Original Image Credit: Ednaar
When you become a professional organizer, something happens to you.
Many times, I feel like I channel the kid from The Sixth Sense. I see disorganized people.
I can’t help myself since organizing is my thing. Everywhere I go, I see things, processes and people who could use some tweaking. I know it’s my issue, but I’m not alone. Just talk to anyone who specializes in something. My friend who is a dentist can tell you who has dentures and who sucked their thumb as a kid. My dad who is a carpenter can spot weird building problems a mile away.
Professional organizers are like vampires. We have to be invited in.
During visits to friends’ homes, I know it’s not good to give in to my dash of OCD and organize stuff. That’s a quick way to become annoying and “that friend” people stop inviting over. I just have to be annoying in other ways.
Recently, I was thrilled when a friend asked if I would come over so we could go room-by-room and make a list of everything she can do to organize her space.
But, you don’t have to invite organizers – or vampires for that matter – into your space to make a change.
Have a buddy. It’s hard for us to see our own space since we’re in it every day. Grab a friend and ask them to go room-by-room with you so you can see your space with new eyes.
Make a list. As you go through each room, make a list of the organizing, decorating, or DIY projects you want to accomplish in each room. This gives you a master list. While you’re at it, take measurements to add them to your list. Because I am renovating my house, I went through my house and measured everything – windows, doors, rooms, bathroom vanities, etc. and put that list in Dropbox (referral link) so I can access it whenever I need it.
Love it or leave it. If you love it, keep it. If you don’t love it, ditch it. Many times we keep things out of habit or obligation. If something doesn’t serve you or your life, it’s okay to let it go. We won’t tell.
Take 15. One of my work colleagues asked what I thought about her plan to spend an hour each night after work to sort through her clutter. I suggested that she reduce that time to 15 minutes. It’s easier to say yes to 15 minutes after a day of work and no to an hour. If you want to declutter your space or your digital life, set a timer (or play a couple of Lady Gaga songs) and go through a stack of paper or a digital file folder. Every step forward you take counts.
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