ABOUT ME
MY STORY
If there is anything such as an organizing gene, I probably have it, because I have been making lists and organizing things and people ever since I was a child.
In 2001, when I discovered that one could make a living as a Professional Organizer, I had my “Aha Moment” and knew I had finally discovered my calling. I went into business officially in 2002 and have loved every minute of my work ever since!
Prior to becoming an Organizer, I worked in the Hollywood entertainment industry for many years, freelancing in several different technical, production and administrative capacities of film, television and theatre.
Later, a series of administrative jobs gave me a sneak peek at my organizing tendencies, and the last steady job I had before starting my Organizing business was as a library assistant at a major film studio research library. There I learned about cataloging, filing categories and how to care for archival materials.
Once I began working with Organizing clients, I began to see how all the disparate jobs I’d had applied to my work as an Organizer. I realized that freelancing had been conditioning me to be flexible. Since I was at a new place, with new people, practically every day during that time, I learned how to adapt to many different situations and personalities. Working in the arts also kept my brain balanced - it exercised my creative side even while I was approaching the work logically. In my case, the journey itself was truly just as important as the destination, and continues to be so.
I moved to Lexington, Kentucky in 2006 to be near family, and to trade earthquakes for tornadoes. In my spare time I like to go dancing (ballroom, swing and Latin), go out with friends, spend time with family and work on personal projects.
SPECIALTIES
Areas of particularly strong interest for me within the Organizing field are Time Management, including attention to task and project management, and the archiving and preservation of photos and documents.
Having struggled through my own issues with chronic time management disorganization, and finding effective solutions to those challenges, I feel I bring a clear understanding of the situation to my clients and unique perspectives and strategies on how to address those problems.
The archiving and preservation of photographs and documents (and other family history memorabilia) is my favorite area of Organizing. I developed an interest in genealogy at the age of 19 and have been conducting on-and-off research ever since. The care and preservation of photographs, documents and other family memorabilia is something I have studied closely and I can coach my clients on the specific handling techniques, products and environmental conditions needed to best preserve their precious family heirlooms.
WORKING PHILOSOPHY
I see myself first and foremost as a teacher to my clients, passing on skills and thought processes that will enable them to function independently with their time and their things when I am not around. My motto is “I teach you how to think like an Organizer.”
My ideal client is the person who recognizes they have hit bottom, so to speak, in regards to the level of chaos in their lives. They realize they have a problem over which they have no control, admit they need help from the outside, and are willing to make the necessary, sometimes radical changes to heal and transform their lives.
I don’t consider myself a pushy person when it comes to my clients and their emotional struggles with letting go of clutter. My philosophy is to move the client at a pace comfortable to them, gently pushing when appropriate, and providing gentle honesty when needed, to allow the client to stretch and broaden their thought process, and give their emotions time to adjust.
I do, however, believe in honesty, and will never sugar-coat what I see happening in an attempt to manipulate a client. I believe that facing one's issues directly is the best way to work through them, and while I always try to phrase things as gently as I can, I will always be honest about what I see happening with a client and their situation.
I’m also a very sentimental person, so I understand people’s feelings about wanting to keep things that are special to them. I always work to find solutions for my clients to keep their special belongings in a way that doesn’t intrude on their living space.
In short, I will never insist on having a client get rid of something, but will instead teach the client how to make the decision for themselves.
AFFILIATIONS & EDUCATION
Member in good standing of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO).
Member in good standing of the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD).
Currently working through the ICD education curriculum toward the Certified Professional Organizer title with a specialty in Chronic Disorganization.
FUTURE PLANS
Obtain my Certified Professional Organizer title with a specialty in Chronic Disorganization, possibly with additional specialties in Hoarding and ADD as well.
Other plans include completing a Master’s degree program in Library Science, Archival Studies with a concentration on the conservation of photographs and documents.