In this month’s Fix It or Free It Challenge update, we focus on shoes. The pairs we swear we’ll fix but never do. We explore what happens when we realize we’re holding onto things that no longer fit our lifestyle, comfort, or identity. This episode dives into the psychology of decision fatigue and identity clutter, showing how letting go can be just as powerful as repairing.

Whether you’re decluttering your own “to-fix” pile or following along with the challenge, this episode offers a thoughtful reminder: fixing brings satisfaction, but freeing something can bring peace.

In this Episode, We Talk About:

• How to decide whether to fix, donate, or let go of an item you’ve been hanging onto.
• The psychological side of clutter, including identity clutter and decision fatigue.
• Why letting go of something you thought you’d fix can be an act of self-awareness, not failure.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• Fix It or Free It Challenge 2025: monthly mindful decluttering series
• Previous projects: workbag straps, Halloween figurines, jewelry, backpack repair
• Follow and share your updates with us on Instagram @theorganizedflamingo

January: Replaced workbag straps

February: Turned a dress into a skirt

March: Decluttered the fix-it drawer

April: Fixed office cart wheel

May: Repaired two necklaces, donated the rest

June: Added anti-slip pads to heels, freed an old pair

July: Sewed hiking backpack pocket

August: Let go of uncomfortable headphones

September: Fixed or released Halloween figurines

October: Let go of two pairs of shoes I no longer love

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re revisiting one of our most popular classic episodes originally recorded during our Organized & Productive days, which is packed with timeless tips and thoughtful questions that still ring true today.

We explore ten powerful “end-goal” words that can guide any organizing project: from purpose and usefulness to comfort and adaptability. These questions are designed to help transform how we think about our spaces, ensuring they reflect who we are and how we live right now.

Whether we’re starting fresh, maintaining an organized home, or helping a loved one, this episode reminds us that organizing doesn’t have to be frustrating maybe it can even be purposeful, peaceful, and even fun.

In This Episode, We Talk About

• The 10 end-goal words that make organizing and decluttering more intentional
• How asking better questions can lead to longer-lasting organizing results
• Ways to bring comfort, functionality, and joy into our living spaces

Mentioned in This Episode

• Episode 001: 7 Steps to Organizing (Almost) Anything
• https://theorganizedflamingo.com/7-steps-to-organizing/
• Episode 008: Step 1: Assess and the Power of Planning Ahead
• https://theorganizedflamingo.com/8-step-1-assess-the-power-of-planning-ahead/
• Free Resource: Should You Keep It or Toss It? Decision Tree
• https://organizedandproductive.com/keeportoss

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

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In this episode, we explore what happens when your home’s “luxury” spaces like the gym or pantry finally come into focus. Inspired by a long-term client who realized her gym felt dreadful after organizing the rest of her home, we talk about why certain areas only become priorities once we feel grounded elsewhere. We’ll also walk through practical tips for creating a safe, motivating, and functional gym space, whether it’s a full room, a corner of the basement, or a moveable setup that fits your lifestyle.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The psychology behind why we organize our wellness spaces last
• How a tidy, safe gym supports motivation and long-term wellness
• Actionable ways to organize and refresh your home gym

Mentioned in this episode:

• How to safely identify wall studs and secure mounted equipment
• The benefits of using mobile, multipurpose storage for home gyms
• Design ideas that boost comfort, motivation, and consistency

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

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Every October, we delve into a spooky organizing theme, and this year, we’re exploring the mysterious “potions” that may be hiding around our homes. From expired medicine and makeup to old paint cans and forgotten cleaners, expired items can haunt our cabinets, take up space, and sometimes even pose safety risks.

In this episode, we explore how to safely declutter these expired potions room by room, why it matters, and how clearing them out can make space for a little fresh magic this season.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How expired “potions” like medicine, beauty products, and paint quietly clutter our spaces.
• Room-by-room tips to identify and safely dispose of expired items.
• Why letting go of old potions creates a safer, calmer, and more intentional home.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Past Halloween episodes: Organizing the Scary Spots and How to Keep Critters Out of Storage.
• Community drug take-back programs for expired medication.
• Local household hazardous waste and paint recycling resources.
• Organize & Cherish Newsletter – subscribe for seasonal organizing tips and upcoming episode updates.

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we continue our Storage Series by tackling the often-overlooked task of taking inventory of what we own. From seasonal bins in the garage to off-site storage units, it’s easy to lose track of what we’ve tucked away. We explore why doing an inventory at least once a year can bring clarity, save money, and reduce stress.

