Frequently Asked Questions
What is clutter?
Clutter is a natural part of life. Just like the rest of nature, humans are cyclical. There is no final end-point where one no longer has clutter. Clearing clutter is an essential part of life. Finding clarity anew throughout life is essential as well.
We develop problems when we can’t or don’t know how to properly clear the many facets of clutter from our lives anymore. This is very understandable in this day and age of consumerism and information overload, as well as in a post-war/pending-war age where unhealed generational trauma stacks up on top of each other.
That being said, here’s what I’ve boiled down the meaning of clutter to, after years of studying and working with this concept:
Delayed decisions
Too much of something in too small a space
Information constipation
Unprocessed emotions (commonly grief and anger)
Stuff, thoughts, and emotional patterns that are no longer in alignment with who you are, nor who you are becoming
One final important note: What was once not clutter can become clutter later in life. A few examples are the belongings of a loved one who has passed on, or ingrained core beliefs that you learned in childhood but don’t stand up to experience in adulthood.
What does clarity look like?
The belongings, people, mindsets, environments, chosen values, and beliefs are all in alignment with who you are right now, as well as who you are becoming.
Why is it so important to clear clutter?
Problems with clutter happen when we don’t know how to maintain the healthy in-and-out cyclical flow of life.
Most people who reach out to work with me are at a point where their clutter is weighing them down, or holding them back. They have reached the “Aha!” moment of realizing how much their clutter and lack of clarity and direction is negatively impacting their lives.
Why can’t we just focus on the stuff?
You certainly can, but it won’t foster long lasting success, and/or it will take much longer to produce lasting results. And, you won’t be getting as much value for your money.
I’m here to serve people who want to let go of deeper levels of clutter other than just physical clutter. (It’s actually all one and the same!) In order to do that, you will have to acknowledge how “clutter” shows up mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually.
There are many professional organizers who focus solely on stuff, and who are excellent at it. If that’s what you’re looking for, that cool! But we wouldn’t be a good fit.
What makes Sara Valverde Consulting different from other organizers/coaches?
There are essentially 2 types of professional organizers. The first type comes into your space and organizes everything for you. It’s relatively painless and quick. It also makes for excellent entertainment! (Think Netflix shows.)
But everything will go back to how it was in no time - because the underlying issues with why disorganization and clutter happened in the first place, were not addressed. The focus is on the symptoms and not the problem.
The second type is an organizer that works alongside you, chugging away session by session, as you simplify, reorganize, and gain new skills. I worked this way for many years. However, I moved away from it, because the source of the problem was still not the primary focus. It’s also a very slow, even arduous process, that doesn’t have to be. And it can become very expensive.
Onward & Upward offers an evolved approach. It is a potent and efficient method that synergizes both professional organizing and coaching, that sets people up to live in clarity for life!
What does working with Sara look like?
There are 3 ways to work with me:
Organizing/coaching sessions. Heads up: Just completing this application alone may give you a lot of insight into your clutter challenges!
Clutter-to-Clarity Church every other Sunday at 11am (Starting October 12, 2025!). Join our online community where I offer accessible, expert coaching.
Self education through Sara’s digital products and online courses (Coming soon!)