What is the Stuff Tipping Point?

There comes a point where no amount of “organizing”, no amount of cramming things in, no amount of playing Tetris is going to change the fact that you have too many things to fit in your house. I call this the Stuff Tipping Point.

How can you tell if your house is at the Stuff Tipping Point?

You might be there, if you’ve experienced one or more of these things:

This room can’t be used for its intended purpose (a bedroom or home office). Instead it has become a storage unit.

• You’ve accomplished washing, drying and folding all the laundry, but now there just isn’t enough room in your closet or dresser to put it all away.

• The pantry is at the bursting point, and you’re struggling to find someplace to put all the new food you just brought home.

• Your go-to strategy is to buy freestanding garment racks to hold more clothes, but you’ve now run out of floor space to park any new garment racks.

• You want to use the toaster (or the microwave, or the blender), but first you have to move the coffee maker (or the air fryer, or the food processor) out of the way

• You can’t find an item, so you buy another one. Later, you find multiples of the same item, (often hidden behind other items). You realize you’ve done this dance before.

• You are unable to access certain places in your home because of the pileup of stuff. This might mean a closet door you can’t open because stuff is blocking it, a shelf with things you’d love to use but currently are unable to reach, or a room you can’t use because it’s become a giant storage unit.

Just moving around this cluttered bedroom requires extra work. Note the “elf trails”!

Not only are you running out of space, but you’re also being forced to do extra work

What these experiences have in common is not only that you’re running out of space, but also that you’re being forced to do extra work. Living in a house that is at the Stuff Tipping Point is neither smooth, peaceful, nor seamless. You are always having to put in extra labor and effort, simply to go through the basic processes of living in your home. Whether that means taking detours around stuff because the straight-line route is blocked, spending extra time getting dressed in the morning because your closet is packed yet there’s “nothing to wear”, or losing essential items like keys, phones or important paperwork in the mess—the common denominator is extra work.

Even when you are sitting motionless in a home that is at the Stuff Tipping Point, you’re still doing more work, because visual clutter is literally more data for your brain to process. That’s one of the reasons that being in a cluttered space can feel so stressful, tiring, and overwhelming.

At this point, many people will decide they need to get organized. Unfortunately, a lot of folks will make their first step a trip to the Container Store to buy some of those lovely bins, boxes, and baskets. Why is this a mistake?

Don’t buy containers first

It’s a mistake because, if you think about it, containers are also stuff. As I discussed in a previous blog post, simply putting your stuff inside more stuff—without first deciding which stuff belongs in your life—does not magically cause you to become organized. It simply leaves you with a bunch of stuff inside containers. It’s very likely that in the future, more stuff will get put in front of those containers.

If containers aren’t the solution, what is? I always recommend paring down your belongings first. In a house that is at the Stuff Tipping Point, this can seem like an overwhelming, unsurmountable task. Here are some tips that can help.

What can help?

1) Do a quick first pass to clear out the “low hanging fruit”—any items that clearly need to go. This includes household trash, broken or damaged items, as well as expired food and medicine.  It shouldn’t take much (if any) decision-making power to select these things. If you find yourself spending minutes thinking about an item, set it aside and move on.

2) Next, break the big overwhelming decluttering task into manageable chunks by focusing on a category (type of item). Instead of “the entire living room”, you could focus on the mail, papers and magazines cluttering up the entryway. Instead of “the whole closet”, you could focus on just sweaters, or just button-down shirts. Gather similar items together—this will help you get an accurate idea of what you own.

3) Then make decisions. Let go of things you don’t use or need—whether you’ve never used it, or it’s been a long time and you’re unlikely to use it in the future. Let go of “just-in-case” items and “I might need it someday” items. (There are notable exceptions, such as first aid kits and fire extinguishers.)

4) Let go of things that make you feel bad. Whether it’s a gift from someone you’re no longer friends with, a piece of clothing that cost a lot but doesn’t fit right, or unflattering photos, let them go. Only have things in your home that make you feel good, are useful, or are necessary.

A cluttered pantry… before and after paring down.

If you did nothing else, simply reducing the amount of items you own will help—a lot!

