it last year (and the year before).

Alas, it all feels too overwhelming. You don’t know where to start. You don’t have a plan in place. Deep down you know you can’t do it alone.

As a veteran professional organizer, move manager, personal coach and owner of LET’S MAKE ROOM, I know what keeps my clients  “stuck” in their clutter.

5 Tips To Finding Your Real Goal

TIP#1 – Stop setting “get organized” as your goal

That’s like saying, I want to exercise more. Really? What is it that you want from exercise?

To feel better, be more active, get your blood sugar under control? Or perhaps its train for a fitness event like a marathon?

Exercise, like organizing, is part of the process that gets you to your goals but it isn’t the goal itself.

TIP#2 – Set a goal that answers the question, “If everything is organized just the way I want, what would I be able to do that I can’t do now?

Imagine yourself sitting in the area you want organized. It could be your bedroom, your closet, your dining room, your office, or even your garage. What is it that you’d be able to do there that you can’t do now?

Sleep better? Get dressed quickly? Find what you need? Sit, eat, and perhaps even entertain at your dining room table? Pay your taxes on time? Easily pack for your family camping trip and know where to return everything when you return?

In other words, what does “get organized” get you? Make that your goal!

TIP#3 – Think about how you’ll  feel when you accomplish what you really want.  

You will feel more relaxed, less stressed, and energized. You will have more fun, enjoy your life, fight less with your spouse or kids, and spend more quality time with them or alone.

Imagine feeling calm when your home is tidy.  A tidy home not only creates the physical space to help you find what you need.  It also creates the room in your brain to think more clearly and be more mindful.

TIP#4 – Combine your answers to TIP #3 and TIP #4 into a new goal. Here are some examples:

• I want better quality sleep so I can feel more relaxed and less stressed.
• Find my clothes quickly and easily so I can feel less rushed in the morning
• Invite friends over to dinner so I can try out a new recipe, have fun with people I care about feel less isolated.
• Go on a camping trip with my family or friends and know I have everything I need ahead of time.
• Feel good giving away the things in my life that no longer serve me and make room for the things I truly love.

Notice, the word organize does not appear in either of these goals. It may be part of the process to get what you want. Or it may not.

Start with the real goal.  Then determine if organizing is part of the process. Is getting decluttered what’s needed? If so, how are you going to do it?

TIP#5 – Understand your talents and challenges and get help if you need it.

Not everyone has the brain neurons, skills, or training needed to organize their lives.

If you’ve tried getting organized year after year, there’s a good reason why you’re not succeeding. And it’s not because you’re lazy, stupid, or crazy!

When it’s time for help

Chronically disorganized people have underlying physical or emotional conditions. These can interfere with the ability to obtain or practice organizing skills.

Consider getting help. Too overwhelmed to do it yourself? Hire a Professional Organizer. Join a support group or a peer group facilitated by a professional organizer. My colleague Sherri Curley from The Practical Sort offers small virtual groups. Check her out!

If clutter is creating emotional stress or a safety hazard for you or a family member, consider professional help from a therapist or mental health agency offering services for those with hoarding disorders.

Consider hiring an organizing coach who specializes in working with those with ADHD.

Chronic disorganization has many causes. Examples include ADHD, unresolved grief, childhood trauma, depression, and anxiety. Growing up with others who were either exceedingly sloppy or tidy can also contribute to chronic disorganization.

Intellect and talent have nothing to do with being organized or disorganized

Some of the most brilliant people alive, and in history, such as artists, presidents, CEOs, musicians, and royalty are chronically disorganized.

Get started!

But let’s say your clutter is just a function of living in your home for 10, 20, or more years. Or you don’t have a lot of clutter, just some trouble spots you’d like to work on but you haven’t had the time to tackle it.

The same 5 tips apply. – Know what your end goal is first. To help, I’ve included a fill-in-the-blank sentence you can use to state your goal.

“I want my _________________________ (Living area, Storage area, Work area. Be specific) more organized so I will be able to _______________________. This is important to me because I will feel ________________________. 

Here are a couple of examples:

I want my whole home decluttered so I will be able to hire movers to pack and move me to my new home. This will enable me to sell my old home and know that I won’t experience the stress of moving that I’ve had many times before.

I want to organize and declutter our rarely used spare room into a home craft area so I can have space to work on the projects that I enjoy without cluttering up our dining room table anymore. This is important to me because I know I won’t have to rush to clear the dining table every time I want to eat or entertain. That will make me feel calmer and more excited about the prospect of having people over.

Happy New Year!

My neighbor, knowing my line of work, left me this cartoon yesterday which of course made me laugh.  It also got me thinking.

I often joke to my clients, you can say “crap” (or other expletives) just don’t say miscellaneous.  A little professional organizer humor. It’s also a reminder that there is no such thing as the Miscellaneous Store.  I’ve never seen a store aisle or store directory labeled as Miscellaneous. 

Amazon and it’s vendors clearly understand that people don’t have time to sort and identify all the little knick-knacks of our lives.  If you search the word miscellaneous on Amazon you’ll find an array of unrelated items that don’t have any apparent connection. Everything from colorful swim shorts to automotive engine parts to a denim tablecloth. There’s even something called a pantry wardrobe, presumably to contain all your “miscellaneous” pantry and wardrobe items.  (Doesn’t everybody keep their canned peas with their pajamas?)

For a professional organizer, miscellaneous is a meaningless word.

There is no way to identify a miscellaneous item – it implies a quantity – for sorting or categorizing.  Where do you donate miscellaneous to? We can’t assign a home to something called miscellaneous if we don’t first identify what it is and how it’s used.  Junk drawers are notorious for containing miscellaneous items but try and find something in a junk drawer  and you’ll probably leave empty-handed.

Miscellaneous is the catchall term for things that we commonly think of as clutter. The stuff (or crap) that we don’t want to spend the time sorting, purging, assigning a home to or containing.

We kid ourselves into thinking, we can always find it, if it’s in the “junk” drawer, but only if you can see what’s there. A junk drawer is nothing more than a cluttered garage in miniature.

When a client hires us to declutter their garage, We often show them how we will do it by using their junk drawer (or some similar storage area) and they get the idea right away! I also learn how they make decisions.

How we organize one thing is how we organize everything

Junk drawers, filled with “miscellaneous” stuff, are the perfect metaphors for how we organize everything.  There’s nothing wrong with this. We have busy lives and not enough time to deal with it all.  It’s okay to pick and choose how we spend our time and what we prioritize.  Something’s gotta give.

So we buy a package of eight batteries when we only need two and the rest have to go somewhere. We put them in the junk drawer along with the rubber bands; half used package of oven bulbs; the small screwdriver; our kiddo’s missing puzzle piece; the pencil sharpener; the sewing kit; the half used bottle of aspirin; and that “part” that came from something else but we don’t remember what but we keep in anyway, just in case.

Then when we can’t find the thing we’re looking for, we go out and get it at the store that sells,  “Miscellaneous Junk Drawer Crap.”

For a quick primer on how to organize a junk drawer, take a look at this video we did a while back.