ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Getting organized has always been high on the list of New Year's resolutions, but even more so in 2021.
With so many people working from home, sometimes it’s hard to figure out where the office ends and the living room begins.
“I live in this little home with three children, so space is an issue,” said Dawn Wilder.
As a personal trainer, Wilder is used to helping people reach their New Years' resolutions when it comes to getting in shape. However, this year she’s the one looking for a little coaching.
“I just put a blanket on it so I don’t have to see all the disarray,” said Wilder, referring to some of the clutter inside her two-bedroom apartment.
“Need someone to kind of come alongside me because it feels overwhelming, just kind of like working out does for a lot of people,” said Wilder.
That’s where Michelle Passoff steps in. Guiding her clients virtually from her St. Pete home, Passoff has been clutter consulting for over 20 years.
“During the pandemic, nobody is leaving the house and you get to have your clutter right in your face so if you didn’t see it before you see it now,” said Passoff.
She wants to check out your cupboards, closets and drawers, then come up with the best plan to utilize the space.
“What makes the work I do unique is that it’s focused on what you want to make room for in your life and that's not a clutter goal that's a life goal,” said Passoff.
In Wilder’s case, her biggest challenge is figuring out what to do with hundreds of family photos dating back to the 90s.
“I really, really want to work on that project but it feels overwhelming and once you start it it’s going to be a mess,” said Wilder.
Passoff slowly alleviates Dawn’s stress and turns it into motivation. One at a time, they put the photos into categories and from there pick the best ones to be digitized.
“I'm always the one kind of pushing someone, so it is fun to be on the backside of that and to have someone else following up with me, checking on me,” said Wilder.
“It’s a really great way to get results in your life despite the pandemic,” said Passoff.
For more information on getting help organizing your home go to www.freefromclutter.com
For more information on Dawn Wilder email thedawnrunner@gmail.com.
