Send in the Organizing Cavalry

One of our biggest battle as professional organizers is not stacks of papers, piles of toys, jammed closets with clothing, wall of boxes in the basement or linen closets tumbling with sheets. That's just stuff.

Husbands.
[disclaimer: True, there are many great, wonderful, supportive, loving, dudes out there]
You are embarrassed and frustrated with your home and know that help is out there. And you need and want it. At a moment, you take a giant step to contact a professional organizer.

After chatting with your professional organizer, you have a sense that the Cavalry is on its way.

Hope and relief that soon your home will feel special.

[enter your husband] He says, "No, to the project."

- If it is a money issue, completely understandable. You definitely should not overextend yourself when it comes to cash. Use the internet to find free tips.

- If it is a control issue, that is something for you to seek help.
(Been there, done that myself. Be strong)

- Perhaps your husband is embarrassed himself for the appearance of your home. Find a quiet moment to talk together about how you will both feel better with completing your organizing project.

Professional organizers are not judgemental. Our purpose is to help you love your home. We will take the time to discuss each of your goals and expectations. Getting your husband to understand the project may be all that is needed to get the supportive green light.

If all else fails, ask for an organizing project for your next holiday gift, birthday present or other special occasion. Most professional organizers offer gift certificates.

When there is a will, there is a way. And when your husband sees how great your home can be, perhaps he'll want to get his stuff organized, too!

What battle are you winning?

Get Organized and Breathe Again

Maggie wanted to get organize to regain her own space again in her home which she had seem to lose to her children and grandchildren.

As I walked through Maggie's home, we entered her bedroom. She became visibly upset. This is where we needed to start. She was upset, nervous and felt overwhelmed.  Though as we continued to chat about a plan to get her bedroom organized, she had thanked me and told me she felt like there was hope ... and she began to feel better!

This is how Maggie's bedroom looked when we started.
We sorted out her dresser drawers and cleared the piles.

In the end, we had a large bag for the trash and several bags and boxes for donation.

"I can Breathe!"

We were also able to get Maggie's closet cleaned up in our 4 hours of time together, too.
Clients like Maggie remind me why I love my job.

Helping people feel better about their home is fantastic!


What client has reminded you why you do what you do?

Everyone Loves Big Red Bows

Big red bows are the best. Period.

If you want to set the stage for happiness,
it might be as simple as a big red bow.

As a professional organizer, my goal is to help you love your space again. Whether it is organizing your home, office, garage, basement or junk drawer, my hope is for you to feel better about yourself because you deserve it!

Starting today ... daah da da dah ...

Organized Solutions can arrive at your home with a big red bow on the car. People have purchased gift certificates for friends, family & loved ones and I just haven't felt like we have done anything special to acknowledge or signify this gift.

But hey, I'll bust out the red bow for any occasion that you might feel the need. Heck, just even holding the big red bow makes you feel all tingly inside.

What little thing makes you feel special?

Organizing Chaos ... Oh, Yeah Baby!!

"Clouds are not spheres, mountains are not cones, coastlines are not circles, and bark is not smooth, nor does lightning travel in a straight line ... Nature exhibits not simply a higher degree but an altogether different level of complexity". Benoit Mandelbrot

The Mandelbrot Set is infinitely complex though generated from a simple equation involving complex numbers.
(OK, how many are completely lost? Please bear with this Rocket Scientist)

Fractal geometry = rough, fragmented, complex geometric shapes
Complex numbers = meet me at Panera's and I'll explain
Simple equation = Z = Z^2 + C (This explanation may require beers)

ANYWAY....What does this have to do with getting organized?!?

If you look around you there may appear to be chaos, where likely there is order. When working with clients, I notice that usually they know where things are. They have a system or method to their madness. It is when control is lost, their feelings begin to turn negative toward themselves, then I am asked to step in and help.

Chaos exists in Nature and Math, which gives us clouds, lighting bolts and really cool images. These are all beautiful results from chaos.
Chaos is good. Really GOOD!

Without chaos, life would be boring.

Look around you at the chaos in your life. Is there order to it?
Appreciate the beauty of chaos and have fun.
If you are struggling, then get a grip, take charge
and bring in some order.

Give us an example of good chaos.

Fall Organizing Projects

Summer is coming to an end,
Fall is fast approaching.

Here are 6 projects you can think about:

1) Wash the windows. You want to be sure you're able to enjoy the colors of fall. So, grab a squeegee and window cleaner (bucket of water with vinegar). If you get really crazy, rinse off your screens with your hose. (Please remove the screens from the windows first)

2) Hose 'em down. Lawn mowers, plastic garbage containers, bikes and other items stored in the garage tend to get very dusty. While everything is out in the driveway, take the opportunity to sweep out your garage.

3) Have a closet session. Plan to go through your wardrobe from last fall and winter to see what you want to keep, and what you want to donate. Take your donations to a local charity. Once this is done, you'll be able to determine if there's anything new you need to buy to make my fall wardrobe complete. (yeah, shopping)

4) Old toys. My boys and I will go through their toys and have them put the ones they no longer play with in a large box. We'll then drive together to a charity drop-off to make our donation. Finally, we'll make one last stop at a toy store to pick up one new toy for them for being so kind and giving. (Hey, you just went shopping for new clothes. Kids deserve a little reward, too)

5) Skip the grocery store. Plan to skip going to the supermarket for one week (just pick up milk at the convenience store) and use up any food you already have in the house. You will be surprised how many meals you could scrape together from your refrigerator, freezer, cabinets and pantry. Before shopping the following week, give all of those food storage areas a good cleaning--it will be quick because most of the food will have been eaten!

6) Prune the perennials/Plant bulbs/Trim trees. You usually wait until late fall to do landscape pruning. Go out on a nice, sunny day and get it all done in an afternoon. Afterwards, go back inside and reward yourself. (OK, you've gone shopping, frig and pantry are bare, guess your reward may be a long soak in your bath surrounded by candles)

What is your Fall Project?
More important ... What is your reward for completing it?