How to Work With a Professional Organizer

JAN MOYER I am an interior designer and see enough messy clutter to sum up the problem.
The reason disorganized people( DOP'S) struggle is not lack of bins, basket, files, hooks, pegboards, cubbies, or cute boxes. The most cluttered homes have TONS of these items. Almost without fail , the owner of same could not begin to tell you what they contain. Very often they contain nothing at all.
The DOP'S plight is a syndrome I call "FORGETTING OUR WORDS" The words are: Throw, Pay, File, Pick (up), Put (away), Wash, Dry, Fold, Empty, Replace,Recycle etc. For the most part, they are the VERB words. The ACTION that is required, for every item that comes into contact with the hand. Disorganized people have one favorite word. It is "LATER". I will wash it "later", file it "later" hang it later, pay it "later", empty it "later"...which translates to.... I will put it down here "for now"....which quickly turns to FOREVER....and then they call the organizer and buy some more bins, baskets, files and whatnot. They will be organized when? NEVER.
That is the unfortunate last word. Never. You heard it here first.

Bright Bold and Beautiful I use my pegboard every day. Visit my Houzz profile to see my home office.

paulnamy Thank you for this! Our family has moved recently and in the haste to get moved in, there are areas where we just shoved things in cabinets/drawers without much (or any) thought. Now these spaces are being misused, and we are finding that we simply do not have a place for many of the things we come into contact with every day. We have been so busy we have not had time to reorganize, but the thought of hiring someone to come in and do this for us is perfect! Once these things have a home, it will be so much easier! I will be calling someone this week!

Lisa Frederick Jan, thanks for your input...that's a really interesting point, and proves why getting organized is about personal change. Laura, great home office - thank you for sharing! Paulnamy, glad to help, and good luck!

DCL Interior Design LLP Oh Jan, I am with you 100%. I too am an interior designer and I've seen clients spend fortunes on beautiful decor, only to ruin it all with clutter all over the place - after I lovingly designed every possession a home - simply because they're messy people! Messy people will always have a messy home - simply because that's how they naturally are!

Laura Kay Organizing Lisa, your article is right on the mark.Thank you for putting it so succinctly. Would you mind if I re-posted it on my website blog - credited to you of course. In some ways Jan's comment below is correct but it doesn't apply to everyone. In my experience, some people can be "re-programmed" (not to say "later") but it doesn't happen quickly. Like any bad habits, they are hard to break but not impossible, just like quitting smoking, losing weight, working out more, etc. Some people will and some won't. But its worth the ol' college try.

CJ Sebert I agree with Jan, you have to decide to be clutter-free and work at it. The action of organizing is the hardest part. I do think it helps to have a spot for everything. My parents have a lovely house, but it's full of clutter. One is a collector and the other connects emotions with objects and can't part with them. I've been dying to create an organized office for them for years, but I know now that the space means nothing if it's not kept up.

Julie The "organization gene" seems to skip generations in my family. My mother could never keep up with things, and I see that my two daughters (both in their mid-20's) have the same disability. It's not my problem to solve, but all the drama from their not being able to remember or locate things or having clean clothes wears me out - Is there hope for them, or do I just resign myself to having them visit me rather than my visiting them?

Betsy Hall It's the little things that make all the difference, I LOVE organization! I transformed my cluttered flatware drawer with simple drawer organizers available at http://bhall.willowhouse.com - we even put them in our bathroom drawers for make up, toothbrushes, etc.

decorcrazy Find a place for each and every thing. Take care to place things back to the proper place. Eevry family member should follow this. coooooooooooool

bikermom05 jan moyer said it right! Being disorganized is a conscious decision not to do what needs to be done!

Torrey Clement I have a ? I just installed 3 pantry cabinests[15in x 24in deep each] and dont know how to organize them so other people in my family can find items. [Ill be getting a lable maker soon ] any other suggestions would be very helpfull.

juliejules44 Ladies, some folks brains aren't wired like yours. It's a hard thing to master if you have issues like ADD. I am ADD and I was an organizer. It's not about "later" it's about which way to handle something. And out of sight is out of mind for themm. Add children and a job and a household. It can be very hard. Read organization for the cluttered mind. Empathy is a good thing here.

