Organizing Your Life - Frequently Asked Questions About Organizing

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Wondering about organizing your life?

Below you'll find some general frequently asked questions about organizing. Please feel free to contact us if your question is not answered here or anywhere else on the site.

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How do I know if I need to get organized?

Do you have trouble locating items?
Do you purchase multiples of the same item because you can't locate the one you previously bought?
Are there areas in your home or office that you avoid?
Is clutter preventing you from cleaning?
Do you avoid having people over?

Answering yes to any of these questions is a good indicator that it is time to get organized.

Why organize?

There are many reasons why you should organize your life. By being organized, you have the opportunity to:

save time
reduce stress
save money
increase efficiency
teach your kids how to be organized
accomplish more
be happier!

Still not convinced? Check out these CRAZY ORGANIZING STATISTICS!

I want to get organized. Where do I start?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions about organizing that I get. The answer is it all depends on you. I know that sound so unhelpful, but here's what to do...

Write down the areas in which you need organizing help, and then put them in order of priority. Start with the first one. Do some research, seek support from family and friends, and if necessary, call a professional. Here's more on where to start organizing.

How long does it take to get organized?

There is getting organized (complete reorganization) and there is staying organized (maintenance). Either way, it all depends on you.

Getting organized:

how long it takes you to make decisions (i.e. keep or donate?)
if you are willing to let things go (i.e. no need to keep grocery receipts from last year)
how easily you can adopt new habits (i.e. going through the mail as soon as it comes)

Staying organized:

Organization requires regular maintenance. Let's say you spend 5 hours organizing your closet, and it's now in tip top shape. Maintaining this order means that you are putting things back in their proper places on a daily basis and getting rid of items every few months or so. Hence, committing to this regular maintenance could mean that staying organized takes 5 minutes. Ooh how lovely!

How do I know if I need a professional organizer?

There are a few indicators. A professional is helpful and probably necessary if...

you know you need organizing assistance but don't know where or how to start.
you've started several organizing projects and have trouble finishing them.
you need the extra motivation and the nonjudgmental opinion and support an organizer can (and should) provide.