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We won't leave you hanging

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 16:12:29 GMT

Maintaining Your Calm

Well done! Everything has been sorted, and organized, and is looking picture-perfect. There is just one problem, it will get messy again, and again, and again. Have no fear! You will be armed with tips, tricks, and support to help you stay on track. And if/when you fall off track (as we all do) it will be all that much easier for you to hop back on!

If you have chosen Calming Spaces to help you on your organizational journey, you will receive a personalized list of how to reset your space. You will also have a scheduled one-week follow-up video chat to check-in. In addition, here are some things to keep in mind that will make staying organized just a little easier.

1. Be mindful when shopping. It can be really easy to walk into a store, see a beautiful display, and think buying something from it is going to transform your space from blah to ahh. Unfortunately, that is rarely the case. That's not to say you shouldn't buy beautiful things. Just be aware of why you are buying it.

Am I experiencing a less-than-pleasant emotion and using this purchase to feel better?
Do I already have something similar?
Does it perform a function?
Will this fit in my space as it is now?
Does it add to my Calm?

2. Be aware of the habits that are contributing to clutter. Are you still holding onto things that do not serve a purpose or contribute to your Calm?

3. Be kind to your future self. Place things where they belong so that you will be able to find them easily later. By doing this you are doing future you a favor. In the long run, it will save time previously wasted searching for misplaced belongings.

4. Be real with yourself. I know I am not the only one that has bought a self-help book thinking it would magically fix me. The same is true for organizational supplies. Be honest with yourself. That planner might be really cute, but if you have 5 years' worth of empty planners odds are buying this one is not going to solve all your scheduling woes. That bin might match your aesthetic perfectly, but if you have a closet full of empty bins, this one will probably go unused as well. And that is okay, you just need to embrace what is most functional for you.

5. Be kind to your present self! This is a lot easier said than done, but it is so important. Life is messy! Perfection is subjective. Don't allow yourself to get discouraged if your once-organized space becomes messy again. Because you know what?? It can become organized again too! It is not a failure, it is life. Give yourself at least the same amount of grace you would give your best friend if they were in your position.

Let's Get Ready to Organize!

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 14:48:52 GMT

How to get ready for your appointment with a professional organizer

Ok! You have had your consultation, you have a vision for your space and a plan of how to get there with the help of a professional organizer. Now what? Here are some Do's and Don'ts to help you get the most out of your time together:

Get Comfy - No need to dress to impress here. You will be getting into the nitty gritty, it is easier to focus on the task at hand when you are not worried about getting your clothes dirty.

Eat & Drink - Make sure you are taking care of your body just as you are taking care of your space. Plan on a snack break or five, it might sound trite but your body needs fuel. Have your favorite beverage nearby to sip on throughout, it is easy to become hyper-focused on the task at hand so having food and drink ready to go will help.

Time Block - Set aside this time just for working with your professional organizer. Try to eliminate distractions and other responsibilities. That being said, I understand it is not always possible to eliminate all distractions, but doing your best to plan ahead will help you get the most out of your time with your professional organizer.

Don't

Stress - I know telling you not to probably made it worse, but I want to remind you that you are not alone. You might be tempted to judge yourself for "letting it get this bad" or shame yourself saying "Why can't I just get it done?" Struggling with clutter, or having a hard time finding functional systems that work for you says nothing about your worth. Life gets messy, this is about making your space work for you.

Tidy - Resist the urge! I know, I know, it goes against everything you have ever been taught. But it will be best for your professional organizer to see where things naturally migrate. If you tend to have piles of paper all over the dining room table they will be able to learn two things, you need a system that is more functional for papers that come into the house, and the dining room table is where things naturally land. If you had taken all of those papers and shoved them into a drawer your organizer would have missed out on that valuable information. Also, save your energy! No sense spinning your wheels before you even get started.

Worry - You are 100% in the driver's seat! There are a lot of reasons why people hold on to stuff. At no point should you feel pressured to get rid of things you don't want to. You do not have to explain or justify why you want to keep anything. The organizer will ask you questions that help you assess what adds to your life and what you might be holding on to for reasons that don't bring calm to your space. This is about you, you are in control.

How to get the most out of your consultation

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 16:24:32 GMT

Preparing for your consultation

Congratulations! You have taken the first step in Calming your Space. It is true what they say, the first step is the hardest, and since you have taken the most challenging step you should get the most out of your consultation. The consultation is a time for you and the organizer to meet and go over your dreams for the space. What can you do to prepare for your first meeting? I'm so glad you asked . Do NOT tidy up! I know this goes against everything you have been taught, but seeing where things naturally land will help the organizer discover your "prime real estate spots". We'll get into that more later. Instead, take that time and assess your space.

Pick an area you enjoy being in

What do you like about it?
Is the space functional?
How does it function?
Is everything out in the open for you to see?
Is everything tucked neatly away?

Go to the area you want to work on

What strikes you right away?
Does it feel cluttered?
Are things difficult to access?
What would it be like if you could wave a magic wand and change the space?

There are no right or wrong answers, this is about your preferences, and you don't need to have answers to all of these questions to have a successful consultation. They are just a starting point to get you thinking. I wish you much success in your journey to Calming Spaces!