In JANUARY, I got more organized. After interviewing organizing professionals and their clients for a series of columns, I kept thinking: I want an organizer to come to my house! But I was embarrassed to ask. After all, aren’t I supposed to be an expert? Then one organizer whispered, “Here’s the dirty little secret: Professional organizers hire professional organizers.
” Of course! Doctors need doctors, right? Lawyers need lawyers. So why wouldn’t I hire a professional organizer? So, I did. Lesson: Even if you don’t have too much stuff, you can still have it in the wrong place.
A trained organizer can make your space work better, help you get rid of stuff you’ve secretly been wanting to get rid of but needed a push, and help you see what you’ve stopped seeing. In FEBRUARY, I spoke out on behalf of the 36 million singles out there who make up households of one. Many thanked me for sharing this message: “Don’t feel sorry for us.
We’re happy living on our own.” Today 28 percent of all U.S.
households comprise just one person. “The rise of people who want to live alone is one of the most significant demographic trends of recent decades. The rest of society needs to catch up,” said social scientist Bella DePaulo, who is single by choice and lives alone.
Lesson: Cancel the pity party. On behalf of the single at heart, DePaulo busted the following myths: People who live alone must be lonely..
.wish they didn’t..
. are somehow incomplete ..
. are looking for.
