Clients are typically surprised at how much calmer and lighter they feel after reaching their organizing goals. They also remark on how motivated they feel to tackle their next life goal. Given the personal nature of this work, I am grateful to the following individuals for sharing their experiences:
Last year, I was a 70 year old with a desire to declutter our home, but had to admit to myself that I had no clue how to declutter it, even though I was in clutter studies and read several books on the subject. I felt almost hopeless about my clutter.
I found a list of organizers, read about each and contacted Judith. She arranged a call and it felt safe to talk with her. Judith was upfront about the financial aspect of her services. There was no judgement when she came to our home.
She presented logistics about decluttering and modelled the steps. I am glad I reached out to Judith and benefitted from her services. I learned that I can declutter my home.
Mary D., Foster City
I've had by far one of the most positive working relationships of my life (and I'm no spring chicken) with Judith Dold. She knows her field inside out. You can give her what to you are insoluble storage issues, and she will resolve them to your full satisfaction. Judith sees both sound goals and the ways to reach them. She is highly diligent and goes the extra mile. She is particularly informed about disposal of many items which can't just be tossed into the trash. Yet she is not simply an efficient machine; she is personable and empathetic. She always listens, and although she's full of good suggestions, she ultimately gives you what you, the client, want. Organizing is not my special cup of tea, but I came to look forward to her visits. I cannot recommend her too highly.
-D.G., San Francisco
I highly recommend Twilight Organizing. Judith assisted me last year in a major down-sizing project. I felt overwhelmed by the task and kept procrastinating so I knew I needed professional help. I was able to figure out the 40% that I wanted to keep and the other 60% was either gifted, donated to a variety of charities, some to recology bulky item pick-up and a relatively small amount to the dump. The majority of my "troublesome items" were books, papers and textiles. She understood my wanting as many items as possible to be reused, recycled and not enter the waste stream. She had helpful suggestions on resources to accomplish this. I had lived in the same place for decades and was able to move to a smaller place with less domestic responsibilities/belongings. Judith helped me stay focused and accountable by accompanying me through the process.
R.L., San Francisco
My goal in decluttering with Judith was to support my creativity and create more space for my artistic endeavors. Judith's approach was very supportive and did not feel invasive or overwhelming, as I had anticipated it might. She helped me learn the value of keeping things that have a special quality vs. keeping everything, which feels incredibly freeing and energizing. Judith helped me get through piles that have been around for decades and raised my confidence to prevent them from forming again - working with her was definitely worth the time and investment!
-B.W., Marin
I called Judith Dold after I saw her give a presentation on decluttering. She helped my organize my filing system. I was able to reduce 20 banker boxes of old files to two desk drawers. Not only that, I can access all of my essential files because of the system Judith helped me create. This really came in handy when I became the victim of an unexpected legal issue. I feel much more in control of my business and personal data. That is a huge relief and weight off my shoulders. Judith is truly gifted.
-E.C., East Bay
I spend lots of time in my office. I felt terrible about the mess whenever I was in the office. Also, I was very embarrassed about how it looked. When we had guests, I'd always keep the office door closed. Every year when income tax time came around, I had to search for things all over the office. I wasn't sure where last year’s stuff was, and I needed a model to follow for the current year. It was difficult starting over every year. If I had a decent system, I could see what I did last year and do the same this year.
After working with Judith, I'm feeling much better about my office. I no longer worry about the paperwork. I'm able to find things much easier now, even items I thought might be lost forever. I'm using the filing system pretty well now. There's much more workspace on the desk, so it's easier to do my work. My work habits have gotten much better. It worked out very well.
-RL, San Francisco
I am more than satisfied with the work I've done (and the work I will continue to do) with Judith. There are many reasons but the primary one was her ability to allow me to see and recreate what I was truly desiring from the inside out. She is an educator with no judgement (worth its weight in gold!) about anything I have done in the past or am currently doing in terms of organizing my belongings. I have been stuck around this issue for many, many years. Primarily, I appreciated truly discovering for myself, my ability to let go of things I thought I'd never let go of. The forward motion on the project has been the most valuable for me. Plus, she is always attending workshops and conferences in order to hone her craft and keep it fresh. She is truly a jewel.
-A.M., Marin
Working with Judith was productive and enjoyable. In just a couple of hours we managed to slim down my storage locker - in record time. I was able to downsize lockers saving myself at least $75-100 a month! The process was a lot less painful than I imagined. Judith just keep challenging me piece by piece on whether I really needed a given item. I can say today I do not miss 99% of what I gave up and the 1% has not been an issue either. I highly recommend Judith for your project to purge!
