When Organizing Meets Sustainability

Getting organized is becoming more and more mainstream in the U.S., which means more people are aware of the benefits of tidying up than ever before. You’re likely already familiar with concepts like how you can save time, money, energy, and sanity by living in an organized space. And how organization in the home leads to better health outcomes, both mentally and physically, for the people that live there.

So I want to take these ideas a step further and talk about what sustainable organization means to me, and why I think it benefits us all to pause and think about this idea on a deeper level. It’s not overstating things to say that we are at an inflection point in regards to consumption in western society which makes this is concept more urgent than ever. Never before in the history of humankind has there been the amount of waste that there is now, both in our landfills and within our homes, and it doesn’t have to be this way.

I’ve been organizing home for several years now, and have been in tiny New York City apartments to suburban mansions. I can tell you from experience that no matter the square footage or the amount of closets, most clients think they have the same problem: Not enough space. You may be thinking, well how can that be the case for everyone, especially in larger homes? It's because we all fall into the same trap of filling our spaces to capacity without thinking if we really need to be doing that. I’m here to tell you that across homes of all shapes and sizes, the problem isn’t a lack of space, its too much stuff.

I bring this up not to shame people, but rather to illustrate that this is a problem that most of us struggle with at some point or another (especially in the U.S.). It’s a systemic problem with our culture of consumption. The more awareness we have around this issue, the more we raise the collective consciousness so that our choices can be more intentional. And yes, corporations are overwhelmingly the biggest polluters; that much is certain. But knowing that fact doesn’t let us off the hook from dealing with what we can control as individuals. Everyone has a responsibility to examine what they bring into their home, even if technically they have enough space for it.

So where does that leave us in terms of getting organized in a responsible, sustainable way? It can be overwhelming to consider when the problem of over-consumption can seem so vast. I made the above Venn diagram as a fun and helpful exercise to see where my definitions of Organization and Sustainability in the home overlap. Here are my 3 main takeaways:

1. Responsibly remove what you don’t use or love

This an umbrella for: Composting, recycling, gifting, donating, and selling. Trash should be a last resort.

2. Use what you already have

Pantry & freezer items, toiletries & beauty products are the big categories here. Check your stock before you shop. Other ideas to consider: shipping material as gift wrap, food jars for pantry & fridge storage, old clothes & towels as cleaning rags, mugs for pencil holders, empty candle votives for make up brushes, phone and shoe boxes for drawer organizers.

3. Only bring in what you need

Only until we take a hard look at our consumption habits will we be able to get our clutter under control. If we do #1 & #2, but keep mindlessly shopping, then that is not sustainable, and we’ll never be truly organized. Ask yourself: do you need to own everything you’ll ever use, or are there some things you can rent or borrow? For the items you purchase, choose only those that align with your values. That can mean shopping second hand, to shopping from an ethical & sustainable company, to buying only what you will love and use for years to come.

I hope this inspires you to pause the next time you click “add to cart”. Look around your space at what you already have, you might realize you don’t really need that organizing product after all. Once you get into that habit, more creative possibilities start to reveal themselves. And, crucially, the planet will thank you.

3 Simple Bedroom Feng Shui Tips for a Better Night’s Sleep

Treat your bedroom like a sanctuary and see your quality of sleep improve. There are so many amazing Feng Shui tips for this that you can customize for your specific needs. But let’s start with the basics. Here I’ll go over 3 of the most common sense remedies that will apply to everyone regardless of your room layout, Bagua Map, or Personal Trigram (more on those in future posts).

1. Deep Clean

It is so important that we regularly clean our bedrooms to keep our indoor air quality clear. Just from every day living, dust containing mold, bacteria, and allergens gets kicked up into the air we breathe which leads to adverse health outcomes. Studies show that home cleanliness is linked to not only better physical health but better mental health as well. As stress can be a factor in sleep troubles, anything we can do to reduce stress is something to be mindful of. To put a finer point on it: Cleanliness is about more than just appearances, it literally affects your overall health & well being. If you are having trouble sleeping my advice is to start here: Give your bedroom a deep clean. Dust and wipe down all surfaces with a non toxic cleaner (50/50 vinegar & water with some drops of citrus essential oil is my go to). Put freshly cleaned sheets on the bed. Sweep & mop. Bring your area rug outside, shake it out, and let it sit in a sunny spot to disinfect it. Which brings us to part two…

2. Declutter and Get Intentional

The bedroom is for rest and romance. Anything that does not contribute to your sleep and love life (whether with a partner or for your self love) should be removed from the bedroom. Put piles of clothes away with care. Electronics should be kept to an absolute minimum, and if you can remove them entirely, even better. Many people rely on their smartphones for alarm clocks, and if you do, make sure you put your phone on airplane mode while you sleep to reduce EMF exposure. Exercise equipment, large amounts of books, or anything work related should not be in the bedroom. These things can subconsciously lead to a feeling of work yet to be done, which is not conducive to a restful environment. We don’t need those reminders in the bedroom. Even if you have gotten so used to having those things around that you don’t consciously “see” or notice them any more, your subconscious is aware of it and is internalizing those objects’ energy. Another way to think about it is that each space in the home should have a dedicated focus so you can be present and attuned to the intention of each of those spaces while you’re in them. Find homes for all of those unfinished projects and miscellaneous objects in other areas of your home and give yourself more clarity and peace when you lay down in bed.

3. Lower the Lights

Ideally, your light sources should be at or below eye level. This is both a Feng Shui principle and a common interior design principal. When we have overhead lighting or a large light fixture above the bed, something is looming above us which can create a sense of unease. This can oftentimes feel too harsh and spotlight-esque, especially for the bedroom where we want to be encouraging more tranquil vibes. We don’t need the feeling that the eye of Sauron is on us while we are in bed! Bedside table lamps that dim or have low wattage lightbulbs are ideal for a creating a cozy ambiance. Remember how I talked about limiting electronics in the bedroom? Well, another good reason to keep them out is because the light that is given off from our screens is blue light, which studies show keep us more alert, disrupts our circadian rhythms, and effects the quality of our sleep. So, choose bulbs on the warmer end of the spectrum that mimic the look of candlelight or the setting sun. These warmer tones help create an environment that will better lull us into a deeply restorative sleep.