If only I had a closet this big and this organized! But I can still make my own closet almost as zen.

I like an organized home, but like most of us, I can fall short in that category (!). Somehow, I never quite get around to organizing promptly.  Stuff builds up, and then I don’t even want to look at it, much less organize it. Things can get a little, well, “clutterful” is the playful term for it.

I think many of us face “organizing procrastination.”

But not my sister-in-love, Michele Cassara. She’s always been super-organized and now it’s been her business for a bunch of years. She’s The Organizing Genie, based in Rochester, NY but with clients up and down the east coast. She’s helped and inspired me to stay more organized. She’s full of good advice so I asked her to share some with us. Oh and I added just a few of her before/after photos.

Why do people have such a hard time with organization?

I think it’s because they are afraid they will have to get rid of things that they want to hold on to, for some reason unknown to them. To start organizing is overwhelming and a lot of people don’t know where to begin — so they wind up not doing anything

Good point. How do you deal with a client that doesn’t want to let go of stuff?

 Some are harder than others. When most people make the phone call, they’ve already thought about it, realizing that what they are doing is not working for them and that the clutter and disorganization are stressing them out. For some clients, I do have to do a few purges. We start off maybe doing one purge, but then as I start to organize, then I’ll say, well, these are things that we really don’t have extra places for, so maybe we do another purge…so I do it gently, involving them, so that they don’t feel like I’m taking over.

Have you ever had a client that had such a mess, you couldn’t do anything, like a super hoarder?

I did have a super hoarder, but she was a lovely woman and I do mean lovely. With hoarding, there is a reason behind it; maybe something psychological that traumatizes and paralyzes them—a bad divorce, a death or something like that. They may feel that this is the only thing that they have control over.

 But has there ever been someone that you haven’t been able to work with?

Once. But she wasn’t a hoarder. (This is a totally different person.) She wanted to micromanage everything that I was doing. When it happens to that degree, I can’t do what I’m best at, so I had to just walk away from the project.

The pantry can be a challenge for many.

But do a little organizing with a different shelf configuration…

Organization makes a big difference.

So, how much do you involve the person? Do you make independent decisions about what stays or goes?

It depends on the project, and the person. Some people want me to take over the project and just do it. Some people want to be involved. But no matter what the project is, I always have questions, whether I’m working independently or if I’m working with them, working side by side.

If I’m working independently, I categorize items into groupings: keep, donate, recycle, ask and trash.

What is the category that most people have trouble letting go of? And what do you advise them?

Photos!  Along with family heirlooms, especially when gifted or inherited from their parents… because people feel that when they let go of these items they’re letting go of their loved ones. But they aren’t, because that person is always going to be in their heart. It’s the memories that really matter.

So how do you handle it?

I tell them upfront that there are going to be things that you love and don’t want to get rid of —those are the things to keep. But it’s not necessary to keep everything, because then you’re getting back to why you had me come in in the first place, and why you’re feeling disorganized, overwhelmed, and clutterful.

We find out what really is important to them to hold on to .

Many times, people have inherited heirlooms from their parents or even a home that parents must move out of.  It’s easy to get totally overwhelmed because they don’t know what to do with it or how to begin the process.

Do you have little tips for those things?

Yes, sometimes they can take a photo and keep the photo of the item. I have many little tips and tricks of the trade, and they usually come out situationally while I am working.

For example, many mothers have a hard time getting rid of children’s projects. That’s a big one. I suggest they take photos of the ones that they really love, and then they still have them. But it’s impractical to keep all those art projects.

Or keep a memory box for the things that are really, really special. One client felt a strong attachment to their father’s ties, and there’s a company that takes ties and makes them into a beautiful blanket. So, I’ll suggest things such as that.

Or there might be a family member that might really appreciate something your mom had, for example. So you’re not getting rid of it, you’re passing it on to someone who will enjoy it and create a beautiful memory for them.

Many clients have things that belonged to a beloved pet, and it’s really hard to let those go. But animal shelters and rescues really need those things. By bringing usable items to the shelters, you’re allowing another animal to enjoy these special items while honoring your pet at the same time.

It’s like when I break something,, I just say to myself, well, it brought me a lot of joy, So, it’s the same thing with our things, it’s not so much about a value, it’s the memories that we have with them.

