As a home organizer, I’m invited into many homes to help people declutter and set up systems that make daily life easier. Over time, I’ve noticed the same concerns keep cropping up, especially things clients feel the need to apologize for (but they never should!). So today, I’m sharing the 10 things I don’t care about as your home organizer, plus the one thing I do care about.

#1 Crumbs in drawers.

I have yet to come across a kitchen without some crumbs in the drawers. Crumbs also build up in my drawers! Unless you vacuum your drawers weekly (and who has the time and energy for that?), this is just how it is. The good news is that when we pull everything out to sort, we’ll clean the crumbs out for you!

#2: Dust on floors, shelves and belongings.

Much like the crumbs in the drawers, dust is just a part of life, and we’re going to tidy it up for you as well!

#3: That you didn’t tidy up before I came.

It’s actually better that you don’t! Seeing your space as it normally is on an average day provides valuable insights into the pain points you’re facing and helps me determine the best solutions for you and your space.

#4: If you don’t have the budget for or just don’t want new matching bins.

New products are not mandatory. As your organizer, I’ll suggest items I believe will help you reach your goals, but I’m always happy to reuse what you already have and work within your budget. Ultimately, the choice of what to buy, if anything, is always yours.

#5: If you cry during sessions.

This happens often. Decluttering can be an emotional rollercoaster; you’re facing things, memories, and mindsets you’ve held on to for a long time, which can sometimes bring tears. But not uncommonly, there are also tears of relief and happiness when you see what you’ve achieved and feel the weight of all that “stuff” being lifted from you. Whatever causes the tears, I am here to hold space for you and support you through those moments.

#6: That you have expired items (even REALLY expired items) in your home. 

I promise you, EVERY home has expired food and products, including mine! We’ll find it, dispose of it properly, and develop systems to reduce how often it happens. Notice I didn’t say completely eliminate it; I understand that in the chaos of life, some things will slip through the cracks. We’re not aiming for perfection, just practical systems that make life easier.

#7: That you have 62 (fin in the blank) items.

There is no “one right number” of things to have. My role is to help you choose the right amount for you and your space, then develop systems that enhance your use and enjoyment of everything you keep. Whether that number is 2 or 62, there is no judgment.

#8: If you help during the pulling out, sorting, and system implementation phases.

While you need to be involved in deciding what to keep and what to let go of, I don’t mind if you’re not hands-on for the rest of the work. If you have other tasks to do while I’m there or if you just want to relax in another room knowing the work is being taken care of, it’s all good with me!

#9: If you complete tasks between sessions.

Doing some tasks between sessions can speed up the process, but it’s not mandatory, even if you said you would! I know you mean to get it done, but I also understand that life happens. If you don’t do them, it’s no big deal; we’ll handle it together during our next session.

#10: That you declutter gifts or your kids’ crafts

We can’t keep everything we’ve ever received. Letting go of a gift or your child’s crafts and drawings doesn’t mean you don’t appreciate the love or care behind them. It simply means you choose to keep what truly fits your life right now, which is exactly the goal.

The ONE things I DO care about:

The one thing I truly care about is your honest commitment to the decluttering process. Specifically, a readiness to confront the obstacles holding you back and make (sometimes difficult) decisions in line with the goals you set at the start of the project.

Of course, I’ll be right beside you the whole time, offering guidance, support, and encouragement to make the process as smooth and easy as possible.

Conclusion:

At the end of the day, these worries clients have don’t matter to me at all. What matters is showing up for each session, committed to working together to make the decluttering decisions needed to reach their goals. That’s what I care about as your home organizer!

Comment below if you’ve had any of these concerns about working with a home organizer.  If you’re curious to learn more about working with a home organizer, check out this post where I answered the most frequent questions I receive. And if you liked this post, please share it!

Happy Organizing!