Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria and Clutter
Do you experience intense anxiety when you feel someone is criticising or rejecting you? It may be that you have Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria (RSD). Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria is a common aspect of ADHD and related neurodivergent traits, many of which have a strong correlation with a tendency to struggle with clutter. My focus here is […]
Ten ADHD hacks I didn’t know I’d built into my decluttering process
I recently watched an episode of the Late Bloomers podcast called THE ADHD Hackers: 10 unhinged hacks that actually work for your brain. It was full of practical, slightly chaotic-sounding tricks that ADHD brains use to get things done when willpower alone doesn’t cut it. And as I watched, I found myself nodding along, not […]
Loss aversion: one reason letting go feels so hard
What is loss aversion, and why it matters I suspect many of you are familiar with struggling to let go of something, even when you know you no longer need it. Well, there is a well-established psychological reason for that. It is called loss aversion. Loss aversion describes our tendency to feel the pain of […]
Bedtime habits for a tidy home: why evenings shape your space
Do you ever wake up already feeling behind? Before you have even made a cup of tea, are you mentally scanning the kitchen, the hallway, the chair with yesterday’s clothes draped over it? Do you find yourself starting the day in reaction, dealing with what was left unfinished? That feeling of being behind before the […]
The broken window effect and why clutter spreads so easily
Have you heard of the Broken Window Theory? It emerged in the early 1980s in urban studies as a way of explaining how small, visible signs of neglect can influence behaviour. The original observation was simple. If a building has one broken window left unrepaired, it subtly signals that no one is paying attention. Over […]
Another fine mess: what Laurel and Hardy can teach you about clutter
You might think clutter is just about too many things. It isn’t. It is about an inner conflict; the kind that happens inside your own mind. Laurel and Hardy – the iconic comedy duo whose mismatched personalities caused endless chaos on screen – are a perfect metaphor for what happens inside your mind when you’re […]
Emotional dependence on clutter: 8 subtle signs to look for
As I define clutter as ‘decisions that haven’t been made’ it becomes problematic when we our possessions evoke such an array of emotions. This is because, in order to make decisions, we our executive function available to solve the problem of clutter. I was recently asked to contribute to an article about addiction to clutter, […]
How clutter ties you down
A recent conversation with a client has stayed with me. She described her experience with clutter as feeling like Gulliver in Gulliver’s Travels – how clutter ties you down feels like being pinned down by countless tiny ropes, completely unable to move. We both recognised the power and truth of that image straight away. It […]
When order overwhelms: autism and the hidden challenges of clutter
For some people, a cluttered home is just a sign of a busy life. But for many of my clients with autistic traits or on the autism spectrum, clutter carries a much deeper story – one of overwhelm, protection, meaning, and sometimes even pain. If you’re autistic (or think you might be), and you struggle […]
Why do I have no motivation to declutter? 7 psychological barriers and how to overcome them.
People often ask me, ‘Why do I have no motivation to declutter?’ This is a key question, because clutter is decisions that haven’t been made and action that hasn’t been taken: in other words, clutter is the result of procrastination and distraction. And the main reason we procrastinate is lack of motivation. Therefore, understanding why […]
Why a disorganized home triggers anxiety, and how to address it.
Have you ever found yourself overwhelmed when you see clutter and mess everywhere? Just the sight of scattered papers, unwashed dishes, and clothes in disarray can create a sense of chaos and stress. Perhaps it has even led to arguments with others because it bothers you more than it bothers them. You are not alone; […]
Living with clutter is like living with debt
With inflation on the rise and growing economic uncertainty, it can be tempting to hold on to things with the thought that ‘this may come in handy one day’. Maybe we can justify having seven corkscrews or four potato peelers just in case we lose all the others? Or perhaps we should keep all those […]
When it comes to home, do you follow your parents’ example?
Over the years speaking to hundreds of people, I’ve seen how the type of environment we grow up in has a huge impact on how we relate to our home as an adult. The way this manifests itself is complex though. Maybe, if your parents had a cosy, albeit cluttered home, then that may be […]
What your home during lockdown says about you
As a professonal organiser and interior designer who’s also trained in psychotherapy, I’m often asked the same question: what do certain objects or styles of home living say about people? The simple answer is, there’s no simple answer. A particular object or style may reveal one thing about one person and something entirely different about […]
Mindful decluttering: the way to a nurturing and stress-free home
Does the way you use your home help or hinder you to live the kind of life you want? In this blog, prompted by my appearance the Mindful Living Show in 2020, I talk about the difference between mindful and automatic behaviours in the home. I also share some practical ways to get on top […]
Precious memories: when things feel too sentimental to let go
People often tell me they struggle to let things go when they help them connect with precious memories and have lots of meaning or feelings connected to them. I often find it helps to talk for a while in order to better understand what is happening with their attachment to objects and to try and […]
Why it can be so hard to let go of clutter
I’m excited that an article I wrote was recently published on welldoing.com. It’s a look at different ways we can be attached to our possessions and homes and how that relationship can be healthy or hazardous. My particular interest centres around the time we begin separation from our main caregiver. You may know from your […]
Decluttering Boosts Energy – FACT
When our surrounding environment is calm and uncluttered, we invariably feel more energetic, positive and in control. Why? So many reasons! Clutter means unfinished business. It represents decisions that haven’t been made and things that need to be dealt with – which you may not want to face – and indicates a general lack of […]
Overcoming eight obstacles to a clutter-free creative space – pt 2
Welcome back to part two of my blog. In part one I shared some expert tips for dealing with four common barriers that can stop people creating a supportive and inspiring space that will help them fulfil their creative potential. These barriers are: feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to start; distraction and procrastination; lack of […]
Overcoming eight obstacles to a clutter-free creative space – pt 1
As a creative person, you see things differently to other people. You’ve lots of ideas, a great imagination and loads of energy to start things. The downside is you can sometimes be chaotic and not great at completing and finishing projects. The result: you often have a home or workspace that is piled high with […]
Why You Have Clutter: nine possible reasons
Wondering why you have clutter? In over 10 years as a Declutter Consultant and Personal Organiser I’ve worked with hundreds of people in their homes. People in pain, people with too much stuff, people surrounded by chaos, living a state of overwhelm and paralysis. Their home stresses them out and they’re seeking help (from me) […]
Dreaming of a Calm Space : a client’s experience of decluttering
I’m delighted to share this funny and moving blog-poem from one of my beloved clients, published as part of APDO’s involvement with National Spring Cleaning Week. Please comment and let me know what you think. Dreaming of Calm In the twilight of the early morn Through the ticks and the tocks … I’m Space, dreaming […]
Decluttering Is About Unfolding More Than Folding
Marie Kondo’s Book The Life Changing Magic of Tidying took the world by storm, selling over 4 million copies. Everyone I know is talking about it, especially my clients. As a fellow organiser, the wave of interest in letting things go – especially those that don’t bring us joy -has been a welcome inspiration, as […]
Clearing Wardrobe Space for the New You
A good healthy wardrobe declutter can be good for your soul. They’re a great way to mark a transition and start a new phase in your life. Today we’re familiar with the idea of detoxing our bodies and cleansing the liver or fasting for a few days. In the same way, clearing out unwanted clutter […]
How a clear space gives you clarity to make decisions
In this blog, I’ll tell you why dealing with life’s small stuff matters and how it can empower you. I had a great business coach once. I was struggling with the magnitude of all the work I had to do, I was in all honesty overwhelmed! He told me to focus on the big rocks […]