15th Year Blog Anniversary ~ A Time to Celebrate
The year was 2006. The date May 22nd. I was on maternity leave having had my youngest child six months earlier. I needed an outlet to talk all about my crazy addiction to organizing. So I started a tiny little blog and called it I’m an Organizing Junkie. I shared my organizing obsession anonymously, I didn’t use my name or show my face for the longest time. I thought I would be judged and ridiculed. Instead the community that came together on the blog was so amazing. You all kept asking for more so I kept blogging. Back in those days a post took me an hour or less (compared to the 5 to 8 hours it takes me now). In fact, so many posts didn’t even have pictures. Gasp! For those that might not have been around back then, here’s my first post.
Okay so I’ve been told…I’m a freak….I LOVE to organize…it is my drug of choice what can I say. It’s what I do when I’m bored, mad, happy or sad. A day is not a day unless I’ve organized something…anything…I need it….I go mad searching, searching, anything, room, closet, cupboard, drawer, anything….the excitement takes over…empty…purge…containerize…assemble….only then when I see my finished work…I feel calm, I sigh and everything is right with the world….until I need my next fix of course and the cycle continues. Join me as I chronicle the life of an organizing JUNKIE!
Yep I used all those periods. IN EVERY POST. Don’t ask me why. Thankfully I eventually got my act together and started writing in proper sentences, ha! But seriously, I’m still just as crazy about organizing as I was back then!
*I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post. I’ve purchased everything myself unless otherwise noted.*
And then surprisingly enough, I realized that I could make money writing on this here blog. The advertisers and sponsors started to approach me and it was enough to allow me to continue showing up here. Consistently, for the last 15 years of my life, sharing all things organizing. Did I ever think that I’d still have things to talk about this many years later? Nope not at all. But since organizing isn’t a “once and done” process, there is always organizing to be done and shared with all of you. And so that’s what I do.
I’m pretty sure you’ve seen me organize every square inch of my home. Is it Pinterest perfect? Nope. Do I care? Nope. Would I have made more money blogging if it had been? Yep. But I committed to showing you my real life, not some kind of staged life that never gets messy. And that’s something I’m really very proud of.
How long will I continue to blog? This is something I ask myself nearly every day. And the truth is I don’t know. I still get so excited to share with you when I come up with a new organizing solution or discover a new favorite product. And some silly posts I’m laughing away to myself as I write it, trying to imagine my readers reaction as you read it. I’ve tried really hard to help you discover just how fun, fulfilling and addicting organizing really is. And at the same time I hope I’ve brought a little bit of entertainment and laughter to your life as you’ve journeyed with me and my silly antics all these years.
Anyone remember my first blog design? Gosh it still makes me so happy even if one has to wear shades to look at it from all that brightness, ha! 🙂
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being an Org Junkie reader. Your support means the world to me. Since I don’t sell my own products, my main source of income is through advertising so I really appreciate anytime someone clicks over and reads my blog directly at orgjunkie.com. Also a big thank you to all of you that purchase product using the affiliate links I post. This has been a huge blessing to my family. I can’t thank you enough and wish I could send each and every one of you one of these gift baskets. But since I can’t, I do have one to give away to one lucky winner. I think it’s super fun and I hope you do too! I purchased all these products myself and none of them are sponsored in any way. I’m thrilled with how this one came together, whoot!
So let me show you all the awesome products I’ve collected over the last while to include.
Baskets:
There are eight baskets in this giveaway as follows.
- the big white basket that everything is being held in
- a set of two oval shaped baskets with LIDS!
- a set of five baskets to help you organize your drawers
Turntable:
Of course I couldn’t leave out one of my favorite products, the turntable! Perfect for organizing in your kitchen cabinets or pantry.
Magazines & List Keepers:
- Secrets to Getting Organized (love this magazine!)
- spiral bound Daily To Dos notebook to keep track of life
- spiral bound Stuff I Need to Organize pocket folders to keep track of organizing projects
Pens & Hair Tools:
- a package of my favorite Bic pens
- a set of hair cleaning tools to easily rid your brushes of hair – another favorite!
Pouches:
- set of four clear vinyl pouches (my personal favorite ones!)
- a mesh Tidiness pouch for whatever your heart desires
- a cute Draper James small pouch, perfect for organizing in your purse
Apron & Kitchen Towels:
- one lemon tea towel
- one super cute apron and matching tea towel
- one lemon dish cloth
I always have to include an apron, I LOVE them and wear one all the time!
Giveaway:
To enter to win this 15th year blog anniversary giveaway all you have to do is fill in the Rafflecopter form below. Giveaway open to everyone. As always only the first entry task is mandatory and all the rest after that are pure bonus for you (no comment necessary but of course they are always welcome because I love hearing from you!). Giveaway ends, June 15th at 4:00 pm MT. Good luck! Please keep in mind that sometimes the Rafflecopter form takes a minute to load so if you don’t see it right away, please be patient. Thanks!
