Decluttering Untangled with Heather Tingle : How to declutter when you're overwhelmed, ADHD or Autistic

Heather Tingle
  • 5.0 (28)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Weekly

In this podcast, Heather will teach you what really works, and what doesn't, to successfully declutter your home - as when you're overwhelmed, ADHD or Autistic, it isn't just a case of hiring a skip and having a big sort out - it's not that easy! ​ Heather is an expert in working with families that live in chaos, and all the challenges that brings. She is Autistic and has ADHD so knows all about how neurodiversity links to clutter. As a naturally messy person herself, she can show you how to live in a clean, clutter free and organised home regardless of the issues you face. She thrives on creating strategies and systems that work for real families. Transforming your cluttered homes to calm, safe spaces can also improve your mental, physical and financial health, learn all about it in this podcast.Heather Tingle has been a member of The Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers since 2016. She and her family have had hoarding tendencies, living in messy homes, stuck in that never ending, exhausting cycle of chores and tidying. She decluttered her home and found a new, calmer and more content way to live. She now supports clients in person and online to achieve the same outcome in their own homes - and now you can learn how she does it through this podcast too! 

  1. 6d ago

    147 - ADHD, Time blindness, and why decluttering doesn't go to plan!

    Send me a text message about this podcast Summary You said you'd "just tidy the side" at 11 o'clock. You look up and it's half past one, the kitchen looks worse than when you started, and you genuinely can't account for the last two hours. In this episode, Heather Tingle talks about time blindness. A genuine, documented part of how many ADHD brains work.  Drawing on her own experience of starting ADHD medication and noticing, for the first time, what time feels like when it isn't "bendy." She breaks down the three ways time blindness shows up in decluttering and daily life: losing hours to a task with no sense of time passing, avoiding tasks because they feel far longer than they actually take, and "waiting mode".... the habit of doing nothing before an appointment so you don't lose track of time. Heather explains why this isn't a discipline problem, why generic productivity advice (yes, including all those planners and the Pomodoro technique) hasn't worked for you, and shares practical, decluttering-specific ways to work with it instead of fighting it. What you'll walk away with Why time blindness is different from poor time management, and why productivity advice hasn't worked for youThe three ways time blindness shows up: the "Bermuda triangle of time," the overestimation trap, and waiting modeWhy a visible, physical timer works where phone timers don'tHow timing a task once (like putting laundry away) can chip away at the "everything feels bigger than it is" feelingWhy setting a hard "leave by" time works better than a vague window before an appointmentHow accountability — a lift arriving at your cutoff time, or body doubling — can anchor your sense of time passingThe one habit to take away that interrupts all three patternsChapters 00:00 Introduction to Time Blindness and Its Impact 02:17 Common Patterns of Time Misjudgment in Daily Life 04:10 Time Blindness vs. Time Management: Key Differences 06:03 Three Common Patterns in Time Blindness 07:28 Overcoming the Overestimation of Task Duration 08:52 Waiting Mode and Its Hidden Costs 10:41 Practical Tools: Timers and Deadlines 12:22 Using Time Awareness to Reduce Clutter and Anxiety 14:13 Accountability and Body Doubling Strategies 15:10 Final Tips and Encouragement for Managing Time Blindness Visual timer (Amazon Affiliate link)  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.

  2. Aug 7

    146 - Why "Just Declutter Before You Move" Is Terrible Advice for an ND Brain!

    Send me a text message about this podcast  Summary In this episode of Decluttering Untangled, host Heather Tingle speaks with Emma Sales about the unique challenges neurodivergent individuals face when moving house. They discuss the importance of planning, the emotional aspects of moving, and practical tips for decluttering and packing. Emma shares insights from her book, 'Unpacked Neurodivergence and Moving House,' emphasising the need for personalised strategies and the acceptance of one's own moving process. The conversation highlights the significance of creating a safe space during the transition and managing stress effectively. In this conversation, Emma Sails shares her experiences and insights on moving, particularly from the perspective of neurodivergence. She discusses the challenges faced during her own moving day, the importance of having backup plans, and the need for clear communication and organisation. Emma emphasises the significance of creating a safe space during transitions and reflects on her past moves, highlighting the lessons learned. The discussion culminates in practical tips for a successful move. Key  topics Challenges of moving house with neurodivergence Strategies for planning and decluttering Importance of safe spaces and routines during move Using tools like spreadsheets and labels effectively Managing stress and overwhelm in the moving process Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Emma Sales and her book 02:00 Why moving house is especially stressful for neurodivergent individuals 03:58 Personal experiences and motivations for writing the book 07:08 Planning and organizing the move: tips for neurodivergent minds 10:11 Using visual plans and spreadsheets to aid packing 12:04 Labeling and prioritizing items for easier unpacking 14:57 Creating safe spaces and managing overwhelm during the move 17:55 Dealing with last-minute packing and unexpected challenges 22:01 Supporting neurodivergent family members during the move 26:01 Reflections on past moves and lessons learned 30:06 Final tips and encouragement for a successful move Link to Emma Sails:  https://navigatingneurodivergence.co.uk  Link to Emmas Book: Unpacked: Neurodivergence and Moving House - (Amazon affiliate link) courses.untangledbytingle.com Getting Started and Zoning Workshop 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.

