34: The Problem with Professional Organizing with Professional Organizer Alison Lush

Can you afford the services of a professional organizer? Most people can’t, and that’s one of the big problems with the industry. Many professional organizers have come up with alternative ideas that allow them to reach more people with their services. Join us to learn more!
I’m happy to welcome back to the show Alison Lush, a Certified Professional Organizer who specializes in chronic disorganization. Alison last joined me for Episode 5 about Gentle Organizing. Today’s discussion is about the problems with professional organizing and how the industry is evolving to be accessible to more people. The good news is that there are different levels of help available more than ever before for organizing and decluttering your spaces!
Show Highlights:

Why a main problem with the professional organizing industry is that the services are not accessible for most people

How the pandemic massively impacted professional organizers in beneficial ways that are far more economical for clients

How Alison’s focus has changed to educating and empowering the individual to get unstuck

Why there is a spectrum of disorganization in which most people exist somewhere in the middle

Highlights of new gap-filling services that some innovative professional organizers are offering (See Resources and Links)

Why Accountability Groups and Body Doubling have become the cornerstone of Alison’s work with clients

Why the biggest question for professional organizers to ask regarding the client is, “What do they need?”

The difference between being unwilling and being overwhelmed in organizing and decluttering

Alison’s advice about finding a professional organizer 


Resources and Links:
Connect with Alison: Website and TikTok

JUDITH KOLBERG
Conquering Chronic Disorganization book – emotion-based decluttering and organizing strategies
https://www.judithkolberg.com/
HAZEL THORNTON
Go With the Flow!: The clutter flow chart workbook https://www.org4life.com/
SUSAN GARDNER
The Focus Project “If your possessions interfere with your quality of life, The Focus Project is a way to look at them through a different lens.” Frame, Value, Edit. Exercises that promote looking at your belongings from a different angle. Reflection, partnering, creativity are encouraged, along with curiosity about the root causes of clutter. – Self-directed
LYNNE POULTON
Declutter GO! by Lynne Poulton - Once you start, you’re on a roll. Declutter GO! GAME NIGHTS – Group body doubling – weekly guided activities, prompts – group body doubling or autonomous - 
JONDA BEATTIE AND DIANE QUINTANA
Release-Repurpose-Reorganize CARDS
https://releaserepurpose.com/?fbclid=IwAR3UkkdN6FdroVrQ260VV17XqvA2MnuMl5Hf9DHfzdMD_OaiYLz8tFbyYag - Self-directed – focused areas – systematic
VICKIE DELLAQUILA
Ophelia the Organizer – Follow her adventures and hear her organizing advice
https://www.opheliatheorganizer.com/
JULIET LANDAU-POPE
Organizing Bootcamp (5x15 minute sessions over weekdays) https://jlpcoach.com/
Connect with KC: TikTok, Instagram, and Website 

Get KC’s book, How to Keep House While Drowning
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