Tell Me All About It: Q&A with Annie Traurig

All images courtesy of Live Simply by Annie

Meet Annie.

Today, I'd like to introduce you to Annie Traurig, author of one of my favorite lifestyle + organization blogs, Live Simply By Annie. Annie is a "professional life organizer" (um, don't we all need one of these!?!) who specializes in home, business, and virtual organizing. Sounds amazing, right?

If you haven't read her blog and are someone who, like me, craves more organization, simplicity, and mindfulness in your everyday life, I highly recommend checking it out. She has one of the wittiest and most entertaining writing styles of any blogger that I've ever come across (the girl cracks. me. up.), and her material is also very helpful and right up my type-A alley. 

Because I think Annie is SO fabulous, I've been dying to learn more about her. But, before we dive in to our Q&A, I wanted to share what seems to be her manifesto, as posted on her website. I think that what she says here is extremely beautiful, and explains why and how her blog is so much more than just an organization blog: 

“Live Simply” is a life style.

As such, it encompasses all facets of being, from your material possessions to your emotional state.

It’s peeling away the extraneous: in emotional dealings, the manipulations, obligations, insincerities, the fear, doubt, and insecurities. In the material realm, the clutter of unnecessary belongings, the tired, worn, or never used, the items that are weighing you down, taking up precious space, and complicating your daily routine.

It’s recognizing that by removing those layers, you may uncover the underlying essence—the beauty of simplicity.

It’s consistently striving to choose the most direct, honest and kind method of communicating, relating, and living.

It’s living with awareness of self, of others, of genuine need.

It’s keeping it real.

It’s making it lovely.

Do you Live Simply?

Isn't this beautiful? I thought you would like it ;)  You can read below for the inside scoop on all things Annie:

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Why did you start blogging? Why have you continued to do so? 
In truth, my first love and strength is writing. I studied writing all throughout school, and had always intended it to be my main career focus. But I saw a real need in the world for guidance with simplified living, and I knew I had the capability, and thus the responsibility, to provide that. Blogging about organization and simplicity was, and continues to be, the way for me to merge those two realms.

Where do you find inspiration for your blog posts? 
Often my blog posts are inspired by my work with my clients—they’ll ask questions I know others could benefit from the answer to, they’ll remind me of things I ought to address in a public forum, and collectively, they clarify for me the shared ways most people struggle when it comes to their stuff.  

If you could study under anyone for one year, who would it be?
Martha Stewart would be chock full of tips to remember for a lifetime, Melanie Charleton of Clos-ette has created an extraordinarily successful organizing business and would be very cool to apprentice for, as would Peter Walsh. And then of course there’s Oprah, who just happens to be killing it in this life. But do you know what? I’m really content to absorb the constant stream of wisdom and experience produced by the many creative and inspiring people that surround me every day. 

What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?
It’s funny—I know I haven’t accomplished it yet—whatever my “biggest” one will be. I’m incredibly proud of my accomplishments to date, but I’m confident that I’m headed towards some exceptionally big ones, that my accomplishments now will turn out to be the least of them. 

What's your favorite book and why?
Hands down, The Great Gatsby. A classic. Every time I read it I’m captivated by it all over again.

What's your favorite blog post you've ever written, and why?
I feel especially pleased with many of my more reflective posts, called “Monday’s Meditations.” They offer me a chance to speak about larger issues, because at the end of the day it’s about so much more than just organized closets. One of my favorites centers around self-discipline. It’s not my most beautiful, but most successfully articulated, I believe. You can read it here. 

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If you were exiled to a desert island and could only bring 3 things, what would they be?
Apples and peanut butter (that counts as one), my running shoes, because exercise is what keeps me centered, and then I guess it’s a toss up between a great friend or an endless supply of ice cold seltzer water. 

How do you stay balanced? How do you unwind?
Balance—Exercise. Exercising is as much for my body as it is for my mind. It is the thing each day that allows me to release any negative energy and re-center. And it’s a tangible way for me to constantly prove to myself just how strong and powerful I am.

Unwinding happens in exceptionally comfortable pants and a T-shirt (sans bra), on the couch, with laptop or book in hand, and chocolate in mouth. 

Words of wisdom you live by?
Love, laugh, simplify.

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Want to learn more about Annie? Here are a few quick links:

Website: livesimplybyannie.com
Blog: livesimplybyannie.com/blog
Twitter: twitter.com/livesimply
Pinterest: pinterest.com/LiveSimplyAnnie/

Thanks for taking the time to tell me all about it, Annie! 

Have any requests for other inspiring people that you'd like me to feature in this series? If so, let me know!

Namaste,
Mary Catherine