  3. Jul 31

    145 - Is the 'House Hushing' decluttering trend right for you?

    Send me a text message about this podcast Summary There is a new decluttering trend doing the rounds called House Hushing, coined by Myquillyn Smith, known online as The Nester. Heather breaks down what it actually involves, where it works brilliantly, and why she has some real reservations about it for anyone with a genuinely full house or an ADHD brain. What You Will Learn What House Hushing is and the three steps behind it, the Holding Area, the Pause, and the ReturnHow House Hushing fits into Myquillyn Smith's wider four part approach, decluttering, quiet decorating, soulful styling, and living seasonallyWhen this method genuinely works well, and who it suitsWhy a full house makes this method tricky in practiceThe doom bag risk hiding inside this method, especially for ADHD brainsWhy decluttering by category beats decluttering by roomHeather's take on how to adapt House Hushing so it actually sticks Chapters 00:00 Introduction to House Hushing and Its Popularity 00:30 What is House Hushing and Its Core Principles 01:01 The Three Steps of House Hushing: Holding Area, Pause, Return 01:57 The Benefits of a Quiet, Simplified Space 02:26 Personalizing Your Space and Seasonal Living 03:55 Ideal Scenarios for House Hushing: Renovations and Full Projects 06:56 Practical Challenges: Space, Sorting, and Emotional Impact 08:50 Risks of Instant Gratification and Over-Correction 10:13 Limitations: Addressing Underlying Habits and Systems 11:42 Recommendations for Effective House Hushing and Final Thoughts 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.

  4. Jul 24

    144 - The extend and split decluttering mistake most people make

    Send me a text message about this podcast Summary You know that moment when the kitchen cupboard finally shuts, because you've moved half of what was in there to a back stock cupboard in the garage or a shelf in the cellar? It feels like a win. It isn't. In this episode Heather unpacks one of the most common (and sneakiest) decluttering mistakes, splitting or extending a category so some of it can live in a different room. It solves the problem in room one for about five minutes, then quietly creates two new ones, in room one and room two. Heather explains why this happens (it's not laziness, it's your brain looking for the fastest way out of a hard decision), the three knock on effects that show up later, decision fatigue, forgotten back stock, and a second room that was never designed to hold the extra weight, and walks through real examples including summer and winter clothes, books scattered across the house, and children's toys split between three rooms. You'll also get the actual fix: how to choose one proper home for a category based on where it's really used, and reduce what you own until it fits comfortably, rather than reaching for a second location every time it doesn't. If you've got clutter quietly living in more than one place, this episode will help you spot it and, more importantly, sort it for good. In this episode: What "splitting a category" actually means and why it feels like progressThe three problems it creates over timeReal examples: seasonal clothing, books, and children's toysHow to pick one home for a category and make it actually fitWhy this isn't a willpower issue, and how to give yourself permission to fix itChapters 00:00 Introduction: The common decluttering mistake 00:30 The problem with splitting categories 01:26 How splitting causes decision fatigue 02:23 Secondary spaces and their pitfalls 04:15 Examples of category splitting: books and toys 07:07 Strategies for effective decluttering 08:34 Creating space and reducing categories 09:58 The importance of proper decluttering 10:27 Final tips 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.

  5. Jul 17

    143 - How can I declutter when I'm sentimental about everything?

    Send me a text message about this podcast Summary Two clients, one week, the same sentence. "I'm worried because I'm sentimental about everything." It's a phrase Heather hears often, and one that quietly convinces people they're worse at decluttering than everyone else. In this episode, Heather breaks sentimentality down into four levels, most of what feels precious isn't actually equal, and talks through how neurodivergence can shape emotional attachment to belongings. She shares the story of a bag of trip souvenirs that taught her the difference between a true memory and something that just happened to be sitting next to one through osmosis. She also makes the case for why being sentimental, far from being a disadvantage, is a skill worth developing rather than a flaw to fix. In this episode you will learn: Why sentimentality isn't a weakness, and why it's simply a natural part of being humanHow neurodivergence can shape emotional attachment to belongingsThe four levels of sentimentality, from long-time possessions to pure sentimental items, and the "osmosis" attachment in betweenThe difference between fondness and true sentimental attachmentHow grouping souvenirs and keepsakes together makes them all feel equally important, and how to break that grouping apartThe question to ask yourself about any item, would this matter if it was the only memory you had leftWhy non-sentimental, disposable living leads to more clutter and more cost over time, not lessWhy caring for your possessions and feeling attached to them is a skill worth developing, not a disadvantageMentioned in this episode: DeclutterCon, Heather's upcoming event for practical tips, reframes and connections to move forward decluttering and community support 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.

