The holidays are over and most of us are wondering, “how did we get so much stuff and where are we going to put it?!” Well, we have good news…a professional organizer consultation giveaway!
Research* shows over and again that the more children are surrounded by clutter the more cluttered their mind is, making it hard for them to settle in to play and learn deeply. The same applies to us as adults. You’ve probably noticed how hard it is to sit down and work when there’s piles of laundry, stacks of dirty dishes and toys scattered throughout the house. I first delved into this research about 3 years ago when I was introduced to the book Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne. I truly embraced it, and come back to these principles over and again…because life is an ebb and flow of learning during which we move toward our goals, away from them, and again closer. And frankly I’m not always up for the task of putting things away no matter how much easier my life feels when I keep it simple and clutter-free.
Everyone needs help sometimes, right?
We’re not all gifted at creating play spaces like these beauties .
In comes the Professional Organizer. I never really knew much about professional organizers. I thought it was something for the rich, but I was wrong. I heard someone make this analogy once: we could change the oil in our own cars too, but I don’t know a lot of people who do.
Oh. Right!
So, here’s what the National Association of Professional Organizers says about the profession:
Professional organizers use tested principles and expertise to design custom organizing systems and teach organizing skills in order to help individuals and businesses take control of their surroundings, their time, their paper piles, and their lives.
Seriously, what family isn’t tired of looking for their keys and feeling trapped and anxious by all the clutter? As parents, we work hard both in our homes and at work – we value our time and we want to get the most out of our space. Sometimes we simply need an expert to help us accomplish these goals.
I highly value experts of all kinds. A professional organizer has experience, they know what questions to ask and how to help us get a clear picture of what we want and need. They can teach us basic organizing skills. They can visualize the end goal. And they can help categorize, plan, and create manageable tasks for us as their clients.
So, how can a FREE consultation help YOU?
Let me introduce you to Robyn Brandman of The Professional Organizer, who’s (obviously) a professional organizer here in Atlanta, GA:
Amy: Robyn, tell us about the work you do
Robyn: I help busy families who have trouble managing their household clutter. I work side by side with my clients to understand their needs and to develop a system that fits their personality and lifestyle.
Amy: Tell us about the FREE consultation you’re offering to one of our community members. How will you consult with someone who lives, for example, in Australia?
Robyn: Well, first we would have to navigate the time difference! Initially, we would have a Skype or phone consultation to discuss the problem area and to help me get a better sense of the client’s lifestyle. Then, depending on the project, we would create a plan.
Amy: How long is the consultation and what does it include?
Robyn: The consultation will be two hours. Normally it only takes about 30 minutes to go over the issues. Then we will create a plan. For a more finite organization, like a junk drawers, a pantry or a closet, we can use the rest of the time to work together over Skype. For a broader project, like a play room, I will map out steps for the client to follow to create a more efficient space.
Amy: Anything else?
Robyn: I think it’s important for clients to remember that it doesn’t need to look like a Container Store catalog. It just needs to be efficient for their individual lifestyle. Everyone is different, and what works for one person doesn’t work for another. The overall goal is to reduce the stress of clutter and create more quality time in our lives.
You know that feeling of clarity and calm you feel when you’re surrounded by uncluttered space – maybe in a hotel room or spa? What might living in that spacious, inviting, peaceful feeling do for our relationships with our children? What might it be like to feel relaxed as we step in to meet the needs of our children? Personally, I find it appealing and empowering. And that is why I am SO looking forward to this giveaway!
How to Enter
“A simple life is not seeing how little we can get by with—that’s poverty—but how efficiently we can put first things first. . . . When you’re clear about your purpose and your priorities, you can painlessly discard whatever does not support these, whether it’s clutter in your cabinets or commitments on your calendar. ”
― Victoria Moran, Lit From Within: Tending Your Soul For Lifelong Beauty
Resources
Books
Simplicity Parenting , by Kim John Payne
Lit From Within: Tending Your Soul For Lifelong Beauty, by Victoria Moran
Articles on Clutter
How Clutter Effects Your Life & What To Do About It
Too Many Toys Can Have A Negative Effect On Children
Why Fewer Toys Will Benefit Your Kids
Goodness. I wouldn’t even know where to start. I guess I would want to start with basic paperwork organization, and perhaps household… Sadly, I am highly organized by nature, but my mind has become so cluttered since motherhood, I just have trouble holding it all together…
Oh my gosh, I need this so much! My husband and I have the best of intentions with regard to our clutter, but it still piles up everywhere – discarded clothes draped over chairs and couches, laundry in various states of foldedness everywhere, and stacks of mail in a couple different rooms. We need help!