Now she also helps homeowners go through what she calls the "purging process," getting themselves organized, downsized and liberated from clutter and unnecessary belongings.

"People keep clutter around them for several personal reasons," said Zodda. "Maybe they grew up with very little and now since they can afford items, they keep buying without replacing them.

"But too many things are stressful. I try to guide them to let go and let someone else 'in need' enjoy it. Change the way you think about things and purging can begin."

Home organizer Laurie Gardner agrees people must change the way they feel about clutter before they can take on a simpler life.

"It's behavior modification," she said.

Gardner specializes in paper management, helping people set up filing systems that are efficient to use and easy for surviving families to follow when deaths occur. Her fees are $50 for a consultation, then $30 an hour for organizational work.

She started her services three years ago after leaving a 20-year career in the financial world where she went through numerous corporate buyouts.

"You are either organized or you don't make it," she said of the financial field.

She also downsized her personal life, setting up house in a 1,000-square-foot residence.

"The more things we have, the more time we expend on taking care of those things.

"My philosophy is: If I don't love it or I don't use it, I don't have it."

By Kathy Van Mullekom
Newport News Daily Press
Saturday, November 13, 2004; Page F15

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