A Guide to Safer, More Accessible Living

Im not a fan of the word decluttering, although it comes up a lot in my work as a professional organizer. The reason I dont like that term is because clutter has such a negative connotation, and sometimes when people hear the word decluttering, it makes them feel guilty that they have clutter in the first place. Is this clutter? is a question that my clients ask me a lot. I think there are a lot of myths and misunderstandings about what counts as clutter. Often, people are afraid that I will tell them that something important to them is clutter, or they need to get rid of something that is sentimental but doesnt seem to have practical value. But Im happy to say that this isnt the case! When I work with my clients, I take a different approach to decluttering than they might have seen on a TV show or read about in a book. Heres what I think is important for you to know about clutter and decluttering: There is no single item that is always clutter. Have you ever heard the expression, whether something is a weed or a flower depends on your perspective? Well, I think the same is true about clutter. Something that seems useless to one person could be extremely important to another. I think of clutter as anything in your space that doesnt provide you value (whether that value may be practical use, sentimental or financial value, or pleasure). Something that you dont have the time, energy, or space to properly take care of, no matter how much you want to, can also become clutter. Thats why its so important to evaluate what you think is important before you begin to address clutter in your home. Only you can decide what is clutter in your own space. Sentimental and decorative items arent necessarily clutter.Many of my clients struggle with decisions about whether to keep sentimental items. Sometimes we keep them out of feelings of guilt or obligation, and sometimes we feel guilty for holding onto items that we love but have no practical purpose.I personally love sentimental items, and as you can see on my bookshelf, I love to display them through my home. Seeing my favorite books, photos of loved ones, and little pieces of my history on a regular basis make me happy. I encourage my clients to keep, display, and properly preserve sentimental items that bring them joy, and let go of the ones that bring feelings of guilt or burden. The key to not allowing sentimental items to become clutter is to be selective about which items you keep, and to store or display them in a way that allows you to enjoy them. Things that are useful can still be clutter. But that could be useful! is one of the most common protests I hear when I encourage clients to let go of something theyre not using. And I understand that it can feel wasteful to let go of something that could be possibly used in the future. However, many of us hold onto potentially useful itemsthat we never actually use! And that ultimately leads to clutter in your home. If youre not going to use something, its ok to pass it along to someone who will. Clutter isnt always an eyesore, or even visible. Just because a home doesnt look messy doesnt mean it isnt cluttered. Going back to the definition of clutter, if something in your space isnt providing you value, no matter how neat or organized it looks, it is still clutter. Also, clutter sometimes isnt visible at all. Maybe you have commitments on your calendar that are sucking up time but dont provide you with value, or you have tons of files and photos on your photo that are just taking up space. Clutter can come in many forms, not just physical. Once you start thinking critically about the things you are giving time, space, and energy, you will be able to apply a decluttering mindset to all aspects of your life.  Dont start by decluttering, start by assessing. Instead of decluttering, I prefer to begin the organizing process by assessing. I help my clients take a look at their items in a non-judgemental way are these items helping them to achieve their goals, or are they just taking up space without providing enough value? If theyre happy with everything, we figure out how to make all of their items work in their space. But more often than not, clients realize they do have things in their space they want to let go of. If you need help thinking through the items you have in your space and deciding what to keep or let go of, Im here for you. Set up a time to chat with me so I can give you some guidance. 

I have moved a whopping 13 times since graduating from college. Some of those moves were small, and some of them were big cross-country moves. Most involved tears and frustration, but many also involved joy and important memories.  Each time I moved, moving became easier and harder. It got easier because I learned more about how to manage the process. It got harder because I had accumulated more stuff for my first cross-country move, I was able to move everything I owned from Boston to San Francisco in my Ford Focus. For my second cross-country move, I needed a professional mover, someone to crate a large painting so it could be shipped safely, auto transport to move 2 cars, and an RV to drive my dog across the country (because there was no way she was getting on a plane). We all know how stressful moving can be. There are so many tasks to check off your list, on top of the emotions you may feel about leaving your old home behind. It can also be tedious (hello, packing another moving box.) But what you may not know is that you dont have to manage your move alone. As a professional organizer, Ive helped dozens of clients move with less stress. If you have a move coming up, heres how an organizer can help: Move planning A lot of my clients feel overwhelmed when they realize a move is coming. I help them make a plan for what they need to accomplish and when, breaking the move down into small chunks to make it more manageable. I also help them prioritize what has to be done before the move, and what can be done after the move. Once we come up with a plan, some of the stress of the unknown starts to go away. Space planning  for downsizing If you are downsizing into a smaller home, it can be hard to know what to move into your new space. I take measurements and create floor plans so clients know which pieces of furniture and belongings can go to their new home, and what wont fit. And then we can make a plan for what to do with everything theyre not taking that could include selling, donating, or coordinating with a junk hauler to remove extra items.Mindful declutteringYou might have heard that you should always declutter or get rid of things before you move. But the truth is that there are pros and cons to decluttering when you are preparing for a move. The pros: you wont spend money moving things you dont want and youll get a fresh, uncluttered start in your new space. If you are moving into a smaller home, decluttering before you move will help you avoid overcrowding your new home with too many boxes. But there are times when pre-move decluttering doesnt make sense. If you are highly stressed about your move, you may not be in the best state of mind to be making decisions about letting things go, especially when it comes to sentimental items or photos. Or if you have to move unexpectedly, you may not have enough time to deal with decluttering before you have to vacate your home.  If you are considering pre-move decluttering, I can help you decide if, when, and what to declutter for your move. If you do decide to declutter, I can help you drop off donations or sell items you are not moving with you.  PackingPacking is a time-suck, but its also really important to do it right. If you dont pack your belongings properly, you risk having them arrive broken. I can help you get the right packing materials and securely pack your belongings. Additionally, Ill pack your belongings in an organized way instead of just dumping your drawers into boxes. Youll know whats in every box so its easier to put things away when you unpack.  UnpackingI cant tell you how many clients contact me and say I moved into my house two years ago, but I still have a bunch of unpacked boxes. And I completely understand why. Moving is so exhausting. Youve put so much effort into getting out of your old place, and you now have to set up a whole new house. At this point, many of us just run out of steam. If you want a hand setting up your new place, I can help you get to done so much faster. Unpacking isnt simply taking your belongings out of your boxes - its organizing your new home from the start. I take the time to find the right places for everything so its smooth and easy for you. (Ill also get all of the boxes and packing material you dont need anymore out of your hair.) And if we find that you packed more than comfortably fits in your new space, we can start thinking about storage solutions or work on more decluttering so you dont have lots of unopened boxes lurking in your new spot. Emotional support and accountabilityWith all of the decisions and changes involved in a move, its easy to get physically and emotionally exhausted when you are moving. Remember, you dont have to do it on your own. If youre planning a move, I invite you to schedule a free consultation with me to learn more about how I can help.

