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So
I
decided, once again, that this fall I was really going to get organized.
But
unlike previous attempts, I did not scour the library for the latest
how-to-get-organized book, or run to Pier 1 Imports for yet another
basket.
This time I called in a professional!
I
learned about Deborah Siravo of Charlestown
and her business ClutterCare Resources, through our mutual friend.
With
just a few months under her belt as a professional organizer, and
dozens of
satisfied customers already singing her praises, I decided Deborah
might be
just the person I need to finally get some order in my world.
It
took
me several weeks to actually call Deborah because, being totally
disorganized,
I of course misplaced her phone number.
And
then once I finally found the number, my schedule was so crazy that I
wasn’t
even sure when I could make time for her to come over.
But
eventually, I did make an appointment – and I am so glad I did!
The appointment
The first dilemma I faced on
the morning of my
scheduled appointment, was whether or not to clean my house.
My
instinct was of course to zoom through the house and tuck everything
back into
its place (or at least throw it all in a basket and get it out of
sight). But
that seemed rather counterproductive to purpose of the visit – how can
she help
me manage my clutter, if I pretend I don’t have any.
So,
I
did a quick clean of the bathroom, swept up the dog hair and left it at
that.
I
must
admit that when Deborah first arrived (exactly on time and ready to
work!) I
felt a little intimidated. The idea of having someone I don’t know see
the full
extent of my mess was a little overwhelming, but Deborah really made me
feel
comfortable.
She
assured me that she has seen it all, and she completely understands how
things
can quickly get out of control.
She
also assured me that everything she sees or that we talk about is
strictly
confidential, which I greatly appreciated.
And
then we got to work! Deborah suggested that since I am a writer, we
should
start in my home office (a.k.a. “the computer room” I share with my
husband, a
collection of children’s toys, art supplies, and our dirty laundry.
As
we
worked – sorting things to save, things to throw away/recycle and
things that I
needed a couple of days to think about – we chatted about her work and
the
process of de-cluttering.
Deborah
told me that she learned her organizational skills from her mother and
that
they have been her lifeline over the years – most recently while
earning a
masters degree in textile conservation at the University of Rhode Island
– something she said she could not have accomplished without being
organized.
She
told me that in addition to organizing houses, she can go to a client’s
business or office. She also does pre-move organization and packing,
“staging”
to sell a house, and can help families moving to the area settle in to
their
new homes.
It
was
clear as we worked, that not only is Deborah very good at what she does
– she
absolutely loves it, especially the end results.
Despite
her insistence that it can be relaxing and fun, I don’t think I will
ever join Deborah
in her zeal for de-cluttering – but oh do I love the end results!
(Deborah
Siravo can be contacted at deblily@verizon.net
or 364-3651.)
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