"Just Ask" Client Story: Sheena D.

Do you ever feel weird about asking others for favors? I do. Maybe it's because I am fiercely independent. Maybe I am accustomed to doing things myself and accepting help from others isn't something that comes easily. I know a lot of people like me. Self-reliant and a little stubborn. What's the worst thing that could happen when we ask for something? We could get rejected or worse, we might die of embarrassment if they say no. Or, we might get what we ask for. Better yet, we might even get more.

In 2018, I began pursuing my goal of becoming a certified KonMari™ consultant. I went to a 3 day seminar in New York and had let some of my closest friends know about my impending side hustle. I forget exactly how it all unfolded, but months later I found myself in Sheena D.'s home helping her complete her tidying festival. It was a mutual agreement that we both would benefit from. She would get help organizing her home and I would earn the necessary hours towards getting my KonMari™ consultant certification. In the end, it was a win-win. Sheena D.'s house would be nice and tidy and I would be one step closer to reaching my side hustle goal.

Obviously there's been a big gap since Sheena D. finished her tidying festival in 2019 and I got my KonMari™ consultant certification later that same year. We are still close friends to this day, but when I recently needed to add reviews for my website (www.jillbuenoconsulting.com), I found myself holding back from asking her to write one. Why was is still so hard for me to ask a friend for a favor? Why did I feel like I would be inconveniencing her? Why couldn't I just ask?

"Just ask" I told myself. So I did. I asked Sheena D. to write me a 1-2 sentence review to post on my website. "Just 1-2 sentences? Or a little bit longer?" she asked. "Whatever works for you!" I responded back. A couple hours later, she replied with her review of my services and when I read it, I nearly cried. When you ask for something, you may get rejected, but you also might get what you ask for and in some very special cases, you might get more.

Here is Sheena D.'s review:

"I had the pleasure of working with Jill back in 2019 and I couldn't be more grateful with the results. She guided me through organizing both my closet and kitchen using the KonMari™ method and the experience was truly life-changing.

"She was professional, warm, and very knowledgeable from the start. She guided me through the process of decluttering and organizing. She showed me the KonMari™ techniques to fold and store my clothes that made my closet not only look beautiful but also functional. Up to this day, I still use her methods every time I tidy up.

"In the kitchen, she helped me rethink how to maximize space and organize items so everything is easy to find and access. She helped me maintain a system that truly works for my everyday routine.

"Even though it's not always easy to be consistent, I still try my best to return to the techniques Jill taught me. Even now, years later, I still ask myself, "Does it spark joy?" whenever I am tidying up or deciding what to keep. I highly recommend Jill if you want to create a more peaceful and organized home."

Moral of the story: just ask.

Special thanks to Sheena D. for such an amazing review, for embracing the KonMari™ method and most of all, being willing to help a friend asking for help.