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In this episode, Heather explores why the idea of daily decluttering sounds great in theory but often falls apart in real life, especially for neurodivergent people. Many of her clients believe that doing a bit every day is the only way to make progress, and they put huge pressure on themselves to stick to it. Heather shares two client scenarios from this week that show exactly why that approach fails and how small changes created much more ease and momentum.

She also explains the difference between energy giving tasks and energy draining tasks, and how this shifts depending on what else is happening in someone’s life and how well their brain is functioning that day. Understanding this makes a massive difference to how sustainable decluttering becomes.

This episode is especially helpful for anyone who has ever started strong on a daily habit, missed one day, and then felt unable to start again. Heather offers a kinder and far more realistic approach that works with a neurodivergent rhythm rather than against it.

In this episode, Heather talks about
• Why daily decluttering routines collapse for neurodivergent brains
• How daily pressure creates burnout, boredom and guilt
• Two real client stories that show the power of flexible consistency
• Why energy levels affect what feels possible from one day to the next
• How to build a weekly rhythm that adapts to life instead of demanding perfection
• A gentler way to make steady progress without forcing daily habits

00:00
The Pressure of Consistency in Decluttering

06:05
Flexibility Over Rigidity in Decluttering Practices

11:16
Finding Balance: Energy and Motivation in Decluttering

Support the show

If you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.

Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.

Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!

Follow me on Facebook

Buy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)

Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.

Follow me on instagram

Feel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com
Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.

Send me a text message about this podcast

Summary

In this episode of Decluttering Untangled, Heather Tingle discusses the pressures of hosting during the festive season and offers practical advice for making your home welcoming without overwhelming yourself. She emphasises the importance of setting boundaries, managing expectations, and focusing on key areas of your home to create a comfortable environment for guests. Heather encourages listeners to embrace imperfection and prioritize their mental health while navigating the challenges of hosting.

Chapters

00:00 The Pressure of Hosting During the Festive Season
04:01 Creating a Welcoming Environment Without Overwhelm
09:00 Simple Sensory Tweaks for a Cozy Atmosphere
12:13 Setting Boundaries and Embracing Imperfection

Support the show

If you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.

Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.

Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!

Follow me on Facebook

Buy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)

Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.

Follow me on instagram

Feel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com
Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.

Send me a text message about this podcast

Summary

In this episode of Decluttering Untangled, Heather Tingle discusses the common issue of dining tables becoming cluttered and underutilised spaces in homes. She explores the reasons behind this phenomenon, particularly in neurodivergent households, and offers practical solutions for reclaiming the dining table as a functional space. Heather emphasizes the importance of understanding the emotional and practical barriers to decluttering and provides actionable tips to minimize clutter and restore the dining table's original purpose.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction to Dining Table Clutter

02:20
Understanding the Use of Dining Tables Today

05:31
Strategies to Reclaim Your Dining Table

08:13
Addressing the Clutter Under the Table

Support the show

If you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.

Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.

Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!

Follow me on Facebook

Buy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)

Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.

Follow me on instagram

Feel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com
Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.

Send me a text message about this podcast

Summary:

Struggling to make decluttering decisions? You’re not alone. In this episode, Heather explores why so many of us need time to process before letting things go and why that pause is not procrastination. You’ll learn how to work with your brain rather than against it, how to avoid “maybe piles,” and how irritation and repetition can actually help you make calmer, more confident decluttering choices that stick.

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome and introduction
Heather explains why this topic matters, especially for neurodivergent listeners who often feel pressure to make quick decisions.

01:00 – Why your brain needs processing time
How emotional attachment, fear of regret and decision fatigue affect decluttering.

02:30 – The danger of forced decisions
Why rushing to decide often leads to guilt, panic or keeping everything.

03:45 – How to pause without procrastinating
The difference between productive processing and avoidance.

05:00 – Keep similar items together (and skip the maybe pile)
How to give yourself time without creating another job you’ll avoid.

07:00 – The irritation stage
Why noticing annoyance or relief around your stuff gives you useful data for next time.

08:30 – A story about the pan lid
Heather shares a client example that shows how clarity often comes naturally over time.

10:00 – Building trust in your own decisions
How slow processing helps you rebuild confidence and reduce guilt.

11:30 – Letting go with kindness
Recognising when you’ve processed enough and can finally say goodbye to an item without regret.

