Throughout my career as an organizer I have been blessed to know & work for so many people, all kinds of people from all walk of life. Oh, how I love each and everyone for what they teach me. Some, after what we experience together, feel like family. I treat each one as an individual and each case is different than the one before. Now, I love the pop in & outs as well, but have a special place for those dealing with strife.

They each have a very different story, each with its own duration and beginning. However, amongst them all has been a recurring theme. They have been dealt a moment in life that changed them. While visiting the Career Fair here in town yesterday I was blessed to hear a young woman speak about her brother, who had passed at the age of 16. They began a foundation to celebrate his life called “Live Lovely” (see www.livelovely.org).  She explained how her brother received a fatal diagnosis and survived only a few short months following. She discussed there being moments in one’s life that make you react one of two ways. Either it destroys you or it makes you stronger.

I am communicating with a client who I will be visiting in the coming weeks about a whole house project and what will be taking place during our days together. As we talk each time I can see more and more that there have been moments just like this in her life.

I am not a therapist, nor do I claim to be able to “fix” people, but I CAN fix one of the symptoms which is clutter. If there is no outer order there is no inner calm.

I too have had moments like this in my life, on many occasions. Unfortunately, as a young adult I experienced very sad circumstances and endured a lengthy time in life in situations which destroyed by self esteem, I chose to make that experience a positive one and spent the next several years digging deep to define who “Melissa” was. Being strong in my sense of self allows me the confidence to pick up after new setbacks. It is only through some soul searching that we can overcome life’s struggles.

Many of my clients have lost a spouse, some have experienced a divorce, lost a child, lost a parent, had a physical issue, lost a job, or just plain overworked and overscheduled. While talking this morning, she mentioned “I can’t believe my life could really be changing in just a week”.  It is overwhelming. I explain during these marathon sessions that a lot of emotions are going to come. Again, everyone is different. But a lot of the responses to having a stranger come in and turn your house upside down and right side up again are the same. I explained I wanted her to journal her feelings this week leading up to my arrival, because we would have to process this before during and after the project was completed. I asked her to repeat this word when she begins to feel the anxiety this week….Forward. It is the word I say when I feel overwhelm building in my own chest. It has worked for 2 years to keep me from having panic attacks.

For all of my clients that I work with dwelling in these valleys, I pray for the same thing, that they come out of it with a burden off of their shoulders, a peace on their heart allowing them to focus on the positive momentum we have started. Empowering them to release the fear and regret that has manifested into the material and put one foot in front of the other to becoming confident and healthy.

I ask you to do the same thing I instruct other’s to do, journal. Write down how your belongings make you feel. If you intend to tackle it yourself take the opportunity to document your progress. When you are on the other side you will need to process the emotions you went through to get there. At times, when you feel frustrated with your surroundings, put in words what is frustrating you. For example, there are too many papers, cords are everywhere, laundry is in piles, etc. Then process why this isn’t getting the attention it needs. Then…you too can start putting one foot in front of the other to devise a solution.