Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Michelle Urban. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Michelle, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Can you share a customer success story with us?

Clutter. It can seriously mess with our heads—especially when it takes over our living space. Clutter can make us feel overwhelmed, anxious, unfocused, and embarrassed. When it gets out of control, it often triggers a spiral effect, making it even harder to tackle. We want our homes to be a sanctuary, but when they’re inundated with stuff, they can quickly feel like a source of stress instead.

This is exactly what happened to my client Kate.

The pandemic had already taken a toll on her mental well-being, and she was also going through a major career transition that demanded her full attention and energy. Household tasks took a back seat, and even though she’d sometimes feel a burst of motivation to tackle the clutter in her kitchen, bedroom, or office, the task quickly became overwhelming. The clutter grew, and eventually, her home, once her place of peace, turned into a source of constant stress.

When Kate reached out to The Organized House, she was at a breaking point. She felt anxious and embarrassed about her space and disappointed in herself for not keeping up with the tasks that used to feel manageable. Her experience isn’t unique. In fact, we’re seeing more and more clients like Kate, who are less concerned with “Pinterest-worthy” spaces and more focused on finding relief from the daily anxiety that clutter creates.

Excessive clutter can create something known as “cognitive noise.” In a cluttered environment, the brain constantly processes these visual cues as unresolved tasks, which strains our mental bandwidth and heightens stress levels. Kate’s feelings of frustration and failure were reflections of this cycle. The clutter led to stress, which in turn made it even harder to take action, reinforcing a feedback loop that felt impossible to break.

To tackle this, we used a structured, step-by-step approach. In Kate’s case, we started by zoning her spaces, particularly in the kitchen, bedroom, and office, designating each area for specific functions. This zoning strategy reduced her cognitive load, allowing her to focus on one category at a time and make clear, intentional decisions about each item.

A key part of our process was the “pull and sort” method, where we move items to a neutral space to give clients a fresh perspective. This approach aligns with cognitive-behavioral techniques by encouraging psychological distancing, helping clients like Kate detach emotionally from belongings and make practical decisions. With each item she released, Kate felt a noticeable reduction in stress. For her letting go of items that she no longer needed made her feel lighter, happier, and energized.

By the end of our sessions, Kate’s spaces had transformed. Her kitchen was streamlined, her bedroom felt like a retreat again, and her office became a place for focus and productivity. But the impact went beyond physical organization. Kate felt a renewed sense of calm in her home, her anxiety levels decreased, and she noticed an improvement in her focus and productivity at work. She even experienced more positive interactions with her family.

Here’s what one of our incredible clients had to say about her recent transformation:

“I love it so much!!! I literally gasped when I saw the space. It’s wild how much better I’ve been feeling, even since the living room and kitchen were done. My productivity and self-care have like tripled. Thank you, thank you, thank you 😊💛”

Projects like Kate’s demonstrate that decluttering is not just about tidying up but about creating a mental reset. Clutter has a real, measurable impact on our cognitive and emotional well-being. By addressing this “cognitive noise,” we help people reclaim their homes as spaces that support, rather than detract from, their well-being.

Michelle, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hello 👋 I’m Michelle Urban, home organizer and proud owner of The Organized House. My journey into organizing started a little over three years ago when life threw me a serious curveball. I was laid off from my VP of Marketing role at a tech startup, and the thought of jumping back into the corporate grind? Let’s just say… I couldn’t do it.

For years, I’d been juggling the demands of work, family, and an endless to-do list, and I deeply understood the frustration of living in a home that doesn’t work with you. That’s when I decided to channel my experience and passion into helping others transform their spaces. To me, an organized home isn’t about picture-perfect Instagram aesthetics—it’s about creating a space that works for you, supports your daily life, and frees you up for the things that truly matter.

At The Organized House, we tackle everything from kitchens and garages to home offices and entire home transformations. My process always begins with understanding my clients’ daily routines. What do they reach for in the morning? What slows them down? I believe organizing is not about perfection; it’s about creating practical, maintainable systems that align with real life—not a Pinterest board. My goal is to ensure every item has a purpose and a place, leaving my clients with a home that feels not just manageable but enjoyable.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the trust clients place in me. Let’s face it—organizing is personal! It’s not just about cleaning out a closet; it’s about letting go of things that might hold memories or, let’s be real, baggage. I’m honored when clients open up and share their stories, and I approach each project with a lot of heart and respect. I want to make sure their space feels like them, only better.

So, what makes The Organized House different? I’m all about the big picture. Clutter doesn’t just take up physical space; it messes with our minds. Research shows that clutter can raise stress, lower productivity, and even create tension in relationships. I bring this understanding to every project, helping clients not just clear stuff out but reclaim mental space. I want them to experience the peace and clarity that an organized home can bring.

To me, The Organized House is more than just tidying up; it’s about transformation. I want my clients to walk into their homes and feel a weight lifted—a sense of “Ahhh, this feels right.” My goal is to make sure their home becomes a place where they can actually relax, connect with family, and thrive. So, if you’re ready to turn your space into a place that truly supports your life, I’d love to help you make it happen!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building my audience on social media? Well, let’s just say there’s been no “big break” moment, no massive viral explosion. Instead, it’s been a journey of small wins and steady growth—powered by consistency, authenticity, and a bit of grit.

First off, I show up. I’m consistent and post regularly, even when it feels like I’m talking to crickets. The magic is in the long game, not some overnight miracle. It’s the steady, “I’m here, I’m real, and I’m not going anywhere” approach that keeps my audience coming back.

Second, I don’t try to do it all. With the endless options out there, it’s tempting to be everywhere at once, but I focus only on the platforms where my audience actually hangs out. No TikTok, no Snapchat—just the spaces where I know my ideal clients are scrolling. This keeps me focused and keeps my content strong, not watered down by trying to keep up with every shiny new thing.

And here’s the kicker: I stay true to myself. It’s easy to feel pulled into trends, to think you need to dance to the latest song or jump on influencer bandwagons. But here’s the thing—I just do me. My posts, my tone, my style—it’s all me, all the time. And I think people respond to that. They can tell when it’s real.

So, here’s my advice: Social media isn’t about chasing viral fame or looking like someone else. It’s a long, rewarding process that starts with showing up, sticking with it, and being unapologetically you. And believe me, the small wins add up to something pretty amazing.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest “lessons” I had to unlearn—if you could call it that—was letting go of the belief that “if you build it, they will come.” That line worked out great in Field of Dreams, but in the real world of business? Not so much.

Starting a business is about way more than just creating something and waiting for people to show up. It takes a whole lot of time, strategy, and serious dedication. Sure, luck might play in our favor once in a while, but the reality is, there are so many moving parts to running a successful business. From finding the right audience and creating value to marketing, connecting, and constantly adapting—there’s no “sit back and wait” option.

When I launched The Organized House, I had to learn that even though I loved what I was building, that didn’t mean clients would magically appear. I had to put in the work to reach them, earn their trust, and show them what makes my services valuable and unique. It’s been a journey of refining, adjusting, and rolling up my sleeves daily. And, honestly, that’s what I love about it—it’s challenging, but it’s rewarding, too. Every bit of success feels earned, and that’s what keeps me going.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theorganizedhouse.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theorganizedhouse.co/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleurban/

Image Credits

photos by Brett Courtney Creative for The Organized House