The Art of Decluttering

Do you love to treasure hunt? We love treasure hunting with clients! There's nothing quite like the look on a client's face when they find that missing passport or birth certificate or that lost earring they thought was long gone. Some of our clients also love to treasure hunt outside the home - hands up if you too love finding a treasure on the side of the road?! Today we encourage you to look for the gold in your homes when you are decluttering by picking out the treasures and letting go of the rest. We share stories about helping clients find their treasures and coaching them in asking the hard questions when it comes to those roadside treasures too. If you've found yourself with a pile of projects that you've not quite got to yet or you're always losing things then make sure you tune in for all the gold in today's episode.In this episode we;● Define what we mean by treasure hunting in relation to decluttering;● Encourage you to look for the gold in your home and how it can motivate you in your decluttering;● Learn about the time Amy thought she had a priceless antique in her possession and what she learnt from the experience ;● Talk about roadside 'treasures' and give advice on how to be intentional with these;● Highlight that important stuff can get lost amongst the clutter especially paperwork;Things mentioned in this episode and other helpful links:● Free Wardrobe ChallengeDon't forget to jump onto Apple Podcast and leave us a review!!Come into our FB group or email us as hello@theartofdecluttering.com.au to let us know if you have any topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes!Join 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.

*Trigger warning - today we chat about losing your home to a fire, some listeners may find this triggering and choose to skip this episode or listen at another time*Nomes is a longtime listener, passionate member of the Head, Heart & Home Course and all round wonderful person. In March 2018, Nomes tragically lost her home in a fire. Today almost 4 years on from that traumatic experience she tells us what her journey has been like thus far. She has incredible insight to share and lots of wisdom and advice to offer to others on how to navigate such a dark time. So come with us and hear how Nomes' decluttering journey and relationship with stuff was impacted by the fire and how the Head, Heart & Home Course changed her life!! There is so much gold in today's episode that we know you will be touched by Nomes story.In this episode Nomes;● Tells her story and reflects on the aftermath of the fire;● Gives her thoughts around developing a strong connection to stuff due to suffering a tragic loss;● Shares how she was eventually able to let stuff go again;● Offers advice to others on having to declutter after a traumatic experience;● Highlights that some positives came out of the losing everything;Things mentioned in this episode and other helpful links:● Head, Heart & Home CourseTV shows mentioned● Only Murders in the Building● CSIWhere to get help in an crisis● The Salvos● The Australian Red CrossTo Nomes - thank you so much for sharing your experience with us and our listeners. We love you and thank you for always being supportive and encouraging of us and those in our community.Join 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.

**Trigger warning - things mentioned briefly in today's episode such as domestic violence, divorce, separation and death may be triggering for some listeners**When we received a request from one of our listeners (thanks Owen! - go check out his episode 'Sea Change' from earlier this year) to do an episode on estate planning, we knew just who to turn to! Anna Hacker is the National Manager of Estate Planning for Australian Unity and today we give her permission to take over the podcast and share her wealth of knowledge and experience about estate planning. She is passionate about making it easier for loved ones to find the important documents they need and for you to have your wishes for the future carried out in the way that you want.There is so much packed into this episode, so grab a pen and paper as you take it all in.In this episode we;● Discuss what estate planning is;● Explain the roles of wills and power of attorney;● Give examples of documents and how to organise them;● Emphasise that documents need to be easily found and share tips of how to achieve that;● Highlight the importance of getting legal advice;And so so so so much more...We hope from this conversation we all learn something and put a smile on your face!Things mentioned in this episode and other helpful links:● Paperwork Course● Australian Unity● Amy on Anna's Podcast● SAS Australia TV ShowThank you so much to Anna for sharing your time and expertise with us!!Join our community ● Our website The Art of Decluttering● Become a Patron with Patreon – your monthly support makes a huge difference to us being able to producethis podcast. Support can be as little as $1 a month!● Follow us on Instagram● Follow us on Facebook● Join our Facebook group● Leave a review on Apple PodcastThank you to our sound engineer, Jarred from Four4ty Studio Productions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know that shopping bags don't have to take over your house and that they can actually be nicely organised?!Over a week ago Amy posted a video to our socials showing us all her hack for folding reusable plastic shopping bags - well it created quite a stir! We even had our friend and fellow podcast host Mandy from Too Peas DM us on Instagram with her own questions after seeing it. So thanks Mandy, today's podcast was inspired by you!Since grocery stores phased out single use plastic shopping bags a few years ago, people all over the country have been unintentionally hoarding reusable bags. It is very common for us to find said bags stuffed into multiple cupboards and drawers when in our clients homes. We get it, we've all been there, you get to the checkout and the realisation sets in....you forgot your bags! Faced with the choice of becoming a pack horse laden with groceries or buying a new bag most pick the more convenient latter option.Get ready as we delve into what we think about this and how to stop it by putting some helpful steps in place! Enjoy some laughs and giggles with us in your ears today.Oh and if you are a super human and have managed to maintain the condition of those little black plastic bases that come with the green fabric bags please jump into our Facebook Community and show us - we need to know!In this episode we:● Discuss the different types of bags we use and for what;● Ask how do we stop acquiring more shopping bags;● Share ideas on where and how to keep your bags;● Tell you what you can do with the ones you don't need anymore;● Give advice to Mandy (and you) on what to do with those blue freezer bags and how to contain them;● Challenge you to question if you really do need freezer bags and suggest alternate uses for them;Things mentioned in this episode and other helpful links:● Too Peas in Podcast PodcastSpecial thanks to akreviews for your review! Don't forget to come share in the Facebook Community what you do with those bits of black plastic in the bottom of your reusable fabric bags! Oh and maybe write us a review too!Also thanks to Mandy for supplying us with excellent material for the podcast!!Join 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.

