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As I launch Honeybee & Chickadee, I thought it would be an opportune time to reflect on aspects of my own organizing and why I’m embarking on this journey to help others get more organized.

I really, truly enjoy organizing things; it seems I always have. It’s like putting together a puzzle except you’re not sure what it looks like, but you know that in the end you’ll love it! For me, the most difficult part of getting organized is the purging process. However, it’s worth the hassle, because once that step is done, I get a sense of lightness as I literally have less stuff. Having discarded and donated what I no longer need or want, I am left with the most important things to me in this moment. I can see what is left, and put into action my plan for organizing what remains into the space.

Once I find a system and/or organization that works, I literally simultaneously silently joyfully squeal and breathe a sigh of relief each time I use it. Here are examples of what I’ve done in my own home and in my own life in each my organizing specialties that include Closet, Kitchen, Bathroom, Digital, Travel, Vacation Home, and Medical Supplies.

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Kitchen

I recently re-organized the kitchen cabinet that holds plates, bowls, cups, mugs, measuring cups, and other items my husband Will and I use daily. Taking everything out wasn’t particularly pleasant, but discarding and donating old mugs and specialty serving ware we just don’t use allowed me to better arrange the items we use all of the time. Now, instead of near dread each time we open that cabinet, we easily reach for what we need and relish in that satisfaction of organization and a system that works for us.

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Medical Supplies

To say that having Type 1 Diabetes is a challenge would be an understatement. Managing this disease takes an incredible amount of time, concentration, and commitment. A bit of organization helps alleviate some of the stress associated with the numerous supplies required to manage the disease. Some time ago, I figured out having everything I need to change out the insulin in my insulin pump in one small case and kept in a spot convenient to me helps me immensely. I keep my mini-kit in a small clear case on a hook near my front door. Once I use anything from this kit, I restock it immediately so I know it’s always ready to be grabbed and used. At home, having everything I need all in one place is so convenient. If I will be out and about when I need to change out my insulin and supplies, I can just grab my kit on my way out. And, as I grab and go, I do a little happy dance inside and breathe deeply and contently knowing my system works for me.

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Bathroom

For a long time, I had SO MUCH STUFF in our bathroom. We (I) had so many items, we needed to install additional storage on the back of the bathroom door. Granted, our bathroom is small, but all those extra bins full of stuff was not necessary. After having gone through it, properly discarding expired and no longer wanted medications, first aid-type items, and toiletries, I was able to utilize a mini-shelf and stacking bins in the cabinet under the sink to organize everything. Honestly, it’s probably time to purge again and re-reorganize. But every time I need to refill the hand soap, I smile because I just grab the soap, refill, and place it back without having to sift through junk and navigate an under-the-sink treasure hunt.

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Closet

The closets in our 1930s colonial are generally small. Our bedroom closet had been expanded at some point and even had some Elfa Closet system components installed long before we moved in—joy! However, based on my husband’s and my wardrobe, a reconfiguration was in order. These changes made better use of the space for the types and amount of clothing we have and use, functions better, and looks considerably nicer because we splurged on some Elfa Décor drawers. Notice function is listed before appearance. That was intentional as it reiterates that function is more important than appearance in true organizing that lasts. Function is key in organizing. If it’s just pretty, it won’t function as you intended and will cease to work for you.

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Vacation home

Folks who have stayed at our vacation home routinely express they’re impressed with the organization of the home. In fact, someone recently shared that “this is the most organized VRBO we’ve ever rented.” Joy to my heart! The approach that has worked for us to optimize organization for the owners’ use and then to anticipate the needs of house guests. A thorough house manual and clear house rules, a welcoming and useful welcome station, and tasteful use of labels helps guests to be aware of expectations and find things easily.

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Travel Prep

I typically start packing at least a few days before our departure. I start with my diabetes supplies (except extra insulin which I leave in the fridge until right before we leave) and toiletries. I move on to my clothes and then conclude with my tech gadgets and what I take in my carry-on backpack. I use (and adore) packing cubes as practical containers for my suitcase. There is a logical place for everything, and everything is in its place—easy to find, easy to use or unpack during the trip, easy to re-pack for returning home. Once skeptical, my husband Will, who travels more than I do, uses them every time he travels. I get a bit stressed whenever I travel, especially as it relates to having enough diabetes supplies for my trip. However, since finding my packing rhythm, I am more calm and collected as I pack for trips of any length--from a few days to several weeks.

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Digital

Something that gives me joy regarding digital organization is my password manager. I remember the days when you only had to remember a handful of passwords. Those days are gone. Even with utilizing Single Sign-On (SSO), there are just so many sites, usernames, and passwords that it can easily be overwhelming. My husband and I use Last Pass and like it. There are other password managers, so read up and choose one. It will be time-consuming and frustrating to migrate all your accounts’ credentials to your password manager, but then you need to remember just ONE username and password. Everyone has so much going on in their lives that not having to remember dozens of username and password combinations and/or have your accounts routinely compromised due to using the same password for multiple accounts is just bliss.

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It’s those feelings of tranquil giddiness, of not being stressed by simply looking inside a much-used kitchen or bathroom cabinet, or knowing that how I have organized an area or streamlined a process is actually working, the feelings of calm, the glimpses of bliss in this busy and stressful world—those feelings are why I do what I do in my own home and why I want to help you in yours. When it functionally works, it just works, and improves the quality of life. I’m getting there, and I want to help you get started. Join me on this journey.