THE ART OF TIDYING UP: PILAR
We would like to introduce you to Pilar Quintana, professional space organiser at the Valencian company Ordenarte, a pioneer in the sector. The company’s activity consists of tidying up, organising and optimising spaces. In addition, Pilar gives courses to train people who want to dedicate themselves professionally to organisation. She is also the author of the “16-week challenge to tidy up”. We have been talking to Pilar about tidiness, the importance of knowing how to get rid of things we don’t need and how she decided to found the company, among other things.
Why is it important to have order?
Tidiness is fundamental both on a professional and personal level. When a person is organised on the outside, it is easier to start organising on the inside. I always say: “Before organising your life, start by organising your home”. And I have found that it works.
The Ordenarte website talks about “Learning to tidy, throw away and optimise space with the help of a tidying expert”. How important is throwing things away in the Ordenarte philosophy?
Learning to throw things away is vital in any organisation process. Although in reality it is more about learning to get rid of things, not to be attached to material things, not to accumulate.
Can people who are messy learn to be tidy, and what is your experience of this?
Of course they can: tidiness can be learned. Me, for example. I used to be a mess, I lost my mobile phone and my keys twice a year. Now I’ve learned that everything has a place and order almost takes care of itself.
Is it enough to be a tidy person to be an expert in order?
No, of course not. There are people who have a ‘gift’ for tidiness and there are those who have studied the techniques. To be a tidiness expert you have to know how to deal with the client, have empathy and know how to offer each person the solution that best suits their needs.
For many, the first tidying expert we heard of was Marie Kondo, who recently premiered a programme on Netflix. What impact has Marie Kondo and “Let’s tidy up with Marie Kondo! had on the sector?
Marie Kondo’s book, “The Magic of Tidying Up“, was a turning point. People started to get to know this profession, new companies started to appear (in fact, I had twice as many students in my training as the year before!) and our service started to become ‘normalised’.
You have recently surpassed 10,000 followers on Instagram. How has confinement affected Ordenarte’s activity? Has interest in order grown over the last few months? Why do you think that is?
Yes, the truth is that I can’t complain. The confinement has been very good for me as far as social networking is concerned. I think this increase is due to the fact that people have spent more time at home, they have had time to do those tasks they had been doing for months. We have all had the opportunity to enjoy our home more than ever and to realise what we like and dislike most and least about it.
During confinement we have done things we don’t normally have time for: cooking, reading, sport and… tidying up! I think that’s where Ordenarte’s boom in networks comes from.
You have worked as a journalist in some of the most important media in the country. When and how did the idea of starting a business come up? Why Ordenarte? Why in Valencia?
Well, I studied Journalism at the CEU University of Valencia and finished my degree in 2012. When I left university and saw that there was no work, I decided to move to Madrid to study a Master’s degree and extend my student life. After two years in the capital working as an intern in different media, I returned to Valencia to become an entrepreneur and set up a company.
A few days after moving back to my mother’s house, and with all the free time in the world, I started to tidy up every corner of the family home. My mother, who is not Diogenes but is very close to him, had a magnificent idea: “Pilar, why don’t you set up a business and tidy up other people’s houses and leave mine alone?
And so I did. I got certified as a Professional Organiser at Marla Dee’s Clear & SIMPLE school (an organising guru in the USA), and in September 2015 I set up my own professional organising business. Ordenarte is now a reality thanks to a visionary mother
ORDENARTE IN GARAGE COWORKING
Much of your work (if not most of it) is not office work, but takes place in private homes.
Why did you decide to work in a coworking space? Have you been at Garage Coworking for a long time? What made you decide to come here, and what do you like the most?
I work in clients’ homes, but like all freelancers I have a lot of office work as well. When I started out I set up an improvised ‘office’ in my house, but after 6 months I realised that I needed to get out of my house.
For me it is important to have a schedule, a routine. When I was at home there were days when I didn’t even get dressed and anything distracted me (the dog, the fridge, the TV…).
