On a daily basis I bet you say more than once “I’ll do that later.” It’s so easy to push something off to another day. But what’s wrong with now? I mean, I know there are times when it isn’t a good idea to start a big project. Maybe you have an appointment in less than an hour, or maybe you don’t feel well. Perhaps you need someone to help you. These are all legitimate reasons to save something for later. But think about how often you push something off to later because you simply don’t want to deal with it. In other words, you procrastinate.

I completely understand. I procrastinate all the time. I have even identified why I do. When something is difficult or out of my comfort zone, without fail, I’ll push it off. So it doesn’t surprise me when a client calls on me to help them get their butt in gear. They have identified that organizing is something that is out of their comfort zone. So they want help getting it done. And, as it turns out, when it comes to organizing, I am all about doing it NOW.

Ironically, their tends to be some slight hesitation when I suggest that we tackle a project NOW. My clients want to talk it out, tell me their stories, grab a glass of water, show me what they have accomplished since we last met and so on. But it’s inevitable, once we get started, with-in minutes, their running the show. Their totally into it and can’t be stopped. It’s awesome!

So, I ask again, what’s wrong with now? The answer is.... nothing. You just need a little push.

Recently, I have been toying with podcasting. It’s been quite fun actually. I am officially on ITunes which is wild. I see this as an opportunity to teach organizing principles, tips and resources. I also see it as a great way to educate everyone on what it is that I do as Professional Organizer. So my podcasts aren’t just for those who want to be more organized, but they are great for anyone who wants to become an Organizer. I’ll be doing interviews with industry experts and authors. I even have an interview lined up with Peter Walsh!!!! The author of “Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat” and Professional Organizer on Clean Sweep on TLC. How cool is that?!!

Oh and if you have the time rate my podcast. I need your input. I have also put together a podcast survey so I can really find out who’s listening and what you want. If you fill out the survey by June 1st, you’ll get a copy of my e-book “80 Clutter-Free Gift Ideas” for FREE!

So get to it!

So, I stumbled upon this article about the Swiss and their obsession with time. I had no idea how strict they were. I mean I had heard their trains always run exactly on time. But reading this article made me realize how complicated things can become if time becomes all we think about! Now don’t get me wrong, I think some things are important to be on time for. I am extremely sensitive to meeting times and being on time to business events. But I am not so sensitive when it comes to personal time with friends or family. I kind of see my personal time as an opportunity to NOT think about time. I guess because I am so conscience of time during work hours, I need a break on the weekend. Read on and see for yourself. 

The more I am in this business, the more I know I belong here. You see, I come from a long line of alcoholics. Lucky me, right? Well, I also have a few members of my family that are in recovery and have been for several years. So I learned at a young age about how alcoholism is a family disease. Initially this made no sense to me. Back then I thought that meant it was hereditary. But that’s not what it means. It means everyone in the family contributes to the problem in some way or another. It’s not just the alcoholic that needs help, it’s the entire family that needs help.

I realized recently how I have been enabling my alcoholic father for years. It’s tough to come to that conclusion. To think that little, old, innocent me has contributed to such an awful disease. But it’s true. I have laughed with my father about his problem just to make light of the situation. I have even gone to the liquor store and bought him Jack Daniels.

So what does this have to do with clutter? Well, a lot actually. I get calls frequently from family members who are trying to get help for their loved ones. Don’t get me wrong, making this call is a very kind and thoughtful thing to do. The call comes out of love, I know. But the person who calls neglects to consider how they may be contributing to the problem. I recently had a consultation with a client who told me she gets hand-me-downs from friends and family all the time. She said her friends are always bringing her things that they think she would like. Then they wonder why her home is so full of stuff. I understand this well since I am an enabler myself. But it’s wrong. If you live in a home that is full of clutter and you are convinced it’s your children’s fault, your significant others fault or the maids fault, think again. Yes, you… that’s right, YOU are a part of the problem.