If you are new here and would love to dig into some juicy organizing goodness here’s a GOOD PLACE TO START and be sure to SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss a post.
Also if you’d be willing to share this post I’d be so very appreciative. Much love to you!
Joanne Mulinare says
Always learn from your posts! Thanks!
Laura Wittmann says
Such a nice thing to say, I appreciate it so much!
Thank you 🙂
Laura
Donna Lacey says
Congratulations on the 15th Anniversary of your blog Laura! I enjoy every one of your posts but your ‘10 Mantras’ that I just read is excellent! You have great ideas and you are so practical. When you reminded me that I don’t have to have matching Pinterest-worthy storage containers, it really hit home with me. I just need to work with what I have. Simple and brilliant. Have a wonderful week ahead and thank you for putting together another thoughtful gift basket 🙂
Laura Wittmann says
You are so welcome Donna! Thank YOU for your kind words 🙂
Laura
Alli says
Congratulations on 15 years Laura. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you and this site.
Rita Haverman says
Congrats! ………. (Just a few periods for old times sake.
Laura Wittmann says
Hahah, thanks Rita!!
Laura
Laura Wittmann says
Thank you Alli!!
Laura 🙂
Cathy Vowles says
Congratulations Laura. So very, very proud of you! I love that you were able to turn something you love into a career. I love that you have taught your kids your values and reasoning behind being organized. Well done
Laura Wittmann says
Thank you!!!!
Ellen says
2012 I was on a cruise and wanted to log in and read your blog. Wasn’t permitted to access it because of the title “Organized Junkie”. Apparently, they were concerned about the “Junkie” part. Still makes me laugh. Thanks for all your suggestions and making menu planning fun.
Laura Wittmann says
Haha oh no! In retrospect, I don’t think having junkie in the name of a blog is such a great idea oops. I think my emails get spammed a lot that is for sure!
Laura
Claudia says
Congratulations. I love reading your blog and your Pintables are wonderful.
Laura Wittmann says
Thank you Claudia!!
Laura
B says
I hope you continue the blog for many more years!! Actually I like the bright design you started with.
Happy blog Anniversary!!!
Laura Wittmann says
I really did too, it was so fun!!
Laura 🙂
Carly says
Woohoo! Congrats on 15 years!
Carly
Laura Wittmann says
Thank you Carly!
Laura
Becky L says
thanks for what you have shared in the years I have read your blog! It helps me get my brain back into decluttering and keeping my house clean instead of being crazy lazy!! God bless, Becky
Laura Wittmann says
Thank you Becky! You have been a long time reader and I appreciate it!
Laura
orla nicholas says
Congratulations — I always am inspired after reading your blog. Thank you.
Laura Wittmann says
Thank YOU Orla!
Laura
Jacqueline Ramsey says
Congrats on 15 years! I’ve been following you for years and have picked up a lot of great tips and tricks, so thank you!
Laura Wittmann says
That makes me so happy, yay!!
Laura
MelanieL says
I love your blog! You started it on the day I gave birth to my son, I don’t think I ever knew that. Such a lovely assortment of gifts! Happy blog anniversary! 🙂
Laura Wittmann says
That is so cool, wow!!
Laura
Faye says
Thanks! Love the checklist book you’ve included! I’m gonna have to get one! 🙂
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks Faye!!
Laura
Barbie says
Congratulations on 15 years! I e learned so much from reading your blog over the years!
Laura Wittmann says
So nice, thank you Barbie!!
Laura
Miz Helen says
Congratulations Laura, you are about 4 years ahead of me. I started my blog in July off 2010, and I started coming to your blog right away and I have been stopping by every week for all these years. Thanks so much for the hard work that you put into your site so that we can all enjoy it!
Looking forward to more years!
Miz Helen
Laura Wittmann says
Thank you Miz Helen!!!
Laura
Elaine says
I really enjoy your daily emails. I need to do better to get my house together. My children are all at their own homes now, but somehow I still have their things at my house. Hmm, time to kick it into gear.
Laura Wittmann says
Thank you Elaine!!
Linda Neely says
Congratulations! 15 years is quite an accomplishment. You were one of the 1st bloggers I followed upon retirement. Your posts are always practical and helpful. Hoping you have another 15+ years in you, because I continually find areas that need organizing.
Laura Wittmann says
You are so sweet Linda, thanks for still being here!!
Laura
kay taylor says
I LOVE organizational blogs, podcasts, magazines, books, and YOUR blog! Organization runs in our veins! Thank YOU!
Laura Wittmann says
Thank you so much Kay!
Laura
Kim @ Homesteaders Heart says
Congratulations on making it 15 years!! And I totally remember your original blog design. It was so bright and happy. ?
Love all your giveaway things. So fun.
Laura Wittmann says
Thanks Kim and thank you for sticking around all these years 🙂
Laura
Jerralea Winn Miller says
Long-time reader, here! Congratulations! Keep up the good work.
Laura Wittmann says
Thank you so much!! 🙂
Laura