By Christina Morton DesAuguste
Christina is the founder and CEO of The Organizing Company. She’s been organizing professionally since 2013. She has a background working with kids and teenagers, as well as in fashion retail. Her saving grace during self quarantine: Cinnabon is still open.
What a difficult time we’re in. I’m grateful that it’s not worse than it is (My mind goes straight to the Blitz in London or Anne Frank hiding away in Amsterdam. *Debbie Downer Alert*), but we have to acknowledge that this is an incredibly challenging and stressful time for most of the world.
My life is not without upset. I already work from home most of the time, but I had to cancel all hands on organizing for my team ( = financial stress for all of us), my husband started to work from home and is facing strict quotas or will lose his job. On top of this situation and health fears, and all the normal life stressors we’re dealing with personally, my grandfather went on hospice last week and I write this from Tennessee where I’m camped out helping my mom care for him and make his transition peaceful.
So read all of that as, “I understand what you might be feeling.”
It’s hard to know how to help right now since we can’t do what we normally do. But I realize (and have experienced in my personal situation) that organization might actually be more of a priority now for a lot of people. Many of you are adjusting to home schooling, or at least having the kids home all. the. time. And adjusting to your spouse around all the time. So if things are disorganized, or if you don’t know how to adjust your systems and solutions for these changes in your household, it can add more stress and anxiety to this already stressful time.
Order creates peace. It reduces arguments over each others’ stuff, or over misplaced items. It gives you a sense of security knowing where everything is, knowing you have a system to stay organized, and because it reduces the visual clutter or visual triggers that cause anxiety. And we could all use a little more peace right now.
You can blame it on the day job, but for me, if my house is organized and tidy, everything where it belongs, things looking pretty, I can relax. It reduces my anxiety. It gives me a sense of control in such an out of control world, which is especially true right now. I think that’s why I love organizing so much. It’s one of the few things we can control. Our own little area. Our own “sanctuary,” as I often call it. And I think that’s really healthy during a time like this. I heard that this is especially helpful for children, especially anxious children, to have their own little spot to retreat and feel safe.
So we want to help with that however we can from afar. We want to help make this time more bearable and remove the stress of disorganization. If you can figure out ways to make functional work stations and keep the house tidy, you can actually enjoy being at home. Or at least minimize the frustration.
So here are some ways we are able to help from afar:
1. We’ll be publishing more content during this time with practical topics to help you organize to survive this time. Join the mailing list to get content delivered to you.
2. We’ve added a freebie guide for how to tackle whole house organization. Make sure to check out the link to our organizing method as you work, or click here to jump ahead.
3. We’re also offering FREE virtual organizing to 50 people and a 50% discount for anyone after that until this lockdown is lifted. To take advantage of the giveaway or sale, click above for all the details.
4. Lastly, we’ll be offering organizing webinars to help you learn how to organize any area of your home. Sign up for our mailing list to get notified when they launch.
For today, just know that it’s okay to freak out a little. You’re not crazy and you’re not alone. Check out this article on self care during this time for some healthy reminders of how you can do little things that have a big impact- and help your kids and hubby do so too. Or if you’re a working mom or entrepreneur, you may enjoy the Girlboss guidance here.
Praying health and provision for you and your families.
Happy Organizing!
Christina + The Organizing Company Team
March 29, 2020
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