There are times in your life when personal projects exceed what you can comfortably manage on top of everyday demands. Consider two-parent working households, single parents, and homes in transition due to moving, injury or illness, caring for a family member, adoption, or divorce. There may be so many demands stemming from work deadlines and travel, care tasks, and major life events that more routine projects begin to fall through the cracks. If you are in a particularly hectic season of life, you may not have a lot of gas left in the tank at the end of the week. This is when routine doctor ..read more

If you are searching for a professional home organizer in Chicago, you may be confused by the wide range of hourly rates listed on various platforms and provider websites. Posted rates can range from as low as $30 per hour to over $200 per hour. For a larger project, this can make a difference of several thousand dollars. This may leave you wondering- how is that even possible? Don’t all organizers do the same thing? Generally, yes. Most organizers help you improve what isn’t working in your home with straightforward strategies such as decluttering, grouping similar items together, creating h ..read more

Sometimes we can find ourselves so overwhelmed with activities, appointments, and responsibilities that maintaining an organized, clutter-free home is difficult. This blog post addresses three common organizing roadblocks my busy Chicago-based clients experience, delves into the reasons behind the challenges they face, and discusses how a home organizer can assist. Common Frustrations for Busy Families Not enough time to declutter and organize: Busy families juggle multiple commitments, from work and school to extracurricular activities and social obligations. Finding dedicated time to tack ..read more

When we have children, it is common to designate an area or two within the home for our kids’ toys and activities. We frequently choose a family room, the children’s bedrooms, and/or a playroom. Unfortunately, these designated play areas often become chaotic and overwhelming. There is too much stuff, it’s all jumbled together, and it feels impossible to tidy up.    If this sounds familiar, read on to learn what you can do to remedy the situation. STEPS TO CALMING THE CHAOS OF KIDS’ STUFF   Prioritize. Pause to assess the situation. What are your pain points? It could be too m ..read more

Believe me, I get it— the allure of retail therapy can be tempting. From the rush of getting a good deal to the temporary high of owning something shiny and new, shopping can provide a sense of excitement. However, beneath the surface lies a darker truth—the true cost of retail therapy. In this article, I’m going to break down this phenomenon and explore how it might be impacting you. The True Cost of Retail Therapy Financial Strain: One of the most obvious costs of retail therapy is financial strain. Constant shopping sprees and impulsive purchases quickly add up and can lead to mounting c ..read more

Mail is a significant source of paper clutter in many homes. It's easy to let it pile up on surfaces or even accumulate in boxes and bins that clog up rooms and closets. As a home organizer, I've seen firsthand how much mail contributes to clutter and stress. My Chicago-based clients and I often tackle mail to create a more peaceful, functional home environment. WHY IS MAIL SUCH A CHALLENGE? Much of it is junk. One of the most frustrating things about mail is that so much of it is junk. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, over 50 percent of the mail we receive is classified as ..read more

Are you tired of constantly feeling overwhelmed by clutter in your home? Do you feel like you have too much stuff and not enough space? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then it may be time to consider hiring a professional home organizer. As someone who works with a wide range of clients in the Chicago area, I can tell you that partnering with an organizer can make a world of difference in your home and your life. Here are some of the signs that you could benefit from working with a professional organizer: Every flat surface in your home is a magnet for “stuff.” If your cou ..read more

Are you struggling to keep track of schedules, important documents, and paper clutter? If so, you might benefit from creating a command center, a tool that aids in paper organization and productivity. A professional home organizer can work with you to determine what features and style of command center will best support your lifestyle, and get you set up for success. WHAT IS A COMMAND CENTER? A command center is a designated area in your home where you temporarily hold and organize items that aren’t yet completed; ones you are not ready to dispose of or transfer to a longer-term filing system ..read more

The new year is often a time of self-reflection, when people consider what worked well last year, wins and celebrations, and what they are resolved to change in the year to come. When people reach out to me, it almost always has to do with change. Perhaps you have moved and need help taming the post-move chaos. Or maybe you realize something isn’t working at home (clutter or lack of systems), and you want help creating change. Your situation is unique, but it involves change.   Change is hard and disruptive. It can feel uncomfortable and even unsafe. But if we change nothing, nothing cha ..read more

Based on my work in Chicago, I suspect many people assume home organizers are minimalists. Many people seem relieved when I don’t pressure them to get rid of things. On the contrary, I believe most professional home organizers embrace “functional maximalism,” a philosophy that allows for plenty of possessions with a heavy dose of mindfulness. In other words, home organizers like stuff, too. We just don’t want it to rule us and make us miserable. If you’re concerned about having too much stuff, ask yourself some questions. Do your possessions serve a purpose in your life? Do you enjoy and ..read more