Obsolete

What I Do and How I do It...

Firstly, we’ll have a chat

Or an initial consultation if you want it to sound posh. This is either on the phone or on Zoom, normally lasts 30 mins and is free. In that time I’ll find out a bit about you, your relationship with clutter and what you’re hoping to achieve whilst working with me.

ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS

Hopefully most will have been answered on my FAQs page so try and read those first. There are no silly questions, so ask away. I want you to have all the info you need in order to decide if you'd like us to work together. It's also really helpful for me to have an understanding of your relationship with clutter.

No pressure, take your time.

I won't send you daily emails for the
next ten years asking if you'd like to go ahead. I also won't send you constant special offers and discounts if you sign up. That's all so annoying!

The Magic begins

If it sounds like what you want and need, we’ll make an appointment for the magic to begin. You don't need to worry about offering me tea or coffee whilst I'm with you. I've never drunk it and always have water with me.You can show me the space(s) that we’ll work on and we’ll get going.

It’s not always easy to give an accurate time for a particular space as it can vary for many reasons. What is important though is that you’re willing to make some potentially tough decisions. I’ll never push you to get rid of anything, it will always be your decision. I may gently question your motivation but will remain caring, patient and kind at all times. Well, unless I haven’t eaten for a few hours as I can get hangry but don’t worry, I’ll always have something with me to stay safe!

After the session

I'll take away a car load of rubbish, recycling and donations to give to charity. You can then start enjoying your new clutter free space. I'll also send you a thank you email with some helpful tips and advice on how to keep the space clutter free.

You can also contact me if you have any questions about the decluttering process and our work together.

1. A Small Space

This could be an office desk, table, cupboard etc. With an office desk, we’ll look at what actually needs to be out on display, what can go elsewhere and what isn't needed at all. We can then separate everything into individual spaces for paperwork, stationary etc. The key will be having everything you need close by and having an uncluttered work space so you can enjoy being there and not dread it.

2. A Single Room

Spare room or kitchen that's become a dumping ground? Bedroom so full of stuff you feel overwhelmed and definitely not relaxed being in there? Try and visualise how you'd like it to be and imagine how that would feel. Exciting isn't it! We will have talked about it during the call so when I come we can get on with it. As with the small space, we'll look at what's there and what needs to be elsewhere in the house or nowhere near the house. Are you really going to use the exercise bike you bought ten years ago on a whim and that's sat gathering dust ever since? It's fine if the answer's no. We'll organise what's staying so it's easily accessible and only out if it needs to be.

3. Multiple Rooms / Whole House

This is obviously a much bigger project and will take some time and planning. What's important to remember though is that we'll tackle one room at a time. I find the key is to do everything in small chunks to help avoiding getting overwhelmed. I always suggest having a place for everything and everything in it's place. That way you'll never find yourself with 11 bottles of bathroom cleaner in 11 different places! With everything you can ask yourself: "Do I need it?" "Do I love it?" If not, can it go? If not, why not? What are your blocks for letting it go?

As I described above, there can be various reasons for having clutter in the first place.

Often, it can be the symptom of an underlying problem. In these cases, simply getting rid of the clutter will only go so far. Chances are, it will come back and with a vengeance. I liken it to having a problem with food where you’ve put weight on and go to a diet club to help you lose it. Unless you deal with the underlying reasons why you ate like that, the weight will invariably come back on. Again, I’m speaking from personal experience. My weight was up and down for years as I was in and out of a well known diet programme. It was only when I began to deal with the real issues that I began to heal and today, one day at a time, I have a healthy relationship with food and my weight stays the same.

My aim for you is to have the tools and understanding to deal with any future outbreaks. The key for me is always progress, not perfection. It’s easy for us to beat ourselves up if we feel we’re not performing to the (impossible) standards we set ourselves. That’s when the shame and guilt set in, we listen to the critical voice and we self-sabotage.