WHAT IS CLUTTER?

CLUTTER is defined as, "A large amount of things that are not arranged in a neat or orderly way; a crowded or disordered collection of things”. Many people don’t realize that broken, unwanted, unused, and excessive things are clutter. They also don’t realize that it’s weighing them down and costing them a lot....physically, emotionally, socially, financially, spiritually, and time.…lots of time! Wouldn't you like to be able to find what you need (when you need it) and stay on top of paperwork, thanks to a tidy and simple system? Minimalizing your belongings will free you from the chaos of clutter!

The process of decluttering can seem emotionally difficult. Our “things” have a sneaky way of controlling us by falsely defining who we are. The memories or monetary value linked to these items can hold us captive and force us to cling tightly to them. There are just as many reasons why we buy things as there are on why we keep things. If the things you own are taking over your home, it might be time to reevaluate them. Minimalism is the intentional promotion of the things we most value and the removal of anything that distracts us from it. Below are a few questions that might give you insight on deciding what to keep and what to part with.

Do I really have room for this item?
When was the last time I used this?
Do I have multiples of this but really only use or need one of them?
Do I have a purpose for this anymore?
Am I “planning” on selling this in a garage sale....someday?
Will the time & effort I put into a garage sale REALLY be worth the money I make?
Could someone else use this item?
Am I showing honor to my loved one, who gave me this item, by keeping it stored in a box, out of sight....never to be used?
Are there rooms in my home that aren't being utilized the way they should be because of too much stuff?
Do I want to have a home that is calmer, more joyful, less cluttered and more tidy?

A Personal thought that I'd like to share with you regarding creating a life with less clutter; When it comes to "things", material objects without life or consciousness, we sometimes place a higher value on them than we do on actual LIVING "things". We tend to focus so much of our time and energy on material objects, while unconsciously putting people (living, breathing beings with a Soul) on the back burner, so to speak. Here's a thought to ponder when struggling with a home and a life that needs organizing and is over-stuffed with material objects; "How might my life be better with less?" One of my favorite quotes speaks profoundly on this: "Love people and use things, because the opposite never works." ~ Joshua Fields Millburn (The Minimalists) www.theminimalists.com

Question: My WHOLE house is cluttered! Where will you start and how?

Answer: Don’t worry. We’ll do this one room at a time so no need to get overwhelmed. We’ll start with the room that bothers you the most and go from there. Focusing only on one room at a time is manageable and is the most efficient way to accomplish success in multiple spaces.

Question: Does getting organized take a lot of time?

Answer: The process of becoming organized DOES take time. Remember, becoming unorganized didn’t happen overnight so getting organized will not happen overnight either. Once I help you become organized, you’ll be able to STAY more organized! The amount of time needed to complete the work will vary from client to client. Some clients may need only 5 to 8 hours for their minimal organizational needs, while others can take a few days. There are ways of keeping your costs down. I will sometimes have clients do a “pre-purge” of items they already know they’d like to get rid of. This can be done before I begin the project and can literally save hours on the actual project time! I’ll work with you tackling one space at a time, as your budget allows.

Question: What if my home becomes chaotically cluttered again?

Answer: I will not only organize your spaces for you, but I’ll also give you simple ideas on how to maintain those clutter-free spaces. I am aware that life gets in the way at times, so your newly organized spaces may become cluttered again. Don’t worry, I offer “touch up” services! Whether three months down the road or six months, I can give your previously organized spaces a reality check to get them back on track!

Question: Will I need to buy my own storage system supplies/bins?

Answer: When possible, I utilize bins and accessories that you already have in your home. This helps to keep your cost down. If other supplies are needed, I will give you suggestions on what to buy. You can choose to shop for these supplies yourself or I can take this task on at my hourly rate. The cost of any of the supplies I purchase will be added onto your daily bill. I work within YOUR budget when purchasing these supplies and I always look for sales to get the best value for you. I also keep on hand an inventory of my favorite, most functional, storage bins and organizational do-dads since it saves valuable time having these items readily available. Organizational systems can be fun! There’s everything from flamboyantly functional to standardized simplicity.