With NSW out of lockdown (and Victoria not far behind - we hope!) restrictions are easing for many and the kids are finally heading back to school!!!! This episode is an old one that dropped back in January 2020 - so please forgive past Amy and Kirsty for not knowing what was coming!!! We are bringing it to you as a helpful refresher with getting back to some kind of normal, re-establishing routines and setting up new ones. During this time of massive transition we also strongly encourage you to look after your own mental health.In this episode we;● Highlight that there may be anxiety around returning to school;● Discuss how understanding how your kids is a key to calmer mornings;● Offer lots of suggestions for creating calmer morning routines;● Share our tips for getting out of the house on time;● And so so so so much more...We hope from this conversation we all learn something and puts a smile on your face!Things mentioned in this episode and other helpful links:● Head Heart and Home● Download our form for your kids to fill outThank you Katrina Cutbill and Grateful1965 for your reviews! If you're kids are heading back to school then it's your turn to leave us a review!Join 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.

To do lists...Do you love them or do you hate them?! We cover all the things today, how they can be helpful, do you even need them and most importantly how to declutter them! Come join us for some laughs and giggles as we suggest swapping your to do list for a 'ta-da list' (thanks to Lauren from our community for that idea a few years ago) and help you uncover that maybe what you want out of life is to do less. Big shout out to Rachel Hickingbotham for suggesting this topic!In this episode we:● Share what we call our to do lists;● Offer suggestions on how to declutter your to do lists;● Emphasise you don't HAVE to have a do to list!;● Highlight why to do lists can be helpful;● Encourage you to keep all your to do lists in one place;● Challenge you to question yourself - does what's on your to do list really need to be there?;And so so so so much more...We hope from this conversation we all learn something and put a smile on your face!Things mentioned in this episode and other helpful links:● Paperwork course● Kiki KSpecial thanks to T24 for your review! If you like T24, have been listening to us for 4 years then it's your turn to leave us a review!Join 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.

We are ridiculously excited to have Sammy from Rosella Street with us today! Rosella Street is a marketplace and platform that helps people lower their consumerism and connects them together in a safe and sustainable way. Brought together by their passion for the planet co-founders Sammy, Mick and Dilyar, decided to create a platform that could provide solutions to many of the current problems we see in the world of online buying/selling. We love how beautifully Rosella Street's values align with ours here at The Art of Decluttering and know that you will love, love, LOVE this episode!In this episode we;● Find out what Rosella Street is and how it came to be;● Define how Rosella street is different from Marketplace;● Learn how the platform works and the positive environmental impact it is having on communities;● Highlight the donate and rental features available on the Rosella Street platform;● Discuss all the benefits of a circular economy;● Get an exclusive sneak peak at their plans for the future;Things mentioned in this episode and other helpful links:● Rosella Street Website● Rosella Street Instagram● Rosella Street Facebook● Canberra Innovation Network● Sharing & Borrowing Economy EpisodeThank you so much to Sammy for your time!! We are so excited to be on this journey with you and think what you are doing for the environment and communities is just incredible!Join 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.