If you did nothing else, simply reducing the amount of items you own will help—a lot! There will be less stuff to look at, less stuff to navigate (and clean) around, less stuff parked in front of the item you’re looking for. Let go of enough stuff, and you will have pulled your home back from the Stuff Tipping Point. That means less stress, less clutter, and less work just to go through the basic processes of living in your home. And you’re going to feel better.

Decluttering and discarding is the first step of organizing. Step two is deciding where to store things, in a way that works for you. See this article for help on where to put things, and what to put them in.

I’m Kammy, a Chicagoland-based professional organizer. If your home is at the Stuff Tipping Point and you’d like things to be different, but you don’t know where to start, I’m here to help. Reach out to me or text (773) 756-5414 for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

A simple system to manage your papers

Many people dread dealing with papers. But it doesn’t have to be that way!

A client said to me, “I need help dealing with papers when they enter the house. I’m good about paying bills right away. But the rest of it ends up in piles near my front door.”

I worked with him and we developed a few simple rules to help him deal with his papers.

First we talked about why papers pile up. It’s when we’re not sure what to do with them. The solution is to have a rule for each type of paper that enters the house—thus eliminating paper pile-up.

Rule 1: Process all incoming papers near your front door.

Don't bring papers any deeper into the house. I recommend having a station with an Action Required file, a Shred box, a Trash container, and a Recycle container. These don't have to be giant bins. You can use any container you choose, such as an attractive basket with sections, or even drawers in a cabinet or other piece of furniture.

Rule 2: Deal with action required papers as soon as they come in.

My client was already on top of this. I find that most people already have some part of their system working. The idea is to build on what’s already working, so that you end up with a complete system that works for you.

Get in the habit of completing action required papers right away. If you can't complete the action immediately, put the paper in an Action Required file or box, and deal with it as soon as possible.

If you have papers that aren't action required items, but information you intend to read, you can also put these in your Action Required file. Alternatively, have a designated spot for them. In my house, reading material such as magazines and newspapers live on our coffee table.

To avoid pileups of "To Be Read" material, I recommend limiting subscriptions and keeping only the current issue ("One In, One Out"). You can also switch to digital subscriptions.

Reduce the volume of incoming paper by using a service like Catalog Choice to opt-out of catalogs and other paper mail.

Rule 3: Papers that need to be kept (after completing an action, or for reference) get filed as soon as possible.

Avoid filing unnecessary paper by only keeping papers that have a specific purpose. If you can find the information online, it's OK to let go of the paper.

Another common pitfall is thinking that you need to create a complicated filing system. I recommend using the simplest filing system possible. Use as few folders as possible, and name each folder something obvious, such as “Bills”, “Medical”, or “Auto”. If you are in doubt as to what to name a folder, name it the first thing that comes to mind.

Another roadblock that gets some people is what to do when you need a new folder in your filing system. If this is you, keep a few blank folders ready in your file box. You can even keep a pen in there to label new folders. Don't let the supposed necessity of creating a fancy label be an obstacle to filing items promptly.

Rule 4: Place a Shred box near where you process the mail.

Anything to be shredded, goes into the box. It doesn’t have to be shredded immediately, just when you have time. Or it can be taken to a shredding service, if you have a lot. Office Depot/Office Max offers secure shredding by the pound.

Rule 5: Place a Trash container near where you process the mail.

Anything to be discarded, goes into the trash right away. It never gets any further into your house than that. (You can also separate trash and recyclable paper into two separate bins.)

Papers can be a tough category to deal with, because they rarely bring joy (although they may bring usefulness). Having a lot of paper clutter around isn't only annoying and unsightly, it can cause you to miss or misplace important papers that need attention. Understandably, many people dread dealing with papers. But it doesn’t have to be that way. My client found that all he needed was a few rules to help make sure he controlled his papers, not the other way around.

Got piles of paper? I understand it can feel overwhelming. I'll work with you to tame your papers and create a system that works FOR you. Contact me for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

The high cost of office clutter—and what to do about it

Do you believe that office clutter increases creativity?

It’s actually quite the opposite. Studies show that workplace clutter can be harmful to your physical & mental health, your workplace performance, and your employer’s bottom line. It's time to ditch the clutter and create a peaceful workspace that works with you, not against you.

It's time to ditch the clutter and create a peaceful workspace that works with you, not against you.

