Frequently Asked Questions

 
 
 

I’m embarrassed about my space. Will you judge me?

No way! This is the number one question I get, so that should tell you something. When people come to me, more often than not, they feel ashamed and embarrassed about the state of their home, their office, or junk drawer. Having a clutter/organization problem does not mean there’s something wrong with you. More likely it means:

A) You haven’t learned or practiced organization skills that work for you and your needs

B) You’ve had your hands full with work, family, and day-to-day life. There’s no shame in that!

C) You’ve had a lot of transitions (big and small) that have added to the disorganization and prevented you from getting organized, i.e. new job, moving, remodel, new baby, death in the family, medical emergency, global health crisis…

D) Health issues that make it harder for you to physically do the work of organizing

E) All of the above. Often it’s a combination of these that have been strung together for years.

how long will it take?

It depends! There are a number of factors involved with how long a project will take, which makes it difficult to give an accurate estimate. Some of these factors are client-dependent (i.e. how quickly you’re able to make decisions) and some are space-dependent (how big, type/amount of clutter).

Space Dependent:

  • The size of space is and how much stuff is in it

  • How long the space has been disorganized

  • What type of stuff you’ll be getting rid of (paper, food, hazardous material, clothing, electronics, furniture)

  • How much cleaning, fixing, and rearranging needs to be done

Client Dependent:

  • How much you are ready and willing to discard, and how quickly you can make decisions about what to keep, donate, and toss.

  • Is it your stuff? Or will you need to consult family and friends before making a decision?

  • How much time and focus you can dedicate to the sessions. Interruptions and obligations are normal (work, family, pets), but the fewer there are, the faster the work!

  • What your goal is for the space: picture perfect complete overhaul with new systems, bins, and matching labels; light decluttering; or somewhere in between.

  • How much time, money, and energy you want to devote to the problem.

I realize that’s not a very satisfying answer, so I’ll provide a few very rough estimates:

  • Small coat/linen closet: 3 - 8 hours

  • Bathroom Storage: 3 - 8 hours

  • Garage: 8 - 30 hours

  • Pantry: 4 - 12 hours

  • Closet: 8 - 20 hours

I don’t live in Denver, can you still help me?

Absolutely! I provide organizing services for clients within a 30 mile radius of Denver. I charge a small travel fee for clients who live outside of this range.

 

Do I need to clean up before you come over?

Nope! I actually ask that you don't tidy up beforehand because it helps me get an accurate picture of what your space is like on a day-to-day basis. However, for kitchen and closet organizing, please make sure all dishes and clothes are washed, dried, and put away before our session.

Will you make me get rid of all my stuff?

I won’t make you do anything you don’t want to. Your stuff is exactly that: yours. You get to decide what to do with them.

That being said, the more thoroughly you declutter and examine the root causes of the clutter, the more likely you are to see and feel a dramatic transformation in your space.

My role is to listen to your goals and to motivate you to make choices that are inline with those goals. If you’re feeling stuck or torn, I can provide my opinions, advice, and guidance based on experience, but ultimately the decision is yours to make.

will you make me thank everything i get rid of like marie kondo?

Only if you want to! While I think showing a moment to share gratitude for an item that has served you (for better or worse) can be a helpful technique, it’s definitely not required. I’m not a certified Marie Kondo Organizer, and I don’t subscribe to just one method of organizing because I don’t think there’s just one method that works for everyone.

In keeping with the health and wellness metaphor, my belief is that “healthy” looks and feels different for everyone, especially depending on their starting point and goals. The same goes for getting organized. Sticking to just one method of organizing is akin to following an Atkins diet and choosing running as your only form of exercise. That might work for some, but not for others. Ultimately, it’s about balance and finding what works for you. Getting healthy and getting organized, to me, mean making small yet meaningful improvements to your thoughts, habits, and routines to create lasting change.

do i need to be there?

I find it more efficient and beneficial to work WITH clients, as the decisions that need to be made are very personal, especially while decluttering. If you have a special situation or prefer to be less involved, feel free to reach out and we can discuss a plan that works for you.

do you work with hoarders?

At this time, I do not work with clients who have hoarding disorder. If you or someone you know is dealing with hoarding disorder, I recommend seeking the help of a hoarding specialist and/or a mental health professional.

 
 

There are no stupid questions.

MORE QUESTIONS? JUST ASK.