This week's episode was recorded on RUOk Day, so we took the opportunity to check in on each other and to have a little chat about how this never ending lockdown is going for us. As you may have noticed our topic for today is self-sabotage. After this theme popped up in a few virtual sessions recently, we decided it was worth a whole episode. We look at lots of good ideas and tips on how you can interrupt this pattern of behaviour, as well as delving into what actually is self-sabotage, what does it look like and why on earth we do it?! We hope you find today's episode to be helpful and empowering.In this episode we:● Discuss what self-sabotage is and what it can look like;● Ask why we do self-sabotage and how often do we engage in it;● Emphasise the importance of learning more about yourself;● Chat about using The Four Tendencies as a helpful tool;● Discuss self-sabotage in the context of decluttering;● Highlight the importance of building habits and putting supports in place;● Encourage you to set realistic expectations and be gentler with yourself;And so so so so much more...We hope from this conversation we all learn something and put a smile on your face!Things mentioned in this episode and other helpful links:● Mindtools.com definition● The 4 Tendencies Quiz● The Four Tendencies Chart● Dylan Alcott audiobook● Head, Heart and Home● Facebook Community GroupSpecial thanks to lashtonz and ms.cnr for your reviews!! We'd love it if you could leave us a review; we love love LOVE hearing from our listeners!Join 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.

Jacqui Cousins has worked as a community mental health nurse for over 15 years. She is also a Mental Health First Aid Trainer and does all the mental health first aid training with our staff. Jacqui loves professional organisers and is as passionate as we are about helping people create a calming environment in their homes, that supports bringing an equilibrium back into their lives. She is so full of passion and wisdom and we are really excited for you to listen in as she shares from her wealth of knowledge and experience as a mental health clinician.In this episode we:● Find out from Jacqui what is mental health first aid and how she became a mental health first aid trainer;● Learn that the decluttering process can often uncover what's going on underneath;● Discuss rituals and the impact they have on your mental wellbeing;● Highlight that we see a correlation between clutter and mental health;● Share some tips on where to go and what to do about taking the first steps if you are struggling with your mental health;● Encourage you to try something to see if it works for you and if not then try something else!;Things mentioned in this episode and other helpful links:● John 10:10b - I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full..● Inside out movie● Jacqui's Business Nursing the Mind● R U OK - community program● Brene Brown● Jackson Galaxy● Beyond Blue●Nurse on CallSpecial thanks to Jac for giving us your time to chat and for sharing all your wisdom and advice with our listeners. Thank you for your support!Join 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.

Guest interview time - today you get to meet Katie! Katie is Kirsty's friend and client and they get chatting about all things decluttering and moving. Katie and her family have moved a few times and are preparing to move yet again, so she knows a little something about how helpful decluttering can be. Be encouraged and uplifted as Katie shares how she went from feeling overwhelmed and uncomfortable in her own home, to her and her husband Cam becoming decluttering superstars resulting in a calmer more organised space that Katie is now proud of. Katie's story is one of amazing transformation and loads of hard work - we know you'll be inspired.You may notice that it's just Kirsty with us today - but don't worry Amy is fine and will be back with us next week!In this episode we:● Find out a bit about Katie, her family and her experience as a client;● Discuss the difference areas that Katie worked on in her home;● Hear how Katie went from feeling overwhelmed to being able to pack up her house with her husband in 2 days!;● Share advice and tips for dealing with sentimental items;● Learn some of the mindset shifts and lessons that Katie and her husband have experienced;● Highlight how the incredible teamwork of Katie and her husband Cam has impacted their decluttering journey;And so so so so much more...We hope from this conversation we all learn something and put a smile on your face!Special thanks to Katie for giving us your time to chat and share part of your story with all our listeners. Thank you for your support!Join 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.