As a graduate of my online training, I asked Georgia Holmes, professional organiser and founder of Thriving Spaces Organising, to answer a few questions and give some advice to those just starting out on their organising career. Georgia is from the inner west of Sydney, NSW, and operates throughout most of the metropolitan Sydney area.
Tell me Georgia, who do you work with? Who is your ideal client?
I support individuals and families from all walks of life to minimise clutter and maximise space in their homes and lives for what they really value. Some of my clients have included retirees and empty-nesters, people preparing to downsize, young NDIS clients, one or two artists, and several perfectionists.
I especially enjoy helping mid-life women going through life transitions who want to clear out clutter from the past in order to create space for a new phase of life.
What drew you to the organising industry?
For as long as I can remember I’ve had a love for organising. It’s been a thread throughout my life – from helping school friends rearrange their bedrooms and lockers, to working in university administration helping academics deal with their cluttered offices.
But it was the loss of my dad that was the real catalyst for me to become a professional organiser. During that difficult time, I realised just how much our spaces and our wellbeing are intrinsically connected. Inner turmoil often leads to outer clutter and vice versa. This experience helped me realise that life is short and to embrace my calling to help others organise their homes and streamline their lives. So, in 2019 I took the plunge and launched my organising business, Thriving Spaces.
Now I love helping clients experience for themselves the transformative effect that a clutter-free, organised home or workspace can have on their physical and emotional wellbeing. Living with less clutter and complexity allows more space for what’s truly important in life.
To what do you attribute your success as an organiser?
I really enjoy being able to support people to make their vision of their home a reality. I thrive on tackling my clients’ stuff as much as they may want to avoid it. I love a challenge and I really enjoy problem-solving – which is a big part of being an organiser!
What’s your favourite thing about organising?
My favourite thing about organising is witnessing the transformation and relief that people experience when they’re able to let go of things that they’ve been holding onto for a long time, and which have been getting in the way of them enjoying their current stage of life.
I love doing this work. It is incredibly rewarding to see what a difference simplicity and order can make in people’s lives.
What’s one habit that helps your life run smoothly?
It’s a small habit but making my bed everyday creates a clear, calm space and sets a positive tone for my day.
What is one thing people may not know about you?
When I was eleven my family and I lived in Japan. This experience fostered a life-long love of Japanese culture, food and travel.
Is there anything about that experience that influenced your career choice?
Living in Japan was quite a formative experience in many ways. As a child, moving from a large suburban house in Australia to a small city apartment in Tokyo gave me my first experience of living with less and valuing my belongings and space in a new way.
From my travels in Japan, I also learned about the concepts of simplicity and ‘wabi-sabi’, which is all about recognising beauty in the order of everyday objects and spaces, and accepting imperfection and change as part of life. These ideas have certainly influenced my approach as an organiser.
For me, decluttering and getting organised is not an end-goal so much as a gentle, imperfect process of creating space to focus on what’s important to you. My goal in working with clients is to help them connect with what they value in the present and to support them to let go of belongings that are no longer serving them in their current stage of life.
What would you say to someone just starting out as an organiser?
For anyone starting out in this industry I’d suggest reaching out to other POs in your area to connect. It really is such a unique and supportive industry. I love it! I think the best thing is just getting out there and getting some on the job experience. I learnt so much from my first few organising clients, especially as every situation is so different. I also did and still do subcontracting work for other organisers, which has been a great way of getting more experience.
Great advice. Thank you Georgia!
