Over the 30+ years I’ve been helping overwhelmed individuals create organization and calm in their lives, most of my clients have been affected by chronic disorganization (CD).

When I first started Oh, So Organized! in 1993, I didn’t know what chronic disorganization was. What I did recognize was that the organizational challenges many of my clients faced were complex, persistent, and deep.

It wasn’t until 1995, when I met Judith Kolberg, a pioneer and thought leader in the organizing industry, and heard her speak at my first NAPO (National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals) conference, that I learned about the term chronic disorganization, which she coined. I began to understand the complexities of CD and the similarities between my clients and those Judith described.

As a CPO-CD® and contributing author to The Chronic Disorganization Tapestry, I’ve spent more than three decades helping people affected by chronic disorganization navigate their organizing challenges with compassion and practical support.

What is Chronic Disorganization?

As defined by the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD), chronic disorganization:

• “Persists over a long period of time

• Frequently undermines the quality of life, and

• Recurs despite repeated self-help attempts.”

The ICD website further clarifies that “chronic disorganization may be present with brain-based challenges such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, Hoarding Disorder, PTSD, TBI, and more.”

Little did I know that Judith’s panel session at NAPO would have such a profound impact on my work. Since then, I have consistently invested in education, professional development, and certifications to deepen my understanding of chronic disorganization and provide the best possible help and support to my clients. I became actively involved with ICD, received much of my training from ICD, and served as its past president.

The Chronic Disorganization Tapestry

Almost two years ago, I was invited, along with eleven of my colleagues, to be a contributing author to an ICD book they planned to publish. This was an easy “yes” because I’m a big advocate for ICD, the premier educational resource on chronic disorganization.

Fast-forward to now, and The Chronic Disorganization Tapestry – How to Thrive Despite Organizing Challenges is finally available! This book is a guide that covers:

• the unique challenges of chronic disorganization

• simple, evidence-based strategies

• case studies

• insights from industry experts

This publication wouldn’t have been possible without the fierce dedication of the Chronic Disorganization Tapestry Task Force members: Carolyn Caldwell, Laurene Livesey Park, Ingrid Tielemans, and Nacho Eguiarte, and the authors’ contributions. My deepest gratitude and congratulations to all!

A Quick Content Guide

I am honored to be included in ICD’s wonderful new publication, written for people affected by chronic disorganization, professional organizers, and other professionals who support them.

Here is a quick guide to the chapter topics and their authors:

• Chapter 1: The Challenge of Chronic Disorganization by Alison Lush

• Chapter 2: When Too Much is Too Much: The Challenge of Hoarding by Hilde Verdijk

• Chapter 3: The Challenge of Organizing While Aging by Diane N. Quintana

• Chapter 4: A Multifaceted Dilemma: The Challenge of ADHD by Sara S. Skillen

• Chapter 5: Organizing Through Change: The Challenge of Transitions by Phyllis Flood Knerr

• Chapter 6: The Challenge of Time by Colette Robicheau

• Chapter 7: The Challenge of Productivity by Cindy Sullivan

• Chapter 8: Not Only Words: The Challenge of Communication by Alice Price

• Chapter 9: When the Body is Challenged by Amanda Scudder

• Chapter 10: When the Mind is Challenged by Susan Fay West

• Chapter 11: The Challenge for Students by Juliet Landau-Pope

• Chapter 12: The Challenge of Giving and Receiving Support by Linda Samuels

The book is available from retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Alibris, and Bookshop.

“We aren’t meant to go through this life alone. Everyone needs help at times.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

My Chapter: The Challenge of Giving and Receiving Support

From a young age, I always loved helping others. Over three decades ago, when I considered starting my own company, I knew that helping people had to be a key element of my business. After brainstorming ideas for what type of business would ‘fit’ that requirement, I eventually founded Oh, So Organized!

It felt especially meaningful to be asked to contribute a chapter on giving and receiving support to The Chronic Disorganization Tapestry.

In Chapter 12, “The Challenge of Giving and Receiving Support,” I explore chronic disorganization in that context and ways in which giving and receiving help can foster progress and growth. Perspectives are considered from:

• individuals affected by CD

• related professionals who support people affected by CD

• professional organizers who work with individuals affected by CD

We aren’t meant to go through this life alone. Everyone needs help at times, whether it’s practical, technical, or emotional, or simply the presence of another person alongside us. For people affected by chronic disorganization, and for those who support them, fostering compassion, curiosity, and agency is essential to progress and growth.

