Organize Archives

Essential College Organizing

August 16, 2026 by Heather Filed Under: Kids & Family Organizing, Organize, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources 1 Comment

Transitioning to or back to college can feel particularly overwhelming, whether in person or online. Staying organized can improve your study skills, lifestyle habits, and time management. These skills matter. The more we have at stake, the more important it is to stay organized. College is a time when we are asked to juggle building new relationships, living independently or with new extended families, and building knowledge.

Any of these on their own is a considerable undertaking, so approach this transition with a dose of strategy, support from people who care about your success, and a large heaping of self-care. If you’re already feeling overwhelmed, break it down into smaller, manageable tasks. Be mindful of your emotions! It’s a big change in the midst of an already inconsistent and ever-changing world, so don’t dismiss how you feel!

This post shares helpful strategies for getting and staying organized for both new and returning students. Some of you may have eagerly planned, shopped, and packed over the summer and are settling in or getting ready to. Many folks are still preparing for the new school year, either in dorms or online. No matter where you are taking classes (in person or online), these Essential Organizing tips will help you plan for and transition into this experience!

By now you probably have the school year calendar and have the start of classes and moving to campus. The following categories can help make this a more mindful transition for life schedules and productivity.

Activities & Routines

Transportation-Will a car be available or will is it going to be transportation by bus or college shuttle? Is there a metro or other public transportation in their new city? Be sure to understand the best method of transportation and if cars are allowed on campus (not the case for many freshmen). Work out travel transportation arrangements ahead of time for upcoming school drop off, pick up and holidays (through the end of the year). This might include airfare so book ahead and know the rules and download any useful local apps for mass transit.
Activities, sports, and clubs (most will be transitioned to online or postponed this fall)-If your college planning to get involved in sports, clubs etc…get these activities booked on your master calendar along with the school schedule and decide on any necessary transportation. Cross-reference these activities with the school schedule and keep it all in one place. It’s great to get involved, but be sure there’s a sense of balance between schoolwork, activities, and “play” or free time to be with friends, socialize, relax, etc.

Schedules & Productivity

Planner or Calendar-Decide how to keep track of calendars so that everything needed is in one place, based on what works. Use either a digital or paper planner (there is a big trend to return to paper!) to keep track of important dates, orientation, move in, class schedule (and locations on campus), appointments, projects, finals, and holidays. Consider something like a whiteboard (in the dorm/room) to track schedules while adjusting to this new way of life. If possible, do this ahead of time before heading off to school where the tendency will be to get caught up in the excitement of new campus life! Planners are only helpful if they are with you so keep it where it’s needed (in a backpack or purse etc).
Productivity & study time– Think and Talk about to-do lists and schedule planning (daily, weekly, or monthly) to stay on top of important tasks, projects, classes, and dates. Consider what routines and systems have worked in the past and set up systems for successful and focused study time. This will be different from situation to situation but consistency is key, especially simple things like waking up at the same time daily, making your bed, weekly shopping & laundry, etc. When it comes to studying if you are easily distracted by other people being around, have a plan to seek out a quiet place on campus or at home (dorm or with family) that will enable successful focus.
Routines – Create a few simple rules and rituals; pick up daily (5 mins/day), keep your worksurface clear, empty/repack your bag frequently so you have what you need ready. Have a plan for note-taking, binders and folders by class (color code, etc), or other systems that have been successful. Find a routine for self-discipline. Get 6-8hrs of sleep a night, eating regularly, take necessary medications, self-regulate screen time (games, apps, etc), and general adulting! All the freedom is fun but when things spiral out of control have a plan to get back on track. Most of us thrive with routines and it’s even more important in transitions to implement them for our own success:)

Supplies & Shopping

This is always a big part of school preparation. If you need to order equipment, uniforms, supplies, books, etc you may already be in the process of doing so. If your state (or the one the college is in) has a Tax Free Weekend (usually in early August), plan accordingly so you can make major purchases over that weekend.