I’ve been at Garage since March 2018 and I’m delighted with the colleagues, the light in the office, the good vibes, the paellas on the roof, the recording studio, the meeting rooms, the location… We can’t miss the opportunity… In coworking, your workspace is always impeccable.
Can you give us some guidelines for a tidy workspace in an office? Tell us something that should always be on an office desk and something we should do without.
The most important thing on an office desk is to have a good paperwork system. Place some trays (the ones that apply, for example). One will be your ‘inbox’, where you will put all the papers that come in. Another tray will be your ‘to-do box’, where you put all the things you haven’t had time to do today. Every day it should be empty and the next day we will start the day there. Another one will be your ‘filing tray’; there we will put all the papers that we have to put in our file.
And so on, place a tray for each category we need. Everyone will need a different number depending on their needs.
Finally, and to get to know you a little better, if I wanted to look for you one summer afternoon, where would I find you?
Surely in Cullera, with my lifelong friends having a beer at the beach bar! 😉 By the way, Ordenarte’s training courses are very well received, so if you are interested in any of them, keep an eye on their website and social networks. It gives off energy and vitality. Our homes (and our coworking) are in good hands. Thank you, Pilar.
Want to know more about Garage Coworking?
Visit: Garage Coworking Valencia
¡Ven y conócenos!
Si quieres saber más sobre por qué, aquí te dejamos algunos tips a tener en cuenta
Los servicios gratuitos que ofrecemos son amplios:
- Puesto fijo 24/7 no rotativo con el que tendrás tu propia llave con el fin de que puedas trabajar en él hasta un domingo a 21:00
- Zonas de cafetería con todo equipado para que no tengas que salir del coworking (microondas, cafetera, nevera, despensa..etc.)
- Mesas kilométricas (2x1m). Todas las mesas del coworking están pensadas para que tu comodidad sea la prioridad
- Sala de reuniones Un espacio diseñado para ofrecer la máxima comodidad para recibir a clientes y generar impresión positiva, que sabemos que a veces son determinantes
- Estanterías y Armarios en los que podrás guardar todo lo que necesites. Preocúpate solo de dejar algo de hueco para el que venga
- Zona relax para que puedas darte un break del trabajo en la terraza de nuestro ático creativo
- Terraza Chillout. Donde se celebran nuestros afterwork (Cuando la época lo permita)así quue, úsala para tomarte un respiro, una cerveza, almorzar o incluso para recibir a tus clientes en un sitio algo más informal.
- Aire acondicionado y calefacción. Para los más frioleros y los más calurosos.
- Recepción de paquetería y correos. Si necesitas que envíen correos o paquetes , nosotros nos encargamos por ti.
Si resulta que te hemos convencido, escríbenos por whatsapp, mándanos un correo o visita la web: https://coworking-valencia.com/
Come and meet us!
If you want to know more about why, here are some tips to keep in mind
The free services we offer are extensive:
Fixed 24/7 non-rotating position with which you will have your own key so that you can work in it until a Sunday at 9:00 p.m.
Cafeteria areas with everything equipped so you don’t have to leave the coworking (microwave, coffee maker, fridge, pantry…etc.)
Kilometric tables (2x1m) All the coworking tables are designed so that your comfort is the priority
Meeting room A space designed to offer maximum comfort to receive clients and generate a positive impression, which we know is sometimes decisive Shelves and Cabinets where you can store everything you need. Just worry about leaving some space for whoever comes
Relaxation area so you can take a break from work on the terrace of our creative penthouse
Chill out terrace Where our afterworks are held (when the season permits) so use it to take a break, have a beer, have lunch or even to receive your clients in a more informal place.
Air conditioning and heating For the coldest and the hottest.
Parcel and mail reception If you need them to send mail or packages, we will take care of it for you.
If it turns out that we have convinced you, write us by WhatsApp, send us an email or visit the web: Garage Coworking
