Five reasons to hire a professional organizer, especially in Hong Kong
You have been looking at the mess in that cupboard or kitchen for a while, and you are at your wits end. Maybe you have no time or don’t know how to tackle this project. But, don’t worry, what you need is a professional home organizer! While organizers are already beloved in the US, especially with the popularity of shows such as ‘Tidying Up with Marie Kondo’ and ‘The Home Edit’, but we aren’t as widely used here in Hong Kong. Here are our five reasons that professional organizers can be particularly helpful in Hong Kong.
1. Hong Kong homes are small
Let’s be honest, Hong Kong homes will never compare to the sprawling space most people are used to around the world, whether you are looking at condos in Singapore, townhouses in the States, apartments in Europe or bungalows across Asia. No matter who you are, the space in HK is unlikely to be sufficient for your needs.
In addition to space, there are also some unique qualities about storage in our homes. You must also be familiar with that unexpected shoe cabinet hidden at the entrance or the awkwardly shaped bathroom designed for feng shui, that is so quintessentially Hong Kong. The challenges that come with Hong Kong homes are unique, and one size doesn’t fit all. So it is critical to use your space efficiently.
Enter – the professional organizer. Not only do we have the skills to help you sort through your items, we can create storage solutions that are practical and beautiful no matter the size, shape or orientation of your space.
2. Decluttering and organizing is overwhelming and draining
There is a reason sorting through your closet or organizing your spice cabinet gets pushed to the end of your to-do list. It can be super anxiety inducing! Months and years of things accumulating and it can start to feel overwhelming. It is absolutely normal – the physical, mental and emotional challenges to declutter and organize can make it draining to even begin the process, forget letting go of items. A good professional organizer is not here to judge you or make you part with everything, but rather someone to support you through the exhausting process.
First, the physical. It can take stamina and effort to haul out all the clothes or equipment from the back room and sort through it with care and time. But with a home organizer, you have at least one if not more to help you out, providing motivation, assistance (and treats!).
Then, the mental. It can be a long process going through your items and you might want to quit half way through and just throw out the rest or stuff it back in! And that’s not even considering the thought required in constructing organizational systems.
And, of course, emotional. We have been taught to assign value to things and they can hold memories, attachment and even security. It might just look like an old brooch but it can have sentimental value, dredging up old feelings just looking at it. An organizer will come in to ensure you make it through the experience, with empathy and understanding, as well as professional expertise to execute your wishes. We are like personal trainers that guide and coach you through the process where needed and if preferred, can just get the job done FOR you.
3. Sourcing quality organizational products in Hong Kong is hard
Another challenge Hong Kong-ers face is finding high quality, reliable storage solutions that you can use repeatedly. While the west has the Container Store, Target and other department stores that can be relied upon to mass produce the same boxes, jars and canisters again and again, in Hong Kong it can be a hit or a miss. Taobao, for example, can be a good option, but it’s hard to predict quality and ability to rebuy items.
Moreover, having already identified the lack of space and unique storages in Hong Kong, makes finding products even harder. It can be difficult to know exactly WHAT the best storage solution is, what shape would work best and whether plastic or glass is more functional in this case. The mason jars may look pretty, but will the maximize storage? Saves you the time of having to scroll endlessly on websites, or worse, visiting stores in person. A professional would have the experience and the know-how to pick the perfect product for great prices.
4. Having the right systems in place will last you
Just like any expert, a professional organizer has the experience and expertise that can solve your clutter and storage problems. Just like you wouldn’t go to a doctor for a shoe repair or cobbler for a knee injury, cleaners won’t be able to create systems for your home. While our helpers are invaluable and deep cleaners are necessary in certain occasions, they can’t replace the work an organizer can do. A home organizer is able to evaluate and construct an organization structure that will fit seamlessly into your life and will be adapted for every member of your household.
This goes beyond aesthetics, and what an organizer brings is an understanding of the human mind and behaviour. For example, we know that leaving the house with kids in tow can be stressful, and can add minutes that no one has in the morning. So creating a To-Go box with keys, diapers, wipes and other essentials, that can be grabbed just as one is leave can help save time and also a lot of stress.
And what’s more, an organizer will help you understand your preferences and habits, raising your own awareness about which systems can fit in your life style. Once you have worked with a professional to create the perfect work station/ kitchen drawer/ shoe closet, it is easy to translate it into a new space, and repurpose it again and again.
5. Hong Kong is a high stress, fast-paced environment
Finally, this article would be remiss not mentioning the crazy busy lifestyle that is the norm in Hong Kong. The working hours are some of the longest in the world, and families find themselves stretched thin between jobs, school, play dates, extra-curriculars, social lives, and travel. While the pandemic has definitely helped slow down the hamster wheel, it has brought home even more clutter and stress, with work and school from home entering people’s sanctuaries.
What’s more, a recent study has found subjective clutter, i.e. how you perceive clutter in your own home, has an impact on your well-being. It is also one of the leading sources of disagreements at home, between spouses or parents and children. So now, more than ever, a calm, clutter-free home is needed for your mental, physical and familial well-being. If you can get someone to help you through the process, then why not!