http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/index/ en sara@neat-organizing.com Copyright 2010 2010-02-05T14:44:00-05:00 http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/aes_hoarders_taxi_ad1/ http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/aes_hoarders_taxi_ad1/#When:14:44:00Z This is quite a clever ad that A&E developed to promote their highest rated show “Hoarders”. I have to believe it was inexpensive too.  2010-02-05T14:44:00-05:00 http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/before_and_after_photos/ http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/before_and_after_photos/#When:22:37:00Z For so long friends and family have been asking me to post before and after photos of my work. For years now I have been on the fence about it. I mean, I understand why others want to see these pictures. It’s fascinating to see the work accomplished. However, for the client, photos carry a whole different meaning. Which makes it difficult for my clients to give me their approval to post the pictures publicly. In addition, I have my own moral struggles with before and after shots. Photos only show what the photographer wants you to see. Anyone can clean out an area by moving clutter to one side of the room and only getting a shot of the clean space. Photos don’t show the time it took to get the space organized. Nor do they show the process involved. So for me, photos don’t express my capabilities or give anyone a true sense of how I work. However, I am sharing these before and after photos because they’re not typical shots. They’re different for a couple reasons. 1. You can watch “Hoarders” and see the reality of the work involved. You can see me working with the client, the amount of clutter there was and get a better sense for the process. The photos work in tandem with the show. 2. In the photos you can see small unfinished areas. Which, believe it or not, is the real deal. As much as I would love to say that every job I do ends with a beautiful, sparkling, clean and organized environment, I can’t. Because it isn’t true. I can tell you that in most cases when I am done with a job the space is more functional and as minimal as I can possibly get it.  So with that, I share these photos from my work on “Hoarders" on A&E. More to come. Hoarders 2010-02-01T22:37:00-05:00 http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/what_will_clutter_cost_you/ http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/what_will_clutter_cost_you/#When:03:44:00Z Geralin Thomas, a fellow “Hoarders” expert, posted a link on twitter about Insurance companies and hoarding. Apparently, insurance companies are changing how they write up their policies. Presently when an insurance company writes up a homeowners insurance policy they don’t come into the home. However, since hoarding has become such a hot topic these days, insurance companies are starting to see the potential for unsafe conditions. These unsafe conditions can increase insurance rates. It’s common for a home stuffed with clutter to be unsafe and even unfit to live in. It’s a fire hazard, health risk and puts many at risk of serious injuries and even death. So not only will hoarding cost emotional and physical suffering. It will also hurt you financially. Read the article to learn more.  2010-01-30T03:44:00-05:00 http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/what_is_the_opposite_of_hoarding/ http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/what_is_the_opposite_of_hoarding/#When:17:46:02Z I recently learned about the concept “opposite of hoarding” while reading posts from fellow NSGCD members on our Yahoo group. Professional Organizers are finding that some clients are the opposite of hoarders. Instead, they are extreme minimalists and have a VERY low tolerance for clutter. In some cases these individuals are related to hoarders in some way and fear too much stuff will overwhelm their lives. Their anxiety seems to provoke an opposite response to clutter. Deb Stanley, a well know Professional Organizer, mentioned in one of her posts, asceticism. I looked it up. Here is what I found: ”Asceticism… describes a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various sorts of worldly pleasures. This is to be understood not as an eschewal of the enjoyment of life but a recognition that spiritual and religious goals are impeded by such indulgence… anyone who practices a renunciation of worldly pursuits to achieve higher intellectual and spiritual goals.” (these quotes come from Wikipedia but explain Asceticism well) This is exactly what most Professional Organizers represent, in my opinion. My goal is to always do what I can to get my clients to see things in a different way and find peace in themselves. It’s amazing when a client’s mind opens up and they begin to grow just a little bit more. I say “always listen, be patient and support your clients because you never know when they may have a moment of clarity. When that moment of clarity occurs, change happens.” The irony is everyone I have ever worked with wants to achieve higher intellectual and spiritual goals. They may not be able to verbalize this or achieve it on their own. That’s where Life Coaches, Professional Organizers, and therapists come in. 2010-01-26T17:46:02-05:00 http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/there_is_no_such_thing_as_a_perfect_mess/ http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/there_is_no_such_thing_as_a_perfect_mess/#When:15:41:00Z This article presents quite a statement. Darren Garnick admits his defeat and apologizes for his inappropriate comments about Barry Iszak (Past President of the National Association of Professional Organizers). He states, “I profusely apologize for my past insensitivity to the National Association of Professional Organizers. There is no such thing as a “Perfect