Supplies-Create a master list based upon all the supplies needed. “Shop” your house first, gathering anything on the list into one container (box or bag).
Budget-set a limit (realistic) on what you can and will spend so you don’t get sucked into extras.
Categorize-Break the shopping items into categories (see below). E.X. categories might include books, school/desk supplies, clothing, dorm room, meals, electronics, etc.
Shopping-Do a little preliminary research online and either make the purchases online or decide where you will go for what.

A-Z Dorm Essentials for Cleaning & Organizing

These are great resources to have on hand and will be helpful for a variety of uses in the dorm. I’ve created an Amazon Shopping list with suggested items here.

Backpack or bag
Bedside Caddy
Bed Risers (optional)
Hooks (a variety of sizes & types including command & over the door)
Hangers (check to see if you need to bring them but probably!)
Labels (a label maker or write on labels)
Laundry supplies (basket/bag, detergent)
Over the door or under bed shoe organizer
Overnight bag
Permanent markers
Poster Putty for hanging decorative things on the walls
Power Strip-surge protector
Small rolling Cart (with shelves or drawers)
Shelf &/or drawer dividers/organizers (assorted sizes)
Toiletry or shower caddy
Trash & recycling bins/bags (so many people don’t have them!)
Under-bed storage bins (will fit with bed risers-wait if you don’t know)
Zip bags in assorted sizes
Zip ties (assorted sizes for cables, hanging items, etc)

ABC’s of Dorm Packing Essentials

There are a ton of great resources and lists over on Pinterest, so I won’t recreate them but here are general packing categories. It’s best to wait on things like a mini-fridge, microwave, dishes (other than a cup/mug, plate and one set of silverware), Iron/Board (unless fashion is your thing!), vacuum (maybe a dust buster and mini broom), TV and Printer. These are all things that others or the school will have. Besides, you might not need it at all or you can get them later.

Bathroom-Toiletries
Cleaning Supplies (lots of extra or a plan to get more as needed)
Clothing
Cooking & Dining Supplies
Desk Supplies
Dorm Room
Food
First Aid Kit
Electronics
Furniture & Decorations
Medications (Supplements, cold & Rx)
Personal Items
School Supplies
Sports Equipment

This is a lot of info in one place! I hope these Off to College Essential Organizing Tips will help prepare for schedule and lifestyle changes, supplies, and shopping, and finally packing before this next adventure begins!

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Move Management Countdown

July 15, 2026 by Heather Filed Under: Move Management, Organize, Organizing Projects, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources 6 Comments

Here’s a helpful move-management countdown calculator to help you plan and organize your move. Once your date is set, create a week-by-week task list to help you stay on schedule and to prevent feeling overwhelmed.

Start a “Moving” binder or expandable file folder to keep all the information in one location. Include everything related here (e.g., the moving information, donations, sales and giveaways, storage, lodging, and other information for the destination location).
Use food, cleaning supplies, and other perishables or consumables you don’t want to move. Have a plan to give away, toss or find alternate transportation for anything liquid, perishable or open food (most moving companies will only take sealed food-closed resealable bags are fine for food items).
Check pricing on moving companies, trucks, and storage facilities and be ready to book in 1-2 weeks. There are several options: DIY, hire a service or a hybrid (you pack, they move). You may also want to consider having a container dropped for you to fill and empty as you’re able.
Make decisions about large items to sell, donate, or give away. Collect items to get rid of throughout daily routines; keep an empty box and bags in one location and place items to get rid of. Take regular trips or schedule pick up so these items don’t accumulate.
Research hotels or other temporary housing and book as needed.
Enlist or hire help for the day of the move and unpacking the following days.

Packing Supplies

Locate and/or purchase boxes and other sturdy, undamaged packing supplies. Determining the number of boxes needed is a bit tricky, but a moving supply company can help you calculate this based on how many household members you have and how large your home is. This packing calculator is also helpful if your packing for yourself. Supplies will include the following:

Boxes in various sizes, including specialized wardrobe boxes, China and silverware boxes-aka Dishpacks, flat boxes, and cardboard for artwork.
Equipment such as dollies and hand carts will make moving large items much easier and safer.
Packing tape (and guns), markers, labels, box cutters (or other such knives), bubble wrap/packing peanuts, and newspaper (or unprinted newsprint, which is much less messy).
Packing pads, blankets, sheets (the old ones you don’t need anymore), and plastic shrink wrap (which is not very eco-friendly but sometimes is very helpful!).

