There are many myths surrounding what professional organizers
actually do when they are working with a client. Some people think we go
in and tell clients they must get rid of all their items and keep only
the bare minimum. Some think that organizers are just expensive cleaning
people. Others think we do it all while the client is gone and then the
client is required to keep it up with no instruction.
The most important item to remember about professional organizers is that they are not there to judge you or your clutter. They are there to help you in any possible way they can. We are there to transfer our skill of organizing onto you.
Starting with the first myth. Professional organizers never tell a client they must throw out anything. We are there to ask the right questions, find out the story on the items, and discuss the purpose of keeping certain belongings. We are sympathetic to the fact that going through so many belongings can be stressful, energy draining, and most of the time, hard. Since we are not emotional attached to all the items, we come in with a more objective view. We help our clients realize what is important to keep and why some belongings might not be. Once a client has gone through many of their personal items, they begin to see a pattern. For example, they realize they have 3 of the same peeler or 16 pairs of scissors in the house. Some have even said they did not like the item to begin with and cannot figure out why they bought more. To some they find humor in how much they have kept and realize they do not want all these items taking up valuable space. To others it is a long process of letting go of personal items they have kept for many years. They tell us the story as to why they kept it and discover it is really not that great of a story or sometimes they cannot remember the story. The longer we work with our clients, the more comfortable they become donating or tossing items. Organizers give that comfort and reassurance as the client lets go of the clutter that is restricting them from living stress free.
The next myth is just that, a myth. Professional organizers are not expensive cleaning people. Professional organizers do not carry around vacuum cleaners and cleaning supplies. Most have power tools if they install closet systems and all professional organizers have a labeler. We are there to clear the clutter and find systems that will assist you in keeping it organized. Professional organizers do not provide a consistent cleaning service. We do provide follow up visits for clients.
Lastly, professional organizers work directly with their clients when clearing clutter. It is rare that someone would want to keep all the clutter and just get it organized. Most clients know before they even call an organizer that they will be donating and throwing out much of their clutter. Professional organizers help individuals find systems that will assist them in keeping their spaces organized. We teach our clients to see the root of their clutter problem, how to get the clutter out, and how to stay that way. If I came in and organized your space and left, how would you know where anything was and how to keep it that way so you were not back in the same situation in a few months?
The most important item to remember about professional organizers is that they are not there to judge you or your clutter. They are there to help you in any possible way they can. We are there to transfer our skill of organizing onto you.
Starting with the first myth. Professional organizers never tell a client they must throw out anything. We are there to ask the right questions, find out the story on the items, and discuss the purpose of keeping certain belongings. We are sympathetic to the fact that going through so many belongings can be stressful, energy draining, and most of the time, hard. Since we are not emotional attached to all the items, we come in with a more objective view. We help our clients realize what is important to keep and why some belongings might not be. Once a client has gone through many of their personal items, they begin to see a pattern. For example, they realize they have 3 of the same peeler or 16 pairs of scissors in the house. Some have even said they did not like the item to begin with and cannot figure out why they bought more. To some they find humor in how much they have kept and realize they do not want all these items taking up valuable space. To others it is a long process of letting go of personal items they have kept for many years. They tell us the story as to why they kept it and discover it is really not that great of a story or sometimes they cannot remember the story. The longer we work with our clients, the more comfortable they become donating or tossing items. Organizers give that comfort and reassurance as the client lets go of the clutter that is restricting them from living stress free.
The next myth is just that, a myth. Professional organizers are not expensive cleaning people. Professional organizers do not carry around vacuum cleaners and cleaning supplies. Most have power tools if they install closet systems and all professional organizers have a labeler. We are there to clear the clutter and find systems that will assist you in keeping it organized. Professional organizers do not provide a consistent cleaning service. We do provide follow up visits for clients.
Lastly, professional organizers work directly with their clients when clearing clutter. It is rare that someone would want to keep all the clutter and just get it organized. Most clients know before they even call an organizer that they will be donating and throwing out much of their clutter. Professional organizers help individuals find systems that will assist them in keeping their spaces organized. We teach our clients to see the root of their clutter problem, how to get the clutter out, and how to stay that way. If I came in and organized your space and left, how would you know where anything was and how to keep it that way so you were not back in the same situation in a few months?
Julie Riber is a professional organizer in the central Ohio area.
She has been organizing homes and businesses for over 4 years. She is a
member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and
President of the Ohio Chapter of NAPO. http://www.transformare.net
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