Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to questions I am often asked about home, life and workplace organization
What is Virtual Organizing?
Virtual organizing is a collaborative process with a professional organizer via your phone, tablet, or computer. Our goal is to assist you in decluttering your life and organize your physical space. As your Certified Virtual Organizing Professional, I will present new skills that will enable you to maintain order on your own after sessions are completed. The process teaches you how to avoid unintended pitfalls that lead to disorder and disorganization. We discuss your goals and view spaces or systems that challenge you. We then work together to create processes customized to meet your specific needs. With my gentle guidance, we work together to improve where and how you live and work.
It is important to choose a Certified Virtual Organizing Professional versus someone who is not trained and may have just watched an organizing show on television. Working with a Certified Professional Virtual Organizer assures you that they have demonstrated they have the skills to work with you remotely and they have met certification qualifications.
How does Virtual Organizing work?
Virtual organizing sessions are conducted via phone, computer, or tablet using video communication when possible. This can be facilitated using apps such as Zoom, Skype, or Gmail Meet. Our initial phone consultation is FREE of charge. We discuss your challenges and goals as well as establish a plan of action to create a process that is specifically designed for you. We will improve your environment and way of life together!
I provide all clients with a customized plan, detailed documented feedback after each session, follow-up emails, organizing systems, product research, and custom recommendations. I will also be your accountability partner.
Who can benefit from Virtual Organizing?
- Those who are budget conscious and appreciate the shorter sessions, adding more scheduling flexibility
- People who are very busy with family and/or work, who do not have time for longer in-person sessions
- Anyone who would like to complete an organizing project and be able to prevent clutter from forming in the future
- A perfect solution for those who desire accountability as I work alongside you, staying connected between sessions
- Those who require assistance with getting things done, as you work at your own pace
- Individuals who are driven and ready to make changes in their life with the guidance of a professional organizer and coach
- For all individuals who experience chronic disorganization
- Those who have been diagnosed with (or who think they have) ADHD and need help with focus and direction
- Anyone diagnosed with (or who thinks they experience) OCD and needs help sorting and purging to turn non-functional space into functional space
- All who are physically able to do the hands-on organizing themselves or have a helper, friend, or family member who can assist
What is the purpose of Virtual Organizing?
Virtual organizing is a great way to build new organizing skills and habits! This service can help you learn to be more organized on your own. I work with you in your own time, at your own pace, and offer proven techniques that leave you with new organizing behaviors that you can maintain on your own. I offer gentle guidance and organizing techniques as you make the changes. I support you as you improve your physical and electronic spaces as well as your organizing behaviors.
What are benefits of Virtual Organizing?
Virtual organizing is more budget-friendly than in-person organizing. I can offer more flexibility in scheduling than with in-person organizing. This allows you to feel more in control of your space and life. When you are ‘in the driver’s seat’ doing the organizing, your focus is intensified. This process heightens brain activity which is how you build new organized behaviors, habits, and skills. This is how anyone can become more organized.
The process of virtual organizing transfers skills that allow you to build long-term behaviors by doing hands-on organizing yourself. Virtual organizing is more efficient because it is hyper-focused and enables you to become more self-sufficient.
Does clutter cause anxiety?
As stated in 2019 by Dr. Libby Sander, who holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior: A chronically cluttered home environment can lead to a constant low-grade fight or flight response, taxing our resources designed for survival. This response can trigger physical and psychological changes that affect how we fight bugs and digest food, as well as leaving us at greater risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Clutter might also have implications for our relationships with those around us. A 2016 US study, for instance, found background clutter resulted in participants being less able to correctly interpret the emotional expressions on the faces of characters in a movie.
In 2011, neuroscience researchers using fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) and other physiological measurements found clearing clutter from the home and work environment resulted in a better ability to focus and process information, as well as increased productivity. Clutter can make us feel stressed, anxious, and depressed. Research from the United States in 2009, for instance, found the levels of the stress hormone cortisol were higher in mothers whose home environment was cluttered.
