My entire house was packed into boxes…When we moved to Charleston from MD several years ago, we had packed everything and were having a going away party, upon realizing my yoga teachers husband and I went to high school together I walked over to a particular box and pulled out our yearbook. It was like a magic trick and everyone just stood there kind of stunned that I knew were the darn thing was and with everything packed I could still go grab it in less than 30 seconds.  This is probably one of the moments that will stand out in my mind forever and when I knew without a doubt that I was destined to be an Organizer! (and someone got a picture of it!)

This popped into my mind after reading a recent discussion on the NAPO forum…all of these are true experiences that I’ve had as a professional organizer and they make me laugh! Consider this a You might be a Professional Organizer if (or destined to be one) kind of list…

• You create lists of things you’ve already done so you can cross them off.
• Friends (especially new ones) are afraid to have you over because they don’t think their house is organized or tidy enough (don’t worry, were use to worse and we don’t judge!). Alternately…
• Your friends, family, clients start a conversation with “you would be so proud of me because…” I purged my wardrobe, got rid of half my books, de-stashed my fabric in my craft room etc:)
• Friends come over and want to look into your closet and cupboards to get organizing ideas and see if you are really as organized as…A Professional Organizer, and they leave feeling happy to realize you are organized but not Martha Stewart perfect!
• You can retrieve just about anything in your home if someone needs you to, in 30 seconds or less.
• Your clutter is categorized and labeled.
• Your spices are alphabetized.
• You don’t let anyone else load your dishwasher or put your dishes back because they just won’t do it right (my husband has all but 2 cabinets down-the remaining items he leaves for me:)
• Your magazines are arranged in the rack by subject and date.
• You eat your bag of M&Ms according to color.
• Your socks (underwear, bras, etc) are lined up in neat rows in your dresser drawer.
• You always have a donation bag of items to get rid of.
• Your car contains clients donation items (in an orderly fashion).
• You can properly and neatly fold a fitted sheet and know what hospital corners are (and want to teach others this too).
• You re-arrange the hotel room, putting everything “where it belongs.”
• You don’t have containers with missing lids, if you damage a part-you recycle or dispose of the partner.
• You carry a label-maker, tape measure, sharpie and post it notes with you.
• You show up at meeting with printouts and a checklist of questions.
• You leave every meeting with a half-dozen pages of notes.
• Your personal library is organized by category, size (and color).
• You categorize groceries into the cashier’s belt (or better yet self check out ) & bag your own groceries by categories.
• You can spend an hour or more at The Container Store or IKEA scouting out organizing products.
• Your friends and family send you loads of Pinterest organizing pins!
• You rearrange cans, boxes, clothes stacks, etc on store shelves as you shop.
• You wipe off the sink counters in public bathrooms.

I hope you got a giggle out of some of these! I’m not perfect, seriously Y’all but I do have my organizing compulsions, I just can’t help it:)