-Sue G., Atascadero
"Like many others San Francisco residents, I made the decision to retire out of state. I was methodically preparing, but due to a confluence of events with building renovations and COVID-19, I was forced to evacuate my home of five decades in a flurry. I was completely stressed out. . .
In anticipation of the move, I had previously hired Judith to help with downsizing. She happened to check in and heard that I was having to do the move remotely and was completely stressed about moving to a new part of the country after so much time in the Bay Area. She connected me with other individuals who were going through the same transition so that we could create an informal support network. . .
It occurred to me to hire her again to do the final organizational prep for the move while I was off-site. I’m very tech challenged and resistant, but the way Judith strategically modified and kept it so basic and simple made it all palatable. I was able to see what was going on in my apartment, even though I wasn’t there. . .
I was amazed at Judith’s skill, dedication, patience, and COMPASSION. My stress and anxiety has been soothed and diminished so much (and on so many levels) because of the amazing work she did for me. The way she related and talked to me along the way as well. I’m deeply grateful for Judith’s help in making my transition less stressful. Now I can truly say onward and upward!"
-Paula G., San Francisco
"I had an office full of papers and all sorts of supplies. I always kept them because I believed that one day I would need them. During the years my office became full of all sorts of documents and tiny things that I stopped using. Either I didn't know that I had them or it was so frustrating to see all those piles of papers that it was difficult to find what I was looking for. So, I left "to do" items for later or looked for a resource in more organized places such as the library or the internet. Or I bought new supplies or printed out new documents rather than looking if I already had them by any chance.
I used to take a day off every six months to clean my office. By that time, I wasn't even using the room as my office anymore. My office became my storage. It was really frustrating to see how much space the endless supplies took up. It was always at the back of my head that one day I would turn my room into my working space again, and that day never came until I met Judith.
Before I met Judith, I didn't really know that implementing and learning organizing skills would help me to turn my office into space where I could work again. And I was living like that for almost two decades, believing that taking the time every once in a while to throw away some things would stop this endless mess. But I really wanted to make my life easier, more optimized and move away from the unnecessary clutter. When Judith started to work with me I was able to break free from things I didn't need any more. And by sorting and organizing techniques that I learned, I have all the things that I need to keep in places where I can always find them.
After I finished the program with Judith I couldn't believe that I finally got the office that I always wanted, as the place where I want to work. I got to learn the new habit of organizing and now I use these habits in all the areas of my life. Working with a professional organizer helped me to optimize the quality of both my every day and my business way of life. I'm now able to use organizing skills on my own with kitchen utensils, computer files, and even my time. What I learned from Judith is definitely something that I'll be able to use for life for sure.
The most that I learned was how my brain was working which helped me to understand why I was doing things in the way that I did. Understanding that helped me to turn my habits into my advantage and now I know what to do when I'm not ready to let things go and how to maintain a healthy attitude towards things that I need and thing that I don't really need. Keeping things organized lets me to focus on the tasks that I truly love and enjoy."
Katja Vresk, Business owner and professional graphic designer
"Judith is exactly the kind of person you want on your team whether you are tackling a chaotic mountain of stuff or a desk full of paper. She is efficient, energetic and non-plussed by the inevitable challenges that arise. Her optimism is contagious; it repeatedly carried me forward into the days beyond our sessions. After fifteen years of trying to clear out my stuff, I am finally in the clear, owing in no small way to Judith’s assistance."
D.W.
“I hired Judith to help me purge over 50 years of accumulated belongings, from books to clothing, to professional materials, to memorabilia. As I was moving from a one bedroom apartment to a small three bedroom house with a roommate, I needed to downsize my belongings.
From the beginning of our project, Judith remained focused, professional and competent. She asked pertinent questions concerning what I wanted to discard, donate, or keep. Questions that I would not have though of myself. Her advice was always couched in non-threatening, nonjudgmental terms, so that I knew I could take her suggestions or not, and she would always listen objectively. One of the many things I liked about Judith was that she had so many resources at her fingertips – e.g., she knew off the top of her head which charities would pick up large items for donation, or where and when to advertise selling items on line – not only on eBay, but on four or five other websites. A true godsend for those of us who do not feel comfortable online.
