Let’s be honest: organizing can feel like a luxury when life already feels like a three-ring circus. But sometimes the act of clearing a surface or folding the laundry isn’t about a decluttered space; it’s about clarity. That’s why we’re so passionate about systems that make your life feel a little less chaotic and a lot more manageable.
To dig deeper into the link between organizing and mental health, we called up our friend Ashley Hines—founder of Thee Tailored Life, mom of two, healthcare professional turned organizing pro, and a founding member of our app, The Organizing Society. We love her take on how small systems can create real peace, even when the rest of life feels loud.
Here’s what we learned from Ashley about organizing through the lens of mental health, with plenty of real-life takeaways for anyone who’s ever felt buried by laundry, paper piles, or their own calendar.
1. Your house tells the truth (even when you’re ignoring it)
We’ve all had days where the kitchen counter looks like it’s hosting a clutter convention and the entryway could qualify as a lost-and-found. That kind of mess? It’s not just stuff; it’s feedback. Ashley reminded us that our space often reflects what’s going on inside. If the entryway is overflowing, you’re probably rushing. If the dishes are stacked to the ceiling, you’re likely stretched too thin.
The good news is that clutter doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you get to pause and take care of yourself, not just your space.
Try this: Take ten minutes to clear a single spot—your nightstand, the kitchen island, your bathroom sink. Then pause and ask: what else needs to slow down? (Spoiler: it’s you.)
2. You don’t need to do it all. Just start with the drawer
Ashley started her business mid-pandemic, in the middle of working, parenting, surviving remote school, and trying to feel human. Sound familiar? She didn’t begin with a full-blown edit. She started small. And that’s the move.
We’re all about baby steps over a low bar. The guest bathroom drawer. The backseat of your car. Your purse with the crumpled up receipts in it. Any of those = a Gold Star.
Try this: Set a timer for 10 minutes to tackle something small. Stop when the timer ends. Celebrate. Repeat. (Need ideas on where to start? Try any of these 7 small organizing projects that lead to big wins over time.)
3. Routine resets = fewer breakdowns
Ashley sets a weekly reset routine for her pantry. It’s not fancy. It’s just functional. She tosses expired food, regroups items, and makes sure her system is still working. The reset is tied to her grocery trip, so it feels natural, not like an extra chore.
We live for this kind of thinking. Organizing that quietly runs in the background is our favorite kind of organizing. It’s how systems stick.
Try this: Pick one weekly reset to start with:
- Pantry edit after groceries
- Paper sort every Friday
- Laundry catch-up every Wednesday
The point isn’t the day. It’s the rhythm.
4. If your systems are hard to follow, they won’t stick
Ashley put it perfectly: if putting something away takes five steps, it’s not happening. Especially if your hands are full of snacks, water bottles, and a kid yelling about a missing shoe.
That’s why we love one-step systems. Walk in the door, drop the keys in the tray. Toss the junk mail before it enters. Store everyday items where you actually use them.
Try this: Audit your home for friction points. If something’s always left out, it’s probably because the system is too complicated.
5. Let your space call the shots.
This might be our favorite shared philosophy: let your space decide what stays. Ashley uses mugs as an example. If your cabinet fits ten mugs, that’s the cap, even if mug number eleven has your initials on it and was on sale.
This is the 80/20 rule in action. Fill your space 80 percent. Leave 20 percent open. That extra room? That’s mental clarity, in cabinet form.
Try this: Pick one overcrowded area and remove just five things. Your shelf will thank you.
6. The chair is not a system
Ashley said it best: “The chair becomes the floor.” And listen—we’ve been that person who fully intends to hang something back up and instead turns a corner of the room into a laundry-themed art installation.
The fix? Make putting things away easier than dropping them down. Donation bags, accessible laundry baskets, and hangers you don’t have to fight with.
Try this: If you have a “chair,” replace it with a bin or basket. Give yourself a landing zone with boundaries.
7. Velvet hangers are underrated heroes
We’ve said it before and we’ll keep saying it. Velvet hangers save space, keep your clothes in place, and make your closet look and feel better. Ashley’s on the same page.
They’re one of those small changes that make a real difference. The kind of upgrade you feel every single day.
Try this: Replace 10 of your wire or mismatched hangers with huggable velvet ones. See how it feels.
8. Laundry is best served in small batches
Ashley’s rule: Wash every other day. Smaller loads feel more manageable and are less likely to pile up and overwhelm you. Because laundry math is real: A molehill = doable. A mountain = despair. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s just not dreading the laundry room.
Try this: Designate a hamper for each family member and rotate loads by person. Less mixing, less stress.
9. Kids can do systems—they just need the right tools
Ashley keeps things simple: toy categories they understand, bins labeled with pictures, and the messiest stuff stored out of reach. She also teaches her kids the “play and reset” method. One thing out. One thing away. Repeat.
It’s a system we use in our own homes, too. In fact, it’s one of the key habits we introduce in our collection of kids’ books, because the earlier kids learn to organize with intention, the easier it becomes for everyone.
Try this: Let your kids help name the toy categories. “Things With Wheels” and “Squishy Friends” might be more effective than “Miscellaneous.”
10. Paper clutter is a sneaky form of stress
Ashley keeps paper in check with a few smart habits. She tosses junk mail before it enters the house, digitizes anything she doesn’t need to hold, and reviews schoolwork on Fridays, when her kids’ folders come home.
Joanna loves a paper planner. Clea once tried to digitize a birthday card. But we all agree—paper piles create silent stress.
Try this: Create a three-tray system: To Do, To File, To Toss. Then actually use it. Bonus points for custom labels.
11. Shared spaces need shared rules
Ashley said it best. If two people have different ideas about a room, it’s not going to stay organized. We’ve both shared closets with our husbands in the past. Let’s just say it’s better when everyone’s on the same page.
The best systems work because the people using them are working together. That goes for shared closets, family mudrooms, and even the junk drawer.
Try this: Before creating a system, align on what the space should feel like. Cozy? Functional? Minimal? That clarity makes all the difference. It becomes easier to organize and easier to maintain, because everyone’s working from the same goal.
Want more support from organizers who actually get it? Join The Organizing Society now.
The Organizing Society is full of tips like these—practical advice from pros who live in the real world. You’ll find tools, inspiration, and systems that work even when life doesn’t. Plus, a community that cheers you on every time you reset a drawer or toss a pile. Join here, and see you there!
