PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER REVIEWS
Testimonials
Sarah worked with me to go through years worth of clothing and household items clogging our large walk in closet. She was patient and kind to me, allowing time to work on things at my speed. She has a gift for envisioning a space clear of clutter, and organizing what is left in a beautiful and functional way.
I never felt judged, and her work in our house has truly changed the way I use the space. I am relieved every time I walk into the closet and can find what I need. I highly recommend Sarah's work to anyone who mentions how out of control their possessions have become (most of us!), and I plan to work with her again in the near future to tackle other areas of our house.
-Mary Mendez, San Francisco
Sarah mainly focused on my bedroom in a 3 bed apartment, but also focused on my belongings in storage areas. She helped me physically, mentally, and emotionally the most. Physically: I have much more room now that the clutter is gone, and was able to acquire newer furniture and belongings to be more in sync with who I am today vs what I've accumulated over the 10 years since I graduated college.
Mentally: It was such an eye sore and felt like such a daunting task to complete that I never got started till one day I looked around and felt a giant weight around my neck dragging me down which led to...
Emotionally: I feel freedom now. It feels like a new day and that I've wiped the slate clean to move forward with the life I want vs. the life I had. Having all the clutter and belongings that didn't represent who I am today made feel ashamed, defeated, burdened, and overall very negative. It's like I've stepped outside of a cave and seen light for the first time now. Working with Sarah was different because even though I was very passive in many regards, she encouraged me to take ownership/pride/caring into the choices I made and am going to make in the future. I have a ways to go still, but her message of empowerment and positivity is something that I will keep up with for years to come. I've begun setting up my room the way I want it to be and I'm excited for the new possibilities. It truly feels like I've moved to a new place because I have that same sense of optimism when you're touring a new apartment and visualizing how you're going to make it your own space and home.
-Robert Ladue, San Francisco
It is so nice to have someone to call when life’s clutter starts stacking up and you need help undoing it.
Sarah comes in and takes no prisoners - she assesses the situation and makes sure there is progress from the very beginning.
Sarah helped me feel the joy in cleaning up and organizing, and her decluttering technique has repeatedly taken me from desperate to relieved in a day. The effects from a visit from her are lasting and life-changing. Something good in my life always happens when I have a freshly organized home.
-Caitlin Collentine, San Francisco
I'd never have thought I'd needed a professional organizer, until Sarah started working with us on our large, messy house! I realized immediately that there were too many emotional layers for us as a couple to deal with our own clutter, and this is where Sarah swooped in and saved the day.
We've been spared hundreds of hours of strain and headaches with our new system of organization that Sarah helped us come up with, specifically tuned to our own space, lives, and needs.
Most of all, Sarah helped us to see that the objects we bring into our house have a really significant impact on our relationship as a couple and as parents, and that it's okay to ask for help from someone that is "outside" of our lives.
Thanks Sarah!
-Paul Sutfin, Portland Oregon
Sarah set about to organize my large home (6 bedrooms) where I had lived for about 20 years and where my children grew up. There were rooms fulls of drawers, closets, and files that hadn't been sorted in years. The kitchen had many more than one "miscellaneous" drawer. The basement was huge and full of our own history and that of our friends and neighbors who needed storage. In short, it was a huge and overwhelming job and the idea of conquering it seemed impossible.
Every time I attempted to organize alone, I would make some small progress and feel emotionally drained. Because of my own work, I could not devote the time that was needed to clean things out and get ready for the sale of the house. Each object contained memories for me that slowed down the process and left me emotionally drained. Sarah was able to come in and work with me to figure out what was important and what was worth giving away or selling. She also worked independently, leaving me with a box of valuables to think about selling and another box for Goodwill. Once she entered the picture, she was able to devote several days a week. Results were visible right away. There was more breathing room in the house.
Sarah brings passion and levity to her work. She understands that work on a house is emotionally difficult at times and she is compassionate and companionable while getting the work done in an efficient manner. Her work prepared me concretely and spiritually to do the big work of moving out of the family home. Although I did not put the house on the market for another year, I felt I had been through one of the most difficult parts, the emotional and physical sorting out of what was important to me in the house.
Thanks for all your help Sarah.