Lisa Frederick Laura Kay, please do! I'd be honored. Torey, you may find some ideas here: Ideabook: 10 Steps for Organizing Kitchen Cabinets and here:Ideabook: Tackling the Pantry. Thanks, everyone, for your comments and feedback.

JAN MOYER It's me again... the decorator. Listen up. I appreciate empathy, kindness, forgiving, and all the rest. But serious clutter and mess affects life in serious ways. Julie mentions A.D.D.. ... okay fine. Every other kid and adult is seemingly afflicted. Those folks already have a problem organizing their minds and staying on track. The "visual" of constant clutter doesn't help them. I think some very tough love is in order for a whole lot of people. Most of those afflicted with unpleasant living conditions are not ADD. They firmly believe deep down, that it is easier to do most anything later, because truly they don't really want to do it at all. I see clients who won't empty a wastebasket... "The cleaning lady will do it... on Thursday" Yeah? Super! It's only MONDAY now. Another affliction, aided by organizers and Pottery Barn catalogues is perfectionism. If it isn't cute, if it isn't the perfect mudroom, the perfect office, or craft area, or adorable laundry, or California Closet....... WHY BOTHER? Consequently they wait until they can get the perfect system. While they wait, the coats, the shoes, the laundry, and whatever...remains in piles. I see this affliction with general decor as well. Why clean and sort, and purge the room if it isn't pretty? I will tell you why. I am TIRED of the belief that decoration is all about the paint, furniture, curtains, the carpet, the pillows, or even a new kitchen or a brand new house. It is all or any of those things, BUT IT IS FIRST ABOUT CLEAN. I don't want to be harsh, but very often the clutter simultaneously includes DIRT. DUST. GRIME. ODOR. Really unpleasant living conditions. Oddly, these will turn out to be the same clients who will obsess over a minute detail on a toss pillow for the bed. But a quick glance reveals bills on the dresser, a coating of dust to choke, overflowing waste cans, clothes on the floor and every other horizontal surface, bowls of change, an unmade musty bed, catalogues from a decade past, laundry baskets piled WITH LAST WEEKS CLEAN LAUNDRY. Need I go on? No, I am sick of kindness. I am sick of picking up after them. I am sick of killing myself to create beautiful, efficient, useful, spaces..... only to go back in one week to see it trashed. Because here's the shocker girls: When you are done "decorating", whether it's a new kitchen, a new master suite, or a childs bedroom... you have the same kids, same husband,and same old YOU.. No matter what you buy, or where you live, or where you go, you take YOU with you. So get yourself, and your lazy kids, and your reticent husband off your fannies and grab a garbage bag and a broom. Get the Lysol, and Windex and a rag. Go to the laundromat and use the triple loader washing machines if you must. Wash your darn windows too. STAY HOME FROM THE MALL. But take it from me, you need elbow grease, discipline, and trash bags more than any basket, bin, or box , or cutsey craft wall. Sorry the truth hurts.

Mariska Overconsumption is also the problem with lots of people. They buy something because admist of all the clutter they are not aware that they already have it and buy it again. They do not think about recycling things at all. Also lot of woman that are not feeling happy just buy something for the sake of buying and dump it on the rest of the pile. Or tend to look more what other people have... These people need guidance. But the problem is they have to admit if first they need it. Oh my heart weeps if I come into houses that are not clean and very cluttered (do it for your kids sake please and if you do not have kids for your own wellbeing).
Jan..I can completely understand your frustration!

Sally Lisa, thank you for the article. I think a lot of people need a nudge to get going and also helpful guidance as well.

JAN MOYER TORRY,

I doubt you need a label maker. Simple CLEAR lucite containers with air tight lids, are great for pasta, cereal, crackers, rice etc. If it is an item that requires directions for preparing, cut those neatly from the box or bag, and use clear packing tape and affix to the lucite. Don't overly complicate the process. Put snacks together, pasta, rice and grains near each other, and make it simple for all. Any stick on method is fine for labels...! This is how people get stuck on process, rather than focusing on the GOAL. The goal is to make life easier.

