Life doesn’t always go according to plan. In this episode of Organize & Cherish with The Organized Flamingo, we explore how unexpected changes — from last-minute travel to sudden moves or local routine shifts — can throw us off balance.We’ll talk about how organization helps us meet these moments with less stress and more presence. By streamlining what we can control, we create the emotional bandwidth to focus on what really matters: supporting loved ones and showing up with compassion.In This Episode We Talk AboutWhy do unexpected changes (travel, moves, or local shifts) test our systems at home The difference between being streamlined vs. scrambling in urgent moments How organizing creates the emotional space to show up for loved onesMentioned in This EpisodeReal-life story of an unplanned trip to Mexico following a planned trip to Canada Practical tips for “future-proofing” your life against sudden changes How to create travel, move, or local readiness without overcomplicating thingsReview full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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138: How To Prevent Holiday Clutter This Year
The holiday season can bring joy, celebration, and memory-making—but it often brings clutter, stress, and an overwhelming amount of “stuff” too. In this episode, we share simple, compassionate strategies to help prepare your home and mindset before the holiday rush sets in.By picking nonprofits ahead of time, setting up sorting bins that actually work, and letting go of the dreaded “junk in the trunk” habit, we can approach this season with more ease, more intention, and more space for connection.This is not about perfection or overhauling everything before January—it’s about small, practical steps that help us organize with care and enjoy the season more fully.In This Episode We Talk About:Why the holiday season is also an “organizing season” and how to use it as a reset How to pick nonprofits in advance so donation decisions become effortless The power of labeled bins to keep clutter moving instead of piling up Why “junk in the trunk” delays progress—and how to stop it for goodMentioned in This Episode:The importance of choosing nonprofits ahead of time for holiday donations Creative naming ideas for sorting bins (freebie available in the show notes) Setting a 7-day rule for donation drop-offs to avoid clutter in the carReview full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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137: Fix It or Free It: When Cleaning Your Stuff is the Real Repair
In this episode of the Fix It or Free It series, we recap July’s project: repairing and cleaning a travel backpack. We explore how simple cleaning can sometimes be the fix we need, why not every item is worth saving, and how to set boundaries around bags and backpacks that pile up. This is a reminder that caring for your belongings extends their life, but also that letting go is part of the process.In This Episode We Talk About:Why cleaning can be just as powerful as repairing when it comes to extending the life of belongings. How to set boundaries around bags, backpacks, and totes so they don’t pile up. When it’s time to fix, clean, donate, or finally let go.Mentioned in This EpisodeThe Fix It or Free It challenge series. Tips for repairing and cleaning bags, backpacks, and fabric items. Guidelines for donating vs. discarding items responsibly.Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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136: The Real Cost of Storage: What Are We Really Paying? (Storage Series)
In this episode of Organize & Cherish, we take a compassionate but clear-eyed look at the true cost of storage. Whether it's a rented unit or boxes in the garage, storage comes with more than a price tag—it requires our space, time, energy, and emotional bandwidth. We explore national statistics on storage usage, how clutter impacts our stress levels, and why postponing decisions might be costing more than we think. This episode offers both insight and a gentle nudge to revisit whether the things we’re storing are still serving us.In this episode we talk about:The financial reality of paid storage and why the industry continues to grow The emotional toll and decision fatigue that comes with keeping things “just in case” How to evaluate whether your stored items are truly worth the space they takeMentioned in this Episode:The U.S. Self-Storage Industry Stats (2024) and average cost breakdown A UCLA study linking clutter to increased cortisol levels Other episodes in our storage seriesReview full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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135: When Helping Someone Declutter Feels Lonely
In this episode, we turn our attention to the often-overlooked emotional experience of helping someone else declutter, downsize, or organize. Whether you're supporting a parent, a partner, or a friend, this type of work—while full of love—can also be incredibly isolating. We're diving into why it feels so heavy, what resources are available, and how to care for yourself as you care for others. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed or alone in this role, this episode is a reminder that you're not the only one navigating it and you don’t have to do it without support.In this episode we talk about:Why supporting someone else's decluttering process can feel emotionally isolating The difference between organizing for yourself and organizing with/for someone else Resources and strategies that can lighten the emotional and practical loadMentioned in this Episode:Family Caregiver Alliance (https://www.caregiver.org) AARP Family Caregiving Resources (https://www.aarp.org/caregiving) National Association of Senior Move Managers (https://www.nasmm.org) Eldercare Locator (https://eldercare.acl.gov) Caring Transitions (https://www.caringtransitions.com)Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
About Organize & Cherish with The Organized Flamingo
Welcome to the Organize & Cherish podcast with The Organized Flamingo, hosted by Stephanie Y. Deininger, a professional organizer and productivity expert. For those of you who love the thought of organizing & being more productive, but don’t know where to start or constantly up against hurdles that don’t let you advance the way you want to, this podcast is for you!This podcast will:- Cover a variety of topics within the organizing and productivity space, offering you tips, inspiration, and plenty of a-ha moments.- Explore different combinations and ways on how to get and stay more organized and productive.- Invite guests in complementary industries such as interior designers, habit coaches, mental health professionals, stylists, and more that help and enhance your organizing & productivity journey.Ready to explore the right organizing and productivity solution for you? Let’s go!You can find full show notes and resources for Organize & Cherish with The Organized Flamingo at http://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast/. Connect with The Organized Flamingo:Theorganizedflamingo.com@theorganizedflamingo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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