  6. Jul 10

    142 - "Do I Own Too Much?" Why Minimalism Isn't the Goal

    Send me a text message about this podcast Summary Heather debunks the myth that decluttering means minimalism, emphasising that a home should reflect personal love and functionality rather than societal ideals of minimalism. She discusses practical tips for organising, the importance of having backups, and embracing a lived-in, personality-filled space. Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Debunking the myth of minimalism 00:29 Why decluttering isn't about minimalism 01:00 The importance of a home that feels good 01:27 The reality of real homes versus social media images 02:27 The pitfalls of owning nothing 03:23 The value of having backups and extras 04:46 Visual clutter versus sensory needs 05:45 Creating a home that feels welcoming and personalised 07:13 Living with emptiness and adjusting to space 08:07 The 'just in case' pile and planning ahead 09:04 Hobbies, collections, and loving your belongings 10:01 The goal: functional, organised, and personalised spaces 11:24 Organising for purpose, not perfection 12:17 You can have a lived-in, chaotic, yet calm home 12:48 Final thoughts: Focus on what you love and need 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.

  7. Jul 3

    141 - Why Can't I Keep On Top of My Home?

    Send me a text message about this podcast Summary: If you've ever put loads of time and energy into decluttering and getting organised, only to watch it completely unravel the second life gets difficult, this episode is for you. Heather talks through one of the most common patterns she sees in client homes and inside the Untangled Life membership: building systems that only work when everything is going well. She explains why that happens, what to do instead, and how designing for your worst week actually makes your best weeks even easier. In This Episode: 00:00 Why does it all go wrong? Heather opens with something so many people experience but rarely talk about. You do all the work, you create the system, and then one hard week hits and it looks like a bomb's gone off. She explains exactly why that happens and why it is not a discipline problem. 05:38 The fantasy self problem The system you built was probably built for a version of you that was rested, on top of things, and having a decent week. Heather talks through why that's such a natural trap to fall into, and why it's also the thing quietly sabotaging your home. 09:17 The fallback system fix The solution isn't a better system. It's a system with a built-in backup for the hard days. Heather walks through a practical example involving bathroom towels and airing cupboards, and explains how to find the right fallback for your own home. Have you bought your ticket to DeclutterCon 2026 yet? Its going to be AMAZING! full of new ways of thinking, support, companies to support your decluttering and accountability to make changes when you get home - all without the overwhelm or judgement. An Untangling Community coming together. 10/10/26, Sheffield UK. www.decluttercon.co.uk for details. 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.

  8. Jun 26

    140 - Make Procrastination Work For You: The Swap Trick

    Send me a text message about this podcast Summary In this episode, Heather shares the trick she occasionally uses on herself, and with clients, to get a decluttering task started when it really doesn't want to happen. By pairing a dreaded decluttering task with another dreaded task that has a fixed deadline, she's worked out how to make procrastination work in your favour instead of against you. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Decluttering Strategies 02:48 The Letter of Two Evils Trick 05:52 Setting Up Your Projects for Success 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.

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In this podcast, Heather will teach you what really works, and what doesn't, to successfully declutter your home - as when you're overwhelmed, ADHD or Autistic, it isn't just a case of hiring a skip and having a big sort out - it's not that easy! ​ Heather is an expert in working with families that live in chaos, and all the challenges that brings. She is Autistic and has ADHD so knows all about how neurodiversity links to clutter. As a naturally messy person herself, she can show you how to live in a clean, clutter free and organised home regardless of the issues you face. She thrives on creating strategies and systems that work for real families. Transforming your cluttered homes to calm, safe spaces can also improve your mental, physical and financial health, learn all about it in this podcast.Heather Tingle has been a member of The Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers since 2016. She and her family have had hoarding tendencies, living in messy homes, stuck in that never ending, exhausting cycle of chores and tidying. She decluttered her home and found a new, calmer and more content way to live. She now supports clients in person and online to achieve the same outcome in their own homes - and now you can learn how she does it through this podcast too! 

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