Mess.” Roughly three years ago David Freedman’s book “A Perfect Mess” was released. David mocked the Professional Organizing industry and the value of being organized. It appears Darren was a fan of David Freedman. It seems recently Darren needed to pack up his office because they were relocating. He was left to his own devices, sorting through trash, paper and stuff. Apparently having to relocate really triggered something for him. He felt the overwhelming, debilitating feeling our clients feel all the time. He claims he refuses to hire a professional organizer but admits being organized has it’s benefits. Check it out.  2010-01-19T15:41:00-05:00 http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/a_hoarders_plea_for_help/ http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/a_hoarders_plea_for_help/#When:19:07:00Z Since my appearance on “Hoarders" on A&E, I have been getting emails from viewers. They are hoarders who are desperate, overwhelmed and lost. I have to admit, some of these emails are heart wrenching and can be difficult to read. It leaves me feeling helpless. How can I possibly help someone who lives across the country that I have never met. Do I ignore these emails to avoid getting in too deep? Do I communicate with these individuals in the hopes I can help in some small way? It sort of hit me today… I don’t think I am getting these emails because the writer wants me to perform miracles. I think I am getting these emails because the simple act of writing is cathartic. And not only that, once they are done writing they can actually send it to a real person who gets it. Writing and sending these emails may validate them in some way. Most importantly it may give them relief knowing they have been heard. If I am right, I have a message for all hoarders… . I may not be able to respond to your emails right away or at all. But I am reading your emails and I get it. I understand your need to be understood. Hoarders 2010-01-18T19:07:00-05:00 http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/hoarders_linda_and_todd_episode/ http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/hoarders_linda_and_todd_episode/#When:19:18:00Z My second episode on Hoarders has aired. I can’t thank everyone enough for their kind words and support. It’s been such a learning experience being on the show and I hope to do many more. Check out this latest episode. If you enjoy the show as much as I do there are many ways you can stay up-to-date. If you are a part of the Twitterverse you can follow the show via @hoarderstv. You can always check out the website at www.aetv.com/hoarders. You can also read Geralin Thomas’ blog. She is another expert on the show. She has some great information to share. Oh and let’s not forget Facebook. Become a fan of Hoarders.  Hoarders 2010-01-13T19:18:00-05:00 http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/one_person_countless_posessions_32_million_viewers/ http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/one_person_countless_posessions_32_million_viewers/#When:02:27:01Z and you get a show called “Hoarders.” This NY Times article states the premier episode of “Mad Men” only got 2.8 million viewers. Now that’s impressive. My “Hoarders” debut was this past Monday. It was so emotional and intense. I was in Cleveland on my third shoot when I watched it. I was lucky to be with a few crew members from my debut episode. We ordered takeout but I could barely eat I was so anxious to watch. It was great to see all my friends comments on Facebook and to get text messages from my husband. He had a small premier party at my house. The only complaint I received was I didn’t get enough airtime. Well, tune in on January 11th for my second episode. Maybe you’ll see a bit more of me.  Hoarders 2010-01-02T02:27:01-05:00 http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/hoarders_on_ae/ http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/hoarders_on_ae/#When:23:57:00Z I am now one of the Professional Organizing experts on the new hit series “Hoarders" on A&E! Yes, it’s very exciting to be a part of something so big. The series is getting rave reviews and had 3.2 million viewers for the season premier. For those of you that may not know about the show it’s about individuals who hoard so much they are on the verge of a personal crisis. Their homes are so full of stuff they can’t possibly live a normal life and, as a result, their relationships, self worth, health etc. are all compromised. A professional organizer and therapist team up to help the hoarder clean their home and make an attempt at living a quality life. The clean up is completed in 2 days! Reading the millions of tweets during the show has been quite a shock. It helped me realize… so many people just don’t understand this mental disorder. Which makes this show that much more powerful. It highlights a mysterious disorder that has remained under the radar for so long. So stay tuned for updates as I work on the show. Oh and If you watch the show, feel free to send me your feedback, comments or insights. Wish me luck! Hoarders 2009-12-05T23:57:00-05:00 http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/can_you_spare_a_book/ http://www.neat-organizing.com/blog/index.php/site/can_you_spare_a_book/#When:01:34:00Z I recently learned of a new way to get rid of those precious books. BookCrossing.com. It’s simple. Take a book, you have already read or might never read, with you the next time you head out the door. Leave your book on a park bench, on the subway or bus, or leave it at a restaurant. That way someone else can enjoy it. They can do the same once they are done with it. Who knows… your book just might travel the world and see amazing things. It ain’t gonna see much sittin on your floor, shelf or stuffed in a box. Let it go… if it’s true love it’ll come back to you.  2009-11-14T01:34:00-05:00