Lists and Inventory

Number each box and add it to a list if you are DIY packing/moving. This will make unpacking essentials much easier.
Include a short description of the contents of each box, making special notes of valuable (sentimental or monetary) items or general contents by Category ex. Lampshades, pillows, linens, China, clothes, etc. These can be attached to the box or separate.
Label the box with the DESTINATION room location
Work alongside packers (if you’ve hired a moving company) to be sure boxes are labeled accurately (even if they don’t have a description, you can add a number and room).
Consider color-coding if there are essential boxes to be opened immediately, versus things to be stored and opened later (this is not uncommon with houses under remodel or more complex moves).

Packing-Where & How to start

Think about what is heavy and small versus what is bulky and light. You will want to match the most appropriate boxes to the items. Wardrobes and larger boxes for clothing (especially so you don’t have to remove everything from hangers!), small for books and dishpacks for kitchen items (they are usually stronger and can handle large/heavy and fragile items). Pack your boxes all the way full. Empty space at the tops will cause them to be crushed and damaged when stacked and in transit. This can cause damage to the items inside. Search for items (pillows, linens etc) that might fill the space or use wadded up packing paper to fill holes.

Start with large-medium pictures and artwork, especially personal photos, which are not functional, so you can live without them. These should be flat packed, with backs and fronts facing one another. Some art boxes can hold more than one work. Wrap them in bubble wrap or padded packing paper, then slide into art boxes.
Next, remove all the small artwork from the walls and surfaces. Pack smaller photos and artwork in medium-sized boxes, with newsprint wrapped around each and bubble wrap or cardboard between them.
Next, pack up small decorative non-function items. Otherwise known as Nicknacks:)
In the dining room and kitchen, pack formal China, stemware, crystal, and serving pieces you will not be needing.
Books should be packed into small boxes, so they can be more easily lifted and stored in transit. Since they will be the most heavy boxes, please don’t load them into medium or large boxes. Pack them all the way to the top.
Seasonal clothing or formal ware that you will not be wearing can be packed into medium-large boxes, unused luggage or wardrobes.
Linens that are needed can be packed in medium and large boxes.
Lamps should have lightbulbs, lampshades and harps removed. Use painters tape to label which lamps and shades go together. Stack lampshades together to be packed in the appropriate sized box-by themselves so they are not crushed.
Rugs and pads can be rolled and wrapped with shrink plastic (don’t use tape, which can damage the carpet fibers).

If you are looking for more moving assistance, please reach out and I can work with you to create a customized plan or search my blog for ‘move management‘ posts for more tips!

Sorting & Storing Kids Stuff

May 28, 2026 by Heather Filed Under: Collections, Kids & Family Organizing, Organize, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

Create a system for sorting & storing kids’ stuff this summer. From schoolwork to your children’s school-year memories, use these simple tips.

Summer is perfect for getting a handle on all those sentimental school objects and creating a system for sorting & storing kids’ stuff, from papers and artwork to old school projects. Perhaps you have a designated spot where you dump things throughout the year? Before you sit down to sort through the sentimental savings, it helps to understand how sentimental you are. Do you want to keep everything, be detached, or be somewhere in between?

Being aware of what we learned from our upbringing will be a great guide for your decision-making process moving forward!

Reflect on your childhood and how your parents handled your memorabilia. Sometimes, the way our family “taught” us shapes how we respond; other times, we want to do the exact opposite. Did your parents keep everything and then hand it over to you after college or when you moved out? Or did they dump it in the trash? What did you do with your sentimental treasures from childhood? Do you still have those things? When was the last time you looked through your memory albums, boxes, etc.? Be aware that what you do today will affect your kids’ behavior tomorrow, and they may already have strong opinions about what they want to keep or discard (which might differ from yours).

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Healthy Cleaning Tips: Greener ways to Clean

March 29, 2026 by Heather Filed Under: Health, Inspiration & Education, Organize, Tips & Resources, Uncategorized 1 Comment

The change of seasons is the perfect time to declutter, organize your closets, and create a clean and fresh start in your home. The following healthy cleaning tips are meant to help you understand what you’re putting into your homes and bodies.