LD Jenkins Wow. Some of the comments are so judgmental about "messy" people. I happen to be one if those "messy" people wired with ADHD who sincerely does not like mess. I've not been happy with my mess or myself, Change does not come easy. Thank God I found a professional organizer who really understands people like me. She has worked with me and helped me organize for the past year and YES with her help and encouragement my home is as organized as it has ever been and I can invite people to my home. Thank God for people, like my professional organizer, who know that we're all wired differently and are willing to show compassion and utilize their skills to help transform some of us.

Ellen T. Wow, this is one hot topic!

I so agree with you, Jan, every word. I love to create a place for everything, and to minimize possessions (which is KEY in my opinion) and yet I have some areas of clutter in my home and work that absolutely overwhelm me. I have found that those bad areas are where I have I inherited the stuff and am stuck with it until I can find the time to sort and make those really hard decisions. Some decisions are easy, but others weigh on me like an elephant on my chest. Its a process that's painful and slow going, but I'll keep at it because the results are so worth the effort.

pegn I love reading houzz instead of the Sunday paper, but it was a mistake today. Even if the article was any good, the comments ruined it. I felt like I was stuck in the middle of a cat fight. Grow up people and remember, houzz is for
helpful ideas, not your personal soapbox.

maureend3 Loved this, and while I agree with so much of the tough love/truth telling from the organized ones, I really think that what comes so naturally for them is intrinsically different from what comes naturally for a disorganized person (me being one). When an organized person looks at a room it is so clear to them what needs to be done, and they just get on with it. The DOP's feel a sense of being overwhelmed with all of it, and honestly may not put it to the top of their priority list that the ultra organized ones do. We are different people. While I wish I had some of those qualities in me, I do force myself to tackle a closet, a drawer, etc to deal with various hot messes that pop up, pile up, and seem to linger way to long. I know that I will never be the person that gets up in the morning organizing, purging, and cleaning. It's not that it's so much about later, although procrastination is a messy persons best friend, it's these things do not jump to the top of my priority list everyday, because they don't bother me in the way they would clearly drive an organized person to insanity.

puncturedbicycle Learning how to organise your home is a skill like any other. When I moved house and was overwhelmed by a space I didn't understand how to work with, I hired a clutter clearer for a couple of sessions and she changed my whole approach to how I live with my stuff. I moved again and am struggling with another new space, but I'll use the same skills to figure it out.

My parents had far less stuff and lived in a completely different sort of home than mine (I have two attics, no basement and no closets), so the skills they taught me didn't really translate. My clutter clearer credits her upbringing (her mother was a librarian) with her great organising skills.

The cleaning issues mentioned in the comments can result from having too much stuff in the wrong place. You're not disorganised and dirty; your house is dirty because you're stuff is poorly organised so it's hard to keep everything clean. Often this can get on top of you when you're ill or bereaved, or after a significant life change.

Why come here to have a rant about people you consider to be degenerate and inferior? I don't understand the desire to judge so harshly. This problem is about skills, not about being a particular sort of person.

nancyinmexico I think that I am naturally an organizes person and always have been. For me, keeping certain things in my life very organized allows me to live in the moment and be spontaneous about others. I'm not trying to be organized...it's just how I'm wired I think. No joke, my first act of love that I can remember was in grade 3 when the teacher moved Scott's desk beside mine. What did I do (with butterflies in my stomach now that my crush was seated right beside me)??? I dumped out his messy desk and helped him organize it :S Doubt that he loved me for it haha!!

essiesorensen Wow, Im a little taken back by Jan and DCL interior designs comments. As a DOP and a "messy" person (gotta love the labels:/), I don't think it's as black and white as you two put it. Growing up my mom left when I was just 2 years old, and my father raised my sister and me by himself, but also had to work a lot. I was never taught organization it was always just an exasperated "Let me just do it for you, so it gets done." Despite what Jan says, I do not have a house full of bins, baskets, hooks, or boards?? I wouldn't even buy them at the store b/c I don't know how to use them. I have longed for an organized home, but don't know where to start! As a stay at home mom of two beautiful, amazing 3 and 5 year olds with a husband who has a very demanding career I get completely overwhelmed with where to put things and how to make a home for things. I try very hard, and I have moments where I think Im creating "homes" for all my things but have wanted very much to hire someone as it not something I've ever been taught or known. I know that if I had an organizer who could come in and inspire me, and lead me in the right direction I could become the organized person I've desired to be. I do hope however that I don't hire anyone who has your mentalities towards their clients, I hope they can believe in me to achieve what comes so natural or learned to them. Maybe your clients continue to be DOP's and "messy" b/c you don't believe they can do it. Not all of us who are that way are hopeless when lead by the right person.

