Unpacking ADHD: The Real Truth Behind Organization Challenges
By Estela Garcia ¡Hello! I’m so glad you found this space for understanding and support! If you’re here, you probably know someone with ADHD or have been looking for ways to improve organization while navigating the challenges of ADHD. I want you to know that you are not alone. I want you to understand that your challenges with organization are not your fault. Still, you must take action and explore compassionate and practical strategies to help you create a more orderly and peaceful environment. What is ADHD? Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a neurological condition characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. These symptoms can vary in intensity and affect daily life, making tasks like organization incredibly challenging. Understanding how ADHD influences your life can be the first
Use These 3 Steps to Steal Back Time
By Teresa Hawthorne | Originally posted on www.thawthornelifesolutions.com Are you being robbed? Willingly? Here’s how you can tell. Are your thoughts filled with words like later, tomorrow, someday, or eventually? If so, a thief could be carrying away one of your most prized possessions. Do you often wonder how it could be that you’ve been busy all day, but haven’t completed much on your to-do list? If your answer is yes, a thief may be running off with a valuable asset. The thief—procrastination. Your precious commodity—time. Procrastination is the intentional choice to avoid or put off doing something that you know should be done. That’s right, it’s a choice. And if chosen often enough, it becomes a habit. The procrastination habit comes at a cost. In addition to stealing your
When Things Linger Too Long: How to Make More Space in Your Home
By Shanley Ten Eyck | Originally posted on www.shanleyteneyck.com When I work with clients, one of the first things we do is identify their goals for their home. Often the goal is to make more space. “I want a bigger garage, bigger kitchen, bigger-insert room here,” say my clients. Part of what decluttering does is to make space. When your cupboards and drawers are stuffed too full (or overflowing), there is no space for new things to come in and move you toward your goals. Decluttering clears those blockages in your mental and energetic states too. It’s important to understand that processing is part of organizing. If you aren’t ready to get rid of an item, you won’t. That’s the reason that things stay in your home for longer than their intended purpose. If
Prioritize Your Tasks with The 4 D’s: Delegate, Delay, Delete, or Do
By Ellen Faye | Originally published on https://ellenfaye.com Have you heard of the 4 D’s? It’s a principle that has been circulating in my professional circles for years but has gained even more relevance in today’s workplace. Given the workload my clients face, there must be solutions beyond simply working harder and longer. Lately, I’ve been emphasizing the importance of the 4 D’s as a filtering tool to help prioritize tasks on their to-do lists: delegate, delay, delete, do! Here’s what you need to know to help you use the 4 D’s to filter your tasks. Look at your task list; for every single item on it, ask yourself: Can I delegate this? Is this time-sensitive or can it wait? What are the consequences if I don’t do this? Is this
OCD in Black Communities: A Researcher’s Quest for Greater Representation & Understanding
When you talk to Dr. Henry Willis, you can hear in his voice just how much his research work means to him. “I really love it,” Dr. Willis emphasized during a recent interview with the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF). A Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor, Dr. Willis is the Director of The Cultural Resilience, Equity and Technology Lab at the University of Maryland, College Park. Dr. Willis is also an IOCDF Grant Recipient, having been awarded a Jenike Young Investigator Award in 2018 for his study on obsessive compulsive symptoms in African American young adults. Dr. Willis’ research looks to expand the current landscape by seeking greater representation and examining how cultural factors, like racial identity, can impact mental health. Dr. Willis hopes that his findings will help
Navigating Life Transitions and Grief: Understanding Our Relationship with Things
By Tanisha Lyons-Porter Grief is often seen as the shadow of losing a loved one, but it reaches far beyond that. Grief makes itself known in life transitions that challenge us to let go of what once was and step into the unknown. These transitions can be tied to loss, like the end of a relationship or moving out of a family home, but they can also stem from positive changes. Milestones like starting a new job, welcoming a child, or retiring after years of hard work bring their own nuance. Joyful or difficult, life transitions often have a ripple effect on our relationship with the things we own. Take a moment to think about the objects in your life. How many of them carry emotional weight? A child’s outgrown
