About Me
My name is Katrina and I've been an organized nut since the beginning of time. I have no idea why. It's in my DNA. It comes easy to me. Probably being an only child of older parents was part of it and the other part most likely was not having much - what I did have, I treasured. In college, a friend of mine would turn my books upside down on my bookcase just to annoy me to face the titles not in a line. He found this really amusing.
My father built our house himself and he was very proud of his craftsmanship. He kept his things orderly.
My mother - was truly OCD - she was the complete hoarder of the family. Kept every single thing that ever passed her and then some.
My parents were born in the Depression Era (1930 and 1933 respectively) and what followed them was the hoarder mentality characteristic of their generation. Many years after my father died, my mother would promise to go through her things so I wouldn't have as much to deal with later once she was gone. I always talked her out of it - mostly out of curiosity honestly. Her stuffed closets and rooms were a well-guarded treasure of hers that I was never privy to see. Eventually, that day came to pass and I did indeed have to sort through 80+ years of gatherings - all by myself. That was indeed a lesson in what had been worth keeping and what should have been passed along decades ago. Valuable knowledge!
My grandparents before them didn't have much but what they did have, they kept clean, repaired and proper. Seeing things from both sides of my family go to auction once they were gone brings things into perspective. What is necessary? What should be shared?
As far as me, I've moved 16 times, owned 4 homes and been organizing for over 30 years. About 11 years into moving, I had inherited all my grandmother's possessions and settled into a new home, I was determined to organize my basement. I spent two years building custom shelving for a tote system, complete with labels. It was a work of art! Once finished, as I stepped back to admire my work, I realized all I had actually done was ORGANIZE MY MESS and zero to declutter my life.
I spent the next ten years going through absolutely everything I own, tote by tote, item by item and donating. Donating and donating some more. Coming from a family of hoarders (sentimental and practical), this was lifechanging and lifegiving. I can honestly tell you that I understand the value of emotional attachment to cherished possessions but I can also tell you the life breath that comes from freeing yourself from some of that, being intentional about what you keep, why you keep and how you keep. (And NO I did not get rid of everything but what I do have, I have INTENTIONALLY)
At one point in my life, I was caretaking for my live-in elderly mother, homeschooling full time one high school and one elementary school student, running a full time family business as well as being mother, personal chef, housekeeper, laundress, homeschool support volunteer, homeschool special event coordinator to name just a few of the many hats I was wearing. I was juggling so many plates, I could only listen to classical music because the lyrics were adding too much to my already full brain. Order in my life became my life's blood. I had to end the piles and create simplicity in order to survive.
Let me say this
It is possible! It can be done. It just has to be done the way you want it done. Maybe you don't know how. That's where I can help. Let's look at the physical problem in front of us. Then, let's talk about the mental problem and what your need is. Then and only then, can the two of us come up with a plan that works for you. Not for someone else. That's what you find when you google around or look at pinboards. Someone else's plan. That's not going to work for you. You won't stick to it and even if we redid your whole space like what you've seen, you probably will find you hate it. You won't function in it. It won't last. Your clutter is your lifestyle and that's what you'll return to IF the plan isn't setup to help you, for you and by you. We can do that TOGETHER!
My Experience: I have a BA in Psychology. Homeschool teacher for 24 years. Small Business owner: 20 years. Member of American Society of Professional Organizers.
My Why: I find myself in a new season of life. My kids have graduated and are grown into wonderful adults. Both of my parents have passed away. When settling down to think about what I can do with this next season, I thought about what I am good at. Organizing. It is a great desire to spend my time doing something to help others. With me, there is no judgement. I have seen everything. Yes, I need to earn an income but it can be doing something that will benefit someone. This business has exactly what I can offer. Assistance doing something that may help you. I don't do the work for you (you won't stick with it if I did) but I can help you think about what needs done so we can do it together (and make something that will stick and will work).
My Policies: It is important to adhere to start and stop times. I will begin to wrap up at 15 minutes to the end of the session time to review what goals, future plans, and any loose ends as well as take payment for that day's session. Payment is due at the end of each session. I accept credit cards or checks (subject to a return check fee and bank fees for insufficient funds). A paid invoice will be emailed to you later that same day for your records.
