When Decorah resident Cerrisa Snethen-Murphy originally began working from home at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, she had no idea it would morph into a passion project around one of the major components in her mental health toolkit. Through those complex days, she found herself leaning heavily on home organization.
“I felt so outnumbered by children,” she laughed. “I was homeschooling and juggling working from home. I was pregnant for much of it. And then there I was with an infant, my husband sick with cancer. I was exhausted. And I knew that if I was going to combat the external messes of my life in a way that helped my brain function in a healthier or more creative capacity at home, I needed to learn everything I could about all of these brilliant (and beautiful) new organizational systems.”
“I really and truly realized just how much value there is in clearing the clutter that complicates an already challenging home life. I wanted to eliminate the physical issues that impede an inspired life. I wanted to clear a path at least to a life where I could more easily breathe through and manage one crisis at a time.” Even as the pandemic ended, Snethen-Murphy knew that as a newly busy, single, working mother of three, she was incredibly passionate about expanding her new organizational practices into the homes of other families who could use some systematic support. “I wanted to give peaceful spaces to all of my friends – especially the parents.”
Snethen-Murphy still speaks about the overwhelm that often accompanies family life. “It’s so easy to watch things pile up. Even when we know how it can contribute to mental paralysis, anxiety, and depression. I get it. I want to ease the mental burden that comes with being a person, being a parent, being present. I want to be the one to take on that cognitive and physical effort for you, to remove mental obstacles that can keep us all from daily moments of joy. I love the creativity and tactility of it. I love the way someone takes a deep breath when they come into a space that was formerly too complicated, and suddenly see it as their favorite new hangout or hideaway. Fresh scenery.
Snethen-Murphy took this joy in orderly surroundings to the next level and her new business, Still Life Creative Co., launched this spring. She is ready to pop over and organize home or small business spaces for clients. “Fresh functionality. Fun. That’s what it is for me. It is so fun and so fulfilling.”
She offers a wide variety of services – from single project areas, virtual consultations, complete organizational reinvention of spaces, moving support or even education on organization. Virtual organizing sessions guide clients through their DIY dreams to help gain focus, and she even offers end-of-life organizational services to support families. Snethen-Murphy said, “I know how overwhelming it often is. I know from personal experience. I’m just here to be of service in those incredibly tough times. It helps my heart too.”
Still Life Services aren’t meant to offer a quick fix or a temporary solution. Having our homes temporarily clean is lovely. The added benefit Still Life offers is the creation of beautiful systems that help keep spaces simple. It’s like that old “You give a man a fish…” tale. We don’t want to put band-aids on spaces that actually aren’t functioning. We want them to work for your life. What we do in your storeroom or your mudroom or your garage or kitchen is meant to keep pace with your family and your days. Home really should feel like a hug.”
Still Life is currently booking free in-home or virtual consultations. Find them on Facebook and Instagram for a spring giveaway where “one lucky winner receives the complete refresh of a bathroom complete with beautiful organizational products so that every day feels like a spa day.”
To learn more, visit StillLifeCreativeCo.com.
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