It\u2019s easy to think setting aside a day or a weekend to get organized is all you need. But the truth is, there are some things you just shouldn\u2019t DIY.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
If you\u2019ve never worked with a professional organizer let\u2019s demystify the process so you know what to expect from me and my team.<\/p>\n
Getting Started: Initial Consultation<\/h4>\n
First things first. We\u2019ll schedule a phone call before scheduling time in your home. During that call, we\u2019ll talk through your project and get a sense of whether we connect well and are a good fit for your project. It\u2019s important to find an organizer you enjoy working with otherwise you\u2019ll dread the process, even if the organizer is very talented or comes with great recommendations from your friend.<\/p>\n
![\"First](\"https:\/\/www.unclutterednw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/UnCluttered-Office-style-53-1.jpg\")
In-Home Consultation: Assessing the Space<\/h4>\n
After we\u2019ve talked through your project, we\u2019ll schedule an in-home consultation. That\u2019s when we walk through your home together. It\u2019s a chance for me to see the space and start coming up with ideas for solutions. This step can cause a little anxiety but don\u2019t worry or be embarrassed. There\u2019s nothing my team and I haven\u2019t seen before. We want to see it \u201cas-is\u201d<\/a> so we can determine the best systems and solutions.<\/p>\n The next step is to start organizing. I\u2019ll want to schedule a minimum of three hours with you because it gives us time to really jump into the project, get things organized, clear things out, and leave the space better than we found it. We don\u2019t want to leave piles of stuff all over the house because that\u2019s not productive and leads to more stress.<\/p>\n Cutting down cardboard boxes, for example, can clear space to work and provide a sense of accomplishment before we get started.<\/p>\n It\u2019s helpful to do this before my team starts formulating a plan and suggesting systems. Plus, it\u2019s hard to downsize, clear out rooms or organize if you\u2019re working around stuff you don\u2019t need. My team can help you make decisions if you get stuck and aren\u2019t sure what to keep. Remember, a good organizer will be part of the process but won\u2019t purge or downsize things without you.<\/p>\n Give yourself more space to work by donating items you know you don\u2019t want any longer. You might end up with another pile of donations after working with my team but removing even a few items or boxes at the beginning can help you get started.<\/p>\n At the end of the day, you can be as active as you want during the process. An organizer is there to help you make decisions and offer solutions that allow you to reclaim your space.<\/p>\nThe Organizing Process<\/h4>\n
![\"First](\"https:\/\/www.unclutterednw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/UnCluttered-33-scaled.jpg\")
We can do all the organizing and clearing out together, but if you want to work ahead there are a few things you can do before the project starts.<\/p>\nPreparing for the Project<\/h4>\n
Remove trash and recycling.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Purge unwanted items.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Schedule a trip to a donation site.<\/strong><\/h5>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.unclutterednw.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Work-with-an-Organizer-e1708670408103.png\")
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