Should I clean before you come?

I offer my prospective clients a free-consultation to assess their needs and come up with a plan. I’ve learned to head off this first meeting by telling people not to clean before I come over. I want to see that big pile of clothing that sits by the bathroom door. I want to see the chaotic corner in the living room. I want to see… or NOT see the kitchen counter (you know, because of all the stuff!).

There is absolutely no reason to be embarrassed about the way you’re living. Maybe you’re busy. Maybe the role models in your life weren’t organizing role models. Maybe you are neurodiverse, and your strengths do not include envisioning organizing systems. The reason doesn’t matter. All reasons are valid. Would you feel embarrassed if you called an electrician to fix some wiring? Of course not. So why feel embarrassed about showing clutter to a professional organizer? I’m there to do a job, not judge. 

All that matters to me is getting to know you, how you operate, and what is causing you stress about your space. If I don’t see and hear the absolute truth about how you live, then I can’t do my job effectively. I always tell my clients: my goal is to make sure you never need me again. That means that if I have an idea for an organizing system that you know you’re never going to keep up with, then I want you to tell me. Trust me, there are many solutions to organizing problems. And the most important part of the equation is you. The real you.