Hi, I’m Mary and I’m obsessed with all things organization.
Seriously, you can ask anyone who knows me. I was the weird kid who needed to put everything away neatly in my play kitchen and begged friends to let me reorganize their lockers after class. Ironically (or, maybe unironically) clutter was a big part of my childhood as my parents never seem to be bothered by it. But they knew I was because, well, I didn’t hide the fact and I moved out before I even finished college. And when I discovered that professional organizing was actually a career choice when I graduated in 2007, I just knew that I was destined to make it mine.
After daydreaming and sitting on the idea for ten years, I finally found the courage to start my own pro organizing company.
From practically nothing (except the moral support of my parents who, for the record, still won’t let me declutter their house) and in my tiny yet tidy apartment on Long Island, Sort and Sweet Inc was born. Since then, I’ve helped hundreds of clients declutter and gain control over their spaces.
A few years later as business was booming, I hit some physical and mental health bumps. A POTS and ADHD diagnosis in the same year only added to the stress I was already experiencing as a single, independent “girl boss” trying to keep up with the New York hustle. So I put my brave pants on once again and made a major life change. I packed everything I owned up (plus the pup) and relocated to Savannah, Georgia where I immediately fell in love with the slow, relaxed southern pace.
With the move came another career shift. While I still take on the occasional organizing project, I realized that writing and creating content about decluttering and getting organized not only helps me reach a wider audience with my message, it’s better for my overall health. Any professional organizer will tell you that it’s a physically demanding job and not for the faint of heart. Which was, quite literally, the main catalyst for my redirection.
If you’re not familiar with POTS, some of the common symptoms are lightheadedness, racing heart rate, and shortness of breath. I also have Chiari Malformation and Syringomyela, rare brain and cervical spine disorders that collectively cause migraines, chronic pain, muscle weakness and numbness, among other fun things. So, yeah, sitting and working in the comfort of my home makes a huge difference in how I feel every day. If you’re a fellow spoonie, you get it.
It might seem drastic or dramatic, but I considered this decluttering. I let go of a career, my environment, and even the thought that my life had to look a certain way.
Doing so made metaphorical space and actual time for the things that benefit me and bring me peace. I shed weight both from my body and my mind. I went from just barely surviving to happily thriving.
Essentially, what I’ve found after working with so many people, hearing their struggles, and going through my own journey is that even if you have all of your “stuff” in order, the intangible clutter must be equally addressed. In other words, having a Pinterest perfect pantry doesn’t mean anything if we struggle to find the time to make a healthy meal, let alone sit down to enjoy it.
So this is where Organized Overall comes into play.
Whether it’s the things in our home, our thoughts, our health, our schedule, our work, our financial situation, or our relationships, my goal is to help others live with less of what no longer serves them and create more structure to the things that do.
Because I’ve gone through it (and am continually working on it), I know that it’s not so easy to let go of familiarity or stay disciplined with good habits (hellooo, ADHD!). But I can also tell you with my whole chest that it’s worth it.
Life is lighter, easier, and, simply, more enjoyable.
Now, I will warn you that I have a much more blunt way about me than, say, sweet Marie Kondo. Meaning I might not be for everyone but if you resonate with what I say and how I say it, then welcome to the OO tribe. Supporting and seeing someone like you succeed in your own organizing journey sparks more joy in me than that time Marie posted a photo of a closet I personally organized. No, seriously. But you can still click here to see my “pinch me” moment.
I’m so happy to have you, help you, and watch you become the best, most organized version of yourself. Let’s do this…