Check out this video:  the life-changing 1-Touch Mantra.  Follow this rule and live in a clutter-free home.

Big claims, right?  Well I'm living proof and this one Touch Rule is now one of the pillar "Happy MIND" tips that I teach on a regular basis.

I follow this 1-Touch Rule everyday, and its the one reason why my home is clutter-free even with two kids 5 years old and under.

Past episodes have covered topics like sleep training, how to talk to your kids about religion, politics, sex and more!

The latest episode is mine :)

Taming the Toy Chaos: Overwhelmed by toys, clutter and mess? You’re in luck! We’ve got professional organizer, Sarah Hembree of Nest Happy to share her tips on how to transform the chaos into functional and organized systems for managing the toys and home!

And just in case you missed it before, I talk about my FREE cheatsheet download "10 Easy Ways to Get Organized" and its available here: www.tinyurl.com/nesthappyoffer

Happy Listening and Have a FABULOUS weekend!

XOX,

​Sarah

Do you have a system for Artwork?  I know that at first, the artwork is cute and comes home a few masterpieces at a time.  But then, unless you have a proper home for all things artwork, it starts to just collect and overflow on your refrigerator, walls, tables, or other dumping ground before you get around to properly preserving the precious memories.

Here's what you can do to tame the Artwork and set yourself up for lasting memories for you, your kids, and even grandparents!

Now before we get into the systems, establish three rules of thumb to classify your artwork:

As soon as your kids' heads hit the pillow, what is your evening routine?  Do you clean up, get ready for the next day, or simply just veg out in front of a screen with a glass of wine?  The latter is a necessity at times, but nights like those don’t make you feel any better about the mess that awaits the next day.  If your kids are anything like mine, the next day is probably starting at 6:50 am on the dot like clockwork, no matter how late I stayed up the night before.

I had a client that said “At night after bedtime routine, I just don’t know where to start!”  She had Recognized the Overwhelm, and wanted to tackle the clutter in her great room, just staring back as the days went on.    With a busy 2.5 year old running amok, she could barely tame the clutter snowball affect.

I reminded her of a wise saying:

Have you ever tried to shop with kids in tow?  I actually pulled it off ONCE when my second baby was about 6-weeks old.  I was desperate to find some nursing tops and had a gift certificate to a local shop.  The dressing rooms were clean and the dressing curtain was a fabulous colorful filigree pattern.  It was perfect for just sticking my baby on a blanket next to the curtain, and letting him kick his legs while I frantically made my selections before the ticking-time-bomb that is a baby went off. 

These days he squawks on first sight of the inside of a mall, and don't even get me started on the wailing that ensues if I wheel the stroller into my favorite store, The Container Store.  Needless to say, there is no time to fit in clothes shopping.

Enter Stitch Fix.  Its a must-have service that saves you time, gives you confidence, and just makes you plain happy!  

You’ve recognized the overwhelm and you are serious about making some changes.  Now you might want to just go right at the mess, but chances are you will hit a wall and the state of your place will revert back where you started.  I don’t want you to hit a wall.  I want you to make life-long changes so that you will not be overwhelmed again.

​I know that feeling of overwhelm.  One day you realize that “stuff" has taken over its hard to even know where to begin.  It happens to the best of us when kids are added to the equation.  

​The never-ending influx of gear in the first few years of a a baby’s life becomes stifling.  
The sheer amount of undone is burdening your everyday function and clutters your mind.

However recognizing the overwhelm, and resolving to do something about it, is the first huge step in overcoming it.  Imagine living in a space that you love, a space that actually is relaxing and rejuvenating.  

It may not even be the sippy cups, LEGO’s, or little socks that’s overwhelming but perhaps drifts of paper, random objects on your table, or the dishes in the kitchen sink.  Our homes have become out of control with items in numbers beyond our capabilities of managing. 

My dear Grandpa passed away last week and I'm still feeling a bit numb.  Our family has been through a lot of late as my Grandma also passed away just this last October.  Although expected, as my Grandpa Ed was 97 years young (he would like to say), grief still takes over and takes its toll on everyone he touched.  Not to mention that there are so many loose ends from my Grandmother's life that are coming up, as her passing was pretty unexpected and not yet resolved.

One silver lining I am still discovering through all of these recent experiences is that I can help and keep busy.  I am figuring out how I can best support my family and serve my best purpose.  Of course I am helping deal with all the "stuff" and finding a home for all the objects that make up one's life.  In one case, its a lot (my Grandpa was an orphan in the depression and held on to everything - yes, I come from a family of hoarders) and in another case its separating the items for donation from those meaningful and worth passing along to the right people.  I'm also pouring my efforts into the photos, as I've always been a HUGE photo person and am making slide shows for the memorial services.