Monday, August 18, 2014

"Things Will Often Look Worse Before They Get Better"

In the midst of the project

This is a quote from my welcome letter, once someone engages me as an organizer. I say it, because it's true. As we begin to sort through things and move them around, it can look as though things have exploded, similar to the big bang, when the universe began. This has to happen in order for things to come back together again, in a new, more functional order. Change requires change and it cannot happen without disruption.

My goal when working with clients is to help them to work through the transition of change with the minimal amount of stress, using a systematic approach and pacing. Even so, there is always a time during the project where things look worse, and then suddenly, once over the hump, begin to get better. It's important not to give up before that happens, or worse, not even begin the project because the idea of it is so overwhelming.

I have experienced this up close and personal this summer, as we embarked on the project of re-doing my 15 year old daughter's room. This was something she initiated and really took charge of and I was very happy to support her as she transitioned her room from childhood into sophisticated young adult. It involved lots of emotional sorting and purging and I watched her struggle with letting go of the concrete representations of her younger self to make room for her new, mature interests.

We purchased a new headboard and huge desk from Craig's list, which not only displaced her old furniture, but also commandeered the garage for several weeks as she began painting all her furniture to match. The contents of her room moved into every nook and cranny of the rest of the house. Everything came out of her dresser, nightstand, desk and closet to enable all the painting and the installation of her closet system, all of which, as you can imagine, created quite the chaos.

In addition, this summer has been a super busy one for our family. A visit from my mom for one month, hosting a young woman from Spain for another, overnight camp for the girls, summer school for the younger kids and me trying to work in between it all. Throw in several more projects, including installation of a fan in our downstairs bathroom, some much needed and long awaited major landscaping in our backyard, a new shed, rearing and tagging of 180 monarch caterpillars in our dining room and the rehabilitation and taming of our new rescue cat, Lucky, and you get the idea of how it was.

There have been several times this summer when I have felt very exhausted and cranky because of the crazy state of things, when there wasn't one room I could go into that did not have a mess of miscellaneous things that didn't belong there, epitomizing the proverbial "worse before better".

I coped by doing lots of deep breathing, some complaining (which always relieved me) and mostly by just giving in to the chaos. (Click here to read another post about Living with (Some) Chaos). Surprisingly, when I let go of my own expectations that things will be in control, I am able to push past it.

Finally, I am beginning to see the light at the end of many of the projects. It will still be a while before all the leftover debris is dealt with (extra furniture and items) from the transitions as I have to sort through a few more closets and the attic to make room for new things to store and purge out unneeded. For now, I am happy with the progress we have made and with my ability to cope during the chaos.

Here are the "better" photos at the tail end of my daughter's room re-do.




For help with any organizing project
simply call Linda, 716-631-5619.
Comments Welcome!
If the comment box is not visible, click on the "No Comments" link
~ Counter-intuitive, I know, but it's a Blogger quirk

Monday, August 4, 2014

Learning to Be Organized

Last week, I visited a client that I have been working closely with over several months, on  paperwork and project management. Before we got started on our normal trek to her basement office, she excitedly showed me her linen closet. Proudly, she said "Look what I did by myself!" She had applied the concepts of sorting, purging and organizing that I had been teaching her about her paper, making this beautiful space, complete with labeled shelves.
 

She had found that it was no longer difficult for her to see the excess that she accumulated in her closet and to make decisions about what she "really" needed and what was just visual/emotional distraction. I was super proud of her, as that is my goal for each client I work with; to become as self sufficient and independent as possible in managing their affairs. Everyone varies with this, in terms of each person's abilities and limitations of course, but I encourage everyone to reach their potential, whatever that may be.

I often get calls from Prospective Clients who want an idea of how much it will cost to "Get Organized".  First of all, this is a very difficult thing to estimate, as it depends, among other things on the scope of the project and the client's readiness for change. Sometimes, when they hear my organizing rates, they decide it is too expensive. I understand that. However, I encourage clients to see it for the investment it really is. When we purchase training  that broadens the mind and emphasizes development of a skill set which results in life changing results (such as a college education), it's not only a good decision; it truly is an essential investment.

Working with a Professional Organizer to learn the skill set to be organized and efficient is that same kind of high value, big payoff investment. When I work with a client, it's usually on a very intimate level, talking about vision, philosophy, previous relationships and experiences, unresolved issues, trauma, fears, hopes and dreams. While what I do is not psychotherapy, it is very therapeutic and occurs naturally as we handle different pieces of their life. Clients talk to me about the items and their relationship to them. What they eventually come to realize is that it is Hardly Ever About the Stuff. It is about the Emotions and Beliefs About the Stuff. Which, in turn, affects what we do with the stuff. This new found knowledge helps us to make better, more practical decisions that simplify our lives.

So my work involves talking about broad values, examining past ideas and habits, deciding intentionally how to believe and act from this point further, so that- based upon these new realizations- when the old system is dismantled and the new system is developed, it works because it is based on a well thought out, healthy, functional philosophy. As Stephen Covey says, when you get the the top you want your ladder to be leaning against the right wall.

So Kudos to my dear client! Who has worked so hard to make sure her ladder is leaning against the right wall, and who has achieved the highest goal in my mind; the ability to generalize her new skill set to a different project. I am proud and honored to be a part of your growth and success!

For help with any organizing project
simply call Linda, 716-631-5619.

Comments Welcome!
If the comment box is not visible, click on the "No Comments" link
~ Counter-intuitive, I know, but it's a Blogger quirk