Arranged Organization

By Riley Runnells

We all have it: the dreaded pile. Though there are differing variations of the pile – i.e. a junk drawer, a chair filled with clothes, a stack of papers, etc. – a universal experience comes from disdainfully looking at the pile clogging your living space that you just cannot seem to organize.

That’s where professional organizers come in.

When there are unending piles, a lack of space or a big move on the horizon, the NW Ohio Professional Organizers make it their job to show up and get things sorted.

Professional organizers like Regan and Young quickly found that more organizers like them were looking for a community to share experiences, tips and camaraderie. The group has more than 10 members now, and seemingly continues to grow with each meeting.

Some of these organizers operate part time, while others have made it their entire career. Each organizer has their own business, charging an average of $50 to $100 an hour for their services. They also have a collective Facebook page where they can talk

The third role is the teacher - they break down tasks into a series of parts, starting small, and developing systems that work for each individual client. Finally, the home economist - they ensure the client can turn their home into a well-ordered and efficient space.

Most importantly, though, organizers try to gain the client’s trust, as allowing a stranger into these vulnerable parts of your life can be nerve-racking.

The organizers provide services like packing, unpacking, decluttering and, most often, helping adult children with their parents when downsizing or moving to a retirement community. Arguably the main reason the organizers take on these jobs is to help those who physically cannot handle the task.

For organizers like Kate Regan of Precisely Put and Carrie Young of Space Organizing Solutions, this job came out of necessity due to a change in career.

Regan, who had worked for the same company for 30 years, was squeezed out of her job during a company merger. Young, who was laid off during the recession, started organizing for friends and family until she garnered enough experience to take on the job professionally.

“I wanted to do something completely different,” Regan said. “Did some soul searching and I wanted to do something where I was helping people, making a difference. I wanted to do something that I enjoyed doing and something that I was good at, so then I formed my business in 2017.” to each other, share their individual websites and more. However, when it comes down to it, the organizers formed the group because they all share the same reasons for entering the career: to ease other people’s burden.

“We all want to help people,” Regan said, “It can be overwhelming, and people don't know where to start. We want to help them get through that.”

The organizers play four key roles. First, they are consultants - they determine the needs of a client, diagnose concerns and problem areas, formulate a plan, work with the client to implement the plan and provide the client with tools and resources for that plan. Next they are counselorthey show compassion and concern, are active listeners, respectful and offer empathy and encouragement.

Though some people are equipped to take on organizing and moving themselves, there are many instances where adult children are not in the same state as their parents and can’t take off work long enough for the entire moving and organizing process. In these cases, professional organizers can dedicate the time that family members might not be able to.

Another huge factor comes from sentimentality. Professional organizers are detached from the meaning of their clients’ items, in a way that family members and the clients themselves might not be. It can be tough to get rid of belongings you have had for years, so professional organizers help you remain objective and impartial when cleaning out your living space.

Conversely, the organization is not limited to your living space. Many professional organizers help with decluttering digital workspaces and records that you might find daunting to tackle yourself.

One tactic with organization comes from examining the four Ts: trash, treasures, toys and tools. Through this, people can categorize easily and then dispose of unnecessary items/ declutter in a more efficient way.

Regan, Young and the other organizers find that asking the simple question, “Does that bring you joy?” tremendously helps the process.

“A lot of people feel guilty to let things go,” Regan said. “Maybe it was a gift from somebody, so they're hanging on to it because they're afraid the person that gave it to them would be upset about it. I talk about that a lot with my clients. ‘It brought you joy when they gave it to you and it brought them joy to give it to you. You could take a picture of it and save that memory, but you don't have to have the physical item anymore.’”

Anyone who is looking to make organizing a profession can connect with the NW Ohio Professional Organizers group via Facebook. The group typically meets once a month. The organizers want clients and potential clients to understand that they are here to serve them and help them – no matter how daunting the task.

“A lot of people freeze or feel like they're stuck, or they are physically unable to do the work to get their space organized or move,” Young said. “A lot of people don't even know where to begin and what resources they need. So reaching out to an organizer is worth the investment and worth getting help.”

