As the holiday season wraps up, I find myself reflecting on the whirlwind of the last few months. It’s always a time filled with joy, but also an overwhelming number of things to juggle—gifts, cooking baking, family visits, and everything else that comes with the festive season. And as much as I enjoy all of it, it’s also a reminder of how easily our schedules can spiral out of control when life gets busy. For me, this year has been a special one—full of growth, challenges, and some surprising lessons on managing chaos.
I run a full-time business as a home organizer, helping clients in Philadelphia reclaim control over their spaces and routines, but I’ve also experienced firsthand just how difficult it can be to balance work, personal life, and big milestones. After getting engaged in April I planned my wedding in just six months, while running my full-time business, and still made time for family, throughout the year and during the holiday season. I was faced with the same challenges many of you may face in your own day-to-day lives. How do you stay on top of it all without losing your sanity? How do you enjoy the season and life itself when it feels like everything is always “go, go, go”?
Through it all, I’ve learned some valuable lessons—and I’m excited to share them with you. These lessons are not just about organization but about mindset, boundaries, and learning how to embrace the chaos without letting it overwhelm you. After all, we all want more balance, but achieving it is often easier said than done.
One of the most important things I learned this year is the power of intentional planning—and this doesn’t just apply to organizing physical spaces, but to how you structure your time and energy. In the months leading up to my wedding, I had to balance a demanding full-time business with preparing for one of the biggest personal events of my life. It would have been easy to let everything pile up, but I had to prioritize. I scheduled my tasks, created lists, and gave myself permission to say no to anything that wasn’t necessary. It was hard, especially with the stress of everything else, but it taught me how important it is to have a plan in place—whether you’re managing a business, taking care of your family, or preparing for an event. By simply being proactive and setting clear goals, I was able to stay on top of things and find time for both work and family.
I share this not because I think I have it all figured out, but because I know that many of you—moms especially—are juggling a lot. Between kids, work, family responsibilities, and everything in between, it can feel impossible to keep up. But what I’ve learned this year is that it’s all about setting boundaries—with your time, your commitments, and your energy. For example, while planning my wedding, I FINALLY realized that I didn’t have to do everything myself. I delegated tasks, trusted others, and accepted help. I also made sure that I kept space in my schedule for my family—because, at the end of the day, these moments with loved ones are what matter most. Saying no to extra tasks, social obligations, or events that weren’t going to bring joy allowed me to focus on what truly mattered and to avoid the trap of overcommitting.
In my work as a home organizer, I always tell clients that clutter is not just about physical things; it’s also about mental and emotional clutter. If you’re constantly feeling overwhelmed by everything on your to-do list or trying to keep up with a never-ending stream of tasks, it’s time to clear some space. This can be as simple as reducing your commitments or as structured as organizing your home in a way that supports your lifestyle. I often help moms organize kids’ rooms, but I also find that creating routines and systems that reduce mental clutter are just as important. One of the things that’s been most impactful in my own life is taking the time to simplify my environment. It’s not about having a perfectly clean house—it’s about having a space that supports the flow of your day, whether you’re cooking dinner, helping with homework, or getting ready for a family outing.
Creating systems that simplify tasks—like preparing for the day ahead the night before—can free up mental space and allow you to focus on what truly matters. I’ve found that developing routines around these everyday tasks helps keep my schedule from feeling chaotic. For example, I’ve started picking out clothes, packing the car, and gathering any supplies I need for work the night before. This small habit has been a game-changer, not just for my business, but for my personal life as well. Waking up to a smooth, organized start instead of rushing around makes all the difference and allows me to feel more centered and in control of my day. Having time to stop at Dunkin' without screaming in traffic after because I didn't actually give myself enough time? Yes please!
Even as a home organizer, I sometimes fall into the trap of feeling like I have to be perfect—like everything has to be in its place or my schedule has to be flawless. But over time, I’ve learned that perfectionism is the enemy of progress. There were moments this year when things didn’t go as planned—whether it was a hiccup in a client’s project, unexpected changes in my own life, or simply moments when I felt like I wasn’t doing enough. But instead of trying to chase an impossible standard of perfection, I learned to embrace the mess, both in my work and in my personal life.
That’s something I really want to share with all of you reading—especially to the moms who feel like they’re always running on empty. It’s okay to not have it all together. It’s okay to have a messy house or an imperfect day. What matters is that you show up for yourself and your family. Instead of stressing over the small stuff, focus on what’s truly important. Simplify where you can, let go of what doesn’t serve you, and give yourself grace when things don’t go according to plan.
Now, as we turn the page to a new year, I’m excited to set a few personal and professional goals. First, I want to continue helping more families find the peace and organization they crave. There are so many families in Philadelphia who are just trying to make it all work, and I’m passionate about helping them create systems that bring order to their homes and routines. House of J is here for the mundane maintenance and the extreme emergency cases. Everyone deserves support to create an organized home. I’m excited to expand my services, offering more partnerships and mental health resources to give people the tools they need to take control of their environments and schedules. My goal is to make home organizing more accessible and practical—because I believe it can truly change the way we experience life.
On a personal note, I’m also committed to continuing the work of balancing my professional life with my personal life. The past year taught me how important it is to take time for myself, whether it’s through small self-care moments or bigger steps like taking time off when needed. I’m setting the intention to keep improving my work-life balance and, most importantly, to be present for the people who matter most.
If there’s one takeaway I hope you can apply to your own life this year, it’s that it’s possible to find balance even in the busiest seasons. Whether it’s the holidays or just the everyday grind, it’s about intentional planning, setting boundaries, and creating systems that work for you. You don’t have to do it all alone. There’s help available, and sometimes, just a little bit of structure can make a world of difference.
Here’s to a New Year filled with more peace, more balance, and more time for the things and people that matter most. Let’s make 2025 the year we put the madness behind us and step into a calmer, more organized life.
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