Somers Organizing Expert: Straighten Up and Feel Good

SOMERS, N.Y. — Somers resident Andréa Deinstadt, professional organizer and founder of Organizing Wisdom, offers a short and simple solution to time management problems. “Learn to say no,” she says. “You have to decide what’s important and make commitments from there.”

Although her background is corporate and she still consults with business clients, Deinstadt now specializes in residential organization. “All of my clients are smart, but they need to get rid of those things that no longer serve, like those tchotchkes that Aunt Birdie gave them. They feel guilty, but if they give it to Goodwill, someone else will love it.”

“Organizing is like exercise,” she says. “You need to do it on a regular basis, but even a little bit will make you feel like a million dollars. Take baby steps. Schedule something, like, ‘On Saturday morning at 9 a.m. I will clean out this drawer.’ One drawer can be enough.”

Another suggestion is to have a family calendar, where everyone lists his or her schedule. “Not personal stuff, but the type of information that will impact everyone else.”

Here is a mantra she offers: “Donate, donate, donate,” says Deinstadt. “If you are more than two sizes away from something, donate it. If something is stained or out of date, throw it away. Lighten the load and relieve yourself of a burden. Organizing is an extension of self-care. It makes you feel better.”

Deinstadt suggests keeping receipts for clothes for two years, “in case, for example, something gets ruined at the dry cleaner. Keep capital improvements receipts, mortgage information, anything with tax implications. Phone bills, utility bills, casual purchase receipts? Throw them away. And pay your bills every two weeks.”

Deinstadt’s website gives suggestions for creating order in your life and includes a list of books and websites. In addition, she gives talks at local libraries and club meetings. 

At 2 p.m. Saturday, April 21, she will be at the Somers Library to discuss, “Why Smart Women Get Stuck Organizing.” Spaces are still open. Call the library at 914-232-5717 or go online to register.

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