Hi everyone and welcome to my first ever Om Your Home Blog post!! When I first started to brainstorm what my first blog would be about, I had lots of ideas. But then it occurred to me that everyone may not know exactly what a professional organizer is or what we do. So, I thought it would be fun to write about what a professional organizer does, while dispelling some common organizing myths!

Myth #1: Many people hear the term “professional organizer” and immediately think of the TV show “Hoarders”. And although assisting with hoarding does fall under our capabilities, it is definitely not all we do! I help all different kinds of people, from the mildly cluttered, to the chronically disorganized.

Myth #2: Organizing is something everyone should be capable of doing. In reality, hiring a professional organizer is just like hiring any other professional service—like an electrician, accountant, or dentist. I have an expertise and specialty for helping people get and stay organized.

Myth #3: A professional organizer will tell you to throw away most of your belongings. As an organizer, it is definitely NOT my job to TELL you to throw away ANYTHING. I take the time to help our clients make decisions that are best for their specific organizing needs. A professional organizer doesn’t just help you decide what to keep or throw away. I can assist with every step of the organization process such as: donating, discarding, de-cluttering, sorting, shopping for products, installing systems, organizing, and maintenance– just to name a few! I also have A TON of awesome resources to utilize during the organizing process.

There are lots of different types of organizers and we all have our personal styles and expertise. I personally consider myself a functional organizer, which means I focus on the purpose of the room and future maintenance. While I absolutely LOVE to make pantries look like pictures from a magazine, that isn’t always a practical or functional solution for everyone. Therefore, functional organizing can be a more realistic and useful option. Functional organizing doesn’t mean it can’t look gorgeous! But it’s first priority is the functionality of the room.

Now, you may be wondering…. who could benefit from hiring a professional organizer? The simple answer? Most people! If organizing comes naturally to you, then you may not need the help of an organizer. But you also may be surprised by the variety of services we offer. Whether you want to go paperless, inventory your entire home, or make your move less stressful, hiring an organizer can benefit lots of different people in different situations. If you don’t know where to start, don’t have the time or don’t want to do it yourself, hiring a professional organizer can greatly benefit you.

So…. How do you choose the right professional organizer for you? Choosing an organizer is a bit like choosing a doctor or therapist. You want to find someone you “click” with and feel comfortable with. There are several organizations you can check out to find a professional organizer. The largest being the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO), which has its members follow a code of ethics as well as ongoing training and education. If you’re looking for an organizer, NAPO is a great place to start. You can find a list of all the organizers (including yours truly!) and search for one in your area. Each organizer has a list of specialties that can help you choose the right organizer for you.

Organizing isn’t just throwing things away, or sorting your belongings into different bins and boxes. A professional organizer can greatly reduce the stress and anxiety that clutter can cause, and can give you more time (and money!) for what really matters in life.