Why Working With Toni is Easier Than Working With Other Professional Organizers

You don't have to straighten up before I get there.
I am coming to see where you need help. Please don't hide the clues.  

You will not be judged.
Life happens. I have seen worse. Really.

No apologies, no shame, no blame.
I get excited by the opportunity to transform a space, or a situation.

I listen.
Some organizers come in and tell you all about their system.

It's all about YOU.
I learn what works for you, then create Your organizational plan.

You are not stuck with one system forever.
I do a little, then we see how it works, then make adjustments, if needed.

The cost can fit your budget.
I can do it all, or I can teach you. 
We can complete the project quickly, or over time. 


Consultations are FREE
Call or email now
510-339-7276   wiseinfo@me.com

Clearing Clutter 1-2-3

Where To Begin . . .

The room looks overwhelming. There is stuff on top of stuff. Everywhere. Likely a slow or sometimes fast growing accumulation resulting from too busy days. Activities blending together one to the next, without sufficient time to stop, and put away what you were using. Then it's time to begin again. 

So there you are looking at a pile of dissimilar items. A sinking feeling comes over you, with the thought "I have no idea where to begin!" Or perhaps, "This is too much to tackle today." You are just about ready to walk out of the room and close the door, though you hate the idea of admitting defeat.

You really want your space back, and you need the feeling of order around you. Today. You thought of calling an organizer, though isn't it too messy for someone else to see? So you feel compelled to begin. If only you knew how. Or is it, where, to begin?  After nearly twenty years of professional organizing, I have tried many approaches that work. My favorite approach is a quick way to get you started. It really is as easy as 1-2-3.

Step 1

The first step is to get a container for trash, a container for recycling, and a container for put away or give away items.

Step 2

The second step is to step back and LOOK. Take a broad sweep look at the area, looking for only one thing. TRASH. For this purpose, trash is defined as things that have no useful purpose to anyone, and cannot be recycled. 

If you see anything you can throw away, discard it immediately into a trash container. The wonderful thing about trash is that there is only one thing to do with it after you identify it. Throw it away. Your are done.

Next, grab a box for items you can put away, or give away. There might be a sweat shirt you took off and set on a chair. Or your running shoes you took off when you came in from the run, though they never made it back to the closet. They can go in the box along with that centerpiece you won at the fundraiser, though never really liked, and other give away items. Take that box and put away your things, then set it aside to donate the rest. Delivering the donations and bringing you a receipt is part of my professional organizing service.

Lastly, scan the area for anything recyclable. This includes plastic bags that can be taken back to the store. Put those in the container for recycling. It is possible that you will find more than can go in the curbside bin. In a future post, I will write about the many things we can recycle in the East Bay, and my favorite recycling locations. You can disperse the contents of the recycling box, or you can save the box for me. My professional organizing service includes responsibly disposing of recycling.

Step 3

If you are a do-it-yourselfer, the third step is to take out the trash, and recycling, and mark where the items will go. If it is a charity, consider making a inventory of the items and their thrift store value to put with the tax deductible receipt you can get when you donate. Put the box in the car, or deliver it right now. That's it.

If you made it through all three steps, it is time to go back and look again. See what a difference it makes to have those items gone. Look for what has been unearthed in the process. If it is your stuff, you will most likely still be overwhelmed. Though you have to admit, it looks better than when you started. So it will be easier to have someone come over to help. I can promise you that yours will not be the worst I have ever seen. And I guarantee that we will make noticeable progress in the first visit. So the next step it to

Call Me 510-339-7276 

For a free consultation on your project. 

Happy De-Cluttering!
Toni