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

Heather Tingle
  • 5.0 (27)
  • 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. 1d ago

    139 - The Placeholder Method: Stop Waiting, Start Acting 'As If'

    Send me a text message about this podcast Summary Have you ever stood in a room, able to see exactly what needs to happen, but nothing will move because one thing is waiting on another thing, which is waiting on another thing? That is the bottleneck, and in this episode we're sorting it out. I walk you through the placeholder method: a simple, slightly-messy-in-the-short-term approach that gets everything moving again, even when the thing you're waiting for hasn't arrived yet. We use the sideboard example, but this applies everywhere in your home, and once you see it, you will not be able to unsee it. We also talk about why the placeholder does something that waiting never can: it gives you real information. About volume, about what you actually use, about whether the storage solution you've been dreaming of is really going to do what you think it will. Spoiler: sometimes it is. Sometimes it absolutely isn't. Either way, you'll know. In this episode: What the bottleneck actually is and why ND brains are especially prone to itThe placeholder method explained, and what to use if you don't have the real thing yetWhy messy short term is absolutely worth it for movement long termHow placeholders tell you the volume of what you're working with before you spend a penny on furnitureTest-driving a rehome before you commit to itDitching the rose-tinted glasses on storage solutions that haven't arrived yetWhere else this method works beyond the living room sideboardChapters 00:00 Introduction to the Waiting Game 02:50 Understanding the Bottleneck Effect 05:46 The Placeholder Method Explained 08:51 Testing the Placeholder: Real Feedback 11:30 Applying the Placeholder Method in Various Spaces 14:37 Encouragement and Community Engagement Come and tell me where your bottleneck is. I genuinely want to know. Find me on Instagram or come into the Untangled Life community and let's talk about it. Resources DeclutterCon 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.

    18 min

  2. Jun 12

    138 - From Alone to Understood: The Decluttering Shift You Never Knew You Needed

    Send me a text message about this podcast Summary When did you last tell someone in real life what your home actually looks like? Not a partner, not someone you live with. A friend. A colleague. Someone you chose to tell? For most of us, the honest answer is never. In this episode Heather gets personal about the thing that makes decluttering so much harder than it needs to be. Not the stuff itself, but the secrecy, the shame, and the exhaustion of carrying it alone. She talks about what she has witnessed happen in rooms full of people who finally found others who get it, the friendships that have formed, the homes that have changed, and why shame cannot survive in community. This is also the episode where Heather shares why DeclutterCon exists, and it is not because the world needed another event. In this episode: Why so many people have never once spoken out loud about the reality of their homeThe connection between isolation, shame, and being stuckWhat actually happens when people stop doing this aloneReal outcomes from Heather's in-person Untangled eventsWhy community is the shift that changes everythingChapters 00:00 Introduction to the Struggles of Clutter 02:40 The Emotional Toll of Clutter and Isolation 05:55 The Power of Community and Shared Experiences 08:39 Creating Safe Spaces for Connection 11:27 The Vision Behind DeclutterCon 14:11 Invitation to Join the Untangled Community Links: Book your DeclutterCon ticketJoin the Untangled Life membership waitlistFind Heather on Instagram: @untangledbytingleWebsite: DeclutterCon 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.

    21 min

  3. Jun 5

    137 - Why Am I So Frustrated With My Decluttering Progress?

    Send me a text message about this podcast Summary If you've hit a wall with your decluttering and you're starting to get annoyed at yourself at your lack of progress, this episode is for you. Heather unpacks why lack of progress usually has nothing to do with laziness, and everything to do with what else is going on in your life. From the aftermath of a heatwave to the stress of everyday life quietly draining your energy, there are so many reasons why progress slows down. And then there's the middle bit: that slog that feels like it goes on forever before the end suddenly appears. In this episode Heather covers: Why your energy is probably being used up elsewhere without you even realisingThe middle bit of a project and why it feels so hardWhy microcategories are your best friend when you're running low on capacityHow to track your discards so you can actually see your progressMatching your plan to the energy you really have, not the energy you think you should haveWhy rest is not optional, and why giving yourself permission to stop is part of the process Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Decluttering Frustration and Human Limits 00:27 You Are Not Lazy: Understanding Energy Limits 01:25 External Stressors Impact Decluttering Capacity 02:17 The Effect of Heat and Stress on Functioning 02:45 Life Overloads and Limited Energy for Optional Tasks 03:12 Middle-Project Slumps and Motivation Loss 04:09 The Importance of Micro Categories 06:21 Monitoring Discards to Track Progress 07:12 Reviewing and Adjusting Your Decluttering Plan 08:36 Rest Is Part of the Process 09:31 Upcoming DeclutterCon Event in Sheffield Mentioned in this episode: DeclutterCon 2026, Saturday 10th October, Sheffield. Tickets available now at www.decluttercon.co.uk use code earlybird26 for a discount (for the first 20tickets sold or by the 30th June 2026, whichever comes first) 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.