For more information or to find an organizer for your living space, reach out to NW Ohio Professional Organizers via Facebook, look up “Find My Organizer” in Google or search the National Association of Productivity and Organization.

It’s that time again! Every year, Mature Living Magazine rounds up a list of Toledo’s favorite people and establishments, created by you, our readers. Check out the results of the 2023 Reader’s Choice Awards, right here.

Breakfast/Lunch Restaurant: The Original Pancake House

3310 Central Ave. (419) 578-0342

Originalpancakehouse.com

Runner Up: Schmucker’s Restaurant schmuckersrestaurant.com

Dinner Restaurant: Ye Olde Durty Bird

2 S St Clair St. (419) 243-2473

Yeoldedurtybird.com

Runner Up: The Whitehouse Inn Thewhitehouseinn.net

Restaurant for Specials: Schmucker’s Restaurant

2103 N Reynolds Road (419) 535-9116

Schmuckersrestaurant.com

Runner Up: Ciao! Ciaorestaurant.com

Place to Meet for Cocktails: The Heights

444 N Summit St. (419) 243-7565

Theheightstoledo.com

Runner Up: Barr’s Public House Barrspublichouse.com

Buffet: Saba’s Bistro 1705 Toll Gate Drive (419) 262-0081

Sabasbistro1705.com

Runner Up: Poco Loco Carlospocoloco.com

Take The Grandkids: Charlie’s Homemade Ice Cream & Burgers 6600 W Sylvania Ave. (419) 885-2894

Charlieshomemadeicecream.com

Runner Up: Zane’s Lebanese Grill Zanesgrill.com

Local Brewery: Maumee Bay Brewing Company 27 Broadway St. (419) 243-1302

Mbaybrew.com

Runner Up: HEAVY Beer Co. Heavy.beer

Local Winery: Leisure Time Winery

16982 County Rd M2 (419) 758-3442

Leisuretimewinery.com

Runner Up: Urban Pine Winery Urbanpinewinery.com

Early Bird Special: McCord Coney Island 1801 N McCord Road (419) 866-6660

Mccordconeyisland.com

Runner Up: Doc Watson’s Docwatsonstoledo.com

Brew House - Maumee 320 Conant St. (419) 740-3222 Brewhousemaumee.com

Brew House Coffee & Bake Shop in Maumee offers unique tastes and flavors. The shop’s focus is on serving handcrafted beverages and specializing in a wide variety of brewing methods such as pour over, drip, french press, phin, siphon brew, aeropress, espresso and cold brew. Brew House also offers a wide assortment of flavored specialty coffees, teas and fresh baked goods.

Runner Up: Maddie & Bella Coffee Roasters Maddieandbella.com

Newscaster: John Burchfield, WTOL 11

Runner Up: Lee Conklin, WTVG 13

Television Station: WTOL 11 Wtol.com

Runner Up: WTVG 13 13abc.com

Radio Personality: Denny Schaffer, 93.5 WRQN 935wrqn.com/the-denny-schaffer-show/

Runner Up: Fred LeFebvre, 1370 WSPD iheart.com

Radio Station: 93.5 WRQN (419) 240-1935 935wrqn.com

Runner Up: 104.7 WIOT Wiot.iheart.com

Politician: Marcy Kaptur 1 Maritime Plaza #600 (419) 259-7500 Kaptur.house.gov

Runner Up: Sherrod Brown Brown.senate.gov

Musician: Greg Tye and Hepcat Revival Gregory Tye on Facebook

Greg Tye leads Hepcat Revival in a musical experience for the audience. The band’s blues, funk and swing sound bring a high energy performance that is sure to wow listeners. The seven piece band features trumpet, saxophone and more to really lean into the funky vibe. The band pays homage to artists like Louis Prima, Big Joe Turner and Cab Calloway through original arrangements.

Runner Up: Buddy Boy Slim & The Blues Rockers

Buddy Boy Slim & The Blues Rockers on Facebook

Blogger: Holy Toledo History Blog Holytoledohistory.com

Runner Up: Women of Toledo Blog womenoftoledo.org/blog