This week on Sunbound Asks we sat down with Diane Crespo, a Certified Expert Organizer with Me In Order, organizing in the Greater Tampa area in Florida. We had an amazing time welcoming Diane to the blog, and loved learning about how Diane first moved to Florida and became interested in professional organizing. If you want to learn more about Diane and Me In Order, check out their website here or read our interview below.

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Q: How long have you been a professional organizer?

A: I have been organizing my whole life and professionally for over a year.

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Q: How’d you get into professional organizing?

A: My husband and I moved from New Jersey to Florida and I was looking for a new job. I thought “this is my time to do what I want.” I’ve been organizing my things since I was little. Me In Order was looking for organizers in my area and I thought “here we go.”

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Q: What’s your favorite type of project to work on?

A: It’s so hard to pick a favorite! If I had to choose my favorite projects to work on would be kitchens or closets.

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Q: What’s your favorite memory as a professional organizer?

A: My favorite memory is when my chronically disorganized client was able to declutter and maintain a bathroom in her home all on her own. It was a great moment for both of us. We had been working towards a more organized life for over a year. There is still some more to go, but it was such a great accomplishment for my client, and I couldn’t be prouder of her.

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Q: What’s your most unconventional professional organizing tip or trick?

A: An unconventional organizer trick I like to use is utilizing whatever my client has around their house to contain items. No need to spend money if you don’t have to (unless you want to)!

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Q: What professional organizing practice do you use most in your own life?

A: The professional organizing practice I use the most is contain, contain, contain. If an item doesn’t have a designated home, it makes it that much harder to keep it organized.

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Q: What’s your favorite new professional organizing trend?

A: I’m not sure if it’s new but what seems to be trending is hanging items that I wouldn’t normally think to hang and making them visually pleasing. I am seeing a lot of different items being hung outside of closets including pants, hats, and bags. This trend is creating more space in homes by utilizing vacant space such as a blank, unused wall to add curtain rods or hooks and hang items in smaller closets, hallways, and entryways.

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Q: What’s one thing you wish more people knew about professional organizing?

A: The one thing I wish people knew about professional organizing is there isn’t a one size fits all for our clients. The way one client organizes and responds to organizing is different from the next. This process takes time.

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Q: If you weren’t a professional organizer, what else would you be doing?

A: If I wasn’t a professional organizer, I wouldn’t be happy. I literally have my dream job.

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Q: What professional organizing resources would you suggest for our readers?

A: For myself, I have enjoyed utilizing NAPO’s catalog of continued education workshops. It helps me better understand a variety of options for the different clients I work with. I also really enjoy utilizing The Container Store for ideas. Their products are interchangeable, and their staff are full of organizing knowledge. 

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To learn more about how Sunbound can help make senior living more affordable for you or your loved one, send us an email at info@sunboundhomes.com or request more information on Sunbound. Sunbound is the best way to pay for senior living and is on a mission to make senior living affordable for everyone.