First Day Jitters
Congratulations! You took the initiative and found the courage to pick up the phone and talk with a professional home organizer. She came by for a brief, in-person consultation. You clicked and decided to move forward with the process. Now, it’s the morning of your first decluttering and organizing session, and you’re nervous. What’s going to happen?
Concerns You May Have
My house is the messiest she’s ever seen.
She’s going to judge me for my purchases; I have so many clothes with the tags still on.
She’s going to make me give things away that I’ll regret.
I’m going to feel awkward and uncomfortable the whole time.
What if it doesn’t help?
It’s Going to Be Okay
Take a deep breath in…. Hold it…. Breathe out….
First, organizers work with clutter for a living, so that’s a non-issue. It’s statistically unlikely that your house is the messiest she’s ever seen. If you have a lot of clutter, you’ve gifted your organizer the opportunity to live into her purpose. There’s always another way to look at things, and this is a case in which I would encourage you to do so.
Additionally, your organizer should not make judgements on your past or current decisions or force you to get rid of things before you’re ready to do so. Your stated goals will guide her work. If you’ve said that your goal is to reduce your belongings and you are not doing that, she will remind you of your goal and ask helpful questions to guide in your decision making.
Perhaps you are not ready to part with as much as you thought. Your organizer can help you find a middle ground that is comfortable for you. That’s progress, and your organizer will help you celebrate your wins.
If you’re not used to having a stranger in your home going through your personal items, it may very well feel a little uncomfortable at first. That’s only natural. Just know that you’re in charge and if anything feels off, you can end the relationship at any time.
But chances are good you’ll form an easy rapport with your organizer and settle into a rhythm that works for you. Perhaps you work side-by-side with her, chatting the whole time, or you only come in at certain points to make decisions and give guidance. She will ask your preference and make suggestions on how best to work together.
Progress Over Perfection
Most problems aren’t solved overnight. The work you do with an organizer will take you anywhere from a few steps to many steps closer to where you want to be. If you’re truly ready to transform your space and can make a lot of decisions, you will progress faster.
But if, like many people, you’re not quite there yet, an organizer can work within your comfort zone to make things better in your home. She will help you reduce the volume of items when possible and add organizing solutions and systems to make your life easier and more peaceful.
It’s going to be okay. I promise. The first step is always the hardest, and you’ve already taken it. I’m so proud of you!