    12 min

  4. May 29

    136 - Seeing potential in discards, are you in danger of Wishcycling?

    Send me a text message about this podcast Summary You can see the potential in it. You know someone out there would love it, fix it up, give it a new life. So into the charity bag it goes — because that feels like the kindest thing to do. But what if that well-meaning donation is actually creating a problem for the very charities you want to support? In this episode, Heather talks about wishcycling — the habit of donating items in the hope that someone else will do the rescuing — and what to do instead when something isn't quite charity-ready. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Wish Cycling 02:52 Understanding Wish Cycling and Its Impact 05:33 Options for Responsible Decluttering 08:47 Finding Better Exits for Unwanted Items Resources Olio App Decluttering Untangled Facebook Community  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.

    11 min

  5. May 22

    135 - When You and Your Partner See Clutter Differently (And the Resentment Is Building)

    Send me a text message about this podcast Summary If clutter is causing tension in your home, you are not alone. Whether it's a partner, spouse, housemate or family member, living with someone who has a different relationship with stuff than you do is genuinely hard, and the resentment that builds on both sides can start to feel impossible to navigate. In this episode, Heather Tingle draws on a decade of working in clients' homes, as well as her own personal experience, to talk honestly about what actually happens when one person is overwhelmed by the clutter and the other is overwhelmed by the pressure to let it go. This is not a one-sided conversation. Heather talks about why blame never helps, why the person with the clutter is not broken or lazy, and why the person feeling resentful is not wrong to feel the way they do either. You will come away with practical strategies including how to have the conversation before any decluttering starts, why proper decluttering looks messier before it gets better, how to get the other person genuinely involved without it becoming a battle, and how to find a shared finish line that works for both of you. Because the goal is not for one person to win. It is for the home to feel livable for everyone who lives in it. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Decluttering Challenges 02:56 Understanding Resentment in Shared Spaces 05:36 The Importance of Communication 08:17 Navigating the Decluttering Process 11:13 Involving Others in the Decluttering Journey 14:29 Creating a Collaborative Environment 17:01 Establishing Practical Solutions 20:06 Celebrating Progress Together 22:48 Conclusion and Encouragement 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.

    27 min

  6. May 15

    134 - What to do when you hate your home

    Send me a text message about this podcast Summary Heather Tingle shares practical strategies for coping with the overwhelming feeling of hating your own home. She discusses how to create pockets of calm, enjoy your space now, and find small ways to improve your environment despite ongoing decluttering efforts. Chapters 00:00 Coping with Home Discomfort 06:06 Strategies for Creating a Comfortable Space 09:45 Finding Joy Outside Your Home 11:36 Creating Pockets of Niceness 15:45 Enjoying Your Space Now 18:33 Call to Action: Reclaim Your Home 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.

    19 min

  7. May 8

    133 - The Junk Drawer Series: Decluttering those random screws and hardware

    Send me a text message about this podcast Summary In this episode, Heather Tingle tackles the clutter of DIY hardware bits in your junk drawer. Learn how to organise, declutter, and decide what to keep or let go of, making space and reducing stress. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to DIY Clutter 02:48 Identifying and Managing Spare Parts 05:34 The Guilt of Unidentified Items 08:56 Practical Tips for Organizing DIY Supplies 11:48 Conclusion and Encouragement Resources Episode 104 on dealing with miscellaneous bits 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.

    12 min

  8. May 1

    132 - The Junk Drawer Series: Decluttering Instruction Manuals

    Send me a text message about this podcast Summary In this episode, Heather Tingle tackles the common clutter of instruction manuals, exploring why we keep them and how to let go. She offers practical tips on assessing their value, reducing clutter, and managing related anxieties. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Manual Clutter Challenge 00:29 Why Do We Keep Instruction Manuals? 01:21 The Anxiety Behind Keeping Manuals 02:14 Assessing the Value of Manuals in Your Home 03:09 Common Items with Manuals You Can Discard 04:33 When Manuals Are Too Redundant or Unnecessary 06:46 Using Online Resources and QR Codes 07:38 Deciding When to Keep or Discard Manuals 09:30 High-Value Complex Appliances Worth Keeping Manuals 10:49 Organizing Essential Manuals in a Small Folder 11:18 Understanding Consumer Rights and Warranties 12:14 When to Recycle or Keep Manuals for Resale 13:36 Final Tips and Reassurance for Decluttering Manuals 14:34 Encouragement 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.

    16 min
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About

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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