“Stop dilly-dallying, Jolene,” my mother would say back in grade school in the 60s. Gasp… yes, I’m a boomer, and ADHD was not even our vocabulary back then, or at least not in a big way. I was probably procrastinating doing what I didn’t feel compelled to do, like the dishes or getting ready for school. But isn’t that all kids? On the other hand, I was always a perfectionist, and found that order was a way to feel in control.

“I love moving,” said no one ever. Moving is inherently stressful. There was a time in my life when a move was a welcome change. The feeling of a new beginning softened the disruption to my life that moving inevitably causes. When life was simpler in my twenties, I’d get a group of guys from work, and that would cost me a U-Haul, pizza, and beer. Regardless of whether the move is a lifestyle upgrade or one that is the result of less desirable life changes, it sucks to uproot

Simplifying the Steps to Organize Like a Pro You’ve probably seen them on Pinterest or Instagram—the closets we all dream of having. Matching hangers perfectly spaced, clothing arranged in a rainbow, and every item looking like it belongs in a Neiman Marcus catalog. But have you ever wondered what those closets look like during the chaos of trying on outfits or, even more challenging when it’s time to neatly rehang everything after they’ve been worn? Maybe you’re not striving

And Here is What to do Instead! I’m not gonna lie - I love beautifully organized spaces. Those Pinterest-perfect walk-in pantries inspire me to build one in my next house for all the food I can store and probably will never eat. Plus, all these social media pics and reality shows have made professional organizers like myself mainstream. I no longer get asked if my job is a “real job” and “do people actually pay you” to do it— however, social media and reality TV are not real

My rescue Astrid As the year comes to a close, it's the perfect moment to reflect on your organizational habits. Could your time management use a little fine-tuning? Is your home in need of decluttering? No matter where you are on your organizational journey, there’s always value in evaluating what worked well — and identifying areas for growth. By recognizing the systems that supported you, you can build on your successes. At the same time, reflecting on what fell short prov

Tell us! We Really Want to Know 👻 As a kid, Halloween was my favorite holiday, second only to Christmas. I’ve been intrigued by the afterlife and paranormal mysteries for as long as I can remember. Once while playing with the Ouija Board with friends I asked what brand of cigarettes I’d smoke as an adult. Don’t judge—it was the sixties, and smoking was just something everyone did. We even got candy cigarettes in our Halloween bags—if you know, you know. Anyway, I remember t