A cluttered workspace forces us to waste time looking for lost items and information. We may end up doing duplicate work to replace what we can't find. And wasted time means wasted money.

When we’re distracted by a cluttered environment, we lose our focus. The result: errors, reduced productivity, the loss of our creativity and our ability to problem-solve. In other words, clutter makes it harder to get things done, and can lead to reduced quality of work.

Clutter also affects how others perceive us. A messy office (seen in person or via Zoom) by coworkers & supervisors could be viewed as a sign of a poor work ethic or poor time management skills. This could result in a lack of confidence and trust, and could adversely impact your career.

Clutter can lead to negative feelings about work, according to a recent study. Feeling stressed or burnout at work can also lead to clutter. Clutter can be part of a vicious cycle. Stress leads to an office that is cluttered, which leads to more stress because of not being able to find things or keep track of work progress, which leads to not having the mental energy to tidy up, and the clutter may worsen.

With many people working partly or full-time from home, our living spaces are often forced to do double duty. It’s even more important to stay on top of clutter and maintain an environment that supports us and makes our work days easier, not harder.

What can help?

Just like with home clutter, office clutter happens for one of two reasons: We fail to return items to their home, or it’s not clear where the items belong. To tidy up, use these steps: Sort items by category, use a container to keep similar items together, and choose where the items should be stored. Use labels to make it easier to find things, and as a reminder to return things to their places.

Common types of office clutter

Office supplies: Only keep what you’re currently and regularly using on your desk. Choose a home for these items, whether it’s a drawer or a container. Find another home for “back stock” (such as in a shelf or cabinet)—again, using containers to keep similar items together.

Paper clutter: Only print when you really need a hard copy. Have a designated inbox for incoming papers. Shred or recycle duplicates and outdated papers as soon as possible. Make sure each paper has a home. Discard papers that have no clear purpose.

Make filing easy by having file folders readily accessible nearby. Some people get hung up on not being able to file anything until the folder is labeled. If this describes you, keep your labelmaker (or a sharpie) close at hand for this purpose.

Clutter under the desk: Extra supplies, old technology items, and miscellaneous objects too large to keep on your desktop may tend to accumulate under your desk. Revisit this area on a regular basis to make sure it doesn’t become a dumping ground. If other people are dropping items off at your desk, have a designated box or bin for this purpose.

Drawer clutter:  To avoid having drawers full of miscellaneous office clutter that you must then rummage around in to find things, use the containment strategy. Contain office supplies and other items by category, using small bins, baskets or boxes inside a drawer. Rubber bands and ziplock bags can also be helpful. If you have a number of drawers that need tidying up, pick one a day and use the basic tidying procedure under “What Can Help?” above.

Personal items: Many people display personal items on their desks, such as family photos, childrens’ artwork, mementos from professional conferences, funny gifts from the last office party, and other personal items. These items feel important to us, but they can also contribute to clutter and distraction in our workspace.

One strategy is to remove them temporarily, and try working for a week or two without the items visible. Many people are surprised at how much less distracted and more peaceful they feel. It can also help to limit personal items to just a few really important ones, or to periodically rotate the items you display.

Banish clutter and reclaim your workspace

Clutter isn’t just superficial. It hurts us physically, mentally and emotionally. It affects how our colleagues & supervisors see us, can negatively impact our performance and our job satisfaction, and can even affect us financially. But there’s hope! Using simple organizing tips and skills, we can get clutter under control and reclaim a more peaceful and productive workspace. 

Want to banish office clutter and create a workspace that works for you? I’m here to help. Reach out for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱

Six Spring Cleaning Tips from Professional Organizers

Photo by Ketut Subiyanto from Pexels

March is here and with more sunny days and warm weather, spring cleaning vibes are in the air. Sometimes getting motivated is the hardest part when you don’t know where to start. Here are six spring cleaning tips from Professional Organizers that anyone can do.

Kammy Lee from Organized by Kammy:

My top spring-cleaning tip comes with Grandma's stamp of approval: The best way to clean windows is with newspaper. 