-Andrea Reed, San Francisco
Sarah’s positive, can-do attitude was essential in getting my house decluttered. I had felt frozen by the multitude of decisions required to deal with all the stuff I had accumulated over the years and decades: what to keep and what to do—sell, donate, recycle, or discard—with everything I didn’t want. By patiently and humorously helping me with every step along the way, Sarah moved me through the process required to live in a home that now holds what I need and enjoy having. It’s such a relief to be freed from all those unwanted items and avoided decisions. Plus she actually made it fun! And, trust me, I never thought I’d be saying that.
-Mary James Cassatt, Larkspur, California
Sarah helped me clean and rid myself (my car and apartment) when I was going through a difficult and transitional time in my personal life. The simple act of her facilitating this not so small change was beyond helpful, empowering and cleansing. It gave me a new perspective on what I was going through and reminded me that all things are ephemeral and that letting go of the rubbish in your physical life leads to making room for new things in your spiritual life. I thank her for her service.
-Doug Freedman, comedian, musician, actor, activist, writer, cook. Los Angeles
I worked with Sarah on several projects. The first was my garage. Sarah sorted through all the garage treasures and helped me eliminate items, group like things and rearrange the rest so that now when I need paper towels or large cookware or other items, I know where to go. Sarah also helped me cull through my kitchen tools and dishes. I now can open the right door or cupboard and quickly access what I need. I also found some buried treasures.
Another project was my art studio. I love going there now. I can open a drawer and find my paints only. Other drawers contain like items and my work table is clear and open for the next project or painting.
With my house and studio in order, I encourage myself daily to keep up the organization. With Sarah’s gentle questions and sense of order, I now feel free to do what I want and not question myself about what I should or could be doing. I feel that Sarah listened, offered compromises and organization. She also takes unwanted articles away so I did not have to go through the same piles.
Now that I can see what I gave I am thinking I will ask Sarah to help me repurge some areas of my home.
I highly recommend Sarah as a talented, practical and efficient. She is easy to have in your home. I know she can make a difference in your life.
-Kathleen Shiels, Sonoma, CA
There was magic. First Sarah collected all of the many things in drawers and closets and my office, all was brought together, separated into like things, culled of duplicates and all that was not needed, and finally put into the right place with like things. Voila, done! Excellent. Now to keep it that way…
-James Bill, Larkspur, CA
After a rushed move into a new space and at the beginning of a profound life transition, I was in need of some help with purging and optimizing my personal space and belongings - bedroom, bath, closet & storage.
Sarah was a great help with the understanding of required energy of the work and pragmatic solutions very much aligned with my own spiritual intention for myself and home space.
Alone, the task was overwhelming at the time and Sarah’s experience and knowledge were paramount in easing all anxieties around the project.
Since then, I have been able to purge and organize the same space once more, as well as move into a new space confidently thanks to the tools she was able to instill.
Wonderful!
-Hollywood Texas, San Bruno, CA
Sarah first helped me clear out and organize one room in our house about 9 months after our baby was born. It was an “extra” room that almost everything I owned was artfully jam-packed into when I moved into my husband’s home. Once my sanctuary, I was now ready to cull and dump and create new space that could be shared with our daughter. The work that Sarah did with me became a catalyst for more change that would quickly unfold in our home. When we decided to switch around the whole layout of the rooms, it was such a blessing that I was already “on a role” and had adopted a new eye for approaching “stuff” and methods for clearing space, thanks to Sarah. She stayed flexible with our changing vision and was helpful, efficient and a “breath of fresh air” each visit. I really appreciate Sarah’s approach and process, her calm nature, her way of being discerning without being cut-throat (unless you are needing that). Her discernment comes from a place in her heart that recognizes our attachments and also believes in the freedom we can feel by bidding our gratitude for “good service” and a thoughtful farewell. I never felt pushed by Sarah, but I certainly felt her quickly support inclinations I had to let go of some things and appreciated her props when I did so. I could have tackled any of these tasks on my on, but as a new mom my time was super limited and my mental space for figuring out how I wanted to approach things, as well. I looked forward to Sarah’s visits, knowing we were going to accomplish a bunch and I was going to feel the wheel moving forward. Also, I loved that whenever she left, she helped stack, tidy and even vacuum to assure that the space was still functional and livable between visits. The lightness that appeared was felt. I think the name “Ebb and Flow Organizing" is so appropriate because nothing about the process felt forced and I was saying “yes!” to a natural rhythm to cleanse and purge to make space for truly enjoying what’s in front of me.
