If I had a nickel for every article and self-help book written about getting organized, I’d hire a home organizer consultant. Studies have shown that a cluttered, messy home can increase feelings of anxiety, stress, and helplessness. Whether or not you need to bring in a professional depends on your answers to these questions.
- How bad is it? While this might be a delicate question, are you stressed or embarrassed when visitors come to your home? If your house is cluttered with stacks of paper, boxes of clothes, and other unused stuff, you might feel overwhelmed and not know where to start. A professional home organization consultant will jump right in and show you the light at the end of the tunnel.
- Do you have time? Organizing a messy house is time-consuming and oftentimes unpleasant. If you’re torn between your work world and your home life, a pro-organizer will allow you to concentrate on more important aspects of your life.
- Can you afford it? Each project is different so it’s difficult to say how much a professional organizer will charge. However, most understand that you need to control costs. And rates are often based on how much you want to help. Obviously, the more input you provide, the less time the organizer will be in your home. That said, a typical home organization session takes about 3 hours. And the more you participate the more organizational skills you will learn. This will help you to stay organized.
- Is it secure? Members of NAPO (National Association of Professional Organizers) have you sign Letters of Agreement with confidentiality clauses. This means that your organizer will not reveal what they see in your home. So if you’ve been meaning to get organized (one of these days) you might want to look into hiring a home organization consultant.