In the last blog, I (Laura) mentioned one of my favorite moments: when a client sits down and watches us pack! It usually doesn’t last long: usually the length of a cup of tea maximum! But after working so hard for often months, the day we show up is such a relief for them.

That said, just a few days ago, a client inspired me more by sitting outside and read the paper while we worked inside. When I said I was inspired by him, he said that getting to relax is one of the benefits of getting older, and he was embracing it! What an inspiration, AND a positive way to look at aging, and for me: something to look forward to!

It is really the wisest thing, and a very intelligent use of time: hire us and let us cruise, because we can really move fast. Take the time to go shopping for items you need in your new place or just take it easy! Experience is a great teacher, and we have packed and unpacked thousands of boxes. We are an efficient, well-oiled machine once we start packing, especially; and on the unpacking end, we can either get everything out of boxes for you/us to detail in later, or we can work side-by-side with you and think things through as we go.

The efficiency and speed we can work with has got me considering my own life. Where can I ask for help? Where can I hire a professional to save myself time, energy, stress and often money? When I see how much we can help others, I want to see who can help me with what I need in a similar way.

And with the speed the world is moving at, sometimes it's nice to let that work to our benefit. Sometimes the items that you wondered about for weeks can be discussed and decided about in just a few seconds! Decisions that can swirl around in the brain can be easy once discussed in a logical and clear manner with people who understand the big picture of what's transpiring. And each conversation will likely take care of many of these swirling thoughts! Oh, what a relief!!....

So be easy on yourself, take time to take in the process, and trust it will all get done with ease and grace. That’s why you (hopefully) hired us! We get to take any worry out of the process for you. Just enjoy the process. Take the time to enjoy the items you are seeing and going through. Take the time to connect with out of town family that may be thinking of you at this time. Let the care and love in of the people around you that want to support you. The move itself will be fine.

Even with the best laid plans, change can happen within those! In your own mind, with your partner and family, and with us, there could be the best made plan ever. And then, one day you decide you just can’t do that closet you said you would go through. Or you just can’t haul that box up the stairs yourself. Or you just need to talk. Or maybe you just need a hug.

We do make changes to make things “better”, but a big part of making a change is that we are letting go of something. As we let go, there can be some pain or sadness. It is important to feel that, actually, as not only does it make us human, but it lets us feel more fully the importance of what we are doing. It allows us to free up something inside ourselves to let something new happen for ourselves.

There is no situation or plan that requires any suffering. One of our favorite moments is when, tired from packing and processing themselves, we arrive to start packing, and the client plops down with a cup of tea to watch us work! It is actually really helpful and important at times, for their well being, and so that they can answer questions we may have for them about items, and also just to connect and maybe tell stories about the items being packed. We really enjoy being with our clients.

Some people like to plan to be present on move day; others go shopping and to lunch then come back to their home at the new place in the late afternoon! There are so many ways to approach a change.

Many people plan big moves months in advance, so they have time to thin out items before a move. Others decide it is time, trust us to do a logical downsizing for them, and move more quickly. Whatever the situation is, change can happen within the situation! Just be sure to communicate what you need and how others can help you.

Most of us have more help available to us than we realize, whether it’s friends to have dinner with when our kitchens are packed or marketing directors who want to help us have that great new color on our new walls. We just need to ask. And what goes around comes around, as later it may be you hosting the friends who’s kitchen is all packed for their move! And of course, we at Simply Change are here, too; so many people don't yet know there is help like our's available, to help with the hundreds of details.

The key is being in touch and letting people know what is going on for you. Most people really want to help and care, and many are so busy taking care of what’s in front of them. Especially when you are going through something big, stay connected to others and ask for anything you need.

Have a Plan. Well, where am I supposed to get that?! Some may say…. Others may have a plan from the minute they decide to make a change. The more detailed your plan can be, the more it can help make your process smooth and easy.

For many, the plan is simple: get rid of some stuff! The law of nature is that an empty space will become filled. And with houses the size they are these days, many people have closet after closet with items tucked away.

Though it may seem to be no big deal at times, the truth is, it doesn’t serve the world or you in any way to have those items tucked away, unused for years and even forgotten. From what it represents (a part of your history tucked away and actually held onto versus being fully in the present) to the fact that someone else could be using or appreciating it, those items accumulate.

Change represents bringing those things into the Light. Perhaps a special story of an item that wants to be told to your grandchildren, or blankets that could be given to the homeless, there is much to be shared in moving items around. And, it just creates space, for newness, for creation, for connection.

When you are really ready for a change, especially one that brings up fear or anxiety or stress, there is help. From talking through why you want to change to where you would like to get to, and processing items one by one with you to helping get items out the door for donation or otherwise, we can help.

Items do have meaning, an energy, and when they are pulled out and looked at, there is a connection that happens with that item. What matters is what feeling they cause in you. Some items do not bring any joy—maybe even pain—and those might be good to let go of. Other items bring so much joy they need to be hanging on the wall to look at regularly. But getting up the energy and desire to go at this alone is not always possible, and that is one reason we are here.