There are so many cleaners and cleaning products on the market, but do you really know what’s in them?

With the recent focus on sanitizing since COVID, it’s important to understand how to make cleaning choices that will keep our homes and bodies healthy.

How healthy are the cleaners that you use?

Non-toxic, more healthy cleaning should be part of your everyday home cleaning routine – and especially if you have small children. The benefits of these healhty greener cleaners include; fewer toxins and chemicals being absorbed into the skin, less damaging to the environment and better air quality in your home and they are less expensive in some cases (DIY cleansers!). If you want to better understand the toxic chemicals to look out for in your cleaners, check out my previous wellness post on the subject.

GreenWorks Multi-Purpose Cleanser is a great cleanser to use for virtually any room in your house. It can be used for a variety of different tasks and is safe for your home and your children. Not only is it made with 97% organic materials, but it also works on those stubborn stains or hard to handle messes.

Method is another cleaner that has the environmental seal of approval. The method product line comes in a variety of different cleaners including hand soap, dish soap, laundry detergent, bathroom cleaners, all-purpose cleaners and even a body wash for men and women! They come in a variety of scents and uses all biodegradable materials. They’ve thought of everything!

Mrs. Myers is a wholesome midwest cleaning brand started by Mrs. Thema A. Meyer. She created Mrs. Meyers because of her penchant for keeping things neat and tidy and the scents were inspired by her garden. Her line of cleaning products which range from hand soap, body soap, laundry detergent and air fresheners are all made with natural scents like mint, basil, and lavender. If you want your home smelling like a bouquet of roses this Spring, you better get cleaning with Mrs. Meyers!

For those who want to know EVERYTHING that is in their cleaners, DIY is the way to go! Many homemade cleaners are made with ingredients you probably already have around your home. Vinegar, essential oils, baking soda, olive oil, and water are the key players in most of your homemade cleaners.

Bathroom

Vinegar is a key ingredient to getting rid of bathroom dirt and grime! For tough toilet stains, add ½ baking soda along with a few drops of essential oils into your toilet bowl when you’re ready to tackle the toilet add ¼ cup of vinegar and scrub away the mess as it works its magic.

A spritz of pure vinegar can be used in your shower and sink on soap scum and hard water residue. Add it to a spray bottle and spritz it on, letting the vinegar soak for 20-30 minutes before wiping off. If that doesn’t work, add baking soda to the mix and try again in 15 minutes.

Kitchen

Most kitchen surfaces can also be treated with vinegar, but if your surfaces are made from marble, granite or stone stay away from the high acidity and use vodka or rubbing alcohol instead- which both have anti-viral properties. Mixing equal parts water and vinegar/alcahol will make a very effective multi-purpose cleaner that can be used on most surfaces including countertops, floors, and walls. Add your favorite essential oils to increase the anti-viral (think tea tree, thyme, lavendar or citrus sents) properties and make your home smell wonderful!

More healthy cleaning tips

To tackle greasy frying pans just add salt – and give it a good scrub! If you need to clean a cast iron pan add olive oil and a teaspoon of course salt and rinse well with water. The best way to sanitize surfaces is with a lemon, simply cut it in half and run it over the surface you would like to disinfect.

Having the right ingredients is only half of the job, having the right cleaning tool is the other half. Sponges that have a harder edge are good for scrubbing stubborn pots and pans. Rags or microfibre clothes are excellent for disinfecting surfaces and the magic eraser is great for removing soap scum, scuff marks and any other war wounds your child puts into it!

Laundry

Click to view image and make recipe larger

The laundry room is where most people run into trouble with the homemade detergents because if you throw a cup of vinegar in with your clothes, they wouldn’t come out smelling very nice. Laundry detergent is a bit tougher to make, only in the sense that you have to add more ingredients. Combine bar soap (chopped and processed), baking soda, essential oils, vinegar and washing soda and you will have created a very effective and pleasant-smelling laundry detergent.

