Di Ter Avest shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Di, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day set the tone for everything that comes after. With the kids back in school, I’ve shifted my schedule a bit to create a smooth, intentional start that works for all of us.
I wake up and start with my own small wins: making my bed and tidying my bedroom. I encourage the kids to do the same—it’s a simple habit that brings a sense of order and accomplishment before breakfast even begins. Then, I get dressed, ready to greet the day fully, not half-asleep and still in pajamas.
Next comes breakfast, the family’s favorite part of the morning. Our menu is classic comfort: fried eggs, bacon, fruit, toast, or oatmeal. While cooking, I try to keep the kitchen organized, putting things away as I go so the mess doesn’t pile up. After we eat, everyone pitches in to tidy up their dishes and any stray items that wandered into the kitchen or living room.
With breakfast behind us, we pack bags and lunches, double-check school items, and make sure nothing essential is left behind. When everything runs smoothly, I finally get a few quiet minutes for myself: checking emails, reviewing my calendar and planner, and confirming that I have time to tackle my top three priorities for the day. This little window of control and clarity makes the chaos of the day ahead feel manageable.
But here’s the real secret to a calm morning: it actually starts the night before. Doing the dishes, setting out clothes for the next day, prepping lunch ingredients, or even tidying common areas the evening prior takes so much pressure off the morning. Those small steps create a rhythm that makes mornings less of a scramble and more of a launchpad for success—my version of success, tailored for a busy family.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Di! I’m a lifestyle coach for moms, and I help busy women create order in their homes while also taking care of themselves. I developed the Organize Yourself Healthy (OYH) method, which combines practical home organization with habits that support personal well-being.
Through my OYH approach, I teach moms how to declutter, set up systems that actually work for their family, and carve out time for self-care—all without feeling overwhelmed. What makes my method unique is that it’s not just about having a tidy home; it’s about building routines and spaces that help you feel calm, focused, and in control of your life.
Right now, I’m working on empowering moms through my OYH Club, a community where we tackle home organization, share lifestyle tips, and help each other stay consistent in creating homes and lives that feel balanced and manageable. It’s all about practical strategies, real-life solutions, and a little bit of encouragement along the way.
I also run Di is Organized, my professional home organizing business in Baltimore, MD, where I bring these strategies to life in homes across the area.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world happened almost 17 years ago, in September 2008, when I moved from Brazil to the USA as an au pair to learn English. Leaving my home country, my family, my friends, and everything I knew behind was both exciting and terrifying. That experience taught me the value of courage, adaptability, and stepping into the unknown.
As an immigrant, I learned to see the world through multiple perspectives. I developed empathy for people navigating change, patience with myself as I adapted to new customs, and a deep appreciation for opportunities that come from taking risks. That journey still influences how I approach life today—whether I’m helping moms organize their homes, manage their schedules, or create systems that work for their families, I carry the lesson that growth often happens outside your comfort zone.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most in my life is the fear of being judged—because of my accent, my “not-so-perfect” English, or simply being different, an immigrant. For a long time, I worried that others would see me as less capable or competent. But now I see that this fear doesn’t define me. In fact, it has become one of my greatest strengths, reminding me to approach life with courage, embrace my uniqueness, and connect with others authentically—because being true to myself matters far more than trying to fit someone else’s mold.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version of me is definitely the real me—but social media doesn’t show the full picture. I love sharing my life, my tips, and the little wins (and sometimes struggles!) of being a mom and a lifestyle coach, but there are plenty of personal moments I keep private. The busy mornings, the behind-the-scenes planning, the quiet moments with my family—those things stay just for us. Social media is just a peek into my life, not the whole story, and I think that’s a good thing. It lets me connect, inspire, and share while still keeping space for the parts of life that are just for me.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What will you regret not doing?
What I’ll regret not doing is spending enough time with the people I love. Life is so short, and those moments—laughing together, sharing stories, making memories—are the ones that really matter. Work, projects, and to-do lists will always be there, but time with loved ones is precious and irreplaceable, and I want to make sure I never take it for granted.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.organizeyourselfhealthy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/organizeyourselfhealthy/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diisorganized/
