Introduction I am messy by nature. No, like, really messy... Cabinets open, bottle tops off, leaving a trail of breadcrumbs everywhere I have been throughout the day... I know, I know, probably not the direction you expected an organizing book would start with. However, it is important for me to share that about myself, so that you know that it doesn't matter where you are starting from, or how organized, or disorganized, you naturally are. Organizational systems can be learned, mastered, and implemented in your life everyday; making your days more purposeful, less stressful, and allowing you to be the best version of yourself, for YOU, and for those around you. Let me set the scene: I am 24 years old, newly married, and have just given birth to my first child, our daughter, Landry (19 days early might I add! Yeesh--can momma get a heads up next time?!). Whether you're a first time parent, or this is your second/ third/ fourth go at this process, you know how truly BANANALAND this time is in life. Then comes all the shit. Literally, and figuratively.. New clothes, toys, contraptions, all my husband's stuff that I had inherited seemingly overnight, and the fact that kids just never stop pooping. All this to say--my life was a mess, a beautiful mess, but a mess, nonetheless. The utter chaos of everyday life was spilling into my home, and I felt like I was falling behind. The state of my home started impacting my life in so many ways - as a mother, wife and employee.. Is this starting to sound familiar? I have a feeling most, if not all of us have had that feeling of inadequacy, feeling like all the balls are dropping in every direction, and that you're letting everyone down. It's the absolute worst. It was at this point (and why I believe so many of you have picked up this book), that I decided I needed to prioritize organization in my home and in my life. I have always been a creative person, good with space, and good with coming up with solutions to maximize that space. The foundation was there but the formula was nonexistent. It was time to get to work. My name is Ría Safford --I am a mother of three (Landry, Sawyer, and Jack), proud wife to my Texan husband, Conner, and the CEO and founder of RíOrganize, a professional home organization and relocation company that operates nationwide. At this point, we have worked with over a thousand different clients, hundreds of different families all over the country, and numerous companies. We have helped organize spaces for Oscar, Grammy, Tony, & Emmy winners, Hall of Fame Athletes, Olympians, CEO's, billionaires, and industry leaders. While famous clients bring some major pinch me moments, they really are "just like us!" So, how did I go from being the captain of the Hot Mess Express to organizing for the world's elite? Well, it's a long story... that happened in a very short amount of time. In this book, I will give you the tips and tricks that I have learned, perfected, and shared with clients over the past 7 years. You will learn what questions are the right questions to ask when tackling a space. You will know how to approach each project with purpose, and a plan of attack to achieve a routine ready and FUNCTIONAL space. Whether a paid professional or not, parents and caregivers end up being professional organizers in their own home. There is no job that requires more purposeful planning and execution than being a parent. Any parent that has tried to just "tackle" parenting without a plan can tell you: IT DOES NOT WORK. Sure, you can survive for a bit, but eventually, it all just catches up to you. As a new mother, trying to figure out what systems worked best for me and my family took work. There was a lot of trial and error to get these systems to a point where they were repeatable and applicable to more than just my home. One of my biggest takeaways from my job and my own journey is that organization is not an overnight thing. I repeat--NOT an overnight thing. As cliché as this sounds, it's a lifestyle. It's an attitude, a mindset, a constant, never ending process. You have to want to make the change, just like with any other lifestyle journey: diet, nutrition, learning a new language, taking up a new hobby or interest, etc. You have to show up for yourself and your home every day and really work for the outcome you are after. If you want a clean space in your home, call a housekeeper. If you want a routine-ready space that helps you get through your day more efficiently, with systems in place that allow you to clean up even the most chaotic space in a matter of minutes, then you are in the right place. And I am so glad you are! When you understand the fundamentals of how to approach organizing your spaces, and the blueprints that you can apply to any space, anything is posssssiibbbllleee (Kevin Garnett? Anyone?). No project is the same, no space is the same, no solution is the same--because, here's the thing: everyone is different--BUT, and this is a big BUTT (like J-LO booty), the questions we ask about the space to get to the solution are the same for all. We are going to go through those questions, help you frame your space, analyze the routines that take place in that space, and evaluate how to best utilize that space to make it an efficient, and dare I say pleasant part of your day, rather than a pain point. As I sit here thinking about all of the projects RíOrganize has worked on, there is ONE common reason everyone was seeking help-a LIFE MOMENT. Rarely is it someone saying, "I am going to get organized today. I have done things one way for as long as I remember, but now I am ready to change that because I saw a pretty picture." These life moments can be minimal, or monumental-- anything from welcoming a new child, to a new pet, to a marriage, a move, a divorce, a death, empty nesting, adopting, kids starting school, etc. There is always some Life Moment that forces us to say: "this system isn't working." These life moments call for us to reassess ourselves, our spaces, our routines, and how we live our lives. We must learn to navigate our new normal. An organized, streamlined, routine ready space gives you the ability to tackle your new normal with purpose and intention. These moments are inevitable. Now that we know they are coming, let's get ready! I need to make something abundantly clear here. If you are disorganized, if there is clutter, if you feel like you are drowning your way through one of life's moments, know this: THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH YOU. You might have a broken system, a poorly functioning space, or a new mountain of stuff that got dropped onto the end of the never-ending to-do list; but it is the system that is broken, YOU are not. This book isn't about fixing something that is broken but about using these life moments as an opportunity to establish a new normal that you are in charge of - that you have thought out, and set up with purpose. It is an opportunity to reintroduce yourself to your belongings, purposefully giving yourself a chance to decide what stays, and what doesn't make it through this milestone and into the next phase of your life (I am not an advocate for "throw it all away" - but purging can be very therapeutic and very necessary in some instances). Life is ever changing and ever-evolving. Nothing you do is going to be a "fix-all"--it is a first step in a lifelong journey. Sure, having that Instagram drool-worthy pantry completely dialed to the nines is great--it will make you feel amazing, but if it isn't set up for your routine, for your season of life, for your particular space, then it will be a one off project, that will eventually lose its luster, and simply grow into the same pain point it has always been. You have to create a maintainable system. You need to be able to give yourself a break and have "reset" days. You will have the days that it looks like a bomb went off in the kitchen or playroom--but if there is a system in place, designed to meet your specific needs, for that specific space, then reclaiming that space will take mere minutes rather than hours. Your home is an every day, never-ending project,and the benefits/ripple effects of which will be felt throughout every aspect of your life. Lastly, let me just say how freaking proud I am of YOU for wanting to start this journey. Even with the chaos that life brings--everything you are already going through--you have chosen to put yourself, and your spaces first, even if only for a few minutes. By picking up this book, you have officially made organization a priority for yourself, and those effects will be felt by everyone around you. Your organization journey will be ever-evolving, and I will be here every step of the way, guiding you through the process, to help you create the most functional, streamlined, and routine ready spaces for you and your family. I am also here to keep things realistic, remind you of the "why"--and lastly to remove all expectations: life gets in the way, projects get delayed, budget changes happen, LIFE HAPPENS. These spaces and the pain points in your day aren't going anywhere, so, when you are ready, let's get after it--together! Let's make your space one that you are proud of. You've got this! Happy Organizing! --Ría Excerpted from The Organized Home for New Parents: How to Create Routine-Ready Spaces for Your Baby's First Years by Ria Safford All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
