Creating Calm and Inspiring Change With Heather

How organizing can help us find clarity, and connection

Finding clarity in the everyday: Heather Clement, founder of OrganiZEN, taking a mindful moment to plan and organize, bringing calm into her home and work.

Finding calm in the chaos

I started OrganiZEN in the summer of 2024, during a time when life felt anything but organized. The name came easily — part wordplay, part intention.

For me, organizing isn’t just about tidy closets or color-coded bins. It’s about creating space — mentally, emotionally, and physically — to breathe, think clearly, and reconnect with what matters most.

“Organizing isn’t about perfection — it’s about clarity, intention, and the calm that comes when we take control of what we can.”

Organizing has always brought me a sense of calm and control. In my mind, everything has a place. Setting up systems is second nature. Finding a document from ten years ago or a piece of décor tucked into one of a hundred bins in the garage isn’t luck; it’s logic.

Completing a new project, whether in my own home or a client’s, fills me with accomplishment and a quiet joy.

Balancing life, work, and zen

As a mom of six (two, ages 11 and 16, still at home), a partner I live with (with two kids, ages 7 and 10, also at home), and someone balancing a full-time job at the University of Iowa, I don’t always feel zen.

My days are full — sometimes overflowing. But I’ve learned that peace isn’t a destination; it’s a daily practice.

Each morning begins with a cup of coffee, a few deep breaths, and ten to thirty mindful minutes organizing my inbox, calendar, or workspace. That small ritual grounds me in the present moment and sets the tone for a day of calm focus and intention.

The transformation that starts with space

Through OrganiZEN, I’ve seen how creating order can spark transformation.

Clients rediscover cherished items, release old weight, and find joy in what once felt overwhelming. I’ve witnessed tears of relief, not from discarding possessions, but from reclaiming control, clarity, and possibility.

Moms preparing their children’s first homes away from home have entrusted me to create warmth and stability — and in those moments, I feel the ripple effect of calm and care extend far beyond a single room.

“Organizing doesn’t just change spaces — it changes lives.”

Clients often tell me they feel lighter, more focused, and more connected with their families. The work we do together is not only practical; it’s empowering. Clutter no longer weighs on them; clarity allows them to show up fully for themselves and others.

Calm as a form of courage

Moments of discomfort and fear have only strengthened my resolve. I see now that small acts — organizing, helping others, showing compassion, and using our voices — matter.

They ripple outward, creating connection, understanding, and change. Even in uncertain times, each intentional action counts.

I find hope in small rituals: clearing a space, sharing a laugh with my family, or guiding a client as they reclaim both order and confidence.

These moments remind me that we all have the ability to bring clarity and care into our worlds. By grounding ourselves, we can show up for others with courage, patience, and compassion.

Organizing as a way of being

Organizing is more than neat shelves and labeled bins — it’s about aligning our inner and outer worlds, cultivating clarity, and creating spaces that allow calm and resilience to flourish.

It’s how we build steadiness in ourselves so we can meet the world’s challenges with open eyes and open hearts.

We cannot control everything outside our doors, but we can nurture calm, clarity, and intention inside them.

And in doing so, we inspire others to do the same. In a world that often feels chaotic, each mindful act — each small moment of care — brings hope for ourselves, our families, and the communities we touch.

About the author

Heather Clement is the founder of OrganiZEN, a professional organizing business based in Iowa City. She helps clients find calm, clarity, and confidence through intentional spaces and mindful systems designed to make life flow more easily.

Learn more at iaorganizen.com or contact Heather at iaorganizen@gmail.com or 319-325-7903.