Decluttering is sometimes mentally taxing, physically exhausting, and sneeze-inducing. So, why bother going through all that effort? Why not just resign oneself to the clutter and resulting complexities it creates?
 
Decluttering can be incredibly uplifting, even transformative. This is especially true if clutter is negatively impacting life in a significant way. Clients have teared up as they explained precisely how instrumental the change has been in their lives. I say this not to brag but to demonstrate how much positive transformation the effort can bring into your life.
 
Exactly what type of transformations have clients experienced? Here is a small sample of huge wins that clients commonly gain:

• They clear enough clutter to have friends and family over again, often for the first time in years. The result translates into increased opportunities for socializing, not to mention a slew of happy new memories to add to the memory bank.

 

• They reduce friction in partnerships and families.

 

• They experience an immense sense of relief after organizing papers to: 
  • file multiple years' worth of late taxes
  • more easily deal with upcoming life transitions. 
  • get their affairs in order so their loved ones have an easier time with their estate.

 

• They find long-lost jewelry, family heirlooms, vital documents, and sometimes large sums of money. 

 

• After closing storage facilities, they feel as though they removed a giant monkey from their backs and can save that monthly cost for something more enjoyable. 

 

• They transform entire rooms from storage into craft rooms, bedrooms, offices, and whatever else they have dreamed of having.

 

• They have more time and energy for creative endeavors that bring them great joy, like music, art, and crafting.

 

• They rediscover the joy of cooking in their kitchen. Not only does this save them money, but it also allows them to enjoy the creative cooking process and hosting dinner parties. 

 

• They can get dressed more easily and feel comfortable about what they wear as they walk out the door. 

 

• They are more relaxed because they can easily find keys and bags. This translates into on-time arrivals, shedding uncomfortable embarrassment.

 

• By clearing out garages, they increase the longevity of their cars, one of their most significant investments. 

 

• They reduce the stress of downsizing and remodels to manageable levels. 

 
You, too, can experience this sense of relief, relaxation, and joy! Due to previous organizing attempts, some individuals need more self-confidence when they get started. I ask them to suspend their disbelief, and I hold the confidence for both of us until they start seeing results and gain it for themselves. With enough practice, you too will begin to gain confidence. You might need to suspend disbelief as you get started. You might even need external support from a therapist, support groups like Clutterers Anonymous or Buried in Treasures, or a professional organizer. Still, you can do it, and it is incredibly worth the effort!

​Perhaps you have thought about hiring Twilight Organizing to help you dig out from underneath the clutter. Perhaps you hesitated and wondered why you would hire a trained professional organizer who charges more than a house cleaner, gardener, or new organizer you found on Craigslist.
 
Most of my clients struggled with decades of clutter. Some kept their homes relatively organized but could not keep a home office useable amidst paper piles. Some grappled with disorganization for the vast majority of their lives. Still, others have hoarding disorder and were ready to roll up their sleeves and create a new life for themselves as they cleared the clutter. Each client situation has been unique, yet they all have at least a few things in common:

• Feelings of angst, sadness, frustration, overwhelm, exasperation, stress, or anger. Sometimes they also felt guilty or ashamed.
• The clutter caused issues in relationships or jobs; or ruined any chance at relaxation in the home or ability to pursue hobbies, goals, and dreams.
• Self-help efforts didn’t work, and the self-flagellation began. It left them feeling deflated and exhausted.

 
Some called organized friends and concerned loved ones to pitch in, and they might have had initial success. Perhaps there was no progress because of competing ideas, and everyone went home licking their wounds. On occasion, individuals felt whiplashed (some even describe it as traumatized) after a whirlwind clear-out. It took years to build up the courage to reach out again for assistance.
 
Individuals find their way to me after self-help efforts and guidance of well-meaning friends, family, and lovely yet untrained organizers haven’t worked. Clients realize that they need to step up their game, and so they decide to invest in themselves to improve the quality of their lives. They might have valued my training, enjoyed one of my presentations, or related to clients who gave testimonials or referrals.
 
They’ve told me that help from “naturally organized” loved ones were no longer cutting it. They want a trained professional by their side, guiding them through the entire process so that they are no longer overwhelmed and quit before they begin. They want to clear out the clutter and figure out how to keep it at bay. For those who commit to the process, it can be life-altering. I’ve lost count of how many individuals have let go and moved on to the next chapter of their lives, whether it be:
·      downsizing
·      moving to a new part of the country
·      enjoying retirement or hard-earned weekends
·      having have friends, children, grandkids, and relatives over again
·      discovering new passions and hobbies
 
Even with all these benefits, some are still hesitant. I want to dispel two myths that might help.
 
“I SHOULD be able to do this by myself!”
I frequently hear this frustration from clients. So many feel that they “should” be able to get organized without outside help. As a result, they carry an uncomfortable burden of shame. I explain to them that organizing is a soft skill. There are no organizing courses taught in school (at least that I know of). Sometimes it is not taught at home either: parents might never have learned how to organize when they were young. Perhaps they struggled with undiagnosed hoarding disorder, depression, ADHD, or other challenges that made order challenging to master and teach to their children. If organizing were easy for everyone, the professional organizing industry would not exist.  
 
“Professional organizers charge too much!”
I know the feeling of wanting something helpful and then becoming frustrated when I saw the price tag. I initially felt like I couldn’t afford the service. When I looked more deeply into the situation, though, I realized that there was no way I could afford NOT to invest in the help of experts. Sometimes we’re stuck on a merry-go-round of effort, and we need a hand getting off and getting on a more constructive path.
 
In comes the trained professional. With continual education, she consistently improves upon solutions for those who face complex or long-term challenges.
 
A trained professional organizer (who invested in coursework through the Institute for Challenging Disorganization, the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, attended annual conferences and meetings related to hoarding disorder and chronic disorganization, and read many books) will charge a fair price for their value. They won’t, though, be the cheapest option on the market. When I started organizing in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2015, rates for this type of organizer typically started near $100/hour and went well above that. There are many ways to work with a trained professional organizer, some less expensive than others. Clients can significantly decrease costs when they learn the process and do independent work between sessions.
 
(A special note to those who struggle with hoarding disorder: as you look for a professional organizer, be sure to ask what education and training they have. Sometimes well-intentioned but untrained professionals can do more harm than good.)
 
So if any of the following sounds like your situation, it might be time to give me a ring:

• You’re baffled why the organizing books have just become yet another pile of clutter.
• Your struggles with chronic disorganization, hoarding disorder, depression, or ADHD have made it challenging, and you’re looking for customized solutions.
• You’re tired of half measures and losing steam before you reach your goals.
• You don’t know where to start, and you need a plan of attack.
• You’re feeling overwhelmed, and you want someone to help you stay motivated and on track.
• You are afraid that an untrained organizer might be judgmental. You want an empathetic trained professional who will not just see the clutter but see you as well.
• In an unregulated industry, you want help from someone who abides by a code of ethics and is part of professional organizations.
• You want a professional organizer who is putting extensive training to work for your particular needs.
• You don’t just want a clean closet; you want the clutter to stop controlling your life. You’re ready for a seismic shift; it’s time.

 
If any of these situations resonate, it might be time to schedule a free consultation call with me. Let it be your first brave step to conquering your clutter once and for all!