The Danger of Org Porn: 2020 Edition
Seven years ago I was on a blogging streak and wrote a post that, some might say, is antithetical to my current profession; The Dangers of Org Porn. It’s about the toxic, all-consuming obsession of looking at pictures of beautifully organized spaces. Thirteen years later, now a professional organizer, I still stand behind my words.
This year (oh, this crazy year) I started this company. My role as founder includes marketing our work with beautiful photos of organized spaces. When I re-read my blog post, I laughed at the dig “bookshelf organized by color.” Yep, I just did that.
Extra points if you can spot the stray book that someone snuck in there.
It’s a paradox.
I still believe in my whole heart that consuming beautifully styled photos of organized spaces is not going to make you organized. You’ll spend all of your time staring at pictures and drooling instead of actually doing the work. It’s like Internet porn vs. marriage.
Much of what you see online are ideals out of reach of all but the 1%. Not many can afford to have multiple sharpies in every color of the rainbow, let alone a ROYGBIV layout of designer shoes.
The Home Edit is for the rich.
When I tell people what I’m doing now, the first thing they often ask is “Have you seen the Home Edit?” Of course, I have. They’re brilliant. They developed a specific aesthetic and cornered a demographic of uber rich and particular clients who want their homes to look like the set of a photoshoot.
They built an empire on Instagram (think twice before you click through—we may never hear from you again) and acquired 4.7 million followers, in just 5 years. They did it by nailing org porn on a whole new level. And the Container Store — who’s goal is to sell more products — couldn’t be happier.
As I do this work, I’m sometimes torn between solutions that will make sense for my clients and styling a beautiful photo. On one hand, happy clients are my number one priority, but getting that drool worthy after photo is marketing gold. I always choose the client.
Functionality before style.
That’s not to say that my clients don’t love pristine and beautifully styled drawers, pantries and closets. I am also fully qualified to give them that. I just don’t want to make them throw out their useful items and containers in favor of ones that match.
My career background includes styling photoshoots. When I did this work, we would select a stunning, million-dollar home as our location. Then we’d completely redecorate. This involved removing about 60% of the existing decor. And the Prop Master brought an entire truck of decor so we could simplify the color palettes.
Real people with real homes can’t compete.
If I were to simply go to the Container Store and buy what’s actually needed to make my client’s homes photoshoot-worthy, the bill could easily skyrocket into the thousands. Then they’d throw out all the containers they already have — that they already spent too much money on. Worst of all it goes against Rejoy’s pledge to be kind to the planet.
I choose instead to limit my stylist impulses and focus on what matters — creating a system for storing beloved things and getting rid of whatever else is in the way. This sometimes involves moving shelves, sourcing a piece of furniture and bringing in some products to contain things.
Space saving hangers, turntables, and drawer dividers are all practical and necessary additions to a functional space. But I would argue that windowed linen shoe boxes at $15 each are only for people who have shoes as collectors items.
Stop worshiping stuff.
Today I listened to Brene Brown’s recent interview of Barak Obama. The very last thing they talked about was President Obama’s desire to be a less materialistic society. I was awed that even a world leader wants nothing more than for us all to stop worshiping stuff and focus on the more important things.
Org porn is a kind of stuff worship —creating alters to consumption. And it’s a huge time suck when you could be focused on more important things — like actually tidying your home or gifting. Looking at any kind of porn can turn into an addiction that will leave you feeling empty and unworthy. And org porn will make you want to buy more stuff you don’t need.
I just have to figure out how to market the important work Rejoy is doing without feeding Instagram addictions. Your space, like you, is unique and the solution won’t be found in photos meant to market products. People still need help getting out from under all the clutter and I truly want to help them.
Is Org Porn bringing you down? Are you tired of glossy unrealistic photos? How do we focus on solving problems over setting unrealistic standards? Post on the social network of your choice and tag @rejoyseattle.
