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Famous Interviews with Joe Dimino recently invited me on to talk about something that has quietly changed my life—and the lives of my clients across Los Angeles and Ventura County:

The powerful intersection of faith, clutter, and calling.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• Why does clutter make me feel anxious?

• Why can’t I focus in my own home?

• Why does getting organized feel spiritual… not just practical?

This conversation went deep—and I want to unpack it for you here.

How I Started My Professional Organizing Business During COVID

Six years ago, the pandemic shifted everything.

At the time, I was working in marketing. But when my company refused to allow remote work during COVID—despite high-risk people in my life—I made a bold decision.

I quit.

At the same time, I had been taking a small Facebook class on how to start a professional organizing business. I had always loved organizing (Friday nights in my closet? Yes, please). I had binge-watched Marie Kondo and The Home Edit like the rest of the world.

So I posted on Facebook:

“I’m opening my organizing business.”

And beautiful, amazing women said yes.

While the world was watching Netflix and color-coding their pantries, I was stepping into homes (masked, of course) across Los Angeles and helping women breathe again.

The timing was wild—but it made sense.

Because for the first time in history, everyone was stuck at home long enough to feel the impact of clutter.

The Science Behind Clutter and Anxiety (Yes, It’s Real)

When I wrote my book, Reclaim Your Space with G.R.A.C.E., I wanted to make sure these claims we make as organizers weren’t just a marketing gimmicks.

So I researched it.

One UCLA study found that clutter—particularly for women—can elevate cortisol levels. Elevated cortisol is associated with:

• Chronic fatigue

• Increased stress

• Difficulty focusing

• Higher long-term health risks

Let that sink in.

Clutter isn’t just visual noise.
It’s physiological stress.

And in a world where we already carry so much mental load. . .
We absolutely don’t need our homes working against us.

What a Professional Organizer Actually Does

When I walk into a client’s home, I don’t start with labels.

I start with listening.

• What are your goals?

• What are your pain points?

• How do you move through your space?

• What’s not working?

Then the magic begins.

My team pulls everything out.
We categorize.
We sort.
We decide together with the client.

I don’t make decisions for my clients.
I help them through decisions.

Because if it’s not sustainable for their rhythms, it won’t last.

One of the biggest rules we, as organizers, live by is this:

“Everything has to have a home.”

When something doesn’t have a designated place, it floats.
And floating items become clutter.
And clutter becomes cortisol.

The G.R.A.C.E. Method: A Faith-Based Organizing Framework

My middle name is Grace.
And it became the foundation of my organizing business and methodology.

Here’s the framework I work from you and encourage you to discover:

G – Gather

Gather your goals. Gather your organizations. Gather your items.

R – Release

Let go of what no longer serves your current season.

A – Acquire

Acquire the tools, systems, or help you need.

C – Cultivate

Learn the new rhythm of your space.

E – Enjoy

Pause. Celebrate. Breathe.

Organizing is not only decluttering.
It’s about creating space to hear God more clearly.

Why “Pretty” Actually Matters

Confession: I love beauty.

I love decanting spices.
I love matching hangers.
I love glass containers and clean lines.

But it’s not about aesthetic perfection.

It’s about reducing visual noise.

When your home feels beautiful and intentional, your nervous system relaxes.

And when your nervous system relaxes, you think clearly.
You connect better.
You move forward.

If You’re Overwhelmed, Start Here

When someone asks me, “Where do I start if my whole house is a mess?” I sometimes say:

Start where you’re stuck.

Is it your primary closet?
Your kitchen?
The paper pile in your office?

Primary closets and kitchens are often the most powerful starting points because:

• Your closet frames your day (first and last thing you see).

• Your kitchen fuels your body and your family.

Momentum builds confidence.

Confidence builds clarity.

Clarity builds calling.

Ready to Reclaim Your Space?

If this resonates with you, here are next steps:

• Explore my book, Reclaim Your Space with G.R.A.C.E.

• Learn more and valuable resources at melindagrace.com

• Connect on Instagram at @MelindaGraceOrganizing

• Or inquire about in-person organizing (yes, I travel)

Your home was never meant to be a storage unit.
It was meant to be a sanctuary.

And sometimes, reclaiming your space is the first step in reclaiming your life.

With grace,
Melinda 💗

P.S. Thank you, Joe Dimino, for having me on your show! It was a delight and I had the best time diving into all things Melinda and Organizing.