Spooky Things We Get Hired to Do

October 31, 2025

Fear often hides behind procrastination and avoidance. It’s easy to tell ourselves we’re just “too busy” or “not ready” to tackle a cluttered space, but often what’s really happening is deeper. Fear whispers things like, “What if I make the wrong decision?” or “What if I find something that stirs old memories?” or even “What if I can’t keep it up once it’s done?” These quiet thoughts can keep us frozen, stuck in a loop of delay. Recognizing fear for what it is: a natural but temporary emotion, helps us take gentle, confident steps forward. Once we name it, we can move through it with compassion and momentum, turning avoidance into action and dread into empowerment. This Halloween, I wanted to write about all the “spooky” things we get hired to do as professional organizers. If these tasks weren’t scary, most people could do them on their own. Sure, the threat of spiders, cobwebs, and energetic muck are all scary, but for this post, I’m talking about basic organizing tasks that people can get a little afraid of.

Here are just a few of the “spooky” things we get hired to help with, but a little organizing magic can turn fear into freedom! Sometimes the scariest part is just getting started. Whether it’s closets bursting with clothes from another decade or mysterious boxes from your last move, I help clients decide what to keep, donate, or release, and make the process feel calm and even fun. While most people think of ghosts and ghouls this time of year, the real spooky stuff often hides inside our closets, drawers, and garages. These are the areas we avoid, the boxes we never unpack, and the projects that whisper, “someday…”

Sorting, Decluttering/ Purging and Organizing Basics

It’s important to understand that when you hire an organizer, it’s very rare for us to jump right into the ORGANIZING phase. Usually, the sorting and decluttering/purging steps are what people get hung up on the most. Once things are properly sorted and decluttered, it’s very easy to figure out how to organize all that will be kept. If you’ve ever watched an episode of Hoarders, or read/listened to any organizing content from a super judgy, type-A perfectionist organizer, having someone come over to help you “go through your stuff” might sound super scary!! Sara and I are not like that. We help create the conditions so you can think clearly about what’s important for YOU to keep. We aren’t there to pressure you or to make you feel bad. We are guests in your home, and we want to make it a positive experience for you.

Addresses for Holiday Cards

Digging through old address books, half-finished spreadsheets, and torn return-address labels that you’ve been saving can feel like resurrecting ghosts of holidays past. We help our clients get those lists up to date and ready so the joy of sending cards doesn’t get lost in the chaos.

Kids’ Artwork

Those piles of precious drawings can multiply like gremlins! Together, we create a system for displaying, saving, or photographing favorite pieces, so you can treasure the memories without drowning in paper.

The Pantry Clean-Out

Expired food lurking in dark corners? Creepy jars of mystery ingredients? We help clients clear out old items, reorganize shelves, and make healthy, visible choices easy.

Paperwork and Old Mail

Stacks of unopened envelopes or years of paperwork can feel overwhelming. We bring order to the paper chaos, helping you file what matters and confidently shred what doesn’t.

Junk Drawers & Hidden Corners

Every home has one, or three! We sort through the mysterious odds and ends, keeping only what’s useful and finding a proper home for everything else.

Boxes and Storage After a Move

Unlabeled boxes can sit for months (or years!) like buried treasure. We help unpack, sort, and make sure every item earns its place in your new home.

Old Clothes

Closets hold memories, and sometimes guilt. Together, we make space for who you are now, freeing you from the weight of clothes that no longer fit your life or style.

Holiday Decorations

Boxes of tangled lights and decades of décor can easily take over. I help clients sort by theme, condition, or memory, keeping what truly brings joy and donating the rest.

Cosmetics

From dried-up nail polish to expired makeup and half-used skincare, beauty products can multiply quickly. We help you sort through your collection, keep what truly works, and create a system that makes your daily routine simple and inspiring, not overwhelming.

Art Supplies

Creative tools deserve clarity and space. Together, we’ll go through paints, brushes, papers, and projects so you can rediscover your favorite materials and actually enjoy using them again. Organizing your art space clears mental clutter too, inviting more flow, focus, and creativity.

Garage & Storage Room

Garages and storage areas often become “catch-all” zones for postponed decisions. We help clients transform these spaces from overwhelming to organized, turning piles into peaceful order.

Books and Beyond

Books can feel like old friends, but even libraries need to breathe. We create systems to celebrate your favorites, donate the rest, and make your shelves feel inspiring again.

The Real Trick

Decluttering isn’t about perfection, it’s about reclaiming energy. Each space we organize clears mental clutter too, making room for creativity, focus, and peace.

So if you’ve got a few “haunted” corners calling your name this season, you don’t need to face them alone. Together, we can bring light, order, and sparkle back into your home.