Welcome, Amani, and how are you doing?

I am doing well and feeling extremely blessed. 

Take us back a bit. When was the passion born for organizing spaces that led you on a path of wanting to help others stay organized?

My passion for organizing was born from a life-changing moment of clarity after my uncle passed away. When my dad called, overwhelmed by the state of my uncle’s apartment, I thought, “How challenging could it be?” What I discovered was a space where years of accumulation had created an environment that felt insurmountable. This is a reflection of struggles many families face but rarely discuss openly. That experience opened my heart to a deeper understanding of my purpose and the profound need for compassionate support during these vulnerable moments.

During a sermon, I heard words that illuminated everything: “You know your gift by circumstances you’ve encountered multiple times throughout your life, paired with a desire to make a difference.” Suddenly, I realized organizing wasn’t just something I was naturally drawn to—it was my calling to serve others. Looking back, the pathway was beautifully clear. At eight years old, I helped honor my great-grandmother’s legacy by thoughtfully going through her home. Every five to seven years after that, I found myself naturally called to support families through similar transitions—helping them celebrate their loved ones’ lives while creating space for their own healing journey.

I’ve discovered that when our spaces feel overwhelming, it’s simply evidence of lives richly lived. We’re busy creating memories, building relationships, pursuing dreams, and embracing all that life offers. Major transitions—moving, marriage, welcoming children, health changes—are beautiful markers of growth, and sometimes our spaces reflect these seasons of abundance and change.

My passion lies in helping people transform their living spaces into sanctuaries of function and joy. I believe that a thoughtfully organized home becomes a foundation for the life you’re meant to live, one of the most loving gifts we can create for our families and ourselves. Creating order became cathartic for me. Now I’m honored to help others experience that same sense of lightness, possibility, and peace in their spaces.

Tell us about your business, “Journey to Organization.” What does your job entail, and what specific services do you offer?

Journey to Organization offers three service packages designed to meet clients wherever they are in their organizing journey. As an eco-conscious professional, I always encourage donating, recycling, and repurposing whenever possible.

Every client relationship begins with a free consultation where we discuss their ultimate vision for their space. Some people are visual and prefer everyday items within sight, while others want everything tucked away—understanding these preferences is crucial to creating a system that actually works for them.

Organize: Perfect for self-motivated clients who just need guidance and a fresh perspective. I help sort items into keep, donate, or discard categories, then we identify the best locations for everything they’re keeping based on their daily routines. If clients don’t have the right storage solutions to maintain their organized system, I provide recommendations for items they can purchase.

Organize and Declutter: This is my most popular package because most people don’t want to deal with disposing of discarded items. I handle all the trash, recycling, and donations—including providing tax receipts. I love connecting with lesser-known charities beyond Goodwill and Salvation Army that rehome items free of charge to recipients who truly need them.

Organize, Declutter and Clean: Our comprehensive package includes everything above plus surface cleaning the entire area once everything is sorted and in its place.

The goal is always the same: creating organized systems that fit seamlessly into your life, reduce stress, and give you back control of your space.

We live in a world where aesthetics are presented as the blueprint for how things should look, especially in the virtual world. The truth of the matter is not everything will be aesthetically pleasing, and that’s ok. It can be discouraging. I once heard you say that, “Organization isn’t about perfection. It is about progress.” Can you dive deeper into this and how someone who doesn’t know where to start can begin their journey to organization?

Social media and TV has created unrealistic standards that can make people feel insecure. Organization isn’t about achieving the perfection you see in magazines or online. It’s about creating a space that works for you and your lifestyle. Your home should be a place of refuge and peace—somewhere you go to escape the chaos of life, not add to it.

The goal isn’t Instagram-worthy perfection; it’s improving your space so you can function better within it. If you’re repurchasing items because you can’t find them, spending excessive time searching, or having to clear a space just to use it, then some adjustments might help you reclaim that sense of peace.

My mission is to help people improve their quality of life by saving time and money. Instead of constantly looking for things and feeling stressed about lost items, you can focus on what truly matters. You’ll stop repurchasing things you already have and start living with intention in a space that actually supports you.

Where to start: Pick one small area—a single drawer or shelf. Sort everything into keep, donate, or discard. Put back only what you actually use. That’s it. Progress, not perfection.

What’s your most favorite space to help declutter?

If I had to pick, I’d say kitchens and closets. These areas create the biggest impact because most people rarely take everything out and only put back what they actually need and use. When they do, they’re always surprised by how much stuff was hidden in these spaces.

In kitchens and closets, my clients and I can identify a much better flow by rearranging items to suit their natural routines. There’s something incredibly satisfying about opening a closet door and actually seeing your clothes, or finding exactly what you need in the kitchen without digging through three drawers.

In your experience, how can being more organized be beneficial to our mental health as well?

Absolutely. Studies show that people living in cluttered spaces have higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, throughout the day. Letting go of clutter literally results in the feeling of letting go of a huge weight. One of my clients called me because she felt claustrophobic living in her own space. After we worked together, she described feeling like she could finally breathe in her home again.

We’re all juggling so much in life—work, family, responsibilities—and sometimes our spaces reflect that busy reality. When we’re constantly multitasking, clutter can accumulate without us even realizing it. Clearing that clutter creates mental clarity, reduces decision fatigue, and eliminates the constant background stress of visual chaos. You free up mental energy that was being spent on managing the overwhelm, allowing you to focus on what truly matters most.

When you’re not busy, how are you practicing self-care?

I love sitting next to waterfalls or listening to the sounds of nature. To experience the best sounds and sights, I have to hike to them, which I absolutely love. I also enjoy bike riding.

In the winter, I’m drawn to quieter activities like knitting or dot art, often sitting in complete silence. These peaceful moments are when I believe God gives me my best ideas for helping clients and growing my business.

Where can customers connect with you and your business?

Instagram: @organizedliving.md
Facebook: Journey to Organization
Website: https://journey-to-organization.com/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLsvEBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHg0DrHQN-kMkVY_ae7yv8QV_Rh97FCoRaOnjV5FfmNHdNiZSUhCKa58HzOvK_aem_MyHKcTRLVY2PcHlN7vVMIg

I love sharing tips, before-and-after transformations, and encouragement for your organizing journey on social media. Don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m always here to help!

Thank you so much, Amani!