The Art of Decluttering

When my kids were little we had a zoo membership and used to try to visit every few weeks. The challenge was the zoo was too big for us to see everything, every time. So we created themes for each visit.Australian animals... animals that are bigger than we are... animals that live in water... white animals. It made an otherwise potentially overwhelming zoo visit into a fun themed visit.In your decluttering you might play this game on your own, or with your kids... "let's see if we can declutter 3 red things". Or you might set yourself a theme of just decluttering broken toys in the backyard, or 5 novels you've already read, or large pieces of unused furniture. Instead of just seeing decluttering as a room by room, or space by space job, get creative and see what categories you can use to see your home with fresh eyes and tackle decluttering from a new perspective.You're invited to join my Free 5 Day Wardrobe Declutter Challenge!You may also like to listen to these episodes:Fresh EyesObject PermanenceObligationAnti GoalsJoin our communityBecome a Patron – your monthly donation makes a huge difference to me being able to produce this podcast. Donations can be as little as $1 a month!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple PodcastThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Murphey's Law says as soon as I declutter this thing, I'm going to need it""I knew it would happen that I needed this once I got rid of it, that's why I keep everything"Confirmation bias is processing information by looking for, or interpreting information consistent with your beliefs. So even though you got rid of 100 items in your big declutter and you haven't needed 99 of them, the one that you could have used a week later is the one you focus on and confirms what you've always believed, which is if you get rid of something you'll need it.It's also biased by the fact that even owning that item is fresh in your mind. Had you not handled it and made a decision about it, you might have completely forgotten that you owned it and been able to solve your current need in an alternative way.Instead of leaning into confirmation bias in your decluttering, use these questions to help you realise that just because you 'could' have used it doesn't mean you 'should' have kept it.- What is a possible alternative solution?- Is there an alternative item I could use?- Could I borrow it from someone?- What is the cost of not having this item anymore? Is it catastrophic or just annoying?Solutions might look like using an alternative item that you already own, it might be that you genuinely need to purchase the item again (rare but possible) or maybe the thing you're trying to do doesn't actually need to be done and you can let the task/ job go completely.When you're tempted to keep things just in case, or you've decluttered something you could use, think about the full picture of your decluttering rather than through the lens of confirmation bias.You're invited to join my Free 5 Day Wardrobe Declutter Challenge!You may also like to listen to these episodes:Fresh EyesConsumerismObject PermanenceADHD Series: Adult Diagnosis and Managing a HouseholdJoin our communityBecome a Patron – your monthly donation makes a huge difference to me being able to produce this podcast. Donations can be as little as $1 a month!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple PodcastThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Last week I attended the funeral of a client who had become a friend. I had the privilege of visiting with her in palliative care in her final days and during our short time together she shared some reflections on her relationship with her 'stuff'.After a lifetime of struggle with severe clutter, what she shared with me was so insightful and I believe will be helpful for many others.An episode you don't want to miss!You may also like to listen to these episodes:ConsumerismValuesObligationGrief & GratitudeJoin our communityBecome a Patron – your monthly donation makes a huge difference to me being able to produce this podcast. Donations can be as little as $1 a month!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple PodcastThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There’s no doubt the digital revolution has changed we way we store, keep and access information in our homes. If you think about all the physical ways we kept information only 30 years ago, so many have been replaced digitally… but have you also decluttered the outdated physical items in your home?Today explore some things in your home that have been replaced by technology and be challenged to declutter the physical items which are no longer needed because you're now using an app or device for the same purpose.Think things like street directories, business cards, paper calendars and much more.You may also like to listen to these episodes:Physical PhotosDigital PhotosDevicesDigital LifeBusiness & Loyalty CardsJoin our communityBecome a Patron – your monthly donation makes a huge difference to me being able to produce this podcast. Donations can be as little as $1 a month!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple PodcastThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whether you've lived in your home for 4 months or 40 years, stepping back and seeing your home with fresh eyes will help you make decluttering decisions from a new perspectiveHave you ever decided to list your house for sale then all of a sudden started to see your home with fresh eyes? You may start to notice all the things you’ve happily lived with for years: the grout in the bathroom is dirty, the gutters need replacing and the concrete driveway is falling apart. It’s the reason so many people do up their house for sale then wish they could stay living there themselves – but you don’t have to move to start afresh, you can do some simple improvements instead. Begin by seeing your home with fresh eyes.Use the principle of 'fresh eyes' to see things you've become so used to you don't even notice. Is there a piece of furniture in your lounge room that is superfluous? Do you have items on your bench or countertop that just make it feel cluttered and could easily live in a cupboard? Maybe there are old photos or art you no longer love cluttering up the walls. Are there broken kids toys in the backyard or a washing line you don't use? How can you use fresh eyes to create a home that you feel great in now, and not just one day when you prepare your house for sale.You may also like to listen to these episodes:Object PermanenceLisa Woodruff from Organize 365Bigger Living, Smaller Space with Judy Granlee GatesJoin our communityBecome a Patron – your monthly donation makes a huge difference to me being able to produce this podcast. Donations can be as little as $1 a month!