Frequently Asked Questions

Why hire a professional organizer?

Hiring a professional is a much more time efficient, less stressful and in many cases a more economical route than doing it yourself or with friends and family.

There is an overwhelming amount of information on DIY (do-it-yourself) organizing available on the internet, in books and of course, on TV. And there are myriad DIY gadgets on the market. At MY SERENE SPACE we know that this information and these products will not make you instantly organized. In fact, much of the clutter that we see in clients' homes are the result of shopping sprees for organizing products that were never put into use. Becoming more organized is more than just putting up shelves and filling containers. It is also about changing (or replacing) habits, adopting new routines and getting to know yourself. Most people will find the process more enjoyable and much quicker when you enlist the help of an organizer. We'll get you back to what you would rather be doing and help prevent what happens to so many - get organized, see it all fall apart, and then start over again. 

What is clutter?

Clutter is anything we don't need, want, or use. Anything that takes away our time, energy or space, and destroys our serenity. It can be outgrown clothes, obsolete papers, broken or excess toys and electronics and disliked gifts. Objects may be strewn about or wedged into drawers; neatly stacked or stowed in storage. But, it can also be meaningless activities, ancient resentments or unsatisfying

relationships. Clutter comes in all shapes and sizes. There are six main areas that we look at: (household, lifestyle, health, career, finances and relationships) and they all impact on one another. For instance a cluttered lifestyle may be the reason that there is not time for the office filing, and too much household clutter may be damaging our health and/or relationships. Is it preventing you from living a more harmonious and happy life? Eliminating physical household clutter is a great place to start. It will help you to see what other your parts of your life could benefit from de-cluttering. You will be surprised at how differently you feel and how much more effective you can be in every way when the space you see around you is open, inviting and ready for living! 

Did You Know ...

We wear 20% of the clothes we own 80% of the time - and save the rest just in case. (Calgary Herald, 1/04)

Getting rid of excess clutter would eliminate 40% of the housework in the average home. (National Soap and Detergent Association)

80% of the clutter in your home is a result of disorganization, not lack of space. (Ann McKinney, NAPO)

25% of people with two-car garages don’t park in the garage and 32% park only one car. (US Department of Energy)

28% of adults say they pay bills late (thus incurring fees) because they lose them. (Harris Interactive)

The average Canadian spends approx. 50 minutes per day or 12 weeks per year looking for things they know they own but can’t find. (Newsweek, 6/7/04)

80% of what we file is never looked at again. (The Leader-Post, 3/13/04)

Business executives waste six weeks per year searching for lost documents. (Fast Company Magazine, 8/04)

25% of workers save things in piles instead of files. (Taylor Nelson Sofres Intersearch)

Why am I so disorganized?

There can be many reasons why clutter accumulates and we become disorganized. A simple answer is that disorganization is the result of indecision. The indecision results from not taking the time to sit down and think through how to handle the things you need to maintain and support your day to day life. After more than 7 years in the business and working with hundreds of clients, it is my experience that there are three main types of clutter:

Circumstantial or Situational Disorganization

Sometimes our lives can suddenly change and we can find ourselves unprepared or have lack of time to deal with unexpected chaos or clutter.You may be someone who has relocated, welcomed a new family member, gotten married, or lost a loved one.  Many new moms who had been very organized up to the point of having a baby can find the clutter overwhelming. Seniors who are downsizing and 'empty nesters' are also facing major life changes and can experience disorganization. These circumstances can impact an otherwise organized life or create more chaos in an already busy and complicated one. Most of the time this can be temporary, but many people need an outside source to help bring order back to their life.

Continuing Disorganization

If you are experiencing a consistent and continuing struggle with disorganization, it may be that you need help changing habits and behaviours that have formed over a lifetime. There may also be deeper emotional issues surrounding your clutter. In order to get 'unstuck' and be able to move forward, you may just need a new or additional skill set to help organize your space or some encouragement and coaching with lifestyle changes. Recognizing that you have habits that are preventing you from living an orderly life, and the desire for change, are the first steps towards success.

Chronic Disorganization

People who experience chronic disorganization may also find it related to other conditions such as depression, attention deficit disorder (ADD), or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). In many hoarding cases the clutter and chaos is out of control and the primary functions of the home become lost. These cases are often a 'response' to past trauma and the people can feel overwhelmed, helpless and isolated from friends and family. Chronically disorganized people require more specialized help, but there is help available. Call for more information.

I just feel overwhelmed. Where do I start?

This is a common question, and I always start by referring to my top tip: STOP THE INFLOW! While you are de-cluttering and organizing your home or workplace it is important not to bring anything new in. Put the space on a 'diet', or as we say now, 'a lifestyle change'. Next, start with the area that is giving you the most 'pain'. Get a vision for what you want that space to be or function as. Anything that does not fit with that vision is either relocated, donated or sold. When there are many areas in your home or workplace that are a problem it is always best to break it down into smaller areas that can be tackled individually.  (See RESOURCES &TIPS)

Will becoming organized feel restrictive?

Many feel that an organized life is somehow constraining or limiting. Others feel that they may become less creative. Nothing could be further from the truth! A life, simply organized, is freedom from clutter and stress.  De-cluttering will give you some room to breathe and help reflect on what is really important in your life. Then, we can teach some important techniques to better manage your time and stop wasting energy on inefficient processes and activities. By keeping it simple, and not succumbing to the 'paralysis of perfectionism' you will have more freedom and flexibility in all areas of your life.