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Many people I talk to have never heard of professional organizing.
If they have, they often associate it with getting rid of clutter,
filing papers, or bringing order into the chaos of closets, kitchens,
and basements.
It can indeed be all these things, but organizing can be so much
more. Below are examples of projects I have worked on over the years.
Hopefully, they’ll show you how many different ways WholeLife
Organizing can help people in varied situations and life circumstances.
The names of some clients have been fictionalized to preserve confidentiality.
Situations are authentic.
After Illness and Death
While her husband struggled with cancer for nearly
a year, Julia was barely able to manage much more than caring for
him and showing up for work. After her husband died Julia was faced
with mountains of unopened mail, dozens of household projects waiting
to be handled, writing thank you notes to the hundreds of people
who attended the funeral, as well as taking over matters related
to her husband’s business, which had accumulated for over
a year.
Over the course of almost two years we sorted through
and handled large baskets full of business and household files,
medical bills and insurance forms, notices from collection agencies
and the IRS bills waiting to be paid. We dealt with estate, tax,
legal and other financial matters. Julia created poster-size to-do
lists and together we methodically addressed each item slowly and
surely. Today she is able to keep up with current projects on her
own.
After the Fire
Linda and Ned had a fire in their 5-bedroom home.
While the fire did not fully destroy much of their home or belongings,
the smoke damage was severe, and they had to vacate and completely
empty their home so it could be repaired. In the process, they had
to go through every item they owned (including those belonging to
four children who were still storing things at the house) and decide
what to keep, clean, or claim.
The project consisted of helping them figure out
how to make these decisions in short periods of time. In the process,
we had to itemize everything necessary for filing claims with the
insurance company and find ways of disposing of what needed to be
discarded. I helped with the research necessary for submitting claims,
preparing other accounting paperwork, organizing two moves as they
went from one temporary home to another. Given my preference to
find “good homes” for anything that can possibly be
recycled or reused in some fashion, I was able to donate several
very large bags of pillows, blankets, and towels to a local veterinary
clinic that desperately needed such items for recently rescued dogs.
I’m now firmly convinced of the value of creating an inventory
of one’s belongings.
Better Late Than Never
Bob had not filed taxes in 7 years. He was convinced
he was due only refunds, so did not feel concerned about accumulating
penalties. He was also in the habit – when company was coming
– of putting whatever was “out” into a box and
throwing the box into one room in his house.
He was ready to change his habits so he could feel
better about himself and create a more pleasing environment for
his fiancée, who was considering living with him. He wanted
to start by filing his taxes, which meant going through all the
boxes that had accumulated in his room (at least 30) and patiently
sorting through them to gather the relevant materials. He was finally
able to file his taxes and got almost $12,000 in refunds –
and we created a viable system to use for future tax years!
Blessing the Garden
Elizabeth and Robert were planning to sell their
house and move to another part of the state. She hired me to help
her pack her most precious belongings and get the house ready to
show. Her realtor wanted her to remove all the personal touches
so a prospective client could come into a more neutral, still pleasing
environment.
Elizabeth was very sad about leaving the house in
which she had lived for 22 years. I suggested we create a ritual
of letting go. During the ritual we walked all around her yard and
one by one she acknowledged every plant in the garden, all that
had given her joy over the years in the space around her. As a result
of the ritual she felt ready to move. Three days later the house
sold.
Losing Sleep
Michael is a successful, high-level executive in
one of this country's top financial services companies. He wanted
help because he was waking up in the middle of the night, remembering
something he was supposed to have done that day which he didn't
do. He was realizing how quickly he was losing control over many
aspects of his work life and was concerned about how he was disappointing
his colleagues and employees. He needed help with managing his time,
tasks, billing, email, delegating, and the like.
We did an initial assessment during which I evaluated
all his "systems." I sent him a report of our session,
including an analysis and recommendations. He was immediately able
to implement two significant improvements in his routine. He created
an "out box" into which he would put everything he wanted
to give to his assistant. We also created a protocol that would
help him with his billing and tracking of reimbursable expenses.
Seemingly simple but effective solutions are often hard to discover
when you’re in the thick of things.
Selling the Store
A local restaurant and grocery store owner was ready
to sell her business and move out of the area. She didn’t
know how to do this. She hired me to help her figure it out. I helped
her clarify the steps she needed to take; found someone to do a
valuation; prepared her books and financial records for prospective
buyers; wrote a prospectus; served as a sounding board for various
issues that came up throughout the process and facilitated brainstorming
meetings. She was able to sell the store to ideal new owners.
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