12 S  By Mallory Gleich t may surprise readers to know that there is a psychological aspect to spring cleaning. During the winter season, humans can be less active and unmotivated to tackle big projects. This is due to melatonin levels – the less sun we feel, the more melatonin we produce and thus, that sleepy feeling. Never fear, however, for sunny days are here and spring cleaning is on the forefront. We spoke to Danielle Wurth of Phoenix-based organizing company Wurth Organizing to get some tips on where to start. What is Wurth Organizing? Our business offers creative organizing solutions to clients’ lifestyles within their homes or businesses. We organize any room and space. I joke, ‘as long as it’s legal, we can organize it.’ We’re one of the veteran companies in Arizona – the longest standing. Where are you from? I’m originally from New York. When I moved here, there was only one other organizer in the Valley, and they focused more on moving and unpacking. So I’m really proud; I started when it was a new, niche industry in Arizona. I’ve seen so much change and growth; it’s great that people are more welcoming to an outside perspective within their homes. What was the inspiration for starting the business? I have ADHD. As a child, I needed organized solutions so I could stay focused and on-task. Then, as a mom, I realized that I – and other parents – might need a way to organize their homes. You can’t escape your home, right? It has to be a place that refreshes your spirit and recharges your soul. When you have a space that causes further anxiety, confusion, and lack of communication, it robs you of truly enjoying life. Our business is psychology-based [that’s where my studies are], which makes our approach unique. We figure out the “why” or what’s wrong in the home or space and make it attainable and sustainable for clients. We cater to all areas of Arizona. Why hire an organizing company? People often feel overwhelmed and don’t know where or how to start. They need an outside, professional perspective to divide the plan, create solutions, and complete the project. Examples: converting a guest bedroom to a storage room or complete redesign and installation for a garage. We just did that for a family of six, and it looks stunning. What is the most important thing to remember before tackling a project? My top tip is to take a before picture of the space and print it. When you’re holding the photo, you’re looking at it from a third-party perspective, and it’s not as overwhelming as when you’re actually standing in the space. You can take that picture and sit somewhere else and think, ‘I never realized how much space is in there.’ It’s helpful as a starting point. Give us some examples of decluttering a small space. Small spaces give big wins. People don’t realize how quick or long a project can take – it feels like an all-day project when really, it only takes 10 minutes. So start small, with a drawer, for example. If you go down a rabbit hole of all the different items in a space, time management can be drastically off, and you’ll have made a bigger mess and confusion of the existing disorder and might not have time to put it back and now there’s added frustration. Focus and finish. With a drawer, ask yourself what you really need. People put an entire stock in a drawer, like – you don’t need nine marker sets in one space. Maybe you just need core stock for your family’s needs, and then create a back stock. Why do you do this business? It’s very cathartic. I tell people how excited I am for them because I know life will be dramatically different once they start working with us. We’re here to support people through life’s changes. Is there a process that you follow when in a client’s home? First is a complimentary phone consultation to get to know the client, timing, space, budget, etc. Getting people purged, packed and ready for a remodel was a big thing recently. We go on-site and do a walk-through to discuss the top two areas that cause the most frustration or anxiety. I have four A’s to my system. The first is to Assess the space and function. Attack or dissect what’s being kept, repaired, or donated. The third is to How spring cleaning can positively affect your mindset Simplify your life Danielle Wurth I

13 Assign the system – is it a drawer? Is it baskets or shelf dividers? This could be using what the family has or purchasing new. And the last is Accountability – keeping the family and us accountable to the new system. We have a phenomenal success rate because we’ve spent so much time understanding the space, the client and the need. What is your favorite product to use for organizing? You can’t be without a label maker. If I was on a desert island, that’s the one thing I would need! I think it makes organizing fun and makes anything look fancy. It’s the best investment, I think. Advice for keeping things organized once you’ve completed the project? There needs to be a tour. Instead of one family member knowing where everything is, the whole family should tour the new space, so everyone knows where everything is. The other part, which is non- negotiable – is that everything needs to be labeled. A basket in a pantry, for example. If it doesn’t have a label, it can’t be maintained. It’s just so helpful. Which rooms are the toughest to organize? Offices can be tricky. But garages are my favorite to organize because they offer the most gratification and pride. When that door opens and greets you into your home, it sets the tone for the start or end of your day. It’s fun to be brag-worthy with the most organized garage in the neighborhood, right? It’s tough, though, because the items are all shapes and sizes. You can go from a bike to a wrench. The shape, size and volume are all factors in organizing. What about a child’s toy room? Have one cohesive unit. First, look at the shape and size of what you’re organizing. And then figure out – maybe there’s a piece of furniture you could repurpose into a toy unit. Having something with drawers, like a canvas bin, is super helpful. Anything with small pieces should not be readily available to kids. They should be put up and away until they’re old enough to understand keeping the parts together, so you’re not constantly searching for games or puzzle pieces. What’s your favorite part of organizing? When a client tells us how happy they are with their new house, you truly help change their daily lives, it’s just amazing. People need to look at what they own and see what purpose it serves. Otherwise, it’s just clutter. We help clarify the confusion of organizing. Where can people find you? People can find tips and tricks online at wurthorganizing.com. Folks can follow me on Instagram to find upcoming webinars and workshops. I also wrote two books, Ignite the Organizer in You and Ignite the Organizer in Your Child . 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