13:00 – Final thoughts and permission to pause
Heather wraps up with encouragement to go at your own pace and trust that processing time is progress.

Support the show

If you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.

Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.

Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!

Follow me on Facebook

Buy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)

Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.

Follow me on instagram

Feel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com
Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.

Send me a text message about this podcast

Summary

In this episode, Heather untangles the fine line between a comforting collection and overwhelming clutter. She explores why collecting feels so soothing for neurodivergent brains, how it can quietly shift into pressure or guilt, and what questions to ask if your “treasures” have taken over. You’ll learn how to spot when you’re keeping things for love, nostalgia, or the hope they’ll be worth something one day, and how to keep the joy without drowning in stuff.

Chapters:

Intro: When Treasures Take Over

Why We Collect

When Comfort Turns Into Clutter

Are You Still Enjoying It?

Holding On to Past You

The “It Might Be Worth Something” Trap

The Emotional Layer Behind Collecting

Keeping What Truly Matters

Redefining What You Keep

The Sunk Cost Reminder

Loving Collections Without Letting Them Take Over

Support the show

If you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.

Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.

Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!

Follow me on Facebook

Buy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)

Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.

Follow me on instagram

Feel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com
Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.

Send me a text message about this podcast

Summary

In this episode of Decluttering Untangled, Heather Tingle discusses the challenges of decluttering the under stairs cupboard, a common clutter magnet in many homes. She explores the reasons behind its tendency to accumulate clutter, especially for those with neurodivergent brains, and offers practical strategies for tackling this space. Heather emphasises the importance of understanding the purpose of the cupboard, categorising items, and implementing effective organising strategies to create a functional and stress-free environment.

Chapters

00:00 The Nightmare of the Under Stairs Cupboard
02:41 Understanding the Clutter Magnet
05:56 Practical Steps to Declutter
08:34 Organising for Accessibility and Efficiency


Amazon UK affiliate link to battery powered motion sensor lights HERE

Support the show

If you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.

Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.

Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!

Follow me on Facebook

Buy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)

Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.

Follow me on instagram

Feel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com
Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.

Send me a text message about this podcast

Summary

In this episode of Decluttering Untangled, Heather Tingle emphasises the importance of pacing oneself during the decluttering process. She discusses how rest is essential for maintaining energy and making effective decisions. Heather also highlights the emotional aspects of decluttering, encouraging listeners to be kind to themselves and to plan their decluttering efforts around their energy levels. The conversation covers strategies for managing time and energy, the significance of rewards, and the necessity of allowing oneself to rest and recover throughout the decluttering journey.


Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Pacing in Decluttering
02:45 Understanding Energy and Rest in the Decluttering Process
05:56 Planning and Timing for Effective Decluttering
08:35 Emotional Aspects of Decluttering
11:17 Finding Balance: Rest and Productivity in Decluttering

Link to Untangled Life Membership information and waitlist HERE

Support the show

If you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.

Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.

Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!

Follow me on Facebook

Buy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)

Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.

Follow me on instagram

Feel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com
Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.

Send me a text message about this podcast

Summary

In this episode of Decluttering Untangled, Heather Tingle discusses the often-overlooked challenge of dealing with leftover bits after decluttering. She emphasises the emotional weight these items carry and the decision-making paralysis they can cause. Heather provides practical strategies for managing these leftover items, encouraging listeners to approach them as separate projects and to give themselves grace in the process. The episode concludes with a reminder that it's okay to have a designated space for miscellaneous items, and that tackling these bits can lead to a greater sense of accomplishment and clarity in one's living space.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and Overview of Decluttering Challenges

02:42
Understanding the Leftover Bits in Decluttering

05:48
The Emotional Weight of Decision-Making

08:41
Strategies for Managing Leftover Items

11:21
Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Support the show

If you'd like to say 'Thank you', by buying me a virtual coffee (it'll actually buy me a cup of tea!), you can do so HERE. It will mean I can afford to continue to give help for free and continue with this podcast.

Get started with my Zoning and Getting Started Workshop, everything you need to know on how to get started and have the best success when decluttering.

Join my free Declutter Community for real support, tips and advice from Heather and other Untanglers that are just like you!

Follow me on Facebook

Buy my Declutter Your Home Planner from Amazon to start to declutter your home yourself! (affiliate link)

Grab my current freebies to support a cleaner, tidier home.

Follow me on instagram

Feel free to email me: help@untangledbytingle.com
Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.