JAN MOYER essiesorenson,
Please don't be taken aback, as actually you just summed up the entire complex problem. For some, organizing is nothing but learned habit which starts very early in life, others rebel against that in LATER life, from having incredibly organized parenting that allowed them no flexibility for mess or cutter! Other people are perfectionists, unable to begin unless they know it can be done perfectly to finish, and since life isn't finished, nor our messes in life, they simply can not begin! But the very good news is we can learn just about anything, including new habits to varying and equally FORGIVING results. In other words, set and raise your own bar as you acquire new organizing habits or skills. Does every single person succeed on the first try? No, but that's why there are professional organizers, and so many different lifestyles and homestyles in our midst. Even to the extent we sometimes inadvertently sabotage our own efforts! So we keep on trying.

mrsben My 'rule of thumb' for organizing is simple.
a) Divide = Purge
b) Arrange = Group
c) Contain = Storage
d) Label = Identify
...... so it can be taken to curb side and/or donated in 'one swoop' if or when the occasion arises or in the event you are to move.

villafuertel To Jan: I agree with you so much, that it's one of the main reasons I haven't gone into the profession of organizing others. I have attempted to organize many over the years. . .friends, employers, only to see all that work for naught. You are right. . .they will be organized when? NEVER, NEVER, NEVER. Lynn Villafuerte

JAN MOYER villafeurtel,
I do completely understand how you frustrated you feel, and sometimes it makes me sad to see results undone, piles of stuff, clothes, lingering in rooms where a client just spent a lot of money making it beautiful and we spent months poring over furniture, paints , rugs, and the like. I talk to myself in the car...breathe..........!!! But our minds and souls are very complicated things. So while I may not understand why a person can't hang up clothes, they can't understand why I would take the time to bother, because it's easier to do it later.....and so I keep taking very deep breaths : ) Soon I will need a paper bag at the ready in the car!

paulnamy I read and commented on this article quite awhile ago, as I was in the midst of settling into our new home. I was overwhelmed and really inspired to get organized after reading this article. However, after reading the recent comments, I think it should more accurately be named "Why NOT to Hire a Professional Organizer." After reading the judgmental, sometimes vicious comments here I would never trust one in my home. What I wanted to add was that I never hired a professional, but tackled the issues on my own. One thing I know is that many people (myself included) make the mistake of buying solutions before they have identified the problem. My advice, and I am NOT a professional, is to take on one project at a time. For me, it was my daughter's closet. When I was done with that, I moved to my next daughter and did it much the same way (a shoe organizer made SUCH a difference). After that I tacked my pantry...that was the hardest/most disturbing. My advice is to take EVERYTHING out of the space you are on (this was difficult, but do it), clean the space if needed then very slowly/methodically put things back in. Once you have a totally empty space, it is harder to fill it back up with junk. I had a box that I threw things in to donate (like unopened packages of food I knew I would never use) and one to throw away (anything that was open...and I mean anything, expired food) and I ONLY put back the things that I knew I would use. I had a breakfast section, pasta section, spices section...I sorted things into categories before putting them back in. I also bought a little stair-step system (kind of like a set of bleachers) at a container store that I put my cans of soups on so that you can see things even in the back. Anyway, I don't want to get too heavy into specifics, I just hoped to be helpful to those of you who may feel discouraged after reading some of these comments. There is nothing these people do that you cannot do yourself. As you get one space done, you will feel encouraged to do the others. And we have NOT fallen back into the messiness. In fact, both of my daughters' rooms are always clean now that they have a space to put everything. Our pantry is a pleasure. I will be doing the hallway closet next weekend. One project at a time. My biggest tip would be to be very liberal with getting rid of things. It is easy to keep things because you think you might use them someday. Some of the stuff was hard to part with at the time, but enjoying these spaces now was TOTALLY worth getting rid of them, and we don't even remember what they were at this point. Overall, don't be discouraged. It is absolutely possible on your own without worry that your organizer will leave your house and run straight to their therapist.

villafuertel To Paul: Perhaps judgmental, and very organized. However, I do applaud you for taking on the organizational tasks that you write about..