Judith is always punctual, always giving excellent, respectful service. I would recommend Judith to anyone who needs to reorganize, review, reprioritize their belongings. Actually, just recently, I recommended Judith to a close friend of mine who will be working with her to purge his entire condo. He is looking forward to beginning this sometimes arduous process.
I have said many times that Judith has truly kept me sane, focused, and minimally stressed. I highly recommend Judith.”
D.Z.
San Bruno, CA
“While I was pregnant in 2014, I recruited Judith's services in helping me organize all the new things I had for the baby on the way. She did a superb job of helping me with not only the day to day things, which she sorted and categorized in very simple but practical ways, she also helped me sort through all my existing closets, prioritize and discard things I had no need for any longer. Due to her excellent demeanor she is very easy to work, she has impeccable style and is very empathetic by always making sure we were working together on the decisions. I strongly feel she has the personality to make you feel comfortable when using her services in your personal space, I highly recommend her and look forward working with her again in the future.”
A., SF
“Judith helped me realize the potential of my living space. And because of that, I can honestly say that my quality of life has improved immeasurably.
I had accumulated many years worth of belongings, memories from a past long-term relationship, and old habits around my home that I was ready to part with. Judith assisted me with this difficult transition, bringing enthusiasm, relentless energy and incredible focus to rejuvenate my living space, releasing it from the stale, somber energy that had been hanging around all the piles of "stuff" I had stored throughout the years. With the right level of "tough love", Judith guided me through difficult choices about what should stay and what should go, all the while remaining sensitive to any mental fatigue I experienced after hours of decision making.
What I had believed to be a seemingly insurmountable project soon quickly became more manageable as Judith helped me tackle room by room, breathing new life into each one. Getting rid of old stuff really helped lift my mind and spirit, creating more mental and physical space in my life -- a much needed clearing. Judith even helped me direct each outgoing box to a better home, donating it or recycling it as appropriate, which I felt great about. In addition to the physical transformation of my living space, Judith also taught me more efficient ways of organizing my kitchen, saving me time and energy every day for other things.
Without hesitation, I highly recommend Judith for your organizing needs. She is a top notch professional, has a genuine passion for her job and for helping people, is empathetic, and is a true pleasure to work with and be around. Thank you, Judith for everything you've done!”
J.L.
Are you ready for similarly wonderful results? Contact me to schedule a consultation.
Last year, I was a 70 year old with a desire to declutter our home, but had to admit to myself that I had no clue how to declutter it, even though I was in clutter studies and read several books on the subject. I felt almost hopeless about my clutter.
I found a list of organizers, read about each and contacted Judith. She arranged a call and it felt safe to talk with her. Judith was upfront about the financial aspect of her services. There was no judgement when she came to our home.
She presented logistics about decluttering and modelled the steps. I am glad I reached out to Judith and benefitted from her services. I learned that I can declutter my home.
Mary D., Foster City
I've had by far one of the most positive working relationships of my life (and I'm no spring chicken) with Judith Dold. She knows her field inside out. You can give her what to you are insoluble storage issues, and she will resolve them to your full satisfaction. Judith sees both sound goals and the ways to reach them. She is highly diligent and goes the extra mile. She is particularly informed about disposal of many items which can't just be tossed into the trash. Yet she is not simply an efficient machine; she is personable and empathetic. She always listens, and although she's full of good suggestions, she ultimately gives you what you, the client, want. Organizing is not my special cup of tea, but I came to look forward to her visits. I cannot recommend her too highly.
-D.G., San Francisco
I highly recommend Twilight Organizing. Judith assisted me last year in a major down-sizing project. I felt overwhelmed by the task and kept procrastinating so I knew I needed professional help. I was able to figure out the 40% that I wanted to keep and the other 60% was either gifted, donated to a variety of charities, some to recology bulky item pick-up and a relatively small amount to the dump. The majority of my "troublesome items" were books, papers and textiles. She understood my wanting as many items as possible to be reused, recycled and not enter the waste stream. She had helpful suggestions on resources to accomplish this. I had lived in the same place for decades and was able to move to a smaller place with less domestic responsibilities/belongings. Judith helped me stay focused and accountable by accompanying me through the process.
R.L., San Francisco
My goal in decluttering with Judith was to support my creativity and create more space for my artistic endeavors. Judith's approach was very supportive and did not feel invasive or overwhelming, as I had anticipated it might. She helped me learn the value of keeping things that have a special quality vs. keeping everything, which feels incredibly freeing and energizing. Judith helped me get through piles that have been around for decades and raised my confidence to prevent them from forming again - working with her was definitely worth the time and investment!
