A Professional Organiser is always organised with an immaculate home and office.
Click Yes to Agree or No to disagree.
Nothing happened did it. That’s because the answer is both.
Everyone has issues at some point with clutter, including Professional Organisers. This article is not answering any questions on ‘how to get organised’ it’s about looking for the underlying reason to understand how the clutter occurred. When the cause is understood then a solid, long lasting solution can then be put into place to assist in preventing the situation from re-occurring.
My own clutter horror story was my garden shed. It holds my gardening and home DIY tools, however it wasn’t organised and it was not functional as things had been tossed in, pushed aside, the first picture tells it all.
Now you may be inclined to immediately cast a harsh judgement however I invite you to be just a little bit curious and to consider how and why it got this way?
As a Professional Organiser I am curious and to really assist my clients, I go beyond what I see and find out what the real sticking point is. If I don’t look for the underlying cause then the clutter and chaos will return and nothing will be resolved. The same applied to my own situation.
For me the story is very simple. It was a tidy and organised space until one morning, when I opened the door and walked straight into a spider web! Face covered in sticky goo, frantically thrashing about I ran screaming from the scene. From then on anytime I needed anything from the shed, I would check the entry, quickly grab what I needed and when finished, throw it back inside.
So before a big clear out could begin, my fear of lurking spiders needed to be addressed. A pest control bomb was the answer. This meant that I could be fairly certain of not encountering any more 8 legged fiends as I completed the de-cluttering, sorting and organising process.
To ensure a continued pest free environment, an outdoor surface spray was also applied and a portable solar light installed so I can always see what I am walking into. The end result is a tidy functional space and peace of mind knowing that my integrity has been restored.
There are many different catalysts just like the spider that can upset the normal balance resulting in things getting out of hand. Whether it is a new baby, a family trauma, recent illness, busy work schedule, moving homes or jobs, a Professional Organiser can help you to break free of the overwhelm and get your stuff and your life back in order.
Hi Sue, I am looking for someone to help my 73 year old mother. She hoards things, anything and everything and cannot throw things out. She has been doing this for many years. 2 years ago she moved house, and has slowly filled her new place up with, essentially junk from op shops. I’m not even sure she’d be willing to work with someone to sort out her stuff. I’m fairly certain she fills her house to fill a ‘hole’ in herself that will never be filled. However I’m worried that the stuff is becoming a hazard around her stove top and bedroom.
I’m interested to hear your thoughts and any similar experience you’ve had before.
Hi Tracy
Thank you for contacting me about your mother’s situation.
Having a conversation with your Mum may seem daunting, and maybe you have tried in the past and it’s ended in an argument, however I do have some tips for you about starting a conversation.
1. Come from a place of non-judgement, your Mum is an adult and free to make her own choices. Instead get curious about how your Mum views her living situation.
2. State your concerns for her safety and mental wellbeing. Fire hazards are a big concern in cluttered environments.
3. Let her know that help is available. Your Mum’s local doctor can complete a mental health check up to assess if a referral to a psychologist is required. If a referral is required then up to 10 sessions can be partly funded by Medicare.
Most importantly try not to focus on ‘cleaning things up’ or ‘throwing things out’ as you will likely be met with resistance and not get you very far. You also need to be realistic that the house may not become clutter free, the aim is to at the very least make the house safe.
I would be happy to talk with you further about ways that you can start a conversation with your Mum about making her home safe. Please give me a call on 0409 183 190.
Kind Regards
Sue Ryan CPO-CD®
Certified Professional Organiser in Chronic Disorganization