Instead of using dryer sheets that lose their scent after one use, try using laundry ‘scenters’ that will stay fresh for up to 30 loads of laundry, or more! Add your favorite herbs or loose tea to a sachet (one that has holes that the herbs can aerate is best). For more laundry organizing and cleaning tips, check out this post.

Floors

Every room in your house has one and floors can be tricky to keep clean. Anyone with hardwood floors can keep it simple by washing (or steam cleaning) with warm water, just be sure not to over soak your mop when washing the floors.

Click to view image and make recipe larger

If your floors still aren’t looking as clean as they should, add a bit of dish soap in to bring out the dirt and let those floors shine.

Laminate floors are very delicate and steam mops shouldn’t be used on them. When cleaning a laminate floor clean with a light mop and spray the cleaner onto the mop, not directly onto the floor. Using a mixture of three parts water, one part vinegar and a squirt of dish soap should do the trick.

Most other floors are easy enough to care for and don’t require any special precautions. A typical all-purpose floor cleaner is a cup of water, ½ cup of vinegar and a tbsp of vegetable oil to bring out the floors natural glow.

There are hundreds of different homemade cleaner recipes out there, all have different purposes and work differently for all homeowners and their grime, but the one thing we can all agree on is that they are made from natural ingredients and have a positive impact on your home and the environment. If you have any recipes you’d like to share, please leave them in the comments below!

Get Organized in ’26 with these posts from ’16

January 9, 2026 by Heather Filed Under: Organize, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

As we ease into the first month of 2026 otherwise known (for some) as GO (get organized) month, I want to share a review of some favorite posts from 2016. Yes, you read that right! I have been in business for over a decade (celebrating 15 years in MAY! and so much of the content I have written and shared is evergreen and as applicable today as it was when I wrote these posts, ten years ago!

It’s always helpful to review where you have been and close the door as you step into new directions!

2016 Artist Studio Round Up

Creative Posts

The In The Studio Artist Interview Series has introduced to a spectrum of creatives in Charleston, Gatlinburg, New York and NC. These 15 artists work in a range of media from ceramics artists, painters, jewelry makers, and taxidermists to name only a handful. I consider every one of my artist interviews a favorite so if you want to find them all in one spot check out this post.
Learn how to create a Capsule wardrobe for yourself or your kids. Proportion, drape, body shape, size, lifestyle, profession and personal expression, social responsibility and seasonal attire are all factors to consider when creating your own Capsule Wardrobe.
The Three C’s of Getting Organized. It takes a bit of Curiosity, a bit of Creativity and a Commitment to make lasting changes. Want to be let in on a little secret, wink, wink…? Click here

Capsule Wardrobe

Productivity Posts

People often ask me what productivity Apps I use and recommend. It’s been a while since I’ve included a roundup on the blog so as requested, here are some useful Apps with a focus on Personal and Business Productivity. Check out these great Apps for business and personal Productivity.
Essential Documents everyone needs to have and be able to locate. Being prepared for the unexpected means having essential documents (and copies of them) in order and easy to find. Some people call these their Vital Documents. Whatever you call them they are really important!
A Quick tip on The Art of List making. I find that a lot of people’s idea of list making is to just keep one big ongoing “To Do”. Do you think about every single thing on your list as a “problem”? This seems to be the normal mindset around items that need to be done.

Organized Home (& Car) Posts

Helping Family members downsize with ease. We value our lives and those of others, including family members, especially as they age. Anyone at a crossroads in life facing the prospect of estate planning knows how stressful it can be. It can be emotionally and physically exhausting to face your legacy and the perceived value of your life.
Maintaining order when saving sentimental items. Sentimental Saving can feel like a way to capture time in a bottle.
On the Go-On the Go-Car Organizing. Having a system for In Car Organizing means you’re more likely to keep your sanity on the road. This is especially true when you spend a ton of time in your car, to and from work, carpool, errands or before you head out for a road trip vacation! Before you hit the road, give your car a quick clean out with these In Car Organizing Tips.

I’m looking forward to sharing lots of great new organizing, appraisal and collections management ideas and tips this year! Is there a subject you would like to see me cover this year? Leave me a comment below and I’ll do my best to cover it in an upcoming post!