Meet Deborah Carter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Deborah Carter and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Deborah, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was overwhelmed by a house full of stuff I couldn’t bear to let go. I was emotionally attached to everything. I had my stuff and stuff from family members and friends who had died. There was no room in my house, no room in my life, and it was all holding me back.

I studied neuroscience, cognitive behavioral therapy, spiritual direction, and all the organizing strategies. I worked really hard over the course of several years to learn to let go, and to clean out my house. My life completely opened up in incredible ways. I was finally free!

Then God said “Go help other people get free.”

So I started reaching out and learned that so many other people also feel overwhelmed by stuff they can’t let go. I combined my research and personal experience into a role that’s a therapist, spiritual director, and professional organizer all in one.

Now I help people to finally let go of the things that are holding them back, so they can be free. I help people go from overwhelmed to overjoyed.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
A lot of people struggle with clutter in their homes. But for some people the struggle goes much deeper. They have trauma or grief or other deep emotions that make it really hard to let go of stuff.

For example, people who have had a loved one die: that loved one’s stuff can bring up overwhelming feelings of grief. People going through a divorce and having to clean out the house they shared with their spouse: that stuff can be incredibly emotionally charged. People who experience hoarding: their stuff is about so much more than just stuff. People who are downsizing and having to leave the home where they raised their children: there can be so many feelings of loss.

I created Simplify Organize Enjoy for people who are emotionally overwhelmed by their stuff. For people who can’t “just throw it out.” For people who need that extra emotional support, that compassionate understanding, that comprehensive perspective on what purpose the stuff is serving in their lives. I offer therapeutic professional organizing services, to help people deal with those deep emotions while they let go of the stuff that is holding them back.

This sets me apart, because very few organizers are trained mental health professionals, and very few therapists will come to your home to physically go through your stuff with you.

I absolutely love what I do. It’s challenging, because I’m walking with people through some of the most painful times of their lives. But it’s so rewarding, because I’m guiding people as they transform that suffering into healing, forgiveness, and beauty. I love seeing tears of frustration turn into tears of joy.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m going to give you some of my favorite spots in the city for letting go of stuff! Many times it’s easier to let go of something, if you know it’s going to bless someone else’s life. Here are a few of my favorite places to take different kinds of donations:

Atlanta Habitat for Humanity ReStore – They accept donations of home goods and home improvement supplies to help aspiring homebuyers achieve affordable homeownership. This is also a great place to buy building and improvement materials!

CHaRM (Centers for Hard to Recycle Materials) – They improve our environmental health by encouraging reuse and diverting thousands of pounds of household hazardous waste and other hard-to-recycle items from Metro-Atlanta landfills and water systems. If CHaRM can’t recycle it, no one can!

Dress for Success Atlanta – They help unemployed and underemployed women achieve economic independence by providing no-fee programs, development tools and professional attire to thrive in work and in life. The best place to donate your high quality business suits and office outfits.

FODAC (Friends of Disabled Adults and Children) – They provide refurbished equipment and services for adults and children with disabilities to improve their overall quality of life. This is the best place to donate durable medical equipment! Their community thrift store also accepts all kinds of clothing and household goods, with 100% of proceeds supporting increased mobility and self-sufficiency for people with disabilities.

The Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta – They provide donated furniture to families transitioning out of homelessness, fleeing domestic violence, & living with HIV/AIDS. Free or low-cost pick-up for most of Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett Counties!

Libraries – Check your local library to donate books in good condition, CDs, and DVDs. Your donations may get added to the shelves for other people to check out and enjoy, or they may get sold to help pay for library programs and more books!

Scraplanta Creative Reuse – Their art supply thrift store helps people in metro Atlanta de-stash and re-stash affordable craft materials. Scraplanta is THE place to go when you have a craft project or your kids have a school project to do, and then again once you’ve finished your project, so you can pass those supplies on to someone else!

Second Life Atlanta – They are an upscale thrift store whose proceeds provide grants to animal rescue groups working to make a difference in the lives of homeless and forgotten pets. I have a personal connection to this non-profit – they led us to the shelter where we adopted our beloved cat, Dr. McCoy!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I dedicate my shoutout to all the people who feel overwhelmed by their stuff. To the people who are crying because they want so badly to live a different life. To the people fighting with their loved ones about their stuff. To the people who can’t invite their friends and family over because they are so embarrassed about their home. To the people who can’t give their gifts to the world because their relationship with their stuff is holding them back.

To all of you who are overwhelmed, please know that there are proven strategies to help you heal your relationship to your stuff. There are proven techniques to help you keep your home under control. There are proven mindset shifts that work with your brain to make your life easier and more joyful. You are not alone and you don’t have to keep suffering.

You can have a peaceful, beautiful home that supports you and makes your life easier. You can have a space you feel proud to invite people into. You can have a launchpad that sends you out into the world each day to give your amazing gifts, and a sanctuary that welcomes you home each evening for restoration and relaxation.

Don’t struggle alone. Reach out today. Compassionate help is available!

Website: https://www.SimplifyOrganizeEnjoy.com

Other: Deborah@OrganizeEnjoy.com

Image Credits
Cindy Brown, Mark Tioxon, Deborah Carter