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Organize Your Life

An Organizer’s Confession

March 25, 2014



If you have ever wondered whether a professional organizer has a “stuff addiction,” the answer is yes. Heal thyself, right?

For me, it’s one thing: handbags. I have lots of them. I love them. Some are designer. Some are knockoffs. Some are totes. Some are clutches.

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The first step in solving a problem is admitting you have one.

I admit it. I am addicted to handbags. And it ends today.

I pulled all but three of the bags off my closet shelf and took them to Fifi’s and the Bargain Box, both in Cameron Village. They are gone.

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I am sure you asking, why now? Well, I gave a talk yesterday to some working moms about how to stay organized. I told them about cleaning their desks to be more productive. I also gave tips on how to cut down on toys and purge clothes that don’t fit or you don’t love. I said my mantra over and over: the only way to truly organize is to purge items you don’t use or don’t want. Then organize what’s left.

They got most of it, but after a while, I could tell these women liked their things and their closets. I then quickly pointed out it’s ok to buy things. Just make sure to buy quality over quantity. Yes, it will be more expensive. But that  means you will only buy one. It also means it will last forever, and you won’t buy it again or buy it in bulk because you want backups for when it breaks.

One woman there had a Louis Vuitton  bag. I pointed it out and said  it’s like this bag. If we just buy one beautiful, well-made handbag, you don’t need two, or, in my case, 20. You just need that one because 1. A Louis Vuitton will never go out of style, and 2. It will last forever. (It’s the same with clothes. It’s the same with anything, really.)

And, bam, it hit me. I love Louis Vuitton. I have always wanted a Louis Vuitton bag. But I always told myself I could not afford it. This is hard to admit, but all those bags pictured above probably equal the cost of a Louis Vuitton bag.

But buying quality sometimes means waiting and having self-control because you may have to save up to buy it. Clearly, I did not. Handbags were my marshmallows, and I did not hold off. (Psych majors and children of therapists will understand this reference).

So beginning today, I am practicing what I preach. I hope to get a Louis one day —  Dress, a consignment store in Raleigh, carries them. But I also want to focus on buying quality in all parts of my life. By doing so, it guarantees I will have less stuff.

How do I feel giving up all those handbags? Ahhhhhmazing. Quality here I come.

 

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Leah Friedman
Hello!
I'm a professional organizer in Raleigh, North Carolina, helping people declutter their homes and work spaces.

Testimonials

After working with Leah Friedman, the room looked and felt calm, rather than chaotic. When I am overwhelmed again, I will certainly hire her expertise and energy. What an investment in order, calm and piece of mind!  
Lucy KeenanRaleigh
Leah helped me to organize several spaces in my home that have been on my “to do” list for years. She arrived on time, ready to tackle the projects, and made something I dreaded doing lots of fun! She never judges, is always encouraging and gets the job done in a reasonable amount of time. I highly recommend her!
Anne ShermanChapel Hill
Leah Friedman turned a wretched job into fun! It’s true. She even had me laughing. She is worth every penny. We plowed through two closets. They are now nicely organized, and I know where to find my clothes. I even know what I own. Leah hauled about six bags of give-aways to Interact. I heartily recommend Leah. She gets the job done! She a combo of firm, gentle and fun. Just what I needed.
Judith TillmanRaleigh
I love the way my master closet looks, and my husband is very happy, too. Thank you so much for helping me through the whole process. I still can’t believe how much work we got done.
BeckyDurham

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