To make this practical for every lifestyle, we share three different inventory methods: one for detail-oriented people, one for those who like a balance of efficiency and detail, and one for anyone who needs the absolute quickest approach. No matter where you fall, you’ll leave with simple strategies to know what you own and why it matters.

In this episode we talk about:

• Why taking inventory of storage spaces at least once a year matters.
• Three different ways to take inventory, from detailed to super quick.
• How annual inventory helps prevent clutter, duplicate purchases, and hidden stress.

Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Storage Series episodes covering the hidden costs and benefits of storage.
• The Fix It or Free It challenge, a monthly practice of repairing or releasing items.
• Seasonal storage examples like holiday décor and inherited belongings.

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

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In this episode, we continue our yearlong Fix It or Free It challenge with September’s focus: broken holiday pieces. As fall decorations came out, we were reminded of our cherished Department 56 Halloween village that had been stored away with cracks and chips. Instead of letting them sit for another year, we finally took action with ceramic glue and repaired the pieces. This month’s challenge isn’t just about fixing porcelain, it’s about aligning our actions with our intentions, and the joy that comes from restoring what truly matters.

In This Episode We Talk About

• The journey of the 2025 Fix It or Free It challenge so far
• Why certain collections, like holiday villages, are worth the time and care
• The life lessons that come from repairing items instead of replacing them

Mentioned in This Episode

• The Fix It or Free It challenge and monthly progress updates
• Department 56 holiday villages and their significance
• The importance of modeling patience and care when fixing items

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

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Collecting has always been part of human life, from porcelain figurines and souvenir spoons to today’s Lego sets, puzzles, sneakers, and Funko Pops. In this episode, we explore how modern collectibles reflect a cultural shift in how adults play, create, and connect with memories. We’ll look at why this resonates across generations, and how to enjoy these hobbies without letting them become overwhelming clutter.

In this episode we talk about:

• The evolution of collectibles from past generations to today’s adult hobbies
• How companies market nostalgia and play to grownups — and why it works
• The difference between curating with intention and unconsciously stockpiling

Mentioned in this episode:

• Lego’s adult collections and other modern hobby trends
• Practical tips for keeping collections joyful and intentional
• The Organized Flamingo’s philosophy: respecting memories while simplifying life

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

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Decluttering isn’t just about sorting items; it’s about making decisions. And those choices can be exhausting. In this episode, we explore why decision fatigue shows up when we’re organizing, how it impacts our ability to make progress, and what strategies help protect our energy so we can move forward with clarity and confidence.

In this episode we talk about:

• Why so many small choices during decluttering (keep, toss, donate, repair) drain us.
• The common traps of decision fatigue—keeping everything or letting go too impulsively.
• Practical strategies to pace decisions, set boundaries, and avoid burnout.

Mentioned in this episode:

• The role of “pre-made categories” like Donate, Sell, Repair, Trash, Ask a Friend/Family.
• Daily decision quotas as a simple way to avoid overwhelm.
• Compassionate boundaries: giving yourself or a loved one permission to pause and revisit decisions later.

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

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In this episode of Organize & Cherish, we continue the Fix It or Free It series with August’s project: electronics. From letting go of old headphones to tackling the bigger items like TVs and printers, we explore practical, compassionate strategies for clearing out tech clutter. Electronics can be sneaky sources of overwhelm—whether it’s tangled cables, outdated backups, or the promise of “someday” repairs. This episode offers tips for deciding what to keep, what to fix, and how to responsibly let go of the rest.

In this Episode We Talk About

• How to apply the Fix It or Free It method to electronics of all sizes
• Decluttering tips for cables, chargers, and accessories
• Responsible ways to recycle or donate unused electronics

Mentioned in this Episode

• August’s Fix It or Free It challenge: letting go of old headphones
• Local e-waste recycling programs and retail drop-off options
• The mental relief that comes from fixing or freeing technology clutter

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

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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 About

• Why 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 ones

Mentioned in This Episode

• Real-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 things

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

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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 good

Mentioned 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 car

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Episode

• The 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

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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 take

Mentioned 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 series

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 load

Mentioned 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.

In this episode, we challenge the all-or-nothing mindset around decluttering and organizing. Not everyone is a minimalist, and not every item needs to go in a donation bag to count as progress. We explore the emotional and personal work of deciding what to keep—not just what to toss—and why organizing is ultimately about awareness and alignment with the life you’re building today.

This is a gentle reminder that organizing with intention doesn’t have to mean constant letting go. Sometimes, it starts with simply asking the right question: What still deserves a place in my life right now?

