I first ran across a website for Clear Surroundings during a web search in a time of utter and complete desperation. I was overwhelmed, my house was an organizational disaster, and my 2 year-old son was often pretending to show mommy how to “sweep” or “mop” with his toy cleaning supplies (I think out of his own sense of need to clear the mess!)… I was simply stuck. – But paralyzed might actually be a better word for the emotional and logistical state I was in. When I decided to give Clear Surroundings and Brodi Caldwell a try, I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect… I just knew that things had to change and I couldn’t accomplish that change alone.
Was my home neat and tidy in two weeks, with Brodi’s magical influence? No (unfortunately). There has been a lot of hard work involved, and it’s taken weeks and weeks to unlearn self-defeating patterns, and finally get those gears to shift, and things to move to a place of less exasperation and more calm. Some changes Brodi and I were able to accomplish right away, while others have taken much more time, patience, and trial and error to get “just right” for me. Brodi has been much more than a household organizer during this period of transition… She has been a cheerleader, coach, team- mate, (and occasional butt-kicker!), as well as my lifeline to sanity in the midst of total chaos. We worked together, and worked pretty darn hard, to accomplish gradual, sustained changes that have begun to reshape my external landscape, and my internal sense of myself – who I am, and what I can do if I set my mind to it.
Where I think that Brodi differs from many personal organizers is that she is able to custom-mold her approach to not only who you are (flaws and all), but also where you are. Right here, right now. She works with you to set goals that are truly meaningful to you, and then she helps you overcome your limitations and reach those goals. She is never judgmental, overbearing, or stuffy… Instead her approach is one of positive reinforcement, guidance, and frequent reflection to see “where we are” on the map. In our time together, I have laughed a lot, and done a little crying too… But I have always felt supported by Brodi through my personal journey away from the life of clutter, disorder, and confusion that had grown-up around me over the years – trapping me without me even realizing it. If you are considering making a change in your life for the better, and think that you are alone in the struggle, please give Brodi a call. Clear Surroundings has given me, and my son, a new lease on life, and the ability to claim our house once again as our home.