124 - The Projects Box: An ADHD-Friendly Way to Deal With "Potential" Crafty bits

Send me a text message about this podcast SummaryYou spent hours decluttering. You are tired. You look around the room and it looks basically the same. Sound familiar?That feeling is one of the most common things Heather hears from clients, and it is one of the most demoralising parts of the whole process. In this episode, she explains exactly why that feeling is lying to you.Spoiler: decluttering is decision-making. Some categories, like paper, can contain hundreds or even thousands of individual decisions that take real time and real mental energy — without producing any obvious visual results at all.In this episode Heather covers:Why visible before and afters are not a reliable measure of how much you actually achievedWhy paper and bitty bits can take hours with almost nothing to show for it visuallyThe two questions to ask yourself at the end of every decluttering session insteadWhy the transformation you are imagining will happen — you just cannot skip to itChapters00:00Introduction: Why Decluttering Feels Unproductive00:29Common Frustrations with Decluttering Efforts01:20The Myth of Visible Results in Decluttering02:11Why Dramatic Before-and-After Photos Are Misleading03:03The Snowball Effect and When Results Become Visible03:56The Complexity of Paper Decluttering05:19Reframing Progress: Focus on Decisions, Not Looks06:34Measuring Progress Through Decisions and Items Removed07:55The Power of Letting Go and Visualizing Progress08:48Invisible Work: The Hardest Part of Decluttering09:48Encouragement to Stay the Course and Celebrate Decisions Support the showIf 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 FacebookBuy 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 instagramFeel free to email me: [email protected] 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 SummaryThat room. You know the one. It started out as a guest bedroom, a home office, maybe a gym. Now it is a dumping ground with a closed door and a whole lot of delayed decisions behind it.In this episode, Heather Tingle tackles the spare room head on. Why it fills up, why it is always the last room to get sorted, and exactly what you need to do to finally reclaim it.In this episode you will learn:Why the spare room is always last on the list (and why that makes complete sense for your brain)Why sorting it feels so draining before you have even moved a single boxThe one thing you need to do before you touch anything in that roomThe simple rule that guides every decision you will make in thereWhy this is not a ten minute timer job and how to approach it in a way that actually worksMentioned in this episode:The PAVES System — listen to the earlier episodes for Heather's full exit strategy framework before you startThe Untangled Community on Facebook — share your before and after photos and get cheered on every step of the wayChapters00:00 The Spare Room of Doom04:06 Understanding the Emotional Weight of Clutter06:54 Defining the Purpose of Your Spare Room10:03 The Sorting Process: Making Decisions14:14 Recap and Encouragement for Action Support the showIf 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 FacebookBuy 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 instagramFeel free to email me: [email protected] 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 SummaryHeather Tingle shares a powerful decluttering strategy: using category rules to minimise decision fatigue and make decluttering more manageable. Learn how to set effective rules for different categories of items to streamline your decluttering process and reduce stress.Chapters00:00The Power of Category Rules in Decluttering09:44Implementing Category Rules with Help16:22Creating Effective Decluttering Rules Support the showIf 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 FacebookBuy 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 instagramFeel free to email me: [email protected] 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 SummaryDo you have bits and pieces scattered around your home that you keep meaning to do something with? In this episode, Professional Declutterer and Organiser Heather Tingle introduces the Projects Box. A simple, one-rule system that gives your creative intentions a proper home and actually gets things done. Perfect for creative and ADHD brains.Chapters00:00Introduction to Intentional Clutter02:15Understanding the Projects Box05:57The Rule of the Projects Box08:36What Goes in the Projects Box?10:50Making the Projects Box Effective Support the showIf 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 FacebookBuy 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 instagramFeel free to email me: [email protected] 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 SummaryIn this episode of Decluttering Untangled, Heather Tingle addresses the common issue of cluttered electrical wires, cables, and chargers in homes. She emphasises the emotional and psychological challenges associated with decluttering these items and provides a structured approach to tackle the problem. Heather outlines steps to gather, sort, and organise cables effectively, while also encouraging listeners to let go of items that no longer serve a purpose. The episode concludes with practical tips for maintaining an organised system and fostering a stress-free environment.Chapters00:00Introduction to Decluttering Cables and Chargers05:52Sorting and Matching CablesAI show notes are experimental. Did you find them useful? Support the showIf 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 FacebookBuy 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 instagramFeel free to email me: [email protected] 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 SummaryIn this episode of Decluttering Untangled, Heather Tingle discusses the often-overlooked distinction between cleaning