Nope, My House Is Not Perfect (and yes, I'm a professional organizer)
One of the most common things people say when they find out I’m a professional organizer is, “Your house must be SO perfect!” It’s not a crazy assumption - after all, I make a living helping others create organized, functional spaces. But here’s the truth: my house is absolutely not perfect.
The thing is - my family and I actually live in our home. The humans residing at our address (and two adorable, albeit annoying cats) run around causing a ruckus all day long - and this includes me. My home is meant to be lived in, so I don't mind one bit. Around here, things don’t always look picture-perfect. My home is functional, comfortable, and reflective of the life we live. It’s not a sterile, showroom-worthy space, and honestly, I wouldn’t want it to be.
BUT - behind the people, the animals, and the ruckus - my home is very organized. There are systems in place to make my home work for us - to support how my family lives.
With just 10-15 minutes of effort in any room, everything is back in order. That’s the beauty of being organized.
Organizing is creating systems that work for you. These systems support your busy life, your family, your hobbies, and allow you to enjoy your home without constantly stressing over whether it’s Instagram-worthy.
Sure, everything has a place and there are systems for managing clutter, but there are still days when life gets in the way. Maybe I’m too tired to put away the laundry immediately, or maybe I’ve left supplies on the table because I’m halfway through a project. That’s real life, and it doesn’t make me any less of an awesome organizer. It just means I actually live in my house.
The key here is that I reset - I take 10-15 minutes each day and bring everything back to center so that things don't get out of hand. It's a gift I give myself, my family, and my home.
That being said, I’m not immune to things not being done daily. Stuff can pile up in my house just like it can in yours. As I type this, my bed is not made and there are three baskets of laundry that need folding - but tonight my favorite hard cider and I are going to tackle them together. I let it pile up a bit, so it'll take a bit longer than my 10-15 minute normal reset... I'm guessing maybe 30 minutes to get everything folded, put away, etc. - and then I'll be good to go. The idea is to treat this as an exception, not the norm. I respect the system I put in place.
Progress Over Perfection
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as both an organizer and a busy person is that progress is always better than perfection. This is something I stress with my clients, too: organizing is not a one-time pass/fail. It’s an ongoing process, and every small step you take is a step toward a more functional, peaceful space.
Some days, progress might look like tackling a big decluttering project. On other days, it’s as simple as taking your reset time to clear off the dining table so you can sit down and enjoy a meal. Both are wins.
So, the next time you catch yourself imagining how perfect someone else's house must be, remember this: it's often not what you think. Rather than try to create a home like anyone else's, try creating one that's organized to support how you want to live. That's the winning ticket.
And if you’re looking around your own home and feeling overwhelmed by the mess, take a deep breath. Remember: progress - not perfection - is the goal. Your home doesn’t have to look like a magazine spread to work for you. Little steps are the best building blocks, and it's ok to start small. The magic formula is: an organizing system + consistency in maintenance = long-term success. You can totally do this!
Hey there! I’m Kerry, and I’m a professional home organizer in the Northwest, specifically the Portland, Oregon / Vancouver, Washington area. I also travel up to the Mat-Su Valley region of Alaska (Anchorage, Palmer, Wasilla) a few times a year - going everywhere clearing clutter from people’s homes. I’ll meet you where you're at, zero judgment (and will bring along a sense of humor).
We can declutter, organize, and create spaces that support the life you want to live!
If you’d like, you can learn a bit more about me here.
Want to schedule a no judgment, complimentary consultation? I’d love the opportunity to meet you, hear your story, and learn how I can help.