And, Jan: You are still my hero. Breath deeply and make the world a better place. :)

maureend3 I would ask how's the view from the high horse thou are all perched on, but you're probably too busy cleaning and dusting it! This is positively funny at this point. We get it, there is a place for everything and everything should be in it's proverbial place...yada, yada, yada. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to swim through my pigsty of a house to try and find a shoe I lost sometime last week. It's probably under that pile of dead cats and newspapers I keep meaning to do something about, but can NEVER, NEVER, NEVER find the time or necessity really, anyhoo it should show up sooner or later, besides I need to find time to go shopping and fill my house with more expensive things to clutter it up a bit, because in my book more is more darlings. Go ahead, remember...deep breaths...and while your at have a glass of wine or two...

villafuertel Dear Maureen, As a matter of fact I am having a glass of wine. Clearly, you have a sense of humor. But, one can tidy up with that glass 'o wine in hand.

maureend3 Well cheers then. However, I suggest trying not to clean, just a thought whilst sipping on a refreshing libation...not my idea of a good time, however to each his own!

villafuertel Dear Maureen, You must be a good friend of my friend, Suzanne. She lost a shoe too, and we found it :) Happy New Year. . .

maureend3 Well thank God you are saving the world one shoe at a time! Now go read a book, or see Les Mis, which is fab by the way, volunteer at the local food bank, or go clean your stove, but leave us poor slobs to ourselves...and Happy New Year!

psp2pdx I learned that organization translates into: time saved, better mental health and a real satisfaction knowing where things are so I don't spend $$ on items I already have.

janid For anyone struggling with organization, save yourselves bundles of money and emotional trauma and just start the change process at www.flylady.net. Marla Cilley (aka Flylady) is a wonderful, warm and inspiring voice of calm encouragement on the path to organization. She understands those of us who struggle with organization because she is one of us! She has you start with babystep habits such as cleaning your sink for 27 days in a row. Just read some of the testimonials on her FREE site and you will be amazed at the changes people have made once they've finally been taught and encouraged in how to organize their lives. Love for yourself and your family is the answer, not criticism. Good luck!

villafuertel This is the Hatfields against the McCoys. It's the Democrats against the Republicans. It's Oscar against Felix. It's who we are. And, again, I go back to my original statement that I didn't go into the profession of organizing the unorganized. You can't change what is. I have watched so many try to find their keys when running late for an appointment. And, Maureen, I've seen, Les Mis three times and loved it. Paul, I didn't run to my therapist, I embraced who I was and that I could find things. As long as we are happy. . .cheers to all.

stlouisgaltoo I signed up for Fly lady and she cluttered my email up with 4-5 emails each day. I don't need cyber clutter.

Selva Solimar WOW! I was totally blown away on this one, too! The article was great...the comments are what made my mouth drop. I think "decorators" [and professional organizers] need to remember that what they are being PAID to do is not about them, but about the person they are working for! In other words, it IS your job to "breathe and stay calm" as you GUIDE the poor slobs of the world to a better place in life! *lmao* And how "professional" to make such judgmental statements [goodness, using real names, too?].

I agree with paulnamy that I would DEFINITELY think twice before bringing in any "professional organizer" into my home..........and I'm a fairly organized person!

My first grade teacher taught me, "if you can't say something nice..." Just sayin.

maureend3 YOU RAWK!!! woot!woot!!

