declutter & get happy

Being called 'messy' or 'disorganized' can make us feel terrible, but some of us like our spaces to be more lived in than others! The inability to declutter so that our spaces are welcoming to us, and safe,  is a different matter. Many times a client has called for help organizing their kitchen, office, or studio when the problem isn't just disorganization, it's that they are working around too many things. If you spend several times a week looking for something - whether it's a piece of paper or your wallet, that's a good sign it's time to channel your inner clutterbug, or call in some help.

Pam grew up with empathy for people living with too much stuff. When she was a kid it seemed she was always being told to clean her room, but the room had a single closet and one dresser. There was nowhere to shelve the armloads of books she enjoyed, or the toys, or bric a brac of childhood. Her dad promised to make some shelves once she could keep the room tidy. In today's language he was saying, "declutter first, then I'll build you some shelves to organize your things on."  

Pam is not just your go to gal for fibre fun, or coaching; she is also a Professional Organizer, and a member of the Professional Organizers of Canada. She is a former special education teacher, with additional training and experience working with people who live with ADHD, PTSD, PTSIs, and a tendency toward disorganization. 

It's not that people experiencing disorganization don't know they have some challenges to work through (they can see that they have a lot or even a dangerous amount of items in their homes, offices, or garages); it's that they benefit from systems they can use, and they could benefit from forming new habits. They appreciate Pam's follow up visits/calls, to make sure that the systems they created make sense over time (and if they don't fit any longer, to change them). 

Pam's experience is built on top of not just a degree in education (B.Ed, University of Alberta), but also a master's degree in counselling (MA, Montana University), and a doctorate (PhD, Montana University) in interdisciplinary studies. She acknowledges that lots of people are qualified professional organizers without as much background in psychology, education, and coaching as she has, but sees incredible results for her clients because of that background. Clients don't just declutter and organize; they transform in areas including acceptance and, resilience; they are encouraged and celebrated for being a self directed individual. She can help with creating a perfect space for living, work, and play that suits you, is safe, and fun to live in! She will happily teach these systems virtually or by coming out to your women's day or conference events, but if you're in the local area around south east Alberta or even south west Saskatchewan, she can come see you in person. 

It's not just that Pam knows how to guide others, she has moved more than 30 times in her life, including going there and back twice on international moves, two cross country moves within Canada, and several interprovincially. 

Pam's projects have included:

• decluttering full apartments and houses, including bedrooms, kitchens, basements, and garages
• organizing and sorting to fit the client's lifestyle
• creating perfect spaces and systems to maintain them
• working with people who experience with ADHD, PTSD, and PTSI
• packing all the things, from the precious and fragile, to the bulky and hard to manage
• unpacking and settling in with the use of photos to recreate familiarity
• estate and garage sales (she'll organize yours so you can run it)
• house empty / estate setting
• arranging for contractors including repairs, moving companies, and cleaning

What if there are things I do not want to get rid of?

We only get rid of things you want out of your way. We understand you've probably collected some things that are very special, and they have stories about your life atttached to them. If you are downsizing because you must either make your current space safe, or you are moving to a smaller space, we will help you do it with great respect and tenderness. 

What about the treasures?

We all have those items that speak to us, and that we would regret if we gave them away. There are many ways you can preserve those memories, from donating important historic items to a museum, taking pictures of items you can look upon later, putting some things in storage so you can make decisions about them at a later time, to getting help distributing heirlooms. We can help you with all of these things. 

My kids don't want my china / crystal and I've been saving these things for them for years! 

Tastes change, and my own mom was disappointed by this very thing, and I do admit there are a few treasures I am hanging on to for her, but would not have wanted in my house when I was in my 20s and moving every year or two. We can help you say farewell to these items AND find a welcoming place for them. We can even help you decide how to sell or donate them.