Oh, the irony...
I spent four years earning my Bachelor of Science from the Fashion Institute of Technology in the psychology of shopping and consumer behavior. Well, not exactly, but my major in Visual Merchandising and Product Development gave me an in-depth understanding of the fascinating world of why we buy the "stuff" we do and how retailers influence those decisions. I learned so much about what goes on behind the scenes before a product makes it into a store and later, your home - trade shows, compelling store displays, thoughtful store design, strategic branding, graphic design, retail merchandising, marketing and so, so much more.
Displaying the product in a compelling way is only half the battle - the other half is making the consumer want to take the item home - the psychology behind the purchase. Understanding consumer habits and behaviors are crucial to figuring out the "why" behind the buy. I learned all about the tricks retailers use behind the scenes - not only how to design stores to keep people inside longer and spend more, but also how to trigger emotions, encourage repeat buyers and figure out the most effective strategies to drive sales so the customer would come back and repeat the buying cycle all over again.
And now I spent the last 4+ years going in the opposite direction...
Displaying the product in a compelling way is only half the battle - the other half is making the consumer want to take the item home - the psychology behind the purchase. Understanding consumer habits and behaviors are crucial to figuring out the "why" behind the buy. I learned all about the tricks retailers use behind the scenes - not only how to design stores to keep people inside longer and spend more, but also how to trigger emotions, encourage repeat buyers and figure out the most effective strategies to drive sales so the customer would come back and repeat the buying cycle all over again.
And now I spent the last 4+ years going in the opposite direction...
I've been stuck in the cycle, too.
After graduation, I spent over 10 years working in eCommerce, mastering the digital side of the "science of shopping." During this time, I moved 5 times in 10 years, including across the country, and with each move, I was drowning in the same clutter I had been hauling from place to place all over again. My true wake-up call came as a new parent, two months postpartum when my husband rushed me to the ER and a friend did us a favor babysitting our two month old. My house was a wreck and I was embarrassed. Though postpartum is a time to go easy on yourself, it made me realize that I actually never had great systems and routines at home and often felt like I was drowning. Though I grew up in a home that ran like a well-oiled machine, I was never taught any of these life skills (aside from 'cleaning' my room) and was encouraged to 'get out of the way'.
When I first started simplifying, I started very small, tackling small wins like clearing out a single drawer or sorting through kitchen tools I never used. Box by box, I made both the easy and the hard decisions; I tried for 15 minutes a day, and sometimes I'd get a whole hour during nap time. I began to revisit and donate sentimental items I thought I could never part with, realizing that memories don’t live in stuff. The entire process was incredibly freeing and empowering. I started to feel more in control of my space and, consequently, my life. I realized that the clutter in my home was a reflection of the clutter in my mind, and decluttering became a therapeutic process. Over 3-4 months, I ruthlessly parted with 75% of the clutter in our home, I learned techniques to adjust my shopping habits and I became more self aware, using mental hurdles to empower me to continue to maintain a clutter-free life.
The mental component an essential part of decluttering and often take the most time, energy and effort and requires constant maintenance and vigilance. I dive into my personal struggles with family dynamics much further in the guide. Not one person's mental clutter is the same, but the effect of it is - holding us back from living our full, authentic, and intentional lives.
This December, 2024, we'll welcome our third child - just another reason for my family to continue maintaining a clutter-free home. Join me on this journey of clearing the clutter, setting meaningful boundaries, and creating a calm, organized, and intentional life through joyful simplicity.
When I first started simplifying, I started very small, tackling small wins like clearing out a single drawer or sorting through kitchen tools I never used. Box by box, I made both the easy and the hard decisions; I tried for 15 minutes a day, and sometimes I'd get a whole hour during nap time. I began to revisit and donate sentimental items I thought I could never part with, realizing that memories don’t live in stuff. The entire process was incredibly freeing and empowering. I started to feel more in control of my space and, consequently, my life. I realized that the clutter in my home was a reflection of the clutter in my mind, and decluttering became a therapeutic process. Over 3-4 months, I ruthlessly parted with 75% of the clutter in our home, I learned techniques to adjust my shopping habits and I became more self aware, using mental hurdles to empower me to continue to maintain a clutter-free life.
The mental component an essential part of decluttering and often take the most time, energy and effort and requires constant maintenance and vigilance. I dive into my personal struggles with family dynamics much further in the guide. Not one person's mental clutter is the same, but the effect of it is - holding us back from living our full, authentic, and intentional lives.
This December, 2024, we'll welcome our third child - just another reason for my family to continue maintaining a clutter-free home. Join me on this journey of clearing the clutter, setting meaningful boundaries, and creating a calm, organized, and intentional life through joyful simplicity.
Want to know more?
- I'm from New Jersey, and I've been living in the desert Southwest for almost 7 years
- My husband and I have been married for 9 years, and together for 15 years
- My son has Down syndrome and I am a fierce advocate for him, always learning more
- I love to dance, and spent years as a competitive dancer / teacher - my daughter is now loving it!
"To live is the rarest thing in the world.
Most people exist, that is all."
OSCAR WILDE
Improve your life for less than lunch.
This guide isn't just about tackling physical clutter; it's about clearing the mental clutter too. My strategies are tried and tested, designed to help you feel truly great in your home. Everyone deserves a calm, organized, and joyful living space, which is why I've made this guide accessible and affordable. Embrace this journey with me, and let's transform your home into the sanctuary it deserves to be!
- Transform overwhelm into calm: Create a sanctuary in your home.
- Enjoy coming home: Make your space a place you love.
- Break free from endless chores: Implement systems that work for you.
- Breathe easy: Declutter and enjoy the freedom of less.
- Clean with ease: Say goodbye to piles and hello to order.
- Conquer the mess: Establish routines that keep your home tidy.
- Boost productivity: Get more done with less effort.
- Find time for joy: Rediscover hobbies and activities you love.
- Strengthen relationships: Reduce stress and enjoy your family more.
- Escape the chaos: Learn practical steps to a more intentional life.
- Find peace and purpose: Embrace authenticity and live your best life.
Want to work together?
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If you have any questions about what the guide contains, you're interested in 1:1 coaching,
you'd like details and pricing regarding social media collaboration or anything else... I'd love to hear from you! |
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Happy Clients
"Working with Michelle is one of the best gifts I’ve ever given myself. The strategies are very simple and easy to grasp but have made a huge impact within our home. I feel less overwhelmed, more at ease and our home is significantly more peaceful and calm than it used to be."
- Jen T., 1:1 client, author and busy mama
- Jen T., 1:1 client, author and busy mama
