Blog
In addition to actually doing the organizing, another of Angie’s passions is writing about organizing.
She has been writing a blog on organizing ever since Shipshape Solutions launched in 2016. Most of the blog posts were also published as monthly newspaper articles in the Kingsport Times-News and Johnson City Press.
To access the Shipshape Solutions Blog, you can either:
Click on a category below to see all the blog entries from that category; OR
Scroll the feed of blog entries below
- Apps
- Bathroom
- Business
- Children
- Christmas
- Computer
- Decluttering
- Digital organizing
- General Organization
- Getting Records Together
- Goals
- Health
- Home Organization
- Kitchen
- Media
- Medical
- Mental clutter
- Minimalism
- Moving
- New Year
- Office
- Organizing Principles
- Paper organizing
- Phone
- Photo Organizing
- Photo organizing
- Preparing for Death
- Purse
- Residential organizing
- Resolutions
- School
- Technology
- Television
- Time Management and Productivity
- Travel
- Working from Home
Categories of Physical Clutter
When we think about clutter, we often think of it in terms of one giant, oppressive mass. Seen in this light, it’s no wonder we often feel overwhelmed by it! But have you ever stopped to think about clutter in terms of different categories? Ever wondered which types are most problematic for you? This first article in a series will begin a discussion of the many categories of physical clutter.
Win the War on Clutter with These Audiobooks
The New Year brings a familiar feeling: the urge to revamp our lives, break old habits, and forge shiny, new ones. Like many, decluttering and organizing may be high on your list of New Year goals.
I salute you for that intention! And I’d like to equip you with a few new tools. I love using my time for learning. I often listen to podcasts or audiobooks as I drive, work on home projects, or exercise. Here are a few of my top audiobook choices on decluttering.
My Reflections on “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning” Show
There’s a new organizing show on TV! As a professional organizer, I felt it was my duty to binge watch Peacock’s original show “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.” Here’s my take on this show so you can make an educated decision about whether to watch it.
How To Be The Less-Organized Spouse
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be married to a professional organizer? Or how to successfully cohabitate when your spouse’s level of organization feels like overkill? My husband Eric has graciously offered to reveal all by guest writing this article. You’ll find practical tips for negotiating a level of order that suits both spouses and allows them to flourish without driving each other crazy.
Organizing: Nature or Nurture?
Nature or nurture—it’s a question as old as time. At its most basic, the question centers on whether we are the way we are because of the genetic material handed down from our parents or because of the environments to which we’re exposed.
Many people are gifted with some inherent organizing ability, while others find the task of putting items in order not only distasteful, but also overwhelming.
The answer is complicated. And it’s best answered with a story or two. Read on to find out the real answer to this age old question.
100 Things You Can Declutter Now
I’ve long been a believer in the principle that you can live a more meaningful life with less. Years of working in this industry have only solidified that truth in my mind. Our clutter is detrimental to living a happy, healthy, and productive life. The more we can let go of unnecessary stuff, the more we can focus on what really matters.
Now, in honor of my 100th article and my focus on decluttering, here are 100 things you can declutter now!
A Sentimental Journey: What to Do If It’s Special
Sentimental items are especially difficult to deal with because of the associated memories. Since they can often be an emotional landmine, I recommend using tips like the ones in this article to help you make the best decisions.
Five Organizing Lessons I Learned from Mom
Our mothers or other parental figures are often responsible for teaching us basic organizing principles that serve us well throughout our lives. In this article that published just before Mother’s Day 2022, I share five of the most important organizing lessons I learned from my Mom.
Ten Myths about Professional Organizers, Busted! (Part 2)
Whenever I introduce myself as a professional organizer, there are several common responses. The most common response is a blank stare and the reply, “What’s that?” Many of the other common responses are included in this list of myths below, along with a myth-busting explanation for each. This is the second of a two part article. Read on to test your knowledge and to determine whether you might benefit from hiring an organizer.
Ten Myths about Professional Organizers, Busted
Whenever I introduce myself as a professional organizer, there are several common responses. The most common response is a blank stare and the reply, “What’s that?” Many of the other common responses are included in this list of myths below, along with a myth-busting explanation for each. This is a two part article, with five myths included in each. Read on to test your knowledge of professional organizing and to determine whether an organizer might be helpful for you.
Cleaning, Organizing, & Decluttering: What's the Difference?
