New book on organized living offers ‘the feeling of freedom’
Shira Gill has the “organizing” gene and her latest book, “Organized Living” (Ten Speed Press, $32.50), shines the spotlight on 25 fellow organizers, gleaning from them insights and tips into their approaches to curated household order.
Gill, a Berkeley resident and the author of 2021’s “Minimalista: Your Step-by-Step Guide to a Better Home, Wardrobe, and Life,” has been featured in more than 100 publications and on media outlets.
She will sign copies of her book at 2 p.m. Oct. 22 at Sugar Paper in Larkspur. She’ll be accompanied by Holly Blakey, a local organizer, stylist and founder of Breathing Room, who is featured in the book.
Gill says the impetus behind writing “Organized Living” was to promote her belief that organizing can, and should, look different for everyone.
“There truly is no one-size-fits-all way of organizing, so I thought it would be illuminating to showcase the actual homes of my colleagues ranging from minimalists to maximalists, zero-wasters, nomads and everything in between,” she says.
Gill, and her longtime collaborator, photographer Vivian Johnson, visited each of the selected 25 organizational experts in various states and Paris.
“By featuring these organizers, sharing their home tours and highlighting their tips, tools and ideas, my intention is both to inspire people to make positive changes in their homes and lives, and show that not only are there many different paths to get there, but many different versions of what there looks like.”
Gill discovered organization as a method of self-care as a young child.
“Later, as a teenager, I made a hobby out of helping friends unlock the hidden potential of their spaces by editing down to the essentials and neatly arranging what remained,” Gill says. “I saw firsthand how organizing one’s space had the power to boost confidence and propel people towards their bigger goals. I was hooked.”
After motherhood, she created her own version of minimalism that enabled her to resist the pressure to consume without limits, while still embracing all of the things she loved, including vintage denim.
“When other moms asked how I avoided the clutter trap that often accompanies parenthood, I showed them, and that’s how my business was born,” she says.
“I help people clarify why they want to edit their homes so they have a clear and compelling reason for decluttering. Letting go is hard for most people so it’s crucial to anchor your decluttering efforts in a values-based goal such as, ‘I want to create more time for my family,’ ‘I want to feel more ease in my daily life,’ or ‘I want to travel more.’”
She advises people to avoid common misguided attempts at organizing, such as organizing before editing (“organized clutter is still clutter”), shopping for organizing products without a clear purpose or plan, getting stuck in a scarcity mindset (“what if I need this?”) and guilt over letting go of gifts or expensive items.
Instead, she believes that her five-step toolkit will help anyone who wants to declutter or transform a space and for anyone who wants to embark on a minimalist lifestyle.
“These steps layer on top of each other to create a big impact and lasting change,” she says.
• Clarify. “Determine the specific outcome you want to create. You must clarify what results you want and why, or you’re just moving piles of stuff around.”
• Edit. “Subtract the items that don’t serve your vision or goals.”
• Organize. “Pair similar items together and give them a designated ‘home.’ It ensures you can find what you need, when you need it.”
• Elevate. “Level up your space with thoughtful styling. Containers, labels and personal touches add aesthetic value.”
• Maintain. “Implement habit shifts to keep your space in good working order.”
“Your stuff can reveal what you value, what your priorities are and where you’re stuck or struggling,” she says.
Editing, with a focus on keeping essentials, is the most direct route to figuring out what is most important in one’s life and unexpected positive outcomes can be the result, she says.
“I’ve seen clients reclaim their physical and mental health, improve their relationships, kick-start new creative projects and businesses, and even get out of debt,” she says.
Not only that, they get to experience what Gill says happens with an organized life: “the feeling of freedom.”
• Details: The “Organized Living” book signing is from 2 to 4 p.m. Oct. 22 at Sugar Paper at the Marin County Mart at 2207 Larkspur Landing Circle in Larkspur. Call 415-419-5145 or go to sugarpaper.com. Admission is free
Show off
Since so many of the popular home tours are off the calendar this year, please consider this your invitation to share with fellow readers the images and description of your garden or newly designed or remodeled Marin home.
Please send an email describing either one, what you love most about it, and a photograph or two. I will post the best ones in upcoming columns. Your name will be published and you must be over 18 years old and a Marin resident.
PJ Bremier writes on home, garden, design and entertaining topics every Saturday. She may be contacted at P.O. Box 412, Kentfield 94914, or at pj@pjbremier.com.