and decluttering. She shares her personal struggles with maintaining a clean home post-decluttering and explores the challenges posed by executive functioning. Heather offers practical strategies for effective cleaning, emphasising the importance of habit stacking and lowering friction in cleaning tasks. She also addresses the unrealistic standards many people set for cleanliness and encourages listeners to redefine their expectations, reminding them that it's okay to seek help, whether through hiring a cleaner or using tools like robot vacuums. Ultimately, Heather reassures her audience that they are not alone in their struggles and that it's essential to be kind to oneself in the journey of maintaining a home.Chapters00:00Introduction and the Distinction Between Cleaning and Decluttering02:44The Reality of Cleaning After Decluttering06:01Understanding Executive Functioning and Cleaning Challenges08:47Strategies for Effective Cleaning11:54Lowering Friction and Making Cleaning Easier14:44Redefining Cleaning Standards and Accepting Imperfection Support the showIf 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 FacebookBuy 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 instagramFeel free to email me: [email protected] 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 SummaryIn this episode of Decluttering Untangled, Heather Tingle discusses the often-overlooked emotional and practical challenges of decluttering old keys. She explores the psychological burden these keys can represent, including feelings of responsibility and fear of regret. Heather provides practical steps for organising and deciding what to keep or let go, emphasising the importance of clarity and intentionality in the decluttering process.Chapters00:00The Burden of Unused Keys02:43Understanding the Emotional Weight of Keys05:39Practical Steps to Declutter Keys08:33Deciding What to Keep and Let Go11:51Finding Security Through Clarity Support the showIf 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 FacebookBuy 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 instagramFeel free to email me: [email protected] 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 SummaryIn this episode of Decluttering Untangled, Heather Tingle explores why the common advice to “just do ten minutes a day” often doesn’t work for people with ADHD and other neurodivergent brains. She explains how this approach relies heavily on daily consistency, stable energy levels, and motivation, which can make decluttering feel harder rather than easier for many listeners.Heather discusses how ND and ADHD brains tend to work in bursts, why unfinished tasks are particularly draining, and how open-ended plans can create ongoing feelings of failure. She introduces a key reframe that consistency is not the goal, and that completion and closure are far more important for making progress.The episode encourages listeners to move away from guilt-driven decluttering advice and towards bite-sized, flexible plans that allow for rest, variable energy, and clear end points. The focus is on creating systems that work with real life, rather than against it.Chapters00:00 Introduction to “Ten Minutes a Day” Advice02:18 Why Daily Consistency Is Hard for ADHD Brains05:01 Boredom, Energy Fluctuations, and Unfinished Tasks07:12 Completion Over Consistency09:05 Creating Flexible, Bite-Sized Decluttering Plans Support the showIf 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 FacebookBuy 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 instagramFeel free to email me: [email protected] 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 SummaryIn this episode of Decluttering Untangled, Heather Tingle discusses the challenges faced by individuals with ADHD and neurodivergent brains when using traditional decluttering methods. She emphasises that these methods often fail because they are based on assumptions that do not align with the realities of neurodivergent individuals. Heather critiques popular methods like the coat hanger method, explaining why they can be ineffective and how decluttering should focus on visibility and immediate feedback rather than memory. The conversation encourages listeners to embrace their unique needs and find systems that work for them, rather than feeling inadequate for not adhering to conventional methods.Chapters00:00Introduction to Decluttering Challenges02:40Why Traditional Methods Fail ADHD Brains06:47The Coat Hanger Method: A Case Study10:04Embracing Your Unique Decluttering Journey Support the showIf 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 FacebookBuy 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 instagramFeel free to email me: [email protected] 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 SummaryIn this episode of Decluttering Untangled, Heather Tingle discusses the often-overlooked issue of digital clutter, particularly focusing on the accumulation of screenshots on our phones. She explores how these digital remnants can weigh us down mentally and emotionally, serving as reminders of unfulfilled intentions and aspirations. Heather encourages listeners to reframe their approach to decluttering by recognising the difference between their current selves and their 'fantasy selves.' By letting go of unnecessary screenshots, individuals can create mental space and reduce the pressure of unfulfilled obligations, ultimately leading to a more organized and mindful digital life.Chapters00:00Introduction to Digital Clutter02:45Understanding Screenshots as Clutter05:59The Emotional Impact of Letting Go08:43Practical Tips for Decluttering Screenshots Support the showIf 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 FacebookBuy 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 instagramFeel free to email me: [email protected] Please note, I may not be able to reply, but do read all emails to me and appreciate them massively.