Question: What can I do with all the things I want to get rid of?

Answer: I firmly believe that it’s better to give than to receive! Deciding on what to get rid of is the first step, but you will still need to remove those things from your home. I offer complimentary donation drop-off for smaller items. I do this because I believe and support the “gift” of donating. You can rest assured that the items you donate, whether clothing, food or miscellaneous, are going to others who can use them. I will also provide you with the tax deductible receipt that each donation site gives out. I know it can be difficult “letting go” of things, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling to give what you no longer use or need to someone who is in need. If you have larger items to donate, such as furniture, I can arrange for them to be picked up by a local charity company. I also have suggestions on donating within your own personal circle of friends and colleagues.

Question: What if I want a closet system or other shelving installed?

Answer: If you need an extensive room makeover, such as a closet system or cabinets for the garage, I will help formulate a plan that best suits your storage needs. I will also assist you through the steps of arranging a licensed professional installation company in your area. Once the installers have completed the installation process, I will happily organize your items to perfection in your newly installed systems. I offer this service at my standard hourly rate.

Question: Is hiring a Professional Home Organizer expensive or about the same as a Housekeeper?

Answer: A very important thing to understand about the hourly rate of a Professional Home Organizer is that they truly are “Professionals”. Most are college or trade school graduates. Many people mistakenly think that Professional Home Organizer’s and Housekeeper’s rates are the same. With all due respect, a Professional Home Organizer’s duties are much more involved than simply cleaning and tidying up. You are paying them for their skills of being able to assess and understand the specific organizational needs that will work best for you. They have the knowledge and ability to transform the un-functional into functional! Professional Home Organizers also have many “off-the-clock” hours that are spent either on emails and phone consults/counsel with each client, research or formulating a game plan to be implemented on their client’s project. These are hours that are complimentary and clients don’t directly pay for. With that being said, although I am not a Housekeeper, I do my best to leave the organized areas as sparkly clean as possible! My personal work ethics, compulsiveness towards perfection, and the desire for client satisfaction mandates that I do so. If you’re a satisfied client, I’m a happy organizer!

Question: Will I need to be home during the organizational process?

Answer: Yes. I will be working SIDE BY SIDE with you during part of the process. The purging process requires you to be involved since you know your “things” better than anyone and you'll be the one deciding on what to keep and what to purge. My goal is to also teach you along the way on how to get and STAY clutter-free. Once the decision of item-purging has been completed, I will then organize what's left over. During this time, you can either be a part of the organizing process or you can choose to do something else. There are clients that have already completed the purging process on their own time and simply need their items organized. Those clients will not need to be part of that process if they choose not to be, but I still require them to be home.

Question: I have children and pets. Will this be an issue?

Answer: If you have small children or pets at home that require quite a bit of attention, it may be necessary for you to make other arrangements for them so we both can stay focused on the task at hand. With fewer distractions and interruptions, the project will flow more efficiently and take less time.

Question: Do you offer Home Decorating and Staging services?

Answer: I do not. My passion lies in creating functional, clutter-free and simplified home for my clients. I achieve this by decluttering and organizing, therefore I don't offer Home Decorating or Staging services. However, my Home Organizing services are sometimes utilized before an actual Home Decorator or Stager comes into a home. Home Decorators and Stagers can more easily accomplish their job by having a home already clutter-free and organized.

Question: Are you going to MAKE me throw some of my things away?

Answer: Absolutely not! It will always be YOUR decision on what you choose to discard or donate. I only help you make decisions. The final decision is always yours. One thing to consider is, if your goal is to have a manageable, functional, clutter-free home, you’ll most likely need to eliminate some of the clutter in order to achieve your goal. You might ask yourself, “Do I simply want the things I own organized without eliminating anything?” or “Would I like to eliminate a certain percentage of my things and then organize what’s left?” Either way, I have empathy and care for the attachments you may have with your things, but am able to help you look at it through different eyes.

CONTACT INFO

Janice Van Cleaf

Home Organizer & Declutterer

602-910-1008

FunctionalLivingByFitz@yahoo.com

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HomeAdvisor Elite Service Award - Functional Living by Fitz, LLC

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