Meet Mai Ingevaldsosn | home & life organizing coach

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

Hi mai, what makes you happy? Why?
What makes me truly happy is love, connection, and a balanced life where work, relationships, and personal joy flow together.
At the heart of everything, I feel happiest when I am surrounded by loving relationships—with my family, friends, clients, and the people I meet through my work. Feeling secure, protected, and loved, and being able to love others in return, creates a warm feeling inside me. That warmth is my foundation.

My work as a home organizer and life coach brings me a deep sense of happiness. Every time I meet a new client, visit a new home, and witness someone’s transformation, I feel excited and grateful. I love seeing how people’s lives shift when their spaces and minds become more organized and peaceful. Before becoming a home organizer, I worked as a nanny and babysitter for many families. I was always surrounded by children, parents, and wonderful households, and I often heard “thank you.” Hearing gratitude has always touched my heart, and it inspired me to give back even more. Today, that same feeling continues when clients tell me how much my work has helped them.

I’ve always loved variety and exploration. Growing up, I knew I wasn’t meant for a typical corporate job. I thrive on new experiences, meeting different people, and visiting different places. My career naturally evolved into something that matches my personality—going into new homes, meeting new families, and doing meaningful work that changes lives. That alignment between who I am and what I do makes me incredibly happy.

Traveling and exploring new places also bring me joy. When I lived in Japan, I loved traveling the world, getting lost in unfamiliar cities, sitting alone at a café, and trying to live like a local. Those quiet moments by myself were precious. Now, living in the United States, I also cherish being surrounded by friends and building community. I believe happiness is a balance—time with people and time with myself.

Simple moments make me happy too—surfing and catching waves, watching movies with my husband, holding hands in bed, enjoying meals at different restaurants, and discovering new cultures and neighborhoods. I love excitement, movement, and learning. Even a long, relaxing bath or meditation time brings me peace. Being calm is also one of my happiest states.

Going through cancer treatment changed my perspective deeply. During chemotherapy, surgery, and recovery, I realized how much love and support I had from friends, family, and clients. That realization filled me with gratitude. Interestingly, many new clients found me during that time without any advertising—they felt connected to my journey and chose me because they felt understood. One client said, “Oh my God, I love you,” the moment we met. That moment filled me with love and reminded me why connection is so powerful.

Love truly makes me happy. Even during difficult times, love teaches me to go deeper, to accept, and to grow. I believe love can transform everything, and I try to share that energy with everyone I meet.

I am also happy because I found my calling. For a long time, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, and I struggled with limitations, language barriers, visas, and many challenges. Overcoming those obstacles made my happiness feel richer and more meaningful. Living abroad was a dream of mine, and now I am here, doing what I love, helping people, and growing every day.

Health and the ability to move my body freely make me happy too. Being able to see, hear, walk, drive, travel, and live independently is something I never take for granted. I feel grateful every day for my body and for the chance to continue exploring life.

Everything that makes me happy—love, connection, growth, variety, calmness, and purpose—is deeply connected to my work. Home and life organizing is not just about spaces; it’s about helping people feel understood, supported, and empowered. My happiness comes from making others feel happier, more peaceful, and more connected to themselves.

And I don’t believe in retiring from joy. I want to keep moving, learning, exploring, loving, and growing for decades. Happiness, for me, is a dynamic, exciting, loving journey—and I am grateful to be living it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My business is called Home and Life Organizing, and it is built on the belief that transforming a home is deeply connected to transforming a life. I don’t just organize spaces—I help people feel lighter, clearer, and more empowered in their daily lives.

What sets me apart is that I focus on people, not just possessions. Many organizers focus only on decluttering and tidying, but I became more interested in how people transform emotionally, mentally, and energetically through the organizing process. My sessions often include gentle coaching, mindset work, and tools clients can use on their own. Sometimes I combine organizing and coaching in one session, depending on what the client needs. This hybrid approach makes my work deeply personal and long-lasting.

I started my business through word of mouth. At first, I didn’t want to advertise—I wanted people to choose me because they felt connected to my message and energy.
Later, I experimented with ads and quickly became overwhelmed. I received many inquiries, but I felt tired of constantly selling myself and working with clients who were not aligned with my values.
Some experiences were very challenging—walking into homes with extreme clutter, emotional resistance to letting go, or difficult living conditions.

Those moments taught me what I didn’t want my business to be.
Over time, I became very clear about my ideal clients: people who want transformation, who are open, cooperative, and ready to grow. As soon as I shifted my focus to deeper life transformation, my ideal clients naturally started showing up. Now, many of my clients request me repeatedly and invite me to work on their entire home. Some even become lifelong friends.

