@JoelECarlson: Hello everyone! Lets get started with today’s Twitterview with @metrozing. She loves to organize!
Geralin: Good afternoon Joel, I’m ready when you are (and, even if you aren’t!)
Q – #1 Tell us first @metrozing, where did you grow up, where did you go to school and what was your 1st adult job?
Geralin: I grew up in the same hometown as: Gilda Radner, Eminem, Madonna, Lily Tomlin, Diana Ross, Bob Seger, Stevie Wonder
HS-> Warren, MI (Tower High, Vikings) College-> Chapel Hill, NC (University of NC, Tar Heels) BA
1st adult job: I was a travel agent (family vacations, honeymoons, continuing education for DDS at UNC Dental Schools)
Q – #2 So who were some of the players on the UNC basketball team when you were there?
Geralin: May I call foul or out of bounds? (dates+ages) How about if we just say Dean Smith was coaching; is that acceptable?
@JoelECarlson: Sure, I’m just a big fan or their team. No offense intended. :) re:UNC BBall #jectv
Q – #3 Also, how did you go from a travel agent, to DDS to becoming a professional organizer?
Geralin: I coordinated continuing education trips; enjoyed keeping a lot of plates spinning – decided to do it full time.
Q – #4 How/when did you get connected to the “Hoarders” TV show? Hoarding is really a physical and a mental health issue right?
Geralin: I was called *Julie McCoy* (cruise director of Love Boat) It made me think, hey, I *really* like organizing and . . .
I’ve been organizing on AE TV’s Hoarders since season 1 in 2009; u r correct, hoarding is a mental health condition.
My first hoarding client [non TV] was someone who had a shopping addiction. Her disorder fascinated me
Since working with that client I’ve become interested in the sociology of shopping, sales, marketing, advertising
Q – #5 Does that make it more difficult for you as the organizer? As opposed to someone who needs “light help”?
Geralin: Helping clients with mental health disorders is satisfying. It’s a population reluctant to reach out for help; stigma!
Hoarders are not your average consumers. They have a very different value system.
For anyone interested in behaviors + consumerism, Dan Ariely, April Benson and Lee Eisenberg are name to explore
Q – #6 So is the “1st step” for you to figure out the person before you figure out how to organize the space?
Geralin: My 1st step is usually discussing what the client’s goals are. How organized do they want to be? Why? Timeframe?
1. a phone consult 2. an assessment 3. collaborate with appropriate folks/form a team, last. hands on organizing
Q – #7 I see. You obviously do your work well. Do you ever get people that can’t get our of the “gear” that their currently in?
Geralin: Absolutely! There are some people that I don’t have the skill set to help: animal hoarders, senior dementia, etc.
My hoarding clients must agree 2 work with a therapist; I can’t treat/cure clients. I can help them manage their stuff.
Q – #8 More about YOU. Favorite(s) Restaurant, store, comfort food, travel destination, recent book/movie.
Geralin: Time for true confessions + my faves: I’m a documentary junkie and I LOVE foreign films with subtitles
Favorite comfort food: summer = ceviche while winter = cassoulet. Favorite reading: I read a lot of blogs
My favorite destinations have been Positano and St. Barts. Both have beautiful scenery, friendly people and fab food.
Q – #9 To end today, what’s 1 tip you’d give to people that may have the beginnings of a cluttered home?
Geralin: Need Help Organizing? Institute for Challenging Disorganization + Natl Association of Professional Organizers can help
1 organizing tip: commit to owning less and enjoying it more
@JoelECarlson: Thank you for your time and sharing some thoughts today on #jectv. Keep up the good work that you do! :)
Geralin: Joel, today’s twitterview was my pleasure; thank you!