SERVICES
Downsizing
Downsizing is the cornerstone of organizing.
It's all about letting go...
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If you don't downsize, you can
"Rearrange the deck chairs
on the Titanic as much as you want,
the ship is still going down!"
-Peter Walsh,
Author of It's All Too Much Stuff
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Downsizing is our specialty. Downsizing is figuring out what you need and what you don't need anymore. The process will dramatically open up not only the physical space you live in, it also frees your mind in order to create a more peaceful and happy life. Holding on to items from your past keeps you stuck there and prevents you from reaching the life you want now. Having difficulty releasing items that no longer serve you is fear-based...feel the fear and do it anyway.
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Too much stuff not only makes your space feel cluttered and unwelcoming, but it will also negatively affect your life in many other ways: increases stress, wastes money, creates feelings of frustration and hopelessness, robs you of valuable time, puts a strain on your relationships, takes a toll on your overall health, and disrupts your life in areas that you might not realize are being affected. As you begin the process of examining the big picture in order to discover what still belongs and what you can let go of, we offer you a nonjudgemental, no pressure environment to help you create the calm home you desire and deserve.
"The things you own end up owning you." -From the movie Fight Club
EXCUSES For Avoiding Downsizing
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1. I am emotionally attached to it.
2. I don't know where to start.
3. I might need it someday.
4. I spent a lot of money on it.
5. My mother/whoever gave it to me.​
Solutions
SOLUTIONS From Calm Surroundings
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1. This item doesn't hold the memories...I do.
2. You have already started, you found us!
3. Someday is right now...do you need it?
4. I could sell this to buy something I really want.
5. My mother/whoever would want me to feel free.
Home & Garage Organization
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by clutter or just don’t know where to start, you’re not alone—and we’re here to help. We offer a wide range of supportive services to help organize and simplify every room in your home, including home offices, basements, sheds, and garages. We begin with hands-on sorting and de-cluttering, working alongside you step-by-step so you never have to face it alone. We also offer gentle coaching to help you understand your relationship with your “stuff” and begin letting go of what no longer serves you.
Once the clutter is under control, we create simple, easy-to-maintain systems that make staying organized much more manageable. We help plan your space so that it works better for your everyday life. Whether it's organizing photos and keepsakes, rethinking a crowded kitchen, or finding better ways to use what you already own, we bring practical solutions that actually fit your needs. If a room feels cramped or chaotic, we can help clear or rearrange furniture so it makes more sense. Most importantly, we understand that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you live alone or with family, we’ll tailor our approach to match your unique situation. We help you stay focused, motivated, and encouraged—so you can finally feel in control of your space.
Office/Workspace Organization
If your office space feels disorganized or inefficient, we’re here to help bring order and clarity to your work environment. We start by helping you de-clutter desks, tables, and cubicle areas, creating a workspace that feels open and manageable. We can implement paper and/or electronic filing systems so documents are easier to find and harder to lose. Our services also include office layout and making adjustments to help improve daily workflow. We tailor each environment to maximize efficiency and minimize wasted time, ensuring items and resources are where they need to be.
Once organized, you will be able to decrease on your office supply costs work more efficiently—with fewer distractions and more clarity.
Digital Files & Photos
If your digital files and photos feel scattered and hard to manage, you’re not alone—and we can help bring calm to the chaos. We specialize in setting up simple, efficient filing systems for both electronic information and physical paperwork, so you can find what you need without frustration or stress. We also offer practical, easy-to-maintain solutions for organizing and preserving your digital photographs, personal collections, and memorabilia—so your most meaningful items are safe, accessible, and no longer buried in random folders or piles.
Whether you're overwhelmed by cluttered desktops, forgotten files, or years of unorganized photos, we’ll work with you to create systems that make sense for your life and are easy to stick with.
Life Transitions
Whether you're moving to a new home or navigating a major life change, we’re here to make the process less overwhelming.
We help you prepare by working with you to sort and categorize your belongings. We also offer hands-on support with efficient and thoughtful packing, ensuring everything is labeled so your new space feels calm, organized, and ready for your next chapter. Once you're in your new space, we can help you unpack, set up, and organize in a way that feels functional and comforting so you can focus on settling in and starting fresh.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
If you cannot find an answer to your question, please reach out to me using the contact information below.
What is a Professional Organizer?
A professional organizer applies expertise in space planning, organization systems, and visual aesthetics to help clients bring order to their homes, offices, or digital environments. The result is a tailored, well-organized space that aligns with the client’s lifestyle and needs, supported by sustainable systems designed for long-term effectiveness.
What geographic areas does Calm Surroundings serve?
Calm Surroundings serves all of Boulder County: Boulder, Erie, Jamestown, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville, and Superior. Any project further than a half-hour drive from my Lafayette office will include a trip charge.
What does the process look like?
FREE 15-minute Consultation (Before the First Session)
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Whether over email or during a phone call, we use this time to get to know each other and your organizational needs. Along with learning about the space(s) you'd like to organize, we may ask questions to get a better idea of the project (e.g. how long you have lived in the residence, what area(s) have been challenging to declutter, if all family members use the space, etc). This conversation helps us start forming a plan to support you during the project.
First In-Person Session
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Celebrate that you are taking the first step! You must be present for the first hour of a 3-hour session so you can walk me through the space and describe your vision of the finished project. After that you can decide if you want to join me in hands-on organizing or just to check in. My suggestion is to check in with me after I do a "pre-organization" which means I am prepping your items so that you can easily decide what to do with each. I never make the decisions on whether to keep, discard, or donate anything so you will be the only one to make those decisions. In addition, if it is beneficial to move heavy items such as a couch or dresser, I will need at least one other person to help me move it.​
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Subsequent Sessions: If you like how the process is going, we continue with organization. If you want to change the process to make it more efficient for you, I will adjust to what you prefer.
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Final Session: When you are satisfied with the final look, we can decide if the project merits more sessions. With client permission I will take “after” photos of the space for my portfolio.
Does Calm Surroundings provide cleaning services or errand running?​
We do not provide these services; however, we can help find you resources and provide references for companies that provide them.