Based on my personal experience and over thirty years of helping clients get organized, I’ve learned a few things about what it means to be organized enough. That definition varies from person to person. What feels like being organized enough to me might be different for you. Guess what? That’s okay.

It's a journey to discover what helps you feel, be, and stay organized. I use the word ‘journey’ because getting organized isn’t a one-and-done event. As you go through life stages and changes, your organizing systems will likely need adjustments. Being organized helps make your life flow more smoothly. Being flexible and willing to tweak your systems as needed is part of the process.

Many strategies and products can work for your unique organizational needs. I’ve written hundreds of articles about this on the blog. However, today, I thought it would be fun to give you a behind-the-scenes look at some strategies and systems I use to stay organized with my things, thoughts, time, and space.

What Helps Me, a Professional Organizer, Stay Organized Enough?

Organized Things

Strategy: Create designated ‘homes’ for everything. This gives each possession a specific place to ‘live’ when it’s not in use and a spot to return after use.

Here are some ways I do that:

• Hooks next to the desk for my purse and bags

• Purse with compartments or mesh zipper bags inside larger totes

• Pen cup on the desk that holds only working pens

• Tray on the desk that holds frequently used office supplies like a stapler, tape dispenser, calculator, and paper clips

• Office supply cabinet with labeled drawers that organize similar items together

• Charging station and stands for my iPhone and iPad

• Drawer organizers, open bins, closed containers, and shelf dividers to house specific categories in the bathroom, kitchen, dining room, living room, and bedrooms

• Hook inside the door of a lower kitchen cabinet next to the stove to hang potholders

Organized Thoughts

Strategy: Use specific methods and tools to help clarify, record, and process thoughts. Some thoughts are personal, while others relate to my professional life. As a verbal processor, I find that writing and talking are effective ways to organize my thoughts.

Here are ways I do that:

• Write in my personal and meditation journals

• Log tasks and projects in my 2Do app, which can be scheduled for specific dates

• Place sticky notes and pens next to phones, beds, desk, kitchen and bathroom to jot quick notes, which get transferred or filed

• Keep an AquaNotes® waterproof paper pad and pencil in the shower to capture ideas

• Use a Word or Google Doc to organize ideas and projects

• File ideas into my blogging binder by category that I want to potentially write about

• Enlist help from a family member, friend, or professional to discuss and sort out my thoughts aloud.

“It’s a journey to discover what helps you feel, be, and stay organized.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

Organized Time

Strategy: Build systems you can fully trust. Use effective strategies and products that encourage intentionality and help you gain better control of your time. When possible, use one calendar along with a separate task app to manage your personal and professional life.

Here are ways I do this:

• 2Do app for scheduling appointments, tasks, birthday reminders, and lists such as ‘Books to Read’ or ‘Books Read’’

• Notes app on iPhone with shopping lists for specific stores, mileage log, and health notes

• Digital calendar with vertical weekly dated layout

• Color-coded calendar to see at a glance where my time is scheduled, the mix of categories, and the white space signifying unscheduled time

• Calendly app to schedule client and personal meetings

• Analog clocks in my office and kitchen to better visualize time

• Use timers to allow me to hyperfocus, remind me when to switch gears, get up and move, or wrap up what I’m doing

• I use different timers depending on the need:

  • Time Timer® , a visual timer for meetings, virtual organizing sessions, and workshops

  • Clock app alarm with auditory alert on my iPhone for switching gears, cooking, and notifying of upcoming meetings

  • Kitchen timer on the stove with auditory alert for cooking or cleaning something with timed instructions

• Only commit to something new after reviewing my current time commitments

• Respect my time and know when to say “yes” or “no”

• Have clear work and personal boundaries

Organized Space

Strategy: Define the purpose and designate zones for each room and area. Organize spaces to support their intended use, maximize the available area, and minimize clutter.

Here are some ways I do that:

• Guest bathroom with a in-wall magazine holder

• Kitchen with a hot beverage station

• Pantry with labeled Elfa drawers for storing gift wrapping supplies

• Laundry room with closets for storing extra cleaning products and paper goods

• Entryway with cushioned bench and open cubbies below to sit while taking shoes on and off and for storing most frequently worn shoes

• Office with a wall slot to fold up and discreetly store my folding screen when not in use

What Helps You Organize Your Things, Thoughts, Time, and Space?

Getting organized enough can help create more ease in your life. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything, focus on one category at a time to improve. Which area needs the most attention? Which category do you want to work on first? What helps you feel organized enough for your things, thoughts, time, and space?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

How Can I Help?

Would you like support with getting organized? I’d love to help! Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s talk. I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Email me at linda@ohsorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Getting organized is possible, especially with support.

All cylinders fire at capacity when you experience an intense period of busyness, deadlines, or emergencies. You can sustain your energy and focus for a while, but something needs to shift. Otherwise, you’ll burn out. There are various ways to decide what comes next after a rigorous stretch.

I am at this juncture now. While not quite over, it’s been a full first quarter. A partial list of what I’ve been working on includes:

• Presenting four workshops – Three virtual and one in-person

• Having virtual organizing sessions – Ongoing, returning, and new clients

• Blogging – Writing a new post each week

• Leading meetings – For two professional organizer groups, one international and one local

• Volunteering – For personal and professional groups

This week, I gave the last of the four workshops I scheduled for this quarter. Denise Wenacur, the talented interior designer and founder of DW Design & Décor, invited me to talk about clutter at her monthly Speaker Series. It was a wonderful evening with great people, drinks, and delicious food. Denise is such a warm host who fosters a sense of community through her monthly events.

