Luxury or Necessity?

Hi, friend -I’m so glad you’re here.  I hope in this infant blog to share some of myself with y’all - as a home organizer, but also as a human.  First up is this question:

Hiring a Home Organizer: Luxury Service Or Necessity?

Think about that for just a minute. You may have come up with a quick answer.  

Team Luxury Service:

“If I can do it myself, it’s a luxury.” 

“Who would pay for someone to go through their stuff?”

“I can’t afford anything like that!”  

Team Necessity: 

“I’m drowning in chaos and can't figure out where to start. I need this.” 

“Anything that helps me move through life well is a necessity.”

“I get started, but get distracted, then make things worse than they were when I began.”

Depending on your abilities, your personality, and your current state, you could argue for one or the other. My opinion is YES, it can be both!

If you are a generally organized person who has kept up with their home, and you just want a refresh, or an aesthetic upgrade, then yes, hiring a professional is probably a luxury service. Not entirely necessary, but a welcome help. This is a great place to be! We love helping clients achieve their organization dreams, setting them up for success in their daily lives. 

However, most of my clients are not naturally organized. We make a difference for those who are overwhelmed, don’t know where to start, and need help making progress. You need help creating a home environment that provides a calm atmosphere, clear of the stress and anxiety a cluttered space causes. Honestly, this is the case for most of the people we work with. Overwhelmed. Discouraged. Hopeless. You’re not alone.

Did you know there is a direct correlation between a cluttered environment and anxiety and depression? One study says that 84% of all Americans are stressed about the (lack of) organization in their homes. With stress comes increased cortisol. Long-term increased cortisol creates physical issues. This is not what anyone wants! And it tends to be a hamster wheel of stress, shame, guilt and overwhelm.

What about the cost?

Yes, there is a financial investment, but it might not be as much as you’re fearing. We (and many other organizers) are eager to work with people on price points to get the functionality they need within their budget. Systems don’t have to involve a lot of expensive bins and baskets - they just have to work for your individual needs.

Not dealing with the clutter comes with an even greater cost. How much time do you spend looking for lost items? According to Gretchen Ruben, the average person spends 55 minutes a day looking for things. That’s almost an hour of wasted time.  Every day.  How often do you wind up buying something you knew you had, but can’t find it now? It adds up! I recently read a review on another organizer’s website that humorously stated that hiring a home organizer is less expensive than a therapist. (Disclaimer - being organized does not cure clinical anxiety and depression…it can take one area off your mind, but you need a therapist if it is more than an environmental issue.) The relatively small investment of money and time can provide the daily calm you need to function at your best.

If you’re still not convinced, here are some quotes from some clients:

“I wake up every morning  and I’m not disappointed with myself anymore.”

“I have my peace back.”

“I was actually proud of (my home), when friends visited.” 

“Debbi was able to accomplish in 2 short days what I could not do in the last 3 years!”

“…our house is running so much more efficiently…”

“In the end with an organized space, it feels as though my mind is clearer.  I have decreased anxiety and I can enjoy my garage again.”

Lastly, if you have a propensity toward ADHD, an experienced organizer can help set up systems unique to your needs that could be life-altering. Watching the change in my clients after beginning the organization process is so encouraging.  The anxiety level palpably decreases; they are encouraged; they learn how to organize and maintain their spaces; they feel more confident.

If you’re a self-starter, love organizing and just want some ideas, head over to my results page for some examples. The page is undergoing some work, but you’ll be able to glean some inspiration. [Progress…not perfection!] I’m also working on a page with links to products that I use and like, so look out for that in the future!

If, on the other hand, you need some help getting started, I’d love to schedule a consultation call to get you moving toward less chaos and more calm!  If you’re not in the Raleigh area, still fill out my form and we can help find someone to help!

Blog Post Title Two

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Three

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.

Blog Post Title Four

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Don’t worry about sounding professional. Sound like you. There are over 1.5 billion websites out there, but your story is what’s going to separate this one from the rest. If you read the words back and don’t hear your own voice in your head, that’s a good sign you still have more work to do.

Be clear, be confident and don’t overthink it. The beauty of your story is that it’s going to continue to evolve and your site can evolve with it. Your goal should be to make it feel right for right now. Later will take care of itself. It always does.