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Episode Summary: In today’s episode of Decluttering Untangled, I’m tackling the topic of hand-me-downs. You know, those clothes and baby gear you save to pass down from one child to another? On the surface, it seems like a great way to save money and be efficient, but is it really? I work with so many parents who are drowning in clothes and chaos because of the sheer volume of stuff they’re holding onto for someday.

Spoiler alert: I’m not the biggest fan of hand-me-downs, and I explain why. From the clutter they create, to the mental energy it takes to manage them, I share my expert opinion on when hand-me-downs might be worth it and when it’s time to just let them go.

I also give you some practical tips and guidelines if you do want to save items for future use, and how to do it in a way that doesn’t overtake your home or your sanity.

Key Takeaways:

• Holding onto items can cause more stress than it’s worth, and most kids need less than we think.
• Hand-me-downs only work well if you have a tidy, organised system in place and can actually use the items in a reasonable timeframe.
• Storing clothes or baby equipment for long periods often leads to damage like mould or makes them outdated and unusable.
• If you do decide to save items, store them properly, label everything clearly, and set reminders to actually use them before they become irrelevant.
• It's often easier (and cheaper) to buy second-hand items later on than to save and store them for years.

Practical Tips:

1. Check the Gap: If there's more than a 2-year age or size gap between kids, don’t hold onto clothes unless they're truly sentimental.
2. Organise Well: Use clear plastic boxes, label them by size, and store them in a damp-proof, temperature-stable location.
3. Set Reminders: Schedule a reminder to revisit stored items so you don’t forget about them.
4. School Uniforms: Consider uniform swaps through school associations instead of storing them for years.
5. Let Go: If the storage feels overwhelming, ask yourself if saving the item is helping or hurting your peace of mind.

Get in Touch: Let me know your thoughts on hand-me-downs! Do you find them helpful or more hassle than they’re worth? Send me a message or drop by the Facebook group.

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In today’s episode, Heather dives into the challenges of living an eco-friendly life when you’re dealing with a cluttered home. Inspired by Zero Waste Week and Clients passion on the subject, Heather shares relatable insights into how difficult it can be to maintain sustainable habits when your living space feels overwhelming - with some practical steps to be greener.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

• The pressure of trying to be perfect in eco-friendly living, and why it's okay to prioritise your personal well-being.
• Why decluttering is the first step towards a greener life, making it easier to adopt sustainable habits.
• Simple tips to get started with eco-friendly practices, even if you’re currently battling clutter.
• Realistic steps like reusing shopping bags, shopping at refill stores, and decluttering responsibly by giving away items you don’t use.
• Why it’s important to go easy on yourself, embrace imperfection, and focus on what’s manageable for you.
• Ideas on how to avoid clothing waste, from buying secondhand to donating items you’ll never repair.

Resources Mentioned:

• Olio – a great app for sharing surplus food and reducing waste.
• Zero Waste Facebook groups – perfect for giving away unused items.

Whether you're struggling with clutter, feel overwhelmed by the pressure to live perfectly green, or are looking for small, manageable steps towards an eco-friendly lifestyle, this episode has something for you. Declutter your space first, then move forward to a more sustainable, less wasteful life.

Listener Challenge:
Heather invites you to take a look at any items you’ve been holding onto with the intention of fixing or reusing "someday." What’s your plan to deal with them? Will you repair them, donate them, or let them go? Share your thoughts with Heather on social media or send her a message via the text me on the podcast!

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Summary

In this episode, Heather Tingle discusses back-to-school organisation strategies. She emphasises the importance of establishing routines and designated spaces for school items such as book bags, water bottles, and lunchboxes. Heather also suggests using hooks for book bags and school shoes, as well as creating a system for kids' artwork. She provides tips for labeling school uniforms, decluttering old clothes, and setting up a breakfast station and homework area. Heather encourages parents to be kind to themselves during the transition back to school and offers reassurance that they are not alone in feeling overwhelmed.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Overview

04:11
Using Hooks for Organization

06:32
Managing Kids' Artwork

07:25
Labeling and Preventing Loss

10:25
Streamlining Morning and Evening Routines

11:44
Practicing Self-Care During the Transition

Pens for Kids Charity

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In this episode, Heather Tingle explores the theme of control and its impact on decluttering. She discusses how lack of control can make us feel overwhelmed and like an imposter in our own lives. Heather shares her personal experience of feeling out of control in a cluttered home and how decluttering helped her regain a sense of control. She emphasises that decluttering is not a linear process and that it takes time to change habits. Heather also cautions against trying to overly control and organise our homes, as it can become unsustainable. She concludes by encouraging listeners to set boundaries and take control of their own lives.

