Why a tidy home makes for a tidy mind

Imyada Ruanphu, 36, is well aware of how it feels to live in a clean, clutter-free home. Growing in a family-owned home-based business, she was taught to keep her surroundings clean and tidy at a tender age.

That habit grew into a passion for organizing, which helped her pave her career path and led to the launch of a business that sees clients paying her to do what she loves.

“It comes very naturally to me to get things in order. As a kid, I would spend a few hours dusting and cleaning the rooms and decluttering. It helped me move around more and allowed me to create beauty and order as well as release my creativity. Living in a clean and neat home make me feel happy and relaxed. It also improves my mood,” she said.

Turning passion to profession

To fulfill her passion, Imyada decided on a Bachelor’s Degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management at Rangsit University, which helped sharpen her planning and organizational skills.

Upon graduation, she entered Thailand’s fast-growing hospitality industry, working for many hotels. She also joined property development projects where she learned new skills including how to maximize spaces and interior design tips for the home.

“I learned a lot from the school. It taught me why attention to detail matters and why it’s so important to be neat and tidy,” she said.

As her love for organizing and space optimization continued to grow, Imyada started a side gig as a home organizer.

This came in useful during the Covid-19 pandemic, which forced people to take a very good look at themselves and re-evaluate how they use and spend time in their living spaces.

Friends who realized that she could be helpful began to hire her to declutter their spaces. They also referred clients to her. After work was complete, she uploaded before and after photos and shared them on social media.

The posts went viral and her work attracted families who then booked her organizing services. She has never looked back.

“I’m passionate about organizing, clutter management and space utilization. This combined with communication skills and the experience I have gained seemed like it would be the perfect solution to help others organize their environments,” Imyada said.

She spent months googling how to start an organizing business, writing a business plan as well as identifying competitors and growth potential in the country.

She discovered that there were very few companies that provide at-home organizing services.

“A career in home organization was quite new to Thais. That opened a window of opportunity for any entrepreneurs including me who were naturally inclined towards this type of work,” she said.

In 2022, Imyada decided to leave a managerial position for juristic entity of a residential project to start Meaw Bin Home Organizer Co., Ltd, which provides decluttering, organizing and unpacking services.

According to her, the company charges a flat rate fee for the entire project, with a team member visiting a client’s place to discuss what they are looking for and providing an estimate based on space and the number of items.

Who are home organizers?

Many Thais are not familiar with this concept, Imyada said, adding that several prospective clients equate it with a cleaning service.

“Home organizers and cleaners are not the same. The cleaners are going to come in to sweep and mop the bathroom floor. They are going to clean your home. But home organizers are going to add function and create a system that optimizes your home.

They are going to help you clear the clutter, bring order to your spaces. They are completely different services,” the home organizer said.

From chaos to calm

The company currently has three teams of 20. Over the past three years, it has provided services to more than 500 families including older adults and individuals struggling with depression, stress and anxiety, who need personalized solutions.

In addition to clearing physical spaces, Imyada has helped people clear their mind, restore their sanity and create calm in their mental space through organization.

“Your home is a reflection of what’s in your mind. A chaotic home can make it difficult to find things when they are needed. It can make you worried and stressed out and also drain your energy. But getting things in order can actually help clear your mind, improve your mood and make you happy,” she said.

She stressed that decluttering and organizing your spaces can benefit both mental and emotional-well-being, citing studies.

Clients love working with her teams, Imyada noted. The teams have been booked for organizing services until the year-end.

“We did a fantastic job, ensuring that everything has a place and making their homes function smoothly. We were told by clients they feel good living in a tidy home. They feel less stress as they can find what they want. They can be more prepared for their days-ahead and more productive at work,” she said.

Dealing with someone who hoards, however, can be challenging for her teams, Imyada noted.

“Some people we work with collect and keep a lot of things even items that are obviously useless to most people. It’s very hard for them to toss things away,” she said.

When dealing with hoarders, she added that her teams work closely with them and let them define what they want for their spaces and respect their decisions.

“We listen to their stories and talk to them nicely. We always ask permission when getting into their rooms, helping them sort their belongings – what to keep and what to leave and even touching something. They can be very sensitive to this. Also, we handle sentimental things very carefully” she said.

A promising future

With a growing desire for organization to create spaces that support sustainable living and today’s busy lifestyle, Imyada expects that the demand for home organizing services will continue to grow.

“With these trends, people would be ready to declutter and simplify,” she said.

She has run sessions about home organization for people who are keen to declutter home by themselves. She also plans to open a school that provides a comprehensive course in home organization as this is not available in colleges and universities, urging the government to add it to the curriculum.

“More and more people are getting into the field. Certifications can prove their skills and boost confidence and trust. On top of that, organizing your home is a form of self-care. It can be a tool for living with a healthy mind,” she said.