There is scientific evidence that clutter and mess cause anxiety. Home organization is a key factor in maintaining a healthy attitude. Psychologist Sherrie Bourg Carter wrote in an article for Psychology Today, “Clutter can play a significant role in how we feel about our homes, our workplaces, and ourselves. Messy homes and workplaces leave us feeling anxious, helpless, and overwhelmed. Yet, rarely is clutter recognized as a significant source of stress in our lives.” Carter believes that clutter overwhelms us, causing excessive stimuli so our senses go into overdrive. She also states that clutter distracts us from other things we’d like to focus on and makes it harder to mentally and physically relax. Additionally stating that clutter signals our minds that our work is never done and can impede on productivity and creativity. And states it makes it harder for us to find what we need and takes up space for doing other necessary things on our list.
What is chronic disorganization?
Chronic Disorganization is a term that the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) has created referring to people who have great difficulty getting organized. This term is intended to distinguish an “ongoing pattern of disorganization” from the “short term situational disorganization” and clutter that is the normal result of trauma, experiencing grief, a medical diagnosis, having children, other life events, transitions, and changes. It is quite common for what started as situational disorganization to evolve into chronic disorganization.
How does the Institute for Challenging Disorganization describe chronic disorganization?
Chronic disorganization persists over a long period, frequently undermining the quality of life, and recurs despite repeated self-help attempts. Chronic disorganization may also be present with brain-based challenges such as ADHD, OCD, Anxiety, Depression, Hoarding Disorder, PTSD, TBI, and more.
What is the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD)?
The Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) is an educational organization whose mission is to benefit people challenged by chronic disorganization. Their mission is to provide education, research, and strategies to benefit people affected by chronic disorganization and the professionals who work with them.
What is the ICD Code of Ethics?
The primary focus of this code is to establish principles that define ethical behavior and best practices. Serving as an ethical guide, it is designed to assist members in constructing a professional course of action that best serves those using their services. And finally, the code provides the basis for processing ethical complaints and inquiries initiated against those who are subscribers of the ICD.
What if I feel embarrassed about my mess?
I work with all of my clients respectfully and without judgment — I am here to help you. Confidentiality is essential to my business practice.
What should i do now?
Just contact me to learn more!
Email denise@ezorganizing.org or call for your FREE Discovery Call at 631-357-9144.
What is a professional organizer?
As a professional organizer, I assist you in organizing your physical or digital space as well as managing life’s tasks. This service includes evaluation, decision-making, and action around possessions, space, time, and energy. The objective is for you to achieve desired outcomes regarding function, order, clarity, goals, effectiveness, and priorities.
Does clutter cause anxiety?
There is scientific evidence that clutter and mess cause anxiety. Home organization is a key factor in maintaining a healthy attitude. Psychologist Sherrie Bourg Carter wrote in an article for Psychology Today, “Clutter can play a significant role in how we feel about our homes, our workplaces, and ourselves. Messy homes and workplaces leave us feeling anxious, helpless, and overwhelmed. Yet, rarely is clutter recognized as a significant source of stress in our lives.” Carter believes that clutter overwhelms us, causing excessive stimuli so our senses go into overdrive. She also states clutter makes it harder to mentally and physically relax and distracts us from other things we’d like to focus on. Carter goes on to state that clutter signals our minds that our work is never done and can impede productivity and creativity.
As stated in 2019 by Dr. Libby Sander, who holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior, a chronically cluttered home environment can lead to a constant low-grade fight or flight response, taxing our resources designed for survival. This response can trigger physical and psychological changes that affect how we fight bugs and digest food, as well as leaving us at greater risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Clutter might also have implications for our relationships with those around us. A 2016 US study, for instance, found background clutter resulted in participants being less able to correctly interpret the emotional expressions on the faces of characters in a movie.
Why should I hire a professional organizer?
Have you purchased books and magazines for organizing ideas but are not able to decide what to do?