-B.W., Marin
I called Judith Dold after I saw her give a presentation on decluttering. She helped my organize my filing system. I was able to reduce 20 banker boxes of old files to two desk drawers. Not only that, I can access all of my essential files because of the system Judith helped me create. This really came in handy when I became the victim of an unexpected legal issue. I feel much more in control of my business and personal data. That is a huge relief and weight off my shoulders. Judith is truly gifted.
-E.C., East Bay
I spend lots of time in my office. I felt terrible about the mess whenever I was in the office. Also, I was very embarrassed about how it looked. When we had guests, I'd always keep the office door closed. Every year when income tax time came around, I had to search for things all over the office. I wasn't sure where last year’s stuff was, and I needed a model to follow for the current year. It was difficult starting over every year. If I had a decent system, I could see what I did last year and do the same this year.
After working with Judith, I'm feeling much better about my office. I no longer worry about the paperwork. I'm able to find things much easier now, even items I thought might be lost forever. I'm using the filing system pretty well now. There's much more workspace on the desk, so it's easier to do my work. My work habits have gotten much better. It worked out very well.
-RL, San Francisco
I am more than satisfied with the work I've done (and the work I will continue to do) with Judith. There are many reasons but the primary one was her ability to allow me to see and recreate what I was truly desiring from the inside out. She is an educator with no judgement (worth its weight in gold!) about anything I have done in the past or am currently doing in terms of organizing my belongings. I have been stuck around this issue for many, many years. Primarily, I appreciated truly discovering for myself, my ability to let go of things I thought I'd never let go of. The forward motion on the project has been the most valuable for me. Plus, she is always attending workshops and conferences in order to hone her craft and keep it fresh. She is truly a jewel.
-A.M., Marin
Working with Judith was productive and enjoyable. In just a couple of hours we managed to slim down my storage locker - in record time. I was able to downsize lockers saving myself at least $75-100 a month! The process was a lot less painful than I imagined. Judith just keep challenging me piece by piece on whether I really needed a given item. I can say today I do not miss 99% of what I gave up and the 1% has not been an issue either. I highly recommend Judith for your project to purge!
-Sue G., Atascadero
"Like many others San Francisco residents, I made the decision to retire out of state. I was methodically preparing, but due to a confluence of events with building renovations and COVID-19, I was forced to evacuate my home of five decades in a flurry. I was completely stressed out. . .
In anticipation of the move, I had previously hired Judith to help with downsizing. She happened to check in and heard that I was having to do the move remotely and was completely stressed about moving to a new part of the country after so much time in the Bay Area. She connected me with other individuals who were going through the same transition so that we could create an informal support network. . .
It occurred to me to hire her again to do the final organizational prep for the move while I was off-site. I’m very tech challenged and resistant, but the way Judith strategically modified and kept it so basic and simple made it all palatable. I was able to see what was going on in my apartment, even though I wasn’t there. . .
I was amazed at Judith’s skill, dedication, patience, and COMPASSION. My stress and anxiety has been soothed and diminished so much (and on so many levels) because of the amazing work she did for me. The way she related and talked to me along the way as well. I’m deeply grateful for Judith’s help in making my transition less stressful. Now I can truly say onward and upward!"
-Paula G., San Francisco
"I had an office full of papers and all sorts of supplies. I always kept them because I believed that one day I would need them. During the years my office became full of all sorts of documents and tiny things that I stopped using. Either I didn't know that I had them or it was so frustrating to see all those piles of papers that it was difficult to find what I was looking for. So, I left "to do" items for later or looked for a resource in more organized places such as the library or the internet. Or I bought new supplies or printed out new documents rather than looking if I already had them by any chance.
I used to take a day off every six months to clean my office. By that time, I wasn't even using the room as my office anymore. My office became my storage. It was really frustrating to see how much space the endless supplies took up. It was always at the back of my head that one day I would turn my room into my working space again, and that day never came until I met Judith.
Before I met Judith, I didn't really know that implementing and learning organizing skills would help me to turn my office into space where I could work again. And I was living like that for almost two decades, believing that taking the time every once in a while to throw away some things would stop this endless mess. But I really wanted to make my life easier, more optimized and move away from the unnecessary clutter. When Judith started to work with me I was able to break free from things I didn't need any more. And by sorting and organizing techniques that I learned, I have all the things that I need to keep in places where I can always find them.
