Twilight Organizing
  • Home
  • FEELING STUCK?
  • What to Expect
  • About Judith
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Additional Resources
  • Media and Presentations
  • Newsletter
  • Blog

What does Judith have to say about organizing?

How can a trained professional organizer help me?

2/19/2021

6 Comments

 
Frustrating pile of paperclip clutter to calm orderFrom frustration and chaos to order!
​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!

6 Comments
Braden Bills link
1/28/2022 06:42:27 am

I've been having a hard time being organized in my home, and it's been making it really difficult to find things. It makes sense that getting a professional to help me out with this would be nice. That would make things so much easier for me.

Reply
Judith Dold
2/2/2022 02:29:43 pm

Hi Braden. I'm glad that the article helped you to see how a trained professional organizer can be helpful. Please feel free to reach out to me should you like to learn more about how I might be of service in your home organizing project.

Reply
Victoria Addington link
2/24/2022 03:23:46 am

It was helpful when you wrote that it's advisable to hire a professional organizer if you have no idea where to start and you require a program of attack. I always want to declutter our basement but cannot find time for it. I think it's best to turn to a professional organizer service to start the project.

Reply
Judith Dold link
2/25/2022 11:08:21 am

I'm glad you found it helpful, Victoria. Many clients sought my help for exactly that reason: they weren't sure how to get started. Please feel free to reach out to me to see how I might be of service (either virtually or on-site) to help you on your basement decluttering project. Before you know it, you could be rejoicing over your wins and looking back on the journey with pride!

Reply
Professional Organizer link
12/19/2022 12:02:35 am

A trained professional organizer can help you create and maintain a clutter-free, well-organized home or office. They can provide valuable advice and strategies that will help save time and energy in the long run. Professional organizers are also sensitive to your personal needs and preferences. Their expertise will ensure that your space is designed in a way that works best for you.

Reply
Organizer Companies link
1/15/2023 05:09:09 pm

A trained professional organizer is a great resource to help you create space and order in your life. They can help you develop organizational skills, systems, and habits tailored to your needs and lifestyle. Professional organizers bring expertise to the process, offering advice on how to manage and maintain your newly organized environment. With their knowledge of products and resources, they can provide guidance on what works best for you.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author: Judith Dold

    Musings from yours truly about all things organizing.

    To receive articles hot off the press, along with other news, time limited announcements, etc., feel free to join my newsletter.

    Archives

    November 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021

    Categories

    All
    *How To Organize
    *Organizing Book Reviews
    *Productivity
    *Products
    *Roadblocks: Acquiring
    *Roadblocks: Delayed Decisions
    *Roadblocks: Hoarding Disorder & Chronic Disorganization
    *Roadblocks: Perfectionism
    *Roadblocks: Procrastination
    *Value Of A Trained Professional Organizer
    *Virtual Organizing

    RSS Feed

(415) 373-4009
www.twilightorganizing.com/contact.html
​© Twilight Organizing 2016​
ICD

NAPO
  • Home
  • FEELING STUCK?
  • What to Expect
  • About Judith
  • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Additional Resources
  • Media and Presentations
  • Newsletter
  • Blog