Organize & Cherish with The Organized Flamingo

In Episode 2 of our Storage Year, we explore the real reasons we store things, far beyond “just in case.”From inherited habits and emotional holding patterns to identity clutter and delayed decisions, this episode helps you understand the psychology behind storage so you can reclaim your space with clarity and compassion.Just like last year’s Storage Series, we’re pulling back the curtain on why storage becomes both a blessing and a burden, and how naming the “why” brings powerful momentum to your organizing journey.We wrap up with a high-impact Action of the Week designed to spark an instant aha moment.In This Episode, We Talk About:The emotional drivers behind storage: guilt, overwhelm, sentiment, identity, and avoidance How family patterns and generational habits shape what we keep Why storage often becomes a “holding area” that turns permanent The psychology of delayed decisions and how it affects stress and focus How understanding your why transforms how you approach any storage room Your high-impact Action of the Week: identifying one inherited storage patternMentioned in This Episode:Storage Series episodes from 2025, including:Episode 113: Storage Series Kickoff : An Introduction Episode 114: Storage vs. Stalling : Are You Keeping It or Postponing a Decision? Episode 117: When Storage Makes Sense : Smart Reasons to Keep Things(Referenced for themes, patterns, and messaging continuity) Research notes from the American Psychological Association on clutter and stress The 2026 Storage Year framework for understanding your patterns before decluttering your spaceReview full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re kicking off a brand-new year-long emphasis on one of the most overlooked yet emotionally loaded areas of the home: storage rooms. Whether your storage space is a basement, garage, guest room, attic, or an off-site unit, these areas often hold delayed decisions, inherited items, unfinished projects, and emotional weight we don’t even realize we’re carrying.In today’s episode, Stephanie shares why 2026 is dedicated to storage, how this focus evolved from the popular Fix It or Free It series, and why storage rooms deserve thoughtful attention—grounded in research, psychology, and real-life client experiences. She also shares her personal story of how storage organizing became her professional path, long before she ever knew it could be a career.This episode sets the foundation for The Storage Year: 52 weeks of clarity, compassion, and needle-moving action steps designed to help you make meaningful progress without overwhelm or guilt.In This Episode We Talk AboutWhy storage rooms are emotionally heavy and often avoided What research tells us about the psychological and physical impact of clutterIncreased cortisol levels (UCLA) Reduced cognitive clarity (Princeton) The surprising rise in national storage use How Fix It or Free It inspired a deeper storage conversation Stephanie’s origin story from wedding planner to Certified Professional Organizer® Why storage rooms are where delayed decisions live How this year will blend practicality, compassion, and storytelling What to expect from the weekly action items and momentum-building approach The first action step to begin your own Storage YearMentioned in This EpisodeFix It or Free It Series (2025) - Listener-favorite episodes that inspired a deeper look at storage UCLA Center on Everyday Lives of Families Study - Linking clutter to elevated cortisol Princeton Neuroscience Institute Findings - How clutter impacts focus and cognitive processing Self-Storage Industry Data - Trends showing the increasing amount of items Americans store Stephanie’s early business: Smiles Forever Events The Organized Flamingo - Professional organizing, compassionate decluttering, and resources Organize & Cherish Podcast Archives - Past episodes supporting this year’s themesReview full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we share our top 8 organizing products of 2025. The tools we used the most, recommended the most, and returned to because they genuinely work. This year’s list builds on our 2023 and 2024 favorites while introducing new standouts that made a real difference in daily routines.We also talk about why these tools matter, how we update our recommendations, and how you can use each one in different areas of your home.In This Episode We Talk About…Why some products stay on our list year after year Why we only recommend products that pass our long-term tests What makes a product “worth keeping” in your home How to use each of the 8 favorites in real-life spaces How digital systems support physical organizing When and how we update product recommendations for safety or qualityMentioned in This EpisodeOur 2023 Favorite Products Episode Our 2024 Favorite Products Episode Our Amazon Shop (for specific product versions) Turntables, labels, dividers, totes & digital toolsReview full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As we close out another meaningful year on Organize & Cherish with The Organized Flamingo, we’re taking a moment to look back at how this podcast began, how it has evolved, and where we’re heading next.In 2026, we’re taking everything we’ve learned and focusing on one powerful theme: storage. Storage rooms, storage habits, storage stories - those spaces that quietly collect decisions, memories, and “I’ll deal with it later” moments. We’re also continuing the Fix It or Free It series and weaving it intentionally into the Storage Series to help you create momentum and clarity throughout the year.This episode is a nostalgic reflection and a gentle reset, perfect for anytime you need a moment to breathe, reset, and remember that you’re not alone in your organizing journey.In this episode, we talk about:A three-year lookback on the evolution of the podcast How the themes of organizing, decluttering, and nostalgia naturally shaped our direction Why Fix It or Free It resonated so deeply and how it’s returning with even more intention The problems storage rooms solve, and the challenges they often create Why 2026 is the year of reclaiming storage spaces, both physical and emotional What you can expect from the new Storage Series A reflective, end-of-year message that still feels relevant no matter when you listenMentioned in this episode:Fix It or Free It series (2025) The upcoming Storage Series (2026) Themes from earlier episodes on sentimentality, inherited items, and decision-making Organize & Cherish resources and community updatesReview full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we share how people react to motivational organizing and decluttering one-liners differently and why that is.In this episode, we unpack why these catchy organizing mantras land differently for everyone, the psychology behind tidy habits, and why a single phrase can’t replace a whole system. We also revisit our 7-Step to Organizing *almost* Anything Framework and explain where this mantra actually fits in the process (spoiler: it’s the maintenance step, not the whole journey).If you’ve ever wondered why certain organizing advice feels motivating for some and overwhelming for others, this is a refreshing, compassionate look at the nuance.In This Episode, We Talk About:Why the phrase “don’t put it down, put it away” works for some but not others How relocating clutter creates junk drawers and catch-all rooms Why Assessing, Evaluating, and Maintaining matter more than speed How to use motivating mantras without creating more overwhelm The reminder that there’s no right or wrong way to be organized, just what’s right for youMentioned in this Episode:7 Steps to Organizing *Almost* AnythingReview full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.