-Kate Maxey, San Francisco, CA
I live in a small SF apartment with my husband and two kids that was brimming with clutter. I had been working with various people over the past couple of years to clear
it all out, but only until I found Sarah was I able to push through and complete the task.
Her upbeat energy kept me motivated without feeling any judgement, and it was such a relief to see the piles of stuff conveniently leaving the house every day.
Sarah also offered me a lot of insight on our family’s dynamics throughout the process.
My kids also loved having her around!
The fact that Sarah had a car and was willing to transport everything to their destinations made a big difference. Living in the city, other people I had hired didn’t have their own cars or the availability to see the job all the way through. That meant that since I was responsible for hauling everything out on my own, it ended up just sitting in the corner creating more clutter.
Our apartment seems much bigger now, and it’s so much easier to find things. I also feel more invested in keeping the place neat. Without so much stuff everywhere, it’s much easier to notice the clutter.
It’s so nice to finally feel like an “adult!”
-Leanne Maxwell, San Francisco, CA
My prayers have finally been answered and I'm on the path to becoming an organized person. Since I started working with Sarah to clear the clutter, it has given me great peace. It all started with my funky garage and after I saw the transformation I turned Sarah loose on my whole house. It's amazing, I love cooking now that I can see where everything is and it's easy to get dressed when you can see what's hanging in your closet. This is the best thing I've ever done for myself. Sarah is gifted: non-judgmental, focused, decisive and fun to work with. Oh, and my house never looked better.
-Julie, Super Satisfied in Sonoma
Sarah helped me clean, organize, and just get a basic handle on my room. I have a tendency to “collect” things and then have a hard time finding a system of organization for them. Sarah came in with a game plan and a very professional attitude. She helped me look at a lot of my things objectively, was never pushy and I never felt judged. I Honestly don’t think I could have done it without her.
-Leah Martin, San Francisco
Sarah helped me confront a pile of boxes and miscellaneous accumulated materials lining one whole side of the room in my home which doubles as an office and a guest bedroom. She helped me organize my entire desk area and storage closet in the room, and she made it seem easy! The room is now open, airy and guilt-free! I know how to find things in the logical places where they are stored. I feel free of the burden that the accumulated materials represented over time. Best of all, Sarah made it easy and enjoyable. Her personality is so pleasant that it really was a treat to work with her. She never judged me for my disorganization or procrastination; that was a non-issue. Sarah is a delight! I look forward to my next opportunity to work with her again.
-Susan Andrews, San Francisco
As someone who just moved to Larkspur, Sarah was a Godsend! She came to our home and was able to quickly suggest an organizational approach for each room. She works efficiently and has a natural talent for reducing clutter and making a home function more efficiently. I am delighted with the results!
-Steven Hammond, Larkspur
Sarah Grierson Dale is a phenomenally lovely woman to work with while organizing home or office, garage, or attic. She is a major motivating force to toss out, make room, declutter, and find your essence. Sarah helps you define what it is you want to get done and goes about quietly assisting that process. It’s a soup to nuts approach, from pinpointing the need to actualizing the deed. I love working with Sarah. Her methods are gentle. Before you know it you have more space, feel relief, and are liberated from that which you do not need. Thank you, Sarah!
-Jane Wattenburg, San Francisco
Sarah positively transformed how I feel and live in my home! My spaces feel open, organized, energetically ‘cleared,’ and more conducive to living comfortably, aesthetically, simply. She provided supportive decision-making and “momentum.” Together our success was exponentially faster. Example: once I’d decided to recycle, donate, or discard items, she brought them to her car and deposited them in their proper locations (Goodwill, recycling center, etc.) That provided enormous relief: I never had to think of them again, or haul them somewhere else. It hastened the process greatly. She had fresh ideas on how to dispose of things, educating me about repurposing items and reducing landfill. Her intentions are environmentally sound and forward-looking.
Sarah is gifted with truly remarkable organizational and spatial skills. She visualizes where things will fit and how they will look afterwards, as well as how to make every space function best. We also cleared and reorganized my storage area, so that I no longer needed to rent additional space. She is energetic and strong, smart and artistic, with a gentle positive presence.
Regarding a referral for this kind of work, Sarah would be my first choice to recommend to everyone.
-Susie Symons, age 75, Walnut Creek/Rossmoor