Unlike paper towels, newspaper won't leave behind any lint. And the dense fibers of newspaper are free of silica or calcium carbonate which may scratch surfaces. Most newspapers in the U.S. have been using smear-free soy-based inks since 2000, so you needn't fear creating black streaks on your windows. (If in doubt, test your paper by holding it between thumb and finger for at least one minute. Stained fingers indicate the paper uses petroleum-based ink, and shouldn't be used for cleaning.)

A 50-50 mix of vinegar and water is an inexpensive and eco-friendly alternative to chemical cleansers. Lightly spray the window using a spray bottle, then wipe with newspaper. (You can also use a mix of dish soap and water as an extra first step to remove the dirt from very dirty exterior windows.) Your windows will be clean and streak-free. Newspaper is also great for cleaning mirrors and chrome fixtures. 

A 50-50 mix of vinegar and water is an inexpensive and eco-friendly alternative to chemical cleansers.

Photo by Skitterphoto from Pexels

Petra Pupich from Root of Joy:

This spring give your washing machine extra attention. First start by cleaning it all together, remove      

• the detergent drawer,

• the filter (usually at the bottom),

• outside of the machine - with diluted white vinegar (spray bottle filled with half vinegar half water)

• inside of the machine - with empty, long, hot cycle with 3 cups of baking soda (directly in machine)

For cleaning use old cotton t-shirt, not microfabric cloth because it leaves microplastic behind in our oceans, sea world and on our table.

When you finished cleaning it, stop for a second and revisit the decision about your laundry detergent and softener. Are they harmful for your clothes and consequently for your skin? Are they harmful for the nature around you? 

Solution number one: you don’t need softener

Even if you have hard water, I challenge you to try it without it.  If your towels do come out little rough, look at them as peeling accessories because they will easily remove the dead skin while you dry yourself after the shower and then you can slip into nice bathrobe.

There is of course financial upside of this and you also have more storage room in your bathroom.

Solution number two: Choose an eco, plastic-free, vegan and cruelty free laundry detergent 

Some new habits are too hard for us, but some, like this one, are the step in right direction we can easily take. Here is the list of some companies that checked all criteria: Dropps, Tru Earth, Green and Frugal, Earth Breeze, Blueland, Seventh Generation, Country Save, Sheets laundry club.

To keep your machine last a long time, remember to always:

• Leave the lid or the door slightly open as well as detergent drawer to help them dry properly

• Remove the access water from the rubber band with old cloth after ever cycle

Photo by Anete Lusina from Pexels

Heather Banks from Tidy Life:

Spring cleaning would be a misnomer if it didn't involve cleaning, but my number one tip isn't actually about cleaning. My number one tip is to go around your home and discover what needs to be repaired or replaced since the year before. 

I don't know about you, but I'm prone to hibernating during the cold months and sometimes the long dark days can lower my motivation which leaves a lot of things undone. The fresh air and sunshine can be invigorating so I take advantage of this energy! 

Usually, light bulbs start to burn out so I'll pick up some extra bulbs to have on hand.  It's a good time to check for holes or worn spots in your clothes, especially outerwear like gloves. I like to wear the stretchy gloves and my nails inevitably burst through the fingertips. Go ahead and launder everything first, then spend a couple minutes with a needle and thread to repair any small holes before tucking them away in storage. This way they will be ready when you need them next year. 

Take a moment to follow up on any winterization improvements. Did your windows feel extra drafty this year? Did something break over the winter that you haven't found time to fix? This is the perfect time to reset your home so that you can relax and enjoy the warmer months to come.

Kristin DeCou from Modern Refresh:

"Use cleaning products that invigorate the senses. If they smell good, look good, and are good for the environment, you’ll FEEL good every time you clean. You might even look forward to cleaning those kitchen countertops!

You can even invigorate the senses while you clean. Start with what's easiest for you and find ways to make it fun:

1. Listen to your favorite podcast or playlist.

2. Treat yourself to your favorite beverage and enjoy while you clean. 

3. Light a candle or essential oils to refresh your space.

Don't work to clean, make cleaning work for you. 

Use cleaning products that invigorate the senses. If they smell good, look good, and are good for the environment, you’ll FEEL good every time you clean.

Selina Mills from Restful Space:

The sun has appeared in England for the first time this year so I’ve been in my garden, sewing veggie seeds and surrounding myself with lots of lovely plants.

