EDEL BEATTIE FROM THE HAPPY ORGANISER IS HERE TO HELP SIMPLIFY YOUR HOME

Words Lauren Pomphrey

Images The Hype Girl Project

Have you spent winter hibernating with Netflix shows about colour-coded wardrobes and perfectly organised pantries? Does an avalanche of kids’ snacks rain down upon you every time you reach for a bag of chips?

If you’re ready for a fresh start, then we’re here to put a spring in your step with Edel Beattie from The Happy Organiser – the Illawarra’s very own professional organiser and Instagram sensation!

Tell us about your business. How did you get into professional organising?

The pandemic lockdown gave me time to reflect on what I was passionate about – helping people to live more, stress less, love their homes and have more time for the things that matter. So I started The Happy Organiser to help clients declutter and set up organising systems, allowing them to enjoy their space to its full potential. After all, what better time than when everyone’s home more than ever?!

You must meet a lot of people! Do you have any favourite projects you’ve worked on?

I love seeing how simplifying and organising can impact people's lives. Recently, I worked with a young family who were preparing to move home - their daughters fully embraced the process, sorting and choosing items to donate. It was such a heart-warming experience.

What’s your favourite kind of space to work on?

I especially love organising wardrobes. It's a very personal space, but most of us hold onto things that don't make us feel good. When we eliminate “space stealers”, we can create a functional wardrobe that's easy to maintain. It's very liberating – like an instant feeling of freedom.

Ok, I’m sold! How do we start getting ourselves organised?

The first step is committing to the process. Communicate your plans to the household and schedule time to focus on a particular area. Make a day of it – prepare a good playlist and stay focused on your goals.

As you sort through things, place them into categories to get a better idea of what can be discarded. I promise you don't need six pairs of scissors! Oh, and if you follow my Instagram, you’ll know I love a label. Get a cheap label maker to use everywhere from pantries to digital filing systems – it really solidifies your system.

What if I have kids around? It feels like there’s almost no point.

Decluttering is a challenge with kids around (I have two of my own), but I think it’s important for them to understand the value of their space and how organisation plays a role in our lives. Speak to them about tidy spaces, involve them in the process and try to make it a positive experience. And when it inevitably gets messy again, it's much easier to tidy up if everything has a place!

On that note, how do we stay on top of our newly organised space?

Be intentional. Before you buy anything, ask yourself if you have space for it in your home (and your mind) – I use the “one in, one out” rule. Communicate the system and lead by example by putting things back where they belong. Every time you’re about to set something down, remind yourself that it will save you time in the long run by putting it back in its correct home.

And finally – have you ever met a mess you couldn’t crack!?

My dad’s shed back in Ireland. But I’m ready to give it another go the next time I visit!

Need a hand getting your space refreshed? Contact Edel at www.thehappyorganiser.com or DM @the_happy_organiser on Instagram or Facebook.