Twenty Years of Posts: 10 Truths That Still Hold Up

9 November 2026

Tomorrow is my blog’s 20th anniversary, which feels both impossible and exactly right. I started Peace of Mind Organizing® in July 2005, and when I made the leap from being a writer, I suspected it would bring me happiness—and it did. On my tenth anniversary in business, I wrote down ten truths I’d learned as an organizer. Reading them again now, on the eve of this blogiversary, I’m struck by how well they’ve held up. I hope they’re helpful (or reassuring) for you, too.

This month I celebrate the 10th anniversary of Peace of Mind Organizing®. It’s incredible to me how quickly time goes by. It’s been a wonderful decade and I look forward to moving my company into the next decade.

Thinking about my anniversary, I took a moment to write down ten things I’ve learned as a PO that have been proven true over and over again. I thought I’d share them with you this month.

The less stuff you own, the easier your life is. Less stuff = more freedom.
Relationships are more important than things. Don’t let your stuff get in the way of your relationships.
There is no such thing as perfectly organized. Strive for “organized enough” instead.
You can’t put something away unless you have a place for it. And you can’t have a place for it if you have more stuff than you can comfortably store.
It’s easiest to create a new habit if you pair it with something you’re already doing. Use that trick to let habit creation be easy.
Indecision leads to clutter. Make it a habit to decide immediately what to do with items.
It’s okay to ask for organizing help. In fact, it can be very beneficial.
Messy does not equal disorganized. I’m living proof.
Tidy does not equal organized. I’ve seen many neat but disorganized spaces.
You are not your stuff. Don’t let your stuff (and your ability to organize it) define you.