Hello, I'm Lila, the creator of The Tokyo Mindful Organizer. Tokyo has been my cherished home since 2011, but my journey has woven through many different corners of the world.
From a young age, I grew up seeing my grandmother and mother meticulously organize their homes, create meals from scratch, and even sew their own clothes. As a result, I learned the value of cooperation and contributing to household chores as a child. This early exposure to order and proactive help extended into my teenage years, when I naturally gravitated towards organizing parties and events for my friends.
My curiosity and love for expression led me to study Communications Sciences, with initial dreams of becoming a journalist. For a short time, I worked as a reporter, an experience I cherished for the opportunity it gave me to share stories and connect with people. However, the demanding and often unpredictable schedule wasn't sustainable for me in the long run.
While my career as a reporter was brief, it cemented my love for clear communication and understanding people's needs. This passion ultimately guided me to the fast-paced environment of TV production, where I worked as part of an Executive Producer's crew, and where organisation and communication were paramount.
After, I pursued my interest in business by studying Marketing and working for various corporations, including well-known restaurant chains, spa salons, and gym chains. During this time, alongside my corporate roles, my entrepreneurial spirit led me to create my first startup: one of the pioneering e-commerce platforms in South America.
Later, I took on the ambitious project of creating and owning a restaurant. I was involved in every aspect, from designing the initial concept and crafting the menu to meticulously overseeing the interior decoration, establishing efficient operations, and managing all aspects of the logistics.
New York City, view from The Empire State Building
Before making Tokyo my home, I lived and worked in New York City, an experience that broadened my horizons and allowed me to connect with people from all over the globe.
A significant chapter in my Tokyo story began in 2013 when I established Trustworthy Housekeeper. Over the years, my dedicated team and I proudly served clients across all 23 wards of Tokyo. This experience was invaluable, providing me with a firsthand understanding of the diverse layouts and unique needs of homes throughout the city.
I learned specific techniques for effectively cleaning Japanese houses and apartments of all sizes. More importantly, it allowed me to connect with a wonderful community of people from diverse
nationalities, professions, and occupations.
We built our reputation through dedication and strong relationships, growing primarily through word-of-mouth referrals in the days before social media became dominant.
This experience truly cemented my understanding of the practicalities of creating a comfortable and well-maintained home in Tokyo, especially for those navigating a new culture and sometimes language barriers.
Life took a beautiful, transformative turn in 2016 when I became a mother. This precious responsibility brought a new perspective and a profound awareness of the importance of a nurturing and organized home environment. As I embarked on the incredible journey of raising a new life, I unfortunately lost the father of my child and faced the challenge of raising my little one primarily on my own.
Navigating those early years of motherhood, particularly without close family support in Tokyo, became a pivotal period. It led me to discover the grounding practices of Zen meditation and breathwork. These became essential tools for finding balance, resilience, and well-being during a demanding time.
Today, I’m deeply grateful to share a joyfully balanced life here in Tokyo with my small family and friends. This foundation of personal peace and happiness is a wellspring for my work, fulfilling my passion to help others cultivate similar harmony in their own lives and homes.
"These became essential tools for finding balance, resilience, and well-being during a demanding time."
Tokyo Neighbourhood
The profound link between a calm mind and an organized life isn't just a service I offer – it's the very foundation of my approach, a truth I've discovered through my own transformative journey.
My passion for sharing this understanding has led me to immerse myself for years in studying diverse organization methods from around the world, ranging from the elegant simplicity of Western and Asian Minimalism to actionable techniques like the FLY Lady method, the focused approach of Project 333, the 3-box method, the 12-12-12 challenge, the 30-day minimalism game, the 90/90 rule, Swedish cleaning, Noriko Ida's approach, and the systematic efficiency of the Japanese 5'S methodology. This extensive exploration included the inspiring time-honored techniques used by Japanese mothers, as well as the wisdom of figures like Motoko Hani and “Fujin no Tomo.” It was an amazing journey of discovery that solidified a fundamental truth for me: No matter our origins, all humans share a deep-seated desire to declutter, tidy, and organize their homes, lives, and minds, striving to create a personal space.
I believe our heart is our true home—a place that transcends geography and culture. Helping others create a space that reflects this sense of belonging is at the core of my work.
When people ask me where I’m from, I often pause. Having lived in many different places, I carry within me a beautiful blend of cultures and experiences. This mosaic shapes how I see the world—offering me diverse perspectives and endless possibilities that I now bring into my work and life in Tokyo.
As an immigrant, I intimately understand the joys and challenges of building a life in a new country—sometimes exciting, sometimes lonely. I speak English and Spanish fluently, and continue to grow in Japanese.
I remember vividly what it felt like to care for a newborn without family nearby, and I know how important it is to have a helping hand. This empathy is at the heart of the services I offer.
I created The Tokyo Mindful Organizer, The Global Organizer and The Bio- Spatial Synchrony to support expats, families, and new mothers in creating homes that bring them calm, clarity, and joy. Drawing from my diverse background—as a communicator, entrepreneur, mother, and global citizen—I bring both practical strategies and heartfelt understanding.
Above all, I show up not just as a professional, but as a fellow human and a neighbor