Get Organized - Simplify!

When applied together, these two concepts can go a long way toward creating a better quality of life for all of us.  After all, who would not like to gain more control over our surroundings and have more time to relax?  Members of the National Association of Professional Organizers in Michigan are all about helping others live simply and embrace the organized lifestyle that most people crave.  Here are some tips to get started.

Clear the clutter:  Move out things that no longer fit, that you don’t enjoy or love, or that don’t meet your present needs.  Make some thoughtful decisions about what items are really vital to your everyday existence!

Plan your day:  Each evening compile a basic to-do list for the following day.  Be sure you are realistic in what goals you can truly accomplish in the limited time you have available.

Get help:  If you absolutely abhor gardening or housework, or are not very good at it, consider engaging the services of a professional.  It will save you time and money in the long run.

Set priorities:  Determine what you really value and strive to be congruent with those values.  If you desire to spend more time with your family, are your activities supporting that desire?

Streamline your systems:  Look at your errand, mail processing, email or laundry routines. How can you improve on these so that they are not undermining your precious time?  For example, run all errands together that are located in the same part of town. 

Achieving simplicity in our lives can indeed be a positive, life-changing process. More information on this and other organizing topics can be found at www.napomichigan.com.

Article submitted by Chapter Member, Rita A. Wilhelm – Cluttergone LLC, www.cluttergone.com

Tackling Clutter at Home

Is decluttering at home a dreaded chore for your family? Why not try one of these simple organizing tips from the National Association of Professional Organizers in Michigan to help make the chore a little less dreaded?

Does your home need gastric bypass?

If your house was a person, how would you rank it?

A.) Slim & Trim
B.) Needs to lose a few pounds
C.) Gastric bypass is the only answer

Collection or Clutter?

Personal collections can vary from the common – photos, postage stamps or tea cups, to the unusual – carousel horses, antique fire trucks, or clothesline memorabilia! For many people, however, there is a fine line between a meaningful collection and messy clutter.


The National Association of Professional Organizers in Michigan (NAPO-MI) would like to share simple guidelines to keep your collection at its best:

Buy Nothing Day!

Many people could benefit from a “National Buy Nothing Day”. In this day of EXCESS EVERYTHING, most of us could go through our cabinets and find many unused food items, clothing and cleaning supplies. In fact, many might get a chance to revisit old stored-away items just waiting to be discovered in the back of the cupboard!

The National Association of Professional Organizers in Michigan (NAPO-MI) wants to share some comments and questions they hear while helping clients get organized:

Independence from Clutter

On the Fourth of July, we observe our nation’s freedom. The National Association of Professional Organizers, Southeast Michigan Chapter (NAPO-MI) urges you to consider carrying this concept one step further and take action to gain your independence from clutter. It may sound like a stretch, but when you think about it, your excess “stuff” may have been enslaving you for years, even decades. Old canceled checks, school papers, brochures from trips taken years ago, clothing that never really fit well. You hold onto all of this without realizing the control it can exert over you. So why not enjoy the liberating experience that organization can bring?