I’m feeling really good about 2018 so far. For the first time in my life, I’ve stuck with my New Year’s resolutions longer than a week — and that feels amazing.
- Complete a January Whole30 and embrace a Whole30 lifestyle. I know it might sound redundant since I already live a Whole30-ish life, but starting the year with a reset reminds me why I do this: it makes me feel better and highlights unhealthy habits I need to watch.
- Exercise consistently. In past years I rarely worked out, but lately I’ve been training with a personal trainer and actually enjoying it. I plan to keep it up.
- Get organized. Running this blog is a one-woman circus and, as a stay-at-home mom of two girls, I was desperately in need of systems. Organization used to trigger my anxiety, so I hired Neat Method to help — and I have zero regrets.
Resolutions one and two deserve their own posts, so today I want to focus on how hiring Neat Method transformed my home. Two areas needed the most attention: the kitchen — where I spend most of my time — and our shared closet. The Neat Method team from Dallas arrived ready to work, and I didn’t have to lift a finger. That’s exactly how I wanted it: if you pay someone to organize, they should do the heavy lifting.
They handled everything thoughtfully. In the pantry they removed expired items and set them aside for my final approval. Before the closet session, I spent about an hour tossing a few pieces into a donate bag — that was it. The team took care of the rest.
The results were incredible. My pantry looks like a small market: spices and ingredients are visible and inspiring when I cook. Appliances are accessible without dragging out a step ladder to reach a shelf. Since my kitchen has open shelving instead of upper cabinets, the team styled the shelves to look magazine-ready — my bar and cookbooks are even color coordinated, which makes the space feel calm and intentional.
Now, the closet. We desperately needed help. My husband and I share a generous closet, but we were at capacity: clothes everywhere, shoes piled, purses uncontained. The Neat Method team transformed it into a space I actually want to be in. Everything has a place. Purses are tucked into labeled bins, jewelry sits in a neat box, clothes are color coordinated, and shoes are displayed like a boutique. The closet feels so organized I could practically camp out in there.
GET ORGANIZED, TOO!
If you, like me, don’t have the time or energy to organize and want to invest in your sanity, consider a professional organizer. Neat Method starts with a consultation — they assess your space and provide an estimate. Their rate is $150 per hour, and they typically send at least two team members to work efficiently. They purchase storage items on your behalf (you cover the cost) and label everything so you don’t have to do any of the detailed work. For those in the Dallas–Fort Worth area, the local Neat Method team offered a discount code for my readers: “NEAT DISH”.
Disclosure: I partner only with companies and products I genuinely believe in. Neat Method covered the cost of organizing my spaces, but my opinions are my own. I wholeheartedly recommend their services based on my experience.
All photos in this post were taken by the talented Stephanie Drenka.