I know, it’s hard to hear and you may think I am totally crazy. I understand that too. I was in denial for many years. But to put it simply, if 4 people are living under the same roof, how can it be the fault of only one person? And perhaps you are at the point where you have given up. You have tried in the past to keep order in your home but it became too much work to maintain because no one else helped around the house. Would you consider it appropriate if a friend of an alcoholic began drinking because they couldn’t get the alcoholic to stop drinking? It is a lot easier than addressing the real problem isn’t it.... because the problem is you.

This weekend I was finally able to pay attention to my home. I moved into my new home in September and I still hadn’t hung pictures or displayed any of my decor. For me, interior design is a very difficult process. I really have to think things through before I hang them or place them around my home. I am also always changing things around.

I realized after decorating my living room how much better I felt when I was done. I think this was for many reasons. 1. I was taking care of unfinished business. It was so nice to complete a project that had been sitting around glaring at me and reminding me I had work to do. 2. The more I surround myself with the things I love, the better I feel. 3. I was focusing on me and my home. It feels good to have no interruptions and the energy to take care of my own needs. Now here is another thought… and this may sound really “philosophical.” I think because the items were sitting stagnant and unused, they lost their life and were sucking the life out of me. Once I put these things to use, they began to have purpose. Having a purpose created meaning. Which ends up making me feel good. 

A client of mine might argue that they ARE surrounding themselves with things they love. They simply love a lot of things. However, a majority of the items are unused and have no purpose. They may argue that they have too many projects to complete and their is no way they will ever get them done. So I ask this… “Is it important to you to create a lot of projects for yourself so you feel you have a purpose?

Do you see where I am going with this?

I come from a long line of alcoholics. I know first hand how the disease of alcohol can ruin a family. I have watched for years how an alcoholic always has a reason for their behavior. They drink because their childhood was terrible. They drink because their boss sucks. They drink because their marriage sucks. An alcoholic, at least the alcoholics I know, will never admit THEY are the problem. That they choose to pick up the glass full of beer and drink it. That they continue to hurt others and abuse substances because they are too afraid to admit they are powerless. For them it has nothing to do with what’s in their glass. It has everything to do with escaping reality.

The same holds true for an out of control pack rat. For them, their clutter piles up because their was a great sale at the mall. They have no time to clean because they have so many pressures. Their significant other is to blame because they always leave things lying around the house. Just like an alcoholic, they too have a difficult time admitting THEY are the problem. instead of looking at themselves, they look at the clutter as the problem. The clutter, just like a drink to an alcoholic, is used as a distraction.

This is, what I consider, dangerous ground. This is where we begin to live in an unrealistic world. We pretend the problem is not their and continuously put it aside because it’s easier than admitting we are the problem. It’s easier to pretend our lives are great and be miserable than it is to live truthfully and be content. It’s easier to toss more paper on top of the piles of paper on the floor. It’s easier to close the door to the guest room and pretend the clutter isn’t there. It’s easier to stuff items in closets before company comes. But don’t dare leave the clutter out for guests to see.

Is any of this sinking in yet?

The other day I went shopping. I needed new makeup because I was totally out… I was really desperate. Anyway, while I was getting gussied up by the sales associate we were having small talk. She asked me what I did for work. I told her that I am a Professional Organizer. She said “No way, I could totally be an Organizer! I have to make sure everything is just right, I am a neat freak!”

It isn’t uncommon for people to say this to me when I tell them what I do. But I feel the need to tell everyone there is so much more to what we do! We don’t just come in and pick up after you. The best way for me to put it is, we are just like a personal trainer. The personal trainer doesn’t do the work for you. They ask questions about your weight, your past, your habits. They put you on a plan and guide you through it. They listen to you as you struggle and offer their expertise. They don’t judge you ever! They act as a supportive hand and give you the push you need to maintain your goal. They may even get really personal with you and dig deep and find out what’s really causing the weight gain.

As a Professional Organizer, we do the exact same thing with your clutter. Although sometimes your weight and clutter are somewhat connected. (No I am not kidding, read “Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?") So if you are sitting around staring at your clutter thinking to yourself, “I will never get through this alone,” don’t! If you were having issues losing weight and knew you couldn’t tackle that alone, you would call a personal trainer right?  Organizers aren’t always control freaks and whack jobs that make you get rid of everything that means something to you. That’s all I’m sayin.