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Raleigh Green Gables

Organize Your Life

Everyone Worries They Are a Hoarder

July 14, 2014



Last week, I shared a common factor among clients in my post called “Those Pretty Little Bins,” where most clients want to buy storage containers before I come help them organize.

Today, I want to share with you a second commonality among clients. They worry they are hoarders. They apologize when I come into their homes. They jokingly ask if I want to bring in the cameras and film their mess like the show.

So I compassionately tell my clients:

You are not a hoarder. Hoarding is a mental health issue. Hoarders don’t recognize they need help, and most of them don’t want it. The hoarder is not the one actually calling for help. To get a hoarder to clean up, there has to be an intervention.

Just by the simple fact a client is calling me to schedule proves she is not a “hoarder.”

I also tell clients — as they nervously pace, apologizing and showing me their cluttered space — every single home I’ve ever been in looks the same. My clients are so average when it comes to clutter. (Sorry clients, but it’s true.) I have never been shocked when I walked into a home. Not once.

Most homes I declutter look like this.

Most homes I declutter look like this.

That’s because most clients have the same issues. They live in beautiful homes that have lots of large closets, a garage, an attic, a basement and other “unique” storage ideas they fell in love the minute they walked in with the Realtor.

Then, over a period of years, they have weddings, children, parents who pass away, and they fill up those spaces to the point they can’t breathe.

utility-before

When a client tells me her story, I reassure her that our relationship is a judge-free zone. It’s your stuff, not mine. I have no attachment to it or emotion about it. It’s you who can’t breathe, not me.

When a client apologizes to me, they are really apologizing to themselves. And when I come, it’s time to forgive. I help them begin the healing they are craving.

Just so you know, when you call me, you are definitely not a hoarder. The thought has never popped into my mind.

Instead, I celebrate you. Calling me means you are taking a step towards living your best life.

And you deserve that.

Filed Under: Because I Said So, Closet

(919) 623-1160

raleighgreengables@gmail.com

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

Testimonials

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
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

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