This was my experience with Karen, Master Your Disaster, in my house organizing project.
Was there embarrassment and shame in my mess?
Yes, I couldn’t comfortably have friends over. Deciding to retire and sell my home business motivated me to just do it. I’d known Karen for a while and she’s honest and caring, not to mention organized.
Was my mess overwhelming?
Yes. Having the business in several rooms of the house, it took over the house and I didn’t feel like I had the energy to tackle any of it. It was too much. Feeling overwhelmed with it all stopped me from even trying.
What took me so long to hire Karen?
Finances and just finally deciding to do it. It does take energy & focus. I can’t say I was depressed about my mess but maybe some shame that I couldn’t invite friends and neighbors inside.
It helped to have several days between work sessions with Karen. It gave us time to adjust to the changes and to modify little details. Dear hubby still needed an office so we had to repurpose several rooms. We took breaks to replace carpet with hardwoods, do repiping and some long overdue foundation work.
The work is challenging (but rewarding).
Karen made it do-able and often fun with her sense of humor and creative ideas. She had the energy to keep going when I didn’t. She helped with the motivation. She appreciated treasures that had been boxed up and found places for all to enjoy them again. She didn’t even shy away from all the dust and cobwebs in the garage.
Karen asks in her introduction questionnaire what works and what doesn’t. Instead of on paper, I’d recommend a walk through and point out what does and doesn’t work.
One of the things that stymied my efforts to organize previously was not knowing what to do with things that were still good but I didn’t want anymore. Karen has connections with shelters, soup kitchen, charities, fire stations, etc. so that good but unwanted items don’t end up in the landfill and that is really important to me! (and to Master Your Disaster)
It’s taking longer for me to get rid of the last vestiges of the business than I’d hoped on my own and I have a few more structural jobs on the house that need done and then I plan on having Karen come back to fine tune a couple of areas that need organizing.
Next Steps.
I’ve recommended Karen to a good number of people and will continue to do so. She gives free consults and is realistic with her recommendations. She’s also confidential and non-judgmental. Also very important to me.
When you get the courage and energy to tackle your clutter, I hope you give Karen a chance. It was hard work but satisfying at the end of the day.
It‘s really worth the great results and happier living!
Karen Brooks is an Inspired Organizer at her business, Master Your Disaster, LLC. She helps people and companies create organized and sacred spaces for a peaceful and harmonious life. Serving in McMinnville, Newberg, Lincoln City, Salem, Oregon, and surrounding areas. You can reach her at masteryourdisaster@gmail.com or call 503-881-7652