My Journey to an Organized Life!

Welcome to my little corner in cyber-space!

I’m so excited to share with you tips and strategies that I’ve learned as a Professional Organizer for the past 4 years and from my own struggles with getting and staying organized.

I’ll admit it right here … I was not born with the “organizing gene.” In my younger years, my mother used to declare that my room resembled the aftermath of a tornado that had blown through. As an adult, I teetered on the fence between being mildly disorganized to feeling completely out of control. Like I hear from so many clients, I thrived within the structure and routine of a corporate environment, but in my personal life, I was a disorganized mess!

Perhaps you can relate to my experience? I didn’t recognize the need for systems and structure in my home life like was inherent in the corporate world. After all, what did I need systems and processes in my home, where I was my own boss. I didn’t recognize the negative effects of a disorganized environment. And as long as I didn’t invite anyone over, my secret was safe. What a way to live?!

My transformation toward an organized home life began in 2002, following the adoption of my second daughter from Russia at age 3 1/2. WOW did life change after Alena’s adoption. I hear this from so many of my clients … the life I knew before kids was now a distant memory, and I lacked the skills to dig myself out of the mess once it started spiraling out of control. It was then that I recognized that these issues no longer involved just me. If I didn’t get my act together, my kid’s lives would be impacted too, and that realization was my wake-up call.

They say that “necessity is the mother of invention.” It surely was for me! I began to immerse myself in all things organizing, from books to decluttering sessions by myself and with a clutter buddy, teaching and enlisting help from my kids, to trying new organizing products. I began to recognize that our home operates not unlike a business, with departments, rules, consistent systems, behaviors and habits. Once I made that connection and began viewing our family life like a small operation, the solutions for improvement became crystal clear.

In 2004, after the transformation of our home, my passion grew to share my newfound knowledge and skill with others who were struggling as I had. Simplified Spaces was born in early 2004 and I haven’t slowed down since. So you see, I wasn’t born with the organizing gene, like so many assume to be the case for us organizing types.  Rather I came to the profession as a Professional Organizer after my own life transformation that developed into a desire to share my epiphany with others.

I can’t wait to share with you through The Organizing Genie blog what I’ve learned personally and through my profession as a Professional Organizer. I am confident that you can experience the same transformations in your home and family!

So what are the benefits of home organization? Why should we care? Well, the benefits are huge and our health and wellness depends on it. From kids and chores to tips on space planning, to reviewing the latest and greatest products, I invite you to join me every Monday, as we explore and learn the recipe to achieving The Simplified Home.

Wishing you Simplified Spaces …

Janet
The Organizing Genie

Originally posted 2008-08-15 07:34:49. Republished by Old Post Promoter