Dare to Dig Deeper
Blog post by Carol Sanborn, Professional Organizer and Owner of The Seasoned Organizer, San Diego, CA
“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go inand live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how itwill be with this wicked generation.” ~ Matthew 12:43-45
As PO’s, we understand the importance of an ordered environment. We thrive on the clarity, focus, freedom, energy, creativity, pride, improved relationships, better sleep, and reduced stress that spring from living in an organized home. We understand and embrace it so well that we’ve made careers out of it.
As Christians, we also understand the importance of replacing the lies, guilt, and embarrassment that our clients believe and feel with truth. Matthew 12:43-45 talks about an evil spirit returning to inhabit a home that is ordered, but empty. Unless we take time to delve deeper into their clutter, this is what happens for our clients, in the physical realm.
At first, our clients only see the clutter. They feel its ill effects, but can’t articulate why it bothers them so much. “It feels like the walls are closing in on me.” “I wake up full of energy, but as soon as I go downstairs and see them mess in my kitchen, I want to go back to bed.” They are desperate for relief, and if we only cleared out their mess, they would be thrilled. Theirs would be a home “unoccupied [with Truth], swept clean and put in order.”
But not for long. Soon, without a change in their mindset and behavior, the clutter would return. Unless we help them uncover what lies beneath all their stuff, they are chained to a life of stress and mess.
As PO’s, our job is to help our clients not just eliminate, but to process the clutter. It might look like this:
Q: This Thing: do you like, love, need, want, or use it?
A: Uggg. That.
Q: Where did this item come from?
A: This was my Grandma’s Christmas Plate.
Q: What does the item represent for you?
A: Reminds me of Grandma.
Q: How did that event/person make you feel at the time?
A: My Grandma made me feel loved and special.
Q: How do you feel about that event/person now?
A: I miss her so much
Q: I noticed that you don’t seem to really enjoy this Thing. When you think about letting it go, how does that make you feel?
A: I feel like I’m throwing away my Grandma. I might forget her if I don’t have this Thing.
Q: Is that true?
A: Well, no, I’m not technically throwing her away. But I’m being disrespectful by giving away something that she loved.
Q: Do you love this Thing?
A: No. That makes me feel guilty, too.
Q: Do you think your Grandma would want you to hold on to something you didn’t like?
A: Probably not. But this Thing represents her to me.
Q: Is there something else, perhaps smaller, from your Grandma that you can keep?
A: Yes, I have her wedding ring.
Q: Do you like it?
A: I LOVE it!
Q: Can we replace this 12” Christmas plate with the wedding ring as a reminder of Grandma?
A: Yes.
Q: Feel better?
A: Yes!
Processing the clutter takes time, complete presence, and sensitivity. It slows down our job and the final outcome. It’s uncomfortable and sometimes not well-received. AND, it is so necessary because it gives our clients perspective, insight, and clarity about their stuff, their story, and its significance in their lives.
As they learn to question their clutter, they have more awareness and confidence to make decisions with deeper conviction. NOW they are empowered to continue the process at a faster pace, as well as to adopt a new mindset about their belongings and what they bring into their homes.
Let’s commit to serving our clients not just with know-how and muscle, but with tools to help them stay organized when our job with them is done. Let’s dare to go deeper in helping them think through their resistance so that space can be opened and organized, change can take place, and hope can rise.
Blog written by Faithful Organizer member Carol Sanborn, professional organizer and owner of The Seasoned Organizer. From Carol Before this dream career, my work life revolved around the hospitality and administrative industries. Jobs included Waitstaff, Sales Support, Tour Director, Events Coordinator, Pastor’s Secretary, Office Manager, and School Administrator. That translates to lots of people skills, fine details, and a high level of confidentiality. Through the years, I’ve become adept at creating simple yet efficient ways to accomplish everyday tasks, routines, and special events.
Raised in Los Angeles, I now reside in San Diego with my magnificent college kids and a feisty cat. I am a loyal, funny, and encouraging Jesus follower, daughter, sister, mother, auntie, friend, and volunteer. Between guiding clients along their organizing journey, I make time for family & friends, inspiring books, swimming, and luxuriating in fresh air while marveling at God’s majesty.
Find out more about Carol and her services here; https://theseasonedorganizer.com/