KATI
My clients come to me for 3 simple reasons.
1— They understand that they need help to declutter and organize their home and lives.
2—They want to get it done as quickly and efficiently as possible so they can live their ideal lifestyle as soon as possible.
3—They’re tired of trying it on their own, only to get overwhelmed and stuck in the process.
I help people declutter and organize their homes so that they can leave overwhelm, embarrassment, and shame behind and feel proud instead.
Who am I exactly?
Hello, I’m Kati Carrapa, and I’m so glad you are taking the time to read through my About page! ☺️
As you can see in the picture, I loved playing Lego Duplo with my younger sister when I was little. 🤓
I grew up in Germany, in the beautiful city of Bamberg (in Bavaria). Everything that we owned had a purpose and a home. Maybe because of this, it comes naturally to me that every item needs a home. Using this strategy helps my mental health immensely now that I live in a much larger city.
I enjoy examining a space and developing a strategy to create an organized and beautiful home that brings clarity and calm. On top of that, it’s fun for me! It excites me! 🙌🏼 I see the possibilities and the journey to accomplish my clients’ dreams.
“It was a relief to have Kati's assistance with unburdening all the stuff and clutter that had taken over my life in recent years. Her gentle and kind spirit, as well as her ease and sense of humor, made it feel as though I was just going through my piles of stuff with a close friend.”
— LYNDA F., HOMEMAKER CEO | QUEENS, NY, USA
Creativity and organization are my happy place.
Since I was very young, I have loved art and expressing myself creatively with my hands: drawing, painting, crafting, weaving, sewing, pottery, baking, cooking, and gardening. Somehow, there is such power in using my hands to make something and seeing and feeling (!) the before and after. It’s a very similar satisfaction when decluttering and organizing someone’s home with them. It’s magic because not just the space is different than it was before, but my client is as well.
From pastoring to tidying
Before I became a Professional Organizer and certified KonMari Consultant, I worked as a church pastor. I felt called to guide people in their spiritual healing journey, and I chose this route in my early 20s. I come from a long line of pastors on my dad’s side, and I had a huge curiosity about diving into the original texts of the Bible and getting my BA and MA in theology. But my favorite part was always building deep connections with people and guiding and counseling them. Helping them sort their thoughts and emotions and how they relate to faith and life. Honestly, it was also a kind of tidying back then, but not with my hands.
I still created lots of art for friends and family. I also decluttered, organized, and redesigned homes while working for churches and various Christian organizations in Germany and abroad. However, although I loved doing it, I never thought about doing it professionally.
A life-changing a-ha moment
It took me moving across the ocean from Berlin (Germany) to New York City (USA) with a container full of things to slowly realize that most of my belongings were burdening and draining my life. Although I was great at keeping everything organized and tidy, it took so much effort and wasn’t quick and easy to maintain all the things. Above all, each time, we were moving again.
It was a really big wake-up call to realize that I never knew to ask if all the things actually sparked joy for me. I just held on to every single item because I felt obligated. When I heard about the KonMari Method® for the first time in the spring of 2015, my mind was blown away. “What, asking about what sparks joy and not what can be discarded?!” 🤯 That was a huge a-ha moment for me. 💡
Since then, I couldn’t stop asking myself, “Does it spark joy?” This new framework changed my way of thinking and living. I realized that working as a church pastor didn’t spark joy for me anymore. I wanted more. I wanted to have enough time to work with only a handful of people on a very deep level instead of preaching to the masses. I needed to go back to using my hands to create before and after moments. Teaching people the KonMari Method® became my calling. With it, I have the privilege of supporting people on their inner and outer healing journey as it relates to their home, and this is so deep. Above all, when my clients also have a therapist they love, and are able to make emotional connections and have the skills of reflection.
Ready to take action?
A FEW MORE FACTS
1. MULTICULTURAL
I’m originally from Germany. My husband, Daniel, is from Portugal, and we met through an online dating platform while we were both living in our countries of origin back in 2011 (with no Tinder and other fancy apps). After a long-distance relationship, he moved to Germany, we got married, and 2014 we moved to New York City. Our big lifestyle vision is to live and work in the US, Germany, and Portugal and discover more of the world.🌎
In the picture, we’re at the Brooklyn Botanical Garden - one of our favorite places in the city.
2. INCLUSIVE
I grew up in a very conservative family and church (German Baptists). I worked as a missionary, went to Bible School, have a BA and MA in Theology, and am a trained pastor and wedding officiant. My dad came out gay when I was a preteen, and after years of living between the love for my dad and the "rules of the church," I decided that love wins. That's why I am inclusive. Working with me is a safe space - it doesn't matter what sexuality, gender identity, ethnicity, or religion you have.
In the picture, I had the honor of officiating my cousin's and her wife's wedding in Germany.
3. ADVENTUROUS
I'm curious, love new experiences, and push the limits of my comfort zone. For that reason, I have an ever-growing bucket list. I've already done a few things. The biggest was galloping horseback on the beach (see picture), zip-lining through the treetops, sky diving, and climbing one of the big bridges in Portugal. I also love traveling and getting to know other cultures. Dearest to my heart were the experiences of working and living with Native American and South American tribes in the US and Argentina (the Lakota and Wichí). There is so much to experience, and I am a lifelong learner and appreciate that I could visit 20 countries and meet their lovely people.
“Kati gave me the encouragement and gentle kick in the rear I needed! The best way I can describe it is like hiring a personal trainer for my house. Everyone in my house is happier now. I feel less stressed. It's been the best investment for my whole family. I wish I had done it years ago.”
— SARAH PETERS, TECHNOLOGY MARKETING MANAGER | HAZLET, NJ, USA