Takeaways

• Lack of control can make us feel overwhelmed and like an imposter in our own lives.
• Decluttering can help us regain a sense of control and make everyday life easier.
• Decluttering is not a linear path and takes time to change habits.
• Trying to overly control and organize our homes can be unsustainable.
• Setting boundaries can help us take control of our own lives.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction: Going Deeper into Decluttering

03:15
Regaining Control Through Decluttering

06:06
The Non-Linear Path of Decluttering

07:39
The Pitfalls of Overly Controlling and Organising

09:06
Setting Boundaries to Take Control

12:30
Conclusion: You're Not Alone

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Summary

In this episode, Heather Tingle discusses how to manage and organise children's artwork. She emphasises the importance of not throwing away children's artwork without their consent and instead suggests displaying it in a limited space.

Heather recommends using display options like the fridge, cork board, or DaVinci frames. Once the display space is full, she advises involving the child in the decision-making process of what artwork to keep and what to let go of. Heather also suggests turning selected artwork into photo books or memory folders and warns against creating digital clutter by photographing everything. She concludes by highlighting the importance of valuing the process of creating artwork over the end result.

Takeaways

• Do not throw away children's artwork without their consent; it teaches them not to trust you with their prized possessions.
• Display children's artwork in a limited space, such as the fridge, cork board, or DaVinci frames.
• Involve the child in the decision-making process of what artwork to keep and what to let go of.
• Consider turning selected artwork into photo books or memory folders, but avoid creating digital clutter by photographing everything.
• Value the process of creating artwork over the end result.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction: Do Not Throw Away Children's Artwork

02:00
DaVinci Frames: Organising Artwork in Minimal Space

02:57
Involving Children in the Decision-Making Process

04:19
Turning Artwork into Photo Books or Memory Folders

07:12
Avoiding Digital Clutter and Repurposing Artwork

08:36
Valuing the Process of Creating Artwork

https://www.mylittledavinci.co.uk/ - My Little DaVinci Frames - use code TINGLE at checkout to get 10% off (affiliate link)

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Summary

In this episode, Heather Tingle explores the difference between hoarding disorder and chronic disorganisation. She explains that while hoarding disorder involves difficulty parting with possessions and significant distress, chronic disorganisation is more closely linked with ADHD and involves struggles with decision-making and maintaining organisation. Heather emphasises the importance of decluttering and creating strategies to keep on top of the home for both hoarding disorder and chronic disorganisation. She provides tips for managing chronic disorganisation, such as identifying the biggest stressor and prioritising decluttering in that area. Heather encourages listeners to be kind to themselves and seek support if needed.

Chapters

00:00
Understanding the Difference: Hoarding Disorder vs. Chronic Disorganisation

02:19
The Expectations and End Result in Working with Different Types

06:03
Chronic Disorganisation and its Link to ADHD

08:15
The Importance of Decluttering

11:05
Managing Chronic Disorganisation: Tips and Strategies

12:02
Be Kind to Yourself: You Are Not Alone

Hoarding Disorder - Icebreaker form to take to a GP

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Summary

In this episode, Heather Tingle shares tips on how to pack for holidays. She emphasises the importance of decluttering before packing and highlights the benefits of having a minimalist approach to packing. Heather suggests not overpacking and only taking essentials, as most things can be sorted out if forgotten. She recommends using packing cubes and shares a tip for organising children's outfits. Heather also provides advice on creating a packing list and suggests emailing a copy of important documents to yourself for security.

Takeaways

• Decluttering before packing can make the process easier and more enjoyable.
• Take a minimalist approach to packing and only bring essentials.
• Use packing cubes to stay organized and maximize space in your suitcase.
• Create a packing list to ensure you have everything you need.
• Email a copy of important documents to yourself for added security.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and the Importance of Decluttering

03:22
Taking a Minimalist Approach to Packing

04:20
Using Packing Cubes and Organising Outfits

06:38
Creating a Packing List for Easy Preparation

08:57
Ensuring Security by Emailing Important Documents

09:25
Conclusion

Packing cube link (Amazon affiliate link)

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Summary

In this episode, Heather Tingle shares a tip to help listeners leave the house with everything they need. She introduces the concept of a 'Go Draw' or 'Go Tray', a designated space where essential items for leaving the house are kept. Heather explains that this can be especially helpful for individuals with ADHD or those who dislike carrying handbags or wallets. She emphasizes the importance of having a visual reminder and suggests using a shallow box or tray instead of a drawer. Heather also encourages listeners to develop a routine of putting items back in the Go Draw or Go Tray when they come home.

Takeaways

• Create a designated space, such as a Go Draw or Go Tray, for essential items needed when leaving the house.
• Having a visual reminder is important, so use a shallow box or tray instead of a drawer.
• Develop a routine of putting items back in the Go Draw or Go Tray when you come home.
• This system can be particularly helpful for individuals with ADHD or those who dislike carrying handbags or wallets.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Fan Mail

01:23
Leaving the House with Everything You Need

03:45
Introducing the Go Draw

05:08
Choosing the Right Container for Your Essentials

06:04
The Importance of a Visual Reminder

07:28
Developing a Routine for Organised Departures

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