Denise shared the evening, and my workshop live. Click here to watch How to Conquer Clutter.

So here I am. Winter has morphed into spring as the crocuses and daffodils emerge from the earth. Most of my first-quarter projects are complete. It’s time for my next step plan, which I’ll share with you.

“Regrouping allows me to pause briefly, evaluate, and decide what to embrace next.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

My simple three-step plan for next:

1. Breathe in deeply.

2. Exhale slowly.

3. Regroup.

Steps one and two help me prepare for step three. Regrouping allows me to pause briefly, evaluate how the last quarter went, and decide what to embrace next. I already have some things in the works. During my regrouping process, I’ll assess the timing and energy needed for other projects.

For example, one of my goals for 2024 is to host three Oh, So Organized!-sponsored workshops. I presented My Simple Organizing Plan in February and would like to do a new workshop in late spring, but we’ll see. Figuring out the details will be part of my regrouping process.

I’m breathing, pausing, and thinking before committing to my plan. How was your first quarter? Are you thinking about what comes next? I’d love to hear your thoughts and invite you to join the conversation.

If you need help regrouping and figuring out your next step, I’m here to help. Please email me at linda@ohsorganized.com, call 914-271-5673, or schedule a Discovery Call. Your next step is doable, especially with support.

As humans, there is something so enticing about becoming our best self and flourishing. We can accomplish this when we live using our top strengths. Do you know what yours are? If not, take the VIA Survey of Character Strengths to discover them. A few weeks ago, I attended ICD’s virtual conference and wrote about Dr. Ryan Niemiec’s inspiring session where he talked about this topic.

Some of the things I enjoy about blogging are writing and sharing ideas. However, my favorite part is reading and responding to your comments. I find it fascinating which concepts resonate with you, the information you share, and the emerging ideas. In the ICD conference post, there was a comment by my friend and colleague, Stacey Agin Murray, that I loved. She said in response to the discussion about living your strengths, “No one should ask a fish to climb a tree.”

Her idea is so clear. A fish can be their fantastic self in the water, but not so much if they had to scale a tree. It begs the question. What activities make you feel like your best self? Can you engage in doing more of those? Can you stop doing those things that drain you?

“No one should ask a fish to climb a tree.”

— Stacey Agin Murray

In Mindful magazine, I came across a related idea in Misty Pratt’s article, “How We Flourish.” The word flourish caught my attention because it’s such an uplifting word and way of being. Misty wrote,

“We know that ‘flourishing’ (defined as a combination of physical, emotional, and mental health) is a state of mind where life feels good. Flourishing is not about perfection or being happy all the time, but a recognition that when we have purpose, meaning, and connection in our lives, getting out of bed every morning is easier.”

“We know that ‘flourishing’ . . . is a state of mind where life feels good.”

— Misty Pratt

These two concepts- using your strengths and flourishing are interconnected. They are full of hope and speak to what’s possible for you.

As we begin a new month and are about to finish the year, how can you adjust how you live, what you’re doing, and who you’re engaging with to create your best life? What are your thoughts about strengths and flourishing? I look forward to hearing your ideas. I invite you to join the conversation.

We’re in the home stretch of the year with just a few days remaining until the New Year and decade. What has life been like for you these past few weeks? Have things been quieter, or have you experienced a flurry of activity? Has your balance felt off or just right? I’ve missed being here with you for the last several weeks. Between the holidays, parties, hosting, visiting, organizing, and launching my new website, I took a short blogging hiatus.

The last few weeks have felt different from other times of the year. It’s useful to do a simple “balance check-in. So if your scale has tipped too much in one direction, take a pause to reflect and adjust. I have five questions to get you started.

Simple “Balance” Check-In

1. Are you feeling exhausted?

If your sleep patterns have been off, evaluate the amount of sleep you need to feel better. Maybe you can turn in early tonight or sleep a bit longer in the morning. What do you need now?

2. Are you feeling stuffed?

If too many holiday cakes, pies, cocktails, and snacks are making you feel full and sluggish, pay attention to what you’re taking in. My eating patterns have shifted because of the holidays. My body is shouting- “Reduce the sugar and up the vegetable intake!” What is your body telling you?

3. Are you feeling talked out?

If you’ve been socializing more than usual, notice whether this is causing you stress. Maybe you need to balance the “outer” time with some alone time. While I love spending time with family and friends, I’m also aware that I need time to be. What are you sensing now?

4. Are you feeling disorganized?

If you’ve been traveling, entertaining, or disengaging from your regular routines, you might be feeling more disorganized than usual. It’s easy to get out of sorts when our regular patterns are altered. Edit the excess, revisit routines, and restore some order.

5. Are you feeling restless?

If you are winding up the current projects and also anticipating changes and goals for the coming year, you might be feeling anxious. Transitions can be challenging, especially when we shift from one year to the next. Reflect on past successes, let go of the ideas that no longer serve you, and set an intention for the New Year. Get ready for your clean slate.

Endings come, and new beginnings arrive. As you straddle the two, what is most helpful to restore balance? Do you have other questions to add to the mix? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation!