From Shattered to Skyrocketing

The day after an amazing 5 year old birthday party for my son, I walk into our home office bringing a cup of coffee to my husband. The birthday boy and younger brother are playing on a chair. I kiss my husband's forehead and ask him what's wrong, he seems in another world.


"I'm having an affair and want a divorce."

POW.
Blindsided in a way I would never wish on anyone. The joy of our son's birth to death of a relationship in less than a breath.

That moment has been gone from my mind for 7 years. Blocked I suppose. The events after were a whirlwind of anguish, torment and loss. My mom returned to whisk my boys away. I was in no state to care for anyone. For 2 weeks, I stared out into our backyard incapable of nothing else. No eating or drinking, sleeping was minimal. Then I got into our car and drove, not knowing where I would end up.

I sat in a hotel room in Grand Rapids with a notepad and a huge supply of pills in front of me. I began to write my raw thoughts and continued for a ridiculous number of pages 10, 20 doesn't matter anymore. After, I looked at my collection of pills and threw them against the wall and just started laughing.

No way in Hell, was anyone going to raise my boys except me. Certainly not some "filthy wench looking for a free ride," as my mother-in-law had described her.

My transformation began, returning home strong and determined to regain myself. I remember being told, "You could have such an easy life if you just look the other way." Though how easy is life when you compromise yourself? What value do I teach my boys by allowing controlling abuse to continue?

Life creates events that happen for a reason.

My story is shared to bring hope to someone out there who is struggling. As painful as your events may be at this time, when you realize the benefits it all makes it worthwhile. Yeah, we have all been low at some point and it may pretty much suck right now.


"Downward spirals are opportunities to soar, "
Angie Weid
Where are you about to skyrocket?

Transforming a Woman One Breath at a Time

"I want you to help me breathe again."

Such a powerful statement from a "Carol" a hoarder who is ready to make some changes in her home.

Carol tells me she always had a lot of items and knick-knacks around her home. Though when her husband past away several years ago, her home spun out of control. She struggled to let anything go. Empty bottles and boxes piled up, papers began to stack on their own and clothing was everywhere. Carol no longer let anyone into her home.

I was the first in over 5 years.

Carol was extremely nervous about having someone, let alone a professional organizer, enter her home, though she was ready to make some changes. She cautiously showed me through each room, her bedroom and bathroom were off-limits for viewing. Beautiful little home, yeah there was a bit much inside, but as we walked through Carol began to relax a little. She was just thankful to have someone that could help her.

See, Carol was completely overwhelmed at what her home had become. She also understood doing this on her own would not work for her, because it hasn't in the past. As we sat and chatted a bit about how to break down this daunting project into small bits and bites, ways Carol could work on getting organized on her own and be successful.

When I returned 2 weeks later, AMAZING! Carol had her organizing homework assignments done, plus more items for me to remove for recycling. She was so excited to see me, proud of all she had accomplished.

You could see the confidence grow in Carol's eyes, she was sitting taller and smiling. Even got a bit of a chuckle out of her which was awesome!

Because you cannot laugh, if you can't breathe.

What area in your home is choking you?

Just SCREAM!!!!

When was the last time you screamed?

I'm talking:
-eyes closed
-fists clenched
-teeth exposed
-neck strained

Screaming is a great way to release a TON of energy from your mind and body.

You might think this is crazy, but I'm telling you it is awesome!

Close the windows, crank up the radio in your car and belt out the loudest noise you can conjure from your inner soul until your throat hurts.

... yeah baby!

How great do you feel now?

Would You Let a Professional Organizer Handle Your Husband's Tools?

Surprise organizing projects are exciting!

"Carol" asked me to get her husband's tools organized as a surprise for Father's Day. This was a project he has talked about doing for quite some time, alas finding the time to organize the area never seem to happen.

Every time Carol's husband went to start a home project, he had to climb over and dig through his supplies. It was frustrating because he was constantly wasting time looking for the tools he needed. And when his project was finished, he pretty much just set his tool wherever he could balance them without everything tumbling to the ground.