How Can I Help?

Do you feel overwhelmed, disorganized, or stuck? You don’t have to do this alone. I’m here to help! Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s talk! I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Fill out the Contact Form

• Email me at linda@ohsoorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Getting organized, building confidence, and reaching your goals are possible, especially with support.

Fall brings changing colors, cooler weather, and hope for what can be. The new season offers many possibilities. There are countless options for activities to try, goals to pursue, information to gather, relationships to develop, stuff to declutter, and paths to explore. So many possibilities may seem endless, intimidating, or overwhelming.

What happens when you have too many choices? Does it prevent you from moving forward? Do you get stuck and struggle to make meaningful progress?

Judith Kolberg, an organizing industry thought leader, author, and friend, said, “We live in the Era of Endless, confronted by infinite information, incessant interruptions, constant distractions, unending work, and boundless stuff. All this endlessness butts up against the one thing that remains intractably finite: time.”

Possibilities are limitless, but our time is not. Knowing this, how can you move forward anyway? There are several strategies, such as narrowing the focus, facing the fear, and redefining the problem, that can help.

Narrow the Focus

I don’t know about you, but when I face too many choices, my brain begins to shut down. Sorting through multiple options and weighing their pros and cons can be overwhelming.

Narrowing your options can help you get unstuck. The ideal number might be evaluating three choices at a time. However, if that feels like too many, try two.

Let’s say you’re decluttering your closet. You have twenty pairs of pants, but you want to have only ten. First, organize them by color or category. Gather each group, such as black, navy, casual, or dress pants. Hold up two at a time from a group. Once that group is complete, move on to the next group.

Ask questions like:

• Do I like this pair more than the other one?

• Which pair fits or feels best?

• Is it worn out, repairable, or worth repairing?

• Are the pants the same?

• Do I need both?

These types of questions will help you:

• Narrow your options

• Get unstuck

• Reduce or eliminate overwhelm

• Help you reach your objective of having fewer pants

Modify and use this strategy when your focus is too broad. Break choices into several categories to place boundaries around possibilities and decision-making options.

Face the Fear

Endless possibilities can also bring up fear. When fear is present, it can be paralyzing, causing you to do nothing.

Reflect on these questions to see if fear is holding you back:

• When exploring new possibilities, is fear an obstacle?

• Is it about fear of choosing the wrong option?

• Is it about fear of making a mistake?

• Is it about fear of what others might think about your decision?

There are no guarantees in life. When you’re unsure, it’s natural to feel apprehensive. But don’t let that stop you. Instead of focusing on fear, reframe the ‘adventure’ as an experiment. This mindset will encourage you to try things with less pressure. Experimenting is about curiosity, learning, and growth, not punishment or black-and-white thinking.

As a reminder, I keep a sign on my desk. It says, “Overcome the fear of doing it wrong.”

“Possibilities are limitless, but our time is not.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

Redefine the Problem

When possibilities appear endless, it can cause confusion about goals and progress.

In the book Daily Creative, by author, creative, and podcast host Todd Henry, he said, “At times, the feeling of ‘stuck-ness’ is really nothing more than a lack of clarity about what meaningful progress truly is. Simply redefining the problem can provide a quick jolt of forward momentum.”

He continued and said, “Consider a project you’re struggling to make progress on. What are you really trying to do?” That’s such a powerful question! Clarifying can help you cut through the noise from competing factors, options, and possibilities. The strategy encourages you to revisit the challenge and then define what you need and want to do at that moment.

Working with Endless Possibilities

In an age of information and choice overload, it’s no wonder you get stuck. It’s no surprise that you’re struggling to make progress. However, now you have three strategies that can help with focus, fear, and problems. What helps you navigate limitless possibilities? Which idea resonates most with you? 

I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

How Can I Help?

Do you feel overwhelmed, stuck, or disorganized? I’m here to help! Virtual organizing is an extraordinary path forward – Local feel with a global reach.

Let’s talk. I’m easy to reach.

