In the fall of 2023, I spent some time back home on the East Coast with my family. One day, I helped my dad sort through items that had been in the house since I was a kid. What started as a simple project turned into a meaningful experience: I heard stories about my childhood and my dad’s family that I’d never heard before, and by the end of the day I felt like I knew my dad better. I also noticed something shift in him — he seemed to be looking at his home of nearly thirty years with fresh eyes.

Through decluttering with my dad that day, I realized how powerful it can be for people to feel truly supported by the spaces they live in — to be surrounded by objects that are functional and meaningful, and to release the ones that no longer serve them.

My goal with Alignment House is to help people experience that same shift: to see space in their home instead of clutter, and to come home to an environment that feels grounding and life-giving. I believe there is something therapeutic about letting go, and equally therapeutic about being surrounded by belongings that reflect who you are now and support the life you’re living. My role is as much about holding space for the emotions that come up during the process as it is about creating systems that leave you with a more organized home.

I moved to Anchorage full-time in 2020 after several summers of working seasonally in Cooper Landing. I hold a Master’s in Social Work and have spent the last five years working in nonprofits in Anchorage. Outside of my work, I enjoy biking in all its forms, creating textile arts, and skijoring with my dog, Howdy. I feel grateful every day to live in such a beautiful place and to be surrounded by such a supportive community.