Annie Rohrbach and I first met at our local
NAPO regional conference. I remember her warm smile very well, as I was so nervous to be surrounded by so many veterans. Our chapter is loaded with the most amazing women I have ever met in my life. Annie immediately introduced herself and began to introduce me to others. I felt welcome and included. Our friendship grew from there.
I had the pleasure of dining with Annie and her sweetie at the 2013
NAPO Organizing Awards where she and I had a wonderful discussion on holistic organizing. We discovered that we were kindred spirits who love organizing with compassion and encourage outside of the box thinking. The more we chatted the more I grew to know and respect this Annie. I was lucky to have her featured last month on my
affirmations blog, and I am so grateful and excited to be able to share more about Annie and her inspirational book
Conscious Order: Clear Your Mind, Leave Clutter Behind.
Rachel: What does the
term “Holistic Organizing” mean?
Annie: It’s a term that grew out of conversations I’ve had with
many professional organizers through the years, who were discovering they
served their clients (and themselves) better if they went beyond the basic organizing
systems and techniques. Holistic Organizing integrates various spiritual or
holistic principles and practices (however we each choose to define them), and
focuses on all aspects of a client’s life—physical, emotional, mental and
spiritual. It is not rooted in any particular spiritual or religious tradition
and honors all paths.
Feng Shui and Space Clearing are considered “holistic”
practices, as is clearing out the mental clutter. Holistic Organizers consider
their work as sacred and know it is possible to transform lives with the work
that we do.
Rachel: How is it helpful
to those who have an abundance of clutter?
Annie: Even doing something as simple as taking a deep breath can
help a client come into present moment and, in that moment, let go of the guilt,
shame and overwhelm that is cluttering their mind and keeping them stuck. Using
affirmations, creating vision boards and focusing on what the client wants to
create (all considered “holistic” tools) can help a client move forward.
Clutter represents the past. Holistic Organizing is more likely to focus on the
present and the future.
Rachel: What inspired you
to write a book?
Annie: I developed and taught a series of classes called “Letting
Go and Lightening Up—In Your Mind, Your Home, Your Office and Your Life” for several
years,
integrating my 20+ years as a professional organizer with
what I call Universal Principles and tools I learned while doing my own
spiritual and personal growth work. The combination had a powerful impact on my
clients and students, who insisted that I take these teachings out into the
world. One of my mentors said, “Annie, your book is a gift that the world
needs!” I believe that if we take the time to identify and clear out the
clutter in our mind, it is much easier to make decisions and clear out the
clutter in our home, our office and our life. I wrote this book to help people
experience greater order, joy and peace of mind.
Rachel: What are your 3
favorite techniques to “clear your mind?”
Annie: (#1) As mentioned above, taking a deep breath can immediately
clear your mind, no matter where you are or what the circumstances.
(#2)There’s something about lighting a candle that clears my
mind almost instantaneously, especially if I light it very intentionally—it
helps me focus, evokes the light and guidance of the Divine, and reminds me to
“lighten up!
Every time I sat down to write my book, a first lit a
candle. There was only one time when the ideas and words didn’t flow…until I
realized I’d forgotten to light my candle!
(#3) Connecting with anything in Nature—looking at or smelling
a flower, noticing the beauty anywhere outdoors, walking on Mother Earth,
recalling delightful moments I’ve had with animals, dolphins, birds and
dragonflies.
Rachel: As a
well-respected veteran organizer, what can you share with new organizers out
there who want to take the holistic path?
Annie: Tune into your own heart, your gut, your center, your soul,
and incorporate what works best for you. Think about things you do for yourself
that keep you grounded and centered and able to stay present for your clients.
Create your own “holistic practices,” whatever that means to you, and, try some
of these with your clients when you feel it is appropriate and the client is
ready.
Join our Holistic Organizers LinkedIn Group, listen to our
monthly teleconferences and/or read the summaries posted afterwards. Be open to
new ideas and try out the ones that resonate the most with you. Trust your own
guidance and wisdom. It can be quite powerful and amazingly magical!
Buy Annie's Book on Amazon
Watch Annie on YouTube
For additional information about the Conscious Order
approach, go to
www.consciousorder.com.
You may also email Annie at annie@consciousorder.com.
Stay tuned for more Annie on our Affirmations Part 2 blog coming next month!
Rachel Seavey, Professional Organizer (and blogger) For Collector Care
Collector
Care specializes in hoarding disorder, chronic disorganization and
professional organizing. We love what we do, and provide realistic
expectations and timelines. Please visit our website at
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