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, […]
10 home investments I wish my clients had made before we started working together

Recently, some of you joined the brilliant webinar with Jane Leach on refurbishing your home. It got me thinking… So often, the planting stage of a decluttering project – where we start organising and styling your home – is so much smoother when some smart storage solutions are already in place. So here they are […]
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 […]
Four questions to ask when decluttering

Asking yourself questions is an essential part of the decluttering process. I believe that clutter is decisions that haven’t been made. Therefore, reflecting on a good question will help you make those decisions and liberate yourself from clutter. 1. What are the positive consequences of decluttering? This is a good place to start. Decluttering is […]
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; […]
Decluttering and organising your kid’s rooms

Decluttering and organising your kid’s rooms is great for you and them. A clear, harmonious space really helps them be calmer and more focused, especially helpful if they struggle with ADHD, autism or dyslexia. But let’s face it, everyone can do with more calm in their life. Plus, teaching them to let go of things […]
Creating a mindful home working space

The key to effective home working is creating physical and psychological boundaries and ways to contain the different areas of your life. These are my top eight tips to doing this. I’ve spoken to quite a few people about working from home during the pandemic. There are many positives: more flexibility, less time traveling and […]
Goodbye paper, hello desk – declutter your paperwork

It’s time to take back control of your desk and declutter your paperwork. It not only clutters up your drawers and surfaces but also drains a lot of mental energy and demands attention. Here are my suggestions for maintaining manageable levels of paperwork in your home. One: reduce the amount of paperwork coming in. The […]
Time to contain the paper monster!

Without a good system, paperwork will invariably pile up and clutter your surfaces and more importantly your headspace. Not only that, when you need something it’s often hard to find and you spend ages sorting through piles of junk. It helps to try and to go ‘paper free’ when you can and reduce the amount […]