FAQs
About Professional Organizing
Q: What exactly does a Professional Organizer do?
A Professional Organizer does much more than just tidy up. We help you create customized systems and sustainable habits to manage your space, time, and resources effectively. This includes decluttering, organizing physical spaces (kitchens, closets, offices), organizing digital files, and teaching you the skills to maintain the order long-term. We are guides, project managers, and accountability partners.
Q: Will you make me throw away all my stuff?
Absolutely not. I will never force you to get rid of anything. The decision to keep, donate, or discard an item is always yours. My role is to ask guiding questions to help you assess an item's value and purpose in your life, empowering you to make confident choices. The goal is to create a home that supports your life, filled only with things you truly need and love.
Q: Is professional organizing only for messy people or hoarders?
No. Many of my clients are highly successful, intelligent people who simply lack the time, energy, or specific skills to tackle large organizational projects. People hire me when they are experiencing a life transition (moving, new baby, career change), feel overwhelmed by accumulated clutter, or want to create better workflow and efficiency in their home or business.
Q: How long does the organizing process take?
It varies significantly based on the size of the space, the amount of clutter, and your decision-making speed. A small closet might take 3-4 hours, while a kitchen or home office might take 8-12 hours across multiple sessions. We always start with an assessment to create a realistic project plan and timeline.
Q: Do I need to buy organizing containers before our first session?
Please wait! This is a common mistake. We must first declutter and categorize your items to truly understand what needs to be stored and how much space it requires. I prefer to start with what you already have, and then I can provide specific recommendations for containers, labels, and storage solutions tailored to your space and budget.
Understanding the Marie Kondo Method
Q: What is the Marie Kondo (KonMari) Method?
The KonMari Method is a philosophy of tidying created by Marie Kondo. It is characterized by three key principles:
Tidying by Category, not by location (e.g., sorting all clothes first, then all books).
Keeping only what "sparks joy."
Thanking items before letting them go.
It is an intensive, one-time decluttering event designed to reset your relationship with your belongings.
Q: Do you use the Marie Kondo Method?
I incorporate the best and most effective principles of the KonMari method—such as organizing by category and focusing on what you want to keep (not what you want to get rid of)—into my work. However, my approach is comprehensive and draws from multiple organizing systems to create a solution that is tailored to your unique lifestyle and family needs, ensuring the system is maintainable long-term.
Q: Is the Marie Kondo Method practical for families with young kids?
The philosophy of keeping only what you love is wonderful. However, the strict all-at-once approach can be challenging for busy families. My practice adapts the KonMari principles into smaller, manageable steps that fit your schedule. We also focus on creating kid-friendly systems that are easy for children to use and clean up independently.
Q: What happens after the decluttering is done?
This is where the long-term success comes in! Once the decluttering is complete, we focus on storage and systems. I design clear, simple organization systems—using zones, vertical storage, and appropriate containers—that match your daily habits. I also teach you the maintenance mindset required to prevent clutter from returning.