In this episode we talk about:

• Why organizing doesn’t always mean throwing things away
• The importance of clarity, not speed, in the decluttering process
• A mindset shift from “What should I toss?” to “What do I want to keep?”

Mentioned in this Episode:

• A seasonal mindset check-in: embracing where you are right now
• The emotional work behind identity and organizing
• Weekly organizing nudges from the Organize & Cherish newsletter

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

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It’s the halfway point of the year, and we’re recapping our Fix It or Free It progress from January through June. In this mid-year check-in, we share what was fixed, what was let go, and what those small choices taught us. We also answer five of the most common questions we’ve seen from listeners and readers this year from how to start when you’re overwhelmed to what to do with inherited items that don’t feel like “you.”

This episode is all about reflecting on what’s working, where you feel stuck, and how to move forward with clarity and compassion.

In this episode we talk about:

• The six-month recap of our 2025 Fix It or Free It challenge
• How to start decluttering when everything feels overwhelming
• Scripts and mindset tips for helping loved ones without pressure

Mentioned in this episode:

• Our Fix It or Free It monthly challenge from January to June
• The Pomodoro method and 15-minute organizing sprints
• Tools for navigating inherited belongings and family dynamics

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re exploring how artificial intelligence can support real-life organizing, not just as a tool for planning, but as a partner for taking action. We’ll share common ways people are using AI tools to declutter, make decisions, and communicate more clearly with family and loved ones. Most importantly, we’ll explain how to ask better questions so that AI can provide you with answers that align with your goals, energy, and bandwidth.

Whether you're organizing inherited items, managing school prep, or just trying to get your paper piles under control, this episode will help you use AI in a compassionate, practical way. Additionally, we’re sharing a complimentary guide with 20 insightful prompts to help you get started.

In this episode we talk about:

• How AI can become a helpful companion in your organizing journey
• What makes a “good prompt” that leads to actual progress not just planning
• When AI becomes a support tool and when it becomes a distraction

Mentioned in this Episode:

• A free downloadable guide with 20 AI organizing prompts
• Episode 127: The Power of Asking the Right Question
• Examples of how people are using AI to write scripts, plan projects, and get unstuck
• NAPO National Blog: Smart Ways to Incorporate AI into Your Organizing Journey (So It Doesn’t End Up Being More Work) 

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

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Back-to-school season can feel like a fresh start or a total scramble. In this episode, we explore how to approach this transition with compassion, not perfection. Whether listeners are managing their own lives or supporting kids, aging parents, or both, we offer small but impactful systems that reduce stress and bring ease to daily routines. It’s not about doing more, it’s about removing friction so life runs a little smoother. Because organizing is an act of care for the future you and the people you live with.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How to reset your space and routines for a smoother school season
• Why compassionate organizing supports both you and your household
• Easy, sustainable systems to reduce morning chaos and paper pileups

Mentioned in this episode:

• The Sunday Reset routine for weekly planning
• Creating functional drop zones for bags, keys, and papers
• A mindset shift from perfection to practicality in organizing

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re sharing a simple yet powerful organizing practice that helps prevent forgotten items, duplicate purchases, and long-term overwhelm: intentional labeling and list-making. This low-effort task is a great way to check in with what you’ve stored, bring awareness to what you’re holding onto, and set yourself up for smarter organizing decisions. We also share how this practice can be reflective, collaborative, and even AI-assisted — all while aligning with your values and vision for your home.

In This Episode We Talk About:

• Why labeling and listing your storage is an intentional act of self-care and clarity
• How to use this process as a reflection or journaling practice, not just a task
• Ways to stay out of the “planning trap” and move toward progress with intention

Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Pomodoro Method for short, focused organizing sessions
• Flow organizing and journaling techniques to support mindful decision-making
• Using AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to sort your list and uncover patterns

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

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In this Fix It or Free It series and Community Garage Sale update, we’re recapping what got accomplished in May. From finally tackling that pile of tangled jewelry to hosting the Larkspur Community Garage Sale. This episode is about momentum, finishing what we start, and finding clarity through simple actions. Whether it’s repairing a clasp or parting with boxes of unused items, we explore how both fixing and freeing create space for what matters most.

In This Episode We Talk About:

• How a small project—like cleaning and fixing jewelry—can bring surprising satisfaction
• Lessons learned from organizing and hosting a large community garage sale
• The shared theme of completion behind both personal and community decluttering projects

Mentioned in this Episode:

• The Fix It or Free It monthly organizing series
• The 2025 Larkspur Community Garage Sale recap blog post
• The podcast episode on the emotional power of finishing things: Episode 125

Review full show notes and resources at https://theorganizedflamingo.com/podcast

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