Get Organized + Boost Productivity with Michelle Miller
If you’ve ever had that euphoric feeling after a deep dive into your junk closet or finally folded all of that laundry strewn around the apartment, you know how good it feels when you’ve committed to some quality apartment organizing. Now that we are all stuck in our homes, cleaning one’s personal space can be a mood booster as well as a starting point towards productivity. But old habits sometimes die hard and it’s easy to forget that accomplished feeling of peace and calm. Michelle Miller, founder of Ritual Living Co, seeks to help similar wayward souls get organized, develop lasting habits and work through personal blocks that get us to that low feeling in the first place. Michelle recently spoke at the studio on her holistic approach and on organizational tips (and a neat t-shirt folding strategy) to get us feeling motivated to tackle the physical, digital and inevitably emotional messes.
Sometimes organizing feels overwhelming, are there techniques in how one can start the process without feeling it’s all consuming?
Start small and give yourself a time limit. Organizing is a process and will usually take double the amount of time you expect. Try to do just one drawer, one cabinet or one piece of paper, so you don’t feel overwhelmed before you can even get started.
Living in NYC, one major problem a lot of us face is not enough space. What are some tips on how to get and stay organized in a smaller apartment?
Take advantage of vertical space by using stackable bins & tiered shelves. Use uniform, slim hangers to save closet space and file fold any other clothing which, bonus - makes it easier to see what you have. Deal with mail and packages as soon as you walk in and recycle or dispose of whatever’s not needed. Anything you can do to get things off the floor or furniture will eliminate visual clutter and help you feel more calm as well.
Are there common trends you see among people's clutter/habits?
The most common thing I see is multiples of items that clients don’t even know they have. It’s easy to overbuy when like items aren’t contained together in one space so you can see what’s there.
Any memorable treasures you’ve found amongst the mess?
I have found baby teeth a few times…… and was also warned one time that I might discover someone’s cat’s ashes along the way. Unopened checks & cash have shown up recently too. You never know- getting organized may actually make you money as well!
Is there anything you find harder to let go of than others?
Items that have been gifted or hold an emotional attachment tend to be the hardest to let go of. There’s a lot of hesitation involved when we think we ‘should’ hold on to something. Our homes are a reflection of our lives though, so letting go of the items that don’t hold meaning frees up space for what we truly want to bring in.
Any fun brands you recommend to help organize?
Open Spaces (@getopenspaces) just launched and I love their aesthetic & sustainability. Muji is also great for the simplicity of their products. And of course, the Poppin line of office products at the Container Store is such a fun line with tons of color options.
You have 12 hours and free rein in Blank Studio— what do you do?
I’d love to host an all day workshop focused on teaching people how to communicate better & have healthier relationships - complete with movement and mindfulness classes, ending the day with a collective dinner. It may not seem like it at first, but getting organized is a psychological process and learning how to have a healthy relationship with yourself can make all the difference in your home & work. Plus, I love facilitating and authentically connecting with other people.
What are 5 of your favorite resources right now?
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg- great book on how to re-program your habits.
Work Clean by Dan Charnas- fantastic book to learn how to organize yourself.
Package Free Shop in Brooklyn- great shop for sustainable, eco-friendly goods.
Loop lets you order your favorite products without the wasteful packaging + shipping.
The Expanded Podcast The interviews are fantastic and it’s similar to the deeper work I sometimes do with clients (to help them break through ingrained belief systems so they can have the home and life they desire) and I love hearing from other people about how it has worked for them.