Life & Photo-Organizing - Sort-It-Out

Ever try to silence your iPhone alarm before it wakes your partner… only to be blinded by a surprise update and completely thrown off before the day even starts? 🙃 That was Kristi — and it led to an unexpected aha moment that instantly changed how she uses screenshots (and keeps her camera roll clutter-free). In this episode, we talk about how a small iPhone update revealed a powerful organizing feature that many people overlook — even though Amanda has been quietly using it for years. In this episode, we cover: A very real, half-asleep tech frustration we’ve all experienced How screenshots don’t have to automatically live in your camera roll The little checkmark option that lets you choose where screenshots are saved Why saving screenshots to Notes or Files can drastically reduce photo clutter How small tech tweaks can prevent bigger organizing problems later Why updates often highlight tools we already had — but weren’t using intentionally The big takeaway: You don’t need a massive decluttering session to stay organized. Tiny decisions made in the moment — like where a screenshot gets saved — can save you hours of cleanup later. As always, this isn’t about perfection or doing it “the right way.” It’s about noticing small opportunities, choosing what works for you, and building simple workflows that fit real life. Take what fits, leave what doesn’t — and we’ll see you next time on sort-it-out. 🎧✨

Photo books sound like a great idea… until you actually try to make one. In this quick Q&A episode, Kristi answers the most common photo book questions we’ve heard over the years — no pressure to finish, just clarity to help you get unstuck. This episode is for anyone who’s been avoiding photo books because they feel overwhelming, too big, or “not perfect enough.” In this episode, we cover: How to actually start a photo book (hint: it’s not design) Why starting small beats starting “meaningful” How many photos you really need (it’s fewer than you think) Pages vs. spreads — and how to think about storytelling Choosing a photo book size and page count without overthinking Why imperfect photos still belong in your books What to do if you’re afraid you won’t finish How “done” can feel better than “done perfectly” Kristi also shares personal stories — from thinking she invented scrapbooking (spoiler: she didn’t 😄) to finally finishing long-overdue school memory books for her kids in a way that actually worked. If you’ve been holding off on photo books because you thought you had to do everything the right way, this episode gives you permission to do it your way. Free Resource: 📘 100 Unique Photo Book Ideas Get inspired with simple, creative photo book ideas you may never have considered: 👉 Grab the list here! Connect with Us: 🌐 Website: https://www.memorymomentum.ca 📧 Email: digitalflow@memorymomentum.ca If this episode helped you feel a little less overwhelmed, make sure you’re following the podcast so you don’t miss a new episode every other week. Take what fits, leave what doesn’t — and remember, progress beats perfection. We’ll see you next time on Sort-It-Out.

Have you ever opened your phone, scrolled through thousands of photos, and thought… Where do I even start? You’re not alone — and this episode is for you. In this episode of Sort-It-Out, Kristi and Amanda break down the very first steps to photo organizing in a way that feels doable, not overwhelming. We talk honestly about why so many people feel stuck, how decision fatigue and tech confusion play a role, and why starting small is the secret to actually making progress. You’ll hear real-life stories (including a surprise win from Kristi’s 21-year-old daughter), relatable mom moments, and practical strategies you can use today — even if you only have 10 minutes. In this episode, we cover: Why most people freeze before they even start organizing photos How digital clutter creates decision fatigue and overwhelm Simple ways to start deleting without scrolling endlessly Using Apple Photos “Collections” to tackle screenshots, duplicates, and clutter Why themed albums can reduce mental load How tiny habits beat marathon organizing sessions The difference between syncing and backing up photos (in plain English) Why your photos feeling “too hard” is not a personal failure This episode is all about progress over perfection — chipping away, building momentum, and reconnecting with your memories without guilt. Take what fits, leave what doesn’t, and remember: even one small step counts. Helpful Links: 🌐 Website: https://www.memorymomentum.ca 📧 Email: digitalflow@memorymomentum.ca If this episode helped you feel a little less overwhelmed, make sure you’re following the podcast so you don’t miss a new episode every other week. Let’s sort it out — together.

🧠 Pick Amanda’s Brain: Mac Storage Edition This episode is short, practical, and packed with insight straight from Amanda — our tech and systems guru — shared through Kristi. We cover: Why storage fills up faster than you think (OS updates, apps, photos, videos) What happens when your Mac doesn’t have enough storage Why you can’t upgrade Mac storage later How low storage forces early (and confusing) use of external hard drives 💻 Amanda’s Storage Recommendations When buying a new Mac: 1 TB Mac → Ideal for large photo collections or work-heavy use 500 GB Mac → Fine for smaller photo collections and light use (email, streaming, social media) Avoid 256 GB → The base model fills up fast and limits photo storage The cost jump from 256 GB to 500 GB is relatively small, but the impact on usability is huge. 🔌 External Hard Drives (EHDs) If you’re not ready to upgrade your Mac yet: External hard drives are okay for additional storage Ideally used as backup, not primary storage Recommended size: 1 TB Brands we’ve used and trust: LaCie (Purchase here) Seagate (Purchase here) Western Digital (Purchase here) Just a quick note — some of the links we mention may be affiliate links, which helps support the show at no extra cost to you. 🔄 Ports Matter (USB-C vs USB-A) New Macs use USB-C Older Macs use USB-A You may need: A compatible hard drive or A multiport adapter Always check ports before buying. 📍 Why This Matters Photo organizing doesn’t start with folders — it starts with tech that works. If your Mac is constantly full, slow, or forcing workarounds, organizing becomes nearly impossible. This one decision can save you years of frustration. Storage matters more than you think. 💬 Want to Pick Amanda’s Brain? Have a topic you’d love us to cover? Email us Message us on social Leave a comment on this episode We’ll save it for a future Pick Amanda’s Brain episode. 🔗 Connect With Us 🌐 Website: www.memorymomentum.ca 📧 Email: digitalflow@memorymomentum.ca Thanks for listening — and we’ll see you next time on Sort-It-Out! 🎧

