Noreen's Story

These are actual emails sent by my client, a busy professional and homeowner, over the course of a year working together; provided with her permission.

January 22

February 24

Yes, I am still interested in your services.  I've been attempting to start throwing things out--I think my biggest challenge is to get my computer room decluttered and organized, but I have many challenges outside of that, including closets and dressers.  I have recently been working tons of overtime which reinforces my need to be organized and less cluttered.   

I'm earning money to remodel my bathroom. I also want to get a housekeeping service, but am ashamed to have anyone come in my house the way it looks now. 

I have a very odd schedule, so after Monday maybe we can catch each other on the phone and talk about proceeding.  Thank you for calling back. 

March 11

It was good to meet you.  I agree starting with the bedroom dresser is a good place.  I'm also going to try that "small steps" approach and try to remove/put away/discard a few items along my 'staging area as well.'  

I also thought about a question you asked me "did I find that I shopped a lot?"  I thought about it and the answer is "yes."  I have purchased items when I found it too much trouble to look in the closets & drawers, so as I purge them I'm sure I'll find an inventory of duplicates.   

I’m excited to get started.  I gushed to my mother, she is happy as well. I just kept thinking: "I can reclaim my house." 

April 10

Thank you for getting me off to such a good start.  For the first time in ages I'll actually look forward to returning home, and you are so right, it is amazing to awake and see the clear dresser top.  It’s like my cluttering tendencies are getting undermined by an obsession to keep things clear - this is a good thing!  I can actually see a future with clear surfaces - wow! 

May 5

I cannot begin to express how happy your help has made me!  Like you said, just looking at the dresser and today the hallway and table, I get dizzy just thinking about the next areas I'll be able to see. 

May 25

I saw a few episodes of Style Network's 'Clean House' Monday morning; some of the people really held on to their “stuff”!  It was funny, and I saw myself in one lady who was a clutter bug and shopaholic.  My bedroom closet wasn’t as bad as I thought.  Mostly I kept thinking "why did I buy this?", and I thought, “no wonder my clothes were all over the hallway and dining room table--the closet was less full than I thought.” Anyway, my kitty loves playing in the clear hall.  I will look forward to your next visit. 

July 1

I will definitely be scheduling more sessions!  Despite my best intentions, I’m not nearly as efficient on my own as when you are here. It’s taken me a month to clean up the clothes and I'm still not done. Today I worked on vacuuming and doing the laundry on the basement floor. 

[After losing 55 pounds by working with a nutritionist for several months in the previous year, Noreen decided to undergo bariatric surgery to get to her final goal.  Needless to say, her recovery was the primary focus of her attention during the summer and fall.]  

November 29

Hi AJ!

Thank you for the Thanksgiving card.  I did get a good chuckle over it; it reminds me of my table.

 I'm doing good, feeling like myself again. I've lost almost 50 pounds. My clothes get loose faster than I thought possible. I've taken several loads to Transitional Housing, I'm planning to sort through some more this week. I've regressed a bit, let my laundry pile up, but I'm going to tackle that while I'm clearing out clothes (always the darn clothes!)  I think I'm going to have to start sessions with you again.  What's your January schedule like?

 I ordered some furniture for my family room!  A real couch. I've managed to keep that room fairly clear. I have to make myself do the "15 minute sweep" to keep my kitchen and bedroom clear; those are the areas I clutter so fast. 

January 12

AJ, thank you for helping me get my new year off to a great start. Seeing the progress we made in the LR/DR area is amazing, in one afternoon you helped me remove year’s worth of clutter. I've kept the dining table clean and clear and put out a centerpiece of cut flowers in one of the vases.  I'm trying to put my things away and remove everything from plastic bags.

The contractor is starting the bathroom remodel, I’m so excited!  I'm slowly plugging away at my tasks, even have been tossing some things from the basement.  While they work on baths I work on bedrooms. I’m taking your advice and getting a housekeeping service to help me tackle the deep cleaning--that will also motivate me to keep things in order. Lots of activity in many areas, I couldn’t have done it without your help, thank you.

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