Every year at this time I look in my rearview mirror to see what the heck just happened. I flip through my 50 columns, extract my favorite nuggets of advice from each month and serve up 12 lessons.

Whenever I give talks or interviews about organizing and downsizing, someone always asks: "Where do I start?" My answer: The linen closet. Why? It's not too personal, so you won't get bogged down.

It happens every January. Once the glitz, glam, glitter and gluttony of the holidays are over, I crave simplicity. I long for austerity and to surround myself with natural neutrals. No frills, no ...

If you’re searching for comfortably cool sheets, you can’t do much better than linen: It’s naturally breathable, moisture-wicking and absorbent. Linen sheets (most are made from the flax plant) are ...