Dear Kathi,

I read your column regularly and have just noticed that you are an organizer and an image consultant. Why would I need an image consultant? If I wear a
classic dark suit, isn’t that good enough?

Josh, Encinitas

Josh,

A classic dark suit is a step in the right direction. The question is, do you feel powerful and/or fantastic when you wear it? Does it make you stand out in a crowd of colleagues? People hire Image Consultants to search out and find the perfect clothes for their individual body.

Once a person wears clothing that is perfectly suited for their body, they understand its importance. Subtle changes include increased confidence, respect and often a rise in career stature. Remember the old adage, dress like your boss to get the promotion? It is still a viable reality.

There are tens of thousands of dark suits on the market. Image Consultants find the one suit in the one store that is the perfect suit for that client. Many people do not have the knowledge or the patience to seek and find the perfect suit. This is why, more often than not, you see people wearing clothes that don’t fit or accent their owner’s best features.

Hiring an image consultant can save hours shopping. One of my clients states frequently that he knows the clothes I choose will make him look exceptional, feel great and stand up through the test of time. In the long run, he saves time and money. He no longer owns a pile of clothes stuffed in the back of the closet that he will never wear. His closet now features a cohesive ensemble of clothes that mix and match for work as well as leisure.

How many times have you been disappointed by the clothes you brought home and wore a few times? This is exactly why people hire Image Consultants.

Dear Kathi,

Why do you think there is such a need for organizers these days? Do people have more stuff? Bigger houses? Do people not need all the things they buy? Is life these days more complicated?”

Carole, Encinitas,

Carole,

I think you are correct about most of your assumptions. People are becoming busier and moving faster than ever before, especially here in the US. We are bombarded with commercials to buy things every day. We are, in fact, bombarded by over 1400 advertising messages per day. When we hear the message often enough, we buy the product, hence our full homes. Homes are full of items that have been used once or twice and then stowed somewhere out of sight.

When I work with clients we often discover items that have been forgotten and sometimes never used. This is a very common occurrence. Clients call in Professional Organizers when there are no other storage areas available in the home and their excess possessions are beginning to overtake their actual living space.

This might sound crazy but this situation happens slowly over time. It happens so slowly that people don’t realize it until they feel crowded, claustrophobic and desperate.

With less and less personal time, Professional Organizers are becoming very popular. The last thing most people want to spend time on is clearing their clutter. They also feel out of control and need a Professional to provide direction and expedite the process.

Frequently there is guilt associated with getting rid of possessions. Organizers can help you decide what to keep and what to let go of. We talk through the process of releasing and donating items. Individually, it is hard to get rid of gifts that you never liked or inheritance items that are now in your possession.

It helps to have a Professional give you permission to get rid of your excess baggage. You can always blame it on your organizer if a loved one asks what happened to a particular gift!

Please submit your questions to: advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
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San Diego Professional Organizer