Our Story
Inspired by family and driven by creativity, organizing professionally was the logical next step.
Hi, I’m Christy!
I’m a Trained Professional Organizer and active member of POC (Professional Organizers in Canada) I’m also the former Chair of the Halton-Peel Chapter and current chair of the Hamilton/Burlington Organizers Community Group.
Like most others in my field, I didn’t start out my career as a professional organizer. I’m a classically trained musician, with a Bachelor of Music, Pedagogy (piano and voice). I’ve taught piano lessons privately since graduating from Mount Allison University in 1995, as well as directing choirs and musical theatre productions. I currently direct the handbell choir at Islington United Church and the Kaleidoscope Singers Community Choir here in Hamilton.
Like many of us in the arts, we often do other work to supplement our income. I have a background in retail on both the sales and corporate sides, including merchandising. My husband and I co-ran a cleaning and maintenance company until we decided divorce was our best way forward. I have also trained as a behaviour therapist working directly with children and young adults with neurological differences including Autism and ADHD.
As a member of the “sandwich generation,” I began to notice that as my children grew older and became more independent, the older members of my family needed my support more. Reflecting on my personal skills and how I’ve helped my family stay organized through life’s transitions, I realized that turning this into a professional career would be a great new direction for me.
Clear My Closet began in 2020 as a decluttering and cleaning service for seniors and people preparing to downsize. It didn’t take long to realize I was exactly where I was meant to be. I love connecting with people and listening to their stories and memories. That feeling of being truly helpful makes me incredibly grateful. It really is an honour to be invited into someone’s home and support them when they need to make some difficult decisions.
We have now grown to support clients of all ages and abilities as they declutter, get organized, relocate or downsize. So far I’ve found it so rewarding.
In my spare time, you may find me engaged in any one of my hobbies, gardening, cooking, sewing, knitting, spending time at the cottage, or hiking.
What is a Professional Organizer?
We are living in an age where the cost of living is high, however, the ability to acquire belongings is relatively easy.
Consumerism as we know it is a 20th century invention. We acquire things that help us enjoy life for our homes and our activities. Many of us are also inheriting belongings from previous generations. This adds up to a whole lot of stuff, that no previous generations needed to manage.
A professional organizer is a neutral person who comes into your space, offering solutions and helping with the physical aspect of managing your belongings. We transform your home by zoning areas, sorting and categorizing items, eliminating clutter, and logically placing items in an organized way. Organizers are not cleaners who focus on sanitary needs, nor are we designers who focus on aesthetics. We complement those valuable professions by focusing on function and item placement. Different organizing professionals have different specialties and offer a wide range of services.. It’s important to find one that understands your unique needs.
If you are overwhelmed by clutter, then it’s time to get help.
Organizing as a profession is relatively new. The POC, which is Canada’s Association for Professional Organizers, is only celebrating its 25th anniversary this year!
Why should you hire a professional organizer?
Professional Organizers are neutral parties that come in to your space and help manage your stuff. We create systems in your homes and lives, relieving stress and overwhelm. A well-functioning home gives back time so you can spend that time enjoying life. We relieve stress by performing tasks that are time-consuming and emotionally draining for many of our clients.
When hiring me you can expect:
- Attention to detail
- Order created from chaos
- A breakdown of complex tasks as appropriate
- A balance of listening to your unique and individual needs paired with a focus on getting the job completed
- Patience when things may not go according to the original plan
- A sense of humor when appropriate
- Compassion when needed
- Communication along the way on all aspects of your project
- No judgement
Home Organizing and Decluttering.
- Are you overwhelmed with clutter?
- Do you own too many things, and don’t know where to put them all?
- Do you consider yourself more artistic and not great at creating systems?
- Are you too busy and want someone to organize your home for you?
- Have you recently moved and need your new home set up?
- Do you spend too much time looking for things?
- Are you a member of the neurodivergent community and want a little support with home function?
Photo Organizing
- Do you have photos on multiple devices?
- Photo albums and pictures scattered in boxes?
- Unable to find the photo you want when you need it?
- Worried about your photos should your computer crash?
- Unsure how family history will be passed down to the next generation?
Downsizing and Move Management
- Are you moving?
- Are you a senior getting ready to downsize?
- Are you working with a realtor and need to get your home ready for sale?
- Have you lived in your home a long time and know you need to get rid of stuff?
- Do you want to declutter your home so you can decide what happens to your belongs instead of leaving it for your kids?
- Do you want to get the belongings of your estate in order for when the times come?