I also believe in genuine, in-person connection. I try to attend interesting local events, workshops, and community gatherings to meet people organically.
I enjoy learning about others, sharing what I do, and offering my business card when it feels natural.
This has been one of the meaningful ways I’ve built relationships and welcomed new clients—through real conversations, not just online marketing.

My journey was not easy. During my cancer treatment, I worried about how I would continue working in such a physically demanding job. At the same time, my husband was struggling with his own health issues and was in and out of the hospital for years. It was a period filled with uncertainty, fear, and deep emotional work.

Instead of giving up, I turned inward. I studied subconscious mind work, belief systems, healing modalities, and personal development. I worked with teachers and mentors, did many healing sessions, and rediscovered who I truly was. What I learned during that time became the foundation of my coaching.
I realized that organizing is not just about homes—it’s about identity, relationships, energy, and purpose.

Originally, I never planned to be a coach. But through working in people’s homes and listening to their stories, I felt called to support them beyond physical clutter. That’s when I rebranded my work into Home and Life Organizing. My clients started coming not only for tidy homes but for clarity, emotional support, and life direction.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that clarity attracts the right people. When I became clear about who I am, what I stand for, and how I want to serve, the right clients found me—often without any advertising. I also learned the importance of boundaries, alignment, and honoring my energy. I am not judgmental, but I believe organizing should be a collaborative, empowering, and enjoyable process.

Another lesson is that our struggles can become our greatest gifts. My experiences with illness, relationship challenges, immigration, language barriers, and starting over in a new country shaped my approach to coaching and organizing. Clients resonate with my story because it is real. Many people told me they chose me because they felt understood on a deep level.

I am most proud that my business is not just about productivity or aesthetics—it is about connection, healing, and transformation. I want the world to know that my brand is built on compassion, authenticity, and growth. My story is about resilience, reinvention, and following a calling even when the path is unclear.

Today, I feel blessed. People find me, introduce me to their friends, and trust me with their homes and lives. My goal is to continue expanding this work—helping people create serene spaces, clear minds, and fulfilling lives, one home and one heart at a time.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend were visiting from overseas—especially from Japan—I would want to show her a mix of California luxury, nature, wellness, and relaxed coastal living. I love experiences that feel beautiful, calm, and inspiring, so our week would be a blend of beach time, healing, great food, and stylish neighborhoods.

Weekend Escape: Ojai, Santa Barbara & Carpinteria
I would start with a weekend trip to Ojai, one of my favorite peaceful towns in California. I lived there part-time for years while working as a nanny, and I’ve watched the town grow and evolve beautifully. One of the families I worked for for eight years recently opened a hotel there, so I would love to stay and support them.

In Ojai, I would take my friend to:
A breathwork and meditation session in the mountains with a famous female wellness practitioner I admire. She recently moved to Ojai after the Malibu fires, and her sessions are deeply transformative.

A spa day and quiet hotel time—something I don’t always do for myself, so it would feel like a true girls’ retreat.
Strolling through Ojai’s boutiques, art galleries, and cafes for a slow, soulful experience.

From Ojai, we would drive to Santa Barbara and Carpinteria for fresh seafood by the ocean. I love the Summerland and Carpinteria areas for relaxed coastal lunches, ocean views, and charming cafés. It’s the perfect place to enjoy California’s beach culture without the crowds of Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Glam: Beverly Hills & Coastal Views
During the weekdays, I would bring my friend back to Los Angeles for a more glamorous experience.
Beverly Hills for luxury shopping, walking Rodeo Drive, and enjoying beautiful architecture and cafés. I

f my friend came from Japan, I would definitely show her the “California rich lifestyle” side—it’s fun and inspiring.
Newport Beach and Laguna Beach for breathtaking ocean views, coastal dining, and art galleries. These areas feel elegant and peaceful at the same time, and I love the scenery.
Malibu would usually be on my list, but after the recent fires, it feels emotionally heavy. Instead, I would focus on Laguna and Newport for that stunning coastal energy.

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?
all the friends supported me from gofundme, all the clients. inner work teachers from Us and also from Japan, body talk teacchers. Emres teachcers, sophie for sound bath, mayly for creating the gofundme , theo, junko working with me, mimi for energy stones, Caro, aimee, minnie, vale and noriko. for groceries and driving . Estella drove from far to come to support me many times. all my surfer friend to play with me. kiyomi, hubby and japanese family etc.. so many ..

Website: https://maiserenityspace.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maiserenityspace

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/mai-serenity-space-home-and-life-organizing-gardena-3

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@maiserenityspace

Image Credits
theo