Meet Cathy Orr By ShoutOut DFW

By SHOUTOUT DFW

Professional Organizer & Life Simplifier

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cathy Orr and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cathy, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?

I am a very organized and focused person. I put one foot in front of the other and keep moving. I don’t think this habit is a magic secret and I think anyone can live life this way. Because I am in the organizing business, perhaps my skills are more honed. But, I can teach this to anyone.

Every time a person comes to visit me from out of town, and stays at my house, they say my life is so relaxing, easy. Yet, I work on my businesses many hours each week (40-60).

What is my secret? My house is completely organized, I am on top of tasks, and I live in the present moment. The secret is that I don’t let a lot of excess into my life (junk, too many commitments, etc.) and remain focused. When people leave my house, I can tell that I’ve influenced them because they start paring down the minute they get home.

This habit provides me more time to do the things I enjoy (yoga, reading, spending time with loved ones and friends) and less time chasing my tail.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?

I own The Uncluttered Life and Life Hack Decks with my daughter. I am a mom of two adult children, grandma, cat mom, wife, daughter, sister and close friend. I am a yogi and a person who focuses on an inner connection to myself. I meditate regularly and try to quiet my mind so that I can think clearly at all times. I am methodical. All these things got me where I am today.

Aside from my business, I also give back. I have rescued a cat that developed mast cell tumors at less than a year old. He was not expected to live. I have dedicated myself to keeping him healthy, happy and alive. He is now 6.5, one of the only living cats with this condition that has lived this long. Maybe in the entire world. That is the type of person I am. If you’re with me, you’re with me for life.

I am an expert in Medicare, and have volunteered with the State of California and the State of Texas in their HICAP Program (federally funded). I have a MA in Medical Anthropology, am certified as a Patient Advocate, and have an MS in Health Policy and Law. While all these things seem random, they aren’t. Instead, they all focus me toward one goal. Helping others, fighting for those in need, and seeing ways to achieve more by reducing stress and clutter. I believe in paying it forward.

Nothing in life is easy. It’s our dedication that sets us apart.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

I am a quiet person. I like a quiet dinner out, early. When friends come to visit, I am not particularly a tour guide, but I do show them a good time. When my best friend comes to visit, whether it’s in Texas or in California, we walk. A lot. We talk. A lot. We catch up. We visit. We cook together and we spend time sharing our thoughts. And we have quiet time, too.
When I lived in California, I didn’t run her all over Orange County, San Diego or LA. Instead, we went to the beach and walked miles. We walked at Salt Creek Beach, at the park, on Balboa Island. We walked in downtown San Clemente and maybe Laguna Beach. It’s wonderful just to spend hours walking with someone, meandering, feeling connected.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

My yoga instructor of 20 years deserves a shoutout. Her name is Diana Christinson, and she is a wonderful woman in Southern California who teaches about energy, movement, and focus. She inspires me.

Marie Kondo has been a big inspiration because she is focused on living a simpler life.

Karen Kingston, the author, inspires me. I love her book, Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui.

My daughter is an inspiration to me because I can see her kindness reflected in her son’s eyes. She and I work together and she has a lot on her plate.

I admire anyone who leads a life of “one foot in front of the other,” doesn’t need a lot of recognition, yet gets up and tries their best every single day.