Labels are a good idea.

If someone’s going to work with an organizer, what can they do to prepare?

Be open-minded, and also know that I, and most organizers, are not bulldozers. I like to really work with people and talk with them about the project. Let’s say you hired me for this particular room. I’d go in with you, we would start sorting through things. Right from the get-go, when I start to sort, it puts the other person’s defenses down, because they realize I’m not in there to just throw everything they own out!

The task may feel overwhelming, but when you break it down and start sorting, it becomes more manageable. And as we get to know each other, I understand where I can and can’t push a little.  I definitely develop a personal relationship with my clients; I value and respect it, and I don’t judge anyone.

What is the biggest problem people have keeping their closet or pantry in order?

Not putting things away and just shoving things back in. That starts the clutter.

People shove things in because they don’t want to see them—and then it’s all behind a closed door. Especially with closets, there are certain things that I can do that really make a difference in people continuing to follow through to keep it organize.

But once somebody’s closet is organized, I’m not going to tell you they’ve never gone back to cluttering it again, but it takes some time before they go back, because they really appreciate how it looks and how much easier it is to find something when things are where they belong.

Do you organize clothes by color or style?

Color yes, but not so much by style. But if someone has a lot of T-shirts, I’ll put the T-shirts in one particular area, for example.

Shoes I organize by color also, because I feel like when you’re ready to grab something, your eye goes to the color that you’re wearing, and you’re not having to look all over your closet for the for the shoe that you want. You see the color immediately.

Are two-story houses harder to manage?

Not really. But I never go up the stairs without bringing something upstairs, whether it’s towels from the laundry room or tissues that need to be replaced in the bathroom, and then I usually bring something down the stairs. I don’t recommend leaving things on the stairs, because it’s a tripping hazard.

I know you sometimes recommend closet systems.

A system, whether it’s a high end or middle of the road, makes a difference. So many organization options. For example, the double-hang system, or a long hang area, baskets, pull-outs, drawers, inserts for jewelry. It allows you to start with a clean palette, and that really makes a difference when you put your closet back together. But not everyone can afford a system so, I always look at each client individually. If someone can’t afford that, there are still ways we can organize your closet.

The other thing is that we wear 20% of our clothing 80% of the time, so I keep that in mind.

What’s the hardest thing to store?

Big hats. Nothing else really is that much of a challenge.

Basements can be become a catch-all.

The difference after organizing is amazing.

Just the addition of a nicely organized cabinet below makes a difference.

What about kids who won’t put their toys away?

You have to make it fun. Have a storage system that is open, because I think open bins for young children are the easiest, as opposed to bins with lids. If you have a coded system that’s their height, and, for example, markers and crayons go in one, and all the pads, and construction paper, in another,and a separate one for the play dough– so you are categorizing things for them. If they’re not reading yet, you can attach a picture of what goes in the bin on the outside. I like the idea open bins for kids and I have found some terrific systems that help with this. Keep it simple and keep it low.

So you’re teaching them to organize their space.

Exactly, and you’re also teaching them picture association. Oh, and don’t let them take something new out until they’ve put other things away.

It can seem so overwhelming. How can people get started?

Take 15 minutes of uninterrupted time, put your timer on, don’t answer your phone, don’t do anything for those15 minutes, and just say, I’m going to do this drawer. You’ll be surprised at what you can get done in 15 minutes,

What about magazine tips?

Well, sure, people say “Why can’t I do that myself?” And some people can. But for those plagued by clutter, they can’t or they would’ve already done it! Getting from the present clutter to magazine-pretty is a lot of work When I come in, I do my best to make it a reality.

Meet Michele.

How do you get most of your clients?

Word of mouth by happy clients.

What made you decide to go into this business?

I am a Virgo and I’ve always loved to organize since I was a little girl.  Growing up in a big family, I saw that my mom needed help, and I always felt that if I helped keep things organized for her, it made her life a little easier.

Plus, I like the aesthetic of something being organized. And I just function more efficiently in an environment where things look nice, where everything has a place.

Do you travel out of Rochester, NY for clients?

I do. I’ve actually traveled to New Jersey, to DC and Buffalo. I’ve recently been asked to go down to Florida to help a client with a project.

Interested in what Michele could do for you? Contact her at TheOrganizingGenie (at) gmail.com