I genuinely believed everyone alphabetized their spices for stress relief and reorganized a closet when life fell apart.
Doesn’t everybody pack a suitcase like they’re preparing for a NATO operation?
Apparently not.
What I thought was “being organized” was actually a powerful way of creating clarity, safety, and self-trust inside hard things. I'd been doing it since I was a child. When everything else got loud, I got organized. Then I got curious about why that worked and if I could teach it.
Actually, this is my genius.
I thought everyone could do this.
ORGANIZING AND FENG SHUI COACH
Judging you or what your house looks like. Telling you how many thneeds you're allowed to own. Using the word "lazy" or shame as motivation. Or pretending any of this is easy (simple, sometimes).
I'M NOT ABOUT
Our environments deeply affect our nervous systems. Clutter is not a moral failing. You are not behind. The mess is information. And you are more capable than the pile on your floor is currently suggesting.
I BELIEVE
Dementia caregiving. Health care bureaucracy. Autoimmune disease. Divorce. Family court. Teenagers. A complete rebuild. If your particular flavor of hard sounds familiar, that's not a coincidence.
I've SURVIVED
Telling the truth about hard things without making you feel bad about them. Practical systems that work in real life, not Instagram life. Reading the room, literally.(I am a certified feng shui practitioner.)
I'M GOOD AT
The evolved you has a new way. A better way. If you can learn to trust her again.
There are millions of social reels (I've even made some of them; sorry!) that simplify clutter into a discipline problem. If you could just try harder, stay more consistent, get up early enough, meditate more, eat more salads, buy the right bins, and finally commit to a Sunday reset routine, maybe life would stop feeling like a daily facepunch.
What I've seen are brilliant women carrying invisible workloads so heavy they can barely hear themselves think anymore. Women navigating careers, caregiving, family court, medical systems, grief, finances, the &%$@ing endless school apps, and everyone else's emotional weather — somehow believing they are failing because a closet got out of control, or they added Doritos and cupcakes to their Instacart a few times.
Please. That's not what I've seen.
Clutter is not evidence of laziness or incompetence. I would argue it is the opposite.
Clutter is adaptive intelligence. A body and soul trying to survive the overwhelm of modern life. Our foremothers couldn't do an Amazon binge when the wagon train broke down, but they hoarded tin foil and washed out baggies. You feel me?
That's the work we do here. We clear clutter. We build practical systems and maybe make your home a little more Instagram-ready. But underneath all of that, we're shining a light on the trail that leads back to you and the formidable genius she IS.
A MANIFESTO
A breadcrumb trail back to yourself — your best friend and confidante, who doesn't need outdated systems or cupcakes or shopping binges to keep you safe anymore.
The clutter is not random. It's information.
Where I stand
You can do anything again.
You know that classic decluttering fear of "But what if I need this some day?" Wondering it after you've burned down your whole life is like the regular that plus bungee jumping into the Hunger Games. Ask me how I know.
But also! Surviving it and thinking you're basically ready for American Gladiators helps you realize 1) what is actually essential for your heroine's journey and 2) you can do anything AGAIN.
I've read all the books, but I didn't learn this in a classroom. Sitting in my closet crying was much more illuminating.
WHY MARY
The Telepathy Tapes
listening:
Spicy dill pickle chips
CRAVING:
The In-Between
READING:
Coffee (forever)
DRINKING:
The Gilded Age
watching:
Me, lately...
My Favorite Things
Games and Puzzles, especially of the word and logic variety. This was an epic moment. IYKYK
Come on, get happy!
Cooking! Life is better on a full stomach and I love creating with food in my rainbow kitchen.
Hiking--the ultimate minimalist sport! I do my best thinking, breathing, and sweating when I'm in nature, putting one foot in front of the other for amazing views!
My right hand dog Hurco is an eternal optimist and my favorite snoring office companion.
We like to keep it weird.
Hanging out with my kids
A Fun Adventure: My husband and I eloped to Las Vegas and got married by Elvis.
"Letting go of what I'm supposed to do in favor of what I want to do is truly freeing!"
-Alison C.
THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID
It's actually fine if you don't. I've done work on that. And to that point: I send thoughtful, irreverent emails about once a week and this is how you get them.
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