Grumpy Brain: A Musician’s Journey with OCD
By Jared Hoeft My name is Jared. I’m a musician, which for me includes composing, songwriting, teaching, and performing, and I suffer from obsessive-compulsive disorder in the form of “just right” OCD. I feel an overwhelming and often debilitating need for certain things in my life, not everything but just certain things, to feel perfect, complete, or under control. When something doesn’t feel “just right,” it dominates my thoughts like a dark, heavy cloud of despair. I have a difficult time focusing on anything else until I can find some way to resolve the imperfection. In order to avoid that unbearable feeling, I am compelled to engage in repetitive rituals that involve checking, adjusting, or arranging things until they feel “just right.” Things can often feel wrong even if
Disorganization: The Downfall of Desire
By Jenny Albertini, CPO® It’s the beginning of February, and couples across the United States are gearing up for Hallmark’s biggest holiday of the year: Valentine’s Day. Dinner reservations are being made, candy hearts eyed in drugstore aisles, and visions of ceremonial intimacy flicker in the backs of lovers’ minds. But…one thing standing in the way of achieving a social media–worthy February 14th? The stack of clean laundry on the stairs waiting to be put away. A sad reality of adulthood is that we spend our time in environments that unconsciously remind us of tasks that need to be addressed. When we live with a romantic partner, it may be ideal if those tasks are shared equitably, but that is not always the case. So our homes not only remind
Digital Detox: How to Declutter and Organize Your Digital Life for Improved Productivity
By Vincent Giacalone | Originally posted on www.theorganizedguy.com In today’s fast-paced world, digital clutter can quickly accumulate, affecting your productivity and mental well-being. Just as physical clutter can overwhelm your space, digital clutter can bog down your devices and distract you from your tasks. Here’s how to declutter and organize your digital life for improved productivity. Step 1: Declutter Your Digital Devices Organize Your Files: Create a logical folder structure on your computer. Use clear and consistent naming conventions to easily locate files. Consider using categories like work, personal, finances, and hobbies. Delete Unnecessary Files: Go through your downloads, documents, and desktop folders to delete any files you no longer need. Don’t forget to empty your recycle bin. Unsubscribe from Unwanted Emails: Take some time to unsubscribe from newsletters and
Declutter and Toss, Purge and Plan: Getting Ready for Your Next Move
By Dr. Regina F. Lark, Ph.D. CPO®, CPO-CD® | Originally posted on aclearpath.net “I called you because I was about to lose it,” said my new client, Priya, after she decided to hire my team of Ninja organizers to finally get her long-awaited move underway. Prior to our arrival, Priya thought she would: declutter toss purge She quickly discovered that the process wasn’t very easy, and it was taking a lot longer than she really had time for. Next, she invited friends to help, but they did more talking and partying than actual work. While trying to figure out next steps about the clutter, Priya started calling around to moving companies. At the end of that day, she scheduled three appointments with three different companies. At the end of that week,
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- Why Employers Should Invest in a Professional Organizer for Their Employees on July 21, 2025
By Kenna Lee, CPO® In today’s hybrid work environment, employers are increasingly responsible for supporting their team’s productivity and mental well-being beyond the office walls. One […]
- Smart Ways to Incorporate AI into Your Organizing Journey (So It Doesn’t End Up Being More Work) on July 7, 2025
By Stephanie Y. Deininger, MBA, CPO® If it feels like everyone is talking about artificial intelligence (AI) these days, it’s because they are. From helping kids with homework to writing emails […]
- Get Organized for Travel & Activities: Pack Light, Live Large on June 16, 2025
By Kimberly Corey, CPO®, CVOP™, Finely Sorted Organizing, LLC Whether you’re jetting off for a two-week tour of Paris or taking a weekend trip to visit loved ones, travel is one of life’s […]
- Simplify Your Summer: A Flow-First Guide for Moms Who Do It All on June 2, 2025
By Estela Garcia, Professional Organizer & Mom of Three (Dogs and Kids) Summer’s almost here—and while the sunshine is welcome, let’s be honest: when school lets out, the structure flies […]
- Why Seniors Especially Benefit from Organization on May 19, 2025
By: Deirdre Langworthy Organization is more than just tidying up—it’s a powerful tool for improving overall well-being. From lowering stress to boosting physical safety, organizing one’s […]