After I finished the program with Judith I couldn't believe that I finally got the office that I always wanted, as the place where I want to work. I got to learn the new habit of organizing and now I use these habits in all the areas of my life. Working with a professional organizer helped me to optimize the quality of both my every day and my business way of life. I'm now able to use organizing skills on my own with kitchen utensils, computer files, and even my time. What I learned from Judith is definitely something that I'll be able to use for life for sure.
The most that I learned was how my brain was working which helped me to understand why I was doing things in the way that I did. Understanding that helped me to turn my habits into my advantage and now I know what to do when I'm not ready to let things go and how to maintain a healthy attitude towards things that I need and thing that I don't really need. Keeping things organized lets me to focus on the tasks that I truly love and enjoy."
Katja Vresk, Business owner and professional graphic designer
"Judith is exactly the kind of person you want on your team whether you are tackling a chaotic mountain of stuff or a desk full of paper. She is efficient, energetic and non-plussed by the inevitable challenges that arise. Her optimism is contagious; it repeatedly carried me forward into the days beyond our sessions. After fifteen years of trying to clear out my stuff, I am finally in the clear, owing in no small way to Judith’s assistance."
D.W.
“I hired Judith to help me purge over 50 years of accumulated belongings, from books to clothing, to professional materials, to memorabilia. As I was moving from a one bedroom apartment to a small three bedroom house with a roommate, I needed to downsize my belongings.
From the beginning of our project, Judith remained focused, professional and competent. She asked pertinent questions concerning what I wanted to discard, donate, or keep. Questions that I would not have though of myself. Her advice was always couched in non-threatening, nonjudgmental terms, so that I knew I could take her suggestions or not, and she would always listen objectively. One of the many things I liked about Judith was that she had so many resources at her fingertips – e.g., she knew off the top of her head which charities would pick up large items for donation, or where and when to advertise selling items on line – not only on eBay, but on four or five other websites. A true godsend for those of us who do not feel comfortable online.
Judith is always punctual, always giving excellent, respectful service. I would recommend Judith to anyone who needs to reorganize, review, reprioritize their belongings. Actually, just recently, I recommended Judith to a close friend of mine who will be working with her to purge his entire condo. He is looking forward to beginning this sometimes arduous process.
I have said many times that Judith has truly kept me sane, focused, and minimally stressed. I highly recommend Judith.”
D.Z.
San Bruno, CA
“While I was pregnant in 2014, I recruited Judith's services in helping me organize all the new things I had for the baby on the way. She did a superb job of helping me with not only the day to day things, which she sorted and categorized in very simple but practical ways, she also helped me sort through all my existing closets, prioritize and discard things I had no need for any longer. Due to her excellent demeanor she is very easy to work, she has impeccable style and is very empathetic by always making sure we were working together on the decisions. I strongly feel she has the personality to make you feel comfortable when using her services in your personal space, I highly recommend her and look forward working with her again in the future.”
A., SF
“Judith helped me realize the potential of my living space. And because of that, I can honestly say that my quality of life has improved immeasurably.
I had accumulated many years worth of belongings, memories from a past long-term relationship, and old habits around my home that I was ready to part with. Judith assisted me with this difficult transition, bringing enthusiasm, relentless energy and incredible focus to rejuvenate my living space, releasing it from the stale, somber energy that had been hanging around all the piles of "stuff" I had stored throughout the years. With the right level of "tough love", Judith guided me through difficult choices about what should stay and what should go, all the while remaining sensitive to any mental fatigue I experienced after hours of decision making.
What I had believed to be a seemingly insurmountable project soon quickly became more manageable as Judith helped me tackle room by room, breathing new life into each one. Getting rid of old stuff really helped lift my mind and spirit, creating more mental and physical space in my life -- a much needed clearing. Judith even helped me direct each outgoing box to a better home, donating it or recycling it as appropriate, which I felt great about. In addition to the physical transformation of my living space, Judith also taught me more efficient ways of organizing my kitchen, saving me time and energy every day for other things.
Without hesitation, I highly recommend Judith for your organizing needs. She is a top notch professional, has a genuine passion for her job and for helping people, is empathetic, and is a true pleasure to work with and be around. Thank you, Judith for everything you've done!”
J.L.
Are you ready for similarly wonderful results? Contact me to schedule a consultation.
