My Career: ‘I work with people to make their home work for them... to make it smile again’

Sun, 08 Feb, 2026 - 11:40

Name: Terri O’Callaghan

Age: ‘In my calm over chaos era!’

Lives: Douglas, Cork.

Job title: Professional Organiser, Decluttered by Terri

Salary bracket: Varies - depending on projects I’m working on and location of clients. No two jobs or days are the same.

Education background:

Distinction in Diploma: Human Resource Management.

Certificate in Professional Organisation.

Merit in Diploma: Business Administration.

Hobbies: Travel, reading (autobiographies, classics, current affairs), walking, documentaries.

Describe your job in five words: Rewarding, engaging, varied, empowering, designing.

Describe yourself in five words: Outgoing, creative, empathetic, passionate, determined.

Personality needed for this kind of work?

Non-judgemental, confidential, empathetic and genuinely invested in helping people.

Whether it’s a whole home declutter or wardrobe transformation, people often contact me with overwhelm or anxiety about their space. It’s my job to turn their chaos into calm and transform their space, wardrobe or office.

I empower and educate them with the life skills so they can manage this, going forward.

How long are you doing this job? four years.

How did you get this job?

Having left school, I moved to London for study, work and travel. This allowed me to fuel another passion - travelling.

My extensive travelling has been a great source of learning and development, both personally and professionally.

I undertook roles both in the public and private sector, including technology and pharmaceutical. I enjoyed learning and interacting with a varied group of professionals. This refined my interpersonal and customer service skills.

I returned to Cork and spent the next decade working in a large multi-national company, supporting various HR systems and the head of department. During this time, I gained qualifications in Human Resources, which furthered my career.

During the later stages of this career, I began to look at my passion for creativity and organisation. I recognised the time was right for a new chapter in my life.

Decluttering and transforming spaces have always been passions of mine. Having a passion is one thing, embracing it is another.

I decided then it was time to get out of my comfort zone and embrace new experiences and learnings. I was ready to start my business.

My first step was to gain a professional qualification. This was the springboard for me to launch my business, ‘Decluttered By Terri’.

I am professionally rewarded by the positive impact my business has had for so many. I look to the future with confidence, determination and joy.

And I can truly say that I’m more fulfilled now than I ever have been in my job – I absolutely love what I do.

Do you need particular qualifications or experience?

As part of my continuous learning, I invested in a professional organisation qualification. I’m a firm believer that a qualification forms the basis of a new opportunity.

I have always been a great organiser and someone who enjoys helping and guiding others. Indeed, I was the ‘go to person’ when friends or family were moving house and needed help getting organised! I feel these experiences helped give me the confidence and belief to set up my business.

Organising, wellbeing and mindfulness have always been passions of mine. I love working in all areas of decluttering; emotionally, mentally and physically. I promote a healthy and balanced approach to what I do.

Describe a day at work:

I spend my days meeting people, typically in their homes or online for virtual sessions where I turn chaos into calm.

I help people to declutter, organise and transform their living space in a structured, supportive way.

I work with them to make decisions, make practical systems and help make their home calmer and easier to live in. I make the home work for them and make it smile again.

I teach people the life skills of doing this themselves going forward. And at the end of the session, decluttered items are taken away for donation.

How many hours do you work a week?

It varies greatly depending on size of projects, client requirements, and location, and whether a job is in a client’s home or online.

Is your industry male or female dominated?

Traditionally, it’s largely female-dominated, but there are some male-run businesses as well. It’s great to see the different perspectives as, after all, no two homes are the same.

Does this affect you in any particular way?

Not particularly, especially as most of my client base is female.

Is your job stressful? How? Rate it on a scale of 1-10:

I would say 3. Like any job, there are times when things are very busy, especially when I’m working to a tight deadline. Overall, I manage my time well and as a self-employed business owner, I have great flexibility so can manage pressure well.

Do you work with others or on your own?

I usually work on my own directly with clients. At times, when I’m working on a large project, I would have someone work with me.

When do you plan to retire or give up working?

I don’t have any plans and don’t see this changing any time soon! I love what I do and as long as I can keep doing it, I will keep going.

Best bits:

The opportunities, the difference it makes for so many, on so many levels, the wonderful people I meet from all walks of life, and the fantastic feedback I receive.

Worst bits:

Hearing how clutter has impacted people’s lives and how they have been stuck in a situation and they didn’t know where or how to change their situation.

Advice to those who want your job?

Be adaptable, you need to listen while maintaining empathy and genuinely love working with people.

Any other comments?

Clutter can affect anyone at any stage of their lives, sometimes we can handle it, sometimes, it’s more challenging. Remember to take it step by step and there is great help out there for you.