All dogs need to be kenneled or put in a separate room during our session for safety. They can become potentially territorial and disruptive over belongings.
All communication between us whether in writing or verbal is completely confidential.
My father built our house himself and he was very proud of his craftsmanship. He kept his things orderly.
My mother - was truly OCD - she was the complete hoarder of the family. Kept every single thing that ever passed her and then some.
My parents were born in the Depression Era (1930 and 1933 respectively) and what followed them was the hoarder mentality characteristic of their generation. Many years after my father died, my mother would promise to go through her things so I wouldn't have as much to deal with later once she was gone. I always talked her out of it - mostly out of curiosity honestly. Her stuffed closets and rooms were a well-guarded treasure of hers that I was never privy to see. Eventually, that day came to pass and I did indeed have to sort through 80+ years of gatherings - all by myself. That was indeed a lesson in what had been worth keeping and what should have been passed along decades ago. Valuable knowledge!
My grandparents before them didn't have much but what they did have, they kept clean, repaired and proper. Seeing things from both sides of my family go to auction once they were gone brings things into perspective. What is necessary? What should be shared?
As far as me, I've moved 16 times, owned 4 homes and been organizing for over 30 years. About 11 years into moving, I had inherited all my grandmother's possessions and settled into a new home, I was determined to organize my basement. I spent two years building custom shelving for a tote system, complete with labels. It was a work of art! Once finished, as I stepped back to admire my work, I realized all I had actually done was ORGANIZE MY MESS and zero to declutter my life.
I spent the next ten years going through absolutely everything I own, tote by tote, item by item and donating. Donating and donating some more. Coming from a family of hoarders (sentimental and practical), this was lifechanging and lifegiving. I can honestly tell you that I understand the value of emotional attachment to cherished possessions but I can also tell you the life breath that comes from freeing yourself from some of that, being intentional about what you keep, why you keep and how you keep. (And NO I did not get rid of everything but what I do have, I have INTENTIONALLY)
At one point in my life, I was caretaking for my live-in elderly mother, homeschooling full time one high school and one elementary school student, running a full time family business as well as being mother, personal chef, housekeeper, laundress, homeschool support volunteer, homeschool special event coordinator to name just a few of the many hats I was wearing. I was juggling so many plates, I could only listen to classical music because the lyrics were adding too much to my already full brain. Order in my life became my life's blood. I had to end the piles and create simplicity in order to survive.
Let me say this
It is possible! It can be done. It just has to be done the way you want it done. Maybe you don't know how. That's where I can help. Let's look at the physical problem in front of us. Then, let's talk about the mental problem and what your need is. Then and only then, can the two of us come up with a plan that works for you. Not for someone else. That's what you find when you google around or look at pinboards. Someone else's plan. That's not going to work for you. You won't stick to it and even if we redid your whole space like what you've seen, you probably will find you hate it. You won't function in it. It won't last. Your clutter is your lifestyle and that's what you'll return to IF the plan isn't setup to help you, for you and by you. We can do that TOGETHER!
My Experience: I have a BA in Psychology. Homeschool teacher for 24 years. Small Business owner: 20 years. Member of American Society of Professional Organizers.
My Why: I find myself in a new season of life. My kids have graduated and are grown into wonderful adults. Both of my parents have passed away. When settling down to think about what I can do with this next season, I thought about what I am good at. Organizing. It is a great desire to spend my time doing something to help others. With me, there is no judgement. I have seen everything. Yes, I need to earn an income but it can be doing something that will benefit someone. This business has exactly what I can offer. Assistance doing something that may help you. I don't do the work for you (you won't stick with it if I did) but I can help you think about what needs done so we can do it together (and make something that will stick and will work).
My Policies: It is important to adhere to start and stop times. I will begin to wrap up at 15 minutes to the end of the session time to review what goals, future plans, and any loose ends as well as take payment for that day's session. Payment is due at the end of each session. I accept credit cards or checks (subject to a return check fee and bank fees for insufficient funds). A paid invoice will be emailed to you later that same day for your records.
All dogs need to be kenneled or put in a separate room during our session for safety. They can become potentially territorial and disruptive over belongings.
All communication between us whether in writing or verbal is completely confidential.
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