With Dad working from home, and Mom busy with the kids, who’s got time for home organizing? “Do It For Me” organizing can be a great solution. (Photo: Keira Burton from Pexels.)
“Do I have to be here while you’re doing this?” said my client (a busy mom of three). I could hear the overwhelm in her voice.
“No, you don’t have to,” I replied.
“Oh,” she said, with a smile of relief, “that’s great!”
Two styles of home organizing
There are two styles of organizing that you may or may not be familiar with. There is “Do It With Me”, and then there’s “Do It For Me”.
“Do It With Me”. That’s where the professional organizer (me!) and the client (you!) work together, side-by-side. The client makes the decisions, as I guide him or her through the organizing process in a way that works for their space, their lifestyle, and their belongings. I’m there to help with decluttering and sorting, as well as the “where should I put this?” decisions that come afterwards. The end result: an organized space.
“Do It For Me”. That’s where I, the professional organizer, work unsupervised in a client’s home. I’ll do the organizing for them, based on the goals, preferences, and details they’ve has shared with me. Again, the end result is an organized space.
Sometimes you’ll hear talk about how the “Do It For Me” style isn’t as good. “Oh, the client always needs to be involved in the process! Otherwise it’ll all be for naught.” Well, sometimes that can be true. But to declare this as a blanket statement is both incorrect, and unfair.
First of all, although not everyone may have the skills or experience to create a system from scratch, many people do just fine following a system that’s been set up for them (ideally, after discussing their specific goals and needs with the organizer.)
Second, this blanket statement assumes that everybody has the ability to take time off to work with a professional organizer. This is not the case. A professional with a highly demanding job, an overwhelmed mom or dad, a caregiver for an elderly parent—these are just some of the folks who may not have the freedom to “Just take a day off”.
And yet they all deserve an organized, peaceful home that works for them.
The demands of your job may not leave much time for organizing. Giving up your hard-earned weekend to sort things into bins is not the only alternative! (Photo: Rodnae Productions from Pexels.)
How does “Do It For Me” organizing help you?
1) It saves you time. You don’t have to look at your busy schedule, figure out what day or time you can possibly take off, and then devote that time to organizing.
2) It’s convenient. It’s a bit like dropping your car off at the shop, then picking it up after work and the oil has been changed and the tires have been rotated. Only with organizing, it’s even easier because there’s no pickup or drop-off involved.
3) You don’t have to be physically present. I can work unsupervised in one room while you’re in another room working—or I can even work in your home while you are not home. I have clients who are able to buzz me into their home remotely, let me in before they leave for work, or provide me with a key (which is always kept in a secure place when not in use).
“Do It For Me” organizing is certainly not for everyone or every situation. If you feel you have too many things and need to declutter, that means making decisions about what to keep and what to let go. I can’t make those decisions for you, so you must be present and actively participating. On the other hand, if decluttering isn’t your top priority (but creating a system is) then “Do It For Me” can be a great solution for you.
How great would it feel to come home to a tidy space, take off your shoes, and relax? You deserve it! (Photo: Anastasia Shuraeva from Pexels.)
How does “Do It For Me” organizing work?
I don’t create a system in a vacuum, or based on a one-size-fits-all methodology, but only after a detailed conversation with you. During our consultation, I’ll ask you questions, including how you use your space and your belongings, your feelings about what is currently working and what is not working so well, your preferences as to “stuff out” versus “stuff away”, and your tastes as to how things look. I’ll listen carefully to your answers. I’ll also ask you to share photos of your space.
At your home, I’ll apply what you’ve shared with me to create a personalized system just for you. This will involve removing things from where they are stored, sorting things into categories, then replacing things in an organized way that is consistent with the goals and needs you’ve expressed to me.
And yes, I can recommend organizing products that are appropriate for the space, and that fit with your tastes and preferences. However, it’s important to remember that pretty boxes can always be added later. The majority of my clients are most concerned with having a space that works for them and makes their busy lives easier.
After I’ve done the organizing work, I will communicate to you what I’ve done, in writing and/or verbally as well as by using labels and photographs, so that when you return home, you’ll know where things are.
And that’s it! “Do It For Me” in a nutshell—and you get to come home to a peaceful, organized space where you can relax and feel good.
No matter which organizing style (or a combination) is right for you, I’m here to help you get the relief from clutter that you deserve. I’m Kammy, a Chicagoland-based professional organizer. Contact me or text (773) 756-5414 for your free 30-minute consultation. 🌱