Creating a Home That Supports the Life You Want

The beginning of a new year often brings clarity about what we want more of and a quiet awareness of what no longer works. Especially during our gray Pacific Northwest winters, our homes in Western Washington need to be sanctuaries that provide light both literally and figuratively. If you take a moment to notice your home — what it contains and how it makes you feel — does it support what you want to invite into your life? If the answer is “no” or “not quite,” this post is for you. I’ll share an overview of my organizing approach, the types of people I work with, and what sessions with me feel like.

Why Your Home May Feel Out of Sync 

Many people feel overwhelmed because their lives have changed, and their homes haven’t caught up yet. Their homes hold items that take up both physical and mental space they’d rather use for something more important. What people often lack isn’t motivation, but the right approach and supportive guidance to help them move from where they are to where they want to be.

Common Situations I See

I often hear from people who struggle with clutter and are unsure how to move forward. Some live alone and feel unsupported or criticized by loved ones. Others have wanted to work with a professional organizer for years, but feel paralyzed by thoughts like, “Is this service for me?” or “What if I need this someday?” Many are in the midst of a personal rebuild era and looking to create a home that finally feels calm and safe.

A KonMari-Informed Approach to Meaningful Change

My work is guided by Marie Kondo’s KonMari Method®, which emphasizes intentionally selecting what supports your life and letting go of what no longer does — with respect, care, and clarity. As a KonMari Consultant-in-Training, I use this method as a thoughtful, structured framework — guiding clients step by step so the process feels manageable rather than overwhelming.

You might be familiar with Marie’s tagline, “Choose what sparks joy.” Often, this is misunderstood as meaning everything has to make you happy. In reality, “sparking joy” involves going through every item in your home and asking yourself:

○ Does this support my ideal lifestyle right now?

○ Does this serve a meaningful purpose in my life?

○ Do I genuinely love or value this?

What “Sparking Joy” Really Means

This tidying approach goes beyond simply purging and decluttering your belongings. It’s a guide to help you understand the reasons behind your clutter. As clarity grows, letting go becomes less about loss and more about choice. As clients “joy check” and thoughtfully evaluate each item, they begin to strengthen an often-overlooked skill: decision-making. Each choice builds confidence, helping them trust their own judgment and reconnect with what truly matters to them.

Over time, this process builds clarity, self-trust, and a sense of empowerment that extends beyond the home. That’s why Marie says that “organizing is just a tool, not the final destination.” Many people find that they become more confident in making decisions in other areas of their lives and are better at setting boundaries. The home becomes not just organized, but supportive. More importantly, the client learns to trust themselves more.

Who I Serve

You don’t need to reach a breaking point to seek support or begin working toward a more authentic version of your life. The KonMari Method meets you wherever you are. I especially enjoy working with:

○ Seniors who want their homes to promote ease, safety, and independence

○ Women navigating life changes who want more clarity and less overwhelm

○ People pursuing a meaningful lifestyle shift toward greater health, joy, and purpose

Across all of these groups, the common thread is a desire for lasting change — not just a tidier home, but a home that truly supports who they are and how they want to live.

What a Session Feels Like

In the KonMari Method, your feelings are the guide for decision making– specifically, knowing what sparks joy. We focus on building your confidence, one decision at a time. I’m told that working together feels different than expected — gentler, slower, and more affirming. Sessions with me are: 

○ Calm

○ Supportive

○ Empowering

○ Collaborative

○ Non-judgmental

○ Slow enough to be thoughtful

How you feel during the process matters just as much as how you feel once your house is organized.

Why Having Support is Helpful 

Seeking support doesn’t mean you’ve failed or fallen behind. It simply acknowledges that meaningful change doesn’t have to be done alone. Instead of criticizing yourself or feeling stress around asking for help, it can be helpful to reframe support as a resource.

I often see people, especially women and older adults, try to manage everything themselves out of a desire not to burden others. Over time, this can lead to burnout, isolation, and spending energy on tasks that feel heavier than they need to be. With guidance and support, that energy can be redirected toward other things. Spending time with friends, learning a new skill, exercising, and more.

While DIY organizing can work for small projects, working with a trained organizer offers something different: structure, accountability, emotional and physical support, and an outside perspective.   

What Makes This Work Lasting

What makes this approach different is that it isn’t focused on quick fixes or surface-level solutions. By organizing by category, listening to your responses to each item, and moving at a thoughtful pace, the KonMari Method helps create habits of awareness.

Rather than relying solely on systems, clients learn how to make decisions that align with their values — which makes it easier to maintain their spaces over time. The goal isn’t perfection, but a home that continues to support your life as it evolves.

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If you’re entering a new year feeling ready for change but unsure where to start, this kind of work can offer a grounded place to begin. If this resonates, you’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure it out by yourself. You can get support by contacting me to book a no-pressure call.