Have you ever clicked on an article or bought a book hoping to find that little nugget that will help you finally get organized? When I started on my own personal organizing journey in 2015, I bought every organizing magazine and book I could find. While I learned some helpful things, nothing I read was a real game-changer for me. Sometimes the organizing advice even felt overly simple and frustrating. If youve ever felt frustrated or underwhelmed with the organizing tips and tricks youve found, youre not alone. As a professional organizer, I frequently see this happening with my clients.After working with 100+ clients, I now understand why organizing tips and tricks fall short for so many people. For most people, its one (or more) of the 5 common reasons Ill discuss below. The good news is that once you understand why the standard advice isnt working for you, you can start to find the right support to help you finally get organized.  Reason 1: You have more complex organizing challenges. Since becoming a professional organizer, Ive learned that some people experience significant, ongoing challenges with organization we call this chronic disorganization. This is common among people with ADHD, people with hoarding disorders, and senior citizens. If you have experienced a long-term struggle with organization, basic organizing tips arent going to address the complexity of your situation. You may need to address physical and mental health issues, relationships, and other challenges alongside your home environment. Working with a therapist or mental health professional, a professional organizer experienced in chronic disorganization, and establishing a strong personal support system can make a difference.Reason 2: You need structure and accountability, not just information. Many of my clients know what they need to do to get organized, but they struggle to carve out the time and complete to the sometimes-tedious tasks that organization requires. This is why in-person support is key. So many of my clients tell me I just get so much more done when youre here. I think of it like working out with a personal trainer. Sure, I could go to the gym and work out by myself, but if Ive booked a session with a personal trainer, Im much less likely to skip my session or give it a half-hearted effort.Having an accountability buddy or trusted professional working alongside you can help you keep going, even when youd rather plop on the couch and binge Netflix than organize your pantry.  Reason 3: You just dont have time. Even the best organizing systems require regular maintenance. If you are in a busy season of life, you may be struggling to find time to keep your home in order. I always encourage my clients to look at the whole picture: What are your work responsibilities? What are your care-giving responsibilities? What routine chores are you responsible for (laundry, dishes, cleaning, meal prep, shopping)? Are you managing scheduling, planning, and logistics for your household? Are you responsible for other types of home maintenance (lawn care, renovations, repairs)? What activities/organizations are you active in outside of work? Do you have enough downtime and time with your family? Often, people dont have as much time to dedicate to home organizing as they would like. If this is the case for you, simplifying, delegating tasks, and bringing in outside support can help you stay organized if youre time-pressed. Reason 4: You have a physical or health challenge. Home organizing is often physical it can involve a lot of lifting, reaching, climbing, and standing. If you have a physical challenge like an injury, a health condition that limits your energy or mobility, or a physical disability it may be difficult to stay organized. Finding a trusted, non-judgmental partner who can assist with physical tasks while you make decisions is your key to staying organized.  Reason 5: You need a bigger lifestyle change. While working together, sometimes my clients realize there is something bigger beneath disorganization. Maybe their family is over-scheduled, and they decide to cut back on some obligations. Or they acknowledge they have a shopping addiction and consider talking to a therapist. Or they reconsider their priorities and choose to simplify so they have more time for travel and hobbies. All these realizations go beyond organization they require a lifestyle change that organizing can support, but on its own wont completely address. If youve tried the standard organizing tips and tricks youve read, and they just dont seem to be helping, consider if something else in your lifestyle needs to change before you can get organized. What does this mean for you? Getting organized can be complex and challenging, and if you havent cracked it yet, dont be hard on yourself. If any of this resonated with you, my top recommendations are: Take the organizing tips you hear with a grain of salt. They may work for some, but they wont work for everyone (and thats ok!) Consider how you can add caring, non-judgmental support to reach your goals. That could be a therapist, coach, trusted friend/family member, body double, or professional organizer. If you have ADHD or another complex organizing challenge, look for an organizer with experience working with chronic disorganization. I have my Level I certificates of study in chronic disorganization and ADHD from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD), and you can search their website for professionals in your area. If youd like to talk in more detail about your organizing challenges, Im here for you. Sign up for a free consultation or contact me at 412-503-7604. Id love to help you get moving in the right direction!