The past few weeks, I've been dabbling in home organization. I have taken on this task for two reasons--in the interest of spring cleaning, of course, and also to pass along information that I think can help a home organization amateur (like myself) begin the complicated task of getting control of those closets and cabinets.
But a few weeks into this, and I'll admit I haven't made it too far. That's because life (work, kids, commitment, stuff) gets in the way.
And that's why I asked my team of Edmond home organization professionals why someone like me might finally take a plunge and bring in the big guns (i.e., hire a professional).
Here's what they had to say...
Amber Austin, of Dwelling Place Organizing said, "The most common thing I hear
from clients about the benefit of working with a professional organizer is
preventing panic halfway through the process. In many projects, there is a
point where you drag everything out and 'it gets worse before it gets
better.' Having an expert right there, helping you stay focused and moving
toward your goals, can save you valuable time and money."
Becky Marple of Bee Neat Professional Organizing added this, "A professional organizer can be of great service to an
individual who is dealing with a major life change such as a move, addition
of a baby or elderly family member to the home, a death of a loved one,
or a transition into an assisted living center. These can be extremely
stressful and, often times, debilitating to an individual. Having a
professional there to help encourage and guide the client is often just what
a person needs."
In addition, Marple mentioned that working on your own makes it too easy to justify holding onto things, and working with a family member can still be too personal. Having an objective person there to help you can often result in the most successful outcome.
Amy Bolder of Simplicity Professional Organizing agreed, adding, "A seasoned organizer is able to plan and deal with emotions and roadblocks that often arise when clients are faced with tough decisions that they might typically just ignore or give up on if an organizer was not present to walk them through it. Dealing with these emotions and decisions is often easier to do with a professional than with a friend, who might not be able to look past the stuff and why the person is stuck within it. "
Finally, Bolder gave this advice for hiring professional organizers...
- Talk to them and find out how long they have been working
with clients.
- Ask what their specialty areas are (and what they do or don't do, such as doing only inside work, etc.).
- Ask to see some photos of previous projects and always ask for references. A previous client can shed light on the process
and help an individual know if a particular organizer is right for them.
Sounds like a plan. Now, I only have to decide whether I have the courage to let someone see what a mess I am.
We'll see.
This month, I've been digging into the terrifying world of...wait for it...home organization! Now, don't get me wrong. I keep a pretty neat and tidy house. I know where a lot of stuff is. I mean, I know where most of it is.
But I know I could do better. Not only that, but getting my home organization under control could even give me more time to do other things (like playing with my cute kiddos!).
So, where to start? Amy Bolder of Simplicity Professional Organizing says, to get started with home organization, "Give yourself a clear timeframe to work within, stay in your chosen zone, and work within micro zones with that area until each area is complete."
Well, in the interest of getting jumpstarted, in this week's blog, I looked at three problem zones: The kitchen, the closet, and the home office. Deep breath...
The Kitchen...Not so long ago, at a get-together for some friends, two local moms, Laynie Travis and Betty Ann Walker, shared some tips for getting organized quick, starting in the kitchen. These simple tips included...
- Putting baskets in drawers for sorting utensils.
- Using glass bins for sugar and flour.
- Keeping containers for utensils by the stove.
- Making up a basket for kids for easy to grab snacks.
No, it's not rocket science exactly, but I've started implementing several of these, and it does make a difference. Surprise, surprise. And sometimes, it just takes a small victory to keep going, right? So, that led me to the next spot...
The Closet...When it comes to this problem zone, Becky Marple of Bee Neat Professional Organizing said it's important to first get rid of things you don't need. "If this is difficult," she added, "either recruit a family member or friend who will help 'encourage you along' in the process."
Fellow moms Travis and Walker had these tips to add for closet organization...
- Use all the same hangers (this is a big violation for me...I'm terrible about just keeping the store hangars!)
- Set time to clean out your closet quarterly so it doesn't become overwhelming.
- Keep baskets for laundry, dry cleaning, ironing, donating, and delicates.
"If you don't use it or wear it, let it go!" said Amber Austin of Dwelling Place Organizing. Also, she recommended storing items as close to where you use them as possible, making it easier to put them away.
Home office...I don't really have an "office," per se. I have a computer desk with all my work files, a filing cabinet upstairs, a bulletin board in the laundry room where I keep a calendar, and a dry-erase board with a "running" shopping list in the kitchen. I've found that even though my life isn't confined to one office, this is what works for me. In addition to these things, Travis and Walker also recommended a basket for filing (which I've added).
While you may not find these tips earth shattering, when you start doing simple things that it make it easier to find what you need, put things away, and keep on schedule, you do begin to climb a mountain one step at a time.
And that means I'm excited. I'm excited to keep going. Because I do see how making small changes can be a huge stress reliever. That doesn't mean I've got this home organization thing conquered. Not by a long shot. But it's a start.
Just remember, asking for help isn't a bad thing. And that's why, next week, I'll be talking one last time to my local home organization professionals to find out why I may, one day, ask for an experienced hand!
