When To Hire A Professional Organizer
If any of the following describes you, you may need
the help of a
Professional Organizer.*
Every horizontal surface in your home or office is an invitation
to create piles.
You avoid certain areas of your home because the clutter has
taken over.
You avoid inviting people into your home or office because of
the
clutter.
When faced with a disorganized space, it's so overwhelming you don’t even know where to begin.
You’re not sure if your organizing goals and plans are realistic for you and your family and the space you live in.
You spend too much time looking for the things you need.
You're tired of not being able to find what you need
when you
need it.
You find yourself purchasing items you know you already have,
but
can't locate when you need them.
You pay late fees because you misplace or lose your bills.
You have a closet full of clothes, but nothing to wear.
You're surrounded by things you no longer use or love.
Your wallet, handbag, briefcase or planner are crammed with
old to-do lists,
receipts, laundry tickets, ATM slips and phone
numbers with no names.
You have difficulty making decisions or prioritizing.
You often miss important appointments, deadlines or events
or
"double-book" yourself or family members.
Your file cabinets, computer or desk drawers are filled with
information you no longer use.
You're exhausted just thinking about organizing all of your
family
photos into albums.
Your bank statements and bills are mixed in with take-out menus,
catalogs, magazines, party invitations, newspaper clippings and
junk mail.
You feel like you could be a better parent, spouse, friend, teacher, employee or employer if you were better organized.
You frequently file for an extension on your taxes because you
can't track down all the necessary statements, forms and receipts.
You pay a monthly fee for a storage unit filled with stuff you could
live without.
Your "guest room" looks and feels more like a storage space
than
a bedroom.
You still have things in boxes from the last time you moved.
You can't do something you'd really like to do because you just
don't have the time.
You're ready to put your home on the market and need to organize
and declutter so it shows at its best and sells for top dollar.
You're planning a renovation/remodel and need help getting
organized before construction begins and again once it's over.
You're planning a seasonal or permanent move and have no idea
where to start packing.
The movers have brought in the last box, but the thought of
unpacking and setting up your new space is overwhelming.
You’re facing an ultimatum from a boss, a landlord, a roommate or a spouse telling you that you need to clean up your mess by a certain date or else.
You want to learn more about your organizing style and the systems that are the best match for you.
You have a specific diagnosis - depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a shopping addiction, attention deficit disorder (ADD), chronic disorganization - that makes it hard to stay organized.
You’re going through a major life transition - relocation, marriage,
new
baby, starting school, graduating from school, job change, career change, business
growth spurt, retirement, downsizing, illness or death of a loved one, divorce - and the
changes are causing a breakdown in your organizational systems.
You need ongoing support to help you stay organized.
Your disorganization is costing you time or money.
*Partially adapted from the National Association of Professional Organizers' New York Chapter website.