A Little Magic and Room to Create
Two older adults looking through vintage family photographs together.
I woke up this morning still thinking about the client we helped yesterday afternoon. She’s an artist and a craftsperson with a big, beautiful studio filled with supplies for the many kinds of creative work she’s enjoyed over the years. But when we talked, she told me, “I’m overwhelmed. I don’t have space to work. I can’t find the supplies I need.” If you’ve ever stood in a space you love and felt unsure where to begin, you may recognize that feeling.
A Little Imagination Opens the Door
Before we began moving anything, I asked her to imagine something.
“Let’s pretend you’re Samantha from Bewitched. You can wiggle your nose and make this space look, feel, and function exactly the way you want it to. Describe that to me.”
And she did.
She knew what she wanted. She could picture a studio where she had room to work and could reach the supplies she needed. What worried her was the process of getting there.
That’s such an important distinction. You can have a clear vision for your home and still need help finding the steps that will bring it to life.
We had known each other for a little while, and there was trust between us. She knew I understood organizing. Together, we could begin turning that picture in her mind into a space she could use.
First We Make the Space Work
Three hours later, her studio was ready for her to work in again.
The floor was completely clear. She could walk to her shelves and tables, reach her art palettes, and get to her easels. She knew where her supplies were.
We had macro-organized the studio—created the larger structure that made the room accessible and functional. The smaller details, or micro-organizing, would come next.
I think that’s reassuring to understand. Every little item doesn’t have to be sorted into its final home before a space can begin supporting you. Sometimes the most meaningful first step is clearing a path, bringing related supplies together, and giving yourself a place to begin.
She also let go of bags and boxes of supplies she hadn’t used in years. Many were donated so other people could put them to use. There’s something lovely about making room for your own creativity while passing along materials that can spark someone else’s.
You Can Bring the Vision and Let Us Help With the Steps
Throughout our session, she told me two or three times, “That right there is exactly what I needed to hear.”
Those moments stay with me.
Organizing involves practical work, certainly. It also involves listening, coaching, and choosing a strategy that fits the person who lives or works in the space. Sometimes a reassuring conversation makes the next decision feel possible.
My goal is to understand that wonderful vision you have and help you move toward it, one manageable step at a time.
You don’t already have to know how to do this. That’s the expertise I bring. You bring the knowledge of your life, your creativity, and what you want your space to make possible. We work from there, together.
I keep thinking about what it means to walk into that studio now—to reach an easel, find the supplies, and have room to create. That ease is worth celebrating, even with a few details still to come. Your space can support you, too. Follow Pinky Jackson Organizing online for more practical tips and gentle encouragement as you make room for the life you want to enjoy.
Pinky Jackson is a Decluttering Specialist and Home Organizing Expert. If you need expert organizing help, don't hesitate to reach out. Pinky and her team would love to help you. Onsite Organizing services are available in the Louisville, KY area and Virtual Organizing services are offered for clients in other locations and for those who prefer to work online. Visit pinkyjackson.com to learn about our services and schedule a free assessment.
Photo: Skylar Kang @skylar-kang
