What It's Really Like To Be Married To A Professional Organizer

It’s been a little hectic around here lately.  Since our return from our yearly family vacation in Mexico my brain has not wanted to switch back into writing mode.  To give myself a little jumpstart (and tbh to outsource an item on my very full plate!) I asked my husband to do a guest post on what an absolute joy it must be to live with me! So read on as Ben makes his writing debut on my blog and gives a little insight into how a marriage between organization and disorganization works (and I swear I only edited it for grammar and spelling!)

Allison and I met during my second year at University of Toronto. I was 19 and at the absolute height of man-cave, could-not-care-less-about-my-appearance (or-my-surroundings) pre-adulthood. Her new roommate was a friend of mine, so she came over to meet me and my other (equally-grimy) roommates. I had not shaved in a week and we literally had Maxim pictures taped to the wall as decoration. The kitchen was piled high with dirty dishes and I used an unzipped sleeping bag as a comforter. What I’m trying to say is that I was an obvious catch.  

Jokes aside if you have followed my wife’s writing at all you would know this does not sound like the beginning of a life-long love story. Yet something drew us to each other and ever since we’ve had a push and pull between her organized ways and my well-meaning but less than stellar abilities in that area. Twelve years and three kids later I continue to do my best to think like she does, but it can be a struggle.

This is why I think the job of a Professional Organizer is so important. She has been able to implement processes in our house that I can actually follow and that have improved both the organization of our household and our ability to interact as a couple.

That said, in this post I wanted to talk a little bit about how the DISorganized mind can benefit from this mindset and how her suggestions help clarify things for me even when I don’t get it 100 percent right.

One of the reasons Allison started her business stemmed from a common argument we were having a few years ago. I don't remember the specific issue but it is not really relevant. I suspect it was because I had taken something (like the salad spinner) out and didn’t put it back in the right place. For my disorganized mind, I just didn’t remember where I had taken it from and found some spot where it seemed to fit. Her organized mind couldn’t understand how I had forgotten where something went that I had just used a few minutes earlier (fair!). In the course of the dispute I said something to the effect of “You have to understand not everyone’s mind works this way.” This is true. I don’t walk into a room and see the things that are out of place. If it is actively MESSY I will notice this but if a pan is not with the other pans it won’t bother me. The thing is, I’ve learned that my life is easier when everything IS in place (wink,wink).

This is where my wife’s strategies have been incredibly effective. To use just one example of many; for years our tupperware drawer was a disaster. Mostly because I’m the one who usually cleans up after supper and I wouldn’t take care to “put like with like”. Allison took some time to set up the lids in a dish rack and put round, square and rectangular containers together. This made sense to me and was easy to follow. Now when I clean up from supper I don’t waste ten minutes trying to find the right lid for the container I need.

Slowly but surely I was able to see things that could be organized better. Even if I don’t know the best strategy I can make a suggestion and set her loose (one of the side-benefits of being married to a Professional Organizer is free organization. I pay her back by folding laundry and taking the kids to daycare).

I would by no means be able to move into the industry myself. My mind still doesn 't (and probably will never) fully work this way. But the benefits are real even for those who didn’t think it is important or thought they would never be able to maintain it. Allison has labelled so many bins and shelves in our house and I find it a relief, because I would genuinely stress if I didn’t know where something went. Now I know if I screw it up, it is clearly on me.

I bring other things to the table in our relationship and as with all things my conversion to organization is a work-in-progress. However the strategies she has written about and implemented in our household have had a real tangible benefit in our relationship and life in general.

6 Life-Changing Organizing Habits To Embrace Now

As featured in Huffington Post

January is GO Month, as in “Get Organized”.  Every year the goal of getting organized makes it’s way onto the top of resolution lists, so it makes sense that GO Month is the first month of the year.  But as the novelty and enthusiasm of everyone’s New Year's resolutions slowly begin to fade I wanted to share some simple habits that you can introduce now, that will help you to stay organized all year long.

Live With Less

Minimalism isn’t for everyone. It isn’t even for me.  But I do like to dip my toe into the minimalist pool. Try not to buy and accumulate items that aren’t necessary.  That new gadget for the kitchen that takes up counter space, the extra set of bath towels you just bought because they were on sale, that hot new book you want to read even though you already have a stack of unread ones next to your bed.  All unnecessary.  Less stuff  = less mess = more freedom.  All of that translates to more time available for the things that you really love like: friends, family and life experiences.  For household items (shampoo, dish-soap, dryer sheets, etc.) try using the 50% rule, when something is half full, it goes on your list.  This gives you enough time to buy it without stockpiling it in your already full space.

Keep Your Counters Clear

This one goes hand-in-hand with the reasoning behind making your bed everyday. Clutter attracts clutter. Simple as that. So if there is already crap on your countertops there is a 100% chance that more crap will join it (don’t you love how scientific I am???). Seriously though, in the same way a nice neat bed sets the tone for your bedroom, so do the counters in your kitchen.  This also applies to the other surfaces in your home: sideboards, dressers, display units.  Minimize what is on them and only display the items that truly speak to you.  You will be less likely to throw other stuff there if you make it beautiful.

Stop Thinking Big Picture

Try focusing on the smaller projects that you can accomplish in a relatively short amount of time.  My clients often tell me that they get overwhelmed when they look at everything that needs to get done.  I totally get that.  If I made a list of all the things that I wanted to do, I would never actually do them because the process of making that list would take way too long and would be completely overwhelming.  Focus on something small.  One junk drawer.  One box.  One shelf.  Sometimes you just need a win.  So get up, crush that little project and use that as motivation to propel you to the next one.