My home is also filled with plants and much as I love them, they do require time and energy, watering, re-potting, and critically: dusting. 

The ones with the tiny leaves are tricky but here’s my tip. In the spring, on a day when the temperatures are not too dissimilar to indoors but when a bit of rain is forecast, take your plants outdoors and let them get thoroughly showered! A light breeze is no problem but of course avoid windy days, and your plants will feel as though they’ve been on holiday.

When they’ve dried off, remove dead or untidy leaves, pot up any that are outgrowing their pots, and replace. (They might need different homes in their new, bigger pots!)

You can, of course, achieve the same in the bathroom shower, but it can make a mess and there’s way more romance doing it outdoors!

Photo by Liza Summer from Pexels

Janine Morales from TidyCloset:

My number one tip for spring cleaning is get your closet cleared out. If you have ever walked into your overstuffed closet and still felt like you have nothing to wear, you are not alone. The reason we default to wearing our to-go comfy clothes is because it is often overwhelming to have to go through a closet that is cluttered. By taking the time to minimize your wardrobe to only items you love, chances are you will be wearing more spark joy clothes more often and feel great about yourself. 

• Step one: Take out all of your clothes and pile them on your bed

• Step two: Touch every single item and ask how it makes you feel. If it sparks joy keep it, if it does not say thank you and goodbye.

• Step three: After joy checking your clothes arrange them by type and put them neatly back into your closet.

• Step four: Drop off your donations at your favorite charity.

After you complete these steps you will have a more manageable amount of clothes in the space and you will get inspired to actually wear your beautiful feel good pieces because you can actually see them. 

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This blog post was originally posted by Tidy Closet owner and founder Janine Morales, a professional home organizer and certified KonMari Consultant based in San Diego.

Clutter free gift ideas from KonMari organizing professionals

Buying the right gift for someone can be stressful and 2020’s COVID crisis makes it even more challenging. Whether you don’t want to wait in long lines, go to the stores, or have a minimalist mindset, you have to come to the right place for inspiration. Christmas is right around the corner and here are some favorite, meaningful, clutter-free gift ideas from KonMari organizing professionals. 🌱

Photo credit: Pixabay

Kammy Lee from Organized by Kammy:

Here's a clutter-free holiday gift idea for the loved ones on your list who haven't yet discovered the joy of listening to podcasts. Choose just the right podcast, one you know they'll enjoy, and provide them with simple instructions to start listening. It's a great gift for people who are hard to buy for, or simply don't want more things, and it's budget-friendly too.

To make giving a podcast even easier, visit this link: giftofpodcast.com (thanks Gretchen Rubin!) The site lets you download a PDF gift certificate (which you'll personalize with the name of the podcast your recipient will love and why), along with easy instructions for how to listen on iPhone or iPad, Android phone, or smart speaker.

Sandy Park from Tidy with Spark:

There is no better season than Christmas to share your love for deliciousness. Baking for friends and family during the holidays is my number one hands down best clutter free idea. It’s my go-to present and it’s really for me just as much as it is for the receivers. You see, I love to create delicious treats and it is a creative extension that is low cost, fun and won’t clutter up anyone’s home because my treats never last. Whether it’s cut out sugar cookies or easy peasy drop cookies, delight those on your Christmas list with this clutter free gift idea. Over the years I found that rarely people will remember my store bought gifts, but they always remember personalized homemade cookies. This mindful gift won’t break the bank and won’t clutter up the homes of those you love. It’s really a win-win gift idea. Try it today and thank me later.

This mindful gift won’t break the bank and won’t clutter up the homes of those you love.

Photo credit: Jill Wellington from Pexels

Aparna Sundar from Global Mindful Journey:

Ever since my family and I began our minimalist journey, we have become mindful of not only what we give to others but also of our requests for gifts. We focus more on experience-based gifts and/or those that serve the needs of the less fortunate in our communities. The idea is to cherish the memories from these experiences. When we do decide on ‘product-based’ gifts, we look at supporting local businesses, a ‘need’ that requires to be fulfilled, the versatility of the item and/or if they are sustainably produced. That being said, even if a gift we receive doesn’t necessarily “spark joy” to us, showing gratitude to the people who love and think of us when they gift us something is important. Our children will also learn from us to give relationships far more significance than to worry about what enters our homes.

