Ten Organizational Tips From TV Personality Jill Pollack

Jill Pollack is a popular organizational expert whose advice often appears in magazines and newspapers. She is the host of HGTV Canada’s Consumed, a one-hour show where she transforms a family’s life through the process of decluttering. She has appeared on Anderson Cooper Live, The Dr. Oz Show, Dr. Drew’s Life Changers, and The Tyra Banks Show.

Jill also has West Hartford roots, having gone to Kingswood Oxford. Life and career had her living in Manhattan, Jerusalem, London, and Los Angeles. Pollack and her husband newly moved back to town, where she stays and works in between taping her show in Vancouver and flying out to assist private clients with their organizational needs. Some of her regulars include Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, and Jennifer Tilly. Speaking from Beverly Hills, where she was assisting a client, Jill gave me an overview of what it entails to be an organizational expert.

Pollack likes to say that she is a personal trainer for the home and office. “It’s like fitness. You have to keep working on it. Think healthier, think more organized.” Similar to a personal trainer, the process is about taking control over your life with the helpful nudging of another.

Talking to Jill, her passion and enthusiasm for organization and decluttering is evident. More to the point, it becomes clear that organizing someone’s home or office is not just about pure esthetics—it’s about reducing stress and increasing an overall sense of wellbeing.  Pollack views our surroundings in a holistic manner, with chaos and clutter having a negative impact on various areas of our life. To her, it is all part of a larger ecosystem.  “Our homes are a natural extension of our bodies. If our house feels good and clean, we feel good and clean.”

Before she became an organizational expert, Pollack was a TV producer for shows such Extra, CBS News, The Rosie O’Donnell Show, and The Sally Jessy Raphael Show. Despite a successful career, Jill wanted to make a more tangible, positive impact on the lives of others. Working on the set of The Wedding of Trista and Ryan, the made-for-tv nuptials between two reality stars from The Bachelorette, she realized it was time for a change. “I wanted to use my powers for good.”

Now Jill Pollack has a career that is emotionally-fulfilling.  “When I start working with someone, it touches other parts on their life.” I asked Jill for Ten Tips to Get Organized in the New Year. A straight-shooter with an effervescent personality, here are Jill’s candid tips for better living in 2013.

1. The first thing to get rid of is the guilt. Who cares if you spent the money or a dead uncle gave it to you. If you don't want it or use it, get rid of it.

2. Invest in a uniform system of hangers for your closet. You will love how much easier it can be to find something to wear.

3. If it's not beautiful, useful, or sentimental - get rid of it!! Donate, sell, or toss.

4. Don't let your shower or bath be overtaken by half-empty bottles. It should be a peaceful place not a shampoo graveyard.

5. Don't be overwhelmed by catalogs and junk mail. Get rid of your junk mail and stop killing trees at 41pounds.org.

6. Put up hooks to hang clothing that have been worn but isn’t dirty. It will air the clothes out, prolong their lives and save resources by not over-washing things that aren’t dirty.

7. Go through your "junk drawer(s);" if it is junk, throw it away. Otherwise think of it as "life surgery" and organize it.

8. Start every day by making your bed. If your bed is made you are less likely to have a messy room.

9. Put a bunch of unused garbage bags in the bottom of the trash. That way when the garbage is full you can empty it and pull up a new one with little effort.

10. Get rid of expired and stale foods from the fridge and pantry. That is the way to start out a clean and healthy new year.

On Friday, March 15th Jill Pollack will be emceeing the first annual cocktail party fundraiser for The Town That Cares, a West Hartford initiative that assists residents in need. The event is being put on by the West Hartford Newcomers & Neighbors. More info here.

Here's to getting more organized in 2013....

Jill Pollack's Website / Facebook / Twitter / Blog

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