Once you know change needs to happen, you are welcome to get in touch with us and talk through it. Making a plan is our specialty, having walked hundreds of clients through change. As you can see from our testimonials, we have helped a variety of clients with a variety of needs. Our goal is to make change easier for you--and let you have space to actually find joy in the process. Give us a call and let's chat!

Simply Change - Professional Organizers in Asheville and Surrounding Areas: Clarity Making Transitions Easier

Simply Change - Professional Organizers in Asheville and Surrounding Areas: Clarity Making Transitions Easier

Simply Change - Professional Organizers in Asheville and Surrounding Areas: Getting Ready to Make a Change

Simply Change - Professional Organizers in Asheville and Surrounding Areas: Getting Ready to Make a Change

Clarity Making Transitions Easier

Another important quality that can help make transition easier is to BE CLEAR. As you go through the steps of becoming honest with yourself about what is needed, you will gradually become more and more clear of what you want and need.

Of course want and need are often closely entwined, but you can often have both fulfilled! Once you have come to the decision you want change, continue contemplating. Perhaps you want to journal or make a list of pros and cons for the different choices you have to make.

Change is often fueled by a need of some kind, or perhaps you are aware enough to look ahead and plan for the future. No matter the motivation for your change, you can manage to have both your needs and wants fulfilled! Set in place your needs, then put in place your wants. They are usually all possible.

Once you have really decided what is important to you, be sure to be clear in your communication with others. This is of course important first with your husband or wife or partner. You will come to a shared decision; allow this to take as long as it needs to, if you are able. Many decisions are ones that will affect you for years to come, so do allow each other to be on the same page before making big changes.

Thereafter, be sure to be clear with others around you. Family, children, sisters, brothers, etc. They will want to support you however they can.

Then, be sure to be clear with whomever is involved with making your move or change happen, be it marketing directors at a retirement facility or the movers you will be working with.

Simply Change can help you with any part of the actual process of movement or change. From the time you decide you are making a big move, you can meet with us, even a year in advance. If you are ready immediately, please get in touch right away. We offer our free one hour consultation specifically to help people get a clear picture of what they’re moving process can look like.

If you have decided you would like the assistance of Simply Change for downsizing or organization, we have a three hour minimum, and you can contact us to schedule anytime. We usually recommend having a couple of key areas to really get set up during that time, and we can also briefly go over another couple of areas during that time. Most areas of a home can be really set up in form and function in just a couple of days. We tend to not work more than about six hours in a day with one client because you will be making many decisions—so get some rest the night before!

For whatever change it is you are about to make, the more clear you can be the better—and we will start from wherever you are. We are here to make it as easy as possible.

And if you are unclear at this point, we can also start from there!! Like we said, we can help at any point in the process. We can become clear together on what will be most beneficial for you! It is a process, and we are here for that.

Getting Ready to Make a Change

When it comes to making big changes, like moving or downsizing, there are an infinite number of ways to feel, be, and act when under the pressure to make that change. Most people do it with ease and grace, some become somewhat overwhelmed, but everyone makes it happen.

Our goal is to help everyone have a smooth and easy transition, no matter what. Here are a few qualities we have seen with clients that seems to make the move easier for everyone. We will discuss them over the next few blogs:

1    1)   Be Honest

2    2)   Be Clear (Including Communication)

3    3)   Have a Plan

4    4)   Ask for Help When Needed

5    5)   Rest When Needed

6    6)   Take Time to Have Fun

First of all, be honest—mostly with yourselves first. Why are you making this move or change? What are your strengths and abilities at this point in your life? Where would it be beneficial to get help—even if you “could” do it—to not cause yourself too much physical or mental stress? It may be that you could still do the move yourself, and maybe have dozens of times in your life, but is that the best thing for you now?

Our bodies all get older: it’s the law of human existence. How we age is up to us. The fact that you are considering your options by considering having Simply Change help you is kudos to your openness to what you may need now in your life.

You may be busy, such as working parents with two young children. If you make this work, kudos to you. And, your entire life may operate more smoothly with a few organizational systems in place, such as childrens’ closets being organized and accessible to them. As children age, new systems are needed to allow their independence and learning, and you may or may not have time, energy, or experience for that. In fact, would you rather be doing that, or spending one on one time with your children?

One of the best examples of honesty I have seen is a charming woman who has dementia. She has the most wonderful smile and happy spirit, and she just says quite early in most conversations that she has dementia and just wanted to let us know that. Her husband patiently processed their house to prepare for a big move, and was also honest that in many ways he needed help because it was too much to take on himself. They both touched our hearts with their earnestness and honesty as they made the transition from a large single family home where they had lived for years to a smaller home in a retirement community.

Whatever change you want in your life, being honest with yourself and others is a good first step. From there, the accurate plan can begin to be made.