Category: declutter

Hoarding was once a subtype of OCD

The Kitchen – surrounded by clutter, she’s left a 10-inch area to eat her meals

As recently as 2013, a hoarding was a subtype of OCD, but now it’s its own category (DSM-5). OCD was definitely prevalent, and all to evident in this home I recently visited in the Bay Area.  In this case, this person has good insight and recognizes that obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is showing up in her apartment by way of too much stuff. She told me she felt like she is “buried alive with stuff, like a ball and chain around me.” She reached out to me for help, and with the sound of my voice, she told me, “you’re comforting my heart”. Yes, there’s a lot of work to be done, but I know I can improve the her health, safety, and quality of life with patience and compassion.

The bedroom, filled to the max with more bagged clothes. She only sleeps on top of her bed.
Self described “germaphobe”, she bags all her clothes to “protect” them.

Closet Tips Published by The Molding Company

I was recently asked to provide “closet organizing  tips” to The Molding Company — see my contribution in the section below: 

Step 2. Make the Most of Your Space

After you’ve emptied your closet and decided what will stay, it’s time to decide where everything should go. Jen Cazares, professional organizer and founder of CazaresOrganizing.com, stresses the importance of grouping like things together:

Jen Cazares – CazaresOrganizing.com

“Shirts with shirts, pants with pants, etc. I even take it a step further and group within a group. For example, within shirts, I group short sleeves, long sleeves, tanks, and also group by color. That way, there’s no question about where to find those items when you need them.”

After you’ve categorized everything, it’s time to make the most of your closet space. Assess your closet’s best features and take advantage of them.

 

Closet Organizing Tip

I was recently approached by a company to provide one of my favorite tips for organizing a closet, so here ya go:

I cannot stress enough, the most important guideline I use in closet organizing is to group like things together (not to mention first eliminating what you don’t wear): Shirts with shirts, pants with pants, etc.  I even take it a step further and group within a group.  For example within shirts, I group short sleeves, long sleeves, tanks — and also group by color. By using this tip, there’s just no question about where to find those items when you want them. I realize this may be easier said than done, which is why for many, hiring a Professional Organizer is the only answer to an organized, functional closet!

CPO-CD® Class of 2019!

I am two-thirds of the way through earning my “credential” as a Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization (CPO-CD®) program.  I am incredibly proud of this educational journey I have embarked upon!  This 20-month program requires an investment of me as a professional organizer of over $3000, and 200+ hours of coursework, lots of reading, writing, and analyzing books related to Chronically Disorganized (CD) clients, as well as service in my industry. I think education matters in my desire to work with CD clients. This program is not required or necessary as a professional organizer, but for me, it’s testament of my commitment to provide specialized help, especially to my CD clients.  Though I have 6 months more to go, I am (already) much more qualified and equipped than my competition, and I’m in a position to be of greater service to my client’s needs.

Happy New Year!

What’s your New Year’s resolution?  Starting fresh and getting organized?  Skills like sorting, making decisions and follow through are necessary to declutter your living space—Yes, I know…creating livable spaces is easier said then done. At a recent conference I attended, Michael Tomkins, Phd, author and authority on clutter and hoarding behavior, challenged the audience to think about the word “need” when sorting stuff. Try this rule:  Ask yourself these three powerful questions when you are sorting your stuff to determine whether it’s something that should be tossed, donated or kept:

  • is my SAFETY at risk?
  • is my HEALTH at risk?
  • is my FINANCIAL WELFARE at risk?

Other rules that you need to consider when sorting:

  • If it’s broken…can you let it go?
  • How many of the same or similar thing do you have? Find balance.
  • If it’s not repaired or used in a “reasonable” amount of time (less then 6 months), can you let it go?

Dig deep and ask yourself:  Will your life be negatively effected if you get rid of “it”?  Have you felt anxiety or depression because you’ve been without “it”.  What void is “it” filling? Have you spent hours, days, or weeks looking for “it”?  I can help with with all these questions, and together we can make a difference!  Call/text/email Cazares Organizing today!

Dig deep and you will get results.

Get Twice as Much Done in Half the Time!

BEFORE
BEFORE

For big jobs, where time is of the essence, you can get a lot more done in half the time—with TWO organizers! This client asked for two organizers so he could access his window to open it, reach his desk, and open his closet.  He had gone far too long without being able to safely maneuver in his bedroom/office.

AFTER

In a matter of four hours, with two organizers, we could see the floor! We categorized his stuff, recycled the mountain of paper, and sorted out paper to be shredded…AND, we were able to open the window and let the fresh air in!

#harmreduction #safetyfirst #happyclient #oddlyenough