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple PodcastThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How full is your garage? Are you running out of floor space? Do you feel like the garage walls are closing in on you? Is it hard to find items in your garage?If you answered yes to any of these questions, it might be time to declutter your garage.The garage is a space that can easily attract clutter. Sometimes it’s easier to put things away in a place where we don’t spend much time. But over time, items pile up, making it impossible to access your space, let alone move around without knocking things over.In todays episode learn the 5 steps to decluttering your garage and organising it like a pro. Tips around storage, how to use the space and the benefits of storing your car in your garage (novel I know!) If you are someone who has managed to fit your car in the garage as a result of decluttering, make sure you let us know in our Facebook group!You may also like to listen to these episodes:Garage/ShedGarden OrganisingNuts & BoltsSports EquipmentInside Your CarJoin our communityBecome a Patron – your monthly donation makes a huge difference to me being able to produce this podcast. Donations can be as little as $1 a month!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple PodcastThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever been struck by the complete opulence of consumerism? Like smacked in the face by it to the point where it makes you feel sick in the stomach?Consumerism is "a social and economic order that encourages the acquisition of goods and services in ever-increasing amounts". Consuming and purchasing things you don't need in compounding quantities... will not make you happy or satisfied or fulfilled. It will cause you stress as you have to earn the money to pay for these things, then store them in your already full home.Today explore the traps of consumerism as well as some alternatives that don't require you to completely give up buying things but allow you to be intentional in how you consume with you being the boss, without consumerism dictating your choices.What else could you do with the time and money you mindlessly spend on the ever-increasing acquisition of goods?You may also like to listen to these episodes:Engaged or EntertainedObject PermanenceValues with Laurie PalauObligationJoin our communityBecome a Patron – your monthly donation makes a huge difference to me being able to produce this podcast. Donations can be as little as $1 a month!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple PodcastThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week marks 6 years of The Art of Decluttering podcast!! To celebrate we use the traditional gift of iron (the metal, not the home appliance) to learn more about decluttering.Iron has 5 primary properties, each allows insight into the world of Professional Decluttering and Organising.Lustrous "reflecting light evenly and efficiently without glitter or sparkle"At The Art of Decluttering we serving all clients equally without judgement. We don't aim to bring glittery perfection, but practical freedom from clutter Ductile (of metal) "the capability of being easily modified to suit other conditions, needs, or uses"We change to suit client needs. Sometimes tough love in a session is needed, sometimes a soft gentle touch, sometimes slow, other times fast.Malleable "capable of being changed so as to fit new uses or situations : flexible, adaptable."Flexible and adaptive to the types of sessions our clients need. We provide services for overwhelmed parents, downsizers, clients moving house, hoarding, busy professionals, physical and psycho-social disabilities.Silver Grey "Grey is a flat colour and silver often has a reflective property to it"We bring a special touch to all we do, we want to leave you free from clutter but also with renewed purpose, increased capacity, more time, freed up money, excitement about the futureMagnetic "iron can form magnets or be attracted to magnets"We connect with you - we understand you. Whether through the podcast, newsletter, social media, book, sessions, courses, we want you to know you’re not alone and we’re here to help however we can.Remember too that clutter is magnetic so creating homes for items will stop piles appearing and flat surfaces attracting things that don't belong on them.Join our communityBecome a Patron – your monthly donation makes a huge difference to me being able to produce this podcast. Donations can be as little as $1 a month!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple PodcastThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you sometimes pick up your kids from childcare or kinder and wonder how the educators managed to get 32 three year olds to tidy up, clean their own plates and put the blocks away before moving on to playing with something else?Today I chat with one of my team Freya, who as well as being an exceptional decluttering and organising expert is an early childhood educator. Freya shares the tricks of the trade that you can implement at home or in your own childcare setting. Freya has run a family day care program in her home as well as working in childcare and now is a kindergarten educator. Her kids are now in primary school and she's reaping the rewards of her implemented wisdom and experience.From storage and organisational ideas to tips around engaging pre-schoolers and using routine and setting expectations I guarantee there is something in this episode for everyone.If you don't have pre-schoolers in your life, make sure to share this episode with a friend who does, they'll be so grateful!You may also like to listen to these episodes:ADHD Series: Occupational Therapy, Strategies and ToolsExtra Curricular ActivitiesLunch BoxesDrink BottlesSchool UniformsSchool BagsJoin our communityBecome a Patron – your monthly donation makes a huge difference to me being able to produce this podcast. Donations can be as little as $1 a month!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple PodcastThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A bit of a philosophical episode today - when we purchase things are they for our engagement or our entertainment? How can we be intentional in choosing engagement or entertainment to meet our needs and align with our values?Engagement requires thought, encourages intention, is purposeful, sparks creativity, creates memoriesEntertainment is often single-use, requires your passive attention, is done for you, and requires someone else's creativityThere is a season for both, today be encouraged to be intentional about when you need engagement and when you need entertainment. Do you sometimes buy something or spend your time and energy on entertainment, but what you really need is engagement and then end up feeling empty and unsatisfied.You may also like to listen to these episodes:Object PermanenceValues with Laurie PalauJoin our community Become a Patron – your monthly donation makes a huge difference to me being able to produce this podcast. Donations can be as little as $1 a month!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on FacebookJoin my Facebook groupLeave a review on Apple PodcastThank you to my sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.