Do you repeatedly plan to organize but never actually get it done?
Are you embarrassed to have people over?
Are you uncomfortable having anyone in your workspace?
Is your partner unhappy with how you maintain your living space?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you can benefit from working with a professional.
As stated in 2019 by Dr. Libby Sander, who holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior:
In 2011, neuroscience researchers using fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) and other physiological measurements found clearing clutter from the home and work environment resulted in a better ability to focus and process information, as well as increased productivity. Clutter can make us feel stressed, anxious, and depressed. Research from the United States in 2009, for instance, found the levels of the stress hormone cortisol were higher in mothers whose home environment was cluttered.
A professional organizer can assist in the reduction of clutter, anxiety, and stress. As written by Hanna Pumfrey for MindBodyGreen.com, “As one of the most common mental health issues in the world today, anxiety is being called “the plague of our generation. In today’s world, we live under the subconscious assumption that life is a process of attainment—that getting promotions, partners, and collecting items will make us happy and secure. I was stuck in this cycle, and all the “things” surrounding me seemed to trigger these anxious thoughts and uncomfortable feelings.” According to UCLA’s Center on Everyday Lives and Families, women in cluttered homes have a higher level of cortisol (the stress hormone). The good news is that stress and anxiety caused by clutter can be eliminated!
How will you help me get organized?
All situations are evaluated and the services provided are personalized specifically for you for home, workspace, or life management. Every solution is based solely on your needs and desires as my client.
How long does the process take?
Every home and workplace is unique. Two things determine the time a project will take: the size of the project and, most importantly, how quickly you make decisions. Some clients simply need someone to help them get started and then finish the jobs themselves. Others prefer to work with the Organizer from start to finish. To give you an idea in terms of space, a large linen closet containing 6 shelves could take 5 hours to complete with some clients and 10 hours with others. Most clients fall somewhere in between.
Is it expensive?
There is an initial investment, however, most everyone finds it more cost-effective in the long run. Many clients have seen it to be more effective than buying organizational gadgets, making mistakes with future purchases, and wasting things that they forgot they had or didn’t work for them. I leave you with tips and recommendations selected just for you. Hiring an effective Professional Organizer buys you order, control, increased efficiency, and take-away methods that can be applied time and time again in the future.
What if I feel embarrassed about my mess?
I work with all of my clients respectfully and without judgement — I am here to help you! And confidentiality is essential to my business practice.
Will you come to my location?
I offer virtual sessions globally and can work with you wherever you are located, as well as onsite sessions that take place in your home or workspace here in Long Island, New York.
Do you work evenings and weekends?
Yes, I am flexible.
Can my children be home during the organizing session?
Of course! But it is important to keep in mind that interruptions can slow down the decision making process and can add to the time of the project. A sitter for small children is recommended.
Do I have to be present when you are working?
It is highly recommended that you are present for all organizing sessions for optimal results. During the sorting process, you must be there to make decisions. No items are removed or discarded without your consent. After organizing requirements have been clearly established with you, I may be able to work independently.
Are you insured?
Yes, I carry insurance coverage.
What is the ICD (Institute for Challenging Disorganization) Code of Ethics?
The primary focus of this code is to establish principles that define ethical behavior and best practices. Serving as an ethical guide, it is designed to assist members in constructing a professional course of action that best serves those using their services. Finally, the code provides the basis for processing ethical complaints and inquiries initiated against those who are subscribers of the ICD.
What is the NAPO (National Association of Productivity & Organizing Professionals) Code of Ethics?
This is a set of principles that guide our professional conduct with our clients, colleagues, and community. Members of NAPO pledge to exercise judgment, self-restraint, and conscience in their conduct to establish and maintain public confidence in the integrity of members. The code is also intended to preserve and encourage fair and equitable practices among all who are engaged in the profession of organizing.
What should i do now?
Just contact me to learn more!
Email denise@ezorganizing.org or call for your FREE Discovery Call at 631-357-9144.