• Schedule a Discovery Call

• Fill out the Contact form

• Email me at linda@ohsoorganized.com or

• Call 914-271-5673

Getting organized and making progress is possible, especially with support.

As I began writing about fresh starts and the New Year, I thought about how life changed significantly for me 30 years ago. With two babies and a regular commute to New York City for my job in the computer graphics industry, I dreamed of starting my own business. This month marks my 30th anniversary of launching Oh, So Organized!

When I was a young mom juggling work, family life, and two young kids, I recognized that my organizational abilities helped me navigate life with less stress. Other moms often asked, “How are you managing everything?” While I was ‘born organized,’ I realized organizing was a teachable skill I could share with other parents.

After much deliberation, I left my computer graphics career and combined my visual arts expertise, business background, love of helping people, and organizing abilities to launch Oh, So Organized! It was a risky decision, yet I’m happy I took it.

Taking Risks

I’m reminded of a story one of my clients shared about taking risks. Especially if you’re thinking about change as you enter this new year, I hope you find encouragement in this story.

When lobsters grow to be about one pound, they instinctively know they are facing a crisis. They have lived in a shell that protects them but inhibits their growth.

To mature, the lobsters must shed their old shells and grow new ones, which takes about two days. This isn’t long, but they are left naked and vulnerable during that time.

Other sea creatures may eat the naked lobster, or waves may slam it against a rock and damage it. Yet there is no alternative. The lobster must endure two days of risk to grow a new shell and become mature.

Humans often have to do that too.

Celebrating 30 Years

I had no idea what an amazing journey I would have when I left the security of a job with medical benefits and a steady paycheck. Talk about shedding my old shell to grow a new one. Wow! In these past three decades, I’ve continued to shed and grow. Each transition and change I was willing to make opened doors for new experiences, clients, learning, growth, and opportunities.

I remember when being in business meant you needed at least a business card, phone, and fax number. That morphed into adding an email address. After that, having a website was a cornerstone of any business. My first website was launched in 2001 and was redesigned several times, with the most recent revamp in 2020.

The business has several aspects to it. There is the business of running a business, organizing work with clients, and being a participant, resource, and volunteer in the organizing industry. In each of these areas, I experienced tremendous opportunities for growth, learning, and giving. There are too many highlights to include (or remember,) but here are several:

• 1993- Gave my first newspaper interview in December 1993, which connected me with new clients for years and taught me the value of PR. Since then, I’ve been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, HuffPost, Westchester Magazine, and many more media outlets.

• 1994- Wrote and mailed out my first ‘snail mail’ quarterly newsletter, which I still send to a selective group.

• 1995- Presented at the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) conference in Dallas, met industry expert and thought leader Judith Kolberg, and learned about chronic disorganization.

• 1999- Asked to launch and lead the NAPO-NY area Golden Circle group for veteran organizers, which I ran for 8 years.

• 2002-2021- Was featured in several books about professional organizing, including Organizing Plain & Simple by Donna Smallin, The ICD Guide to Challenging Disorganization for Professional Organizers edited by Kate Varness, Junk – Digging Through America’s Love Affair With Stuff by Alison Stewart, and, I’m Right Here – 10 Ways to Get Help for Hoarding and Chronic Disorganization by Jill B. Yesko.

• 2006- Became Westchester’s first Certified Professional Organizer in Chronic Disorganization (CPO-CD®) after three years of training and study through the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD).

• 2008- Became an ICD Program Mentor. Since then, I’ve mentored many students through a credentialing process to get their CPO-CD® certification.

• 2009- Became an ICD Master Trainer, a credential held by less than 12 professionals in the organizing industry.

“Let your past experiences fuel your fresh start.”

— Linda Samuels, CPO-CD®, CVOP™

• 2010- Wrote and published my book The Other Side of Organized – Finding Balance Between Chaos and Perfection.

• 2010- Launched my blog, The Other Side of Organized, and started blogging about organizing and life balance. I have written almost 500 posts to date.

• 2013- Completed the foundation courses through Coach Approach for Organizers.

• 2014-2016- Was President of the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD).

• 2014-2020- Was interviewed for many Smead podcasts by host John Hunt.

• 2014- Presented at the Japan Association of Life Organizers (JALO) conference in Yokohama, Japan.

