It’s a new year, which means time for resolutions – or at least taking a step back to evaluate changes you may want to make. Aside from learning a new language or joining a gym, decluttering and organizing tops the to-do list.
How often do we really accomplish our New Year’s resolutions?
The main problem is that we are so anxious to get started, we make the mistake of not creating a solid plan we can easily keep up with and stick to.
Soon, we become overwhelmed and start thinking, ‘I’ll go to the gym tomorrow,’ or ‘how often am I really going to use Mandarin?’ or, ‘I’ll sort out my important documents and bills next weekend.’ Before you know it, it’s Christmas and you are wondering what your resolutions were, realizing a tomorrow has turned into 12 months, you have no idea what language you said you wanted to learn, and that pile of documents has become so big—and you’ve gotten so used to it—there’s no reason to move it.
But what if we had somebody who could help us accomplish at least one of those goals? Enter Melissa Rogers, creator and owner of Modified by Melissa, a home-organizing business.
“Being organized has just always been a part of my personality. When I was a little girl, I’d pull all of my mom’s shoes out of her closet, sort and organize them,” Rogers explained.
She adds that the idea of starting her business came while she was helping her mother.
“I was visiting family in Indiana and my mom asked for some help going through items that she had been holding onto since both of her parents had passed. It was a sensitive situation and one that she didn’t feel she could go alone, so we walked it together. Afterwards, she told me how much it helped her to have someone with her to make the decisions of what to keep or get rid of.”
One home-organizing project led to another; this time, her friend needed help going through her late husband’s belongings, “She had been putting it off for some time and needed unbiased support. So, we worked in her home for a few days and made substantial progress clearing space. She was so appreciative to have someone by her side, helping her make the decisions and be at peace with those decisions.”
When getting organized is needed
Now, Melissa, a military spouse, helps fellow military families become organized—a skill that comes in handy especially during a PCS, which is known to be a hectic moment for everyone involved.
“Purge. Purge. Purge,” suggests Melissa. “Doing a general purge a few months before you PCS will make the entire process easier. You might also want to purchase a portfolio folder that you can use to organize and easily carry important paperwork throughout your move.”
It is especially after the new year—and spring cleaning—that people tend to take a critical look at their belongings and realize how cluttered their house is. Just as common, is the overwhelming feeling we experience when thinking of sorting through the clutter. According to Rogers, “Sometimes, the biggest challenge for someone trying to get organized is simply getting started.”
But why do we feel the need to become organized?
“People want to improve the overall quality of their lives,” she said. “Being organized can reduce stress and improve productivity. The need can also be emotionally charged. If a significant life change has taken place, like the loss of a loved one, a person might feel the desire to reorganize their current situation.”
So, if you have been thinking about getting organized, but you have no idea where to start, consider “hiring a professional that can help you customize a plan of action. It will greatly improve your physical state and even more so, your mental state.”
After all, if you are successful in becoming organized, you might actually find the time to go to the gym and take up Mandarin!
Learn more online about how Modified by Melissa helps military families get organized or follow her on Instagram.