Now I think I need to see a therapist for the trauma I've suffered here! *ay! ay! ayyy!*

JAN MOYER @selvasolimar,
That professional organizers want a client to achieve a more permanent success does not make them soulless scoundrels. I have know/hired these pros for clients and I have known them to literally cry as they have to step away from a client and no longer even consider taking her money to fix an ongoing problem that...well..it just can't be solved. No new habit will "take". No amount of simplifying, purging, or system installed and created WITH them seems to "take". No amount of hard labor (paid for indeed), or money spent on storage....works, So some of these very kind people, having spent much time and having become like a member of the family, are forced to step away. They begin to feel they simply can't take the money.
As to decorators, we want a clients investment to look as good as it can. So in a case where a client doesn't believe there IS a problem, we are forced to tackle it ourselves. I once had all the components for a clients master bedroom in storage for six months. I couldn't install it. There was so much clutter, clothing, shoes, and clean and dirty laundry in the room and closet it was impossible to move the furniture out to get the new rug, furniture and all other custom work in. A year passed. I begged and cajoled. They "would take care of it". They didn't. They went on vacation. I let myself in, got a helper, and together we spent 17 man hours doing absolutely nothing but hanging and folding clothes. The next day we rearranged closets to make more room. Finally installed. Their cleaning person has asked me to sneak in again.... she can no longer find places to put it all......
So if we get a bit frustrated, it's only because we're trying so hard at what often becomes just an impossible and rather heartbreaking task, with clients we've come to know as good friends, in what often has become a very long term relationship. It's about as far from soulless as you can get.

LD Jenkins I said I wasn't going to add anything more since I did so a few months back, but I must emphasize that Selva and others who have since commented are very much on point. The comments by some of the designers and organizers was very judgmental, condescending and simply lacked a sense of being humane. No one is asking anyone to be a priest, just kind and realize that your word is not the last word on anything. Just like different children have different needs for learning so it is that many of us (again, I'm a high functioning ADHD'er) have needs for a different approach to organization and the methods needed to achieve order. This thread started off extremely harsh, critical and frankly the tone felt extremely dismissive. I am very strong-willed but I can only imagine what some other individuals who are challenged in similar ways are feeling --- especially those who do not have the strength to even comment. From reading the comments I would never (I repeat, never hire an organizer). The tone is really bad business and advertising and casts a dark pall upon the industry. Let me say once again, that my organizer is FANTASTIC! She understands people like me and has helped me tremendously. She does her job with humor and takes the time to explain things. Her impact has been lasting. No I'm still not super organized on a regular basis but I'm much better and I recognize when I'm slipping. One thing Jan is right about.... it's not about bins and boxes. It IS, however, about attitude and a real passion for your vocation realizing that it's about helping the individual and that there is no carbon copy mold for transformation. If anyone in the NYC/Long Island area need a patient, FUN and understanding organizer let me know. I highly recommend mine!!

LD Jenkins As a matter of fact, here's her website. http://www.grandsolutions.net/about_us.htm

maureend3 It has to be said that I don't think that Jan and Villa are understanding the real reason that people are aghast at what they are saying. To say that it it's only frustration at their client is disingenuous based on the really truly unkind things that were being said. I added in some humor for good measure, but Jan I suggest you re-read some of your posts and see if you can honestly see what people might be gleaning from these posts. A job is a job and if you can not work with that client, or good lord have built up utter disdain for them, I would suggest it is time to move on. I would also try to say that a lot of the things that you were saying did have truth in them, it is the manner in which you decided to "go" there, if you will that is so incredibly off putting to, well just about everyone.

lynnth Jan
If you're so "tired," it sounds like you need another career.

LD Jenkins I heard someone put it like this: clients are like patients. Some patients need a pill. Some need outpatient care. Others need major surgery. Still, other patients need regular treatments of any/all of the above. A good doctor diagnoses the patient and acts accordingly. In other words, if you're a professional organizer, and the emphasis is on the word "professional" and "trained", then you will make the proper diagnosis after interviewing your client (which is what my organizer did) and then you will act accordingly. If you organize once, so be it. If you have to come back and make repeated house calls so be it. If you have to repeatedly perform surgery on somebody's closet and attic until a difference is made, suck it up. You're getting paid.

