10 Things You Didn’t Know About Professional Organizer and Clutterbug Founder Cassandra Aarssen

Cassandra (or you can call her Cas-she’s totally cool with it), was born and raised in Chatham, Ont. but she currently resides in Windsor-Essex. From there she’s been sharing free education and decluttering ideas on YouTube, Facebook, and other online platforms. Under her official brand, Clutterbug, she has now helped more than 500,000 families transform their lives through the power of organization.

Related: HGTV Canada Stars Reveal What They Love Most About Being Canadian

Cas wasn’t always an organizer extraordinaire. In fact, she says she used to be kind of a slob. “I was always a complete and total disaster. I’m still a recovering super-slob,” she says. “I didn’t figure out my organizing style until my late twenties and let me tell you, it was really life changing. I’m a macro-organizer. I need fast and easy systems (lots of labeled bins and baskets) in order to keep my home tidy and organized. If something is hard to put away, I probably won’t.”

When Cas figured out how she could make neat and tidy fit her specific personality, she went on a mission to teach others to do the same. She now has four books under her belt, including her most recent tome, The Declutter Challenge, which was published in April. “I am so grateful I took that leap, because writing is now one of my greatest passions,” she says. “I’m not a naturally organized person. I know what it’s like to feel the shame of a messy, disorganized home. I’d like to think my empathy and passion to help comes through in my writing.”

Related: These 16 Home Library Designs Are Every Book Lover’s Dream

It’s hard for any HGTV addict to pick just one favourite show, especially for someone like Cas who admits that it has always been her absolute favourite channel. But if pressed, she’d probably have to go with fellow Canadians, Drew and Jonathan Scott, as her faves. “I’m a sucker for the before and afters. If I had to pick just one, I would have to say Property Brothers,” she admits. “I’m a sucker for handy and design-savvy men.”

If you take one thing away from Cas’s Instagram, let it be that design doesn’t have to be expensive in order to be pretty (or functional). Cas often shares DIYs that she accomplishes with a few dollar store items, and it gives us serious #craftinggoals envy. Take this beautiful Scrabble-inspired art installation that she made, which pays tribute to all of the important people in her life.

Related: 12 Cheap and Cheerful Ways to Perk up Your Rental Kitchen

Colour us impressed that Cas has a TED Talk under her belt. Had she decided not to reach for the stars and go for her dreams, she admits she probably wouldn’t have had the success that she’s had. “Success doesn’t come from planning, researching or doing things perfectly,” she advises. “It comes from trying, failing and then trying again. Consistency is key to making your dreams come true.”

As a self-professed recovering slob, Cas is well aware that everyone requires different strategies to bring organization into their lives. What works for one person might not work for another. In order to achieve success, the first step is to go with the flow. “The biggest mistake is not setting up a home for the way you and your family naturally organize,” she says. “My advice would be to discover your style and make sure you understand how the rest of your family organizes too. It’s all about setting up systems that will work for everyone.”

Related: 10 Marie Kondo-Inspired Organization Essentials That Will Spark Joy

If you ask Cas what kind of an organizer she is, she’ll tell you right away that she’s a Ladybug. It’s not that she has an affinity for the little red bugs necessarily, but that’s how she describes her personality when it comes to decluttering and organizing. “Despite your love of all things pretty and clutter-free, Ladybugs can struggle to use daily organizing systems that require time and effort,” she explains on the Clutterbug site. “Traditional filing cabinets, containers with lids and really micro-organized systems are difficult for Ladybugs to use on a daily basis.” Find out what organizer you are by taking Cas’ Clutterbug quiz.

If anyone understands that not all family members fall into the same personality categories, it’s Cas. She says that most kids, organizationally speaking, are Butterflies (including two of hers), but her husband is “a hardcore Cricket.” According to her that means that he’s detailed and a perfectionist, qualities that aren’t exactly in line with her macro-organizing, Ladybug brain. “He has compromised in the shared areas of our home,” she explains. “It’s much easier for a micro-organizer to embrace a less detailed system than it is for a macro-organizer to try and be really detailed. He still goes Cricket crazy with his own paperwork and tools though.”

Related: 10 Bedroom Organization Tips That Practically Do the Cleaning for You

Cas is one proud Mama Bear. It’s clear how much she loves her brood from her Instagram page (and the amazing way she’s designed each one of their rooms), but being a mom also helps her empathize more with families. Especially young ones that are constantly fighting the chaotic existence that is life with kids. In turn, she’s able to deliver targeted, organized spaces that have been helping families of all sizes put some kind of order back into their lives for years now. And it’s definitely part of what make her such a pro at this.