Many times since launching Shipshape Solutions in 2016, people have confused cleaning with organizing or decluttering. In fact, I often hear all three of these terms used synonymously. Although the terms are related, they're definitely not the same thing. This article explains each of these terms and how they are related using the example of a cluttered kitchen counter.
Organizing is Hard. Chaos is Hard. Choose Your Hard.
Ultimately, we can choose the hard of organizing or the hard of disorganization’s consequences. It’s our choice. After five years of helping clients organize, I can tell you with surety that time spent organizing is worth it. The hard of organizing causes less suffering than the hard of chaos.
The Beauty of Minimalism is Finding the More of Less
What do you think of when you hear the word minimalism? Before reading this book, the word minimalism brought to mind bare white walls, tiny houses, and young tree huggers. I sure had a lot to learn. Minimalism, according to Joshua Becker, is “the intentional promotion of the things we value and the removal of anything that distracts us from them”. Only when we get rid of what is distracting us can we really focus on what is most important. This is a message that is desperately needed in our society, where we are increasingly encouraged to own more and to do more. Our homes are filled with stuff, our calendars are filled with activities, and none of it makes us happy.
Love Your Family? Get it Together!
One of the most loving things you can do for your family is to get all of your records together so that your loved ones are prepared if anything happens to you. This article will give you the inspiration and tools you need to give what may be the best gift you’ll ever give to your children and grandchildren.
Clutter: It Goes Much Deeper than Just Our Stuff
We live in a culture of abundance. Many of us are able to buy every possession we need and more. We have a full selection of activities available to us. We own devices that can help us find information, stay entertained, updated, and connected to friends and family at all times. But our abundance comes at a serious price. We’ve filled our homes and our lives to overflowing but have neglected to see the damage it can do to us.
Have you ever wondered what our clutter does to us? Wonder no more–read on.
A Home for Everything
Out of all the principles used in organizing, this one is the most important by far! Not only is it essential to the process of organization, it is also extremely versatile. It can be used to order anything from dishes to shoes to time to ideas. I dare say that without employing this fundamental rule, any attempt to establish or maintain order will fail. What is this vital practice, and how can you use it to organize your home?
If It Stresses You Out, Create a System
While listening to an organizing podcast several years ago, the podcast guest shared a statement that has really resonated with me. This woman was a small business owner and a homeschool mother of 8 children (from my best recollection). To say that this woman had a lot on her plate is an understatement! Yet despite her situation, she was able to thrive in both her business and her home life. This is how she described the secret to her success: “If it stresses you out, create a system.”
How to Pack Bags for Frequent Activities
Now that we’re in the heart (and heat) of the summer, most of us are really on the move! Not only are we traveling more, but we are likely also headed to the pool, summer camp, rehearsal, sports practice, hiking or biking, and the gym, among others. Most of these activities require you to bring along supplies of some sort. Don’t you hate remembering at the last minute that you need to bring something but you can’t find it? How about arriving for an activity only to find out that you’ve forgotten something essential? Moments like this sure can turn a relaxing summer day into a stressful one quickly. How can you be assured that you will always arrive to these activities on time with everything you need? By planning ahead and organizing, of course! Here are my top suggestions for packing bags for frequent activities:
Traveling (Through Life) Lightly
Whenever I hike, I am always thankful that my backpack is so light. When I travel, I try to apply that same principle when packing my suitcase. If I stuff too many items in my suitcase, I end up lugging a very heavy suitcase everywhere. If I’m flying, I would have to pay an extra fee if the suitcase weight is over the 50 pound limit or I would have had to take two suitcases. I don’t want to face any of those consequences, so I make my selections carefully. When it comes to backpacks or suitcases, I definitely agree with American travel writer Rick Steves’ who describes two kinds of travelers, “those who pack light, and those who wish they had.” What if we evaluated every item in our home just as carefully? What if we were just as discriminating in our choices?
"Container Concept" Helps Us Set Limits
I love containers. I love the variety: boxes, baskets, bins, drawers, crates, jars, folders, tins, and…well, you get the idea. I love all of the different shapes and sizes and colors and textures. The Container Store just might be my favorite store. By the way, I really want a Container Store in the Tri-Cities area (the closest one is in Charlotte, NC), so if you have been wanting to open a store, you have my full support and promise of lots of business. As an organizer, my love of containers should come as no surprise. I do spend quite a bit of time figuring out the perfect container in a situation. But when I use the word “container”, I often mean so much more than just a “receptacle in which something is held or carried”. I am referring to a principle called the container concept.