Do I have to be present, or do you just “work your magic” alone?
You should plan to be home during our session, but you don’t have to be in the room with me the entire time. First, I like to get a “tour” of the project area with you, then once we are on the same page, I can work independently while you attend to something in another part of your home. In most cases, I first sort through items, and then bring my client in to discuss which items they want to edit from their collection. If you want to stay with me for the entire process, that is fine too!
I will want to check in with you occasionally about how things are shaping up. I will not throw away a bunch of your stuff unless that is something we have agreed that you want me to do! Typically I reserve any trash for your approval and disposal.
I’m so embarrassed about this mess. Where do I start?
I can assure you that I’ve seen messes before! I am not here to judge you – only to help you identify and reach your goals. As far as where to start, that’s what I will help you figure out in our sessions. Better yet, I’ll do a lot of the work for you. And, I promise you confidentiality. It’s in the contract!
What happens to all the stuff I choose to get rid of during a session?
If we generate trash, I will leave it with you to dispose of with your other trash. However, I do try to avoid sending things to the landfills. Recycling and repurposing are wonderful! It’s great how many “unwanted” items are useful to someone out there! That’s a fantastic motivation for you to release them!
You can bring your items to charity or schedule a front porch pickup from a charity or second-hand goods company. To maximize your joy of having less, and to minimize the homework you have to do after I leave, I can use some of our scheduled time to haul off up to one carload of your “give-away” items at each visit. I will take them to a charity shop, or offer them to my local Buy Nothing, Freecycle, or Community Cares group.
Do you do house cleaning?
I do tend to sweep up if I uncover some crumbs along the way, but I remain focused on my mission to get your items organized. I clean up after myself, such as breaking down boxes after unpacking. Once we are done and everything is in order, you may find that you want to do (or hire someone to do) a deep clean of your new and improved space! Ask me for referrals!
How soon can you start?
I can schedule a consultation with you within a week or so. Currently I can schedule your first session within a month or shorter. Please feel free to reach out by sending me a message. This will not obligate you or put you on an email list.
Do you work with hoarders?
The short answer is “no.” Although it is common to joke about “being a hoarder” when we have a messy house, true hoarding is a debilitating condition that requires therapy, patience, and accountability over a period of time. It can be traumatic for an individual to lose any amount of their belongings suddenly and unwillingly. I use a gentle approach to help my clients have compassion for themselves and identify their goals. If an individual has not reached the point where they want to get rid of any items, it is not yet time for my professional organizing services. If you or a loved one meets the definition of a hoarder, the best advice is to start with a therapist who specializes in hoarding. You can progress to a hoarder cleanout service when the time is right.
Having said that, some people are too hard on themselves! If you are uncertain whether your situation qualifies, feel free to schedule a free virtual consultation with me and we can talk about your living space and concerns.
