Issue #207: 30+ Life-Changing Ideas for Getting Organized Immediately

A total 'life reset.'

📚 Seduction Theory by Emily Adrian: Written as an MFA thesis, this novel (out today!) explores marriage and monogamy from a unique perspective. In it, Robbie is engaged in a blurred-lines relationship with her professor, Simone, at the same time Simone’s husband sleeps with his (far less attractive) secretary, all in the same department. The book is sexy, but also explores some interesting questions around monogamy—what is an emotional, but never consummated, relationship compared to one night of sex? How much can a marriage withstand? What role does sex appeal and attractiveness play in its longevity and betrayal? I loved how this one unfolded.

🎥 ‘My Mother’s Wedding,’ in theaters: This short family drama about three adult sisters grappling with their mother’s (Kristin Scott Thomas) third marriage is sweet and thoughtful enough. At the very least, it feels like a little vacation to the English countryside, complete with a British Scarlett Johansson.

🍅 Toast, in all forms: We are currently in *~toast season*~. Not only was it recently my dog Toast’s fifth birthday (!), but it is one of my favorite mediums for enjoying summer produce. Recently, I’ve been keeping a huge batch of sautéed eggplant and tomatoes (the base of this recipe, swapping out spices) in the fridge to layer over slices of toast from my favorite bakeries, with sardines on top. If you want something a bit simpler, you can’t go wrong by rubbing a clove of garlic over toast, then adding mayonnaise, pesto, an heirloom tomato, and flaky salt. For something fancier, consider this country toast with cured salmon and roe!

The image I have of finishing my master’s program yesterday (!!!) is of a runner mustering her final reserve of energy to fling herself across the finish line. Without a doubt, the last four years have been some of the most challenging I’ve ever encountered, with the final few months feeling like an all-out sprint to the end, as I balanced a packed summer schedule with a full caseload and coursework.

I’m somehow still in one piece, but I got here by neglecting just about every area of my life outside of the absolute essentials over the last few months. By the time I finished last Wednesday, my closet was a mess, I had unread texts from mid-March, my coffee table had become a home for wayward books, and my to-do list was all but abandoned. As my proverbial piles grew, so did my anticipation to tackle them. I’m sure you know the feeling—once you get that itch to organize, it feels so good to scratch it. After taking an evening to recover, I woke up early Thursday morning, eager to get my life back together with full reset.

Felt IMMEDIATE relief after addressing my closet and books last week

I tend to move so quickly in my day-to-day life that slowing down during transitional times, whether initiated by a season or major life event, creates enough space for me to reflect, prepare, integrate lessons, and make changes before I charge into the next race. I’m not just talking about home or closet organization, but conducting an audit of every area of my life—friends and relationships, career, health, and habits. My life may never be simple or “balanced,” but these resets allow me to streamline things so that I can spend less time on certain things (getting dressed, logistics, distracting side projects) and more on others (unstructured, creative time, building a career I love, and spending time with people and in nature). Plus, I’m Type A to my marrow, so few things feel more satisfying to me than getting my shit together. Read on for:

• 30+ tried-and-true tips for getting organized

• The 5 phases I swear by for making a reset actually stick

• My final step for any big organizing project (it’s honestly my favorite part)

Closet

Photos of my closets over 10 years (chronologically L to R)—not much has changed, it's only gotten more streamlined!

• A simple trick for determining what’s gotta go. I am a big believer in consistently editing—at this point, I have fewer clothes (and more things I love) than ever before. If you have trouble with this, try this: Decades ago, my aunt told me to turn every hanger in my closet the opposite way, so the hook goes around the back. Anytime I wore something, I would return it the normal way so I could easily see what I was and was not wearing. After a year, it was a safe bet to donate or sell anything with the hanger pointed the wrong way!

• Keep everything “ready to go.” If it’s in my closet, I know that not only is it clean, but it’s been steamed and de-pilled (I highly recommend owning a “fabric shaver”) so that I can avoid the last-minute debacle of pulling a shirt out, only to realize it’s completely crumpled and unwearable.

• Take a selfie anytime you love an outfit. I have never had an easier time getting dressed in my life, in part because the only things I keep in my closet are items that look and feel good on. But for mornings I really can’t figure it out, I refer to a folder on my phone of selfies with outfits I loved, and pull my inspo from my tried-and-true.

Habits + Routines