International move transforms Navy wife into pro organizer
As a Navy wife of 10 years, this member knew that frequent moves came with the territory. Four times before, she had packed her family’s belongings and relocated. It was the fifth move — to Okinawa, Japan — that set this otherwise orderly woman into a tailspin.
“That was an extremely stressful move,” she says, noting that the family’s possessions could not be moved all at once. “It was our move to Japan that made me realize how important organizing is to a military family.”
Getting started with NAPO
In 2004, while still living in Japan, she joined NAPO and set out to help organize military families. “I’m one of them. ” she says. “I understand what they’re going through. I’ve been there and I’ve done it, so I know all about it.”
A membership with NAPO enabled her to further expand her knowledge. Despite the 14-hour time difference in Japan, NAPO’s teleclasses helped her stay connected to the organizing industry in the United States.
She has since moved back to the States and shifted her focus to spending more time with her 1-year-old. She does spend some time helping busy families organize their kitchens and plan menus. And she shares stories and suggestions with fellow organizers through NAPO’s member chat listserv as a way to stay on the cutting edge. “Advice is so freely given,” she said. “You’re there to network and to learn from each other.”
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