Everyone Has That Spot… (No Judgment!)
Parents may not want to admit it… but we all have one. I did too.
You know the one: a table, the corner of the staircase, a random room—where things just pile up. Clothes, toys, papers, socks… they take root, and suddenly you’re living in a “mess purgatory” that feels impossible to escape.
When that happens, you don’t need more shame—you need a professional.
Enter Kim Mazewski, owner of Consciously Cleared and Contained. She’s not only Delaware’s only Certified Professional Organizer® (CPO®), but also a licensed occupational therapist with specialized training in decluttering for busy families and individuals with brain-based conditions like ADHD.
I recently did a session with her, and let me tell you—it was more than just organizing. It felt like therapy, in the best way. Here are my top takeaways:
🏁 Name Your Goal
Before we picked up a single item, Kim asked: What do you want this space to be? I told her I wanted to transform my daughter’s room into a space where she could explore her growing independence (she’s turning six!), and I also needed a dedicated craft room to support her love for art.
🛑 Fight the Urge to Buy
I thought I had to buy new furniture or fancy storage systems before I could start. Kim gently reminded me: Use what you have first. That way, you don’t get stuck waiting for the “perfect” conditions to begin. Her approach felt so reassuring—it’s scary having someone in your mess, but Kim felt more like an old friend than a stranger.
Prep
I was advised not to touch any of the rooms. Our goal is to work with what’s there, not to make things "presentable." Instead, I was told to eat beforehand, drink plenty of water, dress comfortably, gather cleaning supplies, and set the mood to help me feel focused and energized (open a window, light a candle, or play music).
❓ Ask Why
We sorted everything into four categories:
- Currently in use
- Donate
- Trash
- Store
After several major life events, I was hanging onto things with emotional baggage. Kim helped me ask the hard questions: Why am I keeping this? Sometimes, I just needed someone on the outside to help me let go.
🧼 Start with a Fresh Slate
Five donation bags and ten bags of trash later… we had two empty rooms. We moved out the furniture and started fresh. With Kim’s help, we created simple systems my daughter could keep up with:
- A binder for art projects
- A bookshelf for current reads
- Buckets for toys and dress-up clothes
😭 All the Feelings
This wasn’t just a room—it was a landing pad after my divorce. Its contents held memories, emotions, and milestones, chock full of mixed emotions. It was a reminder that my days of denying that I had a six-year-old were numbered. Kim kept checking in, gently guiding me when I hit emotional walls. At one point, she asked, Are you tired, or just tired of making decisions?
(It was both.)
@mackidnewcastlede Kim, from Consciously Cleared & Contained, is one of those people that you connect with right away. After naming the goal for the day (turn my daughter's bedroom and my office into usable spaces), we started sorting. We divided the rooms into piles of trash, recycle, and keep (to use now or store). She was so efficient while respecting my feelings, memories, and momentos, without judgement. Throughout the day, she checked in on me, and told me to take a break when I hit a wall (and decision fatigue). Between being an occupational therapist and having a younger child herself, she help organize systems that just made sense for us. I am guilty of keeping limbo piles, that I will donate sell it, or post it on buy nothing. If was a huge relief when Kim filled her trunk up with donations, knowing what local organization could best use it. I was blown away by the transformation in just a few hours. It was very cathartic to remove figurative and literal clutter that got in our way. It was so rewarding to see our progress physically unfold in front of us. Not only has my six-year-old kept up with the systems, created new areas, but she can't wait to show off her room to friends. Regardless of your house size or season of life, make it easier by hiring Kim!! #homeorganizer #professionalorganizer #organized #organizer #consciouslycleared&Contained #hockessinde #debusiness #delawaretiktok ♬ Come Check This (Quickie Edit) - FETISH
✨ It All Comes Together
After just a few hours, we had two beautiful, functional spaces. As Kim drove off with a carload of donations, I felt so much lighter. My daughter couldn’t wait to show off her new room. Kim didn’t just organize my space—she walked me through a reset I didn’t know I needed. Her kindness and zero-judgment vibe made all the difference.
📅 Important Note
Kim is fully booked until November 7, and will be on medical leave through the end of January.
During that time, she won’t be taking on new in-person clients—but she is offering virtual consultations and guest speaking engagements.
- Want to join the early 2026 waitlist for hands-on organizing? [Sign up here.]
- Interested in workshops or presentations? Email Kim at kim@consciouslyclearedandcontained.com
Whether you're redoing one room or one house, Kim needs to be your first call to help reclaim and reset your space.
Disclaimer: We traded her amazing services for advertising. All opinions are 100% my own.
