Comments on: YOUR STUFF and THEIRS! http://breathing-space.com/your-stuff-and-theirs/ Sometimes all you need is a new perspective Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:34:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Joanna Rueter http://breathing-space.com/your-stuff-and-theirs/comment-page-1/#comment-22174 Joanna Rueter Sat, 29 Aug 2009 11:34:09 +0000 http://breathing-space.com/?p=169#comment-22174 Dear Patti-- I HEAR you. I KNOW this is really hard for people. Very often it's the issue that makes someone call. It's a truly serious matter for many households. What I used to always say was that the SHARED space needs to be kept to an agreed upon standard. This has worked in many of the homes that I have worked in. e.g. book lover/artist(messy)partner with the other being a beauty loving sanctuary maker. What usually works best is a serious "family meeting" and negotiating an agreement. You might want/need to have a Professional Organizer come in to help with that meeting. I don't think either of you should be miserable in your own home. I'd be glad to have a brief chat with you about this if you want to call 802-258-4800. Personally, I NEED a tranquil space! With all best wishes, Joanna Dear Patti– I HEAR you. I KNOW this is really hard for people. Very often it’s the issue that makes someone call.

It’s a truly serious matter for many households. What I used to always say was that the SHARED space needs to be kept to an agreed upon standard. This has worked in many of the homes that I have worked in. e.g. book lover/artist(messy)partner with the other being a beauty loving sanctuary maker.

What usually works best is a serious “family meeting” and negotiating an agreement. You might want/need to have a Professional Organizer come in to help with that meeting. I don’t think either of you should be miserable in your own home.

I’d be glad to have a brief chat with you about this if you want to call 802-258-4800. Personally, I NEED a tranquil space! With all best wishes, Joanna

]]> By: Patti Steffens http://breathing-space.com/your-stuff-and-theirs/comment-page-1/#comment-22170 Patti Steffens Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:57:10 +0000 http://breathing-space.com/?p=169#comment-22170 Hi Joanna! This article speaks right to me! My sister and I share a house, but in the last couple of years, her messiness has reached shall we say volcanic proportions. One could literally not see floor in her bedroom. Now, unfortunately, in a bizarre and aborted attempt to "clean", her stuff has taken over the former guest room - and stopped there. No further action at all, just things and things covering the guest bed, the guest floor etc. At this point I am on the verge of a furious and insane breakdown - hyperbole yes, but you get the picture. I understand the above concept, of "your space messy as you like, my space my own sanctuary" but this is beginning to affect the atmosphere of the entire house. I think she needs professional help (well, at least organizing help) and I'm simply not willing to pitch in. I don't know what to do, though she's one for whom everything is a treasure, a Junque expert/afficionado. Any suggestions before I hire a dumpster? :-) Thanks! Hi Joanna! This article speaks right to me! My sister and I share a house, but in the last couple of years, her messiness has reached shall we say volcanic proportions. One could literally not see floor in her bedroom. Now, unfortunately, in a bizarre and aborted attempt to “clean”, her stuff has taken over the former guest room – and stopped there. No further action at all, just things and things covering the guest bed, the guest floor etc. At this point I am on the verge of a furious and insane breakdown – hyperbole yes, but you get the picture. I understand the above concept, of “your space messy as you like, my space my own sanctuary” but this is beginning to affect the atmosphere of the entire house. I think she needs professional help (well, at least organizing help) and I’m simply not willing to pitch in. I don’t know what to do, though she’s one for whom everything is a treasure, a Junque expert/afficionado. Any suggestions before I hire a dumpster? :-) Thanks!

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