January is National Get Organized Month, but for those who can’t seem to get their items or lives in order, there are professionals in Delaware County who can help.
“Our culture is so centered around stuff,” said Sherry Brown, a professional organizer. “Especially when there’s a major life change, such as a death or divorce, people may cope by shopping or they may let their homes become disorganized.”
Brown, said she thinks the area needs more people in her profession because there are a lot of local people who could benefit from the service.
Professional organizers may specialize in different areas, even data organization. Their relationships with clients have a lot to do with personalities, so the more professional organizers, the better the chances are for clients to find one with whom they click.
It’s really important that professional organizers understand not everyone thinks alike. ”There’s so much listening involved in my profession,” said Brown. “It’s important to understand where the pain comes from, and what causes a client’s chaos and disorder, though we aren’t therapists.”
Claire Josefine, who was the first professional organizer in the county when she moved here in 1998, said though professional organizers are not therapists, they do practice confidentiality with their customers.
Professional organizers are also not housekeepers said Josefine, who worked in the industry for 16 years before she had to retire in 2013 due to fibromyalgia. Ideally, professional organizers create tailored systems of organization for each client, so they can use the method for the rest of their lives.
”Professional organizers can set up systems where clients say, ‘Oh, I get it,’ and run off and use them,” Josefine said. “We work with them to make their lives easier.”
Brown said she thinks everyone has at least one room in their house they don’t want other people to see, and it can be really challenging to tackle organizing alone.
”There are memories with ‘things’,” Brown said, “and it can be hard to get rid of items that remind us of other times. Organizing is so much easier to do together, even if another person is just there for moral support.”
Brown said people tend to be ashamed of their chaos and disorder, and are often too embarrassed for other people to see it.
”I’m a professional,” Brown said. “I don’t judge. Everyone always thinks they’re going to be the messiest and least organized client, but they shouldn’t worry about that. I’m here to help.”
To learn more about Claire Josefine, visit www.clairejosefine.com/
