Dear Reader,

My heart has been heavy watching the devastating wildfires in California. Seeing families forced to evacuate with just minutes to grab what matters most puts everything into sharp perspective.

It reminds me of conversations I've had with many of my clients that are successful, busy moms who want nothing more than to spend quality time with family and friends, to have impromptu coffee dates without feeling embarrassed about the state of your home, to enjoy movie nights without stressing about the clutter surrounding you.

When disaster strikes, it becomes crystal clear - it's these moments, not our stuff, that truly matter.

When we realize what truly matters, it becomes easier to envision the kind of home we want to create - not a showroom, but a welcoming space where memories happen naturally and stress melts away. That's exactly why I want 2025 to be the year you finally create the organized home that supports quality time with those you love most.

I've created a complete roadmap in this blog post, "7 Steps to Start Your Organized Year" [here], to help you create that organized home you desire.

Along with the blog post, you can download the full companion guide here and work at your own pace or follow along with our weekly email series where we break down each step into manageable chunks.

This week is Week 2, and our tasks focus on implementing the One In-One Out method and Shopping Reset. These foundational steps will help you start controlling what comes into your home, so you can focus more on those precious moments with loved ones and less on managing stuff.

This Week's Focus:

Monday & Tuesday: One In-One Out

- Walk through your home with three boxes: Keep, Donate, Trash

- For every new holiday gift you put away, select one similar item to donate

- Remember, it’s okay to let go of gifts that don’t serve you.

Wednesday & Thursday: Set Up Your Donation Station

- Choose a dedicated spot for donation items

- Schedule monthly donation drop-offs (add them to your calendar now!)

- Take pictures of items for tax purposes

- Select your preferred donation centers (worksheet on page 5 of your companion guide)

Friday & Weekend: Shopping Reset Challenge

- Implement the 24-hour rule for non-essential purchases which means you will wait 24 hours on a purchase to make sure it is a true need and not an impulse buy.

- Create your “Already Own” inventory (use the template in your companion guide here)

- Start up a family challenge: “Shop Your Home First” week. When you or anyone in the family are looking for an item or just something to do, challenge yourselves to shop what you already have first. Shop your closet before you buy that new top. Shop the toys before you buy a new one. Etc.

- Share your commitment with your family (maybe even make it a game tp see what you all "found" to use this week!)

Your Homework This Week: 🖊️

Download your “7 Steps” companion guide here.

Complete the “Family Already Owns” inventory sheet
Set up your donation station
Schedule your first donation drop-off
Make your “Shop Your Home First” pledge
Share one win in our Facebook group!

Remember, this isn't about deprivation - it's about being intentional with what we bring into our homes. When we're more mindful about our possessions, we create space for what truly matters: the memories and moments with our loved ones.

Next week, we'll tackle those tricky hot spots that seem to attract clutter like magnets. But for now, focus on creating your donation station and being mindful about new purchases.

Here's to keeping what matters!💝

Wishing you the best,

Sandy

P.S. Struggling with letting go of things? Download our "Decluttering Obstacles and how to Overcome them" here for practical tips on breaking emotional attachments to items you no longer need.

Remember - if you live in the Piedmont Triad area of North Carolina and need some help getting started, we're here for you!

Check out the organizing services we offer here!