I recently had the pleasure of hosting Lucy Wahl, a professional organizer and founder of Edits LLC, on my podcast. We had an enlightening conversation about the importance of organizing both our work and personal lives. Lucy's insights were not only practical but also deeply philosophical, touching on the essence of modern urban living.

The Journey to Professional Organizing

Lucy's journey into professional organizing began in 2014 when she founded Edits LLC. Her mission was simple: to bring common sense and organizing solutions to modern urban living. She believes that an organized home is the foundation of a beautiful life that prioritizes relationships, activities, and commitments.

From a young age, Lucy had a love for organization and a keen sense of style. She shared her personal story, which resonated with me and, I'm sure, many of our listeners.

The Pitfalls of Premature Organizing

One common mistake we discussed was the tendency to buy organizing containers and gadgets before actually decluttering. I admitted to being guilty of this, and Lucy's advice was a wallet-saver. She suggested starting small, focusing on one area at a time, and not overwhelming oneself with decluttering the entire house in one go.

The Challenge of Accumulation

We also discussed the common challenges faced by homeowners and renters when trying to organize their homes, such as the tendency to keep things "just in case." Lucy emphasized the importance of asking detailed questions about the necessity and likelihood of needing certain items. She also mentioned that having more storage space doesn't necessarily solve the problem, as it's about the stuff we accumulate.

The Benefits of Professional Organizing

Lucy explained the benefits of hiring a professional organizer to help with decluttering and organizing. She explained that the process of sorting through your belongings can provide valuable insights, such as identifying patterns in purchasing and realizing the need to invest in higher quality items.

The Financial Benefits of Organizing

We also discussed the financial benefits of organizing and decluttering. Lucy mentioned that organized people tend to shop less and spend less money overall because they are not constantly buying unnecessary items or duplicates. I added that even wealthy individuals are always looking for a good deal, but emphasized the value of investing in quality items rather than constantly buying cheaper versions.

Creating Luxurious Spaces

Lucy advised that having fewer objects can create a more luxurious and expensive look. She suggested removing unnecessary items and carefully selecting a few meaningful and beautiful pieces. I shared my personal experience of downsizing and starting from scratch, which taught me the value of being selective with furniture and avoiding clutter.

Preparing a Home for Sale

Lucy shared valuable tips on decluttering and organizing a home for selling or moving. She emphasized the importance of hiding items in existing parts of the house, such as cabinets, shelves, and drawers, to create a visually clean and appealing space.

The Emotional Aspect of Selling a Home

We touched on the emotional aspect of selling a home and the need to declutter and let go of unused items. Lucy advised against waiting until the last minute to declutter, as it can lead to stress and a rushed process.

Downsizing with Children

When it comes to downsizing with children, Lucy suggested modeling and teaching them the importance of decluttering. By involving children in the process and making it a normal part of life, they can develop the skills to declutter their own belongings.

Final Thoughts

I expressed my gratitude to Lucy for sharing valuable tips on organizing. The first tip is to take time and not rush into buying things. It's important to go at one's own pace and focus on one area at a time.

Lucy also mentioned the importance of not filling every corner with things, especially when it's time to sell or move. Instead, she suggests having a nice piece of art or colorful pillows to add pops of color to a neutral palette.

Before wrapping up, I asked Lucy for any advice on how to work, live, and own it in everyday life. Lucy encourages overcoming imposter syndrome and pushing through fear to take action. I couldn't agree more and shared my own experience of feeling nervous but still showing up and doing it anyway.

Lucy's insights were invaluable, and I highly recommend checking out her e-book "The Edits Method" available on her website and Amazon. She also offers free resources, webinars, and guides for organizing popular spaces like closets, kitchens, home offices, and kids' rooms. Lucy works both in-person and virtually, providing options for different needs and budgets.