Mother of two and Actress Julia Roberts has discovered one of life's great lessons: having less leads to simple happiness.

Has America's sweetheart Julie Roberts successfully kicked clutter to the curb?

One of the techniques we help our Los Angeles professional organization clients past their frustration with clutter is to envision what the mountain of mess will look like AFTER we're done. So each and every decision they make contributes to the outcome. It's about looking past the small projects, enjoying them while looking forward to the outcome.

In an interview this week with Us Magazine, mother-of-two and actress Julia Roberts seems to be taking downsizing advice very seriously (in her head at least) and is focusing not too much on the "detail" but on the "lightness of being." What else does Roberts have to say?

"It's about non-grasping, non-hoarding, cleaning out your closet, dusting out your mind and letting go of the things that weigh you down mentally and emotionally," she explained. "There's a lightness to my life now — an airy quality of not taking things too seriously. That's happiness"

We always enjoy highlighting media stories featuring celebrities and prominent people, and especially in this case, when you can witness their successful transformation and gleam some insight into the anti-clutter process. For more stories we've featured, check out our celebrity organizing category.

Photo credit, Roberts accepts the 22nd American Cinematheque Award in Beverly Hills, California in 2007:  Reuters

Your Turn To Comment

What do you think about Roberts successful outcome for her decluttering efforts? Have you undertaken a home or office organizing project and struggled to finish? How do you keep your eyes on the big picture? Do you find a clearer mind a result of a less cluttered closet? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Let us know what you think here in the comment section or you can tweet us @johntrosko on Twitter. You can also check us out on Instagram (@johntrosko).

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Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are selling their "cluttered" NYC Apartment

Over the past 10 years we've operated our Los Angeles-based professional organizing company, one thing is clear: couples quibble about clutter.

We've written about clutter and couples for a long time:

• How Hollywood Set Decorators use clutter to add substance to their imaginary homes.
• How one tv reality show takes clutter away from a family and sees if they can live without it.
• How to make a home comfortable when no one agrees.

The Vanity Fair Inverview

That's why it was no surprise when an OrganizingLA blog reader forwarded tv talk show host Kelly Ripa and husband-actor Mark Consuelos recent interview for Vanity Fair. Ripa and Consuelos argue about what stays and what goes, while they're downsizing and packing up their New York City apartment. In the Vanity Fair interview, Ripa says:

“It is a bit of a nightmare, because Mark likes to throw everything away, and I want to save everything for when the kids are older one day,” Ripa said. “So, you know, they have their things, like their first report card, so it’s a constant struggle as to what we should toss versus what we should save.”

Vanity Fair mentions that the couple, married now for 18-years, still have an entire closet filled with baby and children’s things that their three kids have outgrown. It's no surprise to us, because we've written before about Ripa's passion for shopping.

“For some reason, I have a crib and a stroller and a Pack ’n Play, and a little kitchen,” Ripa said, laughing. “Right now, basically, David Burtka and Neil Patrick Harris’s kids come over and play with everything. Like, that’s what it’s there for, just to get them to bring the kids over.”

You can see pictures of their listed apartment here. Or, check out the Vanity Fair interview here.

Your Turn To Comment

What do you think about Ripa's passion for keeping things for her children, or Consuelos need to make space? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Let us know what you think here in the comment section or you can tweet us @johntrosko on Twitter. You can also check us out on Instagram (@johntrosko).

Like this Topic?

Want to learn smart and practical organizing tips for your home, office and life? Save time by signing up for free topic updates and receive them as soon as they're published. Plus, as a gift receive our exclusive Martha Stewart Living Radio recorded radio interview and transcript, chock full of strategies, tips and resources direct from John.

You'd never now it from this picture, but singer Rod Stewart built a very organized, highly detailed model train city in his Beverly Hills mansion

I was really fascinated with model train sets when I was a kid. My parents in Princeton NJ had a converted basement and on top of a pool table my father installed a thick piece of wood that allowed me and my brothers to go crazy with whatever hobby we desired or any school project we endeavored. But when I got older, space was a limitation in small Los Angeles apartments I rented so I really gave up the idea of a hobby that I needed a lot of space for– trains.

So it was really surprising to find out that Rock Star Rod Stewart has a secret obsession that you won't read about in Architectural Digest: he loves trains.

Railroad aficionado, Rod Stewart would return to his hotel room on tour and dive into hours of painstaking model scratch-building and detail work.

(more…)

Jared Fogel donated his outgrown clothes to the Salvation Army

Very often our organizing clients, for one reason or another will go through a huge purge and discard items no longer desired. As we help clients decide what may or may not “fit” into their current lives and or spaces, they decide what to donate, sell, or recycle (or re-purpose). The Salvation Army, Goodwill, NCJW and Out of the Closet are popular donation sites for the Los Angeles area. Typically, however, our clients don’t find their old treasures hanging in a sandwich shop…

Jared's story and connection to Salvation Army:

When Jared Fogle “The Subway Guy” achieved a significant weight loss on the since coined “Subway Diet”, it caught the attention of Men’s Health. Jared was featured in the magazine’s article “Stupid Diets…that Work!” in 1999. And by January 2000, he was a household name. Recently TMZ caught up with Jared and asked “What did you ever do with your old clothes?” He saved a couple pair of pants and shipped 60 bags of clothes to The Salvation Army in the late ‘90’s. In 2008, in honor of a decade of maintenance, his old pair of 62-inch pants (after a final "Tour de Pants") were hung in a Subway restaurant.

A major weight loss is in itself a type of decluttering and can inspire many to move on to other organizing projects. Embracing “out with the old, and in with the new” can, not only help one to maintain a healthier lifestyle, it encourages developing new habits. If something no longer fits, serves a purpose in your life, moves you forward or encourages growth consider letting it go…

Tips for donating clothing:

• Only donate usable clothing (no tears, stains)
• Items should be cleaned and repaired before donating
• Check the pockets – even if you don’t recall the last time you wore it
• Don’t forget your receipt – donations are tax-deductible
• Put a box or a bag in your closet – when it’s full, it’s time to donate!

What did we miss/Comments:

Have you ever experienced a major weight loss? What other areas of your life did it affect? Do you donate to an organization or share with friends? What criteria do you use for letting go of items that no longer “fit“ your life? Let us know what you think here in the comment section or you can tweet us @johntrosko on Twitter. You can also check us out on Instagram (@johntrosko).

Like this Topic?

Want to learn smart and practical organizing tips for your home, office and life? Save time by signing up for free topic updates and receive them as soon as they're published. Plus, as a gift receive our exclusive Martha Stewart Living Radio recorded radio interview and transcript, chock full of strategies, tips and resources direct from John.