• 2019- Was interviewed on several of WNYC’s “All Of It” shows by host Alison Stewart.

• 2020- Became a Certified Virtual Professional Organizer (CVOP™) and pivoted my business to working with clients worldwide.

• 2020- Joined The Nest by Revel, an Executive Coaching company, as their Professional Organizer Advisor.

• 2022- Presented at the International Virtual Organizers Summit for Virtual Organizers.

• 2022- Hosted my first Oh, So Organized! virtual workshop on “How to Conquer Clutter.”

• 2023- These past 30 years, I’ve been joyfully working with hundreds of clients in-person and virtually. I’ve presented at various public and private conferences and events, attended dozens of conferences, taken hundreds of classes, and volunteered in the organizing industry locally, nationally, and internationally for an array of short to long-term projects.

Gratitude & Fresh Starts

None of this would have been possible without the love, support, guidance, and trust of my family, friends, clients, colleagues, mentors, teachers, and guides. While 30 years is a milestone, it’s not an end. It’s the beginning of this year and many more to come.

My deepest gratitude to all the incredible people I’ve developed relationships with and met along the way. To my clients, I thank you for your ongoing trust in allowing me into your lives and being part of your organizing journey. I love helping and supporting you. To my colleagues, I am grateful for your wisdom, generosity, friendship, and guidance. To my family and friends, your ongoing encouragement, support, and love has helped me grow and thrive. I wouldn’t be here without all of you.

How will you make the most of your fresh start as you dive into this New Year? What are you excited about? What will you let go of? Where do you want to give your time and attention? I’d love to hear your thoughts. I invite you to join the conversation.

I just returned from the NAPO 2016 organizing conference in Atlanta. About 550 professional organizers from around the world gathered to learn about building organizing businesses, learn new skills, think about current and future trends, and discover the latest products and services to help our clients.

There was a lot of note-taking, conversing, laughing, photographing, tweeting, listening, and observing. I loved seeing old friends and making new ones.

Some conference highlights included:

• Attending the IFPOA (International Federation of Professional Organizing Associations) meeting with the leaders from Japan, Canada, The Netherlands, The United Kingdom and the United States

Photo by NAPO President, Ellen Faye taken at IFPOA Meeting

• Going to the President's Black & White Reception with dancing and karaoke

• Talking with current and potential ICD subscribers at the ICD Booth during the NAPO Expo

• Discussing the influence of future trends on the organizing industry, including aging, downsizing, coaching, and technology

• Learning new ways to combine video with social media from Mindy Rodenburg

• Hanging out and talking with Denslow Brown

• Learning about Judith Kolberg's unique "to-do" list, digital estate planning, and her dance break during her session

• Seeing hundreds of old friends and making new ones

The days were packed from morning until late night. Everywhere I turned, there were new people to meet and old friends to greet. I loved that part. In between conversations, I attended sessions to learn about new trends, ideas, and concepts. During the sessions, I took notes and tweeted some highlights. Mealtimes gave us further opportunities to talk, connect and share ideas. Are you getting the picture? It was wonderful. At the same time, there was a lot to take in and process. And guess what? My heart was filled with connecting with all the amazing people, but so was my head. By Sunday morning, my mind felt full and cluttered.

Fortunately, I scheduled a later flight on Sunday. This gave me time to visit the Atlanta Botanical Garden to see the beautiful gardens and Chihuly exhibit. If you live in Atlanta or ever have the opportunity to see Dale Chihuly’s art, definitely go!

Dale Chihuly - Atlanta Botanical GardenIt turns out that one of the best cures for my cluttered mind was to spend several hours being outside in the sun, exploring nature, the gardens, seeing and photographing Chihuly’s vibrantly colored and organically shaped glass sculptures, taking in the wonderfully fragrant scents, hearing the sounds of water and birds, feeling the breeze, and walking along the winding paths.

Returning home, I gave myself time to sit by the river to collect my thoughts and review my notes. There are still many people to follow-up with and ideas to simmer and implement. However, by giving myself the time with nature and art, my cluttered mind has settled.

I’m excited about the possibilities, and calm about the pacing. My heart is full and happy. My mind is calm.

What helps you when your mind gets cluttered? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Come join the conversation!