3 Myths Stopping You From Getting Organized

I have had clients who are men, women, children, adults, black, white, Muslim, Mormon, gay, straight, trans, cis, couples, singles, parents, DINKS… and the reason I tell you this is not to enumerate the rainbow of human diversity but to emphasize that organizing is for literally everyone. If you are a person who is just trying to get through this thing called life, organizing can help you!

Often when I tell people about my business, I get a funny reaction: “Wow, that’s so cool! I mean, I don’t need an organizer, but I’m sure lots of people do.” Sometimes, this is probably because those people are actually pretty freakin’ organized. But I have a sneaking suspicion that the majority of the time, it’s a defensive reaction - they feel like organizing is not for them. And reading between the lines, I find that it’s usually for one of these three reasons.

It’s not that this teenager didn’t want a made bed - she just didn’t know how to do it while keeping all the elements she wanted involved.

1) I’m just not an organized person.

For better or for worse, American culture reveres hard work and achievement. Not only that, but we seem to have been indoctrinated to think that a high level of achievement is more than result of hard work: it’s an actual personality trait. Here’s where the danger lies. If aptitude for organizing is a personality trait, then you’ve either got it or you don’t. 

How depressing is that?

Fortunately, there is no such thing as “an organized person.” Organizing is a skill. Some people are taught it and some aren’t; some people find it easier and some find it more difficult. But everyone can learn organizing principles, and use them to live an easier, simpler life.

2) I don’t really care about being organized.

Apathy is a funny thing. After all, if you don’t care about something, then you don’t have to think about it or consider the way it may be affecting your life.

My challenge to those who profess not to care about whether or not their home is organized is this: have you experienced life in an organized environment? My guess is either you haven’t, or the way in which that environment was organized didn’t work for you. And I predict that if you can create organizing systems and patterns that work for you, you will see a significant improvement in your quality of life.

3) I don’t have time to get organized.

This single guy knows what he likes in his home - he just needed help figuring out the details of how to make it all work.

Speaking of time… man, do I have a whole lot of empathy for people who are short on time. This world is tough and people are run ragged. Sometimes, even to me, it seems the height of absurdity that I ask someone to stop their life cold for three hours and focus on their stuff.

And then, every time I finish an organizing session, I remember why I do this. Whether it’s the woman who says she instantly feels ten pounds lighter, or the couple that finds joy in home cooking again, or the dad who finally feels like he’s regaining control of his life after his divorce, my client see real, tangible results even from the first organizing session.

In a way, you don’t have time NOT to get organized. The time you invest in creating an organized home will pay you back huge dividends of time in the future: time that you won’t be spending hunting for things you need rightthissecond or bickering with your partner.

More than anything, I want you to know that not only is organizing most definitely for you, but also that you deserve a beautifully organized home that truly works for you. You’re worth it!

When you’re ready to bust those myths and make it happen, get in touch!

LMW