05.03.2025 Ifenna Ekezie 1754

"Order is an answer to the challenges of our time"

"Order is half the battle", they say. For some, order is the key to structure and clarity, for others it feels like an endless challenge. But why is that? And how can we create sustainable order without being overwhelmed by the pressure to be perfect? 

Verena Weinzierl is Co-Founder & CEO of Ordnungswelt - a network of various experts on the topic of tidiness. In our interview, she explains why tidiness is much more than just tidying up, what obstacles prevent many people from doing so and why the first step is not to declutter - but to achieve mental clarity.

Can you tell us something about the history of Ordnungswelt? What motivated you to found this company? 

Verena Weinzierl: Without realizing it, "order" has been with me my whole life. Through Marie Kondo and her Netflix series 2020, I realized that this is an answer to the challenges of our time!  

"You might think that's a tall order, but let's think about it for a moment: Our society is going through a challenging time. We live in a world that is both analog and digital. Everything has become faster. The number of topics and things we have to deal with has increased exponentially over the last few decades. It was clear to me: we have to make the topic of order socially acceptable.  

So in 2022, I spoke to colleagues who had already made a name for themselves in the market and they shared my motivation. Ordnungswelt was born. For us, it's not just a company - it's the result of our personal journeys, our values and our desire to create change. 

Because order is far more than an individual need - it is a skill that is often underestimated in our society. Ordnungswelt provides answers to questions about chaos and order and offers a wide range of solutions. From experts to knowledge and motivation.

Which "organization project" has challenged you recently?  

The biggest challenge for me is to reconcile my need for order with that of my child. My home is my retreat, where I try to create a structured, almost minimalist environment to find peace from the chaos of everyday life and recharge my batteries.  

However, children learn by playing and discovering. Finding a balance is one of the most difficult things for me. But I am happy to take on this challenge, as it always shows me new facets of order.    

Why is order so important for our well-being? What does order do to us? 

Order is far more than just an aesthetic concept. It is a foundation for our mental and emotional well-being. Our environment has a direct influence on how we feel, think and act. A clear, tidy environment gives us a sense of control and security, while chaos often has the opposite effect: inner turmoil, stress and a feeling of being overwhelmed.  

Order not only creates space on the outside, but also mental clarity. It reduces the stimuli that our brain has to constantly process and allows us to focus on what is really important.  

Studies show that a structured environment can reduce stress hormones, while disorder is often associated with an increased release of cortisol. This means that people who live and work in an orderly environment feel more relaxed, focused and productive.

But order is also a question of self-efficacy. Those who bring order into their lives experience that they can actively shape things - and that has an enormous psychological effect. It's not about chasing after a perfect ideal, but about creating structures that make our lives easier.
This is precisely why order has such a huge impact on us. It gives us space to breathe, think and grow - and that's exactly what we need today more than ever before.  

What are the most common challenges people have when it comes to tidiness? 

Creating and maintaining order often sounds easier than it is in everyday life. Many people fail not because they can't tidy up, but because they don't have the right approach or struggle with emotional, structural and practical hurdles. The most common challenges are:

1. lack of time and everyday stress 

Many people aim to tackle the issue of tidiness, but everyday life often leaves little room for conscious routines. After a long day at work or a busy family life, tidying up often falls by the wayside. The mountain of unfinished tasks grows and this is enormously stressful. Because without clear routines, tidying becomes a mammoth task instead of a fluid part of life. 

2. emotional attachment to things

 Emotional memories, the feeling of "I might still need it at some point", a guilty conscience because something was once expensive or was a gift, prevent people from getting rid of clutter. But it is precisely this baggage that makes tidying up difficult in the long term and turns it into a current burden. 

3. unclear systems and lack of structure 

Without fixed places for objects or clear routines, disorder arises again and again. Especially in families or shared households, clutter often arises because everyone understands and implements order differently. 

4. the feeling of being overwhelmed 

Anyone who has not dedicated themselves to the topic for a long time will at some point be faced with a huge mountain of tasks - and won't know where to start. This feeling of being overwhelmed often means that people don't even get started.  

5. perfectionism and false expectations 

The self-made pressure of having to create a "perfect" order gets in the way for many. As a result, they are either never satisfied or don't even start because the demands are too high. Our social beliefs play a central role here: for example, the image of women and what tasks they "have to fulfill" are important building blocks as to why order has such a false image

What is the first step if I want more order?

The first step is a conscious decision: order does not start with boxes or new storage solutions, but with inner clarity about what order means to you and what purpose it should fulfill in your life. Without this clarity, tidiness often remains a short-term action that quickly dissipates. 

1. before you start, ask yourself the question: Why do I want more order? 

Is it about having more peace in your everyday life, feeling better or being more productive? The clearer your goal is, the more sustainable your order will be.   

2. start small, but with focus 

A common mistake is to want to change everything at once - this often leads to excessive demands. "The house needs to be tidied up now." Such a large project is often doomed to failure. Instead, choose a small, manageable area that you can implement immediately. This could be a drawer, a corner in the living room or the bag you use every day. 

3. it's all about decisions!  

Tidiness doesn't come from simply rearranging, but from reduction and clear decisions. Ask yourself with every item: Do I really need this? Do I use it regularly? Do I enjoy it? Anything that doesn't clearly answer yes to these questions is a candidate for sorting out.  

4. routines must suit you 

Order is not a one-off project, but an ongoing process. Sounds exhausting, but unfortunately it is. Start with small, recurring routines that fit into your everyday life - for example, five minutes of tidying time in the evening or a weekly mini decluttering session.

Do you have a special tip for people who feel like they are drowning in chaos? 

Get help - and don't let fear dominate. 

Many people believe that they "have to" be able to keep things tidy - but this is often a serious misconception. Tidiness is a skill, not a given. Just as not everyone is naturally good at cooking, painting or programming, some people find it difficult to keep things tidy. And that's perfectly fine! 

This is exactly what we want to give people in the world of order: If you feel like you're drowning in chaos, it doesn't mean you've failed. It just means that you need support - be it from an outside perspective, a clear strategy or someone who can tackle it with you. 

The important thing is: don't just start when you're "ready". Don't let fear, shame or perfectionism stop you from taking the first step. And sometimes you just need someone to take you by the hand and show you that it's easier than you think. 

Keyword "order in old age": What aspects are particularly important here? 

This is an exciting topic that is being dealt with by a separate group of experts within the world of order. 

As we get older, not only do our needs change, but so do the demands on our living environment. Tidiness in old age doesn't just mean putting things in their place, but above all designing the home in such a way that it supports safety, comfort and quality of life. Keyword:
Accessibility, safety, less clutter, better quality of life, but also digital organization and document management 

While other age groups are already more responsive to the services offered by order experts, senior citizens are still more cautious. After all, it's about making decisions: Which things really bring joy? Which memories can perhaps be preserved in other ways, for example through photo books or digital archives? 

Order in old age is not an end in itself, but a form of self-care. It provides security, makes everyday life easier and gives space for what really matters. If you create clear structures early on, you can enjoy your home with more ease in later years - and rest assured that everything has its place. 

Benefit from our cooperation with Ordnungswelt 

Ordnungswelt is a network of various experts in the field of tidiness who help to make your own home tidier and therefore more homely. 

By working together with Ordnungswelt, pme Familienservice offers you the opportunity to receive professional support from experienced organization experts. And the best thing is: users of "Mein Familienservice" save €50 on the first booking of 3 hours! 

You can find further information on the offer in the My Familienservice service portal. 

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