Unless you have been living under a rock, you have probably noticed the current decluttering trend sweeping the nation, largely propagated by the hit Netflix Show, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo. No matter their age, gender or income level, everyone in America seems to have one thing in common: too much stuff.
But if you pay attention to the professional organizing world, you will see the industry is almost entirely made up of women. Likewise, women are far more likely to hire a professional organizer than men. Why?
The answer is a complicated one, and likely relates to the role of women as historically being the sole heads of household maintenance. Though this modality is now outdated, women have had many years of practice in outsourcing tasks when it comes to managing the home, whereas men have not.
Simply put, men are less likely to ask for help!
Recognize When You Need Help
No matter how the roles are divided in your family, there is always room for every member to benefit from working with an organizer. Rather than relating some stereotype-based areas of the home a man might use an organizer for, I'll tell how how to know if you are a man and you need the support of a professional organizer:
-You keep telling yourself that you will "get to organizing" the space soon, but never do
-You have trouble finding things that you need in the space, or purchase duplicates
-Your partner or spouse is constantly asking you to tidy up, or help out more frequently
-You start organizing, but find yourself getting distracted and never finish
-You live alone, and you want to start dating but you are embarrassed to show your home to another person
-You feel burned out from work and other commitments, and never seem to have the time to get organized
I have recently seen an uptick in the number of men reaching out to Tidy Solutions PDX and asking for home and office organizing help. Some are single, some have partners or families. Some are young and just starting out in life, and some are seniors wanting help downsizing.
Yet each of these men has two things in common: they have too much stuff, and they are not afraid to ask for help.
It is so rewarding to be able to answer that call, and to be a supportive person in their lives. I wish and hope for a future in which anyone feels comfortable calling an organizer! By nature, we are helpers and we want to do the best we can to support everyone as they work toward a simpler, less cluttered life.
If you are a man in need of professional organizing services, or you know one who does, please reach out! I offer a complimentary 1-hour consultation to every new client.
Therese
