Keeping it organized to keep it together with Collected Co.
Photo credit: Collected Co., Liane Burger
Local North Fork mom, Liane Burger is on a mission… her goal: to support moms.
Create Your Calm: From Overwhelmed to organized, which can be found on our website, linked here.
Initially launched as a hobby, Liane founded Collected Co. in the summer of 2023 while working full-time at a public accounting firm.
“I chose to focus on organization — a field I’m passionate about — because I believe it can make ‘moming’ a bit easier,” Liane told Petite North Fork. “My mission with Collected Co. is to create a supportive community and brand dedicated to helping moms, united by a shared passion for organization, design, and family life.”
Understanding first-hand the overwhelming challenges of modern motherhood including work outside of the home plus managing the house, kids’ schedules, schoolwork, laundry, and constant connectivity of emails and social media, Liane saw the need to make motherhood less overwhelming and more enjoyable.
With tools, tweaks, and services related to organization and systems, Liane believes there is a better way. Her recently developed guide “Create Your Calm: From Overwhelmed to organized” can be found here but read on for helpful bits and suggestions.
Removing clutter
“At Collected Co., we believe that a little clutter-free space can make a big difference,” her website notes. “By reducing clutter and implementing efficient organization systems, we aim to lighten your mental load and create spaces that feel both functional and beautiful.”
With many studies conducted proving that clutter limits the brain’s ability to process information and focus, removing clutter is an achievable route to an organized space and a calmer mental state.
“Clutter can be overwhelming and visually chaotic, leading to increased stress and anxiety,” Liane shared. “An organized space promotes a sense of calm and order, helping to reduce these feelings. A clutter-free bedroom can even improve your sleep!”
Minimizing or eliminating clutter isn’t just beneficial for adults, it’s also proven that children better thrive in a tidy, well-organized environment, and not only because it helps them locate their things faster reducing frustration and saving time.
“A clean space also creates a calm atmosphere, helping them feel more relaxed and focused,” Liane told us. “This organization teaches them responsibility and positive habits early on. Setting up simple but effective systems in your home makes it easier for kids to help and feel a sense of pride and responsibility.”
Establishing systems
Going a step beyond removing clutter by establishing systems of organization further allows ease and success at home with better clarity, intentional living, and a calmer home environment, and there’s not a family we know that couldn’t benefit from it.
Liane explained, “Focusing on organization also enables intentional decision-making. Whether choosing what food goes into your refrigerator or determining how many possessions you need, organizing your space allows for mindful choices. When you establish a system that works for you, it provides the clarity and time to make thoughtful decisions, like ‘I want to eat healthier’ or ‘Owning less stuff makes me feel calmer.’ By organizing, you create an environment that supports intentional living.”
School year hacks
From systems to suggestions, Liane shared some of her favorite methods and tips for keeping things on track throughout the school year.
Photo credit: Collected Co., Liane Burger
Best organizational tool for weekday routines
#1 is definitely a digital calendar! A digital calendar is a must to keep track of everything from back-to-school nights, theme days, different sports schedules, and the list goes on. The Skylight Calendar has been a game-changer for us—highly recommended!
Best way to organize and store school gear
Creating a dedicated space for school items in your entryway, mudroom, garage, or kitchen helps establish a system and routine, making mornings smoother and reducing the last-minute scramble.
In our house, this ranges from dedicated spaces for backpacks, lunch boxes, school folders, and papers. Having magazine file folders for each kid helps manage the papers as they come home from school so things you want to keep aren’t left on the counter.
Establishing a system and routine helps ensure that kids take responsibility for emptying their backpacks and keeping track of their belongings.
We did a recent blog post on school lunch gear essentials, our top picks, and why we love them, click here for a read!
Planning for lunch and snacks
Having the items you need on hand is key, which of course takes planning.
Try doing a weekly grocery order to arrive on Saturday or Sunday. To the extent you can, prepping snacks or lunches the night before is definitely a time saver.