📸 The Real Problem: Digital Photo Overwhelm Take the 5 Day iPhone Decluttering Challenge Today!! The issue isn’t that you don’t care about your photos. It’s that digital clutter makes it hard to enjoy them — or even know where to start. When your camera roll is full of: Duplicates and blurry shots Screenshots that never got deleted Years of unsorted memories Opening your photos can feel heavy and overwhelming — so most of us avoid it altogether. In this episode, we focus specifically on digital clutter within the Apple ecosystem, and why understanding where your photos live is the first step to getting unstuck. 🍎 Apple Ecosystem Basics (Without the Tech Overwhelm) Amanda walks through the many places photos can live, including: Apple Photos Text messages Shared albums WhatsApp and other apps Downloads folders External hard drives and older media We explain what the Apple ecosystem actually means, how photos move between devices, and why things can feel confusing if you don’t understand how your tech is working together. 🧹 The Sort: 3 Simple Ways to Start Decluttering Today We share three practical, doable strategies you can start right away: The Daily Delete: Spend a few minutes deleting photos from one date — no overthinking required. Using Favorites to Curate: Keep the best version, not all versions. Favorites can be permanent or project-based. Albums & Folders (Starting Small): Create simple themed albums (like travel or kids’ activities) without fear of deleting or duplicating photos. We also clear up a huge misconception: Adding photos to an album does not duplicate them — and deleting from an album doesn’t delete the original photo. Plus, we explain how Recently Deleted works so you can confidently experiment without fear. ✨ Key Takeaways You don’t need hours to organize your photos Small, consistent actions matter more than big projects Playing around in your Photos app builds confidence You’re not doing it “wrong” — you’re just learning 💛 Remember This You don’t have to do it all. Take what fits, leave what doesn’t. Focus on progress, not perfection. If this episode helped you feel a little less overwhelmed, make sure you’re following the podcast so you don’t miss new episodes every other week. Take the 5 day iPhone Decluttering Challenge Today!! 🔗 Connect With Us 🌐 Website: www.memorymomentum.ca 📧 Email: digitalflow@memorymomentum.ca Thanks so much for listening — and we’ll hear you next time on Sort It Out! 🎧

✨ What We Talk About in This Episode We tackle one of the most common questions we hear: What even is photo organizing? If you search online, you’ll find lots of definitions: Sorting your camera roll Digitizing old photos Filing printed photos into albums or boxes And honestly? None of those are wrong — they’re just pieces of the bigger picture. For us at Memory Momentum, photo organizing is a broader umbrella. Every episode of Sort It Out! will include a photo-organizing element, but we’ll also sprinkle in real-life topics, busy-life hacks, and conversations about things we care about — because life isn’t meant to be perfectly curated. 📸 Our Definition of Photo Organizing To us, photo organizing includes: Organizing digital and printed photos Creating simple systems that actually work Building routines that fit into real, busy lives Managing photos so you can find what you need Creating photo projects, albums, and memory displays If it involves photos, organizing, or systems that help you get unstuck, it fits under our definition. Photo organizing isn’t just about filing photos in order — it’s about making your memories manageable, meaningful, and even fun. 💛 Our Reminder to You You don’t have to do it all. Take what fits, leave what doesn’t. Focus on progress, not perfection. If this episode helped you feel a little less overwhelmed, make sure you’re following the podcast so you don’t miss new episodes every other week. 🔗 Connect With Us 🌐 Website: www.memorymomentum.ca 📧 Email: digitalflow@memorymomentum.ca  

Welcome to Sort-It-Out! If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your photos — too many on your phone, scattered across devices, or stacks of prints sitting in closets — you’re in the right place. Sort It Out is hosted by Kristi and Amanda, childhood best friends turned professional photo organizers. This podcast is all about photo organizing made simple — no guilt, no overwhelm — mixed with real-life mom moments, everyday organizing lessons, and honest conversations about busy lives. We’re moms, we’re busy, and life is messy. Around here, we focus on progress, not perfection. We know what it feels like to stare at a chaotic camera roll or unfinished photo projects and think, Where do I even begin? Throughout the show, you can expect: Practical tips for organizing digital and printed photos Simple habits and everyday organizing hacks that actually stick Busy-life systems that work in real life Honest conversations about motherhood, mental load, and women’s issues And sometimes, chats about the things we love — just because We’re not pretending to have it all together. But we do know what works, and we’re excited to share it with you. Take what fits, leave what doesn’t, and let’s make progress together — even if you only have a few minutes a day. 🎧 Subscribe now — full episodes are launching soon, and we can’t wait to sort it out with you.