Now, touching a man's tools is nearly as dangerous as messing with a woman's closet, especially if they do not know. Carol gave me some guidance on what her husband would like, then pretty much let me loose to work some organizing magic.

Nearly everything was removed from the area and grouped into like groups; paints, power tools, cords, fasteners, tapes, etc. The shelving was slid together a bit to save floor space and EVERYTHING went back onto the shelves.

Seriously, there was a small grocery bag of scrap papers and broken items removed. That was it. Hey, I know better than tossing out a man's tool without asking. The results was pretty remarkable.

Carol was so excited with the results. Better yet, her husband was pleasantly shocked at his newly organized tool room. Hooray!!

What project would you love to be done for you?

Professional Organizers Are ...

Helping people get organized

is like giving someone with a broken leg

the ability to run.

I believe in you.

Get out there and enjoy the day!

Learn an Organizing Lesson From Toy Story 3

Toy Story 3 what a fabulous movie!

As a professional organizer, I'm thinking a few days later what a great lesson the movie was on how to giving your cherished belongings to another.

Now without going into any spoilers, there are some crazy, bad and hilarious events that happen to the toys throughout the movie. Mr. Potato Head, you stole the show!

In the movie, Andy is heading off to college and his mom has him sort his toys for the attic and donation. (ooh, as an organizer I was riveted). Andy's toys were placed into his toy box, not played with for years. Toy boxes are playtime deathtraps for toys. You need to know that once toys, or nearly any other item for that matter, is placed into the attic. It is likely never heard from again.

A better way to honor your items is to give them to another person to enjoy. Like in the Toy Story series, You have to think of the feelings of your items. You once enjoyed them with passion and gusto. You showed them off with pride and honor.

Time has past and your items have made their way into boxes stacked up in a hot, funky smelling attic covered in layers of dust, insulation and the random mouse dropping never to be touched for years. Is that any way to treat something you once loved?

Now, think about getting your wonderful items to someone who will love, touch and enjoy them. Yeah it may be a bit of a sting to let them go. Better to let them go and see daylight, than sit around gathering dust and funk in a dried out box.

Still not convinced of the benefit of letting go?

Here's a blog post, Honoring Your Memories, from 2.5 years ago about a woman with items stored in her attic and what happened when she let a box go to a stranger.Take the time to read it. Pretty cool story.

Your loved things brought you joy and happiness at one time.

Let them do the same for another.

What was your favorite toy as a child?

Give It to Mikey ... He Takes Everything

You have control of what comes and goes into your home.
Period.

There are no reasons, excuses or exceptions.



Some of you run into the "Mikey Problem."
Remember the Life cereal commercial from the 80's?
OK, if you're younger than 30 you may have now idea what I'm talking about. Here's the commercial:


So, the "Mikey Problem" is when your mom, sister or very best friend in the whole world constantly brings stuff to your home because:
- They knew you would love it
- The deal was just too good to pass up.
- They bought it for themselves and it doesn't work in their home, but it will be perfect in yours.
... Oh, we could go on with reasons.

The thing is, YOU do not want any of it.
You've got enough stuff already, more does not make your home happier. In fact, now you have a tinge of resentment because what the hell are you gonna do with it.

Don't be Mikey and taking anything that's placed infront of you.
You've got to be strong and stop the cycle. It is your home.
Take control.

When your mom shows up with a box of amazing garage sale items, be polite and kindly tell her you appreciate her thoughtfulness, but her bringing her treasures into your home doesn't make you feel happy. (Mom's want to make their kids happy, play on the guilt if you must. Totally legal)

If she is still insists you must have her treasures (that she does not want in her home), then kindly say thank you and immediately place the items in the trunk of your car to be taken to your favorite charity.

I guarantee if you do place unwanted items promptly in your car a couple times, your cycle of unwanted items will end.

You will no longer be Mikey, the person who takes everything.

Bigger bonus: You have gained control of your home.

What's the craziest treasure in your home YOU never purchased?