JAN MOYER "suck it up" " you're getting paid" WOW!!!! The organizers I spoke about are some of the most caring /dedicated/talented/empathetic people you would ever meet. One has a Downs Syn chlld who has achieved far beyond any doctors predictions, through sheer will and devotion. The decorator (in this case, me) has always and will continue to go far beyond what is expected in a result, ( no, she is not tired) even if I have to personally pay the organizer to get the obstacles out of the way. But I can not move in with clients. I can only listen to their problems and do my best to make all in their homes a bit easier and a lot more pleasing and functional. I can not solve their often exhausting problems of messy husbands, unruly children, Autistic children, ADHD, or anything else. I can only listen and make all as pleasant as possible, given all life throws at people. Organizers, decorators, even contractors, electricians and plumbers, would tell you hours and hours go unpaid and uncompensated, not because we are stupid or bad business people, but because we care about the clients. And until you have walked a mile in any of our shoes......understand we have walked millions in YOURS. And most often, it had little to do with MONEY. It had to do with clients who were gracious, kind, polite, and who became over time ... extended family. Your lack of understanding is excused. Along with your rudeness.

Selva Solimar So the question becomes, are any of the clients that became "extended family" disorganized peeps who NEVER NEVER EVER NEVER learned to be organized!?? I hope so.

Jan, I grew up very disorganized and everyone in my family thought I'd be a total mess (translation: pig) as an adult. ADHD runs in my family and before drugs to "help" came along, we learned to cope the only way we could......by making lists! By getting AND STAYING organized! I'm speaking from personal experience. Words are very powerful and what you said early on is what was so hurtful, and insulting. (Matthew 15:18 - "But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.")

You have a gift that is not within all of us.

Downs Syn, Austism, ADHD or anything else is exactly what all of your clients have to deal with as well...your decorators, designers, contractors, etcetera are no more special. They're people just like the client, except they have a gift to share with us! Empathy and repeated help is key in guiding someone into a new life of organization. Whether it's once or a million times! Whether you're paid or "choose to not be paid." THAT is the point.

Like I tell my hubs when he complains about his job..."do something about it or shut up! YOU chose this field and if you're ready to make a change, for whatever reason, then do so graciously." (yep, verbatim!)

Maybe you're needing an extended vacation? It does wonders! :)

JAN MOYER My advice is to lose the "shut up" thing entirely. I have never found a need for those words my dear.

maureend3 Here's the thing. Jan you have decided that you are right, that your viewpoint is the correct one, that your tone is not just acceptable, but beyond reproach. You have somehow concluded the rest of us must be excused for our lack of understanding and now must be excused for our rudeness as well.

You talk of messy husbands and unruly children, and that kind of tone is what everyone is trying to tell you isn't working for you. You are offending people, and I don't think that is what you originally set out to do, or maybe you could care less who you offend, I don't know you so who knows? I'm sure you work very hard at what you do, but your righteous indignation is beyond the pale. There really is no need for all caps I must say, it's all a bit dramatic.

Everyone has their issue, their own cross to bear, their own story. I certainly do not walk in your shoes and I wish you well, but right now you are not trying to walk in others' shoes, you are judging the shoes they are wearing, and the fact that they can never keep them polished correctly...

JAN MOYER Maureen, Salva,
No, actually you have decided. But you have not read, or you you did not understand, or you do not realize that yes I completely do understand it all. From clients hubbies, to their kids, to ADHD, to common "put it off" syndrome, to too much shopping, to fill in the blank, and anything and everything in between, because I spend a LOT of time listening to clients and I see it all with my own eyes and I am the first with my sleeves rolled up to dig in and help. I see too, all the reasons that have nothing to do with any of the above and there must be at least a thousand of those as well. So everyone will do their best to conquer their "corner of clutter" their way and everyone will live to enjoy another day, because so many things are so much more important, not the least of which is time too precious to waste. Happy New Year.

villafuertel Well, well, well, pretty little Maureen. I will stand behind Jan for every word she says. I think she is a professional. I think she has a great deal of empathy. I think she has her hands full, and I respect her without knowing her. I innocently responded to a website and boy oh boy did I stir the monkeys.

maureend3 Good luck to you Jan, I wish you well, but clearly no one is getting through anytime soon...except Villa I think. Wow, Villa I'm little and pretty, how thoughtful of you...keep em coming Villa the compliments are making me all warm and fuzzy inside...

psp2pdx Time to give it a rest.......please.

mytwoandmeis3 My child has downs syndrome, too. What does that have to do with your rude comments and inability to see them as such. Let's leave our lovely children out of this.