Victoria Nicholsen from My Wardrobe Zen:

Photo credit: Daria Sannikova from Pexels

I love art and like to gift annual membership to art galleries so friends and family can enjoy beautiful pieces without cluttering up their homes.  It’s also fun to pair a museum or gallery to the recipient, for example, science museum membership for a nephew, film museum membership for the movie buff in your life. It’s a gift that keeps giving and supports these amazing institutions.  

Selina Mills from Restful Space writes:

My all-time favorite clutter-free gift are home-made vouchers and let me tell you why:

1. They can be handmade, simply or in artistic detail, by any member of the family.

2. They can be made out of recycled bits of colored paper or whatever’s lying around so are truly zero monetary cost.

3. They are a great creative project in themselves for children.

4. They are a lovely exercise in connecting with what family members genuinely treasure as individuals.

5. They make a super (small!) keepsake – I still have a “Kitchen Tidying Voucher”, a “Dog Care Voucher” and even a “Love Voucher” from my children. I use one under my home office cuppa.

6. They can incorporate a heartfelt message easily and who doesn’t love one of those.

7. They can be for ANYTHING!

Related: On Clutter-Free Holiday Gifting

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This blog post was originally posted by Tidy Closet owner and founder Janine Morales, a professional home organizer and certified KonMari Consultant based in San Diego.

It's important to visualize your journey's end

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“Before you start, visualize your destination. Think in concrete terms so that you can vividly picture what it would be like to live in a clutter-free space.”

— Marie Kondo

You might think that the first step of the tidying process is to begin discarding things. But wait -- before you start out on a journey, wouldn't it be good to have some idea of where you would like to end up?

Why even start tidying in the first place? Why is it worth doing?

It's important to visualize your journey's end. What kind of life do you want to have? Specific goals are more helpful than broad, vague ones.

"I want to clean this place up" vs. "I'd really like to be able to invite friends over for dinner and enjoy their company, without worrying what they think of my house."

"I want to clear out the clutter" vs. "I want my sewing table to be easily accessible and my supplies organized, so I can have fun working on sewing projects."

"I want to be healthier" vs. "I want my kitchen to be clean, tidy, and well organized so that I'll enjoy cooking healthy meals there."

Imagine your ideal lifestyle. Then get it out of your head and into a tangible form. You can take notes, draw pictures, write a blog post, make a vision board — or whatever works for you. You can focus on things you want to have or do, but the most important thing to focus on is how you want to feel.

Need a tidy coach? I'm here to help. Get in touch with me -- I'd love to hear from you!

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On clutter-free holiday gifting

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"Give experiences, not things."

"Give them the gift of less stuff."

"Connection over consumption."

I've been seeing this message everywhere lately, and it could not be more timely. At no time in human history has there ever been more stuff for us to acquire and accumulate. But do any of us really need more items, objects, or things?

Some ideas for gifts that don't add to the pile of stuff:

• Gift cards (or e-gift cards)

• Lessons, classes or activities (cooking, dance, languages, skydiving)

• Tickets to movies, music, performance, or sporting events

• Food and drink

• Flowers

• Time (plan a date, host a dinner party, offer babysitting or housekeeping services)

• Donate to a charity in the person's name

If you're giving a tangible item, furoshiki (traditional Japanese method of wrapping gifts in squares of fabric) is big this year (thanks Marie Kondo!) It's beautiful and the "wrapping paper" can be used again and again.

I have one more idea I'd like to suggest, and it's not a "friend date" to go have coffee. Or airplane tickets. Or homemade cookies. Although all of these things sound quite nice.

Don't get me wrong, if you truly love giving gifts in the usual sense of the word, and would feel something missing without doing so, then by all means, keep giving them. And may they bring joy to both you and the recipients.

But if you find that you've simply exchanged the pressure of having to rush around, desperately seeking the perfect item for each person, for the pressure of having to come up with the perfect edible gift or "experience gift", then what's really changed?

Idea: Give the gift of being present. Give the gift of listening, really listening. Give the gift of letting them know how important they are to you. Express it in words, or write it down in a heartfelt card or letter. Give the gift of your undivided attention. Make them the center of your universe. For five seconds, five minutes, or five hours.