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Writer's pictureCathy Borg

No Need to Declutter! Here's How to Prep for Your First Session with a Professional Organizer.

Updated: Oct 14


quotation "The more you own, the more you are owned." - A.D. Aliwat


Do you feel like clutter has taken over your home? Does the idea of getting started seem overwhelming?


Getting help from a professional organizer can be one of the most transformative experiences of your life. 


Instead of feeling stressed and embarrassed about your messy space, imagine feeling calm and in control when your home is finally organized.


Here's the good news:

You don't need to do any pre-cleaning. This allows us to gain valuable insights during your first session with a professional organizer and create customized solutions that work for you.

Don't let clutter hold you back any longer! Contact In and Out Organizing today to schedule your free consultation. Let us help you transform your home.




quotation: "Out of clutter, find simplicity." Albert Einstein



Tips for Your First Professional Organizing Session


  1. Be open and honest: 

Share your goals, challenges, and preferences with your organizer. The more information you provide, the better we can tailor our approach to your needs. For instance, one client struggled with letting go of clothes from her college days. By discussing her feelings about those items, she was able to see how they no longer served her lifestyle.


2. Trust the process: 

Professional organizers have the expertise to guide you through the decluttering process. Trust their guidance and let them help you make decisions. One marketing executive juggling work and family life discovered that by allowing the organizer to take the lead, he could easily part with items he'd been holding onto for years, making room for things that he truly enjoyed.


3. Be patient: 

Decluttering can take time. Be patient with yourself and the process; remember, the goal is to create a sustainable system that works for you. After a few sessions, a client found that slowing down to truly evaluate her belongings made the process much more fulfilling, as she could appreciate the items she chose to keep.


4. Ask questions: 

If you're unsure about anything, don't hesitate to ask. Your organizer is there to provide guidance and support. During one session, a client asked about the best storage solutions for her crafting supplies.  We explored various options together, and she was able to implement a system that worked for her.


5. Celebrate your progress:

Acknowledge your achievements along the way. Celebrating both small victories and significant milestones can boost your motivation. After her first session, one client celebrated the transformation of her living room, sharing before-and-after photos with friends, which gave her a sense of accomplishment and encouraged her to tackle other spaces.



quotation: Your home is living space, not storage space. Frances Mayes

What to Expect During Your First Organizing Session


By hiring a professional organizer, you will receive a customized experience designed to meet your individual requirements.

 Here's what to look forward to:


Initial consultation: 

  • We'll discuss your goals, challenges, and preferences to understand your unique situation. For example, if you're struggling with a cluttered kitchen, we'll talk about what specific areas feel most overwhelming and what your ideal kitchen looks like. We often ask, "Which area is bugging you the most?" or "What space do you use the most?" These questions help us prioritize effectively. One client described her kitchen as a "black hole" for items she never used. Through our conversation, we identified which gadgets could go, clearing up valuable counter space.


Space assessment: 

  • We'll evaluate your home or office to identify areas that need improvement. For another client, a cluttered office was affecting her productivity. After assessing the space, we pinpointed her biggest pain points, such as an overflowing filing cabinet that became a source of frustration.


Decluttering process: 

  • Together, we'll sort through your belongings and determine what to keep, donate, or discard. This process can be emotional. For instance, one individual was afraid to go into her storage closet because it held her late mother's possessions, and she didn't think she could handle it. We went through it together, discussing her mom's belongings and what they meant to her. Once she shared those memories, she found she could let go of much of it, making room for healing.


Organization systems: 

  • We'll help you develop efficient systems to maintain your decluttered space. For example, after organizing a pantry, we implemented a clear labeling system that made it easy for the family to find and put away items, reducing clutter in the long run.


Ongoing support: 

  • We respect our clients' boundaries and ask if there are any areas in the house they don't want us to go into. While we won't be on speed dial, we offer options for periodic "tune-ups" or regular sessions to help maintain your newly organized space. Many clients appreciate the structure of scheduling these follow-up sessions as needed.



quotation: "Simplifying your life helps you get back in touch with what matters." Karen Kingston

The Benefits of a Decluttered and Organized Home:


  • Reduce stress and anxiety: 

Clutter can contribute to feelings of overwhelm. A decluttered space can help you feel calmer and more focused.


  • Increase productivity: 

A well-organized environment can boost your efficiency and effectiveness. Clients have reported feeling more motivated to tackle tasks in their newly organized spaces.


  • Improve your overall well-being: 

A decluttered home improves your mental and emotional health. Many have found that they sleep better and feel more relaxed in their homes after decluttering.


  • Save time and money: 

By organizing your belongings, you'll spend less time searching for items and may even discover hidden treasures. One client found a gift card she'd forgotten about while decluttering, a delightful surprise that made the process even more rewarding.


What decluttering challenges are you currently facing, or what is your fondest organizing wish?

Share your goals or obstacles in the comments below—we'd love to hear from you!


"Working with Brad and Greg was amazing! I felt so defeated by the amount of stuff in my home, but after just one session, I felt better: calm and in control. They helped me declutter and organize my space in a way that works for me. I don't know why I waited so long to call them." – J.M.


 

Don't let clutter keep holding you back! Contact In and Out Organizing today to schedule your free initial consultation. Let us help you create a space you love!


Additional Resources:

4 Comments


Julie Bestry
Julie Bestry
Oct 14

This is a solid post for putting clients at ease. I do a long phone consultation and try to make sure everyone knows what to expect from a first organizing session, but seeing it laid out in writing is idea. Setting (and managing) expectations in a clear way like this makes sure everyone is on the same page, and surely allays some of the concerns clients have (but may have not even articulated to themselves).

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Cathy Borg
Cathy Borg
Oct 20
Replying to

Thank you. We do a long phone consult as well.

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Linda Samuels
Linda Samuels
Oct 14

What a great walk through the organizing process! It helps to manage client expectations and understand how you can best help them with their needs.

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Cathy Borg
Cathy Borg
Oct 14
Replying to

Thank you, Linda.

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