I found my love of organizing early. I was the kid who was happily color coding and making labels long before the Home Edit entered the scene. But I'd be lying if I said my life has always been Pinterest-perfect. Even Professional Organizers face chaos at times, and my personal experience lets me empathize with the challenges we all face when we feel unorganized. Here's my story. 

 

My career began in Human Resources and Recruiting and then morphed into the Financial Services Industry after college. While some might point to various awards and promotions I received as the pinnacle of my success, my personal marker of success always hinged on helping others succeed by better organizing their ideas, assets, and time. Whether I was leading a candidate to their dream job, consulting a family to reach their ideal retirement, or coaching a Financial Consultant to grow their career, I loved it all.

 

At the height of my career, I was traveling a lot. I was often away from my husband and my home several nights a week. I loved my job, but I wanted more out of life - I wanted to become a mom. My husband and I had our first child in 2010 and she rocked our world! I adored becoming a mom. But I'm not ashamed to say I wasn't prepared for the chaos that was in store. Kids require SO many things and those things end up on the floor to be picked up five times a day. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. I was drained, exhausted, and felt like my life was out of control. After returning to work from maternity leave, I confronted my capacity to feel successful with all my work and my home responsibilities. With the support of my hardworking husband, I quit my corporate job in 2011 and became a stay-at-home mom. 

 

As I adjusted to my new role at home, my husband took a new position that would have us relocating every six to twelve months for several years. This constant state of change (with babies) was, shall we say, difficult. But I also learned how to take each move as an opportunity to declutter, simplify, and quickly organize our things into a functional and comforting home.

 

After several years of constantly packing and unpacking, we decided to make Tigard, Oregon our forever home. I was so excited to put roots down, paint walls and finally display family photos. When my youngest entered Kindergarten, I made it my goal to get our permanent home organized. I read books, listened to podcasts, and discovered the National Association of Productivity and Organization (NAPO). I became a member and earned certificates as a Household Management Specialist and a Life Transitions Specialist. I dove into learning the theory and skills behind getting and staying organized. I got every drawer, cupboard, and shelf in our house organized and it felt amazing! 

 

After seeing my home transform, my mom asked me to help get her home organized. Her goal was to simplify and declutter so that she could safely age in place. I was thrilled that we succeeded considering that family members can be the toughest organizing clients. Our weekly organizing date, going on for years now, is a time I cherish. While we freshen up her spaces, we have uninterrupted time to catch up.

 

With the incredible support of friends and family, I took my next leap and established Clutterfly Downsizing & Professional Organizing LLC. In addition to having direct clients, I am a trusted Independent Contractor for Home Sweet Home, a relocation industry leader that provides vetted organizing services to employees of Fortune 500 companies.

 

Every day I get to share just how life-changing it can be to get organized. Each client experience has benefited me just as much as my service has benefited them. I feel incredibly grateful to have a career that brings me joy, purpose, and fulfillment. That color-coding kid inside me is very happy.

 

If my story resonates with you, reach out. Let's take a journey together to get you more organized and living a simpler, less stressful life.