A Professional Organizer Shares the Realities of Turning Clutter Into Calm and Why Her Unusual Job Changes Lives

30 July 2025

For many people the idea of hiring someone to sort through their closets, kitchens and garages feels like a luxury reserved for celebrities or the ultra‑organized. But for professional organizer Lisa Martinez it is a calling and a career built on compassion, precision and a deep understanding of how our living spaces shape our emotional wellbeing. In an exclusive interview Martinez broke down the realities of her unusual job and why transforming cluttered homes goes far beyond color‑coding pantries or alphabetizing bookshelves.

Martinez who began her career in corporate project management said she stumbled into organizing while helping a friend prepare her home for a major life transition. “She was overwhelmed, drowning in stuff, and didn’t know where to start,” she recalled. “I saw how much lighter she felt after we worked through her belongings, and I realized this wasn’t just cleaning. It was healing.”

That moment became the foundation of her new career. She trained with the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals, learned techniques from leading figures in the field, and eventually launched her own business. Today her clients range from busy parents and retirees to small‑business owners struggling to maintain work‑life balance.

Her work often begins with a consultation, but the real magic happens when she steps into a space that feels unmanageable to its owner. “People call me when they’ve reached a breaking point,” she explained. “Sometimes it’s a mountain of paperwork after a divorce, a garage filled with items from a late parent’s home, or just the chaos of daily family life that got out of hand. My job is to bring order without judgment.”

Martinez emphasizes that organizing isn’t about creating Instagram‑perfect rooms but about making spaces functional and meaningful for the people who live in them. She works alongside clients to identify what they truly need and value, often uncovering emotional attachments and hidden anxieties in the process. “You can’t just walk in and start throwing things out,” she said. “It’s about listening, understanding their goals, and helping them make decisions that honor their past and their future.”

Her process includes a mix of decluttering, categorizing, and setting up systems tailored to each client. She uses practical solutions like clear storage bins, labeled shelving, and vertical organization techniques but insists that every tool serves a purpose beyond aesthetics. “It’s not about making things look pretty for photos,” she explained. “It’s about creating systems that actually work so people can keep up with them long‑term.”

One of the most rewarding parts of her job, she said, is seeing clients experience a shift in mindset. “I’ve seen people cry when they finally clear out a closet they’ve been avoiding for years. I’ve had clients tell me they feel like they can breathe again,” Martinez said. “It’s incredible how much mental energy clutter steals from us. When you clear it out, you create room not just in your house but in your life.”

Of course, there are challenges. Martinez often works in emotionally charged situations where clients struggle to let go of items tied to painful memories. She also faces the logistical hurdles of tackling massive projects in limited timeframes. But she sees these as opportunities to build trust. “You become part organizer, part therapist, part coach,” she said with a laugh. “It’s hard work, but it’s deeply personal and rewarding.”

Her advice for anyone looking to tackle their own clutter? Start small and stay consistent. “Pick one drawer or one shelf. Don’t try to do your whole house in a weekend. Build momentum with small wins,” she suggested. And for those who feel completely stuck, she recommends seeking help. “There’s no shame in asking for support. It doesn’t mean you’ve failed it means you’re ready to make a change.”

Martinez hopes her work helps redefine how people view professional organizing. It’s not just about tidying up it’s about helping people take control of their environments and, by extension, their lives. “When your space works for you instead of against you, everything else gets easier,” she said.

As the demand for professional organizers continues to grow, Martinez remains committed to her mission: helping people reclaim their homes, their peace, and their confidence one organized space at a time.