Clutterbusting

I did some research before hiring. Mr. Palmer was on time and we worked at a good clip and reclaimed my dining room - my original goal. Brooks was patient but persistent and encouraged me to keep moving forward while he coaxed me along. It was exhausting for me and at the end of our 4 hours - I had reached my limit and needed a break. Brooks was great and helped me get past a big block for me.

Brooks was on task in helping me clean up. He was supportive yet firm in his resolve to help me get rid of things, I did not want anymore, did not need anymore, could not use anymore, and stuff that was taking up space in my life. Even if I cannot use something right away, I tend to save it--and forget about it. It can get out of control! So I needed the support and encouragement of Brooks, with his strong yet gentle manner and on-target verbal assistance. We made a huge pile of stuff to donate and I couldn't believe I had that much dwelling with me in my bedroom, obscuring my life! Now the room is emptier, cleaner, the space flows and as Brooks said, the feng shui is better--one million percent, it seems to me! Thanks for being such a nice, patient guy, Brooks--patient while I sorted out my life and kind enough to take my needs seriously. My world is much happier now!

I heard of Brooks Palmer from a friend he'd helped to organize her house. I knew that I needed someone to help me organize and get rid of clutter in my office, where I had baskets, boxes, piles of stuff--mostly paper but also other stuff--the exact nature of which I'd totally lost track of. I also wanted tips on how to keep the office organized, once I did get it cleaned up. I checked out his web site and was impressed with the video of how he'd helped another woman to clean up her desk and office. I was also impressed that he'd written a book on the subject. But I still wasn't sure I actually needed someone whose specialty was 'clutterbusting' to help me. I asked Brooks to work with me for an hour as a 'trial run' to see how his services might or might not be helpful. Brooks arrived on time and ready to begin to take stock of what I wanted to achieve in our one hour. On walking in the door, he said, "We'll need some garbage bags," and I said "Ugh." "Ahh," he said, "I love that sound." By this he meant that he could see that I was already emotionally engaged in the FEELINGS about looking through things, making decisions, and letting go. He walked into my office and said, "So this is your office...it's your own private space?" I was struck by his calmness, his respectful stance toward me and my space. I knew he wouldn't hurry me. I had the sense that he was 'taking in' what he saw. After a few minutes, he said, "Let's start here." He pointed to a wicker basket he spied on one of my bookshelves, and began to lift one object after another out of the basket, asking, "What's this?" each time. Then he'd ask if I wanted that item. After making all the decisions, the basket was empty. We laid out on a bookshelf the few items I really wanted that had been in the basket. They looked nice. But then he wanted to give away the basket! "But I like the basket!", I objected. And he reminded me that the basket could go somewhere else in the house where it could be displayed for itself. "It's human nature to want to have containers," he said, "but it doesn't work. Containers attract stuff." We came upon my father's death certificate as we went through files. Brooks asked me abut my father, his death, and in what way the certificate was meaningful to me. My holding onto the certificate, I realized, was about wishing I had enjoyed my relationship with my father when he was alive, but that the paper in itself was meaningless to me--I hadn't even known it was in the files. Brooks' insight is that when we keep clutter about us, it's also in our minds--at the back of our minds. It can take over a space that would otherwise be useful. And you need support in letting the 'stuff' go. You need more than an hour, but even that much time can lift your spirits and get you started on your clutterbusting. I highly recommend Brooks; I've made another appointment.