Just Do It

I know this is easier said than done, but putting off all of the little things adds up to a big mess very fast.  Of course it’s quicker to throw your clothes on the floor instead of putting them in the laundry bin. But after a few days you’ve got a real mess on your hands.  Try following the One-minute rule: If you have a task that can be done in less than one minute, do it without delay.  Go ahead and file that paper, pick up that toy, reply to that email and put that bowl in the dishwasher.  It’s not like you’re going to come back at the end of the day and regret that your counters are clear of dishes.  Don’t procrastinate.  Just do it.

Small Shifts

Rather than overhauling your routine, try making small shifts. Don’t constantly fight your instincts. If your entryway is always cluttered with junk mail, put a recycling basket there so it has somewhere to go. If everyone is leaving their bags and purses on the floor, put up a few hooks at on the wall to make it easier to keep neat.

I used to constantly run up and down the stairs to put wayward items away.  Then I got a stair basket.  Life changing people.  Seriously.  I love having a basket that fits right on the stairs. Anything I need to bring upstairs is in one place.  You can check out my favorite stair baskets here.  The trick is to make sure you eventually empty it and put everything away!

Outsource

This is a big one.  It’s a big one because it makes people feel guilty, inadequate and dumb.  I hear it over and over ‘I should be able to do this myself’ or ‘I can’t believe I have to hire someone to organize my closet’.  Sometimes your time can be better spent doing the things that you love and excel at.  It’s not that you are incapable of organizing your pantry, it’s just that your time may be better allocated somewhere else.  My standard line to my clients is always this: “I am perfectly capable of cleaning my house, yet I have no problem hiring someone else to do it because I know that my time is better spent growing my business and hanging out with my family”.

I realize that outsourcing feels a bit self-serving but having a professional come in with fresh eyes can be really beneficial, especially if you have gone clutterblind to your surroundings. We have the resources, training and connections to set up a system that works for your lifestyle. While it may not be in everyone’s budget to have a Professional Organizer come in for several hours, a lot of us will do remote consultations and coaching at a lower cost than in-home organizing sessions.  You can set up a Skype call, give the organizer a tour of your space, discuss your needs and goals, and we can come up with solutions that work for you.  As long as you are prepared and motivated to do the work, we will come up with the plan.  To find a Professional Organizer that suits your needs have a look at the Professional Organizers in Canada (POC)

Happy GO Month and Happy Organizing!

It's GO Month!

January is Get Organized Month.  Take a look at my interview on Montreal's Breakfast Television for some great ways to get organized in 2017.  (Click image to watch the video)

Allison Weigensberg and Joanne Vrakas on the set of Montreal's Breakfast Television

4 Easy Ways to Stay Organized This Holiday Season

As seen in Huffington Post

I love, love, love the holiday season, but I do not enjoy all the additional stuff it brings into my home.  If you’re looking to spread the holiday cheer without adding clutter I put together some great alternatives to traditional gifts that you can find here.

However, if you are past that point and know that you, your kids, your dog and your gerbil will be receiving an insane amount of presents this year, you’re going to need a strategy to deal with all of those things without your home looking like a department store.

Trust me, I feel your pain.  I know I’ve mentioned this before  but since we celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas the amount of new items that find their way into my home can be a bit overwhelming.  Especially with three kids in the mix.  

One In One Out

Tough rule, I know.  But it doesn’t matter how organized you are, if you have too much in your home you'll never be able to maintain it and it will always feel disorganized.

However this can be a great way to help your children learn the value of charity.  I try to frame it that they are so lucky to be getting all these new toys, but other kids are not so lucky, so we pick some toys that we aren’t playing with anymore so that other kids can have a chance with them.  Look in your area for places that will accept gently used toys and donate them.

Unfortunately you need to apply the same rule to the adults in the house; while that new scarf is super soft and beautiful I bet you have at least one in your collection that has either seen better days or that you don’t wear anymore.  Get it out of there.

Put It Back

One of the most important steps in maintaining an organized space is to put it back.  I go into it in more detail here  but it is a step that can be easily overlooked during the holiday season.  We are so excited to try on our new clothes or play that new video game or test out that new toy that before we know there is just stuff. Everywhere.  Enjoy your the new additions but don’t let all of the excitement get the best of you.  Once you’re done put it back.

Find A Home For It

This one goes hand in hand with the ‘put it back rule’, but sometimes it can be really hard to put something away if you don’t know where it goes.  Find a spot that makes sense for you.  Especially if this new item is something that you will use frequently in the coming weeks.  You want a space for it that is accessible and works with your routine.  This may require you to go through some of your existing stuff and declutter a bit.  I know you want to use that fancy new mug with great mouth feel that you just received but if your cupboard is already bursting at the seams you won’t have a place to put it.

Regift It

I can already hear the groans and gasps at this suggestion.  As good as the gift giver's intention may have been, sometimes they just miss the mark.  Think of the space in your home as valuable real estate.  Why waste that space on something that you don’t want, need, or love?

There is nothing wrong with repurposing that gift for someone else.  As long as you do it right:

• Put a little post-it on the bottom of the gift with the name of who gave it to you

• Only regift items that are in their original packaging and have not been opened

• Only regift it to someone who you genuinely feel will appreciate it

• Put it in a new gift bag/re-wrap it.  Nothing says “I regifted this” like a ratty gift bag and crumpled tissue paper.

• Tell the recipient.  If you’re really feeling bad about regifting it then simply give it to someone that you feel would appreciate it and let them know where it came from.  ‘My aunt Sally got my this beautiful coloring book, but it’s not really my thing.  I thought you would enjoy using it’ Simple. Honest. Easy.

• Donate it.  If all else fails, get it out of your home and donate it.  

Do you have an organizing issue you need to tackle? Get in touch with me here  and tell me about it.  Don’t forget to follow my blog  for the latest organizing advice.

Happy Holidays and Happy Organizing!