Like with any DIY project, it takes a few trial runs to see if you are going to continue with it… It is the same with organizing! Some people are born with natural organizing skills, and some have acquired them through practice or training. But there are times when you just know you need to call in a professional. You are completely overwhelmed and no matter how much work you do, the stuff seems to keep multiplying and taking over your space!
Here are some situations where you know you’ll need some hands on help:
1. You’ve recruited your friend to help but realize your mistake. Of course they are well meaning and want you to succeed, but they are also quite judgemental! They are nitpicking how much stuff you have, and why it takes so long for you to go through things. They are comparing their own space to yours all the time, and it has made you feel so much worse than before.
With a professional, there is that barrier, and there is no judgement. I have seen all sorts of situations, and know that each person is unique and will require varying degrees of empathy, hand-holding and supervision. I take the time to get to know my clients and ask what has worked/not worked in the past so that I do not make them feel uncomfortable during the process. I am here for YOU, and your needs/wants are always at the forefront of my mind. I am invested in your success! Check out what past clients have said about me here.
2. You have started decluttering, but feel like you don’t know what you are doing, or that it will revert to its usual clutter-y look in a week.
With a professional, you are investing in the extra set of hands, but also in the expertise. I pride myself on my passion for education. I am always learning new ways to organize things, trying out various hacks to see if they are sustainable, and reaching out to colleagues to see how they approach certain situations. I keep on top of innovative organizing products and new local services that could be a perfect fit for a client. What would take you hours of research, I likely already know from a previous client, or have tested it myself! Having professional help with make a project so much more efficient, and much less stressful.
3. You found someone on Facebook who says they are an organizer, and they only charge $20 which fits perfectly into your budget! But they show up late, don’t really seem prepared or like they know what they’re doing, and the way they approach situations makes you a little uneasy. There is definitely a lack of communication.
With a professional, you KNOW they are a professional. They have business cards, come in a clean uniform with their logo on it, they let you know they have insurance, and have a contract for you to sign before you start! Having a contract is so important for me (I even have a second one now specific for during the covid-19 pandemic), as it sets up those boundaries, and protects my clients as well as myself. They know that I will not be divulging any of their personal information, and that I adhere to a strict code of ethics through POC (Professional Organizers in Canada), a national association through which I am accredited. I have been a Professional Organizer and a member of POC since 2015 and I take pride in my professionalism.
4. You get overwhelmed shortly after you start, and as a result there are unfinished projects all over the house that were well-intentioned, but not complete. You find it hard to know where to start, and where to put things in the meantime if you need to relocate things. Are you actually making progress or moving clutter around?
With a professional, you will not be stuck cleaning up a mess afterwards, and everything will be put away. Over my years of experience I have gained the skill of accurately gauging my time at a client’s home. I know what we will be able to accomplish during the last remaining hour of our session, based on that specific client and how they work with me. As such, I make sure to clean up before I leave. Anything that we have sorted through and decided to keep will be relocated to their proper home, or if that home has not been figured out yet, it will stay in an area out of my client’s way – a future task that will remain in the back of my mind. I clean up as I go, so there should be no sweeping up or the need to wipe down cupboards that we just put everything back in. We may even do other tasks that aren’t necessarily organizing! I have helped clients hang artwork that had been neglected for months, try to fix a sliding closet door, or fix an OXO pop container that had fallen and messed up the lid (we cheered and high-fived after successfully completing this!). My goal at the end of each session is for my clients to feel accomplished and relaxed, and that we have made visible progress.
5. You have watched shows about organizing on Netflix or TLC and have the motivation to get started, but the shows make it look like magic! How do they do that? It seems like in a matter of minutes items have been decluttered, and by the end of a few hours an entire room is transformed. How do they do that?
With a professional in real life, there is no camera crew, unlimited budget, or time lapses that shorten the time exponentially. Instead, you are paying for skills and experience, and I teach you as we go along! I don’t lock myself in the kitchen and banish you, only to have you come back hours later and have it look beautiful. It is your home, and so your assistance and opinions are necessary. I need you to stick it out with me as we go through your huge collection of mugs to decide which ones can be donated. By the end of the day you will know that it is not magic, but indeed something that you can maintain by yourself once we have finished. When I am in your home, I am at your disposal to answer any questions you may have, and we will tackle whatever area you want!
Are you ready to hire a professional? Contact me today to see how I can help!