Selva Solimar I'ma shut the front door now...'cuz CLEARLY Jan does NOT get it. She only heard "shut up" in my last post! Villafuertel, I'm glad someONE can call her a "hero". I still stand behind Maureen, Paulnamy, MyTwoandMeis3 and I could go on...

...aaaand someone that IS paying attention would spell my name correctly! :P *lmao!* HAPPY NEW YEAAAAAAR Y'ALL!!!

villafuertel That I stumbled upon this site, and that I've read for the last two days comments on organization or lack thereof, I wish to share with all of you an email I just received from a friend a couple hours ago:

" Next time you want to get away and come to Denver, I propose to pay you $800 to organize and declutter my house. I’m serious. I want to throw everything away, but I can’t. I hate it – it’s making me crazy (er). I think that’s part of my blues."

I propose peace to all of you. . .organization came easy to me as I thought it did to everyone. Clearly, not the case.

pattimay Juliejules44, Selva Solimar and Maureend3, well said. I am not ADD but I can understand and sympathize.
If a professional goes into a messy home, seeing what the client is like, and they don't want "their" work ruined by messiness, perhaps it's better to not take the job. Remodeled or not, it's not personal, they will mess it up, it's who they are. No client should feel bullied into changing.
I'm a neat freak, and that's okay, we are all different people, that's okay too, it's the being mean, nasty and judgemental that get's in the way.
Off to go shopping! :D
Sure I'm going to hear it now.

Sruthi Naidu Professional Organizer Great article! I am professional organizer based in Palo Alto, Ca. If you are in need of more tips and solutions to common organization problems, please check out my weekly organizational blog:
sruthinaidu.squarespace.com

elannas I think perhaps there is a time and a place to let off steam about the frustrations of a job that involves working with clients that many in the general population identify with. For example, I hope that a doctor would confine his frustrations and complaints about his overweight patients, her acne-riddled patients, or her mentally ill patients to other people in the medical field and not in a place where people are seeking advice about losing weight, treating their acne, and looking for help to deal with depression. I hope dentists confine their complaints about people who don't brush and floss properly to others in the dental field rather than in a place where people are learning about developing good dental habits. I hope that accountants complain to other accountants about how poorly their clients manage their financial affairs and refrain from airing their frustrations in a place where people have gone to find advice about how to get financial help. I can think of several other examples....

I can certainly understand the frustration of trying to help someone deal with clutter and mess. I personally experience this with a member of my family. It would be unfortunate though, if my family member were to read this article about how to work with a professional organizer, which is directed toward an audience of people who actually need this help, and then encounter the kind of comments that have been made here. I am not surprised that there are those who will never seek any kind of professional help for the clutter and disorganization in their lives after reading this, even if their problems are not extreme. They will forever wonder what the professional is REALLY thinking, and what is being said about them behind their back.

allanbraun When searching for a professional organizer I highly recommend that you select a Certified Professional Organizer. The certification requires passing a test and regularly taking organizing classes. For Long Island NY I recommend: http://www.organizeyourlife.org

Tara Bussema I am a Houzz contributor as well as a Professional Organizer. Reading some of the previous comments here, I will say that the state of our home reflects the state of our heart and life. Organizing requires help from someone who can help you walk through your life circumstances while simultaneous walking through your "stuff." It is a heart matter, not just an aesthetic issue. When you address both, the results are lasting!

On the other hand, many people who need organizing help are just busy and overwhelmed moms, business owners, etc, who need systems set in place to help them keep on top of things. I've revisited homes where this has been done and people keep it up! It works!

If anyone in Orange County, CA needs help, you can find me here:

www.loveneat.com
www.facebook.com/iloveneat
http://www.houzz.com/pro/tarachristine

Here's are a couple photos from homes I recently organized:

villafuertel Impressive! You did a wonderful job.

ragsangle I'ld like to see an article on " Organizing for the Senior Citizen" as I have found now that I am getting older I need to reorganize things . using step ladders is getting harder to reach things, bending down to the bottom of things is getting harder...any good advice on how to organize for getting older????