Local Spotlight: Amy Smith

When it comes to order and organizing, Amy Smith means business. Literally: In 2023, Smith parlayed a 30-year career as an occupational therapist to start Arranged by Amy, a company that teaches people to declutter and arrange their homes, offices and lives.

She also packs and unpacks for a move and offers earth-friendly disposal of unwanted items. Smith will meet clients in Biddeford, Saco and Old Orchard Beach; as well as Portland, Windham, Yarmouth and surrounding areas.

Smith, who lives in Scarborough, probably takes her own advice and has taught her kids a thing or two: She shares her home with her partner and their blended family, which includes five children – among them a set of triplets – three cats and a dog.

Smith is teaching a class called “Conquoring Clutter” through Old Orchard Beach/Saco Adult Education on Feb. 10. The class at Old Orchard Beach High School is full, but there is a waitlist.

But if your New Year’s resolution is to downsize and simplify, it’s not too late: Smith is teaching “Rightsize Your Life: A Holistic Downsizing Approach” on March 17 at OOBHS.

 

Did you take any specialized training?

I still take the Inspired Organizer program of modules and training and podcasts. I learned a lot through that.

How did Arranged by Amy connect to your career as an occupational therapist?

I always worked at rehab hospitals in inpatient (services). At 75 State Street in Portland in the apartments I’d start seeing clutter and cognitively rearranged space so patients could find things. I cleaned a storage unit for a gentleman, and that triggered that I might be able to do this as a business.

Why is decluttering so popular?

I think people are seeing the value of having the right amount of stuff in their homes and not leaving things for their children. I call it right sizing: Not having the stress and mental load of having too much stuff. As far as trendiness, people come to my class because they want to do it and just don’t know where to start. Or a lot of people get stuff from their parents, they have their own stuff, their kids’ stuff. “Overwhelmed” is a word I hear all the time.

Are neat and messy people born or made?

I think it’s a combination; partly the way you’ve grown up. I have one clean son and one messy. So, who knows? I see a lot of people now who are neurodiverse and have anxiety. They don’t put things in a spot. I do a lot of clutter coaching. As a society we're so busy and stressed. We’re not focused on keeping our homes tidy.

Do you teach people how to address backsliding?

I don’t do maintenance programs; I teach clients to maintain themselves with one-to-one coaching. A lot have shopping (issues). A lot of clients hear my voice in their head when they’re shopping at the store or trendy purchasing on social media. As one service I take the stuff with me. I don’t let them sit around and look at the box.

Do you address hoarding?

I help people with chronic clutter, but not mental health hoarding. I belong to a group in the area and we can refer clients to each other.

Do you deal with the opposite – people with OCD?

I have a certain way of micro-organizing. I do that with people when they are not home and I make it look nice.

Is Marie Kondo your hero?

I don’t know if I’d say if she’s my hero, but I’ve read all her books. Clients can have a problem with her. She says get every article of clothing out, but it’s too much for them. One room at a time is how I do it, versus one category. I definitely value going through everything; as an occupational therapist I can identify what kind of person they are when I meet them.

Any tips you can share?

Get started on organizing first. Just start; don't look at the big picture. Low hanging fruit – look around at things you don’t need to be in your space, like trash and recycling. Don’t buy things and think you’ll get organized. It’s just more clutter. I see a lot of abandoned bins.

Ann Fisher is a freelance journalist based in Saco. She can be reached at 432-7483.