10/08/2026
“Fantastic international networking!”
I have known Vesse for a very long time in Nottingham, and I felt really honoured that, knowing what I do, she turned to me for some advice and support when her Mum died in Bulgaria earlier this year.
Clearing a family home while grieving is hard enough as it is, without having to find precious time and costs to travel abroad.
I knew that she would need company and support with expertise and more importantly local knowledge when it came to sensitively working through her Mum’s belongings.
There is only so much we can ‘bring home’.
The costs and practicalities are limiting and then there is the question of how much space we have in our own home too.
I reached out to other APDO members who advised me to contact a Professional Organiser called Maya Rooz, now living in Cyprus 🇨🇾, who volunteered for https://www.apdo.co.uk/
as the International Liaison Officer for 3 years.
She came back to me straight away and said that although she doesn’t know anyone in Bulgaria she put me in touch with Mǎdǎlina Preda who is the leader of the Professional Organising Association in Romania. https://acopromania.com/who-we-are/
Mǎdǎlina Preda, in Bucharest, Romania 🇷🇴(about 6 hours drive to Sofia, Bulgaria, or 1 hour flight), said that her team could travel, but she also offered to assist by ‘trying to identify someone in Bulgaria who could provide local support, guidance and knowledge of donation options, charities and community organizations.’
“You reaching out to me is a wonderful and considerate gesture.
Having to navigate both grief and the practical realities of clearing a family home can be incredibly overwhelming, especially when doing so from another country.”
Mǎdǎlina
The outcome was that Vesse was connected with
Marieta who is fluent in English, works f2f and online. Marieta was also recommended by an APDO member.
Marieta Ivanova | KonMari Gold Consultant
She is the owner of Simple Joy, part of the Marie Kondo franchise/method, in Bulgaria 🇧🇬
https://konmari.com/hire-a-consultant/consultant-profile/?consultant_name=Marieta-Ivanova&id=118215&srsltid=AfmBOorslSmENTx-ujYT6hqMwaRkfkwoujoF12olyTqz_Jec_PDt4aKV
www.simplejoy.bg
It was Sylvia who is part of her team in Sofia that worked alongside Vesse to clear her Mum’s apartment.
The importance of a common language and local knowledge is imperative.
“Huge thanks to APDO member Pauline Webb, https://www.apdo.co.uk/member/pauline-webb.html Madalina Preda and also to the KonMari experts Marieta Ivanova and Sylvia from her team.
They listened with care and understanding, signposted to relevant services and communicated brilliantly.
Sylvia supported and helped me to empty the flat after my Mum's passing away while I was also busy with finalising its sale.
With the support (f2f and online), in UK and Bulgaria I managed to decide which items to keep, to gift, to donate to local charities and commercial companies or recycle.
It was very emotional and difficult at times but now I feel with a clearer mind I am ready to continue my journey in life with love, hope and care.
I travelled back with carefully chosen things to cherish here, use straight away, repurpose, gift to friends and relatives and keep as heirlooms to enjoy as part of my heritage.”
Now I'm able to focus on other important things in life, family, work, rest etc.
All that was/is part of my grieving journey, is getting clearer, lighter, much less painful. Thank you Pauline, Madalina, Marieta and Sylvia!”
“The suitcase and the pile of things next to it is what I've chosen to bring from the flat to our home in UK. All beautiful and useful things, lots of them handcrafted by my Mum or Granny. The photo with me meditating and doing yoga is on the beautiful rugs handmade by Granny. Was such a comfort and brought joy in these difficult times.”
Vesse.
I am so proud to be a Professional Organiser, a member of Who We Are | APDO and to have been able to be a part of, as Vesse said, such ‘Fantastic International Networking’!!
I work face to face with clients in Nottinghamshire in legacy clearing and other areas of decluttering and organising but there are many members of APDO all across the UK and beyond. They can be found on the website on the Find an Organiser page.
Find an Organiser | APDO
If you,or anyone you know, might benefit from support in this or any other situation, please share this post and get in touch. 🌺
