Organizing for Every Stage of Life

May 16, 2023

Organizing for Every Stage of Life: Young Families

World Organizing Day is coming up on May 20, and it’s inspired me to reflect on my career as a professional organizer. Not everyone can say that they love their job, but I feel lucky to be among those who can! As a professional organizer, every day on the job is different. I get to work with all kinds of clients, from young families to elders to everyone in between. Sometimes they’re going through the best stages of their lives, and sometimes they’re experiencing a rough patch. But no matter their circumstances, I love thinking outside the box and providing services to help them through it all. That’s the beauty of organizing for every stage of life.

Together, we can create a safe and functional environment in your home by implementing strong organization systems for whatever chapter you’re in right now. If you know me, you know I tend to be accident prone. That’s why safety is always at the front of my mind when organizing for any client. Let’s explore some of the ways that I can help you be safe and organized during each of the major life stages.

Organizing for Young Families
Safety is important at any age, but it is extra important when you have a little one on the way. I can help you baby proof your home before the baby arrives, so that you can focus on making safe and sweet first memories as a family. In the last few weeks of your pregnancy, you may feel inspired to do some nesting. It is a great way to make sure that everything is ready before the big day. Nesting may come as instinct, but be sure to take care of yourself, too! The last thing you need is to trip because you can’t see your own feet or to pull a muscle lifting a box that is too heavy. Remember that we are here to help if you need support!

As children grow into toddlers, young families should focus on organizing kids’ items. This will make it easier to find and access them. Kids may try to climb shelves if the items they want are out of reach. I recommend placing their belongings on low shelves to minimize the risk of injury. If you plan to have more kids, I can also help with organizing and storing items that your kids outgrow. This is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly option. It will save you lots of time when your next little one is on the way.

Do you know any young families who are welcoming a child soon? A professional organizing session makes a great gift! Reach out to us to schedule a consultation.

Organizing for Every Stage of Life: College & Graduation

Organizing for College and Graduation

Before you know it, instead of shopping for snacks and toys with your kids, they’ll be shopping for dorm room and apartment decor on their own. During this stage of life, it’s important to be realistic about their needs and why they are purchasing items. This is a transitional phase. It’s not likely that they will be using these items for very long. However, the items should be safe and easy to use while they need them. It’s all about finding the right balance between functionality, affordability, and quality. The Container Store and mDesign have plenty of high-quality, cost-effective items to help your kids get organized as they get on their feet in the real world.

Even if they are purchasing inexpensive items that they don’t plan to use forever, that doesn’t mean that they have to contribute to the “fast” or disposable furniture industry. When the time comes for your kids to move on, I can help them reduce clutter and figure out which items to donate or sell.

Organizing for Adults

Organizing for Adults

With the next stage of life comes a new set of solutions to help you live safe and sound in your home. Moving is often a major milestone of adulthood, but it can be very stressful. It usually comes with a long list of to-dos, and it can be overwhelming if you are also trying to get organized at the same time. To save your own sanity, consider hiring a moving professional. Through my move management services, I will guide you through the process and ensure that it runs smoothly from start to finish. My team and I can help with sorting and packing items, hiring and managing movers, disposing of hazardous items, unpacking, space planning, organization consulting, and more.

There’s nothing worse (and more dangerous) than settling into your new home and experiencing an emergency, only to find that you don’t know where your medications and safety items are packed. By keeping all of your belongings organized during a move, we will ensure that you can find what you are looking for quickly.

Don’t forget about the safety of your furry friends, too! I knew a very energetic puppy who got excited, jumped off the bed, and ended up in a cast. The situation could have been avoided with better organization to free up open floor space in the bedroom, along with some pet-proofing items to prevent the puppy from playing on the bed in the first place. These are important factors to consider when transporting a pet during a move as well. I am happy to offer my professional support, so that you can have peace of mind and ensure that your pet is safe at home.

If you would like additional tips on how to ensure a stress-free moving experience, be sure to request a copy of our free eBook on moving and organizing. It includes checklists to help you get started and stay organized throughout the moving process.

Organizing for Every Stage of Life: Elders

Organizing for Elders

In this last stage of life, clients’ needs often vary the most. Some clients are looking to reduce the overwhelm of accumulated belongings and move to a smaller home that requires less upkeep. Others are comfortable in their current homes and are just looking for ways to implement better organization and safety as they get older.

Regardless of where they want to live, an effective organization system will enhance accessibility and make it easy for older loved ones to get around. Walkways should be wide and free of clutter. This allows for easy movement, as some may have wheelchairs or other special equipment for mobility. Bath mats and rugs should be non-slip solutions that stick to the floor to prevent falls. This will help to ensure that older loved ones can safely maintain some independence as they age.

In addition to these suggestions, there are some safety tips that apply to organizing for every stage of life. For example, bookshelves should always be attached to the wall for safety reasons. Perhaps you have kids who try to climb them, elders who need to hold onto them for support, or you are an adult who lives in an area that is prone to earthquakes. Regardless of who lives there, it is important to implement safety precautions when organizing any home.

By keeping your home organized, you can avoid potential hazards as well. “Clean Your Medicine Cabinet Day” was on April 15. But even if you missed it, you can still do it now! Remove expired medications from your medicine cabinet and dispose of them properly, according to these guidelines by the FDA. You should do the same for any e-waste, such as batteries, electronics, and appliances. Many communities have e-waste disposal events. Check within your local community to determine the best way to dispose of these items.

Getting organized and creating a safe home environment is a necessity during every stage of life, but that doesn’t mean it’s always easy. If you need professional support, reach out to us!