My career change provides a welcome sense of order and happiness

Two years ago, my work as a luxury car driver for an online ride-hailing platform, which I did for four years, was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

I considered changing my job, as I am a practical person and enjoy keeping things tidy.

As I do all the housework at home and am obsessed with cleaning, I decided to become a home space organizer

I have gained a strong sense of happiness and achievement, as clients can quickly see the results of my work.

I worked in the army for two years, a role that required discipline and order. There were stringent requirements on where certain items could be placed.

A popular television show in Shanghai focused on renovating people's homes — usually extremely small properties — to meet the daily needs of a big family. As a home space organizer, I am happy to fulfill such a role.

One case I dealt with involved a couple with impaired hearing who lived with their two children and the husband's mother. Their apartment occupied less than 30 square meters, and my colleagues and I had to edge our way carefully past boxes and other items when entering their home.

In rearranging the space, we created an area in the middle of the bedroom so that the toddler had a mat to crawl on and his elder sister had a bed of her own. The girl used to share the lower bunk of a bed with her grandmother, as the upper bunk was full of possessions.

After we finished our work, the couple said they were able to use all the basic functional areas in their home for the first time.

We guide clients in keeping possessions that are useful and valuable to them in daily life, or to which they are emotionally attached.

Many people are initially hesitant about using our services. However, they warm to our work when they begin to see changes to their rooms, as they prefer a comfortable and tidy space to live in.

I suggest that people regularly organize the space in their home. This work can be likened to those who need to burn calories after continually eating food, in order to avoid becoming obese.

I believe male and female organizers have their respective advantages. For example, males are more familiar with tools and electrical devices, while females are better equipped to deal with women's clothing and cosmetics.

After visiting many homes crammed with far more possessions than the occupants need, I am trying to make my own life as clutter-free as possible.

I now have little desire to obtain possessions — for example, I only buy four pairs of shoes a year and wear simple clothes.

Guo Zhenhua was talking to Zhou Wenting.