BirchTree Organizing

The last habit?

👩‍🔧 Maintenance. You have to perform maintenance on your systems.

Life shifts, and things can pile up for various reasons. What worked before may no longer suit your current needs.

The key is to catch the need for change BEFORE the old system completely fails, leaving you surrounded by clutter and having to start from scratch again.

Two examples from my home:

1️⃣ I do 5-minute maintenance/re-set on my pantry every 1-2 weeks; it’s a highly used common area with new items constantly coming in and out that doesn’t always get put back perfectly, so it needs more attention. 

But because the systems are in place, it only takes 5 minutes to re-set it.

2️⃣ I do a yearly maintenance/re-set of my linen closet; not many new items come in or out of it so, it needs less attention and also usually only takes 5-10 minutes.

It’s about finding what works for you, your spaces and your family.

So remember, if you feel like you can’t “stay” organized, it may be less about the specific systems and more about the daily habits, or lack thereof.

For more details on these habits to stay clutter-free and organized, check out BirchTree’s blog post, shared to my stories and saved to Blog Highlights.

Do you practice any of these habits? Do you think you’ll start? Let me know in the comments below.
 

You can’t take it with you!

Keeping everything isn’t less wasteful and it isn’t financially or environmentally responsible.

It’s avoidance and delaying the inevitable.

One day it all gets cleared out.

Most often by someone who didn’t choose it and probably doesn’t want it.

So why choose to continue to live with the clutter and pass the decluttering burden on to a loved one in the future?

Let me repeat: You’re NOT reducing waste by holding on to everything.

You reduce waste by changing what you bring in.

So, let it go!

Did you need the hear this? Tell me in the comments.

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Wishing all the dads and father figures a very Happy Father’s Day!

If I could help organize one space for the man in your life, or if you’re a man one space for yourself, what would it be?👇

Small space, BIG function!🙌

A dorm room (or any small bedroom, bathroom, closet) doesn’t have to feel cramped or chaotic, you just need the right systems! 

Check out all 15 of my favourite small space storage and organization tips and systems that maximize space and function while still creating a cozy, personalised setup that works for you.
Links to everything in my stories.

Did you go away to school and live in a dorm?  Let me know below. 

I was fortunate to be at Innis Residence at U of T, which was apartment style so, I had my own (tiny) bedroom and only had to share a bathroom (that had no storage) with one roommate.

More ways we make moving easier?

✨ We help you declutter BEFORE your move so you’re not taking anything to your new home you don’t need, use or love.

✨ We pack everything up for you.

✨ We use a labelling system and coordinate with your movers to streamline moving day.

✨ We help you space plan your new home and map out where everything will go when unpacked.

✨ We implement systems custom to you and your new space.

✨ We take away moving materials at the end.

Whether you want help with your whole move or just one stage of it, unpacking and setting up your whole home or just one or two key areas to ease the transition, BirchTree Organizing can help!

Reach out to find out more.

Whats your least favourite part of moving? Let me know below.

Why these are my hills:

1️⃣Sets: I promise, nothing bad happens if you just keep the parts you use/like and let go of the rest.

2️⃣Gifts: The thought is the real gift; letting go of the physical item doesn’t make you a bad person.

3️⃣The flow: if you don’t balance the flow of things entering your home with things leaving, you’ll always have clutter.

4️⃣Selling: another demand on your time and energy and it’s still clutter until you do it.

5️⃣Forgot about it: a sign you don’t need it.

6️⃣Someday; when you buy a lottery ticket, you could win (it’s possible), but not likely (probable). Have someday scenarios that are likely to happen.

7️⃣Memories: If you want a memory trigger, take a photo and create a Memories album in your phone.

8️⃣Kids’ stuff: They won’t have the time, energy, space, or desire for this. 

9️⃣Expensive items: If it’s not being used, it’s clutter; letting go won’t cost you more money.

🔟The real cost: Clutter isn’t free, it quietly costs you space, time, and peace of mind and these things are priceless!
 
Which one of these did you need to hear the most?

The Goal ➡️ make space for the car

How we did it ➡️ Decluttered, created zones, and added some matching and complementary touches to the great storage pieces already in place, including:

✨More slat panels and additional hooks so EVERYTHING, including the ladders that were blocking the back exit, have a spot to hang;

✨Additional hooks to hang lesser-used items higher;

✨Another shelf to get smaller items off the floor;

✨Anew recycling bin set up that keeps the bins close to the door but leaves more space on the stairs; and

✨Smaller bins in the sport/toy cart to prevent smaller items from getting lost at the bottom.

The result is a garage that makes it easy to find and access everything AND to park a vehicle.

Tell me, can you park in your garage?

If you can’t but want to, reach out to see how BirchTree Organizing can help!

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