FAQs
- How did you get started doing this type of work?
I've struggled with clutter myself and spent over 15 years absorbing media about organizing and maintaining clutter-free spaces. While working on my Bachelor's of Science in Psychology in 2012 I met my first hoarding household, and got to learn how they built up to that level of disorder. This family's openness to their past hardships and loss was pivotal to my understanding of disorder and shaped many of my approaches today. Because we were neighbors and I didn't judge their character based on their home, we fostered the trust necessary for them to accept my help when I offered to clean and organize their kitchen and dining areas free of charge. Financial difficulties restricted them from obtaining assistance previously, and their only alternative was calling a junk removal company that would have tossed away items indiscriminately. Their sincere appreciation for helping them regain control of their home was my spark to pursue organizing professionally.
- What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?
Make sure to speak with any prospective organizers about what you envision and what organizing style works for you. As someone who's seen and attempted the endless minimalist design and container-focused systems, it's not always sustainable if that isn't what is best for your space. Additionally, make sure you connect with whoever you choose. It's a vulnerable feeling to let a stranger into your spaces and see the clutter, and if you don't feel heard or comfortable with the professional organizer then it might not be a great fit.